How to book an East African tourist visa to visit Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya

November 10, 2015

How to book an East African tourist visa to visit Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya

When you establish which country you wish to visit Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, you can check for their travel requirement cording to their immigration websites.

In case you realize that a person from your country must possess a visa to enter either of these countries, apply for it through each country’s visa application link. This option is provided for and an East African Visa can be applied for as an option.

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Ask for help from your travel company in case you are lost on what to do. It is best to apply for the East African Visa In advance so that you go through all the procedures required and you get a response in time before travel.

The East African visa allows you entry into only two East African countries and at the moment it cost $100. When you apply for the East Africa visa you reduce on the time you take at immigration filling out different forms and waiting for responses. This is time-wasting at times and tiring. At times you may have no cash and you need to make payment which becomes a lengthy process.

When you arrive at the airport or want to cross the border of another country, you want to do as soon as possible in order to continue with your journey to your destination.

What To Do on Uganda safari When You Visit

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is the major attraction that Uganda celebrates as a tourist destination in East Africa. You must obtain a gorilla trekking permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority sold per day. only a maximum of 8 gorilla permits are open for the world to book. Uganda currently has only 19 gorilla families that are open for the world to book.

No one is allowed to see the mountain gorillas without this permit. Two gorilla trekking destinations are found in Uganda that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Uganda is one of the renowned homes of chimpanzees in Africa hosting a huge number of them in destinations like Kibale National Park, Kyambura gorge, Kaniyo Pabidi, Kalinzu forest, Ngamba Chimpanzee sanctuary, and others.

You must obtain a chimpanzee trekking permits to access some of these chimpanzee destinations. This money is a contribution to the conservation fund of these primates and park maintenance.

Mountaineering

Uganda has the Mountain Rwenzori also called the mountains of the moon. You can hike this mountain for about 7 days. You must make a booking in advance. Other possible mountains you can hike in Uganda include Mountain Elgon, Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga, and others.

Source Of River Nile

Uganda has the source of the River Nile in Jinja. At this point, the River Nile water separates from Lake Victoria water, and watching this drama is interesting. This point leaves you wondering what may be happening beneath as violent River Nile Water separates from calm Lake Victoria water.

White Water Rafting in Uganda

On River Nile Itanda falls, you can take part in White Water rafting. In this adventure, you don’t need to be an expert as instructors are in place to take you through all the necessary procedures. You just need to keep peddling and know the limit where to end with white water rafting because there is a different level.

Game Drives and launch cruising

Uganda is endowed with great National Parks where you can do game drives. These national parks include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and others. When you take a launch trip to Murchison Falls and on the Kazinga channel, you enjoy the great views and riverine animals that love frequenting the shores to take a bath and quench your thirst.

Birding in Uganda

Uganda is one of the best African bird destinations hosting over 1000 bird species. The varied vegetation zones that favor the survival of different birds in Uganda make it a magnet for even migrant birds that fly from as far as Europe.

You may get to see even Albertine endemics including those on the IUCN red list. Some of the Uganda birding destinations include Bwindi Impenetrable national park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mpanga forest, Mabamba Forest, Murchison Falls National Park, Botanical Gardens, and others. You need a well-tailored Uganda birding itinerary to have the best experience with the birding destinations in Uganda.

What To Do on Rwanda safari When You Visit

Gorilla Trekking

Rwanda is one of the renowned gorilla trekking destinations in the world. The country hosts some of the leftover mountain gorillas in the world. The Rwanda mountain gorillas are living in Volcanoes National park. With other primates like golden monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, and others.

You must obtain a gorilla permit from Rwanda Development Board in order to enjoy your time with the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. At the moment the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs $1500 per person per trek.

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking is held in Nyungwe National Park Rwanda. You need to reserve a chimpanzee trekking permit from Rwanda development Board. The headquarters of chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda are in Uwinka. You can also do chimpanzee trekking in Cyamudondo which is on the periphery of Nyungwe National Park.

These chimpanzees are still under habituation but they are very entertaining to watch ad follow.

Canopy walks in Rwanda

This is one of the unique walks over Nyugwe National park in Rwanda. You walk on a 90 meters long suspension bridge elevated over tropical Nyungwe forest. When you stand over this forest, you enjoy the scenery and various birds and primates show off before you. It’s the only one of its kind in East Africa.

Game Drives and Boat Trip

By booking a safari to Akagera National park, you may get to see a number of wild animals when you go for a game drive like zebras, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, Uganda Kobs, Lions, leopards, Rhinos, Giraffes, and others.

You may decide to take a relaxing boat trip on Lake Ihema and enjoy the great view of the highlands surrounding this Park.

Kigali City Tours

Rwanda has one of the cleanest cities in Africa with a great environment and net. You can drive through this city and visit the genocide memorials, marketplaces, cultural centers, museums, and others.

What To Do on Kenya safari When You Visit

The Great Wildebeest Migration

Although the starting time for the great wildebeest migration is not easy to predict, it is one of the 8 wonders of the world. You keep wondering what really triggers a huge population of wild animals including, wildebeests, zebras, impalas, gazelles, and others to move every year.

The drama at the Mara river is exceptional as survival of the fittest comes to reality. The predators are ready to grab the weak migrants while others struggle to cross this bloody river Mara from Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara National Reserve.

Hiking Mountain Kilimanjaro

The hike to Mountain Kilimanjaro is one of the sought-after mountaineering challenges in the world. You have to be with some level of fitness because your muscles may be strained. The glacier-topped peak of the mountain Kilimanjaro is one of the great sceneries you can visit in Kenya.

The Great Mombasa Beaches At the Coast

Kenya has a coastline that you can visit for a beach holiday. You can also hold destination functions like weddings on the Kenyan coast. While at the coast, you can take part in scuba diving, Kayaking, snookering, boat cruises, swimming in the ocean, and other water activities.

Masai Cultural Tour

The authenticity of the Masai culture makes them unique. Even with the changes in the world, the Masais are still holding onto their cultural norms. There have great crafts and performances that keep you wishing to join them. They are generally cattle keepers that hold large herds of cattle. They live in Manyattas where they protect their livestock

Birding In Kenya

Kenya is one of the rich birding destinations where you have chances of spotting a huge flock of birds like the Flamingos of Lake Nakuru. You can also visit others destinations in Kenya for the birding experience. You may also get to see birds like Saddle bill, Taita White-eye, Taita Apalis, Turracos, Aberdare Cisticola, Taita Thrush, and others.

Other Kenya National Park

Kenya is Rich with different game parks including Nairobi National Park right in the capital of Kenya. This park hosts animals over 100 mammals, it borders the traditional south Kapiti plains. Meru National Park, Samburu and Buffalo Spring National Park, Amboseli National Park, Shimba Hill National Reserve, and others.

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we pride ourselves on organizing the best East Africa safaris. We understand the hassle one goes through to preserve their hard-earned to take an African safari. We provide value for money and beyond. This is the reason for the great review we receive on Trip advisor and Safari Bookings.

When Is The Best Time To Do East African Safari

The peak season for most African safaris is from June to September and December to January when there is less rain falling in general. This season is normally dry with fewer spots of rain falling.

You have to book in advance most of the services that make up the entire package so that you are not limited to choices for a last-minute booking.

East Africa has a growing tourism industry where by stakeholders with great services are still limited. In case you wish to have the best African safari experience in East Africa, you have to do booking in advance for all attractions.

The low season normally comes with discounted prices from services like guide drivers, accommodations, and others. In case you need discounts on your safari but use high-end facilities, you can use the low season. the low season is normally March to May and November.

How safe Are Uganda, Rwanda And Kenya

For a long time, Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya are enjoying great peace this is they are some of the sought-after East African destinations. The cooperation amongst the security organs of these countries makes security a great deal to consider.

You must also mind your security while on safari like not counting large sums of money in public while on safari, avoiding eating from undesignated street points, and avoiding carrying precious items that may attract the wrong people.

Keep closer to the people you travel with so that you do not get lost as most African streets are not well labeled.

What To Pack For East African Safari

Insect repellent to keep away biting insects that may cross your way.
Sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun rays of the scorching sun. East Africa experiences a tropical climate in general.
Convertible trousers and shirt to alter them in case the need arises. The colors of the clothes must be friendly to the wilderness like tan and Khaki.
Safari boots to wear on a game drive and during the hikes like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking
Sunglasses to protect your yeas from the scorching sunlight.
Foldable hat with a large brim to cover your head with.
A duffel bag that you can carry in case you have no help.
Some cash to use in ground when doing personal purchases. Credit cards are not easy to use in Africa because of the lengthy process of collecting money from them.
Flipflops to change into after a long day in the field wearing closed shoes.
A camera to keep memories of your experience while on an African safari. You can refer back to these when you are not traveling.
Light backpack to carry with your belonging while on a game drive or gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking.
Some warmers because most of the destinations get cold in the morning and late afternoons. You need to protect yourself from feeling cold.
Toiletries in case your lodge doesn’t provide them.
A pair of binoculars in case you need to have a clearer view of far-ranging items.