Great Lakes Explorations

05/09/2024

We just published an article on LinkedIn. Please feel free to read it!

As of October 1, 2024, travelers to Zanzibar will face a new mandatory requirement—purchasing inbound travel insurance at a cost of USD $44 per person. This adds to the existing visa fee of USD $50, making it a total of USD $94 per person just to step foot on the island, even before covering ferry or flight costs. While the insurance is framed as a measure to enhance visitor safety, it can be seen by many as a new tourism tax in disguise.

At a time when visiting Zanzibar is becoming more expensive, we encourage travelers to consider more affordable yet equally stunning alternatives. For those looking to end a safari with a beach holiday, Lake Tanganyika in Burundi offers a perfect escape at a lower cost.

If you're planning a trip to Zanzibar after October 1, 2024, you'll need to factor in an extra cost: a mandatory travel insurance fee of $44 per person, in addition to the $50 visa fee. This new requirement, which applies to all foreign visitors entering Zanzibar, raises the total entry cost to $94

14/08/2024

Exciting Gorilla Baby News! 🦍

We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of a new baby mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park! On August 8th, 2024, Munini, a proud member of the Nshongi gorilla group in Rushaga, welcomed her fourth little one into the world. This new addition brings the Nshongi family to a total of 14 members, all under the strong leadership of silverback Bweza.

Munini has previously given birth to Raha in 2012, who has now grown into a handsome blackback, as well as Bayenza and Kijumwa in 2017 and 2021. This latest arrival is another wonderful milestone for this remarkable family.

If you’ve ever dreamed of witnessing these incredible creatures up close, now is the perfect time to join us for a gorilla trekking adventure. Come and experience the magic of Bwindi and meet the newest member of the Nshongi family!

Don’t forget to leave your congratulatory messages for Munini and the Nshongi family in the comments below. We can’t wait to share this unforgettable experience with you!

Thank you Wildlife Authority to share this news.
Source: Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)

11/08/2024

Discover the thrilling wildlife adventures awaiting you in Uganda! One of the incredible sights you can experience with Great Lakes Explorations is observing majestic crocodiles in their natural habitat. Recently, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) successfully captured a massive crocodile that had been causing quite a stir at the Kacwankumu landing site on Lake Albert.

On August 1st, 2024, UWA’s Problem Animal Capture Team, led by Onenchan John, set traps in the water. By the afternoon of the next day, they had successfully captured the giant crocodile. This impressive creature, measuring 4.5 meters and weighing 500 kilograms, has since been relocated to a safer, more remote area where it can live undisturbed in the wild, while the local community can now enjoy peace of mind.

This 45-year-old crocodile had been a significant threat to the villagers between January 2023 and July 2024, resulting in the tragic loss of one life and injuries to several others. Though the crocodile is no longer a danger, the UWA urges locals to remain vigilant, as other crocodiles may still be in the area.

We applaud the dedication and skill of the UWA capture team for their successful operation, ensuring both the safety of the community and the conservation of wildlife.

Photo Source: Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)

11/08/2024

🛠️🚙 Behind the Scenes: Our 4x4 Toyota Landcruiser Safari vehicle is getting the royal treatment today! From thorough maintenance to a detailed cleaning, we’re making sure everything is in top shape for tomorrow’s VIP Safari adventure. We can’t wait to hit the road and create unforgettable memories! 🌍🦁

26/02/2024

Not far from the town of Rutana in Burundi, you can visit the Karera waterfalls with an estimated hight of 80 meters. They are well hidden in a dense protected forrest. Kivu Travel allows you to hike these waterfalls when you come and visit Burundi with us!

03/09/2023

We spotted these lions today just next to our safari vehicle. Our clients who are discovering Uganda were absolutely thrilled!

07/08/2023

Just found this video from when we started a couple of years ago. A heard of elephants passing by.

04/08/2023

Our Uganda Primates Safari promotion is an invigorating adventure to explore the wildlife wonders of Uganda by taking you first to the Kibale National Park and the opportunity to see chimp troops in their natural habitat and relish sensational views of lush tropical rainforests. You will also visit the ancient Bwindi Forest to track the habituated gorilla families in the dense and ancient tropical forest, past beautiful waterfalls with sunlight filtering through the foliage of the triple canopy. There are more than 1,000 mountain gorillas in this region, and half of that population lives in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Also included is a visit to the Lake Mburo National Park with a game drive and walking safari.

Our gorilla and chimpanzee tracking adventures and general wildlife safaris feature major activities, exciting experiences, and memorable events. And our tour prices are all-inclusive of major activities, including gorilla and chimp permits where required. Additional services and activities beyond those listed are available to book with these promotions on request.

Great Lakes Explorations is a tour operator based in Uganda with a team of industry-leading travel experts and tour guides. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of exciting, competitive, quality-oriented gorilla and chimpanzee tracking tours and general wildlife safaris for Uganda and Rwanda. Our objective is simple: we are here to help you experience amazing natural wonders and cultural encounters in Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond. Our safaris are crafted events, providing you with the best in leisure travel, creating memorable encounters and unforgettable experiences that are a feast for the senses.

Call / WhatsApp +256 772 200 335 or email [email protected] to book your unique Ugandan safari experience.

30/07/2023

We absolutely love that our clients share some of their pictures from their trip with us.

Thank you Frederik Knapen from Medialife for these pictures of your gorilla tracking experience in Buhoma, Uganda.

28/07/2023

Great Lakes Explorations is a tour operator based in Uganda with a team of industry-leading travel experts and tour guides. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of exciting, competitive, quality-oriented gorilla and chimpanzee tracking tours and general wildlife safaris for Uganda and Rwanda. Our objective is simple: we are here to help you experience amazing natural wonders and cultural encounters in Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond. Our safaris are crafted events, providing you with the best in leisure travel, creating memorable encounters and unforgettable experiences that are a feast for the senses.

Call / WhatsApp +256 772 200 335 or email [email protected] to book your unique Ugandan safari experience.

28/07/2023

Treat yourself to a discounted safari exploring the wooded savannahs lining the banks of the Nile River and teeming with wildlife in the Murchison Falls National Park. On your drive to Murchison Falls National Park, you will first visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, featuring the only rhinos in Uganda. Here you will venture on a walking safari to track rhinos or experience a boat ride to search for the elusive shoebill stork.

Murchison Falls National Park shares its name with the famous falls on the Nile River, whose 43 meters of boiling water are forced through a 7-meter wide gap before crashing into the wooded country below. Murchison Falls NP is the largest gazetted park in Uganda, covering more than 3,900 square kilometers, and is today recognized as the most popular park in the country next to Queen Elizabeth NP.

The landscapes of the northern areas of the park are dominated by savannahs interspersed with Borassus palms, acacia trees, and riverine woodlands. By comparison, the southern parts of the park feature woodland and tropical forests that are also home to an astonishing variety of wildlife, such as chimpanzees, buffalos, lions, elephants, Uganda kob, and Rothschild’s giraffe.

Our gorilla and chimpanzee tracking adventures and general wildlife safaris feature major activities, exciting experiences, and memorable events. And our tour prices are all-inclusive of major activities, including gorilla and chimp permits where required. Additional services and activities beyond those listed are available to book with these promotions on request.

Call / WhatsApp +256 772 200 335 or email [email protected] to book your unique Ugandan safari experience.

27/07/2023

One of our clients shared with us this great aftermovie! Thank you Els for sharing this!

21/07/2023

Treat yourself to a discounted safari exploring the bamboo thickets and tropical forests of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The endangered mountain gorillas of Africa exist primarily in 2 locations, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA), which comprises three national parks and a string of eight volcanoes stretching across Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Today there are more than 1,000 mountain gorillas in this region, and half of that population lives in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Mountain gorillas also exist in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, but these frequently cross into Rwanda and are not easy to track.

The ancient Bwindi Forest dates back to the last ice age and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It provides an incredible backdrop for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure as you have the exciting opportunity to visit the mountain gorilla's natural habitat of bamboo groves and enjoy sensational views of lush tropical rainforests.

Our gorilla and chimpanzee tracking adventures and general wildlife safaris feature major activities, exciting experiences, and memorable events. And our tour prices are all-inclusive of major activities, including gorilla and chimp permits where required. Additional services and activities beyond those listed are available to book with these promotions on request.

Call / WhatsApp +256 772 200 335 or email [email protected] to book your unique Ugandan safari experience.

20/07/2023

Check out Uganda’s contribution to innovative ‘Afro-fusion’ cuisine.

Restaurant Meza Malonga combines ingredients and food cultures from different countries, embodying the heritage and traditions of a vast and varied continent.

14/07/2023

Great Lakes Explorations is a tour operator based in Uganda with a team of industry-leading travel experts and tour guides. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of exciting, competitive, quality-oriented gorilla and chimpanzee tracking tours and general wildlife safaris for Uganda and Rwanda. Our objective is simple: we are here to help you experience amazing natural wonders and cultural encounters in Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond. Our safaris are crafted events, providing you with the best in leisure travel, creating memorable encounters and unforgettable experiences that are a feast for the senses.

Call / WhatsApp +256 772 200 335 or email [email protected] to book your unique Ugandan safari experience.

14/07/2023

Treat yourself to a discounted safari in Uganda's famous Kibale National Park where you can go on the exhilarating search for the chimp troops in the dense triple canopy tropical forest, with the additional opportunity to observe many tropical bird species. With more than 1,400 chimpanzees, Kibale has one of the highest concentrations of primates anywhere in Africa and features a dedicated program for tracking habituated chimpanzee troops. You will also visit the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, a community-managed initiative that features eight primate species, over 200 bird species, and countless varieties of tropical plant life. You will also visit the ‘crater lakes region’ where you can participate in a hike through the countryside past small lakes and scenic villages and meet local people to learn about their cultures and traditions.

Our gorilla and chimpanzee tracking adventures and general wildlife safaris feature major activities, exciting experiences, and memorable events. And our tour prices are all inclusive of major activities, including gorilla and chimp permits where required. Additional services and activities beyond those listed are available to book with these promotions on request.

Call / WhatsApp +256 772 200 335 or email [email protected] to book your unique Ugandan safari experience.

12/07/2023

New Uganda tourism promotion has a focus on cultural and culinary experiences.

Rediscover and fall in love with Uganda's magnificence. 🇺🇬