Tag: Frequently Asked Questions
A series of articles answering frequently asked questions about the Gorilla Highlands region of Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo.
Our Stories:
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Should I Expect Very Basic Accommodation Facilities?
120mm, f/8.0, 1/250s, ISO250 Hotels in the Gorilla Highlands region range from cheap and very, very basic — though rarely dirty — to the kind of opulence you would expect to be able to find in most big cities. Outside of urban areas, however, hotels probably aren’t where you want to spend your nights when…
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Is It Right to Come with Gifts for Children?
No and yes and no. On the one hand, there is some serious danger that you will contribute to the culture of begging that can be quite annoying. At my Ugandan home, Lake Bunyonyi, it’s almost like children learn “Give me money!” before “Mama”. At my Rwandan home, Musanze, we have a startlingly common problem…
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What Photography Gear Should I Pack for Rwanda, Uganda or DR Congo?
There are a dozen ways to answer this question, and it is obviously very subjective. What kind of equipment do you own? How important is photography to you? What’s your budget like? The Gorilla Highlands region is very diverse, and different activities call for different equipment. Still, there’s no point in bringing more than you…
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Why is Akagera National Park So Expensive — And Where Does My Money Go?
OK, let’s talk about money … Safaris are probably not the cheapest holiday option. As well as your flights, accommodation, food and transport, you might also have game drives, park fees, and additional activities to budget for. There is also a whole mixed-bag of options when it comes to planning a safari. Whereas private reserves…
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Why Choose Uganda and Rwanda over Tanzania and Kenya?
70mm, f/8.0, 1/400s, ISO125 Every place has its charms and attractions, and Kenya and Tanzania certainly received their fair share. For sheer volume of large mammals, the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem is probably unmatched anywhere in the world. Still, Rwanda and Uganda — even if we limit ourselves to Uganda’s southwest as pictured here — are something…
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What to Pack for Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC?
This is a question that sounds just about right to open our new theme, Frequently Asked Questions … First, let us deal with the most obvious sub-question: To track mountain gorillas, you will have to pack good hiking shoes, long trousers and long sleeved shirts which will protect you against stinging plants. You should also bring rain…
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How Safe is Rwanda, Uganda, DR Congo? (Wide-Eyed Review of Top Search Results)
We are getting straight to the nitty-gritty of our theme Staying Safe and Healthy, tackling the question of the actual safety of a region that includes Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo …
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What Is Best Time to Visit Rwanda, Uganda and Eastern DRC? Experts Disagree!
“When is the best time to come?” is the question I have heard too many a time during my 20 years in the Gorilla Highlands. “Any time is the best time,” has been my standard reply, undoubtedly valid for the core of our region with rainforests and volcanoes inhabited by gorillas. But before posting this…
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How Do Gorillas Get Habituated (Used to Humans)?
In the national parks of the Gorilla Highlands, many gorilla groups roam. But only some of them can actually receive one-hour visits from tourists. That is because they are habituated or, in other words, used to humans. This is done very selectively and carefully. For example, when in 2017 Rwanda doubled its gorilla tracking fees…