Attractions

Adventures on Safaris this July

The July Safari in Tanzania were absolutely fantastic, our clients truly enjoyed themselves, and were left awestruck. The parks traveled to were mainly the Serengeti, Tarangire and Manyara. We had a variety of clients, from families to just single people traveling in groups or by themselves.

Our drivers are some of the most experienced locals in the industry, because of this the guests leave not sightings species but also are able to tell stories to their families and friends back home about these beautiful creatures. Our goal is to create experiences for our guests and educate them about Africa and the beauty of it. As distances are far getting from one place to another, it is guaranteed that our drivers will make the drive pleasant filled with laughter and stories about this great continent.  

Most of our July Safari in Tanzania have a cultural tour inserted inside which allows the guests to experience first-hand shooting bows and arrows, watch how domestic animals are skinned if you have the stomach for it that is. Otherwise, you can learn how to throw Maasai spears. In these tours, you learn about the culture of the native people in the area and how they live, their traditions and history, sources of income and food. What amazes myself and I am sure most of you, is how they have integrated their cultures etc into the modern world, yet the simplicity of their lives is outstanding. Could you live like this even for just a week?

As this particular dry season, this year has been drier than normal, the wildlife was pretty scattered across the parks in search of water and food, having a great sighting of animals was pretty lucky. By the photos in this post, you can see that the guests made great memories and had lots of fun. If you have not been to Africa yet, or not this part of Africa we can assure you that memorable experiences will be created with us.

The migration in July was in northern Serengeti, the River Crossing sightings were spectacular! As this is the time of year that they are moving in between the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti. The Mara River is one of the best places to see the famous wildebeest river crossings. Here you will how the animals cross and how the predators take advantage of this movement of animals. In Africa, survival of the fittest and strongest is essential to life. At first, the Wildebeest are shy then they literally surge across, here picking out prey is easy for the crocodiles; lions sit and wait for them, and catch them whilst they are weary or the stragglers that are hesitant to cross. Watching the circle of life take place in right in front of you is truly amazing!

Those that visited Tarangire National Park, got the opportunity of seeing the largest mammals in Africa, the African elephant, this park holds the largest elephant population in East Africa, thereby you won’t drive far without seeing these majestic animals. You will also have seen the ground hornbill, those big black birds with red beaks. Did you know that the elephants are ruled by the Matriarch, the females are the ones who control what is going on in the herd, and the males get kicked out at times.

If you read our reviews on TripAdvisor you will be able to read the personal stories of the guests on safaris. Join us on an adventure and tick of those items on your bucket list! You can contact us at info@shadowsofafrica.com

A Day Excursion in Nairobi

What is there to do in Nairobi if you have just a one day layover? When visiting Kenya, proceeding on safari to the famous Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru or even Ol Pejeta is quite common; as we know Kenya is one of the most accessible countries in East Africa. Yet, if you have just a one night transfer in Nairobi for business and don’t have lots of time for the long safari carry on reading.

We have a solution for you! The capital of Kenya, Nairobi, can boast an opportunity to see wild nature without even having to go out of the city. Recently, our youngest team members loved their visit to Nairobi National Park, the Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Center.

The Elephant Orphanage only allows visitors strictly between 11 and 12pm. Julia and Lesia from Shadows had adopted two young elephants in the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust about six months ago. It gave them an advantage to visit at 5pm when these cute creatures were getting ready for sleep. That is why they planned their day accordingly.

At 8am, after a refreshing breakfast, they headed to Nairobi National Park for a short game drive and to be in time for the giraffe and elephant visits. It is quite a short drive to the park, but when it concerns the Day Excursions in Nairobi, you may need to be ready to deal with heavy traffic. Realistically, it takes around 40 minutes to get there.

The most special thing about the Nairobi National park is the opportunity to observe wildlife right in front of the skycrapers. Just a short distance from the entrance, you can see zebras, giraffes, antelopes and African buffaloes. If you are lucky enough, you will get to see at least a couple of lions and even the endangered black rhinos. The ladies were more than surprised to observe around 7 rhinos at the same time! Elijah, from our Nairobi office, explained that in Nairobi National Park it is possibly the best place in Kenya to view these rare and endangered species. In stunning Nakuru National Park, you may only get a slim chance at seeing such a big group.

The team also paid a visit to the Ivory Burning Site Monument, where more than 100 tons of ivory was burnt to hinder poaching.
It was the largest ivory burn in history.

After the game drive, the ladies visited the Giraffe Center, which is open from 9am up to 5pm. The center allows visitors to touch the giraffes and even feed them; but you need to be careful, these proud animals can hit you with their heads.

Finally, the most exciting part of the trip for Julia and Lesia was the visit to their adopted elephants Jotto and Malkia. They were saved by the David Shelrick Wildlife Trust and will be re-introduced back into the wild at the mere age of three. Any visitor of the orphanage can choose an elephant to sponsor. The minimum donation per year is just $50! This helps the foundation to supply babies with milk, food and to save more animals all around the Kenyan National Parks.

The Trust is not just hosting elephants, but as well as warthogs, rhino and a giraffe. This is a great chance for you to be a part of rescuing and saving african species from extinction. Some of the guests adopted more than 5 babies and come regularly to visit them. There is even an opportunity to adopt elephants online; this means that you can make an appointment to visit your baby at 5pm, when there are not that many tourists around. Thereafter, they spent a fanstic evening enjoying the restaurants of Nairobi.

Nairobi is definitely a city of contrasts. Here you will find everything - skyscrapers and slums, wildlife and traffic, a mix of nationalities and cultures. It is one of the most modern African cities with its own atmosphere.

Experience Tribal Culture with Cultural Tours in East Africa

Seven Day Ngorongoro Highlands Trekking Adventure

Our clients from Australia, Peta and Karen had a very special adventure in Tanzania. They decided to explore one of the most beautiful places in the world – the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.Their goal was to see it not just from a comfortable safari jeep, but also to see local villages, trek to Empaakai crater, and to explore off the beaten path places within the Ngorongoro Region.

For people who prefer to explore everything on their own two feet, we have a beautiful Seven Day Ngorongoro Highlands Trekking Adventure.

The program starts with a game drive in Ngorongoro Crater.

It is a home to the Big Five and is also the best place in Tanzania for spotting rhinos. Our clients enjoyed watching lions, buffaloes, wildebeests, and hyenas there.

After a bit of a game drive, Peta and Karen continued on to their trekking venture. They had a hike through the Embulimnuli Depression, where on the way they could see Maasai cattle trails. In the evening, they settled the camp in Kamnana village.

On the third day, they had the breathtaking experience of hiking to the famous Empakai Crater. It is a real green paradise offering an amazing view of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Natron and Ol Doinyo Lengai – an active volcano of Tanzania.

After observing unforgettable landscapes, they had a picnic and finally relaxed in camp.

On the next day, Peta and Karen didn’t miss a chance to visit Naiyobi – a village of the Maasai. There they had a chance to meet some of the local people to see how they are living and what they are eating.They even got to visit a local school.

The Australian ladies continued their trip with some more trekking to get closer to OlDoinyoLengai – an active and very unique volcano that emits sodium carbonate and potassium. Climbing OlDoinyoLengai is an incredible experience and can promise you some beautiful views of Lake Natron and the surrounding lands.

At the end of the itinerary, travelers had a game drive around Lake Natron, famous for its flamingoes, beautiful landscapes and some wildlife.

What do you think of this itinerary? If you are an active person who likes trekking and beautiful landscapes, you should definitely try this one. You will camp in one of the most impressive areas of East Africa! This is a real adventure!

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Too Expensive? Try Uganda!

Price Change

The Rwanda Development Board's recent announcement that they would immediately be lifting the cost of gorilla trekking permits from $750 USD to $1,500 USD has shocked a lot of people.

While there's no debating that generating more money for gorilla conservation can only be a good thing, the price change has made the prospect of gorilla trekking in Rwanda a daunting one for many travelers.

Thankfully, we're here to suggest a few ways in which you can still live your dream of seeing mountain gorillas in the wild without breaking the bank.

Existing Permits

If you've already purchased your gorilla trekking permit, your price is unaffected!

While there were rumors that the price change would affect existing bookings, we can confirm that all pre-booked gorilla trekking permits retain their original price.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

An obvious alternative to gorilla trekking in Rwanda is heading to neighboring Uganda, where permits range from $450 USD in low season to $600 USD during peak season.

While gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a more difficult hike, the experience is no less awe-inspiring.

With flights to Kigali still more affordable than flights into Entebbe, we've made things easier with our four new Ugandan gorilla trekking safaris.

Starting and finishing in Kigali, these trips include transfers into southern Uganda where you'll enjoy the thrill of gorilla trekking in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park.

You can check out our new itineraries below:

Three Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Itineraries

• Three Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kigali
• Three Day Mgahinga Gorillas & Culture Safari from Kigali

The above two itineraries are perfect for people on a tight schedule.

While the drive north into Uganda is a long (six-hour) one, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more scenic drive in your travels.

You'll then get to go gorilla trekking in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, both of which offer world-class gorilla trekking at a fraction of the cost.

Four Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Itineraries

• Four Day Ugandan Primate Special from Kigali
• Four Day Gorillas and Culture Safari from Kigali

If time is less of a factor, you might want to take advantage of these slightly longer itineraries.

Combining your Uganda gorilla trekking experience with either golden monkey trekking or a cultural tour, these are a great way to expand your trip without expanding your costs by too much.

Why Combine Uganda and Rwanda?

These four safaris allow you to combine Uganda's affordable gorilla trekking permits with Kigali's superior accessibility.

They also all include a complimentary Kigali city tour.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

If you still have your heart set on gorilla trekking in Rwanda, there are ways to make the experience more affordable.

By combining Rwanda's other national parks with your visit to Volcanoes National Park, you can earn a 30% discount on the cost of your gorilla trekking permits.

How to get cheap Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permits

It's as simple as paying a visit to Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Why not combine your gorilla trekking experience with chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe and a Big Five game drive in Akagera?

Our seven day Ultimate Rwanda Wildlife Safari combines all three parks into one fantastic itinerary, allowing you to take advantage of the 30% discount on gorilla permits.

Uganda Instead of Rwanda

if you didn't have your heart set on Rwandan and don't mind flying into Entebbe, why not just make your whole trip about Uganda?

The Pearl of Africa offers a huge variety of experiences and landscapes, as highlighted in our recent 10 Reasons Not to Overlook Uganda post.

From Big Five safaris to gorilla trekking to world-class chimpanzee trekking to whitewater rafting to hiking the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda has something for everybody.

Why not browse some of our favorite Uganda itineraries below?

• Three Day Uganda Gorilla Experience
• Six Day Gorilla & Big Game Safari
• Twelve Day Pearl of Africa Safari

Combine Rwanda with Tanzania or Kenya

if the price of gorilla permits isn't an issue for you, why not combine your visit to Rwanda's famous mountain gorillas with a complete safari experience in either Tanzania or Kenya?

With Kigali International Airport so well connected to the world, it's easy to pair your visit to Rwanda with a Big Five game safari in either Tanzania or Kenya.

If witnessing the Wildebeest Migration on the Serengeti or Maasai Mara is also a dream of yours, we've got you covered!

• Ten Day Gorillas and Big Five Safari
• Six Day Best of Rwanda and Tanzania Safari

These itineraries are just a taste of what we can offer.

With offices in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya - Shadows of Africa is ideally situated to assist in planning a cross country safari.

Want to know more?

Are you planning to see Rwanda's mountain gorillas? Contact us to discuss how we can help to make your gorilla trekking dream a reality.

How to Plan a Cross-County Safari

East African Destinations for a Family Safari

Planning a Family Safari

Planning a safari for your family can be a stressful affair. You've not only got to consider your own safari ambitions, but also the shorter attention spans of your younger travelers.

While we've written before about how to plan a family safari, we thought we'd highlight some must-see destinations when it comes to entertaining young and old alike.

From learning about Maasai culture in Tanzania to walking with giraffes in Kenya to beach escapes in Rwanda, there's a little something for everybody in East Africa.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya

This former cattle ranch is today a beacon for conservation in East Africa. Not only is Ol Pejeta the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, it's also home to some of the world's last remaining white rhinos.

The conservancy is also home to a large variety of other animals, including plenty of Africa's iconic big cats and a chimpanzee sanctuary.

The opportunity to go on a game drive, visit the chimpanzee sanctuary, and meet Najin, Fatu, and Sudan (three of the world's last white rhinoceros) are the highlights, but there's more!

Night game drives, lion tracking, bush walks, birding, and plenty to occupy young and old alike make Ol Pejeta a premier family safari destination.

Lake Naivasha, Kenya

While it's not a national park in its own right, Lake Naivasha is a regular inclusion on Kenyan safaris.

Located between Lake Nakuru National Park and the Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha is often included as a stop due to its abundance of comfortable lodges, its beautiful scenery, and its proximity to a variety of Lake Naivasha attractions.

Key among these attractions are the opportunity to take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha to see hippos and a variety of birds.

You can also pay a visit to the Crescent Island Sanctuary, where kids can wander alongside giraffes, zebras, and antelope.

Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi is a common starting point for safaris in both Kenya and Tanzania, but the Kenyan capital is also full of exciting activities for families.

Our half-day Nairobi tour and full-day Nairobi tour pack in a variety of activities including the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, the Giraffe Centre, Bomas of Kenya, and more.

Why not add a day in Nairobi to the start or finish of your safari?

Hell's Gate National Park, Kenya

Located a short drive from Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Nairobi - Hell's Gate National Park is often thought of as a playground for those who love extreme outdoor activities.

While rock-climbing and hiking might be a bit much for a young family, Hell's Gate's unique landscape and lack of predators make it a great place for a relaxed family excursion.

Renting a bike and traveling through Hell's Gate is a great way to see Africa up close. You can also visit the local hot springs and even camp!

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Africa's premier beach playground is tailor-made for families.

With a variety of resorts catering to all budgets and all walks of life, there's something for everybody on Tanzania's spice island.

Whether you're looking to relax in luxury, take excursions for snorkeling, or learn more about the island's history - there is plenty of things to do in Zanzibar.

Africa Amini Maasai Lodge, Tanzania

Authentic cultural experiences can be difficult to come by while traveling. With many locals realizing the value of tourism, there has been a rise in 'fake' attractions aimed at selling souvenirs.

Thankfully, Africa Amini Maasai Lodge near Arusha has filled this niche. A not for profit organisation aimed at bettering the lives of local Maasai, Africa Amini Lodge combines luxury with an authentic cultural experience.

At this beautiful lodge, adults and kids alike can participate in Maasai led activities such as guided nature walks, traditional craft lessons, local food, spear throwing, music, and dance.

Arusha National Park, Tanzania

Not as popular as the Serengeti or Lake Manyara, Arusha National Park is nonetheless worthy of inclusion on your safari.

Without any predators to worry about, visitors to Arusha National Park can trade the car for the open air - with both walking safaris and canoe safaris available.

There's plenty to do in Arusha National Park, and it's thoroughly worth including in your trip if time allows.

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

While Murchison Falls National Park is a little out of the way compared to Uganda's other popular parks, there are plenty of reasons why your family will love the park.

Not only is the park home to some of Africa's most iconic animals, but the waterfall from which it takes its name is worth a visit.

Murchison Falls is the world's most powerful waterfall, and the chance to witness its power up close and take a cruise on the Nile are this park's big selling points.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Located on the drive between Kibale Forest National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's premier game drive destination.

Famed for its tree climbing lions, the park's open plains are also home to a variety of other animals and an equally huge variety of lodges and camps.

A highlight of any visit to the park is the chance to take a boat safari on Kazinga Channel to see elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a huge variety of birds.

Lake Kivu, Rwanda

Rwanda's main attractions - chimpanzees and gorillas - aren't available to kids under the age of twelve, but there are still reasons to visit The Land of 1,000 Hills.

Lake Kivu is one of the most beautiful bodies of water in all of East Africa - the perfect place for a beach escape without the ocean.

The shores of Lake Kivu are dotted with gorgeous accommodations ranging from luxury lodges to quaint B&Bs, and there are a variety of local cultural activities to participate in.

Iby Iwacu Cultural Village, Rwanda

Located in Musanze, the Iby Iwacu Cultural Village is a project by reformed poachers to raise awareness of traditional Rwandan culture.

Visitors to this cultural park can try traditional food, see displays of local dance and music, learn about traditional culture, and even try their hand at being King or Queen for a day!

10 Reasons Not to Overlook Uganda

How to Spend a Day in Kigali