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  • Rwanda Travel Guide: First Time Visitors Guide

    If you’ve never been to Rwanda before then it might seem like a new world on earth having heard a lot about the country’s people, city organization, strict rules ,attractions and many others. Planning a safari in Rwanda is too easy unlike in other destination where it sometimes become a hassle.

    The country has many tour agencies and experts who propose amazing incredible Rwanda trip itineraries for successful holidays. Responses are always in time giving you a new job of reading different trip itineraries and inspirations that make up to your holiday.We always have wishes and expectations before planning trips or even before heading out for them but consider in mind that not all come true at least you can miss out 1% though Rwanda safaris are dream holidays in Africa that whoever visits leaves with more great memories than expected.

    Several Questions pop up every time you plan to visit a new destination across the world including when is the best time to visit?, How to get there?, what should you pack for the trip?, Do I need a Visa?, what is best to see and do?, How will the weather be like?, how much do I need for the tour? and many others.

    Rwanda visa

    Yes you do need a Rwanda tourist visa to enter Rwanda so some foreign nationals don’t need it. One can apply online but don’t use Hotmail account or work email while sending in your request for the online Visa. The most recommended mails are Gmail and Yahoo accounts. Visa fee for Rwanda is $30 but you should be a foreigner who want to visit Rwanda on purpose but not work and not nationals of Uganda, Singapore, UK, U.S.A, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, Kenya, Hong Kong, Germany, Burundi, Congo, and Mauritius.

    If you enter Rwanda for holidays, sightseeing and recreation, the country allows a minimum stay of one month and if you wish to stay a little bit longer you advised to get another class of Rwanda visa. Rwanda visas are processed within 3 days and all visa applicants receive tracking numbers immediately after submission. Other Rwanda visas include multiple entry visa at 75$,transit visa 37$, tourist visa for multiple entry and valid for 90 days 62$ ,conference: 37$,medical treatment: 20$,and group tourist125$. Requirements differ depending on different types of visas.

    Best time for Rwanda vacations

    As a general rule, June- October and December to match are hot and considered to Rwanda’s peak season, with average warm weather, sunshine and April, May and November is cool with some rains and a pleasant time to track chimpanzees and is considered as low season. However the all year is a great time to visit Rwanda for any tour activity because the country has variety in stock for every interest and holiday any time. One can chill at Lake Kivu beach from Kigali, then down to volcanoes national park to see gorillas and finally discover the natural beauty of the primate park Nyungwe.

    You might be surprised to see rain showers in the considered dry months though it usually shines immediately and temperatures change a slightly though just like before. If chimpanzees are your favorite, visit during late may when trees and forest vegetation’s are wearing fresh leaves and fruits the time when chimpanzees move slow because they keep stopping in different forest locations for a bite.But for those interested in only seeing Rwanda Mountain gorillas would recommend the activity to be done any time of the year because treks are manageable and gorilla tracking is a year round tour activity. But for volcanoes hikers, the dry season is the best in order to make it to the summit.

    Accessibility

    Rwanda is found in East Africa neighboring Uganda, Democratic republic of Congo, and Tanzania. Now getting to Rwanda from Europe is by air travel and several airlines operate many scheduled flights to Kigali international airport including Rwanda Air the nation’s career.

    Other Airlines include Quarter, British air, Gulf, Brussels, Emirates, Ethiopian, British and many others. But for those within the East Africa travel by road is cheap and available in all countries. Travelers to Uganda and Democratic republic of Congo find it easy to connect between destinations.

    Before boarding a plane for your Rwanda tour, ask for a detailed pack list from your Rwanda trip planner or tour operator so that you don’t leave behind important things that you may need during the trip. Still the same planner can advise on the best places to visit or worth checking out during your stay in Rwanda and how convenient it can be. Rwanda tour prices Usually differ depending on the number of days, tour activities and accommodation.

    To stay cheap take up the Rwanda budget tour or mid range option. Polythene bags effect the environment of Rwanda so avoid using polythene bags to pack some trip things for use.

  • Kenya’s Newest Mega Airport Opened for Business

    Kenya’s much anticipated, much delayed new airport, Isiolo International Airport, has been launched, signaling the beginning of passenger operations at the Sh2.5 billion facility.

    President Uhuru Kenyatta, who commissioned the airport, said the facility will open up the Northern Kenya tourism belt to grow the number of tourists in the region, thereby boosting the local economy.

    Two local airlines, Fly SAX and Fly 540, have already set up offices at the Isiolo International Airport in readiness to begin their operations. The airport, which sits on 330 hectares, is a Vision 2030 flagship project and has a 4,500 square metre passenger terminal capable of handling 125,000 passengers annually.

    The facility is a blessing since it will boost tourism in Isiolo, Samburu and Meru counties which are wildlife-rich regions.

  • Sarova Hotels Opens New Lodging in Nakuru Town

    Sarova Hotels, Resorts & Game Lodges, which also owns the Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge in the Lake Nakuru National Park, has recently opened the four-star Sarova Woodlands Hotel and Spa. Sarova Woodlands Hotel and Spa is a tranquil retreat for travellers on business or leisure, offering the ideal place to break the journey for those passing through Nakuru. The hotel is located off the main Nairobi – Nakuru highway just outside of Nakuru town and is situated on a wooded avenue in the upscale Milimani area adjacent to the State House.

    All rooms at Sarova Woodlands are ensuite and feature contemporary guest facilities and services to ensure a tranquil, comfortable and pleasant stay.
    The amenities include, air-conditioning, black-out curtains, Satellite TV, tea/coffee facilities, mini-bar, safe-deposit box, direct dial telephone with VOIP, wireless internet connectivity, private bath, shower and WC, hair dryers (voltage of 240 volts) and 50 cycle razor outlets operating on both 220 and 240 volts.

    Cinnamon, the main restaurant at Sarova Woodlands, offers a wide selection of cuisines including Continental, Pan-African, Pan-Asian and Indian in a buffet setting. It serves an extensive buffet spread for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a select a la carte menu for dinner and a table d’hote business lunch option. The food combines a fusion of international flavours with an element of live cooking using fresh ingredients.
    With an al-fresco setting, an all-day cafe cuisine, the courtyard café is the place to relax. The Leather Bar is a place to enjoy your favorite single malt or cognac and to relax and unwind or have an exclusive business chat.

    Sarova Woodlands Hotel & Spa offers the ideal venue for meetings and events in Nakuru with conference facilities spread over the second and third floors of the hotel. All conference and meeting rooms can be set up in different configurations and are fully equipped with seamless projection facilities and appropriate lighting. The Woodlands Ballroom can seat over 200 guests in a theatre style set-up and over 250 guests for a cocktail party. The three Woodlands Meeting Rooms have a capacity to accommodate 60 guests in theatre style and about 30 guests in a meeting style table set-up. Ideal for small meetings, The Board Room table can seat up to 10 people.

    The hotel also boasts a health club with state-of-the-art equipment, the Tulia Spa, a swimming pool and a gift shop.

    The hotel offers guests a wide range of leisure activities. Owing to its location in close proximity to heritage sites, game parks, lakes and farmlands, there are many activities that one can engage in including visits to the Hyrax prehistoric site, or to the Menengai Crater, game drives to Lake Nakuru National Park, or excursions to Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria.

  • Hostage South African Airways and Air Zimbabwe Planes leave Harare and Joburg as Mrs. Mugabe returns home

    South African Airways and Air Zimbabwe planes that where grounded have resumed operating on Sunday morning following a dispute over permits.

    This follows a meeting between the two airlines and civil aviation authorities of both countries.

    The meeting was convened by transport department officials.

    On Saturday, SAA cancelled all its flights after one of its planes was grounded in Harare because it didn’t have a foreign operating permit.

    An Air Zimbabwe flight was prevented from leaving OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, as it carried an expired foreign operators’ permit. Both parties have since submitted the required documents

    Also, South Africa is planning to grant diplomatic immunity to Zimbabwe’s First Lady Grace Mugabe, allowing her to return to Harare and avoid prosecution for the alleged assault of a 20-year-old model, a government source said on Friday.

    Police have put border posts on “red alert” to prevent Mugabe fleeing and indicated she will receive no special treatment in the case involving Gabriella Engels, who says Mugabe whipped her with an electric extension cable.

    Engels said she was assaulted by Mugabe on Sunday evening as she waited with two friends in a luxury Johannesburg hotel suite to meet one of Mugabe’s adult sons.

    A senior government source said there was “no way” Mugabe, 52, would be arrested because of the diplomatic fallout that would ensue from Zimbabwe, which has been led for nearly four decades by 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe.

    Other countries in southern Africa that supported South Africa’s ruling ANC in the long struggle against apartheid would also see Grace Mugabe’s prosecution as a betrayal, the source said.

    “There would obviously be implications for our relations with Zimbabwe. Sadly the other countries in the region are watching us and how we are going to act,” the source said, asking not to be named.

    “What is likely to happen is that she will be allowed to go back home, and then we announce that we’ve granted diplomatic immunity and wait for somebody to challenge us.”
    South Africa’s foreign ministry spokesman declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

    South Africa is home to an estimated 3 million Zimbabweans, but it has been powerless to prevent Zimbabwe’s economic and political decline over the last two decades.
    Enraging Mugabe by hauling his wife before the courts would only reduce its influence further, analysts say.

    The source accepted the view widely held by legal experts that Mugabe was not entitled to diplomatic immunity because she was in South Africa for medical treatment, and said the government was expecting her immunity to be challenged in court.

    Engels’ mother Debbie, who released photographs of her daughter with gashes to her head requiring 14 stitches, said it would be “very sad” if Grace Mugabe was allowed to leave.
    However, her daughter’s legal team – which includes Gerrie Nel, the prosecutor who secured a murder conviction against Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius – would counter such a move, she said.

    “Gerrie Nel and the team have contingency plans,” she told Reuters, without elaborating. “They will run with it.”

    DISGRACE
    Afriforum, an Afrikaans rights group that Nel joined in January after quitting as a state prosecutor, said it would be illegal for Pretoria to give Mugabe immunity and branded the plans a “disgrace”

    “The government has two responsibilities: one, to protect its own citizens and two, to act according to the law. And the granting of diplomatic immunity would transgress the law,” chief executive Kallie Kriel said.

    Harare has made no official comment on the saga and requests for comment from Zimbabwean government officials have gone unanswered. The South African government has restricted all official comment to the police ministry.

    Robert Mugabe arrived two days early in Pretoria for a regional southern African summit this week to help resolve his wife’s legal problems, the source said.

    Justice minister Michael Masutha told Reuters this week he was involved in discussions over the issue.

    A lawyer for Mugabe identified by Reuters refused to comment.

    The Engels incident is not the first time Grace Mugabe – who is lauded in official Zimbabwean media as ‘Mother of the Nation’ – has been in legal hot water.

    In 2009, a newspaper photographer in Hong Kong said Grace and her bodyguard had assaulted him. Police said the incident was reported but no charges were brought.

  • Air France to Resume Nairobi Flights After 18 Years

    French national carrier Air France will resume flights between Paris and Nairobi from next March after an 18-year hiatus, signalling rising travel demand on routes connecting the Kenyan capital to global cities.

    The return will bring to a close the airline’s reliance on code-shared flights with its partners for the Nairobi route. The French carrier previously served Nairobi until March 2000. From 25 March 2018, Boeing 787-9 aircraft will operate the Paric CDG to Nairobi route three times a week.

    Air France is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the Skyteam global airline alliance.

    Several major global airlines have been resuming flights into Kenya in recent years in a sign of increased passenger demand. They include German airline Lufthansa which two years ago resumed direct passenger flight service to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, ending 18 years of absence. India’s national carrier, Air India, has also announced plans to resume its flights to Nairobi later this year, seven years after it withdrew from the route.

  • Kenya Tourism Board & UBA Bank Launch Prepaid Travel Card

    Kenya Tourism Board incorporation with the United Bank of Africa launched the first Magical Kenya prepaid Travel card. This card is a conclusion of the partnership between KTN AND UBA in order to promote travel to Kenya by the tourists across the African continent. This card that was designed with an entrenched loyalty platform, which will allow accretion and transfer of points in the hospitality sector and also encourage the tourists to move freely.

    The Magical Kenya prepaid Travel card is the first of its kind owed to the fact that it is the first destination card that UBA Bank has hurled with a destination. More so the prepaid travel card will be available to the international and domestic travellers in Kenya. This will also enable all the users, whether customers of UBA or not to have supreme access to its built in benefits present across all the platforms. This will also improve the Magical Kenya‘s foot print in the continent.

    The card will also object West African nationals that travel for corporate, medical, education as well as the leisure purposes in Africa and will be given crossways the UBA Bank’s foot print to the customers and the possible customers. This interprets to an untouched market of over 5 million card users in Nigeria, Senegal and Ghana.

    The tourism activities in the modern world is highly shaped by price comparison as well as technology as the new applications for the mobiles that give a wide range of chances that are being developed and the social networks are also combining themselves with in a more clear market. More so by focusing on the innovative solutions that are provided by services like the Magical Kenya Travel Card, tourism can lead the new frontier of fairer, stronger and more of sustainable growth and also has the ability to become one of the most actual agents of development.

    Through focusing on the selective criteria of age, deposit balance, the number of types of accounts for one customer or the corporate accounts for the target list of the customers will be engaged and also lured through the registration campaigns plus convenience for everyday use both in home market and also while traveling to Kenya. This will also create an appeal for the card and the understanding that this may be the only card needed in the wallet.

    The western African market is so probable to us and this is the starting of our efforts to be able to tap into the market that has got high spenders with the willingness to spend. The Magical Kenya prepaid Card is therefore a good incentive since it benefits to the current and potential travellers thrilling a value adds in terms of bonus points, discounts and the gifts.

    The card members will be able to access the offers, rewards and the discounts at these whole salers through payments made with their prepaid card, it will be managed by Gift Africa and Go places. The merchants will participate in the program and also offer value to the card, will also visit MargicalKenyacard.com and then register as a merchant.

  • Flipflopi Dhow – Kenya’s Version of A Recycled Plastic Boat

    Work commenced last month on building The FlipFlopi Dhow – the center-piece of a pioneering one-of-it’s-kind project to construct the first boat made entirely out of recycled ocean plastic and flipflops!

    During a press conference which took place on the shores of the Indian Ocean at the build site in Lamu, Expedition leader Ben Morison officially launched the build phase of the project. Accompanied by representatives from the County Government and other members of the boat building team, Ben showed off the first key parts of the Dhow which have been crafted by a unique collaboration between plastic recycling experts in Malindi and traditional Lamu boat builders.

    Each of these parts weighs nearly 1 tonne, and in the next 12 months will be assembled using local expertise and 200,000 recycled flip-flops into a 60 foot ocean going Dhow. Never before has a concept of this nature been attempted and the launch of the build will reveal the pioneering techniques and skill used to transform plastic and flip-flops collected from Kenya’s beaches – into the ocean going Flipflopi Dhow that will set sail for Cape Town in South Africa in January 2018.

    The FlipFlopi Dhow is being built on the island of Lamu on the Kenya coast – which has traditionally been the most important centre for dhow building in the region. Lamu is the oldest and best preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, having been inhabited since 1370, and boat building is still dominated by traditional techniques. Waste plastics will be used to construct the entire boat – the keel, ribs and structural elements from recycled plastic products including bottles and bags, and the hull and decking will be covered completely by recycled flip-flops. Despite the unusual materials, the vessel is being constructed by local craftsmen using traditional methods. This means no power tools and no computers … just centuries old knowledge.

  • Kenya Airways Turns 40!

    Kenya’s National carrier, Kenya Airways marked its 40th birthday on Sunday the 22nd of January 2017. Kenya Airways celebrated this with their customers by announcing that it would offer them 40 per cent discount on tickets to various destinations across its network over the next two weeks.

    Other offers include: Buy 1 Business Class Ticket and Save up to 50% off on the second. The airline marked the milestone amid a major turnaround strategy that is aimed at steering it back to profitability.

    “Today, Kenya Airways connects directly from Nairobi to more than 54 destinations in four continents, with a fleet of 36 aircraft]

    from the initial four. It has been an interesting journey and we believe our best years are ahead,” said Kenya Airways chief executive Mbuvi Ngunze.

    The airline said its position as one of the major airlines in the continent was due to the commercial partnerships with various global airlines that enables it to serve 1,057 destinations in more than 177 countries.

  • Uganda Ranks 4th Among Rough Guides’ Top 2017 Destinations

    The latest ranking of the Rough Guides has indicated that Uganda is fourth among the top ten travel destinations of the year 2017 after India, Scotland and Canada. According to research made by rough guides, Uganda a small landlocked country is worthy it taken up the position due its fascinating beauty which is un explored.

    The magical land of nature was once named the pearl of Africa by Churchill Winston in his book “My African Journey”. The Uganda tourism industry performance has not been that good for the past years but its beauty still shines out in the clouds for those who visit on different Africa safari holidays. It has famed to the world for the reality outstanding gorilla tracking tours in both Bwindi forest and Mgahinga national park a reason for many foreign tourists into the country every year. However, the country has a lot to offer from landscape, culture, primates, mountains, wildlife, water spots and many more. Neighbored by great wildlife destinations of Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, it’s one of the most great travel destinations to explore in 2017 while in Africa. Looking at all Uganda national parks and its surroundings, no need to look any further for wildlife and primate safaris in Africa.

    In February 2017, Uganda is set to host a 3rd edition of the Pearl of Africa Expo that will be attended by many foreigners, international travel media personals and during this event there are fam trips organized to enable hosted buyers and invited media to understand what Uganda has to offer; Bwindi impenetrable national park for gorilla tracking, Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park and Kidepo national park best in wildlife, birding and landscape are one of the chosen destinations for the fam trips. I believe this expo will show many visitors how Uganda is such a great destination and worth visiting in 2017.

    Besides, invited guests make several stops of tourism interest during the trip like a stop at the Rhino sanctuary ,jinja the Nile adventure capital of kayaking, quad biking, bungee jumping, horse riding, cycling  and white water rafting. Besides, taking into consideration of cheap backpacking destinations of affordability and with variety of hostels, campsites, Uganda still is the best to explore on budget in the entire region of East Africa. Most destinations and tourist’s attractions feature locals and nature giving visitors lots of tour activity options.

    Planning where to visit for you next holiday?, look no further but Uganda in Africa the land of gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, wildlife and many more. The pearl of Africa is the only destination that clears off all worries of life to memories of joy. The day with mountain gorillas and the batwa people in Bwindi is like a million days in paradise. “Where else can you canoe past crocodiles on the Nile, track gorillas in dense jungles, soak in hot springs, scale snowy mountain peaks or visit a traditional Batwa village – all within a single day’s journey? Only in Uganda. ”said by rough guides.

    Other attractions you shouldn’t miss are the Karamojong culture and the shoebill if you love birds. Find world class tours and adventures full of fun excitement and natural scenic beauty that make you witness the magical beauty tourists feel every time they move around. I know you will one be inspired to explore this lovely small nation in east Africa, see you soon.

  • Africa’s Most Visited Cities

    A list of Africa’s most visited cities has been released and Johannesburg has been ranked as the most popular destination city for the fourth. According to the 2016 Mastercard Global Destinations Cities Index, a number of African cities faired in the list.

    Johannesburg topped the list attracting 3.6 million international overnight visitors in 2016 while Cairo in Egypt is the second most visited African city with 1.5 million international overnight visitors followed. The third in the list is Cape Town of South Africa (1.4 million visitors) followed by Casablanca in Morocco (1 million visitors), and Durban in South Africa (831,000 visitors).

    The 13 African cities ranked in the Index are Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Cairo, Casablanca, Accra, Nairobi, Beira, Dakar, Kampala, Lagos, Maputo and Tunis.

    The Index provides more than a ranking of the 132 most visited cities around the world. It projects visitor volume and spend estimates for the 2016 calendar year, while delivering a deeper understanding of how people travel and spend around the world.

    The world’s top destination cities

    Bangkok, the top-ranked destination city by international overnight visitor arrivals, is projected to receive 21.47 million international overnight visitors in 2016, just ahead of second-ranked London, with 19.88 million visitors. Paris (18.03 million), Dubai (15.27 million) and New York (12.75 million) complete the top five.