How the East Africa Tourist Visa is going to boost tourism in East Africa. just for $100

For any tourist that has visited the East Africa region, you well know that you require a visa to guarantee your entry into each East African country. This means that if you plan on visiting Uganda and Rwanda, you ought to get visas for those two countries. This is somehow inconveniencing for those who want a fast service delivery. The solution to that is the East Africa Tourist Visa. The East Africa tourist Visa is a multiple entry visa that shall allow you to travel to Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda. This simply means if you get this visa, you are free to travel to any of those countries without applying for their specific country visa. This visa was agreed upon by the heads of states of Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya as a way of promoting tourism within the region.

How to apply.

The application for this visa shall be carried out at any diplomatic representation of the republic of Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya. This shall fully depend on where you are going to start your journey. Let’s say if you want to visit Rwanda first, all you do is to go to the Rwandan diplomatic offices and apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa. For those that shall consider Uganda and Kenya as your first destination, you need to apply at their immigration offices respectively. The visa is valid for 90 days. This means the holder can enter multiple times through the Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda as long as it is still valid however the holder first entry point should be the country where he applied for the visa.

Work shall not be permitted and the East Africa Tourist Visa shall not be extended. The application fee for the visa shall be 100 dollars.

Application Requirements.

 One clear colored passport size photo with a white background, and it should be recently taken.

A complete filled application form and a Visa application letter addressed to the issuing authority of the concerned country.

East African residents of Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya don’t need to apply for the visa. All they require is a valid national ID or student ID to enjoy their travel across all the three countries.

How is this going to impact tourism in East Africa?

My major concern was how this was going to impact tourism in East Africa so I sat down with a tourism expert Mr. Ronnie Mawejje -consultant of gorilla tour booking safaris,www.gorillatourbooking.com and this is what he told me.

He gave me scenarios of their clients who are interested in gorilla trekking: they often want to trek gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda in the same itinerary. Always they are required to pay visas for Uganda and Rwanda. This is somehow disturbing for them because they often have to go through almost the same process twice. Now with the East Africa tourist visa, this problem is going to be solved. However what shall remain is that these types of tourists shall still be required to pay for gorilla permits of both countries. Tour operators like gorilla tour booking safaris hope that this shall create a tourism virus among the East African residents something that all tour operators want to see.

Why you should travel around the world?

Everyone creates their own world. We determine the kind of friends that suit us, the food we love, the kind of work we enjoy the most, and what more, the kind of wife or husband to marry; this is something that I appreciate about the world. Leaving on those factors constant, there is nothing in this world that shapes who we are than our environment. Our environment is full of different mentalities and these shape our way of thinking. I was asked by someone that why should I travel around the world yet I live a fabulous life. This is what I said:

Appreciate yourself.
We live in cities where everyone has the access to the same resources as anyone else: we all shop at the same stores, live in the same styled apartments, and we have access to the same civil services. In such a world, it really becomes difficult to find your uniqueness and, sometimes, this makes life boring. I have a great friend who was among the first generation users of internet services in Uganda, most of the times he would boost about chatting with foreigners using platforms like the reknown pen pals sites. He felt unique that he had international friends. But with the internet now covering most parts of the country, his uniqueness has varnished. Everyone can now have international friends if they want.
To fully see that you’re different, you need to go to another environment that is different from the one you live in; and the only to do this is to travel.

Boost the love for your country.
If you are keen enough to notice the differences that you have when you compare your own country to the country you’re visiting, there shall be moments when you feel that your country is doing better, and this shall make you love it the more. It doesn’t matter whether you’re from a third world country visiting a first world country or either way, there are always differences in the environment we live in. I lived in Algeria for some time as a student. I remember we used to eat sweet bananas that were imported from Ecuador. Although they seemed good, I preferred ones from my country, Uganda, and seeing this difference; my love for Uganda was somewhat boosted. I realized we had something than I liked that wasn’t available in Algeria. The nice road network in Algeria would not take this reality away from me. I missed things like the jackfruit that you could not find anywhere in Algeria. These seemed like simple unthinkable stuff, but to me, they somewhat mattered.

Change your environment.
It is always a good feeling to experience something new than your daily routine. Life sometimes becomes boring if you continue living in the same environment for some time. Visiting a neighboring town, state or going abroad would have a great impact.

Enhance your business thoughts.
Business is created by solving problems. We are in an era where technology transfer is so fast-what is being done in a particular country can be easily replicated in another. As you are travelling, there are problems that you shall notice in a particular country either by experiencing them or just realizing that they were solved in your own country. Solving them shall imply business. For those that want to expand their businesses to new territories or start a new business, travelling might somewhat help you achieve that.

I know there are milliards of reasons why individuals travel, please share your thoughts with me by either commenting or sending me an email. I had a chat with Mr. Ronald Mawejje, a travel consultant at gorilla tour booking, www.gorillatourbooking.com about why his clients love to travel. He told me they love adventure-just to see a different world.

Why is Uganda,the precious,pearl of Africa part 1

For all my life, I have known Uganda as the pearl of Africa. A great explorer Churchill visited Uganda, and he could not resist calling it the pearl of Africa. This did not make any sense to me because I was living in the country. I think it is easier for someone who is  a foreigner to find something valuable in your land than any local citizen because there is always room for comparison between the foreigners country and visited country.

Here are some of the few things that I think make Uganda the pearl, precious, of Africa.

The source of River Nile.

Uganda is home to the source of R.Nile. The source is on Lake Victoria around the Jinja Town- a very known metropolitan city that was dominated by Indian and European settlers. The River Nile is the longest river in the world. The Nile does not stop only in Uganda but continues to Egypt passing into around eleven African countries. For countries like Egypt and Sudan, it  is there major source of water. Another wonder about this river is it has two tributaries, the White Nile and the Blue Nile. The white Nile is the headwaters and primary stream of the Nile itself. The Blue Nile is the source of most of the water and silt. It empties into the Mediterranean sea. The river has contributed to the peace in the region.

The Buganda Kingdom.

The Buganda kingdom is a very large kingdom in Uganda. Most people mistake it with Uganda-they think they are the whole of Uganda belong to the Buganda kingdom. They share a big part in influencing the Uganda’s culture-most of the Ugandan culture has been borrowed from the Baganda.For example,they speak a local language Luganda and almost everyone in the country speaks it. The ladies wear a traditional dress, the gomasi, which is almost wore by all Ugandans. The Kanzu, another traditional men’s dress is also common in all regions of the country. Their staple food the matooke is also common throughout the country. They played a major role in the colonization of Uganda.Their influence is every where throughout the country. They have a consonant in their alphabet which is so unique and not found anywhere in the world.

The Gorillas

Much as these animals are not only in Uganda but in also Rwanda and Congo.These endangered animals are the only surviving mountain gorillas in the world.

These animals are the backbone of the tourism industry of the region. In fact if you check on all tours and travel websites from East Africa, one thing that you shall notice is they all have gorilla trekking safaris in their tour packages. Many of the tourists that visit them say they are the most adventurous animals; some tourists get so much attached to gorillas that they give them names, send them gifts, and visit them occasionally like they would do to a friend.

The only way to do a gorilla trekking trip is by having gorilla permits which are accessible through travel companies like gorilla tour booking www.gorillatourbooking.com.

Check out for part 2 of this article as I keep on making research about the topic.

Short Wildlife Safaris to Uganda 

1 Day Kampala Tour, One Day Kampala safari visit by Gorilla Tours Booking

1 Day Lake Mburo National Park Wildlife Safari Tour

1 Day Ngamba Island Excursion Tour

2 day Lake Mburo National Park A Place of Impala (from which Kampala city derives its name)

2 Day Jinja , Bujagali Falls and Mabira Rain Forest , A forest which divides in East and Central Uganda

Affordable 3 days gorilla tracking tour fly to Bwind National Park from Entebbe International Airport

3 Days Kibale Chimpanzee Safari

Long Wildlife Safaris 

4 Days , Uganda Mountain Gorilla tour Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari
4 Days Gorilla Tracking in PNV
4 Days-Track Rwanda Gorillas twice! Rwanda Gorilla tracking Tour
6 Days Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Bwindi Super Safari
6 Days Uganda/Rwanda Double Gorilla Tracking
7 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari Adventure and Wildlife Uganda
7 days-Gorilla tour Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Tracking Tour 
7 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Chimps 
8 Days Uganda Chimps and Rwanda Gorillas
9 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Lake Bunyonyi-Queen National Park 

Mountain Gorillas tour and safaris trekking Silverback Mountain Gorilla families, Primate tours to the Mountain Gorillas

Mountain Gorilla families are led and protected by a dominant male known as a “silverback gorilla.” Aptly name for his silver "saddle". Although mountain gorillas are frequently portrayed as aggressive, dangerous killers, perhaps due to Hollywood films, conversely they are social animals that are rather shy, peaceful vegetarians that are active during the day.  This point was originally proven by Dian Fossey when photographs showing the gorilla "Peanuts" touching Fossey's hand depicted the first recorded peaceful

contact between a human being and a wild gorilla.

Male gorillas are much larger than the females, and are almost twice as heavy. Adult male mountain gorillas are called silverbacks because they have a saddle-shaped patch of silver hair on their backs after they have reached about 12 years of age.

Female gorillas carefully nurture their young. Baby gorillas learn to crawl at about 2 months and can walk before they are 9 months old. They can grasp their mother's fur to ride on her back at 4 months.

Baby gorillas are fed mother's milk for the first 2 1/2 years of life. When they are weaned, gorillas begin to build their own sleeping nests out of vegetation (and not use their mother's nest anymore). Young gorillas stay                        with their mother for 3-4 years. Adult male gorillas (silverbacks) will care for weaned orphaned young.

Gorillas are fully grown and able to reproduce at 10-12 years old. Females are pregnant for about 8 to 9.5 months and have about 3 babies in their lifetime. Newborn gorillas weigh only about 3-4 pounds (1.4 to 1.8 kg), about half the weight of a newborn human

Can i do Rwanda and Uganda for gorilla tracking?

The answer is  BIG YES , It is a different experience in both places

Day 1: Arrive at Kigali Airport; make a city tour and transfer to Volcanoes National Park.

Our representative receives you at the airport in Kigali. Time allowing, you will have a city tour going to places like The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre where the remains of over 250,000 Rwandese killed during the 1994 genocide are buried and preserved for remembrance. You will also make a visit to the craft market, have lunch and later leave for Volcanoes National Park, the home of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Take an overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury), Hotel La Palme (Midrange) orMuhabura Hotel (Budget).

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Tracking in the Volcanoes National Park

Take an early breakfast and head to the park’s briefing centre for a thorough briefing about Mountain Gorillas tracking rules and regulations. The hiking hours when looking for gorillas vary depending on their movements. You are allowed one hour to be with Rwanda Mountain Gorillas as you observe and photograph them as they feed or play around and grumble among themselves. After enjoying gorillas, return to the lodge for a restful evening and later dinner and overnight stay at Muhabura Hotel, La Palme Hotel or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.

Day 3: Climb to the Dian Fossey Grave.
After breakfast, transfer to the park offices for some briefing before ascending to Karisoke Research Centre, where the celebrated mountain gorilla lover and conservationist, Dian Fossey was laid to rest. This American primatologist spent close to two decades in Rwanda learning and researching about Mountain Gorillas and working hard for their conservation. After this hiking, descend and start your journey to cross over to Uganda. Take an overnight stay atBird Nest or Arcadia Cottages (Midrange) or BunyonyiOverland Resort (Budget).
Day 4: Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi plus Optional activities
This day is mainly for relaxations. Lake Bunyonyi has fantastic waters and hilly views plus lake breezes that are very for ideal holiday makers. You may optionally go for a canoe ride on the lake, do some bird watching or a nature walk. Have your overnight stay atBird Nest or Arcadia Cottages (Midrange) or Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Budget).

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Take breakfast and then set of for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arrive at the park in the afternoon; check in at the lodge for your overnight. Take overnight atMweya Safari Lodge (Luxury), Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge (Midrange) or Kyambura Safari Cottages(Budget).

Day 6: Do a morning Game Drive and afternoon Boat Cruise.

Take an early morning tea and set off for a morning game drive in the park plains and you will likely spot elephants, spotted hyenas, lions, leopards, stripped jackals, bushbucks, water bucks and warthogs and many wild animals. Over 95 species of mammals and 600 species of birds have been recorded at this vast park. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for a heavy breakfast and some resting.
Later after lunch, you will go for an evening boat cruise on Kazinga Channel. This is a water channel that joins Lakes George and Edward. Many tourists to this park are always impressed by the Channel’s amazing animal and bird diversities. It is a water spot where buffalos time-out in the water whereas big herds of elephants and several species of bird are seen relishing themselves sideways of the channel. Visitors who take part in the 2 hour cruise along the channel repute it as the climax of their African safari. In short, this water cruise gives an exceptional podium for clear photography, all-encompassing bird-watching and a comprehensive game viewing. Retire in the evening to the lodge. Overnight atMweya Safari Lodge (Luxury), Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge (Midrange) orKyambura Safari Cottages (Budget).


Day 7: Proceed to Kibale National Park, the home of Chimpanzees
Wake up late, have breakfast and start your drive to Kibale National Park, Uganda’s rain forest with a highest concentration of chimpanzees in Uganda. Enjoy your overnight at Mountains of the Moon, Chimps Nest or Kibale Forest Camp.

Day 8: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Nature walk
Enjoy breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters for briefing followed by a walk to the forest to pursue chimpanzees. Besides the chimps, you will likely spot other primates like the red tailed and colobus monkeys plus birds among others plus. After lunch at the lodge, you will go for a nature walk at Bigodi wetland, a paradise for birders. About 138 bird species have been identified in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. You will also see a wide range of biodiversity including many species of primates such as red colobusmonkey, black and white L'Hoest monkey, colobus monkey, grey cheeked, vervet monkey, mangabey, red tailed monkey, blue monkey and baboon. Mammals like Sitatunga, bush pigs, bush bucks, otters, mongooses and chimpanzees similarly visit the swamp from Kibale National Park. In the evening, return to the lodge for overnight. You will stay at Mountains of the Moon, Chimps Nest or Kibale Forest Camp.

Day 9: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.

Today is only reserved for driving to Murchison falls national park, have lunch enroute. Arrive in the evening. Overnight stay Paraa Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge.

Day 10: Morning Game Drive and afternoon/evening Launch Cruise
Have an early-morning tea and some snacks and go for a morning game drive in the park. Most likely animals to be seen include hartebeests, jackals, oribi, bushbucks, bohor reed bucks, hyenas, giraffes, lions, antelopes, elephants and the Uganda kobamong others. Return to the lodge for a late morning breakfast and take some restful hours before lunch.
After lunch, you will enjoy an open launch cruise on the calm Nile.  And you will see animals like the buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, elephants and plenty of water birds like the herons, cormorants, ducks, bee-eaters, kingfishers, skimmers, fish eagles, the rare shoebills, to mention. Overnight stay Paraa Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge.

Day 11: Visit the Top of the Falls, drive to Kampala and Track Rhinos enroute.

After breakfast, start your trip to Kampala. Briefly visit the fascinating Top of The Falls. The top of the falls is an implausible scene as it’s where the Nile, Africa’s the longest river verves through a narrow gap in the 7 meters wide rock to aggressively plummet down 43 meters, incredible!!!. After here, drive towards Kampala, Uganda,s Capital City. Along the way, you will visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking for between 2-3 hours and also enjoy lunch here before continuing with journey Kampala where you will arrive in the evening. Have an overnight stay at Sheraton Hotel Kampala, Hotel Africana, Mamba Point or Kampala Lodge.

Day 12: Entebbe Airport Transfer
You will be transferred to the airport 3 hours to your departure flight. 

End of the Trip

Please book this tour now via our 24/7 
hot line +256 776 566 077 OR via our
 email info@gorillatourbooking.com. or gorillatourbooking@gmail.com
                                         We are warmly waiting for you inquiry!