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.

Bugolobi Flats created a lasting relationship between Uganda and Israel.

When you are travelling along Port Bell Road in Kampala, there is one thing that your eyes never miss-the Bugolobi Flats. Bugolobi Flats were built in the 1960’s by the Israelites Construction firms. These flats have become a landmark in Bugolobi-a town where they are located. The flats are composed of over 30 blocks with each block having 32 apartments. Why do people love Bugolobi flats?

The place is Unique.

Bugolobi Flats was a very unique project right from the start; up-to-date, I haven’t heard of a project like this. Its uniqueness is in the way they were constructed. They used long-lasting concrete blocks with a unique texture. The architects that were responsible for developing the area really did a great work. The structural engineers were so ambitious; they excelled in designing the beams, columns, and floors of the blocks.

They have good views.

When standing on Balcones of most apartments, you have a chance to see many parts of Luzira including Lake Victoria. Personally, I love the view of Lake Victoria especially when there is a big vessel sailing through-my eyes enjoy it moving from point-to-point. In addition, the cool breeze that comes from the lake is irresistible; you enjoy the life that comes along with it.

The flats are organized.

The blocks are labeled with numbers; each block is divided into four sections which are uniquely identified by letters from A to D. Each section has 8 apartments which are numbered from one to eight; this makes it easy to identify any apartment.

They are safe.

The security at the block is good. What I observed is that some of the residents are army officers with great ranks. Obviously, you sense that kind of security as you’re moving from block to block.

There are many amenities at the flats.

At the block level, you find things like basketball courts. Young guys enjoy the amenities better than anyone else, they get the chance to compete with each other at the block or inter-block level. Several other activities like cycling are enjoyed by almost everyone. I definitely love to see young guys competing in cycling.

The place is tranquil.

Not like other places were you experience noise pollution, there is tranquility at the flats. You literally hear no sound apart from that of moving cars.

Bugolobi is not very far from the city center.

Bugolobi as a town is located approximately 7.5 kilometers from the city center. This makes it a convenient residential area especially for those working in the city.

The mentality of the people is good.

The flats are mainly filled with middle-size income residents. Everyone you meet is highly positive. This is absolutely good for anybody’s thinking. Like they say the society shapes us so much, those who come in with wrong mentalities find themselves changed within a short period of time. Since residents work in vast array of fields, you get many business opportunities and a chance to network with great people.

Bugolobi has seen a remarkable development as a result of Bugolobi flats. Some institutions were specifically set up as a result of the flats-middle east, a known shopping center in Bugolobi, and St.Kizito schools all developed as a result of the flats.

Many modern homes have since been developed around the area making it one of the iconic residential areas in Uganda.

Uganda was blessed to have the Israelites build the Bugolobi flats. I call the Bugolobi flats a long lasting relationship and mark that Israel established with Uganda.

By Nsobya Micheal, CTO of gorilla tour booking safaris,www.gorillatourbooking.com.

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 

The best gorilla safaris experience in africa

Having the chance to trek through Volcanoes National Park to see the mountain gorillas was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I cannot recommend it enough. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable, and the opportunity to stand only a few feet away from a full-grown silverback gorilla is a breathtaking privilege. Be sure to wear comfortable, sturdy footwear and thick pants to protect against the stinging nettles. Although we could have easily carried our own bags, my family and I chose to each hire a local porter for $10/bag, as they depend on trekkers as a vital source of income. Be sure to take a few minutes away from your camera (easier said than done!) and just watch the gorillas, really soaking in the experience. It truly is a once in a lifetime adventure.

The 1 hour with the gorillas is an amazing experience I will never forgot. We were surrounded by 23 gorillas including a silverback, a few black back males, females, teenagers and babies! There was 7 tourists (max is 8) in our group, 2 guides and 2 rangers so the experience was very intimate!

The $750 permit seemed expensive when planning for this trip but I felt that the money is being put to good use in protecting the gorillas with trackers, rangers, and guides to educate tourists (Gus and Manny our guides were very knowledge and friendly) 10% of the permit fee also goes back to the local community to support schools and services.

We were on a 4 day tour in Rwanda and told our driver we were interested in a medium effort hike and he arranged for us to be placed in the Agasha group 13. The hike was about 45 min through farm fields and 45 min in the bush, relatively easy with only a slight grade to find the group. We lucked out with sunny dry skies. We hired porter for $10 US to carry our daypack, porters can also help you along if needed, but more importantly this gives jobs to local men. Although the porters don't go to see the gorillas, they stay with the backpacks just before see you the gorilla group.

The national park is stunning. This really is the land of a thousand hills. We also hiked Bisoke to the Crater Lake the next day with a group of 8 hikers, a guide and rangers. The permit is $75. The hike goes past the turn off for Dian Fossey tomb where her camp and work took place.

Roads from Kigali to Kinigi are good and traffic and local driving well as well. If I were to do this again I would rent a 4x4 in Kigali and drive myself rather than book a tour, but you really do need a 4x4 and experience driving it for "African massage" roads. Trekked into see one of the gorilla families that Dian Fossey made famous, truly a once in a lifetime experience.