Meeting the mountain gorillas and watching the wildebeest migration is one of the best safari combinations offering tourists a visit to two countries that is Tanzania and Rwanda, this safari is ideal for tourists interested in mountain gorillas and wildlife. In Rwanda you are to tour the amazing volcanoes national park which is a home to mountain gorillas and in Tanzania you get to visit Serengeti national park a remarkable national park experiencing the great wildebeest migration.

This journey shows you two of the greatest highlights of the natural world. Meet the Mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, with a gaze so much like our own that it’ll be an experience you’ll never forget. The Serengeti in Tanzania, the Great Wildebeest Migration attracts thousands of nature enthusiasts, filmmakers and photographers who come from around the world to witness one of Africa’s most dazzling cycles of life.

Experience Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania

Location

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is the primary location for the wildebeest migration. The park covers an area of approximately 14,750 square kilometres and is renowned for its diverse ecosystems, including vast grasslands and riverine forests. The park is one of the top destinations that visitors do not miss on a Tanzania safari.

Migration Route

The migration is a circular journey that spans the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya. The wildebeest, along with zebras and other herbivores, follow a clockwise route, moving in search of fresh grazing and water. The circuit takes the animals from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (although not into the Crater itself) in the south of the Serengeti in Tanzania, up through the Serengeti and across into the Masai Mara in Kenya and back again.

The great migrating herd offers plenty of prey for the different predators living within the areas that this herd matches through among which are big cats like lions, leopards and cheetahs; hyenas and crocodiles. The wildebeest migration is one of the most amazing events one should never miss out, nothing is thrilling like watching these animals in big numbers running up and down in the grasslands and crossing rivers, it gives an unforgettable experience in the wild. The Great Migration is the largest herd movement of animals on the planet. In fact, with up to 1,000 animals per km², the great columns of wildebeest can be seen from space.

The numbers are astonishing: over 1.2 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebras along with topi and other gazelle move in a constant cycle through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of nutritious grass and water. Guided by survival instinct, each wildebeest will cover 800 to 1,000km on its individual journey along age-old migration routes. Hungry predators including lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, wild dog and crocodiles make sure only the strongest survive in this natural spectacle also known as ‘the greatest show on Earth.’

The three groups of migrant grazers have different grass-eating habits: as one group eats the top of the tallest grass, the next group will eat away some of the medium-height grass, until finally it is almost completely eaten, and the herds move on. This means each group sticks to their own kind with only a small overlap in their distributions. The grasses of the plains have the highest protein content in the whole of the Serengeti, as well as being high in calcium.

Timing: The migration is an annual event that depends on rainfall patterns. Generally, it starts in the southern Serengeti around December and January, where the wildebeest give birth to their calves. As the dry season progresses, the herds move northward, crossing the Grumeti and Mara rivers and entering the Maasai Mara around July and August. 

Highlights:

River Crossings: Witnessing the wildebeest herds crossing crocodile-infested rivers, such as the Mara River, is a spectacular and sometimes dramatic event.

Predator Action: The migration attracts a high concentration of predators, including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, making it an excellent time for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

Great Migration Camps: Accommodations such as mobile tented camps follow the migration, providing a unique and immersive experience in the heart of the action. 

Planning Tips:

• Obtain the necessary permits for entering the national park.
• Consider guided safaris or tours led by experienced guides.
• Choose accommodations that offer a strategic location for optimal migration viewing.

Meet the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda

Going on a Rwanda safari is one of the best adventure journeys you can ever take while in East Africa. It is the most accessible destination where you can meet the mountain gorillas upclose and personal.

Location

Gorilla trekking takes place in the Volcanoes National Park. This park is part of the Virunga Massif, a chain of volcanic mountains that also extends into Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gorilla Families

The Volcanoes National Park is home to several habituated gorilla families, each with its own dynamics and individuals. The habituation process involves acclimating the gorillas to human presence, enabling researchers and tourists to observe them closely. The families are known as Susa, Igisha, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Agashya, Kwitonda, Umubano, Hirwa, Bwenge, Ugyenda and Muhoza.

Hikes up to their various locations can last anything from 30 minutes to four or more hours, reaching an altitude of between 2,500m and 4,000m. Porters are available to carry backpacks and cameras, as well as to offer a helping hand along the route.

The annual Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony is a special time to visit the Volcanoes National Park, with guided tours leading up the main event providing an opportunity to meet park staff and conservationists, attend cultural evenings and a celebration in Musanze.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience

The unique opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat is unforgettable, some even say life changing. Encounters with gorillas as they go about their daily lives are carefully managed, with expert trackers and guides leading small groups of tourists up bamboo-covered slopes to spend a precious and awe-inspiring hour just a few feet away from the gentle creatures.

The largest living primate, gorillas are spread across much of the equatorial African rainforest. Broadly speaking, the species is split into lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas. At the latest count, there are approximately 1,000 mountain gorillas in the wild, with 604 in the Virunga Massif.

There are twelve gorilla families living in the Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park, which are fully habituated, with a few others habituated solely for scientific research. The groups, or troops, consist of at least one silverback along with several females and youngsters. The troops are somewhat fluid in composition, but tend to stick to a preferred area. They are constantly monitored and protected by park rangers, with each group coming into contact with tourists for a strict maximum of one hour per day.

Permits

Six tracking permits are issued per troop per day, meaning the encounter is as intimate and as unobtrusive as possible. With only 96 permits available each day in Rwanda, it is highly recommended to book in advance, either online or via a reputable tour operator.

Visitors gather at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi at 7am, and are allocated a family group on the day according to fitness levels, as well as being briefed on protocols and rules for visiting the gorillas.

Timing:

Gorilla trekking is available year-round, but the dry seasons from June to September and December to February are considered more comfortable for trekking due to less rainfall and clearer paths. 

Highlights:

Mountain Gorillas: Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is one of the few places in the world where you can trek to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Scenic Beauty: The trek itself offers stunning views of lush forests, volcanic landscapes, and, on clear days, distant views of the Virunga volcanoes.

Conservation Impact: The fees from gorilla trekking permits contribute significantly to the conservation of these endangered species and their habitats. 

Planning Tips:

• Gorilla trekking permits are limited and should be booked well in advance.
• Follow guidelines for gorilla trekking etiquette, such as maintaining a safe distance and minimizing noise.
• Wear appropriate clothing and hiking gear for the trek, and be prepared for varying weather conditions.

Conclusion

Both experiences the wildebeest migration in Tanzania and gorilla trekking in Rwanda offer unparalleled opportunities to connect with nature and witness some of the most remarkable wildlife spectacles on the planet.

The train system in Italy might not be perfect, but it is definitely an incredible resource to leverage. Of course some trains might be delayed or dirty, but for the most part the train system in Italy is a true asset. Interrail has made major investments over the last 5 years to ensure more trains, more reliable trains, faster trains, and even an iPhone application that provides access to the European train schedule database in an offline format. You can download it here.
This has made day trips even easier and more affordable and has alleviated a ton of stress for us when traveling. When you start to add up the cost of travel, accommodation, food, and miscellaneous expenses, weekend trips can become pretty costly, so we have become quite accustomed to local day trips. Here is a list of our favorite day trip cities in Italy that are easily accessible by train or car from Florence, Rome, and Milan.

1. Cinque Terre

It is very fitting that we give the number 1 spot to Cinque Terre not only for the natural beauty of the 5 towns but also because we have made numerous day trips to Cinque and have a couple more planned over the next month. The train from Florence to Cinque Terre takes about 2.5 hours and requires a train change in either Pisa or La Spezia; and sometimes both.

Each of the 5 towns offer such a different vibe, selection of food, and outdoor activities to enjoy. The beauty of Cinque Terre is something that is difficult to put into words and with the availability of trains to and from Florence every hour, it is hard not to justify a day trip if you’re spending more than 3 days in Florence.

2. Lucca

Oh Lucca! This quaint walled-in city is a wonderful escape from the summer crowds of Florence, Rome, or Milan. While tourism has begun to grow in Lucca over the years, the town still fills with you a warm sense of home and culture. Our best suggestion is to rent bikes, buy a bottle of wine, and enjoy a nice ride around the town. There is a bike path that encompasses the entire town and only takes about 10 – 15 minutes to ride around.

With the addition of faster and more frequent trains, you’ll also be able to reach Lucca from Florence in just about an hour and a half.

3. Siena

Home to what we like to call the Italian Kentucky Derby, or more widely known as the Palio di Siena, this medieval town is popular for everything from delicious food to historic museums. You can reach Siena from Florence by train in just over an hour. After spending a couple hours in Siena, you might want to take a short drive/bus ride to our next favorite day trip town!

4. San Gimignano

This town of towers and dry white wine makes for a wonderful wine tasting day trip. Transportation between the major cities and San Gimignano is not possible by train, but it is definitely worth the short drive or bus ride. San Gimignano is accessible from both Florence and Siena by bus in just 1.5 hours.

And if a day of indulging in wine wasn’t enough, San Gimignano even has a world champion gelateria. Yes, you’re welcome.

5. Portofino

Portofino can definitely be made into a day trip from Florence, just barely from Milan, but most likely will be too far for a day trip from Rome. From Florence you can reach Portofino in just under 4 hours via train and a short local bus. This might seem like a hefty bit of travel for a day trip, but considering how small Portofino is you might also find that you can enjoy the whole city in a day. The surrounding area is also worth exploring if you have time. Be sure to bring your bathing suit and check out Rapallo and Santa Margherita!

Picture this scenario! It’s December 24th, the day of Christmas Eve. On this day you should be relaxing, enjoying time with family and thinking of all the precious memories you have created throughout the year.

No, wait! It’s the last day of shopping before Christmas and you haven’t even started to do your gift shopping.

You get into your car and fight traffic all the way to the local mall, only to spend an hour trying to find a parking spot. That is if you find one at all. You enter the mall in search of the perfect gifts and there is a stampede of people. Looks like everyone else is doing last minute shopping too!

You dodge the nudging elbows and stomping feet of the crowds. You’re starting to feel claustrophobic, your stress level is starting to increase and you haven’t even begun shopping yet!

Sound familiar? To top it all off, you browse through the stores only to find that meager offerings remain. The shelves are practically empty. What happens then? You spend too much money on something that your gift recipient neither needs or wants. Their gift wasn’t chosen for them…it was chosen out of desperation.

Once again, you remind yourself that you will prepare far in advance for Christmas next year. The next Holiday Season arrives and you repeat the same traumatic shopping experience.

How many of us have waited until the very last moment to buy a gift for a loved one, friend or business associate? There is only three months left until Christmas and those days will go quickly.

Christmas is one of the most stressful events of the year. The expense of buying gifts and the pressure of last minute shopping can all take the joy out of the most joyful time of year.

Here are some tips to take the stress out of Holiday shopping this year:

1) Make a list of the people you will be buying a gift for before you go shopping. If you have a large family or friends to buy gifts for, it can get expensive. In our family, we have made the decision to buy only for the children. Another way to reduce costs is to have everyone draw a name out of a hat and buy a present only for that person.

2) Think of gift ideas for the people on your list and write them down. What are their hobbies and interests? What are their needs and wants? If you cannot come up with anything, ask the person directly for ideas. This will save you time wandering aimlessly in the mall in search of a gift and you will give a gift that your gift recipient really wants and will appreciate.

3) Buy a few extra gifts, for instance chocolates, so that you will be prepared just in case you forgot somebody or an unexpected guest arrives bearing gifts.

4) If possible, start your Holiday shopping a month or two before Christmas. It is never to early to prepare!

5) Don’t forget about online shopping! Buy your gifts over the internet. You can find most gifts online, shop at your own convenience and you won’t have to step foot in a mall.

If you follow these tips, you are on your way to a rewarding shopping experience and a less stressful Holiday Season.

We all must remember that Christmas is a joyful time of year. It’s not about the gift you give or receive but it is about cherishing the special people in your life and spending time with them. Create new traditions and memories that will be with you for a lifetime.

The Dead Sea lies at the lowest point of dry land on earth, more than 1,300 feet below sea level. Completely landlocked, it is actually a saltwater lake, and its only major source of water replenishment comes from the River Jordan. Tourists are drawn from all over the world to bathe in this unique body of water, which is bordered by Israel on the west and Jordan on the east.

People can float on the surface of the water

In actuality, it is nearly impossible to swim in the Dead Sea. Because of the high salt content of the water, people who bathe in the Dead Sea can actually float on the surface of the water. Several photos taken from the Dead Sea show bathers casually reading newspapers or books while relaxing on the water with no visible means of support. The unique salt and chemical content of the waters make it toxic upon contact to fish and nearly all marine life. The only living beings that reside in the dead sea are bacteria and an especially hardy species of algae. Contact with the water is not toxic to human skin, however, the water may cause stinging in open cuts or wounds, according to Frommer’s.

The high salt and rich mineral content of the Dead Sea waters

The high salt and rich mineral content of the Dead Sea waters is what makes it possible for bathers to float on its surface without effort. This unique chemical composition also gives the waters of the Dead Sea special therapeutic value to bathers. According to the Department for Jewish Zionist Education, Cleopatra and Herod the Great visited the Dead Sea for its curative powers. Mud from the Dead Sea has been beneficial in treating psoriasis and rheumatic disorders. Among the minerals found in the waters and mud are bromide, magnesium and potash as well as mineral salt.