Destinations

One of the continent's most iconic safari destinations, Tanzania is a haven for those looking to immerse themselves in the wonder of the African bush. It is home to some of East Africa's most famous game reserves – including the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Many visitors travel to Tanzania to see the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, but there are many other reasons to stay. From the idyllic beaches of Zanzibar to the peaks of Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, this is a country with limitless potential for adventure.

Kenya is the original safari destination and remains one of the best places in Africa to see wild animals. Its bevy of iconic game reserves include the Maasai Mara, Amboseli National Park and both East and West Tsavo. Every year, millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate across the Tanzanian border into southern Kenya on the annual Great Migration – one of nature's most spectacular events. On the coast, historic Swahili settlements and white-sand beaches await.

Uganda a country with a astonishing beauty with rolling hills, sparkling crate lakes, a variety of wildlife and indeed with half of the world’s remaining endangered Mountain Gorillas.

South Africa is one of the continent's best safari destinations, offering the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) and more in accessible parks and reserves. You can drive right into the epic wilderness at Kruger, Kgalagadi and other parks, or join khaki-clad rangers on guided drives and walks. But it's not all about big-game sightings – wildlife watching here also teaches you to enjoy the little things: a leopard tortoise ambling alongside the road, a go-away bird chirping its distinctive chant in the trees, or an encounter with seals, whales or a great white shark along the coast.

Location:
Tanzania is located in East Africa, on the shores of the Indian Ocean. It is bordered by Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south; and shares inland borders with Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia. 

Geography:
Including the offshore islands of Zanzibar, Mafia and Pemba, Tanzania has a total area of 365,755 square miles/ 947,300 square kilometers. It is a little more than twice the size of California.

Capital City:
Dodoma is the capital of Tanzania, although Dar es Salaam is the country's largest city and its commercial capital. 

Population:
According to a July 2018 estimate published by the CIA World Factbook, Tanzania has a population of almost 55.4 million people. Almost half of the population falls into the 0-14 age bracket, while the average life expectancy is 63 years of age. 

Languages:
Tanzania is a multilingual nation with many different indigenous languages. Swahili and English are the official languages, with the former spoken as the lingua franca by the majority of the population.

Religion:
Christianity is the predominant religion in Tanzania, accounting for just over 61% of the population. Islam is also common, accounting for 35% of the population (and almost 100% of the population on Zanzibar). 

Currency:
Tanzania's currency is the Tanzanian shilling. For accurate exchange rates, use this online converter. 

Climate:
Tanzania lies just south of the equator and on the whole enjoys a tropical climate. Coastal areas can be particularly hot and humid, and there are two distinct rainy seasons. The heaviest rains fall from March to May, while a shorter rainy season occurs between October and December. The dry season brings with it cooler temperatures and lasts from June to September.

When to Go:
In terms of weather, the best time to visit is during the dry season, when temperatures are more pleasant and rains are rare. This is also the best time for game-viewing, as animals are drawn to waterholes by a lack of water elsewhere. If you're planning on witnessing the Great Migration, you need to make sure that you're in the right place at the right time. Wildebeest herds gather in the southern Serengeti at the start of the year, moving northwards through the park before eventually crossing into Kenya around August.

Location:
Kenya is located in East Africa, in between Somalia (to the north) and Tanzania (to the south). It shares borders with the Indian Ocean and three other countries: South Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia.

Area:
Kenya has a total area of 224,080 square miles/580,367 square kilometers, making it five times the size of Ohio and roughly twice the size of Nevada.

Capital City:
The capital of Kenya is Nairobi, one of East Africa's economic and cultural centers. It is located in the south-central region of the country.

Population:
According to July 2018 estimates by the CIA World Factbook, Kenya has a population of almost 48.4 million people. The Kikuyu are the most populous ethnic group, and the average life expectancy is 64 years.

Language:
Kenya has two official languages: English and Swahili. Of the two, Swahili is the most widely spoken although many Kenyans speak another indigenous language as their mother tongue.

Religion:
Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in Kenya, accounting for 83% of the population. Protestant is the most popular denomination. 11% of Kenyans identify as Muslim.

Currency:
The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan shilling. For accurate exchange rates, use this online converter.

Climate:
Kenya is located on the equator and as such, doesn't have spring, summer, fall and winter. Instead, temperatures are generally consistent all year around (although the climate and humidity vary greatly depending on elevation and proximity to the coast). As a rule, the coastal regions are hotter and wetter, while the interior is cooler and drier. Kenya has two rainy seasons: from late March to May and from late October to the end of November.

When to Go:
The best time to visit Kenya depends on what you want to do while you're there. For safari-goers, the long dry season (June to early October) offers the best wildlife sightings. August is generally the month to travel if you want to watch the herds of the Great Migration cross the Mara River. The dry seasons are also best for visits to the coast or hikes up Mount Kenya, while the short rains (late October to November) are great for birding as they bring exciting migrant species from Europe and Asia.

A variety of attributes makes Uganda the most memorable destination experience include the friendliness of the people, the lush green vegetation, the all year round beautiful climate, the nebulous attractions from the famous mountains of the moon in the western part of Uganda, the origin of the mighty River Nile, the great safari experience to the primates. Uganda does not only offer a splendid ornithological experience but also offers everything to make it the ultimate life time destination of choice.

Wondeful Tours and Safaris welcomes you to Uganda which is gifted by Nature and a lot of our safari highlights which are waiting to be discovered.

Uganda the most beautiful (Its naturalness) and friendly African local people is one of the best and memorable experiences that explains it all one can get from Africa. One of the country’s most striking features, the shimmering Lake Victoria that dominates the South, her blue waters funneling into the Nile River which journeys the length of Uganda, the abundant bird species, rivers, waterfalls, mountains and wetlands make Uganda a lush tropical haven

Uganda lies between latitudes 4 12′ N and 1 29′ S, and longitudes 29 34′ E and 35 E. It covers a total area of 241,039 square km and stands in the heart of Africa across the Equator with a current population of 30,262,610, and it geographically borders Sudan in the North, Kenya in the East, Tanzania in the South, Rwanda in the Southwest and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Climate
Uganda’s year-round conducive climate is one of the interesting Facts about Uganda. As most of Uganda is at fairly constant altitude, with mountains only in east (Mt Elgon), west (the Rwenzori Mountains) the bulk of the country is tropical, with temperature averaging about 26C during the days and 16C at night. The hottest month is December to February with temperatures up to 30C. The highlands can be considerably cooler at night.

The rainy seasons are generally from April to May and October and November.

People / Languages
English (Official language), Luganda, and Swahili, other Bantu and Nilo-Saharan languages Are widely spoken in Uganda. Lake Kyoga forms the northern boundary for the Bantu- speaking peoples, who dominate much of the East, Central and Southern Africa. In Uganda, they include the Buganda, and several other tribes like Busoga, and Bagishu. In the north live the Lango (near Lake Kyoga) and Acholi (towards the Sudanese border), who speak Nilotic languages.

To the East are the Iteso and Karamojong, who are related to the Maasai and who also speak Nilotic languages. Pygmies live in the forest of the west.

Money Tips
Despite what is claimed in some guide books and manuals, credit cards are not widely accepted, and where they can be used with the lager hotels and tour companies, hefty surcharges are very common.

Barclays cash offers cash advances to Visa cards and Master cards, so does standard Chartered through their network of ATMs. Debit cards can be used with Stanbic Bank.

The Ugandan Shilling is generally and widely accepted in all parts of Uganda and quite stable against the US Dollar, through overall the trends are downwards. Dollars cash is the most welcome foreign currency. Other major currencies like Euros and Pound sterling, are far less welcomed compared to US Dollar. Paying with dollars can at times lead to frustration; Notes dated prior to 1996 are always turned away. Notes smaller than $50 attract a far lower exchange rate especially outside Kampala

Outdoor Adventure
South Africa's ever-changing scenery is the perfect canvas on which to paint an activity-packed trip. Try rock climbing in the craggy Cederberg, surfing off the Eastern Cape coast, abseiling from Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain, bungee jumping from the Garden Route's Bloukrans Bridge, or swinging into Graskop Gorge. If adrenaline sports aren't your thing, opt instead for a hike: options include multi-day treks through wildlife reserves, dusty day walks in the Karoo semidesert, 'slackpacking' trails along the Cape coast, or an overnight hike into the sometimes snow-capped peaks of the Drakensberg.

History
To visit South Africa without learning about its tumultuous history would be to miss a crucial part of the country's identity. Museums from Jo'burg to Robben Island, many including exhibits on the apartheid era, might not be lighthearted, but will help you to understand the fabric of South African society and appreciate how far the country has come. Continue your history lesson with a township visit to the likes of Soweto (Jo'burg) or Langa (Cape Town), chatting to locals and learning that, despite the heart-wrenching past, there is great pride here and an immense sense of promise for the future.

Dramatic Landscapes
South Africa's landscapes are stunning, from the burning Karoo and Kalahari semideserts to the misty heights of the Drakensberg range and the massive Blyde River Canyon. Even in urban Cape Town, you need only look up to see the beautiful fynbos (indigenous flora) climbing the slopes of Table Mountain, while nearby, two of the world's most dramatic coastal roads lead to Cape Point and Hermanus. Add the vineyards carpeting the Cape Winelands, old-growth forests along the Garden Route, wrinkly mountain ranges from the Cederberg to the Swartberg, and Indian Ocean beaches, and there's a staggering variety to enjoy.

Population:  Tanzania has a population of around 47.6 million (UN, 2012). Native Africans constitute 99% of the population

Climate: Tanzania has a tropical climate along the coast but it gets temperate in the highlands.
April & Mid – May = Long rains (Green Season)
June – Sept = Cool season
Nov – Dec = Short Rains
October – March = Hottest season

The range of Temperatures in Tanzania is fairly limited and always hot, running from 25 to 30 degrees C on the coast while the rest of the country apart from the highlands run from 22 to 27 degrees C.

Time: GMT + 3 hrs

Electricity: 240 Volts AC, 50 – 60 Hz

Language: Kiswahili & English

Area: 945,087 sq km (364,900 sq miles)

Life expectancy: 58 years (men), 60 years (women) (UN)

Monetary Unit: 1 Tanzanian shilling = 100 cents

Main exports: Gold, sisal, cloves, coffee, cotton, cashew nuts, minerals, tobacco

GNI per capita: US $540 (World Bank, 2011)

Internet domain: .tz

International dialling code: +255

Currency: Tanzania Shillings; however you are advised to carry American Dollars. Money changers do accept major convertible currencies including the EURO and the Japanese Yen. Travellers Cheques may be acceptable in some places, but not in the remote countryside, Major Credit Cards may also be acceptable in some large Hotels, however it is advisable to carry Cash US Dollars, which you will change on arrival..

System of government: Tanzania is a multiparty democratic republic.

Capital: Dodoma, with a population of around 325,000, is the official capital while

Dar-es-Salaam, with a population of nearly 4 million, serves as the administrative capital of the country.

  • Meru National Park – Pristine, unspoilt park with plenty of wildlife and fewer tourists.
  • Masai Mara Game Reserve – famous especially for its annual wildebeest migration. See more about Masai Mara here
  • Amboseli National Park – Special because of its location close to Kilimanjaro
  • Lake Nakuru National Park – Scenic Bird Sanctuary and one of the best places to see Rhino & Leopard.
  • Tsavo ~ East & West – Classic Africa, with large expanses of area, though animal densities are lower.
  • Samburu Game Reserve – Unique semi-arid landscapes as well as animal species only found here.
  • Lamu, Kenyan Coast – An idyllic beach town seemingly unaffected by time – just completely relaxing.
  • Mount Kenya – Snow capped mountain – a more challenging climb than Kilimanjaro.
  • Laikipia – A region rich in wildlife, protected under a system of conservancies – the future of wildlife conservation.
  • Aberdare National Park – A highland park, and one of the few where trekking is allowed.
  • South Coast, Mombasa – the best beaches in Kenya – fine white sand, clear blue water and sunny skies.
  • Nairobi – a large city that offers a few selected ‘Gems’ , such as the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.

Population: 57 million people live in South Africa (2018)

Capital city: Pretoria has 3 million inhabitants. Pretoria's nickname is "The Jacaranda City" due to the many jacaranda trees. In South Africa, the city is referred to as 'Tshwane' as the municipality changed its name in 2007. In fact, South Africa has three capital cities - read more below!

Name: Republic of South Africa, RSA, ZA (Zuid Africa meaning South Africa)

Languages: 11 official languages: isiZulu, Afrikaans, English, isiXhosa, siSwati, Sesotho, Xitsonga, Sepedi, isiNdebele, Setswana, Tshivenda

Religion: mainly Christians and Muslims, but also Jews and other faiths.

Currency: 1 South African Rand (ZAR) = 100 Cents

History: South Africa was led by Apartheid leaders until Nelson Mandela came free from prison and became the first democratically elected leader in South Africa in 1994.

National Symbols: Protea (flower), Springbok (antelope) and others. Click here.

Climate: Various climatic regions. Mostly mild to hot in summer, most of the days, cold nights, snowfall in winter. 

Cape Town: Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, beaches. More about Cape Town attractions here.

Kruger National Park for safaris and great wildlife viewing

Sun City near Pretoria for fun and games galore with amazing wave pool and lots of things to do for the whole family

Addo National Park near Port Elizabeth for elephant-spotting

Durban for surfing and great beaches and the KwaZulu-Natal midlands for some insights into South African history

iSimangeliso (formerly St Lucia Wetlands) for wildlife viewing and unspoilt nature

Drakensberg Mountains for hiking and nearby Lesotho for skiing in Africa