East Africa 2012
6 months - with Melanie - Toyota Hiace 4x4 van

Information on the Journey

This journey was mainly about African Parks. For 6 months, we slowly travelled only a small part of these four beautiful countries. During the Christmass and New Year season, we stopped for a month at the Twiwi Beach, in Kenya.

East Africa is quite easy concerning visas and insurances. There is some minor corruption. After more than 6 months there, a few policemen asked us for gift from Canada, but after a polite refusal, they didn't insist. It was often quite friendly.


Some data

Travelling with Mélanie

Regions visited: Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda
When? June 2012 to February 2013

Timeline:

Tanzania 1 month 15 days
Rwanda 25 days
Uganda 1 month 20 days
Kenya 2 months 16 days
Travel Time: 6 months 15 days
Not travelling:
 
Total: 6 months 15 days

The best

Tanzania Serengeti - Tarangire - Ngorongoro crater - Zanzibar.
Rwanda Scenery everywhere - Lake Kivu - Nyungwe Forest.
Uganda Queen Elizabeth Park - Sipi Falls - 3 hippopotamus at 2-3 metres from our camp - Coffee Pot in Kisoro - Explorer Backpackers in the city of Jinja.
Kenya Lake Bogoria and its thousands of flamingoes (in season) - Samburu Reserve - scenery around Rusinga Island (Lac Victoria) - scenery around Cherangani Hills - gravy Zebra at Ol Pejeta Conservancy - Mount Longonot.

The worst

Tanzania Lake Natron is not worth it (out of season) - park fees.
Rwanda Being yelled amazungu (white person) and being constantly asked for money or trinkets (it is worst than other East African countries) - adults often ask for money or food.
Uganda Fees for foreign car in parks ($150) - no info from rangers in parks - paying again to see Murchison Falls after paying the entrance fees - Ssese Islands - The road around Soroti is full of holes.
Kenya Most parks and reserves have doubled their fees in 2012 - many locals say Kenya is dangerous, some say it is safe... I don't really know (I had no problem) - seeing Italians buying pens and candies for children at Marafa Depression.

Best Time to Go

The time to avoid is the big rainy season from March to May. In November, there is a small rainy season, but not serious enough to avoid travelling.

The coast is hot and humid from December to March.

For animal sightings, as the dry seasons progress, the animals stay more and more around the waterholes. At that time, it is easier to observe them. However, for birds, the rainy season or slightly thereafter is often the best time.


Technical Data

Travellers with a Canadian passport.

Tanzania (July 2012)

VISA Obtained at the border or airport. $US 50 for 3 months.
CURRENCY Tanzanian Shilling - $US 1 = 1580 TZS
INSURANCE Local insurance or a COMESA insurance that covers the country ($90 for 6 months for all the covered countries).
DIESEL $US 1.38 / litre (up to $1.45 in remote area)

Rwanda (August 2012)

VISA Register online 3-4 days before entering the country (online form to fill on the Rwandan government site - print the confirmation sent by email). Get the visa at the border. $US 30 for 1 month.
CURRENCY Rwandan Franc - $US 1 = 605 RWF
INSURANCE COMESA - $90 for 6 months.
DIESEL $US 1.63 / litre

Uganda (September 2012)

VISA At the border. $US 50 for 3 months. Road tax of $US 20.
CURRENCY Ugandan Shilling - $US 1 = 2500 UGX
INSURANCE COMESA - $90 for 6 months.
DIESEL $US 1.33 / litre - $1.56 on Ssese Islands

Kenya (November 2012)

VISA At the border. $US 50 for 3 months. Road tax of $US 50 for 3 months or $US 20 for 1 month.
CURRENCY Kenyan Shilling - $US 1 = 85.6 KES
INSURANCE COMESA - $90 for 6 months.
DIESEL $US 1.20-1.30 / litre