Burundi, the country where the drums are sacred

Royal Drummers of Burundi in Gishora
In Burundi, playing the drums is a symbol of recognition, and the Royal Drummers of Burundi vividly represent it. Experiencing the Royal Drummers of Burundi for the very first time is witnessing raw energy in front of your eyes. Thirty performers beat giant hundred-kilo drums with such strength and passion that your heart beats with
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Best things to do in Bujumbura

Beach Burundi - Best things to do in Bujumbura
Definitely off-the-beaten-path, Bujumbura is a city that is easy to fall in love with. Burundi may not be the first country you want to explore when travelling around East Africa, but it’s definitely worth a visit. From its cultural importance to its pristine landscapes, travelling to Burundi means properly visiting “the heart of Africa”.  The
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How to cross to Burundi overland

Landscape between DRC and Burundi - crossing Burundi overland
Whether you come from Uganda, Rwanda, DRC, or Tanzania, there are many ways to travel to Burundi overland.  Nestled in the heart of East Africa, Burundi may be a small country by African standards, but it has so much to offer to the enterprising traveller. Rich in culture and tradition, it is known for its
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Exploring East Africa – Best natural places to travel in Burundi

Exploring East Africa – Best natural places to travel in Burundi
Known as one of the least visited countries in Africa, Burundi has forests, savannas and stunning lakes for travellers wanting to go off the beaten path. It is difficult to find reliable information about Burundi online. It was one of the most complicated countries to plan a visit to, and I was not sure exactly
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How to plan a trip to Kahuzi-Biéga National Park in Congo

How to plan a trip to Kahuzi-Biéga National Park in Congo
There is only one place in the world to see the Eastern Lowland Gorilla in the wild. This is at the Kahuzi-Biéga National Park in DR Congo. Mornings are cloudy, and tourism is almost nonexistent at Kahuzi-Biéga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is hard to believe that not many people
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Where is the best place to do gorilla trekking in East Africa

Where is the best place to do gorilla trekking in East Africa
I did gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. These are the pros and cons of each one of these locations. “Here they are!”. These are the most comforting words you can hear during a gorilla trekking, and they are the rewards for adventuring in the jungle and hiking until you find these primates.
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How to cross overland the border between Rwanda and DR Congo

How to cross overland the border between Rwanda and DR Congo
Planning to cross the border between Rwanda and DR Congo and visit the gorillas of Virunga or Kahuzi Biega? Don’t worry. We got you covered.  Despite recent political unrest, The Democratic Republic of Congo remains one of the jewels in the crown of central Africa. Its breathtaking scenery offers a variety of wondrous experiences, such
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Kwita Izina – A ceremony to name baby gorillas

Kwita Izina – A ceremony to name baby gorillas
At the volcanoes national park in Rwanda, there is a special ceremony in September dedicated to naming newborn gorillas. Of all the gorillas I saw while traveling in Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo, the most memorable experience was seeing the baby gorillas. These cute primates get most of the attention from travelers, not just because
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Why you need to do a gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Why you need to do a gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Hidden deep in the cloudy highlands of Rwanda, the mountain gorillas are some of the greatest creatures you can see on a trek. With our entire bodies soaked in mud and rain, my friend Jessica and I hiked through the dense rainforest of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. We had trekked for more than one hour
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Best things to do in Kigali – Rwanda

Best things to do in Kigali
From elegant cafes at the hillside to colorful markets full of crafts, Kigali is one of these cities that quickly grows on you the more you spend time here. Risen from the ashes at the beginning of the 90s, Kigali has evolved since then and is now a place like no other in Africa. The
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The importance of wildlife reintroduction in national parks

The importance of wildlife reintroduction in national parks
With wild species disappearing at an unprecedented rate, reintroduction of wildlife in national parks seems to be the only solution in the long term. I visited the Akagera National Park in Rwanda some months ago. Unlike the national parks of Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, Akagera is managed way differently. Only a few rhinos are
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How to plan a trip to Akagera National Park in Rwanda

How to plan a trip in Akagera national Park
From itineraries, transportation, accommodation, prices, and best time to go. This is the ultimate guide for planning a trip to Akagera National Park in Rwanda. One moment you are driving through rolling hills, passing buffalo herds, and observing views of Rwanda’s untouched landscapes. A second later, you are at a vast plain surrounded by dozens
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Crossing overland between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda

Crossing overland between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda: a complete guide
With security and tourism increasing yearly in East Africa, here is a simple guide on crossing overland between these countries. Visiting Kenya, Uganda, or Rwanda as a backpacker has never been easier than now. Increasing infrastructure, a more significant traveling culture, better security, and more accessibility has turned East Africa into one of the hottest
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What to bring and wear for gorilla trekking

What to bring and wear for gorilla trekking
Rain jacket, double socks, boots, and lots of water – here is the ultimate guide on what you need to pack and wear for gorilla trekking tours in East and Central Africa. Going on a gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of Congo is not a walk in the park. The climate
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Turning animal poachers into wildlife conservationists

Illegal trade of wildlife
I met with a former animal poacher in Uganda and talked about killing animals illegally, conservation projects, and what the government is doing to help. Levy Tindimwebwa captured and killed wild animals in Uganda’s national parks for over 12 years. Today, he understands the environmental impact of his actions and the long-term damages he was
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Best things to do in Hargeisa

Best things do in Hargeisa
Overshadowed by the political conflicts around, Hargeisa is a quiet and charming city that embodies the friendliness and kind of Somaliland. Located in Somaliland and not technically Somalia, Hargeisa is one of the most exciting gems the Horn of Africa has. Even though it can be chaotic and intimidating the first time,  Hargeisa welcomed me
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The Batwa people of Uganda – a tribe on the edge of disappearing

The Batwa people of Uganda – a tribe on the edge of disappearing
Drastic changes in their lifestyle, constant discrimination, and zero opportunities. The Batwa in Uganda don’t need charity and donations. They need to be protected for who they are. In 1906, the Bronx Zoo in New York City introduced what they called “the most interesting sight in the Bronx” into the gorilla cage. It was a
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How to plan a gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

How to plan a gorilla trekking in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Going on a gorilla trekking in Uganda is an experience of a lifetime. These are the do’s and don’ts when planning your trek at the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. My legs were already exhausted as my group went deeper into the jungles of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda. Even though we could not see
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Which are the best national parks in Uganda

Which are the best national parks in Uganda
From dense forests hiding mountain gorillas to savannas where lions climb trees, Uganda’s National Parks reveal why this country is known as the “Pearl of Africa.” While Kenya and Tanzania worked for decades to build a reputation as the top safari destinations globally, Uganda became often overlooked. Travelers come to Uganda searching for the mountain
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How to plan a trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda

climbing lions at Queen Elizabeth National Park - How to plan a trip
Grasslands, savannah, forests, wetlands, and lakes – you name it, and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda has it. It was my first night before visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park, and to save some costs, a friend and I decided to stay in a tented camp outside the premises of the park. With only shepherds
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Tracking chimpanzees in Uganda‘s Kibale National Park

Tracking chimpanzees in Uganda‘s Kibale National Park
Whether you go tracking or for a habituation tour, tracing chimpanzees at the Kibale National Park in Uganda is an adventure to never forget. As time passed by, each step became harder and harder. We trekked for almost two hours, my hiking boots were completely covered in mud, and I couldn’t stop sweating because of
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Traveling to Chinguetti and Ouadane – Mauritania‘s gateway to the Sahara

Old town in Ouadane in Mauritania
Located in the outskirts of the Sahara, Chinguetti and Ouadane are two hidden gems Mauritania is hidding from the rest of the world. Unspoiled, mysterious and rich in culture, the cities of Chinguetti and Ouadane in Mauritania are an ode to the past. More than 1000 years ago, they were two of the most important
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In search for Ethiopia’s atypical rock-hewn churches

Lalibela St George rock church Ethiopia
From the rock-hewn churches in Lalibela to the chapels in the Tigray region, visiting a church in Ethiopia is a travel experience you should not skip. Ethiopians relationship with God is visible everywhere you go while visiting Ethiopia. No matter if you are going for business in Addis or to an adventure expedition in Danakil,
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Marveling Abuna Yemata Guh, Ethiopia’s church in the sky

Abuna Yemata Guh, Ethiopia’s church in the sky
Abuna Yemata Guh is not like any other church in the world. This rock-hewn sanctuary stands 250 meters above ground and in order to reach it, you are required to climb up and face death. “There is no other place in the world where you can get closer to God”, these are the words most
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Somaliland unveiled – Inside Africa’s most complex country

Inside Somaliland - country in Horn of Africa - Girl from Somaliland
Completely unknown by some and unrecognized by the rest, Somaliland is the country that is not a country. It’s in a limbo of existence where visitors are welcomed with camel milk, qat and a smile. “If you travel there independently, there is a big chance you will never come back”. Those were the words I
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How to cross the border between Djibouti and Somaliland by land

cars at the somaliland border - crossing Djibouti Somaliland border
I crossed one of the most remote land borders in the world, the Djibouti – Somaliland border. It was easy and fast, but way less comfortable than I though. “It’s Somaliland, not Somalia!” This was the most common misconception I had to explain while I was talking about my journey around the Horn of Africa
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A travel guide for Djibouti City – East Africa’s melting pot

A travel guide to Djibouti City - European Quarter architecture
Undervalued, charming and enchanting, Djibouti City is a journey through Arab, East African and European influences. My drive from Djibouti’s international airport to the capital’s city center was calm and straightforward. No masses of people walking on the road, hundreds of cars beeping for no reason, or standstill traffic jams. Way differently – it was
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Lac Abbé & Lac Assal – Djibouti’s alien landscapes

sulphur lake Lac Abbe Djibouti
Desertic and inhospitable, but simultaneously bizarre and flabbergasting, Lac Abbé and Lac Assal in Djibouti are some of the world’s strangest landscapes. I will never forget the first time I glimpsed Lac Abbé’s surreal landscape at the horizon. The scenery looked so dystopian and desolated, that for a moment I thought I landed on planet
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