age limit Archives — Mantis Africa Safaris

March 26, 2026June 1, 2026

Why Go On A Masai Mara Safari?

Why Go On A Masai Mara Safari?

Located in Kenya’s southwest, Masai Mara National Reserve is the highlight of any safari to Kenya. The reserve spans 1,510 square kilometers of open plains, vachellia-dotted hills and the winding Mara River. It is home to more than two million wildebeest, zebra, gazelles during the Great Migration, and a year-round congregation of predators and prey.

A Masai Mara Safari is must have while on a Kenya Safari and here is why

Fantastic, Year- Round Game Viewing

Game viewing in the Masai Mara is the most prominent experience to do and is excellent all year round thanks to its varied landscapes, wide open spaces, temperate climate and diverse array of wildlife species. The reserve’s endless savannah plains are home to safari heavyweights like elephants, lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, and rhinos.

Also you will enjoy incredible sightings of popular wildlife species like giraffes, hyenas, zebras, elands and gazelles. Sightings of rhinos are scare, but these endangered animals can be spotted in the Mara Triangle if you are lucky.

Masai Mara National Reserve is renowned for delivering exceptional big cat sightings – lions, leopards and cheetahs.

Cheetahs particularly are well adapted to the region’s flat plains, which makes the Mara one of the best places to see these nimble predators. Often, they seek vantage points on fallen trees, termite mounds, and even game drive vehicle. Cheetah sighting is a highlight of any Masai Mara safari to watch these world’s fastest land mammal chase down its prey.

The resident wildlife, temperate climate, diverse landscape and wide-open spaces make Masai Mara National Reserve a terrific year-round destination.

Witness The Great Wildebeest Migration

From mid-July to November, Masai Mara National Reserve hosts one of nature’s greatest spectacles – the Great Migration. The sheer number of wildebeests arriving in the area is staggering, the herds are so big they can be observed from space.

The Great Wildebeest Migration is an annual migration – a dramatic mass movement of almost two million wildebeests, zebras and gazelles in a seasonal annual cycle drive by rainfall. To reach the fresh plains of Masai Mara from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, the wildebeests must make dramatic river crossings, facing enormous crocodiles that lie in wait.

Tips on witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara

Stay at accommodation with easy access to river crossing points
Get a bird’s eye view of the migration herds on a hot-air balloon safari
Staying in a private conservancy to escape the crowds and enjoy activities not permitted in the national reserve like going-off road, night game drives and nature walks.

During the high season (June to October), availability of well-located safari camps is limited. If you want front-row seats to the Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara, you should book your Masai Mara Safari at least a year in advance.

Experience a Hot – Air Balloon Safari

While on your Kenya Masai Mara Safari, combine the thrilling land-based game viewing in 44 safari vehicles with Maasai – guided nature walks and the hot-air balloon experience. On this Masai Mara Safari Experience you get a bird’s eye view of the Mara’s breathtaking landscape and even spot wildlife including large herds of wildebeests, watch the colorful sunrise painting the boundless plains a blend of red and orange.

The best flight paths follow the course of the Mara River, allowing you to peek down into the forests, float past vultures’ nests and observe the early-morning routines of boisterous hippos. After touching down onto the plains, you will be treated with a delicious bush breakfast with champagne.

Hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara is the perfect safari experience for a honeymoon or anniversary.

Meet The Maasai People

The Maasai were the dominating tribe at the beginning of 20^th Century, they are one of the very few tribes who have retained most of their traditions, lifestyle and customs. The nomadic and pastoralist Maasai people are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting selected but large parts of northern, central and southern Kenya and across the border in northern Tanzania as well.

The Maasai people are better known ethnic people in East Africa due to their traditional origins from areas surrounding Masai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park near the Tanzania border. Although cattle ownership is still a central aspect of their culture, increased safari tourism has led many Maasai to become expert safari guides and camp managers.

A Masai Mara Safari offers you plenty of opportunities to interact with Maasai guides and camp stuff, plus get a chance to visit local villages for a glimpse of their culture, lifestyle and traditions.

Stay in a Private Conservancy

Masai Mara National Reserve is surrounded by a number of private conservancies that have quietly transformed conservation, supported community livelihoods, and improved the quality of game viewing in the region. These conservancies play a vital role in protecting wildlife while offering guests a more exclusive, flexible and immerse safari experience.

A conservancy is a very specific type of land and wildlife conservation area. Landowners enter into contracts with safari operators in return for monetary compensation and other assistance. This could include anything from educational and healthcare programmes that livestock and grazing management.

During the safari high season (about June to October), Masai Mara National Reserve gets crowded which is why were recommend staying in one of the neighboring private conservancies. While staying in a private conservancy you get to enjoy the following

Enjoy superb, crowd-free game viewing
Have easy access to the national reserve for wildebeest migration scenes
Go off-road game viewing, night drives and guided nature walks which are not permitted in the national reserve
Contribute directly to local communities and conservation.

March 11, 2026June 1, 2026

Best Places to Visit in Uganda

Best Places to Visit in Uganda

Discover Uganda’s remarkable destinations, from the verdant misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to the vast plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.

Often called the “Pearl of Africa”, Uganda offers experiences that few destinations in the world can match. From tracking mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga to cruising along the Nile River.

With over ten national parks, each offering unique wildlife encounters, we have put together the best places to visit in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Home to the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, situated in southwestern corner of Uganda, the lush mountainous forest protects over 400 mountain gorillas.

Most travelers visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to track these magnificent apes, which involves an adventurous hike on hilly tracks through the misty tropical rainforest. Along the trek, there are over 120 mammals to spot, including forest duikers, rare I’Hoest monkeys, olive baboons, bushbucks, black and white colobus monkeys, forest elephants (seldom seen) and over 220 species of butterfly and 350 bird species.

Travel Tip: Gorilla tracking can be physically demanding, the hike to reach your allocated gorilla group can take anything from just an hour to an entire day (the average hiking time is between three and seven hours).

Kyambura Gorge

Often called the “Valley of Apes” Kyambura Gorge is a lush forested canyon offering a unique opportunity to track chimpanzees and explore a distinct ecosystem with Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This sunken rainforest is home to chimpanzees and a diversity of colorful bird species, the gorge’s unique location also provides incredible viewpoints for photographers and nature lovers. Besides the chimpanzees, other primates to lookout for in Kyambura Gorge include black and white colobus monkeys and red-tailed monkeys.

Murchison Falls National Park

Named after the most powerful waterfall in the world – Murchison Falls National Park is only one of the most stunning places to visit in Uganda, but also the largest national park, where the Nile River explodes through a narrow gorge, create an awe-inspiring view.

On a Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park, you travel through palm – dotted hills, swamps, riverine woodlands, and forests to see an array of wildlife including four of the Big Five.

The Murchison Falls is a must visit spot in Murchison Falls National Park, on your visit you will be stunned by the intensity of this waterfall – the large volumes of water that tumble down measure about 300 cubic metres feet per second. The immense pressure of the water fall causes the surrounding area to tremble. Hike to the top of the falls (it takes only about 45 minutes) to get a better view of the falls and the surrounding national park.

Murchison Falls National Park offers the opportunity to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards while on a Uganda safari. Near the waters, schools of hippos and Nile crocodiles reign, while herds of Rothschild giraffe and a variety of antelope species capture your attention on the plains.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

The most popular safari destination in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is renowned for its diverse habitats, including savannahs, forests, and swamps, supporting a wide variety of wildlife. The park boasts such as high biodiversity setting Queen Elizabeth National Park apart from other Uganda national parks.

Covering 1,978 square kilometers, Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the largest parks in Uganda hosting over 96 mammal species including four of the Big Five. Wildlife in the park include healthy numbers of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, lions, leopards, chimpanzees, giant forest hogs, antelopes, and spotted hyenas.

Queen Elizabeth National Park offers several safari experience to do on a Uganda safari including classic game drives, visit the crater lakes, do a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, go on a guide nature walk in Maramagambo Forest and guided nature walks.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Nestled in the remote corners of northeastern Uganda lies Kidepo Valley National Park protecting untouched wilderness, often dubbed as Africa’s hidden Eden. The park is a sanctuary for a diverse array of wildlife and a haven for nature enthusiasts seeking an authentic Uganda safari experience.

Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the northeastern region of Uganda, is a hidden treasure waiting for you to explore on a Uganda safari. At a size of 1,442 square kilometers, Kidepo is the third largest national park in Uganda and home to over 77 mammal species. The park offer great opportunities for game viewing with incredible sightings of 20 species of predators, including lions, leopards and spotted hyenas among others.

In addition to wildlife, Kidepo Valley National Park is a birder’s haven with over 500 species of birds including the common Ostrich, secretary bird, northern carmine bee-eater, little green bee-eater, Abyssinian scimitar bill, and many more colorful species.

Western Uganda

Dominated by green rolling hills and mesmerizing crater lakes, western Uganda has a wealth of biodiversity waiting for you to explore.

On your Uganda safari visit you will feel your excitement rising for the adventure you are about to undertake in this natural haven, the region is home to several national parks and offers incredible primate trekking opportunities, making one of the best places to visit in Uganda.

Must-Visit Areas in Western Uganda

On your visit you will awestruck by the incredible diversity of wildlife, colorful birds and stunning landscapes and natural attractions.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park – The Mountains of the Moon

Encompassing the third highest peak in Africa, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site enchanting visitors with its snow-capped peaks and stunning scenery. The Rwenzori Mountains provide thrilling landscapes for hikes and mountaineering trips.

A Uganda adventure to Rwenzori Mountain National Park takes you past glaciers, waterfalls, clear blue lakes, and a variety of vegetation.

Kibale National Park – Haven for Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park – a Primate Capital of the world is a highlight of a Uganda safari tour. During this primate experience, you will hike through the rainforest of the national park – an incredible adventure on which you will find a habituated chimpanzee family.

Spend about an hour observing these intelligent primates, gaining an insight into their complex social structures. Kibale Forest is also home to almost 400 species of birds, making it an amazing environment for birding in Uganda.

Lake Bunyonyi – The deepest lake in Uganda

Lake Bunyonyi is a beautiful lake surrounded by terraced hills, and is perfect for relaxation and water-based activities like canoeing and swimming. The lake is an ideal stop during gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, as it neighbors the parks.

Some of the thrilling experiences to keep you busy on your visit to Lake Bunyonyi include birding, hiking, canoeing, swimming and mountain biking.

September 10, 2025

Why visit Lake Nakuru Kenya

Located in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru sits at an elevation of 1,745m, famous for the vast numbers of flamingoes that feed off its algae. Lake Nakuru National Park lies South of Nakuru County, this beautiful park is also home to a large rhino population (both white and black rhinos). These endangered beasts are often seen lazing under the shade of the acacia trees that surround the lake.

Despite its small size, the park is a true haven of wildlife with array of fauna and flora. Lake Nakuru National Park supports an incredible array of wildlife including 400 bird species, over 50 mammal species, and over 50 species of flora.

If you are planning to visit Kenya on your Africa safari, here are the reasons to why visit Lake Nakuru.

Lake Nakuru – a soda Lake

Lake Nakuru is one of the most famous soda lakes in East Africa’s Great Rift Valley Lake system and is the heart of Lake Nakuru National Park,

The Endangered Rhinos

Among the diverse wildlife in Lake Nakuru National Park are the endangered rhinos, the park is a great destination to see black and white rhinos.

Lake Nakuru is a designated rhino sanctuary hosting a huge population of rhinos, 80% of them being white rhinos and 20% being black rhinos, and during your Lake Nakuru safari you will see these enormous mammals that are only second in size to elephants.

Black and white rhinos seem to look similar but they are very different. Scientifically known as Diceros bicornis, the black rhinos are browsers, feeding on bushes and trees, which is why the park’s woodland areas, particularly around the acacia trees are critical to their survival. Black rhinos are critically endangered and Lake Nakuru National Park hosts a significant population of them.

The white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum) on the other hand are grazers, feeding primarily on grass and can often be spotted in the park’s open savannah grasslands. White rhinos are less critically endangered than black rhinos, though they still face severe threats from poaching.

In 1987, Lake Nakuru National Park was declared a rhino sanctuary, and the park’s white and black rhinos have thrived in recent year. In 2009, the park was home to over 25 eastern black rhinoceroses and around 70 southern white rhinoceroses.

Flocks of Flamingoes

Lake Nakuru – one of the popular soda lakes in the Great Rift Valley is home to a huge population of flamingoes and one of the best places in Africa to see these spectacular birds, dressed in pink feathery coats.

The alkalinity of the lake attracts massive flocks of flamingoes from all over the world. The flamingo birds feed on the blue algae found in the lake, which makes flamingoes found along the Lake Nakuru appear pink. Flamingoes mostly feed on the blue-green algae, the prawns, and some aquatic insects.

The abundant blue-green algae in Lake Nakuru makes it an ideal home for flamingoes. Sadly the recent heavy rains have flooded these rift valley lakes in the surrounding area, forcing flamingoes into Lake Nakuru National Park.

Lake Nakuru National Park is a famous bird haven for the flocks of up to 2 million greater and lesser flamingoes that nest on the shores of Lake Nakuru.

Out of Africa Viewpoint

The Out of Africa is the most impressive viewpoint in Lake Nakuru National Park. To reach this view point, you embark on a short hike through some steep sections up the rocky path and the trail is significantly steeper than the one that leads to Baboon Cliff.

This viewpoint was made famous by the 1985 film “Out of Africa”, and it derives its name from this Hollywood appearance.

The Baboon Cliff

The baboon cliff in Lake Nakuru National Park is an excellent viewpoint and it overlooks the entire valley. The cliff gets its name from the groups of baboons that are known to roan in the area.

The Baboon Cliff is a great spot for a scenic picnic and there are several picnic benches at the top. However, when you are eating, you should be attentive as the baboons have been known to steal food.

At the Baboon Cliff, the best views are in the morning, with crisp clear skies and the haze from the morning sun lighting up the panoramic view. There are several great hiking trails running Baboon Cliff for those wanting to stretch their legs, and the cliff itself is easily accessible by car.

Makalia Falls

The Makalia Falls is a small but beautiful waterfall in the southern part of Lake Nakuru National Park, and they are easily accessible via a short drive from the park’s gates. The falls have a seasonal flow, and it can grind to a halt during the dry season.

Makalia Falls has a height of around 10m, and they are fed by the Makalia River. Although are as dramatic as other falls like Murchison Falls in Uganda and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia, it is a great spot for a light hike or an afternoon picnic.

Cycle with Rhinos

In Lake Nakuru is an opportunity to cycle with the rhinos in an annual event at Lake Nakuru National Park. Every year, hundreds of people come together to cycle around the entire park to raise money for community-based conservation projects in the park.

Despite its name, the event raises money for a range of conservation efforts, such as the construction of a perimeter fence to reduce poaching and human – wildlife contact.

Since the fundraising began in 2003, a 18 km of the baboon-proof fence have been erected.

Birding Paradise

In addition to flocks of pink lesser and greater flamingoes. Lake Nakuru is a haven for bird enthusiasts. With over bird species, the lake and the park offers some of the exceptional birding safaris in Kenya, and is listed among the Important Birding Areas in the region.

Abundant Wildlife and Exceptional Game Viewing

With over 50 mammal species calling Lake Nakuru home, the park is one of the great game viewing destinations in Kenya.

Lake Nakuru is home to a huge population of some critically endangered wildlife species in Africa including the endangered black and white rhinos and Rothschild giraffe. Other animals you will see on a game viewing safari in Lake Nakuru include baboons, impalas, lions, leopards, hyenas, zebras, gazelles, pythons, Africa wild dogs, zebras, elands and waterbucks among others.

Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the best places in Kenya to see rhinos in the wild.

Easily Combined with Other Destinations

For longer Kenya safari itinerary, it is easy to combine Lake Nakuru with other Kenya safari destination such as the other Great Rift Valley lakes, the nearby Aberdare National Park and famous Masai Mara National Reserve.

August 7, 2025August 7, 2025

Age limit for trekking mountain gorillas

Gorilla trekking in Africa is an extraordinary and sustainable wildlife experience allowing visitors to come face to face with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

In the whole world, mountain gorillas are found in only four national parks that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Currently, gorilla trekking is only available in Uganda and Rwanda gorilla destinations.

In Africa’s gorilla trekking destinations, the age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years. The age limit for trekking gorillas is set by the different government authorities responsible for managing the gorilla parks that is Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and the Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda.

You may be asking yourself why the age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years – the age limit for gorilla trekking is set at 15 years because travelers below the age of 15 are considered to be children who may not be able to deal with any negative reactions from the mountain gorillas.

Though mountain gorillas are very calm and gentle creatures, they can become aggressive when they feel threatened or misinterpret the actions of the trackers. In this occasion, children may not stay calm or lay low when a mighty silverback approaches them or appears aggressive. Actions like screaming and running away could force the gorillas to run after the youngsters thus putting them in danger. The only way to contain an aggressive or charging gorillas is to act submissive and lay low.

In the event of a gorilla charging, the mature travelers are better at controlling their emotions.

Mature travelers are also less likely to get carried away, they are more likely to follow the gorilla trekking rules and regulations of the park rangers than the younger trekkers. The gorilla trekking rules and regulations include not littering in the park, keeping a distance of at least 7 meters from the gorillas and avoid any abrupt action and noises.

Additionally, youngsters may not be mentally ready of the adventure physically. By the time an adult decides to go for gorilla trekking, they know what they are getting into. Children tend to go for safaris only to accompany their parents. In some cases, they might not be as excited about the gorilla trip as their parents. Completing gorilla trekking requires determination especially if it involves following a gorilla group that is far away from the starting point.

The youngsters tend to get easily infested with communicable diseases like cough and flu (running noses) and the gorillas are very prone to human diseases, if they get infected with flue or cough, the results can be deadly.

The above reasons where based together with the guidance of primate searchers to set the age limit for trekking gorillas at 15 years.

Circumstances under which children may be allowed to track gorillas

Though the set age limit for trekking gorillas, there are changes for a child below the age of 15 years being allowed to take part in the gorilla trek, as an exception can be made for a 14-year old child who is making 15 in the year of trekking.

This exception is only possible in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The child must be physically fit and mature enough.

Compared to Uganda’s Mgahinga and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is less steep. Also Bwindi has more forest cover which help shield trackers from the sun.

In order to qualify for this exception, parents may be required to provide pictures of the child to the Uganda Wildlife Authority with information about their physical fitness and maturity. The child must be about to make 15 years and to prove this, a passport copy will be required as well as the current photos.

A child below the age of 15 years may also be allowed to do gorilla trekking if they are accompanied by parents. The Uganda Wildlife Authority will require that the parent signs a consent/indemnity form to protect the organization from the responsibility in case of any mishap during a gorilla trekking. The park warden will ensure that the child is allocated a gorilla group which is closest to the starting point.

As a parent, you can make everything smooth for the child by hiring extra porters to carry them in Sedan chair whenever they get tired.

If you are planning to do a gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda with a child.

What to do if your child is too young for gorilla trekking

Still, you can travel with children who are too young (13 years and below) to take part in gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. There are lots of interesting activities that the children can take part in as the elders go out to search for the mountain gorillas.

The lodge staff can stay with them and keep them engaged with games and children’s movies. Also, they can be taken for nature walks, cultural visits or touring nearby local schools.

Additional information about eligibility for gorilla trekking

It is important to note that not anyone above 15 years can trek mountain gorillas. There is no maximum age limit for gorilla trekking.

Note: Before issuing the gorilla permit, the park authorities in the three mountain gorilla countries will require that you send a copy of your passport before issuing out the gorilla permit. Even if you manage to get a gorilla permit without the passport, you will still be required to show it during the registration at the park headquarters. The passport helps the park authorities know if you are eligible to take part in the gorilla trek.