Pearls are said to be a very special gift from nature. They are certainly products of a cheerful day of creation. “Uganda is the pearl of the African continent”. This sentence is attributed to none other than the legendary British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill. He was not necessarily considered a person who tended to romantic rhetoric, but during his stay as colonial secretary in Africa, he went into raptures after a visit to Uganda. And this despite the fact that he suspected that the time of the British presence on the great continent was coming to an end. Churchill was fascinated by the variety of landscapes, the lush vegetation, the rich fauna and the pleasant climate in Uganda, even for Europeans. Today, visitors to Uganda search for the country’s greatest treasure in the rainforest – the mountain gorillas.
Uganda is a landlocked country – surrounded by two much larger neighbours. From the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya. In the south, a mighty lake borders the country to Tanzania – Lake Victoria in the East African plateau. It suffers from an ecological disaster due to the rapid proliferation of the water hyacinths found here. However, the former principality of Uganda surprises with numerous surprising landscapes. With the endless plains of the national park, which was named after the British Queen Elizabeth, with the often mist-shrouded fire mountains and, last but not least, with the gorillas, which developed into an important source of income for the country. And this is simply because tourists from all over the world travel to Uganda to observe the families of the “silverbacks” up close.
Uganda – Undeveloped as in Stanley’s time
Gorillas in Bwindi National Park, Image: GUDKOV ANDREY / shutterstock A tour to the mountain gorillas is one of the most intense experiences that Africa has to offer its guests as part of a safari. Several regions of Uganda are still largely undeveloped and present themselves in a state comparable to that once found by Henry Morton Stanley when he set out on a journey to the country’s jungle in 1870 to find a researcher on behalf of the New York Herald, who the world assumed was no longer alive. He was the doctor, explorer and missionary David Livingstone, who was revered as a national hero in Victorian-era Britain. Stanley found the missing man, returned to Africa years later and moved with the then Ugandan regent and two thousand porters armed with spears to Lake Albert and thus to the shores of the Blue Mountains in the border area with the Congo.
Kintu Dynasty and the Buganda Tombs
Uganda offers a fantastic landscape, Image: evenfh / shutterstock Uganda has a similar geographical size to the British Isles and is as densely populated as Austria. Uganda’s name derives from the forgotten kingdom of Buganda, which ruled East Africa with its Kintu dynasty in the 18th century. On Kasubi Hill not far from the metropolis of Kampala, the last four Buganda kings found their final resting place. The graves were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001. After turbulent times as a result of the transformation into a unitary state, there were also bloody conflicts in Uganda. But for years, the country has been pacified as a presidential republic and an interesting African destination for international tourism. If you go on a safari through Uganda, you can also look forward to a foray into history.
The steep paths to the mountain gorillas
The economy of this country in East Africa is enjoying an astonishing development. In order to attract holidaymakers to travel through Uganda, the authorities opened no fewer than ten national parks. “Oh Uganda – Land of Beauty” – so it says in the national anthem of the state. On a round trip, guests from another world meet friendly people almost everywhere and now and then also the heirs of the Batwa and Bambuti pygmies. Anyone who has signed up for a “gorilla trekking” should know that only those holidaymakers who do not have a cold will be taken along. The danger that the endangered animals could become infected in the rainforest should not be underestimated. You should also be in good shape, because the paths to the gorillas lead over narrow and often steep paths.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda – eye to eye with the giants of the forests
Forest elephants populate the jungle in Uganda, and participants in a gorilla safari occasionally encounter lions in their search for the gorillas, most of which came from Congo’s Virunga National Park and tend to doze on fig trees during the day. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in the Ugandan highlands is the ancestral home of almost half of all around a thousand mountain gorillas worldwide. Anyone who has ever looked one of the jungle giants, who genetically have so much in common with humans, in the eye, will never forget this. The powerful animals, which live in family groups, are used to small groups of human visitors visiting them. They almost always radiate a certain serenity and look at the holidaymakers with brown eyes when they meet. After about an hour, the visit to the mountain gorillas is over, because the inhabitants of the forests should not be disturbed in their refuge more than necessary. This is also Uganda’s contribution to environmental protection.
If you want to enjoy a real North Sea feeling, you will find it in Büsum. The small port town in Schleswig-Holstein is located directly on the North Sea. Here you can hear the sound of the North Sea waves and the screeching of the seagulls. Fine sand plays around your feet and when you take a deep breath, you can breathe in the wonderfully salty sea air. It is a perfect vacation spot for everyone. Young couples can have a great time here, as can seniors or families with children. There is plenty of space to play and romp. An event that holidaymakers with pets also appreciate very much. All these factors make Büsum one of the most popular holiday resorts in this area. In terms of overnight stays, it is even the third largest tourist resort on the Schleswig-Holstein North Sea coast behind Sankt Peter-Ording and Westerland.
Once an island consisting of several villages, Büsum is now (since 1585) connected to the mainland. The townscape of the municipality from the district of Dithmarschen is particularly characterised by the fishing and excursion port. Here you will find typical maritime flair. A wide variety of boats anchor and the nationally known and popular Büsum crabs await you at Germany’s largest cutter harbour. With a romantic-picturesque atmosphere, it is always a perfect place for a leisurely stroll. A trip through the harbour on one of the Börte boats is also worthwhile. Visitors interested in history are drawn to the museum harbour. In addition to historical treasures from fishing, there are old ships and the lighthouse to see. It is Büsum’s landmark.
North Sea spa since 1949
As early as 1837, Büsum was awarded the title of North Sea Resort. In order to be allowed to bear this designation, it requires high requirements in terms of air and water quality, proximity to the sea and tourist infrastructure. Since 1949, the place has even been allowed to call itself a North Sea spa. This also requires the presence of remedies. These include, for example, sea silt or sea salt. Accordingly, holidaymakers will find great bathing opportunities on site. A highlight is the Perlebucht family lagoon. A wonderful dune landscape with wind-protected hollows, spacious natural areas and salt marsh-like vegetation. A bridge leads between the bathing and water sports pools to an entrance to the mudflats.
Barbecue areas, DLRG, playground equipment, hammocks, an attractive promenade and much more round off the offer of the Perlebucht. Of course, the main beach also offers a lot of variety for an extensive day of swimming and beach. Beach chairs for rent promise a box seat on the Wadden Sea, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An overnight stay in a sleeping beach chair is a particularly great experience. A waterproof and windproof tarpaulin with window allows a carefree view of the starry sky even in less than optimal weather conditions. By the way, the Büsum sleeping beach chairs are manufactured in the workshop of the Stiftung Mensch, which is committed to the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Büsum – a paradise for cyclists
Playground in the family lagoon, Photo: TMS Büsum GmbH
If you want to explore the picturesque Büsum in a sporty way, you should hop on a bike. The event centre and the tourist information office have extensive maps available for holidaymakers. There are wonderful routes along the dike along the North Sea Coast Cycle Path to choose from. Guided bike tours can also be booked. Of course, there is also the possibility to rent a bike in Büsum. Sports and fitness enthusiasts are drawn to the spa gardens, where the vitality course with sports equipment for young and old encourages sporting activity. From June to September, experienced trainers offer insight into the correct use of fitness equipment. And what would a holiday by the sea be without water sports? The Büsum water sports school offers numerous courses for kitesurfing, stand up paddling and much more.
Fun for the little holidaymakers
The main beach of Büsum, Photo: TMS Büsum GmbH
There is always something going on in the Mini-Maxi-Club. Creative handicrafts and fun playtimes in bright, modern rooms make the hearts of children between 3 and 13 years of age beat faster. The Büsum holiday pastoral care also offers numerous events for the whole family. During the summer holidays, for example, there is mudflat football, sandcastle competitions or the “bedtime story” on the beach. Also exciting for children, but also for adults, is the Phänomania adventure centre. This is a hands-on museum where physics and science can be touched.
Sightseeing in Büsum
In addition to the numerous offers, you should also take time for the more traditional sightseeing during a holiday in Büsum. The Evangelical Lutheran Fisherman’s Church of St. Clemens is worth seeing. Built on the highest point of the city, the structure features an old baptismal font from the 13th century and a carved portrait of Martin Luther. Another attraction is the life-size bronze statue of Neocorus. During a stroll through the pedestrian zone, visitors can see the town hall in baroque style. The rather tranquil Büsum even has a high-rise to offer. The house is 85 meters high and towers over the surrounding buildings many times over.
As you can see from this little insight, the town on the Meldorf Bay has a wide range of offers for its holiday guests. In beautiful nature, you can spend a holiday where you don’t have to choose between activity and relaxation.
Krakow in southern Poland is the second largest city in the country after the capital Warsaw . It is one of the most historically important cities in Europe and still shines today in the splendour of the Renaissance, Gothic and Art Nouveau, but also other epochs of architecture since the High Middle Ages.
Krakow is also home to the largest square in Europe. This was founded in the Middle Ages and covers 40,000 square meters.
As you can imagine, Krakow also has a lot to offer culturally and was even chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2000. In addition, numerous myths and legends are rooted in this city. The most famous of these is certainly the legend of the Wawel Dragon, whose home is said to have been located under the hill of the same name in the city. Some sources report that he is said to have lived there before the city was founded. In front of the cave there is now a sculpture of the dragon that can even breathe fire.
The church with the two unequal towers watches over the main square in the old town of Krakow. At the end of the 13th century, it was built on the foundations of a Romanesque church. It belongs to the Gothic period and is a classic example of Polish architecture of this period.
While the portal on the outside is particularly eye-catching, the basilica is richly decorated inside.
Since the 14th century, an hour bell has been rung by hand every hour on the hour and the Hejnał, a Polish triumphal signal, has been blown. However, this breaks off in the middle of it to remind us that the tower keeper was hit by an arrow at this point during the Mongol attack of 1241. This, too, may only be a legend.
There is also a legend surrounding the towers that is supposed to explain their inequality: According to this, they were built by two brothers who wanted to outdo each other. Fearing that the tower of the other brother could tower over the tower, which was already structurally completed, one man killed his brother.
Once home to a dragon, it is said, the hill is now home to the magnificent Wawel Castle.
Built on the remains of an early medieval castle, it used to be the residence of Polish kings and currently functions as a national museum.
A visit to Wawel Hill is like walking through the centuries: Romantic, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque meet there.
The castle itself was built in the 14th century in the Gothic style. Various buildings, defenses and towers are also part of the area. After further architectural changes, however, the palace was largely destroyed by fire at the end of the 16th century and had to be rebuilt.
Below the complex there are numerous caves in the karstified hill, which were already used by early humans and today offer an interesting sightseeing destination.
Auschwitz Birkenau
Outside Krakow, the site of the former Auschwitz concentration camp stands like a huge memorial to all the horrors of World War II. A visit to this complex is recommended not only for history buffs.
The museum, as well as the complex itself, promises a deep insight into the horrors of this bygone time and often the abandoned places speak for themselves. Watchtowers, barbed wire and residential barracks create an eerie atmosphere. Auschwitz has served as a museum since 1947 and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since the end of the 70s.
The Krakow Cloth Hall
Krakow Cloth Hall at night, Image: mmuenzl / shutterstock
They are considered an important example of Renaissance architecture in Central Europe. The Cloth Hall, which was built in the 14th century under King Casimir the Great, is now in the style of the 16th century, after it fell victim to a fire and had to be rebuilt. But the halls were also rebuilt in the 1870s and are therefore also characterized by neo-Gothic elements.
As their name suggests, they were used for the trade of fabrics from England and Flanders.
If you want to visit the Cloth Hall, you can do so without further ado, because admission is free. The building still serves its purpose as a marketplace, even if today souvenirs are offered instead of fine cloth. Meanwhile, the upper floor houses the Picture Gallery of Polish National Art.
Rynek Underground
Under the Cloth Hall and the Market Square is the Rynek Underground Museum.
It is located at a depth of four meters under the market square, in the middle of the medieval ruins of the 10th century.
Dark and surrounded by old foundations, the history of the city is brought to life here. Interactive screens in multiple languages are available and short films and animations help illustrate this.
By the way, it is recommended to book tickets in advance, as the number of visitors is limited and the crowds are quite high.
Stralsund looks back on a long, rich history, which today has left numerous traces – especially in the form of historic buildings. Stralsund is a recreational, bathing and holiday resort as well as a World Heritage Site. Stralsund combines the old with the modern. Stralsund pulsates with life, architecture and culture are at home here. The surroundings are also worth experiencing.
Stralsund has been allowed to call itself a Hanseatic city since 1990. It is a beautiful place in the northeast of Germany, more precisely in the coastal area of the southern Baltic Sea in Western Pomerania. The Strelasund strait separates the city from Germany’s largest island of Rügen by only a few kilometers. You can get there either via the approximately 4-kilometre-long cable-stayed bridge, over the Rügen dam or by ferry. Between Stralsund and the Rügen is the island of Dänholm, which belongs to Stralsund.
A city with a long history
As early as the 10th century, there was a settlement here called “Strale”, but the current name of the city was not mentioned in a document until 1240. Wizlaw I, Prince of the Principality of Rügen, is considered the founder of the city. In 1234 he ensured exemption from customs duties as well as fishing rights and granted Stralsund city rights. Because the Stralsund people were once supported by the Swedes in the fight against Wallenstein, they were subject to the Swedish crown for almost 200 years. In 1815, Stralsund finally became part of the Prussian Kingdom.
Through international trade, the city became prosperous, which is still noticeable in the cityscape today. In 2002, the Hanseatic city was awarded the title of “UNESCO World Heritage Site” because of its historic old town.
Sights in Stralsund
Port of Stralsund, Image: Sina Ettmer Photography / shutterstock
The town’s landmark is the old town hall with its striking façade. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the Nikolaikirche from 1276 and other interesting buildings. Stralsund is also defined by its colourful town houses from the Hanseatic era with their characteristic gables, which shine in new splendour. This special shape embodied the power and wealth of the former merchants.
In addition to St. Nicholas’ Church, there are numerous other new and old places of worship. Particularly worth mentioning are St. Mary’s Church, once the tallest building in the world, and St. Jakobi’s Church. All three city churches impress with their brick facades.
Stralsund also has some monasteries, but today they have different purposes: The St. Catherine’s Monastery houses the Cultural History Museum and the German Oceanographic Museum, the St. John’s Monastery houses the city archive, the St. Jürgen am Strande monastery serves as accommodation for students and the Heilggeistkloster has also been converted into a residence. Finally, a number of green and park areas invite both two-legged and four-legged friends to take a walk.
Stralsund, city of the most interesting museums
Stralsund, Image: Stefan Dinse / shutterstock
It is not only in bad weather that you should visit one or more museums. The most popular are the museums of the German Oceanographic Museum Foundation, which are spread over four different locations. The former St. Catherine’s Monastery is home to the German Oceanographic Museum with Germany’s largest aquarium for sea turtles and over 30 other tanks with sea creatures from the Mediterranean and the tropics. On the harbour island, you can visit the Ozeaneum with a gigantic shoal fish tank. Here, the underwater worlds of the North Sea and Baltic Sea as well as the Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean are impressive. The island of Kleiner Dänholm is home to the third museum: the Nautineum. This is about marine research and fisheries. The open-air museum Natureum is located outside Stralsund in the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park, at the northern tip of the Darß.
Another kind of “museum”, the Gorch Fock, is located in Stralsund harbour and can be visited.
Finally, the Cultural History Museum, as the oldest museum in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, should be mentioned. Exhibitions from the history of Pomerania are shown.
Stralsund, a city with a harbour
As early as the Middle Ages, Stralsund was one of the most important transshipment points and long-distance trading cities for fish, cloth, salt, grain and more. Today, the port area consists of the city harbor as well as the south and north harbors. The latter two are transshipment points, while the city harbour is a popular meeting place for guests and locals alike with a real maritime flair. Ferries and passenger ships depart from here from time to time. The harbor tours are recommended. Numerous events, cosy bars and good restaurants invite you to linger.
At the north pier you can go far into the water. As a side effect, there is a fantastic view of yachts, the white-green lighthouse, the Rügen dam as well as the Rügen Bridge and finally the silhouette of Stralsund.
Stralsund, a city for relaxation and bathing pleasures
The town hall of Stralsund, Image: Nina Alizada / shutterstock
With numerous green spaces and the immediate proximity to the sea, Stralsund ensures that guests can breathe in healthy air and enjoy a high recreational value.
Even though Stralsund is not the fashionable seaside resort par excellence, it does have a large beach with fine sand, where you can enjoy sun, sand and sea almost like on the Mediterranean. So let’s go to the seaside resort on the Strelasund!
Stralsund, a city for active people
There are numerous opportunities to get active in and around the city. In addition to forays through the city and along the water, a number of well-developed cycle paths offer the opportunity for day trips or multi-day trips. A breathtaking landscape is a constant companion.
Walks through one of the many parks or along the Sund promenade offer relaxation and fantastic views for people who like to walk and/or with their dog.
If you want to take it a little easier and are interested in fishing, you will encounter great biodiversity both on the Strelasund and in the Bodden waters off Rügen: zander, sea trout, pike, eels and co. are waiting to be fished.
Water rats can let off steam both in the north of the city – at the lido – and in the south – at Devin Beach. You can expect a wide sandy beach next to good water quality. Leisure fun in different theme worlds is offered by the HanseDom, an amusement park with sauna and water adventure world.
During the city tours, visitors get to know the historic old town as well as interesting stories about Stralsund.
A city with special events
Actually, there is always something going on in and around Stralsund, but the following events are particularly worth mentioning:
The Harbour Festival in June
The Wallenstein Days in the summer in memory of the resistance during the siege by the general
The Rügen Bridge Run in October
The Christmas market on the Old and New Market is the oldest of its kind in the Baltic Sea region
City of culinary delights
Stralsund is considered the cradle of the original Bismarck herring. In 1871, the merchant and fishmonger Johann Wiechmann gave his freshly caught, bone-freed herring from the Baltic Sea, which was soaked in a sour broth and shipped in small wooden barrels, to the then Chancellor Otto von Bismarck as a birthday present. Since then, this specialty, which is sold on almost every corner of Stralsund, has been called “Bismarck herring”.
In addition to numerous other fish dishes, the beer of the Stralsund brewery is considered a local specialty. The brewery was founded in 1827, received numerous awards and has been operating under the name “Störtebeker Braumanufaktur” since 2012.
The sky is white-blue, the peaks are snow-covered, the house facades in the pretty villages are brightly painted. No question: There are many reasons for a holiday in Bavaria, because in this southernmost of all federal states there are not only physical but also a number of mental pleasures. In the numerous monasteries and abbeys as retreats of reflection or in Oberammergau, where the Celts once settled in a river valley, where Romans felt at home and the legendary Emperor Ludwig endowed the inhabitants with some privileges. Since the 19th century, Oberammergau, the workshop of the Lüftl painters, has no longer been a blank spot on the tourist map. This is where the famous carvers of God are at home and where amateurs and professionals strive every ten years to trace the suffering of Christ in a Passion Play.
The year 1633 entered the history books of Oberammergau with deep black letters, because the plague caused the number of inhabitants to shrink. The “Black Death” also destroyed everything at the foot of the Ammergau Alps. The social bonds of people and ultimately all moral values. For some, life was short, and not a few believed that the plague was nothing more than the wrath of the Lord God who had come to earth. In Oberammergau, too, the faithful began to flagellate themselves, venerate the saints and set out on pilgrimages. According to historical documents, eighty inhabitants of the Bavarian town died from the plague in 1633, and those who were spared by the plague solemnly vowed to perform a Passion Play from now on.
The plague came on the day of the church consecration festival
There were quite a few people in Oberammergau who saw a sign from the Lord in the fact that the plague arrived in their tranquil village on the church consecration festival of 1632. In the vicinity of the Ettal Monastery, which was once founded by Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian also after a vow, the inhabitants of Oberammergau developed a hectic activity in the first years of their Passion Play. They understood the re-enactment of the Passion of Christ as an act of their own personal religious edification. The original texts of the Passion Play were probably provided by the Augsburg Meistersinger Sebastian Wild and an unknown monk from the Ettal Monastery.
A playhouse for 5,200 visitors
Every ten years, the Bavarian village is now transformed into an apiary, because guests from all over the world come at the time of the Passion Play. And the inhabitants of Oberammergau are also transformed during this time. Woodcarvers then become Roman legionnaires, farmers amateur actors. For every third inhabitant of this place, it is a matter of course to participate in the Passion. Most of them, however, are content with the role of an extra, and those who are chosen to slip into the leading role of Jesus of Nazareth breathe about a hundred times during the season: “It is finished…” The Schauspielhaus, which was built in its current form in 1930, holds about 5,200 visitors. Over time, the technology of the open-air stage was modernized, the façade was embellished and the fire protection improved.
A visit to the Schauspielhaus and thus the traditional site of the Passion is a must for visitors on excursions in Oberammergau at all times. But you can also look over the shoulders of the woodcarvers in the so-called “Pilatushaus” between mid-May and mid-October. By the way, guests can hike to the sights of Oberammergau on foot, because the place is manageable. The parish church of St. Peter and Paul is undoubtedly a gem. It is an important example of the Baroque style of southern Germany and was built until the middle of the 18th century. Inside the church, the rich stucco work and the frescoes on the ceilings and walls catch the eye. The high altar shows the Mother of God as a heavenly helper. The organ of the church was installed in 1893.
The longest year-round toboggan run in the world in Oberammergau
The bunting, Image: Alexander Schmitz / shutterstock
During a stroll through Oberammergau, it is noticeable that the facades of almost all houses have decorative elements and representations. The basics of this technique were provided by a local – the Oberammergau painter Franz Seraph Zwink in the 18th century. The artist shaped the image of the theatre venue with his style. In 2013, a year-round toboggan run was built on the Kolbensattel. If you sit on a rail-controlled sled, you race down into the valley at a maximum speed of forty kilometers per hour. With a distance of 2.5 kilometres and an altitude difference of four hundred metres, this is the longest weatherproof toboggan run in the world.
The Oberammergau Museum has established itself on the beautiful Dorfstraße. The museum’s gems include the historic church nativity scene and several exhibits of local carving. Special exhibitions are held in the attic from time to time. As part of a guided tour of the so-called “Eisenhower Museum”, visitors learn interesting facts about the life of the 34th President of the United States.
Namibia – When the Southern Cross dominates the night sky and a haze covers the barren landscape in the early hours of the day, you can confidently assume that you are in one of the most fascinating regions of Africa.
Namibia is the land of endless expanse and silence. A country whose colors are intense and where the influences of mostly German immigrants mix with the culture of the San, the Herero and the Himba. The Namib Desert, the oldest in the world, gave Namibia its name, and where the wasteland on the other side of the dunes in the Namib-Naukluft National Park is lost, the red of the desert sand blurs in the water bath of the cold Atlantic. Namibia is full of wonders and something like the Eldorado for holidaymakers who leave the beaten tourist path and are enthusiastic about a break that promises the unexpected and adventurous.
Antelopes in Sossusvlei, Image: Radek Borovka / shutterstock
Hardly any other country on our globe enjoys such a large number of dunes as Namibia. For the people of the Namib, they are the real symbols of the country and a playground for the permanent winds that blow over from the Benguela Current. The low water temperatures are the most important factors of the arid climate and the lack of rainfall. The sandy mountains near Sossusvlei are among the outstanding destinations of holidaymakers.
They are a whim of nature – sometimes in constant motion and then again for many years in one spot. The people of the San, who settled this region several centuries ago as gatherers and hunters, speak of the “Singing Dunes”. They fired their imaginations around the campfires and encouraged them to carry on the legends of their ancestors from generation to generation. Over time, the San have shed their shyness of foreign influences and give guests from another world intensive insights into their everyday lives. In the so-called “Living Museums”, the San improve their meagre livelihood and that of their village community.
The largest ship cemetery in the world
The Skeleton Coast in Namibia, Image: Radek Borovka / shutterstock
Over a length of more than 1,500 kilometres, the Namibian dune belt stretches along the Atlantic Ocean. From the border with South Africa and the diamond restricted area near Lüderitz to the Skeleton Coast, which sets wildly romantic accents for some visitors and which others describe as rough and inhospitable. This lonely region is one thing in any case: the largest ship cemetery in the world. Where foggy banks spread out over the sea, the captains often lost their bearings. For the shipwrecked, there was then the gruesome alternative between drowning and dying of thirst. If you take your time and have retained a sense of the little things in life, you will meet wondrous creatures on the Skeleton Coast that look as if they came from a distant time under the sun of the south.
The chameleon is a master when it comes to successfully camouflaging itself. Flora and fauna have many surprises in store. For example, the Welwitschia, which owes its unusual name to the Austrian discoverer Friedrich Welwitsch and is something like a living fossil with leaves that can reach a length of up to two meters. It is not particularly photogenic but ancient – some specimens have survived in the Namib desert for up to two thousand years.
Namibia – The abundant wildlife at the “Lake of Tears”
If you have left the monster deserts behind you as a holidaymaker in a rental car or in a coach on the dusty roads of Namibia, the wind turbines on the huge farms alone form the fixed points. Unless a herd of graceful oryx antelopes grazes next to the road or crosses the path. With their long and pointed horns, they sometimes impale a stray lion in dire need. With a little luck, you can also meet them in the wild.
The chances of experiencing the so-called “Big Five” are particularly high in the Etosha National Park. Namibia is proud to present one of the largest game parks in the world. Some call this huge salt pan “Lake of Tears” or “Land of Dry Water”. In the Ovambo language, the word Etosha is rather to be translated as “Great White Square”. On the edge of the salt lake, which dried up millions of years ago, live no less than 110 species of mammals as well as a gigantic bird life.
Untouched nature and drawings in the rock
The Christ Church in Windhoek, Image: Vadim Nefedoff / shutterstock
There’s no question about it: Namibia is a paradise for outdoor sympathizers and animal lovers. It is a country where “the desert still lives” and where there are a variety of hiking and trekking trails in a largely unspoiled nature. Not far from the fascinating rock carvings of Twyfelfontein with the famous dancing kudu, the so-called “White Lady” can be visited in the Tsisab Gorge on the Brandberg.
The testimonies of the San carved into the rocks are messages from a time that lies centuries ago. The fact that the pictures were so well preserved is due to the climatic conditions in Namibia with an extremely dry air. But they also encourage people to ask questions about the meaning of life and provide information about the social coexistence of the indigenous peoples in Namibia. Rock art in the northwest is undoubtedly a unique treasure of the country and is now also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There is always a cool breeze in Swakopmund
The indigenous people of Namibia speak of the “place of emptiness” when they mean the Namib Desert. But in this “emptiness” there are some oases worth seeing. Some of them developed into cities over time. This is also the case with Swakopmund, which becomes a destination for the locals, especially in the months of summer, when the sun burns down from the sky without mercy. In “Swakop” on the Atlantic Ocean, a cool breeze always blows. It is a place where German is the mother tongue of many people who have always lived here. They are the great-grandchildren of those pioneers who came to Namibia during the time of the emperor. There is a lighthouse on the coast, which would also do honor to an island in the North Sea . In Lüderitz, Art Nouveau has never gone out of fashion. From here it is not far to Kolmanskop, the former metropolis of diamond discoveries, swallowed up by the sand. And then there’s Windhoek, the charming Namibian capital, where the “Tafel Lager” beer is brewed according to the German purity laws. There, too, there is a landmark that commemorates the German colonization of the African southwest: the graceful Christ Church. Namibia has many faces. The country is colourful and full of contrasts.
Sights of Namibia at a glance
Etosha National Park
Elephants in Etosha National Park, Image: Efimova Anna / shutterstock
The Etosha National Park is one of the most beautiful and important places in Namibia. As a national park, it is home to 114 species of mammals (including giraffes, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, elephants and many more), over 400 species of birds, 100 different species of reptiles and 16 species of amphibians as well as one species of fish. In this way, the park makes an important contribution to wildlife and nature conservation. An example of this is the success of the Etosha National Park in the protection of black rhinos.
Tourists can drive through the park with their own vehicle or with an expert guide. It should be noted that the vehicle is not allowed to leave, except for fenced-in, specially designated areas. The opening hours of the park are from sunrise to sunset. There is also the possibility to spend the night in the Etosha National Park. With a bit of luck, animals can also be observed from the accommodations. If you stay overnight, you can also enjoy a nightly game drive with an experienced guide.
Bwabwata National Park
The Bwabwata National Park is located at the tip of the Zambezi region and is home to four (lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo) of five species of the so-called “Big Five”. The park is known for its numerous herds of elephants and wild dogs, which are the last of their kind in Namibia. In addition, hippos and crocodiles, other big game and about 400 different bird species can be observed.
Dune 45
Dune 45 got its name from its position (dune number 45 seen from the Atlantic). It is located in the Namib, the oldest desert in the world. The sand of the dune is five million years old. Numerous tourists climb the dune to experience one of the most beautiful views for an evening sundowner.
Another highlight of the Namib is its direct transition to the Atlantic. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The country of Namibia owes its name to the Namib Desert.
Fish River Canyon
550 meters deep, 160 kilometers long, 27 kilometers wide – that’s the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world (the largest canyon in the world is the Grand Canyon). An impressive nature experience! Guided hikes through the canyon are offered for tourists. An independent descent without a guide is life-threatening and prohibited. The canyon is located in the ǀAi-ǀAis Richtersveld Transfrontier Park and is estimated to be 500 million years old. It is considered Namibia’s national heritage.
Regions in Namibia
Image: moloko_vector / shutterstock
Namibia is divided into thirteen different, separate regions. Each region is worth seeing and has its own highlights and special features. The different regions are:
Ohangwena
Omaheke
Omusati
Oshikoto
Otjozondjupa
Oshana
Khomas
Hardap
Kavango East
Kunene
Kavango West
Erongo
Zambezi
Most famous cities in Namibia
Windhoek
The Christ Church in Windhoek, Image: Vadim Nefedoff / shutterstock
Windhoek is the capital of Namibia, home to 20 percent of the country’s total population. Windhoek brings together all the important institutions and transport hubs, so the city is well integrated into international air traffic. Since the country is shaped by colonialism, African and European influences can also be found in Windhoek. Examples of European influences are the celebration of carnival and Oktoberfest.
Swakopmund
Swakopmund in Namibia, Image: Ado van de Filmchens / shutterstock
Swakopmund, affectionately abbreviated to Swakop by many, is located directly on the Atlantic Ocean and in the Namib Desert. The city is the capital of the Erongo region. Swakopmund has a maritime climate due to its location. On a tour, the city is more reminiscent of a city on the German North Sea, so many cafés, restaurants and shops have German names. Highlights of the city are the numerous activities that can be done in Swakopmund: surfing in the dunes or on the water, quad biking in the desert, canoeing with dolphins, trips to the lunar landscape and many more.
Many tourists focus on the “Big Five”, but Swakopmund also offers excursions to discover the “Little Five”. These are small desert dwellers (proboscis, rhinoceros beetles, buffalo weavers, ant lions and panther tortoises).
Otjiwarongo
Otjiwarongo, as the capital of the Otjozondjupa region, is relatively centrally located in the country. On the one hand, it is located on one of the main roads (the B1) in the country, and on the other hand, it is only about 250 kilometers from Windhoek. Behind Otjiwarongo there are many farms, the surrounding area is rather agricultural. Depending on your own interests and wishes, a visit to the various farms in Namibia is also recommended.
Highlights in Otjiwarongo include Waterberg, a crocodile farm that is one of the oldest of its kind, about 50 kilometers away, as well as the AfriCat Foundation and the Cheetah Conservation Fund. These foundations aim to protect African big cats. All of these destinations are definitely worth a visit!
Kolmannskop
Kolmannskuppe is more of a ghost town. In the past, diamonds were mined in this city, which explains the origin of the settlement. This is located in the desert in the Tsau-ǁKhaeb (restricted area) National Park near the port city of Lüderitz. This in turn means that there were no natural, life-affirming resources such as water, soil or electricity available on site. Nevertheless, up to 400 people lived in the city in the past and built up a complete infrastructure, from gymnasiums to schools to ice factories. This infrastructure was completely left behind in its original state and can still be visited in the same way today. A spooky and fascinating sight at the same time!
Due to the relocation of diamond mining, most of the former residents left Kolmannskop in the 1930s, the last person lived in this town until 1960. Today, the desert blows into the buildings.
More information about Namibia
Despite its size of over 800,000 km², Namibia is the country with the second lowest population density in the world. Only Mongolia is more sparsely populated. Namibia has a population of about 2.3 million, which corresponds to 2.83 inhabitants per km². It feels (and probably actually) that there are more giraffes living in Namibia than people.
The weather in Namibia is usually dry and hot with regional differences.
The beautiful island of Sao Miguel is located west of the European mainland in the Atlantic Ocean. It belongs to the archipelago of the Azores and is the largest of these 9 islands with about 750 square kilometers.
Sao Miguel, like all Azores islands, belongs to Portuguese territory, but is part of the autonomous region of the Azores. São Miguel is divided into six districts: Lagoa, Nordeste, Vila Franca do Campo, Ribeira Grande, Povoacao and Ponta Delgada. The latter district is also the name of the capital of Sao Miguel.
After this paradisiacal island was discovered between 1427 and 1431, it was opened up by Gonçalo Velho Cabral around 1440. The first settlers all came from Portugal, but they were followed by Jewish settlers, as well as French and English. In the following years, the economy and population of Sao Miguel grew.
View of Sao Miguel, Image: Homo Cosmicos / shutterstock
Even today, there is active volcanism on Sao Miguel, which manifests itself, for example, in the Furnas Valley in the form of sulphurous and iron-rich thermal springs. About 10,000 years ago, volcanism joined the once 2 divided island together. The western part consists mainly of the collapse crater Sete Cidades, the eastern part of the Serra Agua de Pau massif. This wonderful geology can be explored on various hiking trails in the hinterland.
Special features of Sao Miguel
Culture, food and experiences, Sao Miguel is rich in all of these, so what can’t you miss?
The cuisine is mainly characterized by fish dishes, the Azorese give their fish dishes a special touch through special preparation and exotic spices. Another highlight is the pineapple, it is an export hit of Sao Miguel and therefore always fresh.
Furthermore, the Azores are the optimal place for whale watching, so close to whale watching is hardly possible in any other place. The Azores island is also a true paradise for water sports enthusiasts, thanks to warm water temperatures and great waves!
Sights and great places in Sao Miguel
Cape Ponte do Arnel, Sao Miguel, Image: Ana del Castillo / shutterstock
Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde: the blue and green lagoons at Sete Cidades are a real feast for the eyes, especially from above! Even if you are a bit comfortable, you can enjoy the great view at the viewpoint Vista do Rei, which is located directly on the road. Between the two lagoons there is also a bridge that you can walk over. The great view is definitely worth it!
Cape Ponta do Arnel: south of Nordeste, at a small fishing port, is the beautiful Cape Ponta do Arnel with a lighthouse. From there, the blue sky flows into the steel-blue sea – it’s breathtakingly beautiful. The cute little fishing village also invites you to dream.
Old town of Nordeste: The small town of Nordeste is located in the northeast of the island of Sao Miguel. Above all, however, it impresses with its pretty little old town, but also with the Ponte de Sete Arcos. As the name suggests, it consists of seven arches and runs directly towards the central square of the city.
Black beach: probably the most beautiful but also the longest beach on the whole island is the Praia de Santa Bárbara. The black beach is not only visually impressive, but the roaring waves also attract surfers. It is not for nothing that international surfing competitions take place here. The great beach is rounded off by a beach bar.
Ponta Delgada: the capital of Sao Miguel is really a beautiful town! Walks along the harbour promenade or through the old town or a visit to the Forte de São Brás – Ponta Delgada castle offers many possibilities. The old town offers various sights such as churches, monasteries, squares, gates and the town hall!
If you want to relax a little while walking through a park, then we recommend the Gentlemen Gardens, which are various gardens and parks.
There you can find plants from a wide variety of regions and countries, but also ponds, grottos and bridges.
Piscina da Boca da Ribeira: in the Ribeira da Guilherme river valley in the north of Sao Miguel lies the seawater swimming pool Piscina da Boca da Ribeira. The pleasant waters of the Atlantic invite you to linger and relax!
Away from the tourist hustle and bustle, the small island of Gozo in the Mediterranean is still considered a real insider tip. The little sister of the island of Malta occupies an area of 67 square kilometers and is located between Sicily and North Africa. The enchanting island is only about 14 kilometers long and up to about seven kilometers wide. The island, which belongs to the Maltese archipelago, impresses above all with tranquil villages in the southern Italian style. Gozo is the perfect destination for those who prefer a quiet yet exciting holiday in beautiful countryside.
The island of Gozo is too small for its own airport. Nevertheless, the journey is no problem. From Germany , it takes about 2.5 hours by plane to the island of Malta. The ferry to Gozo departs from Cirkewwa on Malta’s north coast. From the airport, buses and taxis go to the port. If you want, you can already take a rental car in Malta and use it to cross to Mgarr in Gozo. The crossing takes only about 30 minutes.
Gozo, an idyllic island for nature lovers
As the second largest island in the Maltese archipelago, Gozo impresses with tranquil places, secret bays, turquoise blue water and bizarre rock formations. The island has 14 villages with a total of about 31,400 inhabitants. Most islanders take the ferry to Malta every day to work there. In Gozo, the clocks seem to tick more slowly. Unlike Malta, it is still original and cozy here. Far away from the “big wide world”, the small Mediterranean island of Gozo still has a lot to offer. Gozo can be explored particularly flexibly and independently by rental car.
Harbour romance in Mgarr
Mgarr, Image: Ksenija Toyechkina / shutterstock
The harbour town of Mgarr is the first town visitors see in Gozo when arriving by ferry. The ferry sails past the tiny island of Comino and soon Gozo comes into view. Here a beautiful panorama of the landscape and the island opens up. It is worth spending some time at the idyllic fishing harbour after arrival. Here, the freshly caught fish is unloaded in the morning and brought to the restaurants. Fish cannot be fresher on the table. Visitors should not miss this culinary delight. Well fortified, you can then explore the island’s capital.
Gozo’s capital Victoria with the citadel and picturesque alleys
Basilica of Gozo, Image: Vladimir Zhoga / shutterstock
The island’s capital, Victoria, is enthroned in the heart of the island of Gozo. The town has around 6500 inhabitants and presents itself as the economic and cultural centre of the island. To this day, however, Victoria has been able to retain its tranquillity. The island’s capital is also known as Rabat , because it bore this name for a long time. Many islanders still call it that today. In 1887, Rabat became the capital Victoria. Since the Maltese islands were under English power at the time, the city was named after the English Queen Victoria.
The most important building in the capital is also the landmark. The citadel surrounded by mighty walls with the Cathedral of Santa Marija can be seen from afar. It was designed in 1697 by the Baroque master Lorenzo Gafa in the style of the Roman early Baroque and was not completed until 20 years later due to limited funds. In 1864, the church was finally named a cathedral. Particularly worth seeing are the closed baptismal font, the main altar made of precious marble and the grave slabs in the floor. There is no magnificent dome to admire, because it was completely dispensed with. However, a visit to the “Cathedral Museum” and the “Museum of Archaeology” is definitely worthwhile. If you still have time, you can stroll from the main market square “It-Tokk” through the picturesque alleys to the magnificent Basilica of St. George, browse through the souvenir shops and shops or take a break in one of the cozy street cafés.
Admirable temple “Ggantija” in Xaghra
In the traditional country town of Xaghra, one of the island’s most important attractions is located on an extensive high plateau. The megalithic temple complex of Ggantija is the largest Maltese monumental complex. It was built in the period from 3600 to 3200 BC. In 1980, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.
Popular holiday resorts and beaches in Gozo
History and culture lovers will get their money’s worth in Gozo, but the attractive resorts and beaches also attract tourists to the island. The largest and yet not overcrowded holiday resort is called Marsalforn. It is located on the north coast of Gozo. Around the bay runs the pretty promenade right along the sea, where there are many bars and restaurants. In the summer months, life pulsates here. Motor and sailing boats bob in the sun at the harbour and if you feel like it, you can admire the island from the water on a boat trip.
In search of the most beautiful beaches, swimming fans cannot miss the red sandy beaches of San Blas Bay and Ramla Bay in the northeast of Gozo. A day at the sea is good for body and soul. Lying in the sun, swimming, snorkelling and diving are part of a dream holiday in Gozo!
Tenerife, the island of eternal spring: With a diameter of 50 and a length of 80 kilometres, Tenerife is considered a mini-continent with many climate and vegetation zones. From 0 – 1550 meters a.s.l., about 2100 different plant species grow. The highest point and highest mountain in Spain is the Pico del Teide with an impressive height of 3718 meters. The national park of the same name is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1402, the island was the last Canarian Island conquered. This lasted until 1496. The last city to be conquered was La Laguna, also the capital from 1496 to 1723, then replaced by Santa Cruz.
It should also be noted that Tenerife takes over the management of La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro . The province of Gran Canaria includes Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and 3 other small islands. As the third greenest of the Canary Islands after La Palma and La Gomera, it has made a name for itself. Their biggest export is the banana. Only Isla Bonita (La Palma) has more plantations than Tenerife, the extent is almost endless, especially on the Riviera de Tenerife, the northwest coast. Bananas are planted in monocultures, i.e. harvested all year round. They need up to 25 liters of water per day. In the south, tomato fields are very common. This is the second largest export. Then comes the Strelizie, which was named after the Counts of Strelitz.
Flora and fauna for excursions
The island has several camel taxi stations. Camel rides are very popular in the Canary Islands, just like the tree heaths in the mountains of the island. In its heyday of Jan. until March, they are adorned with pink and white buds. Size: 8- 10 m high. Driving through the Teno Mountains, you will see wide potato fields, the fruits of which have been imported from distant Peru and are bred here in two species: Pasane grass and Pasabenitas. The goose lizard is a subspecies of dandelion and the symbol of the Teno Mountains. The leaves are more pointed than those of dandelions.
Holiday resorts in Tenerife
Costa Adeje, Image: Cristian Balate
The most beautiful resorts on the island are Puerto de la Cruz in the north with its beautiful beaches, Loro Parque and Casino. The harbour and the numerous hotel complexes and bungslows also invite you to enjoy a relaxing holiday. The mountains in the hinterland, which can be climbed on a hike, are particularly charming. There are plenty of well-developed hiking trails in the north of the island.
Playa de Las Americas is located in the south of the island and close to the airport. You can go out to party here and the place with the numerous hotel complexes and the golden sandy beach is often called the “Ballermann of the Canary Islands”. In addition to the party-goers, you can also spend your holiday here very well as a family with children. Especially on the beaches there is a lot going on in summer. Parasols and sun loungers are available for rent. The water is warm and pleasant all year round. In addition to numerous parties that take place here in the clubs and bars, you can of course also try numerous restaurants and different dishes. In addition to typical local cuisine, there are also Asian or African dishes.
Santa Cruz – The beautiful capital
The island’s capital Santa Cruz, Image: RossHelen / shutterstock
If you want to go shopping and have a good time, Santa Cruz is the place to be. There are numerous hotels and many small boutiques where you can get things that are otherwise rather rare on the island. The view of the harbour, where cruise ships also anchor, is beautiful. The capital is very popular for a city trip, or even a short vacation. From here you can drive to numerous beaches. If you spend your holiday in Tenerife , you are best off with a rental car anyway.
Holidays in the middle of nature
The Esperanza Forest is the most famous forest on the island and is located in the middle of a nature reserve, where you can of course also spend the night. In a special way, you get to know the flora and fauna of the island better. The forest stretches along the Curmbre Dorsal, the mountain ridge that adjoins the giant crater Las Canadas to the northeast and breaks off to the surface of La Laguna in the north. Mighty Canary Island pines and eucalyptus trees grow in the forest. This is located in the trade wind fog zone of the island, which makes the dense tree population possible in the first place. The low sleeping water condenses on the long pine needles and the other plants, seeps into the porous volcanic rock and finally accumulates in the cavities with impermeable soil materials. You can experience something like this on one of the numerous ranches that you can rent here. Because from there the way to the forest and the national park is not far.
The west of the island
If you spend your holiday in Los Gigantes, you will see a modern and large coastal town and cannot imagine that a small fishing village still existed here a few years ago. Today, modern hotel complexes line the town, which is not far from the island’s cliffs of the same name. By the way, these are a very popular destination for the island’s guests. But the beach, which is called Playa de los Guios and was created after a volcanic eruption, is particularly beautiful. It has black sand. The rest of the region is steep coast with a depth of up to 450 meters. From the village, you can book whale and dolphin tours. Over the cliffs you have a great view of the lighthouse, which marks the westernmost point of the island. From here there are many opportunities for hiking.
One speaks of the “land of a thousand hills”. No one has counted them so far – and there may be a few more than a thousand. The fact is: Rwanda is a hilly region in the African zone of the equator. And some of these “hills” rise to altitudes of 4,500 meters. They are the birthplaces of two gigantic rivers. Here you will find the sources of the Nile and the Congo, because the main watershed of the continent runs through Rwanda. At the foot of the Virunga volcanoes, lush vegetation has developed in the hot and humid climate, and the tropical landscape alone with its species-rich rainforests would be worth a visit. But there are also the mountain gorillas, of which not only the researcher Dian Fossey said that their eyes were “like honey”. A Rwanda round trip to the “silverbacks” in the rainforest is one of the tourist highlights of these days.
Rwanda – A small country with no access to the sea
For centuries, tribal chieftains were the rulers of this country, which is one of the few African states that have no access to the sea. Rwanda is therefore a landlocked country and about the same size as the German state of Brandenburg. Between 1884 and 1916, this region was part of “German South West Africa”. After the Germans, the Belgians came as colonial masters before the small African country received the status of a UN trust territory after the Second World War and became independent in 1962. But in the 1990s, the Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups fought a cruel civil war that ended in a genocide that shook the world. In the meantime, the country has been pacified and the people of Rwanda welcome their guests with open arms.
Visitors need a “gorilla permit”
Gorilla in the rainforest in Rwanda, Image: Onyx9 / shutterstock
But the Rwandan authorities are royally rewarded for the visitation of the holidaymakers. Knowing full well that the profits from tourism will help one of the poorest countries in the world. For example, a “gorilla permit” costs around 1,500 US dollars. In addition to the visit permit, this includes the accompaniment of small groups by a guide and by a tracer. Those who are willing to pay for this permit can look forward to one of the most impressive animal experiences that international tourism has to offer. The mountain gorillas are the main protagonists of a safari in Rwanda, which also convinces with an abundance of exotic landscapes and picturesque villages. This is an African country with an impressive culture and an eventful history.
With guides to the “Kings of the Forest”
If you want to experience the mountain gorillas in their very own refuge, you should be prepared for two things. The alarm clock will ring very early on the day of the safari and the paths through the rainforest are anything but passable. This is by no means a walk in the park. Through lush green valleys, visitors are chauffeured to the national park in an off-road vehicle. There, at the foot of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga chain, the tracker was on the road much earlier. He was the vanguard of the guides, sighted the tracks of the mountain gorillas and then informed the guides by radio. This is the only way for the participants of this unusual safari to enjoy being able to experience the “Kings of the Forest” up close.
In the footsteps of zoologist Dian Fossey
View of the capital Kigali, Image: Dario Verdugo / shutterstock
Dian Fossey, the American zoologist and behavioral scientist, has opened the eyes of the world to the endangered species in the rainforest. For 18 years, she lived in the border area between what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda – most recently in the 3,300-meter-high Karisoko research camp, which is financed by the National Geographic Society. She had dedicated her life to the mountain gorillas and had largely found their trust. She was a bitter opponent of the poachers, to whom she fell victim one night in her hut as the victim of a murder. Dian Fossey was buried where she had been the guardian of these endangered creatures for such a long time. But only the foundations of their first hut in the rainforest are still visible. In contrast to the Congolese neighborhood, poaching is no longer carried out in Rwanda. Rather, the country welcomes visitors to their gorilla safari with recognizable pride.
Eye to eye with the “silverbacks”
Sometimes the curtains of a gray mist still waft over the lush green slopes of the Virunga volcanoes when the participants of this safari approach their destination. Almost always, the wisps of fog open over the Karisimbi or the Gahinga when the guide urges them to leave in the last camp because the tracker has spotted a group of mountain gorillas. It goes over meadows into the bamboo forest and finally over paths on which visitors can only move forward with difficulty. Suddenly, the guide presses his index finger to his lips and points to a clearing. The leader of the mountain gorillas, a mighty silverback weighing around two hundred kilograms, has long since discovered the visitors. He grunts to signify to the newcomers: I have seen you. The animals are wild, but not shy, and they tolerate the proximity of humans. Eye to eye with the mountain gorillas – this is a spectacle of an unusual kind.
Rwanda – The Magic of the African Rainforest
In their studies, scientists have determined that around 98 percent of the genes between humans and gorillas match. Visitors are not allowed to get very close to the mountain gorillas in order to counter the danger that the endangered creatures in the rainforest could catch a cold. When the guide growls and makes hissing sounds, the gorillas seem to know this and calm them down. There are still around 300 of these in Rwanda, and almost eight hundred worldwide. The encounter with the gorillas is unique and uplifting – a magic in the African rainforest.
But Rwanda has more to offer than just a trekking to the endangered animals.
The savannahs of the Akagera National Park are known for their great abundance of game and the variety of different forms of vegetation. Nyungwe National Park in the southwest delights the eye of guests with its tea plantations and is the habitat of numerous endemic birds. The chimpanzees screech in the trees. Rwanda’s metropolis Kigali is considered one of the cleanest cities on the continent. It is something like the portal to gorilla trekking and has not only first-class hotels but also numerous restaurants. On a round trip through the savannahs, visitors are reminded of Swiss alpine meadows. The country has earned a reputation for being the safest in Africa.
