How To Save On Travel & Where To Go in 2023

The beauty of a new year is that it comes with new opportunities and most importantly for you to realize your travel dream. With about 3 years of travel disruptions brought about by the outbreak of coronavirus, visiting your dream destination this 2023 now that most countries have dropped their pandemic restrictions should be a must-do.

With opportunities available for you to travel again, choosing the best destination may seem challenging. But here are some of the best destinations to consider a must-visit this 2023.

Rwanda

As of January 2023, CNN listed Rwanda among the 23 best destinations to visit in 2023. It should be noted that Rwanda is one of Africa’s leading mountain gorilla trekking destinations. Located in East-Central Africa, Rwanda is a compact landlocked country but features a breathtaking landscape and a diversity of wildlife.

The main areas of interest while on Rwanda safaris include Volcanoes National Park (to see mountain gorillas), Akagera National Park (for wildlife safaris), Nyungwe Forest, and Gishwati-Mukura National Park (for primate tracking, especially chimpanzee trekking).

Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park sits in the heart of Central Africa (Rwanda), a magical mountain gorilla destination and a place where Dian Fossey began her gorilla research while in the Virunga Mountains. This park is set within the Virunga Conservation Area, lying close to the border with D.R. Congo.

This park was established as Albert National Park in 1925 and features a lush bamboo forest, swamp, heath, open grassland, montane ecosystems, and other vegetation types. It takes its name from a chain of dormant volcanoes and considering its location, five of the 8 Virunga chain mountains exist here including Muhabura, Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Bisoke, and Karisimbi. Karisimbi volcano is the highest Virunga Volcano rising up to 4507 meters.

Gorilla trekking is the prime experience offered in the Volcanoes National Park. The park shelters about 30% of the world’s mountain gorillas, and these live in the same habitat as other wildlife such as golden monkeys, bush bucks, giant forest hogs, forest elephants, bush pigs, spotted hyenas, duikers, buffaloes, others.

In addition to primates, Volcanoes National Park is a rich birding destination with over 200 bird species available for spotting. These include most of the Albertine rift endemic species and other resident birds such as the strange weavers, Rwenzori turacos, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Archer’s ground robin, red-faced woodland warblers, collared apalis, Rwenzori batis, and Kivu ground thrush.

Uganda

Uganda is a bio-diverse destination, comprising 10 National Parks. Uganda was listed by CNN as one of the best destinations considering its unique cultural safari opportunities that remain untapped, the expansive Lake Victoria, Rwenzori Mountains, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and the scenic Crater Lakes and not to forget the thrilling adrenaline adventures like the white water rafting on the Nile River in Jinja.

Rwenzori Mountain Hike

Besides the listed Bwindi and Rwenzori Mountains National Parks, Uganda also consists of other parks including Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also the most visited for mountain gorilla trekking; Murchison Falls National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo, Kidepo Valley National Park, Semuliki, and Kibale.

Uganda is entirely a budget-friendly destination, offering unforgettable gorilla experiences at an affordable price. Gorilla permits are open for booking at USD 700 per person and park entry fees range from USD 40 -for visitors in need of wildlife viewing.

With an idea of where to visit, it becomes easier to save and plan your trip. There are many places to visit but Uganda and Rwanda are exceptional on their own. They hold distinct attractions from great apes (mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys) to big game, and bird species.