Kabale- The Switzerland of Uganda.

Kabale is my favorite place in Uganda. I love to go here every year when the city gets too overwhelming. It is called the Switzerland of Uganda because of the many beautiful hills in the region. I first discovered it in 2010 and have returned ever since. Its located in South Western Uganda 400 Kilometers away, and it neighbors Rwanda and Congo.

View of Lake Bunyonyi.

Back in 2014 when I first visited the equator, you wont miss seeing it on your way to Kabale.

Going by bus takes 8 hours but sometimes you have to be careful what bus you choose, the first time I went where the bus took almost 10 hours because it stopped frequently to pick up passengers. Lately there are good buses that you can use like the Post Office Bus which is very reliable, Bismarkan coaches and a few others. The town is quite small and there is not much to do but the magic starts when you get out.

A terraced hill in Kabale

Black and white Colobus monkeys on the way to Bwindi.

The first thing that catches your eyes are the hills. Their slopes are spectacular and the views are like a painting.There is one amazing activity done 51 kilometers away from the town to Bwindi impenetrable forest and that is Gorilla tracking. When I did my tracking, the drive from the town to Ruhija in Bwindi took us two hours. We stayed at one budget camp called Ruhija Community Rest Camp. The view of the thick forest was so amazing and we saw some monkeys and multi-colored birds frolicking. 

The beautiful Bwindi impenetrable Forest

Up-close with the mountain gorilla.

The best part after tracking the mountain gorillas gorillas, is chilling by Lake Bunyonyi. "Bunyonyi" means birds, so if you love feathered friends, you will be amazed by so many species.This is the most beautiful and freshest lake for you to enjoy Don't worry about any parasites because there isn't any,so jump right in! You will be awed by the many islands on this lake and views once you do some short hikes. I recommend you rent a canoe and explore. Check out the Punishment island. The story is unfortunately heartbreaking but the story must be be told. Women pregnant before marriage were sent here and left to die.Some were rescued by single men unable to afford dowry but looking for a bride. Today Punishment island no longer serves as a punishment island but a sobering reminder of past injustices. 

Take some village walks and hikes of which you will get amazing views once on top. Don't forget to try the delicious cray fish from the lake.

The view of the many islands on Lake Bunyonyi

More Views of the lake.

Visit a Batwa community.  This is a community if pygmies who are the most voiceless and marginalized group of people in Uganda. They used to live in Echuya forest but were resettled away from there by the government. You can learn a lot about their culture and feel free to buy from their handcrafts or make some donations if you wish so.

On the canoe with clients to explore some islands.

The Batwa community.

Kabale is always a rewarding experience. Surrounded by clean air, hills and a lake you feel as one with nature. With so many birds singing songs of welcome, how could you not be transformed?

Experience this diamond in the hills. You won't regret it. 

Send an email for more info to explore this area.

The crater district of Uganda.

Fortportal is a district in western Uganda located 261 km from Kampala. It’s easily accessible by private or public transit. I first visited in 2015 during Easter weekend with friends and fell deeply in love with it. So will you!

Stunning view of a crater.

Tea Plantations along the road

We caught a bus thinking the journey would take us 4 hours but it took about 5 hours. It was a long bus journey but the scenery makes up for it. There is so much green and cleaner air away from the capital. The forests and tea plantation s along the way look spectacular.
We got to the town quite late but had a taxi organised for to take us to our hostel.
In the morning everything was very clear with the majestic peak of Rwenzori mountain greeting us. The forests were emerald green with a crater lake right in front of our rooms. We had a wonderful walking tour where we learned of beautiful gardens and plants. We ended up at the Mahoma Falls for a shower. Everything was picture worthy.

On a walking tour with our guide Noah

Beautiful trees on our walking path.

Mountain Rwenzori view.

Shower at Mahoma falls

Our guide Noah hired motorbikes for us and rode in the far parts of the district. Driving through Kibale National Park was quite a sight as a number of monkeys said hello along the way. We ended up at an area known locally as "Top of the world," a spectacular 360° view of Mother Nature. We were tired but euphoric.

Rented bikes

Top of the world,

Half Way to Heaven.

There is a lot of monkey business here in Fort Portal (seriously). There is a good chance you’ll see a chimpanzees amongst the green during the tracking in Kibale Forest. You can also visit the Kitagata hot springs which are said to have healing powers. The short hike there is also great considering the views of the surrounding nature.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a short distance and it’s an idea for a day safari from Fortportal and ideal for those on a budget.

I have been going to Fortportal every year since I first set foot here. I have taken friends and clients here.

My favourite place to stay is the Ayapapa Open House, an eco friendly accommodation located in Lyantonde village just before Papaya Lodge. I was introduced to this place by friends who stayed here and fell in love with it. This place is a beautifully designed open house and has cabins overlooking Crater Lake. The owner has planted trees and flowers all over the area. There is resting place overlooking the lake, not to mention a big kitchen. It is a self-catering accommodation and you can easily chill in the hammocks while you read a book. On a hot day, you can easily hop into the lake for a swim and cool off. If you love nature and prefer peace and quiet, this is your place. Jaishu the owner will help you with anything.

Breakfast overlooking the lake surrounded by roses.

One of the lounging areas.

The Kitchen.

My favorite spot.

Experience Fortportal! It would be my pleasure to help you arrange your trip.

Breathtaking Nepal.

It’s been said that visiting Nepal once is never enough. I have to agree. I left Varanassi, India with big expectations. My excitement though soon turned to despair as a ten hour bus ride turned to nearly twenty-four! What a long ride. It was worth the wait as soon as I saw Nepal’s famous White Mountain tops. Wow. What an unforgettable view! 

Boarder entry to Nepal.

Sunset on the mountains.

Mountain views on while on the bus.

Kathmandu was pretty chill compared to India—literally. I had never been to a climate below ten degrees. I whined a lot, but heavy clothes and warm socks kept my pulse going. Luckily enough I knew a friend from way back who helped me settle in quickly, so navigating wasn’t stressful.

With not much time in Nepal I decided to take it from the top and signed up for a three-day trek to Poonhill, a peak 3210 meters high. My trek to the peak began in the lovely town of Pokhara, a picturesque place ideal for recharging your batteries. 

Lake Pokhara

I had saved my money for the hike but my budget couldn’t take a guide carrying my items to the top. I was disappointed. There was no way I could get all the way up there by myself, I thought, but was soon motivated that it could be done if I followed an alternative route.

I got up early the next day and caught a bus to the nearest town named Kimchi. The drive was about three hours with roads becoming more treacherous the more we ascended the mountain. While on the bus I met two girls who were going my same route. 

The morning before I took my bus to Kimchi

View on the bus

Day one of the trek from Kimchi to Gandhruk was not too bad with the hike taking only 1 hour. The mountains looked so great and the views from above were excellent. We searched for accommodation found a good deal. I should note though that food is way more expensive than accommodation in the mountains because of the labour it takes to transport the food up the mountain. No car or motorbikes can access the mountans. Our hotel had a great view but still, I was so cold!

The next day was an early morning with a long hike planned and the girls were taking another route.

In awe of the mountain views.

The girls on the first day trekk.

The first Nepalese mates I met on my route.

The views during the trek

This smile means I was almost there.

I was a little scared to go alone, and I got lost for a bit but soon met some Nepalese men who were headed my way. These guys were clearly experts; some wore jeans instead of hiking pants and didn’t even carry a walking stick. The path to Gorephani was so steep, you earned every step. The temperature was quite cool with barely any humidity. We stopped for a break to grab something to eat but the men still wanted to rest so I continued on the trail by myself. There were times when I unnerved, but I knew I would encounter no wild animals.

I kept pushing harder though I was really getting tired. The gorgeous scenery kept me motivated with flowing water falls and luscious emerald green forests. I would just sit sometimes for a rest and enjoy the nature. Nine hours later I made it to Gorephani. My knees and tendons had given way, it was too much walking. I had to stretch before bed because I had to reach the top the next morning. By 5 am we were up on the way to Poonhill which takes roughly an hour. It was such a struggle to go up the steps and also on the way back. I made it to the top. The sunrise and the view of the surrounding mountains were mesmerizing! Going back down the steps with my bad knee was the worst, from Poonhill on the way down to Gandaki there is a millennium trek of 3500 steps. It was six hours of agony, but I made it to the jeep to Pokhara. I was so relived! I spent one extra day in Pokhara, I had a trekkers massage, went to visit the Tibetan refugee camp and also did Paragliding. This is one of the best places to do it in the world because of the scenery.

We made it so early to catch the sunrise

Yippie! On the peak on Poonhill trek.

My new trek mates I met on the last day.

Made it to the top!

Views from Poonhill

Paragliding above Pokhara lake

Excitement in the sky.

I spent my last days in Kathmandu sightseeing, shopping, and sampling delicious food. It was really wonderful to visit Bhaktapur, one of the biggest and oldest towns that were hit by the 2015 earthquake. It was sad to see some of the temples that were built in the 14th century being destroyed, however they are trying to reconstruct these temples though they will need more funding. Don't miss out going here. This is the same thing that happened to the Kathmandu Durbar square which is a must see. I also visited the Pashupatinath temple which is located on the Bagmati River, it was really big and good to have a walk around. My favorite place to visit was The Boudhanath stoupa, it was near where I stayed and it gave me chance to see the Buddhists worship while going around the stoupa of which I myself took part in. The stoupa is very impressive, it was also recently renovated after the earthquake had left a crack in it. It is also one of the biggest stoupa in the world.

Boudhanath Stoupa.

Grabbing a coffee out of my busy day.

Pashupatinath temple.

Ruins at Bakhtapur

My time in Nepal ran so quickly but I enjoyed every bit of it. The people were so nice and friendly, I felt their warmth despite the chilly temps. The food was great (don't forget to try momos, South Asian dumplings) and the spectacular Himalayas left me speechless. I'm not surprised Lonely Planet voted it one of the top five destinations of 2017. I'm definitely hoping to return. Visiting once is not enough! 

Out of Africa - Discovering India

Last fall I took my first steps outside Mama Africa. I was looking for magic and mysticism, so I decided to explore South Asia and the wonder of India and Nepal.

As my plane touched October 15, I was so nervous. The city was big and unfamiliar yet intriguing. I hailed down a taxi just before dawn and came in contact with a driver who was overly friendly—read: harassing. Not the type of welcome I was expecting to say the least. Soon after he dropped me off at my hotel, I learned that my reservation did not exist. So, I reluctantly got back into the taxi with the “friendly” driver who took me to another spot. As I exited, he asked for a hug. I brushed off his unwelcome advances and soon came to learn the first rule of travelling in India if you’re female—sexual harassment is sadly not uncommon. From the metro, to the streets, to inside taxi cabs and from people you’ve trusted, it happens. Travel with a friend and keep a discerning eye. 

India Gate

With the boys having our own street food tour.

Busy Bazaar in New Delhi.

New Delhi was an assault on my senses. People scattering everywhere at different speeds, with cattle and bikes and cars competing for the road. My ears buzzed from the bustle and I experienced culture shock. For two days I did a lot of sightseeing since traffic jams are a way of life. Commuting anywhere is at a snail’s pace. I used the metro quite a lot.

India’s temples are breathtaking. I visited some of the famous worship houses like the Juma Masjid, The Lotus, and The Arkshardam Temple and so on. The architecture is so wonderful and anciently mysterious. The Taj Mahal was quite a place. I recall a kind guide who gave me a free tour because my budget was running low after the entrance fee.

Juma Masjid

Juma Masjid, one of the seven wonders of the world.

I have great news—It’s possible to explore India on a budget! The food was delicious and reasonable priced, but watch out where you eat to avoid stomach problems. And of course Indian food is notoriously fiery, so if you don’t like chili mention it.

Exploring India’s mountains were so refreshing. I took an evening bus to Rishikesh, the famous town known for spirituality and yoga. It felt so organic. The mountains were glorious. The Ganges River looked so beautiful and the people were very friendly. It’s also a good spot to buy souvenirs as it’s cheaper than other towns. The atmosphere was humbling because there’s an air of spirituality. I was able to partake yoga for the first time and since I got back home, I haven’t stopped. I joined a yoga class and love it! If you ride motorbikes, it’s possible to rent a bike and ride up the mountains and around the temples.

Ganges river straight from the Himalayas

Scooter adventure in the mountains.

I didn’t want to leave but the road beckoned. I had options to go further in the mountains to Old Manali or Dharamsala but the distances were too long for me and it was getting colder in high altitudes and I did not dress warmly. I decided to head to the state of Rajasthan (“Land of Kingdoms”) and the cities of Jaipur and Pushkar.

Jaipur turned out to be busier than I expected but I was glad to be there because the architecture was amazing.  Every museum, temple and palace was beautifully constructed simply because the Kings were very rich and their palaces reflected that. There was a water palace in Jaipur which had 5 floors underground. So impressive. The Wind Palace (Hawa Mahal) was built for women royalty who could watch street festivities without being seen, complete with 953 small windows. The Amber Fort and Palace is absolutely a must see! Very incredible views and architecture. It took us about 2 hours or so to finish the tour inside. The city Palace is also not to be missed because there is a fascinating history museum inside.

The Hawa Mahal

The water palace

Amber Fort and Palace

Beautiful doors at the City Palace

Pushkar  is a chill town if you’re looking to avoid the hustle and bustle. There are many temples there and Pushkar Lake is too beautiful for words. Shopping here is way cheap as well. I went here with a friend on his Tuk tuk which was quite adventurous though a bit tiring. 

Tuk tuk ride from Jaipur to Pushkar

One of the beautiful temples in Pushkar

Pushkar lake

I also had a chance to celebrate Diwali (“Festival of Lights”) while in Punjab. Punjab is home of the Sikh religion. The people are very warm with strong faith. While there I visited the Wagarh boarder ceremony, an event which recognizes the closing and opening of the Indian/Pakistani boarder. Soldiers on each side display their strength and pride. The crowd was electric! Music blared and people danced to the rhythm. It was such an interesting ceremony to see, don't miss it!

My other highlight was witnessing the famous Golden Temple. While on tour they welcomed us with tea and treats. They serve food to thousands of people everyday and also offer free accommodation. We were able to witness the Diwali fireworks that night and the mood was great because everyone was in a joyous mood. My sari I had worn that day was hard to keep up with but I had a good time. My friend and I decided to go enter the golden temple where they keep the holy books and it took us about an hour to go in because of the crowd but we were happy we made it. It was spectacular. 

Wagar boarder ceremony

Diwali in Amritsar

The golden temple.

My last stop in India was Varanasi, the oldest inhabited city in the world. The buildings were weathered and the vibe was very busy. I had a boat ride with my friends at the Ganges River because we wanted to see the sunrise. There was a ceremony that day and this was an opportunity to see what goes around the river that millions of Indians depend on. I witness people dipping themselves in the river to get blessings, other were having a bath, washing their clothes, and I witnessed for the first a dead body being burned. I enjoyed having a stroll in the small streets of Varanassi near the river while witnessing life. It is from here that headed into Nepal. 

Festival at the Ganges River

Sunrise over the River Ganges.

India definitely had its challenges, but despite the congestion and overly friendly males, it’s a wonderful country. I met memorable people who were helpful and I’m blessed to have met them. Going to South Asia was a life changing trip! Book your ticket!