Thank you MOAA for the Awesome Interview. The Honor is Deeply Appreciated!
Uganda Bull Ellie ©Flyga Twiga LLC
Lodge Cast Iron Wok Review - Amazing Product that Would Even Be Perfect for the Bush Camp!
Lodge Cast Iron © Flyga Twiga LLC
Having grown up learning to cook on a woodstove with Cast Iron, I have a deep history with and love for cast iron. Now living in Asia, I have embraced Asian Cooking, taking various cooking classes, and experimenting with my own variations of “fusion cooking.”
Thus, the moment I clicked the “Specialty” section of the Lodge Cast Iron website and saw the 14 Inch Cast Iron Wok – my heart skipped a beat. My dream cookware item was being manufactured in Tennessee. But, I needed to get it to South Korea.
Thankfully Lodge has some of the nicest customer service people on Earth. I wrote a frantic email asking could they mail to an Army Post Office (APO) address? Not all companies in the US do. Furthermore, this was one HEAVY piece of cookware.
I received a nice email back from Danielle F. who said “yes, we do ship to APOs, but that is a special order and you need to call to place the order.”
So, factoring in the time difference, I stayed up late one night and called the Lodge Cast Iron Company in Tennessee and guess who answered? Danielle F., of course!
There are several details which set this item apart from others. First, it is 100% Cast Iron. USA made Cast Iron is the ONLY Cast Iron that is guaranteed pure iron.
Second, the Cast Iron Wok, is a beautiful symbol of all that is good about America. Asian Cookware made in Pittsburg, Tennessee. They deliver what they promise – for a fair and honest price. And, they truly support the US Troops – thank you Lodge!
Lodge Cast Iron Products © Flyga Twiga LLC
Now…on to the big event, the first time using the Lodge Cast Iron 14 Inch and the Mini Woks!!!
Both Woks are exceptional cookware. The Mini Wok worked surprisingly well in making just the perfect amount of rice for me and my husband.
The 14 Inch Wok performed to a tee. All the food was evenly cooked and the Cast Iron retained its heat inbetween servings.
One of the reasons I mention that this would be perfect in a Bush Camp is the depth and amount of food you can cook at once. So, for example, if there was a group of Koreans or Taiwanese who asked for a Stir Fry, this would be an excellent addition to any Bush Camp for that purpose.
Lodge Wok & Mini Wok © Flyga Twiga LLC
I'm really impressed with these Lodge Cast Iron products. I already had purchased the 12 Inch Skillet. I added two of the 6 Inch Pans to my order. And, the Mini Wok was a surprising hit in my kitchen.
I'd love to get a chance to try cooking over an open fire with the Woks. Until then, I will just keep practicing in my tiny Asian kitchen on "Stir Fry Friday."
Dinner is Served!
Dinner is Served! © Flyga Twiga LLC
Please note: I was not compensated for this review/blog post. I purchased the Lodge Cast Iron Products!
#TravelTuesday Flyga Twiga™ Honored to Again be Asked to Attend World Travel Market Africa
Cape Town Waterfront - Table Mountain © Flyga Twiga LLC
Flyga Twiga™ is honored to once again be asked to attend the World Travel Market Africa. Taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, WTMA is one of 6 shows offered by WTM of Reed Exhibitions. WTMA sees “…nearly 5000 travel industry professionals attend Africa’s leading and only business to business (B2B) exhibition for inbound and outbound Africa travel and tourism markets.”
WTMA 17 © Flyga Twiga
In addition to over 36 private one-on-one meetings Flyga Twiga™ is scheduled for the Speed Networking Session, exclusive lunch and aftershow tours hosted by Cape Town locals, and evening networking and entertainment events.
This year I’ll be staying at my favorite Westin Hotel - Cape Town! The staff at The Westin Cape Town is second to none. The food in the Club Lounge is delicious. Their laundry services are exceptional. And, the Westin is just an overpass walkway to the Cape Town International Convention Center.
Westin CPT © Flyga Twiga LLC
Can’t wait and I will be blogging and posting on my social media some special tours that are in the works. So excited for WTMA 18 and to be back in South Africa!
Spring Cleaning! Made even better as a local business asked for my Middle East & Africa Travel Magazines.
Spring Cleaning 2018! © Flyga Twiga LLC
#TravelTuesday What will I eat on Safari? That is one of the questions I am asked a lot on my #SafariAMA
Bush Camps usually have buffets or set menus. And, the costs are included in your Safari Package. In Kenya and Uganda Bush Camps, many times, you will find Indian Food on the Buffets. If you stay at luxury hotels or Glamping Safari Camps, you most likely be served almost any kind of food & drink you want, including exceptional African Wines.
As with any travel, if you have allergies or special dietary needs, you must inform the Safari Service Provider and check to be sure they can meet your needs.
And, in East African cities, such as Kampala and Nairobi, you will find fine dining restaurants. In Kampala, Mythos Greek Taverna & Lounge is one of my absolute favorites.
And, if you are into “Celebrity Chefs” I can personally recommend Kiran Jethwa's Seven Seafood and Grill in Nairobi, Kenya. Kirwan’s first show on National Geographic People was “Tales from the Bush Larder”. Now he appears in his new show “The Fearless Chef”.
Mweya Safari Lodge Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
I was invited to join the social media platform AMAfeed & I'm really loving it!
I held my first "event" - an Ask Me Anything about Safaris and Travel to Africa. It is so much fun.
Part of my takeaway from this platform is using search engines to answer questions is great - but you have to know what to search for. AMAfeed, in my experience with my first event, helps direct further research. Especially for Safaris and Travel to Africa, there are rarely "yes" or "no" set answers. Furthermore, how on Earth do you know the links you are following are real or have any expert, honest advice?
With AMAfeed #SafariAMA it is MY reputation on the line. AMAfeed allows a really good balance of letting me promote my business and work, while offering information people want/need.
The reason for the picture above? I received a lot of questions about Gorilla Trekking and how close you can get to the Gorillas. This was taken last year Mgahinga Gorilla National Park on my Gorilla Trek. Truly an amazing experience which I am so glad to share with the AMAfeed Community.
Happy Day! Safe Safari!
#TravelTuesday Preparing for Safari? Attending Pyeongchang Winter Olympics? Which Travel Insurance is the best?
Boma, Jonglei State, South Sudan © Flyga Twiga LLC
I believe this is a good place to start when trying to determine what travel insurance will meet your needs. Travel insurance comes in different types, for various forms of travel. I always suggest travel insurance, as you will see from my Safari Guide here.
Of course, a disclaimer, I do not receive any compensation from Reviews.com.
Happy Day! Safe Safari!
Travel Advisory - East Africa Tourist Visa
EATV © Flyga Twiga LLC
As Flyga Twiga has been covering, there seems to be quite a bit of change going on within the tourism regulations and procedures in the Republic of Rwanda. Earlier this year, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced the doubling of Gorilla Trekking Permit Fees. This was discussed widely within the East African Tourism Industry (our reporting on this discussion). And, sparked a response from neighboring Uganda, who share the border and the few remaining Mountain Gorillas with Rwanda (Uganda Tourism Board Statement).
Now, Rwanda appears to be reinterpreting the much touted “East Africa Tourist Visa” (EATV). In a “Travel Tips Press Release” dated 2 August 2017, Coastal Aviation, one of the leading East African Safari Aviation providers, stated:
Visa Issues in Kigali
We have recently had a case where guests arrived in Kigali and were deemed to not have a valid visa. This caused us to be fined $3,000 by the Rwandan authorities. It transpired that the guests had an East African Univisa. They had applied through Uganda for this. The Rwandan authorities deemed this visa to be invalid as the guests should have applied to Rwanda, their first arrival point, rather than Uganda. Please ask you guests to double check this should it apply to them. We will no longer be responsible for any fines, should this recur. On Application for a Visa, the applicant is given a tracking number. It is important that we receive this tracking number, in order to be able to verify the visa, before flight.
This interpretation of the EATV was not a “one off” fluke, or misinterpretation by a rogue Rwanda Customs & Immigration Agent. Julian Edmunds, Managing Director of Coastal Aviation, only two days after the initial Press Release, sent out an email, subject, “Rwanda Visa Issues.” He stated in his 4 August 2017 email:
The Rwandese seem to interpret the multiple entry as that you may cross the borders between Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya...but that as soon as you leave these countries (ie to Tanzania) then the visa is deemed to have expired and a second visa is then required.
Yesterday we had another such incident. Guests had the East Africa Tourist Visa and used it to enter Kenya. They then left Kenya and then went to Tanzania; we then flew them from Tanzania to Rwanda. The immigration officers in Rwanda would not accept their East African Tourist Visa as they deemed it expired. Luckily the guests were American and therefore eligible to purchase a visa on arrival...had that not been the case, we would have been forced to repatriate them to Tanzania and fined $3000!
Nowhere in the documentation, in English and Korean, does it state that this should be the case. Rather, the document, titled, “Take advantage of the new East African Community Visa” states:
“The holder shall also be allowed to move out of the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, and the Republic of Uganda and return without having to pay for another visa. This will only be applicable for 90 days.”
What all this means for those traveling on the EATV is unclear. Hopefully the respective Tourism and Development Boards will issue clarifications on this matter. When they do, we will immediately provide the information here.
Until then, have a Happy Day! And, a Safe Safari!
Excellent analysis of the RDB increase in Gorilla Trekking Permits
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda © Flyga Twiga LLC
The below has been reprinted with kind permission from Great Lakes Safaris & Uganda Lodges Ltd. The thoughtful analysis of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) substantial increase in charges for the Gorilla Trekking Permits has sent shockwaves through the Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Trekking Communities. My sincere thank you to Sheila for her thoughts and analysis.
Sheila Kogo Malinga
Marketing Manager
Great Lakes Safaris & Uganda Lodges Ltd - Where the journey into the wild begins…!
Differences in Gorilla Tracking : Rwanda vs Uganda
Gorilla Tracking in Uganda and Rwanda is pretty much the same experience although the factors that accompany the tracking are different.
One of the principle tracking difference in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda – is that Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is in a thicker rain forest, with steeper slopes and ridges, compared to Rwanda where the Volcanoes National Park, mountain forest is open and the hiking gradient more evenly spread, making it relatively easier to track the Gorillas in VNP Rwanda compared in BWNP.
The similarity is the Mountain Gorilla, all in rain forest- accessible by a mountain hike. It also the case that Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is closer to Kigali, the Capital of Rwanda, compared to Uganda whose capital city Kampala is 495km away.
Our experience in tracking Gorillas both is Uganda and Rwanda is that different persons arrive at different conclusions in comparing the Gorillas- whereby the younger, stronger and more fit person experience a preference for Uganda where they feel they have worked for the eventual coming to the Gorillas experience as opposed to Rwanda, where they find it easier and more ‘zoo-like’ in their opinion although we do not share that opinion.
For the more elderly person- I would say above 50, whose principal interest is to see the Gorillas and do not necessarily have massive doses of energy to extend in that quest, they tend to have a preference for Rwanda. Also persons who desire to do multiple Gorilla treks also have a preference for the easier option but there is a general tendency for some people to believe that the Gorilla Tracking in Uganda is a more authentic quest in search of these ‘gentle giants’ of the forest.
Also for persons with very limited time, obviously Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda being so close to Kigali, within 2.5 hours drive is a big advantage. However for persons with more time, gorilla tracking in Uganda tends to be more appealing as they have many options of extending their tour in Uganda with her hugely more diverse tourism product as opposed to Rwanda where gorilla tracking seems to be the thing and there is nothing much else- meaning
Rwanda has failed to deliver as a standalone tourist destination.
For the budget sensitive person the lower price of gorilla permits $600 in Uganda versus $1500 in Rwanda, coupled with the hugely attractive low season rate in Uganda of $450 (April-May and November) and not available in Rwanda is a huge appeal.
All the gorilla habituated families in Rwanda are accessible from one starting point , although the distances to the various trail heads differ- while in Uganda the Gorilla families are divided between the Northern section of Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park called Buhoma and the Southern Section called Nkuringo and therefore the difference between the North and the South prohibiting and necessitate persons tracking gorillas in the North to also choose accommodation in the Northern section and vice-versa for the southern section.
This also gives the impression that tracking in Uganda has an added tendency to seem un-crowded.
In the end, Rwanda is Rwanda and Uganda is Uganda – two distinctively different countries. It is hard to really say which is better or not better rather that different persons comparing tend to arrive at different conclusions making it more an issue of personal choice/preferences.
Safari Travel Tip - Don't forget to turn off the lights in your tent!
TZ_Tent©FlygaTwigaLLC
Especially if you are staying in a Safari Camp run by Solar Power. If you don’t turn off your lights during the day – you won’t have any lights at night!
Happy Day! Safe Safari!
#TravelTuesday Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, Elephants Bathing on my 50th Birthday! TripRep Coming Soon!
#WTMA2017 Flyga Twiga Selected as International Hosted Buyer for World Travel Market Africa 2017
Flowers of the Western Cape © Flyga Twiga LLC
Flyga Twiga Selected as International Hosted Buyer for World Travel Market Africa 2017 #WTMA2017
Flyga Twiga LLC has been selected by the World Travel Market Africa 2017 (WTMA 2017) as an International Hosted Buyer. The WTMA 2017 will take place in Cape Town, South Africa from the 19th through 22nd of April.
#TravelTuesday #Safari - Climbing Lions Uganda at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Tree Climbing Lions Uganda 2017 © Flyga Twiga LLC
#TravelTuesday #Gorilla #Trek #POATE2017 FAST APPROACHING!
The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (#POATE2017) is fast approaching! The POATE Team has sent a reminder of items needed for our exciting Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking. These include:
· Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts
· Getters/ long socks to wear over your trousers as protection against ants
· A pair of garden gloves to protect against nettles
· Hat
· Raincoat
· A pair of sturdy, comfortable hiking boots with good ankle support is most important – try to break these in before your trip rather than wearing them brand new as you’re likely to get blisters.
The gloves are particularly poignant as those who have seen “Gorillas in the Mist” may remember, it was gorilla curiosity in Dian Fossey’s glove which first established her relationship with the gorillas.
Looking forward to the “Best of the Pearl” Fam Trip with the Uganda Tourism Board in February!
“There was no way that I could explain to dogs, friends, or parents my compelling need to return to Africa to launch a long-term study of the gorillas. Some may call it destiny and others may call it dismaying. I call the sudden turn of events in my life fortuitous.”
― Dian Fossey
#TravelTuesday Flyga Twiga Invited to POATE 2017!
Flyga Twiga Selected as One of 100 International Hosted Buyers & Media Sponsored by Uganda Tourism Board for Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo 2017 #POATE2017
Flyga Twiga LLC has been selected by the Uganda Tourism Board as one of 100 International Hosted Buyers for the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo 2017 (POATE 2017). POATE 2017 will be held in February 2017 at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, Uganda.
According to the Uganda Tourism Board, “The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) is an annual tourism event in the East African region organized by Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) to bring together travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, destination managers, media, travel bloggers and other service providers along the tourism value chain. It is a unique networking platform for all players in the Tours & Travel industry.”
POATE 2017 will include Familiarization (Fam) Trips, for which Flyga Twiga has been offered “The Best of the Pearl.” This Fam Trip includes the “encounter with chimps, gorillas & other primates through Savannah plains and West African jungles….”
Highlights of the Fam Trip include Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, looking for the famous tree-climbing lions. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park amongst the remaining 750 Mountain Gorillas left on Earth. As well as trekking in Kibale Forest, which “boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including our delightful cousins - the Chimpanzees. At this moment, in Uganda, there are approximately 4,950 Chimps left in the wild.”
Flyga Twiga was chosen for POATE 2017 and “The Best of the Pearl” Fam Trip due to their commitment to sustainable tourism and their unique offering of bespoke, personal Safari services in East Africa. Flyga Twiga’s founder and owner, Amy Millican, has worked with wildlife conservation and international development projects in Uganda. In addition, Flyga Twiga’s clients have come from such diverse places as the United States of America, Peru, and Haiti.
#TravelTuesday What are the High and Low Seasons? I've added a new section to my FAQs!
What are the high and low seasons?
Each country has its own “High and Low Seasons” which are dependent on weather, the movement of animals, and tourist vacation time preferences. Why this is important information is that, as might be expected, the seasons offer different rates for Safari.
As with all aspects of a great journey:
Planning + knowledge = an awesome Safari!
Kenya:
High Season:
July 1st through October 31st and December 1st through March 31st
Low Season:
April 1st through June 30th and November 1st through November 30th
Kenya has clear, distinct high and low seasons, based primarily on “The Great Migration” as well as vacation season preferences of Europeans, Asians and the Kenyan Citizens themselves.
What does this mean for you and your Kenyan Safari? The Low Season offers exceptional bargains in Kenya. Without an intense “Monsoon” or rainy season, Kenyan Safaris, as well as other outdoor activities, such as golfing and fishing, can be enjoyed year round.
Tanzania:
High Season:
December 1st through March 31st and June 1st through October 31st
Mid-Low Season:
All of November
Low Season:
All of April and May
Much like Kenya, Tanzania has its high season partly during “The Great Migration.” If you look closely at the two country’s dates, you can see how the migration moves from one country to the other, shifting the High Season dates.
In Tanzania, the weather plays a key role in tourism and Safaris. The rains make roads muddy and boggy. If you are interested in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru, the low season is extremely uncomfortable for climbing.
Uganda & Rwanda:
High Season:
January through February, and all the months of June, July, August, September and October
Low Season:
The entire months of March, April, May, October, November and December as low seasons for both Uganda and Rwanda
Click here for more FAQs!
#TravelTuesday 6 Safari Chic Essentials to Keep You Safe on Safari - Shopping Guide for Black Friday & Cyber Monday!
BlackFriday&CyberMondayShopping_KE©FlygaTwigaLLC
One of the most fun parts of an African Safari begins before you even leave home – shopping for your expedition! Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner. Here are six essential items which are not only Safari Chic, but can actually function to keep you safe while enjoying a majestic African Safari. Let’s start planning and shopping!
1. Sunglasses
While certainly chic, sunglasses are necessary in SubSaharan Africa. Being near the Equator, you want to protect your eyes from sun damage. It only makes your Safari more chic if your sunglasses are Chanel™ or Gucci™. Just make sure they have the proper Ultraviolet (UV) protection.
2. Boots
There are a lot of “creepy crawlies” in the Savannah. You want to protect your precious little toes from being bitten. There is no need to sacrifice fashion, just because you are in the wild. And, comfortable boots are an absolute necessity to keep you safe if you plan on taking a walking Safari.
3. Cargo Pants
Always a favorite with men, these will also be helpful to women on Safari. The pockets make for easy access to camera and video equipment. And, the pants protect your legs from sharp river grass if you are on a water Safari and from mosquitoes. They are so functional and fashionable that Michael Kors™ has a version of cargo pants in nearly every collection.
4. Safari Jacket
There is a saying among numerous tribes of SubSaharan Africa about how travelers do not believe, but they can, “freeze to death in Africa.” Realistically, unless you are summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, that is a bit of an exaggeration. But, the nights in the wild bush can get cold. A Safari jacket is the perfect piece of clothing to keep you warm, while insuring you still look good. And, like the cargo pants, the Safari jacket will help protect your arms from insects and sun damage.
5. Hat
Safari hats are iconic and synonymous with being in the African wilderness. While of course protecting your face from the harsh African sun, they also help protect your eyes. When taking all the wonderful photographs of your Safari, you may need to take off your sunglasses. You will still need to protect your eyes from the sun. A wide brimmed Safari hat does just that.
6. Scarf
The bushveld can be very dusty. Imagine your Safari Guide racing you through the Game Reserve, off to the next wildlife experience, and all the dust flying on the dirt roads. You may wish to have a scarf to keep from breathing in the dust. Fortunately, Hermes™ and Louis Vuitton™ have in recent years run Safari Collections. Stylish scarves are not only beautiful, they can keep your lungs clean and healthy on Safari.
One last note before you begin shopping for your adventure, all the items should be in what are known as “Safari Colours.” These are colors such as khaki, brown, linen or safari green, which will help you blend into the bushveld. These colours keep you safe by camouflaging you from the wildlife, allowing you to be part of the awe inspiring African bush, safely.
Enjoy shopping for your African Safari essentials. You will have pictures of magical Africa including many of yourself being safe, stylish and Safari Chic!
Happy Day! Safe Safari!
I'm on the Road this #TravelTuesday Click below for my articles on wildlife and Safaris!
Honored & Excited to be Invited to #MKTE2016
Flyga Twiga Selected as 1 of 3 Hosted Buyers from South Korea Sponsored by Kenya Tourism Board for Magical Kenya Travel Expo 2016 #MKTE2016
Flyga Twiga LLC has been selected by the Kenya Tourism Board as one of 3 Hosted Buyers from South Korea for Magical Kenya Travel Expo 2016 (MKTE2016). MKTE2016 will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya from 12th – 14th October, 2016. In addition to attending MKTE2016, Flyga Twiga has been asked to arrive in Kenya a week prior to the event to participate in Familiarization (Fam) Trips around Kenya regarding Sustainable Tourism and Travel.
According to the Kenya Tourism Board, “Magical Kenya Travel Expo is a re-leading annual event in the African region organized by Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) that hosts overseas source markets that brings together, travel agents, tour operators and hoteliers. It gathers all the tour operators, travel agents, and destination managers. It is a unique opportunity for the tourism business operators to meet their clients, network, market, and discuss business.
The Magical Kenya Travel Expo is one of the fastest growing exhibitions in the tourism industry aimed at raising the profile of the destination. It has become an important and influential platform for tourism networking and business transactions.
The exhibition aims at showcasing Kenya as a world class tourism destination to top notch international trade. It is a key pillar of the Board’s marketing strategies aimed at increasing the tourist arrival numbers and tourism revenue receipts in line with Vision 2030.”
Flyga Twiga was chosen for the Fam Trips and MKTE2016 due to their commitment to sustainable tourism and their unique offering of bespoke, personal Safari services in Kenya. Flyga Twiga has been the exclusive partner for the Kenya Embassy in South Korea for the KINTEX 2016 Korea International Tourism Show (KITS) and the COEX 2016 Korea World Travel Fair (KOTFA). In addition, Flyga Twiga’s clients have come from such diverse places as the United States, Peru and Haiti.
Amy Millican is the owner of Flyga Twiga LLC, a personal Safari service and consultancy, focused on wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism. She has worked throughout Sub-Saharan and Southern Africa, including on sustainable tourism with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS-the international branch of the New York Zoological Society/Bronx Zoo) in South Sudan. She believes by helping people experience wildlife through Safaris, many species, who are near extinction, will be saved. In recognition of her contributions to conservation and the scientific community in 2015 she was admitted to membership in The Explorer’s Club.
To contact Flyga Twiga LLC, please click here.
For more information on MKTE2016 please click here to visit their site.
Travel Tuesday
Balloon Safari Kenya © Flyga Twiga LLC
It isn’t necessary to pack everything in the world to go to East Africa. While still an exotic and far-off place, a true traveler can survive with simply a passport, a few clothes and access to money. But, that isn’t what Flyga Twiga is about. We want to enjoy the good things in life!
So…what to bring?
Click here for my full Safari Guide.
Happy Day! Safe Safari!