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Explore Uganda’s natural treasures, a unique tourist destination.

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Uganda is blessed with a wealth of natural elements that make it a beautiful nation with a diverse population and give Uganda tours a lot of importance. However, Uganda has several distinctive characteristics that set it apart from other east African nations and make it a special safari destination.

These natural wonders of Uganda are popular tourist destinations and other tourist attractions dispersed across the nation. A lot of Uganda tours include at least one or two of these attractions, and visiting one of them will leave you with memories that are unlike anything you could have imagined.

Uganda can not be compared to its neighbors, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Tanzania, in terms of tourist attractions or travel opportunities. Uganda is endowed with distinctive natural features that serve as a monument to its status as the Pearl of Africa. Most of these features can be seen while on a

Mountain gorillas

One of the most popular tourist attraction in Uganda are the mountain gorillas. these are the largest species among the primates. In the southwestern region of Uganda, in the tropical rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Mgahinga National Park, Uganda is home to half of the remaining mountain gorilla population in the world.

Bwindi mountain Gorillas

Due to Uganda’s considerably cheaper gorilla trekking costs than Rwanda, whose tracking permit charges are twice as expensive as those in Uganda. There are approximately 1.060 mountain gorillas in the world, and Bwindi itself is home to about 450 of them, according to a recent gorilla census done in 2019. Mountain gorillas are the closest living relative of humans, sharing 98% of our DNA, and they also possess a number of other distinctive characteristics that set them apart from other primates.

You can check out our Uganda gorilla safaris and choose the best for your comfortable budget. We arrange different packages ranging from budget safaris to luxury gorilla safaris not forgetting other Uganda tours to different tourist destinations.

Murchison falls

The Murchison Falls, which are the most powerful falls in the world, roar into the small, 7-meter-wide gorges to meet the 44-kilometer torrent in the metamorphic rocks. there are located on the longest river in the world. A boat ride on the Albert Nile, which is located on the albert Nile in the Murchison Falls National Park, is necessary to view the falls from either the bottom or the top.

The primary tourist attractions in Murchison Falls National Area are these swift waterfalls, which have elevated the park to the top tourist destination in Uganda.

When the British explorers’ Sir Samuel Baker and Florence Baker first visited the Murchison Falls National Park, they named the falls after Sir Roderick Murchison, a former president of the Royal Geographical Society, which led Winston Churchill to refer to Uganda as the “pearl of Africa” because of the amazing and distinctive natural features that country possesses.

Rwenzori Mountain

Due to its snow-covered peaks, Mountain Rwenzori is known as the mountains of the moon. In the districts of Kasese and Bundibujo in western Uganda, there is a UNESCO World Heritage Site called Rwenzori. The Margherita summit of Mountain Rwenzori, at 5,109 feet above sea level, is the third-highest mountain in Africa.

Rwenzori hikings

The Rwenzori Mountain is the most difficult mountain to trek on while being the third tallest mountain in the world. It stands to give one of the great hiking experiences. The Rwenzori Mountain’s peak can be reached via hiking in 7–19 days.

When climbing to the top of a mountain, there are two hiking routes to choose from: the kilembe trail and the southern circuit, which was the first trail and was used by many hikers before the kilembe trail was developed. There are five alluring mountain ranges: Gessi (5,109 m), Speke (4890 m), Alexandria (5083 m), and Mount Stanley (5,109 m), which is the tallest (4715m).

The Rwenzori Mountain has kept its icy summit despite global warming, providing a wonderful wonder to anyone who dares to walk and take in the splendor of Uganda’s natural treasures. In regions where the equator passes, snow is quite uncommon, but Rwenzori Mountain has managed to hold onto its allure with its never-ending snowfall.

Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park

In Queen Elizabeth National Park, which lies in the western portion of Uganda, the Kazinga channel is situated along the waterway that links Lake Edward and Lake George. Many Ugandan tour guides refer to the Kazinga channel as the “hippo pool” since it is home to the greatest number of hippos.

To connect the two lakes, the Kazinga waterway makes a lengthier journey of around 32 kilometers. In addition to hippos, it is home to a variety of other wild animals, including buffalo, crocodiles, elephants, and antelope species, who can be seen foraging for water along the channel. With more than 60 kinds of birds, including those that live in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kazinga Channel is one of the best places for bird-watching tours.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park

Kibale, which is located in western Uganda, is well known for having a large population of several primate species. With roughly 13 primate species, the Kibale forest is one of Africa’s most stunning tropical rainforests.

Around 1450 chimpanzees live in the Kibale Forest National Park, and the area is also home to a variety of other natural animals and plants, including reptiles, butterflies, amphibians, birds, and forest animals.

The main tourist attraction in the Kibale forest is the chimpanzee trekking. Other activities include going on a nature walk in the Bigodi wetland, which is a great way to observe different animals and bird life. With approximately 325 bird species, 351 tree species, and 13 species of primates, including black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, pottos monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and others.

However, there are other chimpanzee destinations other than Kibale forest national park where you can track chimps in Uganda. these places also have abundant primate species not only chimpanzees and these include Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park kalinzu forest and Kyambura gorge forest.

In contrast, the Kibale Forest National Park connects the northern Queen Elizabeth National Park with the southern Semuliki National Park and the western mountain Rwenzori. The remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park along the Ishasha sector’s border with the north of Kibale is where the 180 km long wildlife movement corridor may be found. While on uganda safari tours, tourists can combine these safari destinations to enjoy the thrilling experience within a short safari period.

Mount Elgon, the largest caldera mountain

The extinct shield volcano Mount Elgon is located on the Kenyan-Uganda border. The mountain, whose last eruption occurred 25 years ago, has the biggest surface area of any extinct volcano in the world’s history. The eastern side of this extinct volcano, which is ornamented with a lot of cliffs, caves, gorges, and lovely waterfalls, is a lovely tourist destination in Uganda. Rivers flow from the mountain peaks and pour down to the foothills.

The renowned Sipi Falls is located at Mount t Elgon, whose highest peak, Wagagai, has a height of 4,321 meters. Sudek, Koitobos, and Mubiyi are the next highest peaks at 4,303m, 4,222m, and (4210m) respectively. The stunning and largest caldera was created when magma was released from the crater as a result of the overlying volcanic cone collapsing due to its inability to maintain it, leaving a depression form of about 40 km long and 8 km broad.

Sipi falls on Mount Elgon

The Sipi River, which flows from the top slopes of Mount Elgon into the Kyoga Basin, creates a sequence of three breathtaking waterfalls known as Sipi Falls. As one of the top sites for hiking excursions in Uganda, they are a famous feature of the country’s eastern area. The river strikes several rocks and high cliffs, resulting in Sipi falls and a sequence of rapids.

The Sipi Falls location serves as the beginning point for many hiking expeditions in Mount Elgon. It is located in the Kapchorwa district, on the mountain’s northwest flank, at an elevation of 1,775 meters, near the border between Uganda and Kenya. Additionally, they offer a fantastic rest stop to break up the long journey to the Kidepo Valley National Park, one of the most popular Uganda safari destinations, which is located farther out in the remote northeastern region of the country.

Source of the Nile

The Nile, Africa’s longest river, originates in Jinja, a city in eastern Uganda. After traveling 6,650 km from Jinja along Lake Victoria, the river empties its water into the Mediterranean Sea. Rafting and tubing enthusiasts enjoy the river Nile’s many tourist attractions along the way, including rapid falls and picturesque reflections. On a Uganda tour to Jinja city at the Nile, one of the main activities is to explore the river’s source.

Itanda falls along the source of the River Nile

In addition to the massive Murchison Falls, Itanda Falls is the closest and greatest example of one of the tremendous waterfalls. Itanda Falls is one of the unique and intriguing things to see and do when visiting Jinja.

Itanda Falls is a pristine place since few visitors go there, fewer people have heard of it, and only a small number of tour companies include it in their itineraries. It’s located around 27 kilometers from Jinja, and the trip there takes 45 minutes. But once you arrive, the strength and beauty of these falls will blow you away, and you’ll not only want to return but also tell others about it. It is advisable to use caution when visiting the Itanda Falls due to their power and beauty as well as their danger.

You can visualize what it would look like if the Nile river waters were blasted to their full potential thanks to these majestic falls. Standing close, but really not that close to the edge, you can listen to the sound of the flowing river from a few kilometers away as the waters surge by you with a strong force. The falls are magnificent and strong, so kayakers and rafters must use caution when navigating the rapids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a threat of extinction for the Grey-Crested Crane in Uganda.

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Wildlife activists in Uganda are concerned about the continued use of exposed electricity transmission wires in the country. They argue that the wires constitute another obstacle to the conservation of crested cranes, which are the national bird of Uganda and are shown on the flag of the country.

According to Godfrey Mutemba, the senior natural resources officer for the Lwengo district, in addition to other human behaviors such as poisoning and the destruction of the wetlands, some crowned cranes are also dying from electrocution after unintentionally colliding with power transmission lines that pass through their habitats and roosting sites. These power transmission lines pass through their habitats and roosting sites.

He states that according to their observations, several of the crested cranes are perched on live power transmission lines, placing them at risk of electrocution and maybe dying.

Notably, the Kiyanja-Kaku and Kyoja big gazetted wetlands located in the Lwengo area are two of the nation’s rare surviving natural breeding grounds for crested cranes.

However, according to Mutemba, they have documented 21 fatalities of Crested Cranes from causes related to electricity in the past year. All of these deaths took place in the Lwengo district’s specified habitat zones for these birds.

According to him, the bodies of several other species that are significant to nature and tourism were also found. These included two marabou storks, also known as “kalooli”, two grey-headed herons, also known as “ssekanyolya”, one red-eyed dove, also known as “ejjuba”, and a pied crow, also known as “Namungoona”.

“Some of the birds are found underneath the power cables with wing damage, or they were electrocuted and quickly killed,” the report states. In addition, the expert observes that when the cranes fly in groups or move around at night, they are more likely to collide with power wires that may not be visible due to the dim lighting. This increases the risk of injury to the cranes.

On the other hand, he asserts that they have considered communicating with the companies that are responsible for the transmission and distribution of electricity in order to express their worries and suggest that the companies insulate the power lines as a safety measure.

He continues by saying that they also aim to mark the power transmission lines with multicolored flyers that can function as reflectors. This will make the wires more apparent to passersby and will ultimately prevent cranes from colliding with the cables while they are in flight.

He goes on to say that we are going to meet with these electrical supply companies very soon in the hopes that they will join us in our campaign to protect crested cranes, which are one of the most endangered species of wildlife in the world.

In addition, Ibrahim Kittata, the chairperson of the Lwengo district, emphasized how important it is for all of the relevant parties to collaborate on the implementation of the intervention in order to eliminate any and all threats to the existence of crested cranes.

According to Kitatta, for the past two years, the district has been vigorously engaged in a campaign of wetland restoration and conservation as a strategic intervention to protect the crested cranes. This campaign has been carried out under the direction of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities and in partnership with the International Crane Foundation.

According to Kitatta, it is vital that all parties concerned join the effort and make contributions that are pertinent to preventing the extinction of the valuable icon of the nation. This is the only way to ensure the success of the project.

According to the statistics on wildlife conservation kept by the Ministry of Tourism in Uganda, the country has lost 80% of its total population of 35,000 Crested Cranes over the course of the past 26 years.

Due to the fact that it is home to more than 1050 distinct species of birds, Uganda is one of the most visited countries in Africa for bird-watching tours. The number of bird species only accounts for 10% of the total number of bird species around the globe. In addition to this, it is the home of 24 endangered species that are only found in the Albertine Rift; the other endangered species can be found in Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Birds have been protected throughout history because of the social conventions that are linked with them, such as their role as totems for clans or as bearers of messages from the gods and the changing of the seasons.

The country of Uganda is blessed with a great number of prime birding locations that are home to a diverse collection of avian species. The tourism business in Uganda is significantly impacted as a result of these factors. There are many different types of habitats that are ideal for bird watching, including dense woodlands, marshes, wetlands, savannah vegetation, and rainforests.

On a Uganda tour, you will have the opportunity to visit these various tourist attractions. There are several national parks in Uganda, including Semuliki National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Mabamba Wetland Bay, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Nyamuriro Swamp, Maramagambo Forest, Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Mabira Forest, Pian Upe Game Reserve, Katonga Game Reserve, Ichuya Forest, and many others.

Why Hire an Extended Safari Land Cruiser for Uganda Safari

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Spice up your travel to the pearl of Africa with a strong, luxurious and comfortable safari vehicle especially an extended safari land cruiser. The Pearl of Africa, officially the Republic of Uganda is a landlocked country positioned in the eastern sub region of the African continent in the African Great Lakes region.

Bordered by Kenya to the east, south Sudan to the North, Tanzania to the south, Rwanda to the southwest, and Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda encompasses various amazing attractions from the savannah plains, hospitable and rich cultures to the rugged forests in different regions that house different species like birds, wildlife and primates. The country also encompasses the third highest African mountain, Mount Rwenzori and a portion of the second largest fresh water lake, Victoria and also the longest river in the world, River Nile.

With total area coverage of approximately 241,038 square kilometers, Uganda is among the best safari destinations on the African continent and the world at large due to the fact that almost 40% of the total land is reserved and conserved for tourism purposes. Among the reserved areas in the country include the national parks, sanctuaries, historical sites, cultural centers, cities and many others.

In these reserved areas, watch different attractions like the rare climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National park, various primate species such as chimpanzees, mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park respectively. Other national parks in Uganda include Murchison Falls National park which is the best place spot the four of the big five animals – Lions, African elephants, leopards and the African buffalos.

On your way to the park, it will be a great opportunity for you to spot the rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Ziwa is the only reserve where one can watch the Rhinoceros in Uganda. For a great memorable and experience during your safari, a safe and comfortable vehicle for a safari must be one of the priorities. Among the best recommended Uganda car rentals include an extended land cruiser. It is a customized safari vehicle that is able to tame the ultimate African terrains. This is so because it consist the features below;

Pop up rooftop

An extended land cruiser is recommended for a safari due to various features like a pop up roof which offers excellent game viewing and photography during the game driving exercise in the park trails. The vehicle also comes with the charge sockets and a fridge in case one opts for it.

Strong performance

An extended land cruiser safari vehicle is one of the unbreakable vehicles used to navigate the remote and tough routes to the tourist destinations of the Pearl of Africa. This is evidenced from its features including its tyre height and the strong body structure which enables it to tackle all the most challenging terrains in Uganda.

Comfortable

Accommodating 7 to 8 people, an extended land cruiser has enough space that makes the travellers comfortable and free during their safari. The comfort of the seats allows the nature lovers to take beautiful pictures of nature and wildlife and also the film makers to switch the places for amazing captures. Also the vehicle provides an extensive space for the cargo of the traveller.

Larger windows

With an extended land cruiser vehicle, spice up your safari with beautiful photography of the destination attractions like wildlife and vegetation cover. This can be done during different park experiences like game drives where you will have a clear and am zing view without any distraction.

Other features of the vehicle that makes it suitable for the Uganda safari include;

  • Transmission – 5 speed manual
  • Seating capacity – 7 to 8
  • Extensive cargo space
  • 5 doors
  • Air conditioner
  • 2 fuel tanks that make it hit the extra miles

 

Why Hire a Pop Up Roof Vehicle for your Uganda Safari

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Uganda is one of the splendid experiences to encounter during a safari on the African continent. Located in the Eastern part of Africa, Uganda is bordered by different countries including Kenya to the East, South Sudan to the North, DR Congo to the west, Rwanda to the southwest and Tanzania to the south.

The country encompasses a number of unique attractions including the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park, the tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth national park, the mighty waterfalls in Murchison Falls National park, the golden monkeys in Mgahinga national park and chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park.

Other attractions include a portion of the largest fresh water body – Lake Victoria which is shared with Kenya and Tanzania.

To access these safari destinations, various vehicles can be used during the safari but the one with a pop up roof provides a peculiar experience more than the others. Among the vehicles one can hire with a pop up roof include the land cruisers and safari vans and mini vans. All these cars are comfortable and strong to navigate through all kinds of Uganda roads to the safari destinations.  There are various reasons as to why an adventurous traveller should get a Uganda car rental with a pop up roof and among these include;

 Perfect Wildlife viewing experience

Uganda is a home to a number of wildlife species found in the open plains of different national parks like Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national park, Murchison falls national park and others. These destinations offer splendid views of various wildlife species including lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, hyenas and many others. All these animals can be seen clearly during game drive exercises in a pop up roof vehicle.

Comfortable and reliable

A pop up roof vehicle is comfortable and can easily be relied on during game viewing experiences. These vehicles especially the land cruisers are strong enough thus enabling them to reach every safari destination and also cross through all the terrains

Clear and Perfect Photography

While travelling in a pop up roof vehicle, expect to have beautiful photography of different attractions in the safari destinations including the vegetation covers, wildlife species, bird life and many others. These photographs taken will make your safari a life time story to tell.

A Tale Of Seven Seas Restaurant

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The Seven Seas restaurant is the best restaurant I have ever had a signature meal in Kampala. The meal was fixed to suit my taste, don’t ask me what I order for! (Hahahahaha…) The restaurant is found at the Sheraton Kampala Hotelnear the patio just after the Equator bar on the right.

The spectacular fresh breath taking ambience with celestial classical melodies from the well fitted speakers calm and relax you to enjoy your meal. The open air architecture allowing fresh air from the surrounding and view of beautiful trees is truly worth to experience.

The food, the bites and the drinks served here are meticulously prepared and served with expertise from their highly experienced chefs like Mehmet Demirogullari and waiters respectively. For those challenged by sea food, the restaurant offers you a variety of both continental and local cuisines. Probably one of the very few restaurants in Kampala that serve sea food as well as local cuisines.

The sight of the elegantly dressed waiters and waitresses who are so hospitable makeyou feel at home not to forget the wonderful reception you receive when you arrive the Restaurant.

Not only that, the ship imitated décor around the restaurant makes you want to know more about the restaurant as you weight for your meal. The spectacular huge ship like table in the centre of the restaurant keeps your eyes looking around for more; I must say that’s a unique way to keep a guest entertained.

If you are worried about delayed orders, you are now sorted because all orders are given priority and you are served in the shortest time. I think this restaurant is worth trying out because I was all smiles when I was there. It’s good for dates, meetings, luncheons and exploratory guests.

Quick Tips On How to Get Ahead In Life

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I can’t say that I have made it. However I would like to share some lessons I have learnt or experienced over the short period of time I have been involved in the rental & staging business.

How good do you want to be?

On one of the Creative Stage Lighting webinars, Richard Cadena asked these questions and to be honest they have shaped me in a sense.

  • Do you want to be the best amongst your peers?
  • Do you want to be the best in your country?
  • Do you want to be the best on your continent?
  • Do you want to be one of the best in the world?

There are no wrong answers to this question and of course no guarantees that what you decide will come to fruition. However this will indeed determine the number of hours you put in and the sacrifices you will have to make.

If your goal is to be the best lighting programmer (if there is such a thing) on your continent don’t expect to log the same hours on the board as someone who wants to be the best amongst his peers.

Clear goals, small steps & consistent action.

So you have figured out where you want to be in the grand scheme of things, now it’s time to take the necessary steps to get there. Entertainment technology, be it software or hardware can have an immense learning curve so it’s important that you are really focused.

Clear goals and small steps toward them mean nothing if you are not consistent. I can attest to having to start from scratch with a software because I abandoned it for a month while still learning.

Mentorship

I know in the age of YouTube videos and widely available tutorials (which I love) many people feel like they do not need the counsel of someone who has more experience. If you are fortunate enough to have someone take you on and show you the ropes, do not squander the opportunity. You can learn stuff no course, degree or certification can teach you.

Be amiable

It does not matter how talented or gifted you are, if people cringe at the mention of your name you may not get very far. You may be the best programmer in the world for all we know, but if people don’t want to work with you, your amazing skills probably won’t be utilized.

You don’t have to be an a**

Forgive my language but this is the only word that fits. This is for the future you. You know, when you have “made it” or “have arrived”, regardless of whether it’s true or just in your head. I am not referring to people who yell (“positive reinforcement”) or insult (“words of encouragement”) others at the slightest hiccup.

I am referring to people who go out of their way and spend considerable amounts of energy diminishing the self-worth of others. A good place to see these people in action is forums and some industry Facebook pages. Do not become that guy/girl. If you have to beret others to feel good about yourself, you need help.

I hope this is helpful to any newbie like myself.

Victor Hatega, CTS® is a Freelance AV Professional|Lighting Designer /Programmer. Feel free to send your “words of encouragement” to victor@victorhatega.com

Tips for Women Drivers in Uganda

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So in Uganda today we are witnessing an increasing number of female drivers mostly young graduates who are fresh from campus fresh from campus. They can be seen cruising vehicles ranging from ordinary saloon cars to state of the art SUV’s but have you ever wondered just how they maintain these cars or if they actually know what they are driving?

Lets check out a few pointer’s that our ladies need to look out before taking that car out for a spin.

Things To Look Out For When Buying A Car

Mileage of the engine:This is crucial in determining how long the car had been used overseas by the previous owners and it also helps you to determine the life span of the engine and how often you will be visiting a mechanic shop.

Safety: Find out by asking your mechanic or Google if the particular model you are interested in is equipped with anti lock brakes which is a modern braking system also if the suspension of the car can sustain its stability all this is crucial in determining the speeds you can do in your car.

Engine capacity: The bigger the engine the more fuel you will spend and the also the higher your service charges will be with the mechanic.So determine what you want to use the car for and then pick a model that suits you best.

Professional advice: It’s crucial to seek assistance from a person who understands vehicles s that they can help you do a thorough check of your car to assess if it has welding marks which may be a sign that it was involved in a crash before.Also they can check things like tyres, suspension,plugs etc to ascertain how well the car has been kept.

Research this should be key in your search for a new car to determine availability of spare parts for your car and the common challenges associated with  that particular model .

Budget above all its crucial that when shopping for a car make sure you have a clear budget otherwise the car dealers can easily sway you to opt for a more expensive model and thus end up squeezing your budget or borrowing a loan.

Reliability for ladies its very important you buy a car that is reliable both off road and urban drive hence it would be a wise choice to get a vehicle with a four wheel drive system to reduce fears of being stuck in mud.

Comfort this is also another aspect to watch out for especially fr women you need to ensure the car you are buying is comfortable on the inside

Service Point It’s key that you establish a good relationship with your mechanic because when it comes to cars it all boils down to one thing TRUST.

So ladies next time you wanna drive that adorable car of your dreams, always remember its not just about driving but how well you understand what you are driving especially on Ugandan roads.

8 Exercises to Help You Lose that Weight

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Here are eight exercises to help you bulk up and tone those muscles; like a boss.

From pushups, to mountain climbers, burpees and jumping knee tucks, the exercises below can be teamed in a 5 minute workout you can do every day. And the good news is, this is a gym-less routine which helps you gain body mass; if you are looking to build up some muscle, losing the excess body fat and building general body strength. I have tried this over the last couple of weeks and the results are outstanding.

Pushups

The most popular on the list, pushups will help you work on your upper body to build strength and mass in your arms (biceps) and chest. Pushups are the best chest exercise there is ever.

Mountain Climbers

Similar to the pushup stance, mountain climbers focus on toning your midsection (torso). Assume the pushup position and alternate between knees in a running stance.
Mountain climbers

Double Pump squat jumps

As the name suggests, with your hands at the back of your head, jump up and extend your body low into a squat. Jump every two squats. This exercise helps to tone you thigh muscles.

Burpee

A burpee is a full body stretch exercise starting with a pushup and ending in a hands-up jump. After a pushup, stand up on your feet and jump with your arms stretched upwards; a full burpee. Then repeat.

High Knees

High knees are all about stationary running; the goal is to raise your knees up to your core (Abs). Remember to contract your stomach muscles for maximum contraction on your Abs.
High knees -common in soccer training sessions.

High knees -common in soccer training sessions.

Knees-to-Elbow planks

Assume a pushup stance and moving your knees around your sides, touch your elbows; one knee at a time. Knees-to-elbows will help work your core and tone your love handles (sides of your abdomen).

Jumping knees tucks

Like the high knees, jumping knee tucks involve raising your knees well above your waist and this introduces contraction in your core and helps you to lose belly fat. Jump as high as possible in every tuck for full effect. See illustration.
Jump as high as you can.

Jumping Lunges

Lunges are meant to work your leg and thigh muscles to build strength and stamina in your lower body sections. Jumping lunges involve lowering your bodyweight onto the extended leg.

Alternate both legs during the jumping lunges

The above exercises can be combined in a 5 minute workout interchanging from every 30 seconds. With this 5 minute cardio workout, you can good bye to the local gym. The routine is also a good warm up exercise for professional and gym regulars. Try it today and be get in shape.

11 Tips On Being A Formidable Leader

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Whether your consciously aware of it or not, on some level you are continually leading yourself and others.

You don’t necessarily have to have a large team reporting to you to be considered a leader and to need effective leadership skills.

In one leadership study, qualities such as assertiveness, adaptability, intelligence and conscientiousness were cited as the most important leadership skills.

Research clearly shows that transformational leaders – leaders who are positive, inspiring, and who empower and develop followers – are better leaders.

They are more valued by followers and have higher performing teams.

As a result, it would only make sense that you strive to improve your leadership skills and get the most out of life for everyone in your sphere.

Consider these 8 tips for how to improve your leadership skills so as to become a better leader and think about ways that you can implement these strategies in your daily life at work.

Have a clear vision

Take the time to share your vision, your mission and your goals with your team. Your job as a leader is to provide a clear path that your team can follow.

Your team also must understand why the goals you have set are valuable to them. Take the time to explain to them, in detail, why and how your vision will not only improve the business, but how it will benefit them in return.

Include your team in your strategic planning sessions, ask for feedback and get them to “buy into” your vision for the future of the company.

Know and utilize your strengths and gifts

You have unique gifts and natural leadership skills that you were born with and personal strengths you’ve developed over your lifetime.

Realizing and utilizing these gifts and strengths will assist you in being a formidable leader.

Be Passionate

This is one of the most important leadership skills. Would you look to someone for guidance and leadership if they did not truly care about the goals of the group?

Of course not! Great leaders are not just focused on getting group members to finish tasks; they have a genuine passion and enthusiasm for the projects they work on.

Start by thinking of different ways that you can express your zeal. Let people know that you care about their progress.

Live in accordance with your morals and values

Making choices and taking actions out of accordance with your morals and values leaves you with a nagging “bad” feeling.

This feeling seeping in from your subconscious mind hinders your success in your career and your relationships.

On the other hand, making choices and taking actions aligned with your morals and values helps you succeed almost effortlessly as key leadership skills.

People sense integrity and will naturally respect your opinion and leadership.

Serve as a role model

The best leaders walk the walk and talk the talk. As a result, group members admire these leaders and work to emulate these behaviors.

If you want to become a better leader, work on modeling the qualities that you would like to see in your team members.

Set definitive goals and follow concrete action plans

You have to know where your destination is before you can map out a plan to get there. To improve your leadership skills, first set specific life goals with appropriate timelines.

Design your goals by moving backwards from the end of your life to the present week. Then, formulate action plans you can commit to that will get you to where you want to be.

Maintain a positive attitude

No one respects a grumpy or negative person. With a positive attitude you are looking at the bright side of life.

People are naturally attracted to you when you have a positive attitude. By being positive, you will lead a happier life, as well as be surrounded by other positive people.

You will also magically attract exciting offers and possibilities.

Improve communication skills

Having great leadership skills includes your being able to clearly and specifically communicate your vision, goals, skills, intentions, and expectations to others.

This also includes your ability to listen to what other people are consciously or unconsciously communicating.

To become a great communicator, continually strive to improve your verbal, nonverbal, and listening skills.

The greatest leaders are those who include everyone in their sphere of influence by recognizing each person’s greatest value.

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To be one of these leaders, look beyond the obvious and see others with insight and compassion.

Home Selling Tips That You Need To Know

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Selling property becomes challenging as days go by. With the rise of high speed internet and multiple listings services such as Jumia House a lot of information is available to potential buyers. This is why first time home sellers have to be extra cautious when selling their homes to ensure they get it right the first time. Here are 7 super important tips you can use to sell your home.

The price must be right

The first couple of weeks of your home being listed for sale will see the most traffic. Take advantage of this and ensure that your property is competitively priced. Do your research and find out the initial asking prices of other homes for sale like yours in your neighborhood.

Don’t be a sore loser

Many first time sellers make the mistake of insisting on setting a selling price solely based on sentiments. This will only result in a house that sits on the market for far too long. The housing market is largely based on supply and demand and thus, your house is valued to be worth only what buyers are willing to pay for. Always enlist the help of a professional valuer and agent and remember to assess sale prices and not asking prices of houses when doing research.

Add some freebies

Who doesn’t like free stuff? It’s a great advantage to your sale if you have any appliances in good condition that you can sell off with the house. This will typically be appliances that are difficult to move or not needed in your new home. It may not always end up being a complete sale, but it could sweeten the deal for potential buyers and spur them to buy at the asking price. This is a win win situation as the option of transporting such appliances may often be tedious and costly.

Set the stage

A clean house is always important in a sale. It’s often overlooked but it is gravely important. However, most first time sellers are usually selling a smaller home, and with that comes clutter. Don’t leave your buyers with the impression that your home is cramped.

Be sure to clear up all the clutter in your house before even attempting to show any potential buyers the property.  Get rid of any furniture that takes up too much space in order to make the room look more spacious.

Turnkey ready is a must

Many home buyers are secretly lazy, so sell them a home that needs minimal work. If there are any repairs to be done, do them. If there’s a carpet that needs cleaning, go ahead and clean it. Bushes and grass needs tending? Tend to it. All these minimal repairs adds value to your home and makes it easier for potential buyers to accept your initial asking price.

Upgrade within reason

The worst thing you can do on a house for sale is to lose money on repairs. Spend wisely and always ask for the advice of professionals before making any upgrades or repairs to your house.

If you happen to do an expensive remodel on a kitchen in your home where the houses in that area never sell for over a certain amount of money, you may not be able to recoup such costs in your sale. You can never go wrong with inexpensive repairs and fixes such as a fresh lick of paint.

Hire a professional

We can’t stress this enough. For first time sellers, this is pretty much your fairy godmother. A professional real estate agent will guide you through the whole process and save you some costly mistakes.

You may not like the idea of sharing a percentage of your profit but it’s a much better option than making expensive mistakes and losing money.

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