UGANDA EXPLORER SAFARI - 2006

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SAFARI HIGHTLIGHTS.
Day 1 - The Sheraton Hotel – Kampala
Day 2 – Ndali Lodge – Kibale Forest
Day 3 - Ndali Lodge – Kibale Forest
Day 4 – Mweya Safari Lodge – Queen Elizabeth Nat. Park
Day 5 - Mweya Safari Lodge – Queen Elizabeth Nat. Park
Day 6 – Buhoma Homestead – Bwindi Impenetrable Nat. Park
Day 7 - Buhoma Homestead – Bwindi Impenetrable Nat. Park
Day 8 - Kampala and departure.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN KAMPALA, THE SHERATON HOTEL.

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport on board flight…… at ……hrs, go through the passport control then down to the luggage collection hall. Collect your luggage from the conveyor belt and walk out to the arrival concourse. Someone shall be waiting for you holding a folder written 'YOUR NAME'.

Drive from the airport to Kampala Sheraton Hotel and check in. Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at Kampala Sheraton Hotel - bed and breakfast.

DAY 2 – KAMPALA TO KABALE FOREST.

After breakfast drive to Fort Portal which nestles in the shadow of the fabled ‘Mountains of the Moon’.

Afternoon visit to Bigodi Swamp, see smaller mammals and primates like the rare red colobus monkey and the sitatunga.

Overnight at Ndali Lodge – fullboard.

DAY 3 – KABALE FOREST.

This day is spent searching for chimpanzees and other primates including l’hoestes, red colobus, blues, red tailed and gray-cheeked mangabey.

The guide will provide you with detailed explanations on primates, the forest fauna and the flora. The walk is both informative and enjoyable.

Overnight at Ndali Lodge – fullboard.

DAY 4 – KABALE FOREST TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK.

After breakfast drive to Queen Elizabeth Nat. Park following the mystical Ruwenzori Mountain range.

A game drive en-route may be rewarded with views of lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena and a variety of antelope species.

After lunch, enjoy the unique 2 hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos. Many animals may be seen drinking at the water edge. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colourful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species.

Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge – fullboard.

DAY 5 – QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

This day is solely reserved for morning and afternoon game drives at the Queen Elizabeth Nat. Park. This park has a diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters. This is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzoris as a back drop provides excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, giant forest hog, cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda kob, topi and bushbuck.

Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge – fullboard.

DAY 6 – QUEEN ELIZABETH NAT. PARK TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NAT. PARK.

After breakfast, drive to ‘Switzerland of Africa’ area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi.

Overnight at Buhoma Homestead – fullboard.

DAY 7 – BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NAT. PARK.

After an early breakfast, enter into the Gorilla Sanctuary.

This rainforest is spectacular. It offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, criss-crossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists.

Mammals include the endangered Mt. Gorillas, rare golden monkey, buffalo, elephant, black-fronted duiker, bushbuck, leopard, giant forest hog etc. This park is best known for the fascinating gorillas. The thrill of observing the gorillas is a rare, moving, exciting adventure. The gorilla is a shy and peaceful animal.

Overnight at Buhoma Homestead – fullboard.

DAY 8 – KAMPALA AND DEPARTURE.

After breakfast, drive to Mbarara for lunch. Continue in the afternoon to Kampala and depart as per your flight details.

COST:
USD 2,335.- PER PERSON SHARING IN DOUBLE ROOM
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT - USD 375.-

Cost includes-
·         All transfers
·         Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
·         Safari vehicle
·         Experienced English speaking driver guide during the safari
·         Game drives
·         All park entrance fees.
·         1 Gorilla permit per person

Not included-
·         International flights and taxes
·         Visa fees for Kenya and Rwanda
·         Personal insurance policy
·         Personal effects and toiletries
·         Laundry and telephones.
·         Drinks
·         Tips.

IMPORTANT ASPECTS TO NOTE AT BWINDI IMPENETRABLE.

Once you locate the gorillas,the maximum permitted time with them is strictly one hour. Once inside the forest, the following must be observed

Ø No spitting in the park
Ø No littering
Ø No coughing in the direction of the gorillas
Ø Only speak in whispers
Ø Do not point at the gorillas
Ø Movement around the gorillas must be unthreatening
Ø No venturing behind thick shrubs. You may surprise a gorilla
Ø If you get stung by a nettle, do not cry out, scream, shoot-out loud or make any sudden moves
Ø If a gorilla charges or vocalizes, do not look directly at it. Stand perfectly still unless the guide asks you to crouch or move back.

ESSENTIALS ITEMS FOR THE HIKE.

Ø Long pants (jeans/khakis) and long sleeve shirt
Ø Good hiking boots
Ø Light weight rain coat
Ø Cap/hat
Ø Camera (no flash) / personal camcorder
Ø Drinking water