Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to the Hotel.
Day 2: Visit to the source of the Nile.
Day 3: To Murchison Falls NP Early morning we will pick you from the hotel or guesthouse of your choice and take you to Murchison Falls National Park. We will stop for lunch in Masindi and then drive for 90kms through the park, aiming for Paraa. On the way we will visit the Top of the Falls, with a wonderful view over Murchison Falls and the Nile. We will reach Paraa late in the afternoon, and Luxury Tour participants will cross the Nile by ferry to reach Paraa Safari Lodge. The day will close with a cool drink and a fabulous view over the river Nile, and the evening coming with all the noise of an African night.
* Driving time: ± 7,5 hours
* Simple accommodation: Red Chilli Paraa Bandas
* Luxury tour: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge
Day 4: In Murchison Falls NP The day will be spent viewing game around the park and along the Nile. We will leave early in the morning (if staying at Nile Safari Lodge or Red Chilli Paraa we will cross the Nile with the ferry at 7.00am) and go on a game drive from 8.00am to 12.00noon, seeing several animals including lions and giraffes. In the afternoon (2.00pm to 5.00 pm) we will go on the impressive launch trip on the Nile, up to the Falls, giving you a chance to see hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and many different birds!
* Simple accommodation: Red Chilli Paraa Bandas
* Luxury Tour: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge
Day 5: In Murchison Falls NP Early in the morning the boat will take us downstream to the Delta, where the Nile enters Lake Albert. This trip of 5-6 hours will show us all the beauty of this national park especially the delta with all the different birds. This is a good chance to see the elusive Shoebill Stork! In the afternoon you can relax, and if you are on the Luxury Tour you can swim at your respective Lodges.
* Simple accommodation: Red Chilli Paraa Bandas
* Luxury Tour: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge
Day 6: To Kibale Forest. Early in the morning we will leave for Kibale Forest. We will pass close to Lake Albert: on a clear day the view from the top of the Albert rift is spectacular. In the afternoon we will arrive at Chimpanzee Guesthouse, overlooking Nyabikere Crater Lake, where we will stay. The lake is famous for the frogs: at night they always give a beautiful concert. Sometimes we also stay directly in Kibale Forest, sleeping with the noises of the tropical rainforest.
* Driving time: ± 9 hours
* Simple accommodation: Chimpanzee Guesthouse/Bandas or Primate Lodge/Simple Bandas (self-contained)
* Luxury Tour: Ndali Lodge or Primate Lodge in Luxury Tents
Day 7: Chimp walk At 8.00am we will start with the 4 hour chimp walk - during which you may also get to see 10 other primates! Kibale park is also known for all the butterflies and birds. In the afternoon we will walk through Bigodi Swamp (home to a community based project).
* Simple Accommodation: Chimpanzee Guesthouse/Bandas or Primate Lodge/Simple Bandas (self-contained)
* Luxury Tour: Ndali Lodge or Primate Lodge in Luxury Tents
Day 8: To Queen Elizabeth NP Early morning we will leave for Queen Elizabeth NP. We will travel through Fort Portal and reach Mweya in Queen Elizabeth NP at midday, with a stunningly beautiful view over Kazinga Channel. You will check in at your accommodation of choice and have lunch, and in the late afternoon (4.00-7.00pm) we will go on a game drive.
* Driving time: ± 4, 5 hours
* Simple Accommodation: Mweya Hostels (toilet and showers are shared)
* Luxury Tour: Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana safari Lodge
Day 9: In Queen Elizabeth NP This day is for a game drive on the plains of Queen Elizabeth NP, with thousands of Ugandan kobs, lions, elephants etc. Also on the programme is a two hours launch trip on the Kazinga channel where we will see all the animals from the waterside.
* Simple Accommodation: Mweya Hostels (toilet and showers are shared)
* Luxury Tour: Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana safari Lodge
Day 10: In Queen Elizabeth NP Our second day in this beautiful park. Very early in the morning after breakfast we will go to Kyambura Gorge. Here people can go for a 3-4 hour walk into the Gorge to meet the chimpanzees. After Lunch at Jacana Safari Lodge, we will drive for 2 hours to the Southern sector of Queen Elizabeth called Ishasha Sector, famous for its tree climbing lions. Game drive in the afternoon to search for the tree climbing lions.
* Simple Accommodation: Ishasha Bandas (toilet and showers are shared)
* Luxury Tour: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Day 11: To Bwindi. In the morning we will go on a game drive looking for the unique tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP, and in the afternoon we will continue to Bwindi. On the trip we will pass Kihihi and journey through mountains, hills and with cultivated terraces and tropical rainforest.
* Driving time: ± 4,5 hours
* Simple accommodation: Buhoma Community Bandas (toilet and showers are shared)
* Luxury Tour: Buhoma Homestead Lodge
Day 12: Gorilla Tracking The day of gorilla tracking!
Buhoma is only 5 minutes' walk from the offices of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP, where at 7.45am you will receive a briefing and at 8.30am you will start the gorilla trek. Once you have found the gorillas, you will be able to spend up to one hour with them! You will be expected back to the starting point by 7.00pm at the latest.
* Simple accommodation: Buhoma Community Bandas (toilet and showers are shared)
* Luxury Tour: SilverBack Lodge.
Day 13: To Lake Bunyonyi After breakfast we will drive to Lake Bunyonyi, a beautiful place surrounded by the hills of Western Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi is famous for birds, otters and delicious crayfish. We will spend the rest of the day here, have a swim if you want, try a canoe, or simply relax looking at the over 300 birds species you can sometimes see from the veranda (bring your binoculars)!
* Driving time: ± 4, 5 hours
* Simple accommodation: Overland Campsite and Bandas (self contained and breakfast inclusive)
* Luxury Tour: Bushara Island Luxury Tented Camp or Bunyonyi Safari Resort
Day 14: To Kisoro Early in the morning we will leave for Kisoro, travelling through a beautiful landscape also defined as the "Switzerland of Africa": mountains, lakes, hills with cultivated terraces, tropical rainforest and bamboo forest. On the last hill the landscape unfolds beneath us, taking in the vast planes between Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, with the Virunga volcanoes dominating the view. At the bottom of the valley is Kisoro, where we will stay .
* Driving time: ± 3, 5 hours
* Simple accommodation: Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro
* Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro (Suite Room)
Days 15-16: In Kisoro
Days 15 and 16 will be spent in and around Kisoro, with Travellers Rest Hotel as the home base. In Kisoro you can undertake several very interesting activities, all of which can be done individually or in groups. They include:
1. Gorilla tracking in Nkuringo, South Bwindi (1 day - this could be either day 13 or 14, depending on the availability of permits).
2. Gorilla tracking in Rwanda (requires staying in Rwanda the night before, so for example if you decide to trek gorillas in Rwanda on day 14 you will spend the night of day 13 there). After the trekking you will cross back to Kisoro.
3. Climbing Muhavura Volcano (± 8 hrs; distance 12km; height 4127m; elevation gain 1700m).
4. Climbing Gahinga Volcano (± 6 hrs; distance 8km; height 3474m; elevation gain 1100m).
5. Visit to Sabinyo Gorge (± 4 hrs; distance 6km, no elevation gain).
6. Climbing Sabinyo Volcano (Sabinyo has three peaks, you can climb all three in the same walk, but you need to be fit!! ± 8 hrs; distance 14 km; height 3669m, elevation gain 1300 m).
7. Hiking in Mgahinga to the viewpoint and Garama Cave (pygmy cave) (± 4 hrs; distance 1 and 4 km).
8. Bird walk in Mgahinga (start at 10am, it can last until 4-5pm).
9. Several bicycle rides on mountain bikes. From 25km to 50km. The hills can be steep and tough!
10. Cultural village walk (with a local guide walking through the land of the Bufumbira tribe)
11. Walk to Lake Mutanda. Visit Python island and go canoeing orvist the punishment island. on this beautiful lake.
* Simple accommodation: Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro
* Luxury Tour: Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro (Suite Room)
Day 17: To Lake Mburo Early in the morning we will leave for Lake Mburo National Park. You will have lunch in Mbarara before you continue to Lake Mburo, a smaller but unique park, and the only one in the Western part of Uganda with impalas and zebras. In the park we will go on an evening game-viewing drive.
* Driving time: ± 5,5 hours
* Simple accommodation: Uganda Wildlife Authority Bandas (Shower and toilets are shared)
* Luxury Tour: Mihingo Lodge or Mantana Luxury Tented Camp
Day 18: To Kampala Eary in the morning we will go for a game drive/walk, and after a late breakfast the last part of the journey will bring us back to Kampala. On the way back you will have lunch in Masaka town, and after Masaka there will be an opportunity to a stop at the Equator for photo shoots and buying souvenirs and have tea or coffee. We will then bring you to a guesthouse, campsite or hotel of your choice in Kampala or Entebbe - or, if you are to continue your holiday somewhere else or back home, we will bring you directly to Entebbe airport for an onwards flight.
* Driving time: ± 9 hours
NB: Standard tours have simple accommodation. Luxury Tours provide you with the best accommodation available.
PRICES (IN DOLLARS )FOR 2009-2010
18 DAYS UGANDA TOTAL
---------BUDGET ----
MIDRANGE -----TOP END
2PAX ------------ --.--
6610 ----------7780
3PAX ---------------.--5369
----------6591
4PAX --- .4826
.................4826 ---.....---
5996
5PAX ----4469 --------
4469 ---.------5639
6PAX ----4232 --------
4232.-----.---------
6-12PAX .4232 -------
------.-------------
PLEASE NOTE: Rates include Transport, accommodation, park entrance fees and permits where applicable (chimpanzee and gorillas)
However, they DO NOT include Visa fees, meals, souvenirs, air tickets and other personal expenses.
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