Uganda: Land of the Ultimate Wildlife Encounter
February 19 - March 4, 2010 February 18 - March 3, 2011
Dear World Adventure Traveler;
Three years ago I experienced a trip of a lifetime and I am a seasoned traveler (have visited 6 of the 7 continents and 60 countries). As I stepped into a jungle clearing and met the gaze of an immense silverback who watched over a family of mountain gorillas, I realized that I would have to return and bring others with me who wanted to experience this personal encounter with one of the most magnificent animals in the wildlife kingdom.
Destination: Uganda, the Pearl of Africa - the Cradle of the Nile.
National Geographic TRAVELER magazine, in its 25th anniversary addition, heralds a trip to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda as one of the 50 world destinations of a lifetime. Here you will be led on a jungle trek in the Albertine Rift Valley to visit some of the world’s estimated 700 mountain gorillas.
My trip felt like a step back in time to mid 20th century Africa. I cruised up the Victoria Nile to Murchison Falls seeing elephants, hippos, giant crocodiles, hundreds of birds I hadn’t even dreamed of - but never another group of tourists. I rode out in the early morning sunlight across the savannah of the Mburo National Park to see the herds of zebra, plonking impala, topi and eland - and was surprised by a magnificent leopard sitting quietly in the grasses. But it wasn’t just the Big 5 of Africa (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) it was the people and the culture. We visited schools and clinics and road-side markets. We were sung to spontaneously by children in a village school yard. We watched fisherman haul in their catch and herders move the gigantic horned ankole cattle along the backroads. We ate a traditional lunch in a local family home. At night we stayed in beautiful lodging built into the natural terrain of the land with long vistas of the African sunsets.
Now I have arranged to take a small group back to Uganda to be led by the incomparable Cliff Kisitu, owner of CliffEdgeUganda Safaris. He is the preferred safari company of Disney World Wildlife Fund, Jane Goodall Institute, and the Planet Earth/BBC filmmaker Alistair Fothergill whose next film will be of the chimpanzees of Kibale Forest which we too will visit on safari. Cliff knows 25 dialects and the related customs of the many Ugandan tribes. He also knows 100’s of birds, some indigenous only to Uganda. He knows the individual park rangers and best times of day to be at any given site. We will be privileged to have him as our own personal safari guide.
Uganda is one of Africa’s best kept secrets. Few countries can boast the infinite variety of flora and fauna and such diverse and spectacular scenery. Uganda has much to offer the first time visitor to Africa as well as veteran travelers. This trip is planned for two weeks in February 2010 and 2011. It suits the sole traveler, the couple or family and the small group. Plan ahead for next year or be lucky to take one or two of the last available spots on this coming year’s trip.
For more information, call 510-339-1832 or write mwcaclub@aol.com.
Barbara Price
Barbara Price Productions
Uganda Luxury Safari Highlights and Itinerary February, 2010 and 2011
Day 1: Arrival. CEU meets you at Entebbe airport and transfers you to Kampala.
Overnight Kampala Sheraton (2 nts)
Day 2: Day at leisure or optional tour of Kampala; Old Kampala, Craft market, Kasumbi tombs, Ndere Dance Troupe, Baha’i Temple, Namirembe and Rubaga cathedrals. Welcome Dinner.
Optional Supplemental Excursion: Drive thru Mabira Rainforest, visit Bujagali Falls and Source of the Nile, lunch at Jinja on Lake Victoria with fine colonial-era Asian architecture.
Full day trip ($200 add’l excursion fee)
Day 3: Early departure from Kampala to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to see Rhinos - walking safari and bird-watching. Late lunch at top of Murchison Falls with beautiful views of the world’s largest natural force of water roaring through a 20ft gap in the rocks, dropping 145ft over escarpment. Overnight Paraa Lodge, Murchison Falls Nat’l Park (2 nts).
Day 4: Early morning game drive on northern bank of River Nile, seeing giraffe, hartebeest, elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, sitatunga, oribi. Afternoon Boat Safari on the Nile River to bottom of Falls. Spectacular aquatic bird watching and river wildlife including elephants, hippos, giant Nile crocodiles. Chance of seeing the rare shoebill.
Day 5: Drive from Murchison to Ndali amidst the Bunyaruguru crater lake region on Western Uganda, seeing African landscapes of savannah and forest, agricultural area rich with endless fruits and vegetables, small town life, countryside picnic lunch. Spectacular views of Lake Albert. Many photo opportunities. Overnight Ndali Lodge (2 - 3 nts).
Day 6: Drive to Kibale Forest for morning Chimp Trekking on foot with expert Kibale guides. Kibale has the greatest variety and density of primates on earth (13 species). Jane Goodall has developed the Chimp habituation project in kibale which allows close viewing of several chimp families. Excellent chimp trekking, various monkeys, besides buffalo, genet and civet. Prolific bird watching such as: black crowned waxbill. grey-headed oliveback.
Traditional African Home visit lunch at Tinka’s Place. We are welcomed to the traditional kasisira (round gathering hut) and enjoy a home-cooked meal of traditional foods. Optional afternoon walk at Bigodi Swamp for birds and primates; an eco-tourism venture run by the local community.
Day 7: Morning at leisure. Optional local school visit. Leave Ndali Lodge after lunch. Drive through foothills of Rwenzori Mountains, through tea plantations and stop at Equator. Continue
to Queen Elizabeth National Park and the treehouse lodges of Jacana Lodge.
Overnight at Jacana Lodge (2 nts)
Day 8: Morning Game Drive with hippo grazing, lions hunting, spotted hyena, elephant, bushbuck, Uganda kob, elusive leopard. Over 630 bird species; more than any other protected area in Africa. Afternoon safari launch cruise on famous Kazinga Channel, a birding paradise acts as a migrant bird trap. One of world’s largest concentration of hippos – over 30,000. Local fishing village life on the banks. Game drive on return to Jacana Lodge.
Day 9: Drive to Ishasha, southern sector of QENP through Western Rift Valley with savannah grasses and acacia. Prolific game and birds. Picnic lunch watching hippo families on Ishasha River.
Afternoon Game Drive in hopes of seeing lions lounging in Sycamore trees, topi, leopard, elephant. Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for the famous Mountain Gorillas. Beautiful drive through Kigezi Highlands of southwestern Uganda. Breathtaking scenery. Good photo opportunities. Wildlife, plant life, roadside cultural life. Birds might include Redtailed Bristle bill, Rare Redfronted Ant-pecker. Overnight at Silverback Lodge (2 - 3nts.)
Day 10: Gorilla Trekking with expert trackers and guides. Bwindi is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. This is the most exciting and challenging point of the safari. Serious hiking to find the roaming gorillas in their shifting daily locale. Face to face with these ancient peaceful giants for one hour is one of nature’s great blessings. We are led by rangers who know the gorilla families well and assisted by trained local porters who can carry knapsacks, cameras, water and lend a helping hand for the trail.
Optional afternoon in nearby Buhoma village. Cultural youth dance performance. Craft shopping. Bwindi Community Clinic.
Day 11: Drive through breathtaking mountains to Lake Mburo National Park. Herds of dramatic Ankole cattle with amazing long horns share the roads.
Overnight at Mantana Tented Camp (2 nts).
Day 12: Morning Game walk with ranger. Zebra, plonking impala, topi, eland, possible leopard. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 13: Drive to Entebbe stopping at Craft Market, roadside produce and fresh fish stands, Equator, Drum makers.
Day Room or Overnight in Entebbe Lake Victoria Hotel, depending on departing flight.
General Information
Safari Rates: $6450 double occupancy. Single supplement available.
Non-refundable deposit of $1000 at time of booking, payable by check to Barbara Price Productions. Final payment due 90 days prior to departure.
Cancellation and Refunds: 91 days before departure, 100% minus deposit; 61 - 90 days prior to departure, less 50% of tour cost;
less than 60 days prior to departure, refund dependent on amount recoverable from overseas suppliers.
Uganda Custom Safari includes:
Meals and bottled water, accommodations based on double occupancy, park and ranger fees as listed in itinerary, gorilla, chimpanzee and rhino trekking fees, driver guide gratuities, meals except where specified below. Ugandan-born professional safari guide who will be our companion, out teacher, and at our service throughout the trip.
Comfortable wildlife viewing in specially equipped 4-wheel drive vehicles with popped top roofs. On-site welcome dinner and orientation. Complete pre-departure information.
Price does not include: international flights, optional one day excursion to Jinja and source of the Nile, optional second day of gorilla trekking, meals in Kampala and Entebbe except Welcome Dinner, optional additional gratuities for guides, trip insurance, passport, visa and immunization fees, personal items such as laundry, fax/phone/email charges, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages.
There will be a third night at one of the lodges depending on interests. The trip will include a 3rd night in order of following priority: Silverback Lodge in Bwindi National Park if there is a 2nd day of gorilla trekking, at Ndali Lodge to explore the traditional farm, tea plantation, local school or day care center or Lake Victoria Hotel for trip to Jinja and source of the Nile, depending on interests.
TRAVEL
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Travel & Trips
For more information, call 510-339-1832.
Photos by Barbara Price
