17 Days Wildlife Culture & Gorilla Safari

Destinations visited: Source of the River Nile, Sipi Falls, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi National Parks

Your 17-days adventure takes you on a journey through the primal forests of Uganda in search of primates, before visiting Queen Elizabeth & Murchison Falls National Parks for thrilling wildlife experiences, teemed with adventurous treks through the Eastern, coffee forested highlands of Uganda and finally winding it down at the longest river in the world- the River Nile.

For that once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list vacation or a celebratory holiday or honeymoon with a difference, look no further than spending 17 days experiencing some of the most thrilling wildlife encounters East Africa has to offer.

A green, hilly and elevated country with many lakes and mountains, Uganda’s appeal lies in its simplicity. This safari connoisseur is Ideal for seasoned safari-goers, adventurous trekkers, bird watchers and big five wildlife enthusiasts.

Day to Day Itinerary:

• Day 1: Welcome to Uganda.
• Days 2 – 4: Gorillas in the mist
• Days 4 – 6: Discover Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Days 6 – 8: Primal Primates!!
• Days 8 – 10: Big 5 Territory
• Days 11 – 13: Sipi Falls awaits
• Days 13 – 16: River Nile Adventures
• Day 17: Goodbye Uganda

Day 1: Welcome to Uganda

On arrival at Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to the Boma Guesthouse Entebbe. This charming 1940’s guesthouse is the ideal place to relax and prepare for the coming adventure. Spend the afternoon lazing in the pool garden or rent a bicycle to explore this bustling city.

Days 2 – 4: Uncover Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

An early start sees you off to the airport to catch your domestic flight to Kihihi Airstrip, the gateway to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will be met by a representative and driven through the countryside to Bwindi Lodge.

Despite its rather forbidding name, Bwindi is a tropical forest wonderland. The landscape changes dramatically: Bwindi is a place of steep hillsides, dense jungle and towering trees.

Soak up the Buhoma scenery & Batwa/pygmy culture: Spend half of your first day trailing with the displaced Batwa pygmies who’ll share their amazing heritage and traditions with the world. Enjoy an incredible day hike in the rain forest with Batwa guides, see how the pygmies lived and hunted for hundreds of years in the forests, learn about medicinal plants, and watch for other colourful rainforest inhabitants and birds. You can optionally hike to the Munyiiga waterfall. Specialized birding safaris can be arranged as well as historical tours and cultural visits to local villages. For those taking it easy, there are plenty of comfortable spaces to relax and appreciate the impressive scenery and in the evening there is live music and entertainment around the campfire.

After a day of forest wandering, you will settle in at Bwindi Lodge, eco-friendly accommodation in the midst of this acclaimed World Heritage Site. There are only eight thatched suites, all with lovely views of the surrounding forest.

Buhoma the Northern section of Bwindi has four known habituated gorilla families and, after a hearty breakfast to fuel you for your trek, you will set out in the early morning to find them. The going can be hard as the mountains are steep, the air humid and the vegetation dense. But the exertion is all worth it when you finally reach a group of gorillas eating, grooming, playing or napping. Their behaviour is so familiar that you may feel like you have known them all your life; it is an inspiring and privileged moment to see these highly endangered creatures in the wild.

Once back at the lodge, you will no doubt appreciate a massage from the in-house therapist to ease out the stresses and aches of your day’s trek. Those who still feel energetic may want to do a couple of laps in the swimming pool.

Days 4 – 6: Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your drive from Bwindi Lodge to Mweya Safari Lodge may take six hours but as you drive through the open savannah of Acacia on the edge of the Albertine Rift valley of Ishasha plains, be on the lookout for a pride of tree-climbing lions that have made an old fig their regular ‘hangout’.

Set on a peninsular overlooking the kazinga Channel, Mweya safari Lodge consists of a series of thatch luxurious suites that are individually decorated in an eclectic style. Sundowners are taken on the airy veranda or by the pool and meals at communal tables in the dining room.

Your days here start early as you set off in the cool of the morning to look for game like lion, elephants, buffaloes, Ugandan kob and antelope on the Kasenyi plains while the dense thickets of the Mweya peninsula is the ideal hiding spot for notoriously shy leopard.

On your final afternoon, you will cruise the Kazinga Channel, which flows between Lakes George and Edward. One of the continent’s densest concentrations of hippo lives here, as well as large numbers of elephants, crocodiles and water birds like African fish eagles and pelicans.

Optional activity: Hot Air Balloon Safari:

Experience the wildlife of Queen Elizabeth np in a new, unique way. Wake up early to catch the sunrise, as you silently fly over the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Admire the herds of buffaloes, elephants and enjoy the serene tranquility of the African bush…

You will take off early at dawn for a flight that lasts for approximately 1 hour. Rise as the suns rises and float in whatever direction the winds of the morning take you. Fly higher than the trees and hills and enjoy the best of Uganda, with many great photo opportunities of the scenery and wildlife below.

After a smooth landing you can celebrate this amazing adventure with a glass of sparkling juice before returning to your lodge to continue your safari.
Costing: $380 us dollar p.p.

Optional activity: Lion Tracking:

For visitors who yearn to get up close to wild African fauna, a research trip is a rewarding adventure. This new and unique experience allows visitors to actively participate in monitoring some of lions in the park, using locator devices and learn habituation calls, as well as monitoring weather, surroundings and behavior. The results are added to researchers’ databases, contributing valuable information to the overall understanding of wildlife ecology – and helping to conserve this wonderful ecosystem. This will as well gives you a 95% chance to see the lions!

The number of people on each outing is limited in order to reduce stress on the animals and to increase the quality of the experience for visitors.

The experiential tourism activities currently available are Mongoose Tracking, Lion Tracking, Hippo Census, and Bird Counts. The number of people on each outing is limited in order to reduce stress on the animals and to increase the quality of the experience for visitors. Experiential tours lasts between one and three hours. They usually take place in the early morning or evening, or occasionally at night. All activities must be booked through the Visitor Information Centre in Mweya at least 24 hours in advance.

– See more at: http://www.ugandawildlife.org/explore-our-parks/parks-by-name-a-z/queen-elizabeth-national-park/activities/item/71-experiential-tours#sthash.cFY8QRZI.dpuf Costing: $85 us dollar p.p.

Days 6 – 7: Africa’s Primate Capital

Today you embark on a Safari route that traces through small villages, picturesque green tea plantations and beautiful landscapes of numerous crater lakes of volcanic origin. Proceed to Kibale forest- home of great apes!

Kibale Forest 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, which makes this forest a perfect and best place to spot chimpanzees in Africa! During the excursion, your ranger will point out the other species living in the forest, including birds, flora and fauna. Of course, the stars of the show are chimpanzees and nine other species of primate. Smaller than their gorilla cousins but no less charming, intelligent or expressive, chimp families can cover vast distances and the trek in Kibale forest to find them will be filled all sorts of enchanting encounters.

Optional activity: Chimpanzee Habituation tracking:

At an additional fee of only $70 us dollar pp you do the chimpanzee habituation tracking instead of the regular chimpanzee tracking. This will take all day and you will be 100% sure to have a very close encounter with your closest relatives. Book this in time because only 6 persons per day are allowed to go.

Days 8 – 10: Big 5 Territory

Depart Kampala heading to the North West of Uganda to Murchison Falls N.P. Before checking in at your lodge, you’ll drive to the top of the powerful Murchison Falls (Baker’s summit) to marvel at the spectacular Nile dropping in a wave of rapids into a 7metre wide Rock gorge on its way to the Albert. You will proceed towards The Nile and cross with a Ferry to your lodging on the Northern part of the Nile.

Murchison Falls is Uganda’s best highlight with exceptional wildlife and landscape. The meandering Victoria Nile and the dramatic Murchison Falls neatly bisecting Uganda’s largest park, you’d expect a wide range of animals at Murchison Falls and you’d be right. It’s a stunning habitat for wildlife and it’s where to go in Uganda for classic big game species.

Explore Murchison Falls National Park: You rise at dawn to sip on a freshly brewed hot drink and watch trails of mist lift off the Savannah grassland. Enjoy a quick breakfast in the dining room before heading out into the park with your guide. This region is endowed with a wonderful diversity of habitats that in turn support a plethora of bird and animal species.

Grassy plains are dotted with Giraffes, elephants that trumpet when you get too close, hyenas, leopards, warthogs, kob- an antelope species found only in central Africa that are an important prey species for the lions. The lions themselves are known for their black manes! Acacia woodlands and forested areas are a vital habitat for a number of bird species. The Budongo Forest sits in a huge area of the Rift Valley floor, and this moist semi-deciduous medium-altitude forest is home to a great number of species, including chimpanzees.

Buffalo roam the grasslands and plains, and these huge bovids are particularly fond of wallowing in mud found in marshy areas. This can give them a comical appearance as they emerge caked in a thick layer of mud, but as your guide will tell you, they are far from comical when faced with danger! On the second afternoon, a 3hour Boat Cruise along the Victoria Nile will lead you to the base of the Murchison Falls. Along the way, you will be able to view a wide variety of birds and wildlife; numerous hippos, elephants and crocodiles, as well as breathtaking scenery

Rhino trekking at Zziwa: Depart Murchison falls heading to Kampala. En-route, trek rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary- this Rhino reserve is a true success story of the revival of rhinoceros after the extreme poaching that killed the last rhino in Uganda in 1982. Doing this guided trek gets you “up close and personal” to these special animals that are among “Africa’s Big five.”

Days 11 – 13: Sipi Falls awaits

A drive through the eastern part of Uganda takes you to beautiful Sipi Falls, on a plateau 1800m above sea level. The Sipi River flows over the foothills of Mount Elgon, forming a spectacular series of waterfalls (some nearly 100m high), surrounded by village walking trails and lush green coffee-producing hills. You will stay in a wonderful lodge. From your lodge you have beautiful views over one of the waterfalls.

Sipi Falls is the home of Bugisu Washed Arabica Coffee – one of the finest coffee’s in the world. Our coffee tour gives you the chance to learn the process behind making this coffee. Talk to the farmers, see the plantations and then roast your own coffee to take home with you.

Prepare yourself for a beautiful day in paradise. Choose to go on a 3-hour or for the real adventurers 7-hour hike through the region. A local guide accompanies you on your hike to explain flora, fauna and culture.

Whichever option you choose, you can be certain that you pass many picturesque waterfalls, plantations and caves. Local villagers will be sure to greet you with ‘Jambo!’ and beaming smiles.

You can relax at the lodge or choose from any of our optional activities listed below;

• Coffee Tours.
• Paragliding
• Mountain Biking
• Climbing/Abseiling
• Mt Elgon Trekking and day hikes
• Bird Watching
• Fly Fishing
• Community tour

Days 13- 16: River Nile Adventures

Make your way to the second largest town- Uganda’s adrenaline pumping capital and the colonial manufacturing hub, Jinja. In Jinja the Nile River begins its journey from Lake Victoria all the way up to the Mediterranean Sea. In Jinja, you will stay at The Haven – a wonderful lodge in a peaceful spot overlooking the river Nile with breathtaking views of the river rapids and excellent opportunities for watching the birds and local fishermen paddling dugout canoes. Many adventurous activities are available around Jinja town.

Indulge in an adrenaline pumping activity on the Nile; or simply relax by the tranquil picturesque Nile. Explore the Source of the Mighty Nile by boat; enjoy a sundowner cruise as you watch the sun set on the mighty Nile- the longest River in the world. The birdlife on some islands on the Nile is prolific. Look out for the slithery monitor lizards as they bask in the sun on some of the small islands.

Optional activities by the Nile,

• White water rafting  (full day USD 125 / half day USD 115)
• A horseback safari  (USD 50 for 2 hours / USD 70 for 3 hours)
• Quad-biking  (USD 70 for 2 hours / USD 90 for 3 hours)
• A day of whitewater kayaking on the river (USD 120)
• Bungee Jump
• A sundowner cruise on the Nile (USD 45)
• A visit to the source of the Nile
• Big Game mini-golf.
• A visit to Jinja market
• Village walk.
• Sport fishing on the Nile.

Day 17: Goodbye Uganda…

After seventeen days of trekking gorillas, enjoying the antics of chimpanzees and immersing yourself in one of Africa’s greatest wildlife areas, it is time to bid farewell to Uganda. From Jinja, you will be driven to Entebbe, where your unforgettable adventure first began.

This marks the end of what we hope will be an adventurous trip- Thank you very much!!

Luggage

PLEASE be reminded that the luggage allowance on our inbound schedule flights is strictly 15KGS PER PERSON and that SOFT BAGS are highly recommended, if not essential. In light aircraft the baggage area and weight allowance is limited. Hard Samsonite type suitcases do not fit into the cargo compartment easily, if at all. Due to limited space available for storage in safari vehicles, we strongly recommend use soft duffle bags rather than hard suitcases.

Your contract

A binding contract will come into existence once Sun Africa Expeditions and yourself agree on the itinerary and quote provided for the same. The booking will then be considered confirmed when an invoice is issued. Your contract for the services chosen will be direct with the relevant supplier(s). Your supplier contact will be governed by the laws of the country in which the supplier is located and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of that country.

Reservations, Payment and Deposits

When Sun Africa Expeditions has accepted your booking, the date of the confirmation invoice activates the terms and conditions of the contract. Confirmation of services is subject to payment of a non-refundable deposit of 15% of the total invoiced amount. The balance is to be paid not later than 30 days prior to commencement of the services. When bookings are made within 30 days prior to the departure date, full payment is required immediately on written confirmation.

All bookings are subject to availability at the time of booking and cannot be guaranteed except for scheduled departures.

Prices

Prices are quoted in US dollars. All prices are subject to change without prior notice. Should prices or costs from suppliers increase due to inflation, currency depreciation and fuel surcharges, then Sun Africa Expeditions will not have any other option than to pass on the same to you. All suppliers reserve the right to increase prices at any time of the year when costs increase outside the control of the supplier. Please note that when the clients’ itinerary overlaps two seasons, the price will be prorated over the two seasons.

Rates include but are not limited to the following services specified in the itinerary. Accommodation with meals, tours, transport, driver/guide, park entrance fees, hotel taxes and service charges.

Rates exclude (Unless otherwise specified), Medical Air Rescue services, Porter-age, domestic Air Charters, Visa fees, beverages, laundry, telephone calls, scheduled flights, gratuities and all expenses of personal nature.

NB: Flying doctor services are Optional at USD 25 per pax (Subject to change and vendor terms & conditions).

Child rate: – is only applicable to one or two children under 12 years sharing a room with 2 adults. In the case of 02 children sharing a room with parents, the two children will share a bed, as most hotels/lodges cannot accommodate a fourth bed. 01 child sharing a room with 01 adult will be charged full adult rate.

Single Room Policy

Single rooms are available at supplementary cost but the suppliers do not guarantee singles. Single rooms are scarce and cannot be guaranteed even if paid for at twin sole use rate. Where this occurs an appropriate refund will be made by the supplier to the client. Suppliers will only allow a maximum of 3 single rooms per group at a single room rate except for high end luxury camps where single rooms are limited to only 02 singles.

Cancellation Policy

Should you wish to cancel your confirmed booking, you must advise the company in writing.

Reservations that are cancelled, reduced in length of stay or reduced in numbers (hereinafter collectively called a CANCELLATION) are subject to Cancellation and No Show fees if cancelled within 30 days of the arrival date:

55 days to 41 days prior to arrival: 25%
40 days to 22 days prior to arrival: 35%
21 days to 15 days prior to arrival: 50%
14 days to 07 days prior to arrival: 65%
06 days to 03 days prior to arrival: 80%

Within 48 hours and after commencement of holiday: 100%. Once the holiday has commenced no refund will be made. The figures expressed are percentage of the total tour price.

Cancellation: Although it rarely happens, and Sun Africa Expeditions will do their utmost to avoid doing so. Sun Africa Expeditions must reserve the right to cancel tours and other arrangements. Where your holiday is cancelled (other than due to your default in payment) due to unavoidable circumstances beyond our control e.g. Natural disaster or over booking, Sun Africa Expeditions will offer you the choice of purchasing an alternative holiday.

Force Majeure

The expression “force majeure” means any event which the supplier(s) in question could not have foreseen or avoided even with all due care. Such events may include war or threat of war, riots, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, government action and all similar circumstances outside the suppliers’ control. In these circumstances the suppliers shall not be liable to pay any compensation or otherwise be responsible for any expenses or losses you incur where supplier is forced as a result to cancel, delay, curtail or change your holiday arrangements in any way or where the performance or prompt performance of the supplier’s contractual obligations is prevented or affected. Complaints

In the unlikely event that a tour member has a dispute whilst on safari this must immediately be brought to the attention (and put on record) of the local representative, Hotel, Lodge or Camp management. It is likely that the tour member’s complaint will be satisfactorily resolved there and then. If, however, this is not the case and the tour member wishes to pursue the matter on their return from safari, it is essential the complaint be communicated in writing to Sun Africa Expeditions within 21 days of the end of tour quoting tour reference, destination and departure date.

Responsibility of Sun Africa Expeditions

Sun Africa Expeditions acts only as the Agent for the suppliers and shall not in any event be liable for any negligence, breach of contract or acts of omission on the part of suppliers, their employees or any other Agent, it shall be the responsibility of all customers including (without limitations) Tour members, Tour Operators and Travel Agents, to read and familiarize themselves with the terms and conditions of suppliers. Sun Africa Expeditions liability for its own negligence or breach of contract shall be limited to the Tour price.

Transportation

Safari Minibuses, Cars, Land Cruisers and coaches will be provided according to the route and number of participants. Sun Africa Expeditions reserves the right to employ services of sub-contractors. Multi-lingual driver guides are provided on request. For flying packages, clients will share vehicles with other guests booked at the hotel. For exclusive use, please check with Sun Africa Expeditions for supplements, which will be subject to availability.

Insurance

The hazards of travelling in Africa may inevitably rise to some risks and dangers. It is therefore a condition of booking that all tour members must have sufficient and appropriate travel insurance for the duration of their tour. Such insurance (which is not supplied by Sun Africa Expeditions) should fully cover all personal requirements including death, personal injury, medical expenses, and repatriation in the event of accident or illness, cancellation or curtailment of the tour members’ personal property.

Special Requests

Any special requests (e.g. for single rooms or particular diet) must be notified in writing when the booking is made. Whilst the supplier will endeavour to meet such requests they cannot be guaranteed and any failure to comply will not be a breach of contract.

Sun Africa Expeditions services include flight re-confirmation and airport assistance within Africa if clients are provided all services by Sun Africa Expeditions. In cases whereby Sun Africa Expeditions is providing part of the services and the clients have other arrangements of their own, then Sun Africa Expeditions will only reconfirm where forwarding address or contacts are provided.

Itineraries

Demand for safaris can be high and may lead to shortage of lodge/hotel accommodation. All bookings will be confirmed, but no occasions changes may be necessary. Hotels/Lodges/camps, here specifically named are given as an indication of the category and rooms may be reserved at similar lodges/ hotels/camps. We undertake to advise you of any changes known to us prior to departure, but the possibility of change without notice, must be acceptable when booking. Where ever possible we book rooms with private baths showers throughout on the basis of two persons sharing a double room. Single rooms are available at supplementary cost but neither single rooms nor rooms with private bath/shower can be guaranteed.

Safari minibuses cars, four wheel drive vehicles or coaches will be provided according to the route and number of participants. The right is reserved to employ the services of subcontractors. Multi-lingual chauffer/guides are provided. Occasional mechanical problems, changes of lodge or adverse road conditions may in turn lead to a change of routing or game viewing without prior notice being given. We reserve the right to offer substitutes of equal value or to cancel the operation of any tour. In practice, very few itineraries are affected but a little flexibility on your part will ensure the tour is unique and rewarding.

Website and Brochure Description

Descriptions of accommodation facilities and services in our brochures are shown in good faith, it is however possible that certain facilities or services may be unavailable or limited due to maintenance , adverse weather, local conditions, seasonal restrictions etc.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this website/e-brochure at the time of printing, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. You must therefore check all details of your holiday booking with your travel agent or supplier at the time of presentation.

The company cannot therefore accept responsibility for any information not contained in this brochure, being confirmed verbally by its staff or representatives unless subsequently reconfirmed in writing by the company.