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12 Days Midrange Pearl of Africa Tour

Uganda is first of all known for the mountain gorilla tracking, but this beautiful country has way more to offer. You can see big game the wonderful safari parks like Queen Elizabeth NP and the still unknown Kidepo Valley NP, the primates in the rainforests, the amazing waterfalls and the beautiful lakes.

Uganda is called “The pearl of Africa” for many good reasons. As Winston Churchill wrote: “For magnificence, for variety of form and colour, for profusion of brilliant life — bird, insect, reptile, beast — for vast scale — Uganda is truly The Pearl of Africa

Highlights

• Rhino tracking

• Safaris on the Savannah

• Chimpanzees in the tropical forests

• water safari

• Tracking the rare mountain gorillas

• Best mid range accommodations in Uganda

Day 1: Airport pick up

Your driver/guide will be at Entebbe Airport to pick you up from your flight and take you directly to your lodge in Kampala. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may be able to explore the sites in and around Kampala.

You will stay in a nice lodge with beautiful views on Lake Victoria. The hotel has cosy safari style furnished rooms, equipped with satellite TV, fridge bar, telephone, fan, balcony with lake-view and a comfortable bathroom.

Journey Time: 1 Hour

Accommodation: Cassia Lodge

Meal Plan: No meals inclusive

Cassia Lodge

Cassia Lodge offers an astonishing view over Lake Victoria and the city. With an excellent international cuisine in a serene environment, you will be able to unwind after - or before your tour in Uganda. In addition, they have wireless Internet connection, a large swimming pool and 20 spacious rooms with satellite television, bar and balcony overlooking the lake.

www.cassialodge.com

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls en route Rhino sanctuary

Today's journey will take you north from Kampala to Murchison falls national park. En route, you will visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will go for guided rhino tracking with an experienced ranger, which gives you a unique opportunity to view the rhinos from a close distance.

Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls National Parks once had both black and white rhinos; however, widespread poaching during the Idi Amin era resulted in the disappearance of these majestic animals from the wild. Founded in 1998, Rhino Fund Uganda works to reintroduce black and white rhinos into Uganda and runs a breeding programme.

Covering an area of over 3,840 km?, Murchison Falls National Park is the largest conservation area in Uganda. The park’s name derives from its famous waterfall: the mighty Murchison Falls, which are formed where the Victoria Nile powerfully forces its way through a narrow cleft before plunging 43m down with a thunderous roar

The mighty Nile River divides the park into its north and south sections. At the spectacular Murchison Falls the world's longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below. As the river attracts large numbers of game, a boat safari up the Nile provides the perfect opportunity to see and photograph the animals. You will be watched by crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys and all the other thirsty wildlife that the Nile attracts, you go to the bottom of the Murchison Falls, which approaches you with a thunderous sound. By car or after a short hike you can reach the “Top of the falls” from where you have a perfect view of the extraordinary falls and the river snaking below.

You will be staying at a great mid-range lodge, overlooking the River Nile. Here you can relax during the rest of your day.

Journey Time: 7 Hours

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Meal plan: All meals

Elephants on a game drive

Gorillas tracking

Meal Plane: All meals

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

In the morning, you can relax at your lodge. You will then continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth National park.

Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s second largest park, located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George. The park has game including gazelle, Uganda kob, warthog and waterbuck. Lions are often sighted both in and at the entrance to the park. Be prepared for huge numbers of hippos and elephants, and keep your eyes peeled for a leopard lazing in the sunshine.

In the late afternoon you will relax at the lodge. You will stay in a nice lodge, overlooking the Lake George.

Journey Time: 3 ?

Accommodation: Marafiki Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: All meals

Marafiki Safari Lodge is in a unique location and has been designed and handcrafted using local materials, fitted by artisans from the local community. Overlooking Lake George in the Queen Elizabeth National Park it offers private luxury safari tents on raised wooden floors and canvas walls that can be rolled up to allow you to sit comfortably watching the Savannah Plains with breath taking views across the park and the Rwenzori and Virunga mountains.

www.marafikisafaris.com

Day 7: Game drive & Kazinga channel boat safari

Today you wake up early. A little before sunrise coffee, tea and donuts will be served in the lounge before we head out for a long game drive in time to see the first rays of light. You will search for all the wildlife in the park and are likely to come across Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Waterbuck, Leopard, Uganda Kob, and many Warthogs.

A well-deserved brunch will be served back at the lodge in the late morning.

In the afternoon you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake George and Lake Edward.

Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine!), as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see buffalo, crocodile, bathing elephant, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.

After the boat-safari you game drive back to the lodge.

Accommodation: Marafiki Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: All meals

Optional activity: Hot Air Balloon Safari:

Experience the wildlife of Queen Elizabeth national park 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 tranquillity of the African bush…

You will take off early at dawn for a flight that lasts for approximately 1 hour. Rise as the sun rises and floats in whatever direction the winds of the morning takes 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 behaviour. 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.

Rhino tracking at Ziwa rhino sanctuary

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.

Cost: $85 us dollar p.p.

Day 8: Transfer to Ishasha sector

After breakfast you will proceed to the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the famous Ishasha area.

Ishahsa is home to the famous tree-climbing lions. While lion cubs around the world frequently climb trees for fun, adults rarely do. The (adult) lions in Ishasha are an exception to this. It is thought that they sit in the branches to get away from the tsetse flies and to enjoy a cool breeze. If you are lucky you might spot a few during your game drive!

You will overnight at Enjojo Lodge, which is surrounded with acacia forest, lush vegetation with palm trees and scattered grasslands. Find birds, monkeys, and other wildlife around your cottage.

Journey Time: 2 hours

Accommodation: Enjojo Lodge

Meal plan: All meals

Enjojo lodge is bordering the Ishasha sector of Queen Elisabeth NP. The lodge is situated on 40 hectares amidst acacia forest, lust vegetation with palm trees and scattered grass line. There is a lot of birdlife around and herds of elephants, buffaloes and antelopes, but also vervet monkeys and the black and white Colobus monkey are regularly spotted around the lodge.

The thatched cottages at Enjojo Lodge have an en-suite bathroom and an outdoor shower. On the wide verandas you can relax and overlook the surrounding bush and savanna, it is the perfect place for a quiet and intimate retreat. The cottages are interlinked with an elevated wooden walkway.

www.enjojolodge.com

Day 9: Lake Mutanda Bwindi

Today after breakfast, you will be transfered to Lake Mutanda in the south-western part of Uganda; close to the borders with Rwanda and Congo. You cross a beautiful part of the country often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’. You will see a great country-side, bamboo forest and have great views over the Virunga Mountains. For lunch you will stop at a local restaurant on the road

Journey Time: 7 hours

Accommodation: Mutanda Lake resort

Meal plan: All meals

Mutanda Lake Resort

Mutanda Lake Resort offers most likely the best view in Uganda! Perched on a peninsula in Lake Mutanda (see photo), in the shadow of the Virunga Mountain Range, Mutanda Lake Resort offers comfortable accommodation combined with the most beautiful views on planet earth. Situated between Kisoro town, Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks the Resort makes a perfect base for gorilla trackers, volcano hikers, bird lovers as well as those looking for a secluded place in nature. The cuisine is among the best in Uganda.

Activities on the lake are organized by the lodge and the lake is safe to swim as it's Bilharzia free

www.mutandalakeresort.com

Day 10: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Forest

Today is the day. You will encounter one of Bwindi’s endangered mountain gorillas. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable national park boasts both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees - the only forest in Africa that can make this claim. It also hosts five other species of primates, 113 species of mammals, over 200 species of butterflies and 360 species of birds. The gorillas you track belong to one of nine habituated family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day.

The time taken to track the gorillas can be as few as 2 hours to as many as 7 hours. Once the gorillas have been located, your group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda’s very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.

Journey Time: 1 hour each way

Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort

Boat Safari Murchison falls

Meal plan: All meals

Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, you will travel to Lake Mburo National Park, one of Uganda’s smallest parks, but certainly not to be underestimated. It is the only Ugandan national park (besides to Kidepo Valley N.P.) which is home to zebras, elands and impalas, as well as to an abundance of other wildlife - not to mention the lake itself, which has lots of hippos and crocodiles. Last but not least: The Uganda Wildlife Authority recently brought 15 giraffes from Murchison falls to lake Mburo (1st July 2015)!

You will stay just outside the park boundaries, but it will feel like being in the middle of the park. From your veranda and restaurant you have a great view over the park and its wildlife.

Journey time: 7 hours

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock

Meal plan: All meals

Rwakobo Rock (Mid-range)

Set on a massive granite outcrop, just outside Lake Mburo National Park, the accommodation at Rwakobo Rock offers thatched chalets blending into the natural landscape.

The rooms are dotted around the hill taking advantage of rocky ledges and private corners. The chalets celebrate the natural lines of the surrounding wilderness. They also provide guests with real comfort and luxury that doesn't cost the earth.

From the spacey restaurant you have great views over the national park.

Good value for money.

www.rwakoborock.com

Day 12: Guided bush walk and transfer to Kampala or Entebbe

Today after breakfast, you will go for a guided bush walk. Lake Mburo N.P is one of two parks in Uganda where bush walks with an experienced ranger are permitted. This opportunity should not be missed. From footprints and animal droppings the ranger will be able to tell you which animal has left it and how long ago. It is exciting to approach wildlife at such close range.

Note: Instead of going for the bush walk, you can go on a horseback riding safari in the park (US $60 p.p. extra for 2 hours).

After, you will drive back to Kampala or Entebbe (Airport) stopping at the equator for the requisite snapshot and a bit of souvenir shopping.

Accommodation for tonight is not inclusive in the program. If you wish to depart tonight from Entebbe Airport, make sure your flight is at 10 pm or later. If you want us to book one (or more) nights in Kampala and/or Entebbe, please let us know.

Journey Time: 5 hours to Kampala, 6 hours to Entebbe

Accommodation: Not included

Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch

End

Dates

Since this is a private tour, departure can be organised for anytime throughout the year subject to the availability of accommodation and transport.

Rates for 2016/2017

No. of Persons Rate Per Person

2 US$ 3,351

Beautiful cottage

4 US 2,839

6 US$ 2,671

Discount

When your gorilla tracking is in November 2016, you will receive USD $150 per person discount on this tour!

Transport

Our standard offering for mid-range tours is a 4wd minibus with pop-up roof for easy safari viewing. All passengers will have a dedicated window seat. Your professional and courteous driver/guide will be at your disposal for questions or translations.

Booking

The bookings with the hotels mentioned in the program depend on availability. Reservations will only be made after your booking.

In case the mentioned hotels are not available during the requested period, we will do our utmost best to book a hotel in the same class for you (of course we will only do this after consulting you). It is not possible to ‘reserve’ gorilla and chimpanzee permits. Therefore we can only buy them after your booking and down-payment and also here it all depends on availability.

Tour Package Including:

• Transport in a 4WD minivan with pop-up roof for excellent safari view;

• All fuel for the tour;

• English speaking Ugandan driver/guide;

• Accommodation as listed in the program;

• All breakfasts and dinners included;

• All meals in Murchison Falls NP;

• Packed lunch for the gorilla tracking

• Park-entrance fees according to the program;

• All activities described in the itinerary;

• 1 chimpanzee permit per person (a US$ 150 value);

• 1 gorilla permit per person (a US$600 value).

Excluding:

• International air fares and entry visa Uganda

• Meals that are not part of your accommodation

• A porter for during the gorilla tracking (someone who carries your daypack);

• Personal (medical/travel) insurance;

• Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc;

• All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs etc.).

This tour can be tailor made to suite budget and luxury travelers