12 Day Great Lakes Odyssey 2015/16

Transcription

1 12 Day Great Lakes Odyssey 2015/16 23 rd December rd Jan 2016 The African Great Lake region (also known in Kiswahili as Eneo la Maziwa Makuu) consists of countries that surround the African Great Lakes. It comprises Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Trip Itinerary KENYA UGANDA RWANDA -TANZANIA KENYA Day I-23 rd December: Nairobi-Busia-Jinja (UG) Depart Nairobi for Jinja after meeting with the whole team early morning. Travel in Overland Truck through the picturesque Nakuru-Nairobi Highway with the Rift Valley View Point being a brief stop-over on the Kamandura, Mai-Mahiu,Narok Road. Proceed on to Naivasha and on to Nakuru Kericho - Kisumu Road. Proceed on to the Busia border into Uganda. Border controls and procedure to take approximately 1 hour for the group. Jinja is 80 Kms north-east of Kampala and is easily accessible by our Overland Truck and the team will arrive in the evening. Set up camp at Lake Bujagali, Explorers River Camp situated 8km from Jinja. Have dinner prepared by our Truck cook at the camp-site and retire for the night. Meal: Dinner

2 Day II-24 th December: Jinja, Uganda Have an early breakfast at the camp prepared by our Truck Cook. Go rafting in the morning. Explorers River Camp organizes the rafting and you will receive a detailed safety briefing, before launching into the river for a last bit of practical instruction floating down the pool, here you have the opportunity to watch experienced rafters plummet over the 12ft drop! (Yikes!!) You get a chance to watch the thrills and spills of rafts on the wild run, while remaining secure and safe with our guides on the mild rapids. Calm stretches of water are perfect for getting your breath back, taking a swim and enjoying the scenery. Have an afternoon boat trip on Lake Victoria and see the famous Source of the Nile for those not white water rafting or bungee jumping. Have dinner prepared by our Truck cook at the camp-site and the Nile Explorers Christmas Eve Party-biggest in Jinja! Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day III-25 th December: Christmas in Kampala Jinja, Uganda Depart Jinja after breakfast organized by the Truck Chef and arrive in Kampala city for camp at Red Chilli Camp. Have lunch prepared by our Truck cook at the camp-site. We can swim and relax at the swimming pool at the hotel till late in the evening. From the camp those interested in seeing Uganda s night life can go to and from Kampala spots on local taxis. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day IV-26 th December: Kampala-Queen Elizabeth Park Depart Red Chilli, Kampala early morning after breakfast at camp and set out for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy lunch enroute. The drive west of Kampala presents amazing landscape views. It s a calm break after Kampala s city environment. The view of both Lake George and Lake Edward on both sides of the road as you go up is breathtaking. After clearance with the park, set up camp inside the park. Dinner and overnight stay at camp. Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner Day V-27 th December: Queen Elizabeth Park-Kabale After breakfast prepared by the truck cook, depart for Kazinga Channel Cruise from 9:00 Am to 12:00. The Kazinga channel is approximately 40 meters long connecting the two Lakes; Lake Gorge

3 (which is to the east) and Lake Edward (which is to the west).the shores of this channel draw a large number of wild animals. Depart in the afternoon after lunch and head westward on Kigali road for Kabale (Lake Bunyonyi) Set camp and set out on a lakeside sunset walk. Lake Bunyonyi was touted by BBC as the most beautiful lake in the world. Bonfire party, dinner and overnight stay in mobile tents. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day VI-28 th December: Lake Bunyonyi, Katuna Border, Kigali-Rwanda After breakfast you will set out on the lake for a boat ride and sail around the surroundings Islands. The lake is known for its 37 islands and numerous bird species. Return to camp for lunch and depart for the Katuna border post. After clearing embark on a road trip to Kigali to arrive in the evening. Transfer to a budget hotel, check in, freshen up, enjoy dinner and hit Kigali s night clubs. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day VII-29 th December: Kigali-Rwanda, Kibungo Kigali the capital of Rwanda city is built in hilly country, sprawling across about four ridges and the valleys in between. After breakfast in the morning, visit the genocide site. Enjoy our lunch in Kigali. Transfer to Kibungo town after lunch for overnight stay in a budget hotel. Check in, freshen up, and enjoy dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day VIII-30 th December: Kibungo, Rusumo Border, Mwanza Tanzania After breakfast depart for Rusumo border post passing the great Kagera River and Rusumo falls. After border clearance, head eastwards to Geita a pioneer town of gold mining from the colonial times. In 1952 on a ship sailing from the UK to Cape Town through a Kenyan port, a passenger asked South African-born Ralph Kruger about Geita, Tanzania. Mr. Kruger was believed to know a great deal about the entire continent of Africa, and he answered the fellow, Geita is at the end of the earth, the last place God made, and everyone contemplating spending life there, is out of his mind. It is a melting pot of all Tanzania ethnicities who all come for lucrative search for gold. The town is mostly surrounded by villages of the Sukuma, the largest people group in Tanzania, numbering an estimated 6 million. They are mostly a hospitable and passive people, known for their drumming and dancing. Arrive at Mwanza in the evening and set up camp at Tunza beach camp and enjoy our dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

4 Day IX-31 st December, New Year s Eve in Mwanza! Tanzania Mwanza town is also Tanzania s second largest after Dar es Salaam. The town looks onto the lake, which includes dramatic views of the Bismarck Rock - a massive outcrop of granite rocks, which we shall visit in the morning after breakfast. Have lunch in Mwanza City. You may embark on a town tour and or relax by the beautiful lake. Enjoy New Year Celebrations party on the Mwanza beach with other revelers. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day X-1 st January: Mwanza, Musoma After breakfast depart from Mwanza City and head for Musoma to arrive in time for Lunch. Cross over via Ferry (Kamanga Ferry), a very exhilarating experience. Musoma is a beautiful lakeside city and capital of Mara region named after the Mara River which drains its Kenyan waters nearby into the lake. Relax by the lake or go on a town tour of the city. Camp by the beautiful beach, dinner and overnight stay in tents. Enjoy the largest beach party in Tanzania. The air is electrified by the music, party people and reveling. An experience to write home about. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day XI-2 nd January: Musoma, Isibania, Migori, Kisii Depart Musoma after breakfast. After brief stopover at the Mara Bridge, proceed to the Isibania border town. After border clearance, proceed to Kisii via Migori to arrive late in the afternoon. Kisii is a populous South Nyanza town originally established by British soldiers who were being forced to retreat from Lake Victoria by heavy gunfire from German soldiers' gunboats during the Great War in the early 20th Century. Dinner and overnight at Diocese of Kisii Guest house. If you still have the energy and vigor you can hit the popular spots found at Hospital Street. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day XII-3 rd January: Kisii, Narok, Nairobi After breakfast depart south via Bomet to arrive in Narok in time for lunch. Enjoy lunch at the popular Seasons restaurant. Depart south for Nairobi after lunch. The road from Narok presents some of the most amazing views especially from a truck level in Kenya. Arrive in Nairobi late in the afternoon with amazing and lifetime memories. Meals: Breakfast

5 Optional Adventure Activities Grade 5 Full Day Rafting: This trip is all about having fun so get ready for the most exhilarating Roller coaster of your life. Get wet! Get wild! Get rafting! You have no idea how much fun you are about to have! Considered one of the wildest one day white water rafting trips in the world, no safari to Uganda would be complete without truly experiencing the Nile from its source. You too can conquer this wild and untamed river with the pioneers of rafting on the Nile. Horse Riding: A horse riding safari provides the ideal way to explore the Nile up close, see a traditional Ugandan village and view the fantastic panorama from the hills overlooking the Nile River valley. Situated on the west bank of the river directly opposite Explorers River Camp at Bujagali Falls, Nile Horseback Safaris offer 2 or 3 hour safaris as well as overnight safaris. All horseback safaris are accompanied by two or more guides and a range of safe, calm and wellschooled horses are available to suit any level of rider experience. Quad Biking: Roar of the Nile ATV safaris. Ride into the warm heart of Uganda. Through forest and farms, past villages and along the banks of the River Nile. All Terrain Adventures offers a 1hr, 2hr, 3hr and 4hr quad biking safaris as well as overnight safaris. No previous experience driving a vehicle is necessary. A free training session is conducted before each safari. Trips are tailored to suit the riders ability and give the best possible adventure. ATV Safaris don t get much better than on the Nile: pray for rain, mud is good and the wetter the better! Mountain Biking: Get on the beaten track and take a good look around. Whether it s a physical challenge you are looking for or just want to meander through villages on the banks of the Nile, this is a tour to suit you. All trips are flexible to suit your needs and your physical fitness. The guide will run the trip just as you like. You can either ride to Bujagali passing through villages and small farms or ride to Bugembe View Point and have panoramic view of L.Victoria and its surrounding or ride 20kms away to Mabira Forest Reserve home to over 300 bird species passing through banana, sugarcane and coffee plantations. What a Ride!! Nile Sunset Cruise: Nothing beats an African sunset and particularly one over the Nile. Salute the end of another great day with good company, good food and an ice cold beer or gin & tonic. An African sunset over the new Lake Bujagali, the smell of delicious food cooking on the BBQ and a cold beer in hand, there could be worse ways to spend a few hours. Nile Source By Boat: Have an afternoon boat trip on Lake Victoria and see the famous Source of the Nile. Along the way you will see many local villagers living their normal lives, doing washing, maybe even making charcoal and traditional fishing. You will get to see the section of the River Nile between Owens Falls Dam and the new Bujagali Dam and also get to see many animals and birds and the beautiful scenery along the river banks. Bungee jumping: Are looking for the ultimate in excitement and challenge. If that's the case and you are ready for an extreme test, you'll want to try Bungee Jumping. If there is one place to have fun in Uganda it is Bujagali Falls. Set in an idyllic location where the Nile goes through a series of grade five rapids as it makes its way out of Lake Victoria. Bungee Jumping as well as having a good

6 splash around in the river, is possible till your heart is content while you take in the beauty of this magnificent scene. Boat Ride On Lake Bunyonyi: Lake Bunyonyi is truly stunning. From the terraced green hills to the countless pristine fingers of the lake, this is a place that one could sit and gaze at the beauty for ages with over 30 islands to explore. Grade 5 Full Day Rafting $125 Trip Package Includes UGANDA Africa s most experienced & qualified river crew Packed breakfast at Explorers Backpackers Light midday snacks on the river Drinking water on the river Cold buffet with beers & sodas at the end of the day All the latest equipment Extensive safety briefing & practice drills Safety raft and kayakers with every trip Professional videographer & photographer Hose Riding From $40 Trip Package Includes Experienced guides Helmets Full length raincoat in case of bad weather Saddlebag to carry gear Sunset safari includes boat transfer from Explorers River Camp and refreshments afterward Backpackers Mountain Biking From $30 Trip Package Includes Professional guide Professionally maintained hard tail mountain bikes Helmets & other equipment Backpackers Quad Biking $45 Trip Package Includes Experienced guides Training practice session (exclusive of safari time) Protective clothing Helmet, overalls, goggles and if muddy gum boots Refreshments Twilight Safari includes local banquet dinner Nile Source By Boat $10 Bungee Jumping $115 Free if you do it Naked Boat Ride on Lake $ 10 Bunyonyi

7 Trip Information SELF-ASSESSMENT We want you enjoy your trip to the fullest extent possible, so we ask that you take some time before departing to fully consider the nature of your trip and your physical abilities to enjoy it. Please take time to fill the attached self-assessment form. WHAT TO CARRY To make your trip more comfortable, please use the following checklist. 1. Passport, Visa if required and International Yellow Fever Certificate 2. Head lamp 3. Sleeping Bag 4. Personal effects (wash kit, sun-screen, slippers, soap, tissue paper, tooth brush + paste) 5. Small day pack (bag) for day trips and excursions 6. Swimming costume 7. Camera, spare batteries and film 8. Clothing 9. A hat and shades to shield from the sun 10. Insect repellant 11. Cash for personal use see section on currency 12. Warm Clothing for evening 13. Anti Malaria tablets Any other personal items you may deem necessary. PS: Heavy suitcases discouraged for bush trips. Rucksacks are easier to drag from tents every day. EXPEDITION CHARGES The expedition rates are as follows:- East African Citizens/ Resident/ Foreigners: KES. 56,950/- PS: *** 10% Early Bird discount applies for Bucketlist Travel Club Members: T&C apply. Early Bird discount deadline 15 th August Discount on group bookings also apply. Deposits are refundable and or transferable on or before 30 th October. T&C apply from 1 st November. PACKAGE INCLUDES Transport in Overland expedition truck. Meals as per itinerary. Accommodation arrangement as per itinerary. Statutory park fees for Citizens; Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kazinga Chanel Boat cruise.

8 Professional English speaking Guide PACKAGE EXCLUDES Visa fees International Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (Mandatory) Park Fees for Non East African Citizens for Queen Elizabeth National park not included Non Compulsory Activity Extras o Rafting/Bungee and adventure activities in Jinja o Nile Source Boat trip o Lake Bunyonyi Boat Trip o Night party spots entry fees Tips for guides and staff Personal items as in D above Drinking Water and Drinks Enroute Lunches on first and last day. PAYMENT TERMS Please refer to Bucketlist Travel Club Booking Terms and conditions. A deposit of 10% is required to secure the trip before close of Business 30th August This is a 20 guest s trip. The following is the recommended payment chart. You may contact us for a more flexible arrangement. Deadline Date 15th Aug 2 nd Sept 2 nd Oct 2 nd Nov 2 nd Dec Amount 9,000 12,000 13,500 13,500 8,950 Please make all payments payable to:- KES Payments A/c Name: Bucketlist Travels A/c No: Bank: Rafiki Microfinance Bank, Branch: Westlands Branch USD Payments A/c Name: Black Hammock Consult A/c No: Bank: ABC Bank, Branch: Westlands Branch MEALS ON TOUR

9 Meals and menu s vary as food is purchased en-route, and is subject to produce that is available seasonally in the areas we travel through. As we support the local communities along the way, fresh produce is mostly purchased direct from the producer or local grower and therefore has an organic appearance. Our safari cooks are able to offer a wide variety of menu s with the ingredients available, even if the produce on offer is not of the same selection as what you may be used to back home. The breakfast spread consists of bread (toast when time allows), spreads and cereals with a hot breakfast every few days. Lunches are mostly prepared en-route with a supply of build your own sandwich ingredients available. Dinners are cooked in the evenings on arrival at the campsite. A wide array of dinner menus are on offer during your safari, consisting of curries, stews, pastas, BBQ s and even roasts! TRANSPORT ON TOUR Our overland vehicles are custom built SCANIA trucks that have seating space for our passengers and storage areas for luggage and all trip equipment. The trucks seat between passengers on our camping trips. Most seats are forward facing, though some models have a combination of forward, backward and some inward facing seats with tables. Vehicles have sliding glass windows. Seats are cushioned and there is storage space for personal items like cameras, snacks and day packs in the rear area. PARTICIPATION ON TOUR All of the tours operated are participation trips meaning that all passengers are expected to help out around camp. The crew members running the trip will set up a rota system that will be followed. One day you may be on cleaning duty, the next day you may be on cooking duty and so forth. This is not only to make the trip easier for all involved but also for you as the passengers to get to know one another while on trip. ACCOMODATION AND VEHICLES This is a camping trip. It is designed for people who have an adventurous spirit in mind, who d like to visit East, Central and Southern Africa. The nature of overland travel is such that it is generally better suited to the young (and young at heart) clients.accommodation on this trip is in two person dome tents with mosquito nets over the door and window areas, a sewn in ground sheet and a separate flysheet. All cooking and camping equipment, with the exception of your sleeping bag is provided. Transport is on specially converted SCANIA trucks that are completely selfsufficient - carrying all the necessary equipment, passenger's luggage, fuel, fresh water and food stocks. In addition, vehicles carry a range of spare parts and the driver is well versed at fixing common faults. Before each truck begins a trip it will have been thoroughly serviced and overhauled, but it is comforting to know that in the unlikely event of a breakdown the necessary spares and experience are available. All our vehicles carry full cooking and camping equipment, music players, and interior lighting, long-range fuel tanks and 300 to 400 litre water tanks. (Bring along a USB disk to connect your selection.) They have either all forward facing seats or a combination of forward and backward facing seats with little tables between. ACCOMMODATION UPGRADES For those who believe tents to be too military, you have an option of accommodation upgrades to ensure you get that much desired dorm room or single room at various campsites along the way. Please see below chart for insight:- CAMP APPROX RATE PER NIGHT in USD

10 Nile Explorer, Jinja Red Chilli Dorm Rooms $ 5 Double Rooms $ 16 per Room Dorm Room $4 Single Room $21 Double Room $ 10 per person Triple Room $5 Single Room Ensuite $33 Simba Safari Camp Single Rooms $15 Bunyonyi Overland Camp Mwanza Sunset Lodge Double Room $10 Dorm Room $7 Double Permanent Tent $16 per person Double Room $16 Single Room $ 27 Tembo Beach Double Room : $10 Per Room CREW Your Tour will have 3 crew members your Driver, Trip Leader and Safari Cook. ITINERARY FLEXIBILITY This information and the itinerary we ve given you, are intended to serve as guidelines only. Each trip must be flexible to allow for all variables that are beyond our control such as adverse road conditions, complications caused by the weather, unstable political situations, etc. Our trips generally run as planned, and you ll, more than likely, get see everything listed, if not more. PRE-DEPARTURE MEETINGS AND DEPARTURES The Pre-Departure Meetings usually lasts for approximately one hour and are a great opportunity for you to meet your fellow travelers. They are held 4 weeks before departure at a venue o be communicated in Nairobi. The meetings cover a range of topics and important information that should make you feel a lot more comfortable with how your trip will operate as well as ways for you to maximize your experience. Please make every effort to attend this meeting. PHOTOGRAPHY Africa is a photographer s paradise. There will be a few opportunities to download your photos, but these will only be in the bigger centres. We therefore suggest you invest in an extra memory card with a high storage capacity so that you won t have to delete your precious memories. If your camera still uses film, bring along a good stock, as film can be scarce (and, when available, expensive). Consider bringing along a re-sealable polythene bag to protect your camera from the dust. If you re planning on videoing your trip, make sure you bring along an extra battery as it isn t always possible to re-charge you batteries every day. SPENDING MONEY Only you know to what extent your spending habits will tax you! We advise you to bring your spending money in both cash preferably in US dollars. Credit Cards are not widely accepted. U$ notes should be clean, un-torn and printed after Larger denomination notes attract a better

11 exchange rate, but we suggest you bring along a mix of both small and large denomination notes. You may need to change only a small amount to tide you over in a country and you should try to get rid of each country s currency before you leave that country as you won t be able to change it anywhere else! Your trip leader will advise you on when & where to change to local currencies. OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS: Below is a selection of Optional Excursions available on this trip. Please Note these prices are approximate and are subject to change Where activities occur away from your base, there may be an additional transfer cost. PLEASE NOTE: That this is not a full list of available activities. There are many more to choose from. Prices are approximate and can change at any given time. Only to be used as a guideline. Let s do this!!