Pearl of Africa: Uganda Private Journey

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1 Travcoa Private Journeys are pre-designed luxury travel itineraries which are locally hosted by carefully selected guides. Each is crafted to provide the ideal in-depth experience of its various destinations and includes deluxe accommodations (or the best available in remote areas), sightseeing, private transportation, breakfast daily, some meals and personalized touches throughout. Pearl of Africa: Uganda Private Journey 11 Days START: Entebbe, Uganda END: Entebbe, Uganda DATES: Starts Any Day 2017 PRICES FROM: $9,895* Intra-tour flights from: $950*. Park Entrance fee: $450 per person Gorilla/Chimpanzee Trekking fee: $1,200 per person *Prices per person, based on double occupancy, and are subject to change. The price of your journey will change based on travel date and availability. Additions to the length of your itinerary will incur additional costs. Holiday supplements may apply Journey Highlights Watch chimpanzees families in Kibale s mahogany forests Discover the Kikorongo & Batwa Pygmy cultures in western Uganda View tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha wilderness Relish up-close encounters with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat Page 1 of 8

2 Day 1 Arrive Entebbe, UGANDA Welcome to Uganda! You are met on arrival at the Entebbe airport, and then transferred to the guesthouse for an evening at leisure. Meals: None Included Hotel: Boma Guesthouse, Entebbe Day 2 Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park This morning you will return to the Entebbe airport and fly to Kasase and then travel by 4- Wheel Drive vehicle to your lodge in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, Mountains of the Moon. This picturesque region is a mixture of forest and tea plantations. In the afternoon, enjoy an informative walk around the rim crater of an extinct volcano, which, since its demise, has filled with water to become the breathtaking Lake Nyinambuga. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Hotel: Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale Day 3 Kibale Forest National Park Early morning, arise for a guided exploration of the birdlife in the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary. This fascinating area of the Magombe swamp is recognized for its extensive array of biodiversity and populations of primates including the red colobus monkey, baboon, black & white colobus monkey, chimpanzees, Sitatunga, mongooses, bush pigs and many more. The Bigodi is most noted a paradise for bird watchers having more than 138 species of bird recognized on site. In the afternoon, visit the BBC honey project, the Bunyangabu Beekeeping Cooperative, a community organization with a well-stocked apiary. Next, enjoy meeting the talented women of the Rubona Basket Weavers Association. You are invited to take part in the dying process from start to finish, and take home some samples. Hotel: Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale Day 4 Kibale & Queen Elizabeth National Park Kibale National Park is one of Africa s most researched and documented forest reserves. The fascinating 300 sq. mile mahogany Kibale Forest is home to over 250 butterfly species, 360 bird species, and the natural habitat for an amazing 12 primate species, and contains the highest primate density of any area on Earth. This morning, enjoy a guided forest walk and Page 2 of 8

3 the thrill experience of tracking families of chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys and 10 other primate species. Witness families of Chimpanzees and Red Colobus Monkeys chattering and swinging through the ancient forest trees. In the afternoon, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with a stop en route at the House of Love, an orphanage village where the children learn to create crafts such as participate in making banana fiber dolls and flowers. Arrive in time for dinner and an evening game drive in Queen Elizabeth National park. Explore the plains and view a vast array of birds, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, waterbuck, bushbuck, and giant forest hogs. Hotel: Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park Day 5 Queen Elizabeth National Park This morning begins with a game drive to visit the salty Lake Katwe, where you learn about the fascinating yet tough process of mining salt. See the local people work, cross the mud walkways and enter one of the traditional storage huts. This afternoon, enjoy a boat trip on the 25-mile Kazinga channel connecting Lake George to Lake Edward. View hippos at close range, marvel at the majestic elephants, and spy the notorious Nile crocodiles sunbathing along the channel. More than 560 bird species have been recorded here, including eagle, stork, waterfowl, kingfisher, and bee-eater. Hotel: Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park Day 6 Queen Elizabeth National Park Enjoy your morning in the park. This afternoon, you drive south through Maramagambo Forest to the remote southern sector of the park. Arrive at the Ishasha Wilderness Camp, overlooking the Ntungwe River. Enjoy dinner and spend the night at this wonderful encampment. Hotel: Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Queen Elizabeth National Park Page 3 of 8

4 Day 7 Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest The remote Ishasha sector protects a wilderness of swamps and thorn savanna, and is home to large herds of Cape buffalo and topi as well as tree-climbing lions. These tree-dwelling lions prey on the wildlife that grazes Ishasha s beautiful acacia studded savanna. Depart camp early this morning for a game drive into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a landscape of volcanoes, jagged valleys, waterfalls, lakes and dramatic mountain ranges. In the afternoon take the Buhoma community cultural walk, and meet the people of Buhoma Mukono Community and the Batwa pygmies. Learn about these former forest dwellers and meet the traditional healer of this Pygmy community. Late afternoon, arrive at the permanent luxury-tented Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, set on the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. It hosts 113 species of mammals (including a herd of the rare forest elephant), 200 species of butterfly, and over 360 species of birds. In addition, Bwindi is home to seven species of primates of which the most endangered is the elusive mountain gorilla. This is your home for the next three nights. In the evening, attend a briefing on gorilla-watching etiquette. Hotel: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest GORILLA TREKKING Mountain gorillas are one of the rarest animals on earth; fewer than 700 remain and there is none in captivity. There are about 340 mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, almost half the world s population of these huge, yet gentle and endearing primates. Typically, they are found in family groups of between five and fifteen individuals with one dominant male, known as a silverback, which is the largest and strongest of the group. Mountain gorillas are the largest of all apes and a mature male can stand over six feet in height, and weigh in excess of 400 pounds. Dominance among the group s males appears to be determined by size and strength. It is the dominant male who decides when the group will move, stop, rest, and sleep. Mountain gorilla groups are stable, cohesive units that spend most of their time on the ground, knuckle-walking through the forest within their respective home ranges. Despite their immense size and strength, gorillas are typically gentle beings, intelligent and dignified. They are endlessly patient with each other and disputes are settled quickly. They are primarily vegetarian, with the leaves, shoots, and stems of a wide range of rain forest plants making up a majority of their diet. Page 4 of 8

5 Be prepared to walk through difficult terrain that includes steep and often muddy gullies, dense undergrowth, and over fallen obstacles such as trees. Treks, typically less than four miles, take between two and four hours. On some days, the gorillas are found within minutes of leaving camp; on other days, it can take up to eight hours to locate them. Days 8 & 9 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Spend the next two days on an incredible gorilla tracking experience. Some of the terrain is steep and hiking strenuous, but the reward of watching gorillas undisturbed in their natural habit is unmatched. Start early each morning with a walk to the nearby park headquarters to receive a briefing from your trained local guide. Then set off on a trek towards sites site where the gorillas were seen the previous day. The tracking can be strenuous because of the steep slopes and the high altitude, but the rewards to seeing the gorilla is certainly worth it. Once the gorillas are located, you have time to observe, photograph, and enjoy this unique experience. Other activities at Bwindi include forest trekking for the lesser primates and looking for the many bird species that make this mountain forest their home. You can also choose to stroll through a small tea farming project, visit a local beer brewery seeing how they mash bananas to make a fermented brew, or visit the local clinic and meet a traditional medicine man. Enjoy the evening to relax at the camp and trade tales with fellow adventurers. (Daily) Hotel: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Day 10 Bwindi to Entebbe Bid farewell to Bwindi and the gorilla homeland before you are transferred to the Kihihi airstrip for scheduled flight to Entebbe. You are met upon arrival, and escorted to your boutique guesthouse accommodations. In the afternoon, view the monkeys and exotic birdlife at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, a beautiful lakeshore haven of trees and plants. Next, tour the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. Once operated as a zoo, the center is now a conservation and education institution. An optional activity is the 'Chimpanzee Close Up' experience, allowing you to interact with a group of young chimps. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Boma Guesthouse, Entebbe Page 5 of 8

6 Day 11 Depart Entebbe Today you are at leisure until time for your transfer to the Entebbe Airport, for your flight home or to another destination. Meals: Breakfast Note: If you are departing on an evening flight, you have the opportunity to take an optional boat excursion to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria. Ngamba is home to approximately 40 chimpanzees rescued from poachers and other forms of private captivity. The Sanctuary was set up by concerned organizations including Uganda Wildlife Education Centre and Jane Goodall Institute. (Additional charges apply.) NOTE: The Daily Itinerary above is subject to change dependent upon local conditions and/or operational changes or improvements. The specific times and order of inclusions within each destination may also be altered to best accommodate unscheduled closures, special events, weather, traffic, etc. Travcoa is unable to guarantee the sighting of any animals while on this journey. Please contact your Journey Consultant before scheduling any coinciding appointment. Page 6 of 8

7 Additional Information Best Time To Travel The best times to visit are December-March and June-September. Visa Information U.S. and Canadian citizens require passport and it needs to be valid for six months after departure date. U.S and Canadian citizens require a visa for entering Uganda. Link This Journey To Private Journeys: Unchartered Tanzania, Tanzania s Great Migration, Secluded Zanzibar; Tanzania & Kenya Flying Safari, Cradle of Mankind: Ethiopia, Pure Kenya Or Escorted Journeys: Grand Safari Page 7 of 8

8 Terms & Conditions This Travcoa Private Journey Includes Accommodations as indicated in the itinerary Meals as indicated in the itinerary Private transfers and privately guided sightseeing Local English speaking guide for sightseeing Entrance fees per final itinerary Local taxes Medical & Travel Assistance Plan Intra Tour Flights (additional cost) Not Included Travcoa Travel Director Meals, except where noted International Airfare Airport taxes Passport & Visa fees Gratuities Deposit/Payment Policy At the time of reservation: 120 days before departure: 25% of journey cost + gorilla trekking fee Balance due Cancellation Policy The cancellation policy is applicable to journey price, single supplements, intra tour air, extensions and other tour related arrangements. Gorilla trekking fees are non-refundable after deposit. Penalties are valid from date of reservation until: 120 days or more before departure: 119 to 90 days before departure: 89 to 60 days before departure: 59 days or less and en route: 10% per person + gorilla trekking fee 20% per person + gorilla trekking fee 50% per person + gorilla trekking fee 100% per person + gorilla trekking fee Travcoa will only reimburse according to our cancellation policy. Page 8 of 8