Uganda Gorilla Safari. 11 Days

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Alison Walker
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1 Uganda Gorilla Safari 11 Days

2 Uganda Gorilla Safari Venture to a land coined "the pearl of Africa" the raw and beautiful Uganda, crossing its wetlands, tropical forests, and volcanic crater lakes. Listen for pant-hooting calls of clever chimps high up in fig trees and spot black-and-white colobus, gray-cheeked mangabey, and vervet monkeys. Witness the expressive look of mountain gorillas up close in the Bwindi. Head for thrilling game walks and rides through acacia-rich woodland and grassy valleys. Come evening, bask in the comforts of wilderness lodges, and track hyena and white-tailed mongoose on thrilling night safari drives. Details Testimonials Arrive: Entebbe, Uganda Depart: Entebbe, Uganda Duration: 11 Days Group Size: 2-4 Guests Minimum Age: 17 Years Old Activity Level: Level 4. Great experience every time with some of the most knowledgeable guides in their fields. We always come home with wonderful memories of the people we meet and things we see. Bob J. A prominent reason we have chosen MT Sobek as our favorite adventure travel company has been the excellent travel guides. Carol

3 REASON #01 REASON #02 REASON #03 We pride ourselves in working with the finest safari outfitters in Africa. All wilderness treks are accompanied by expert guides and professional trackers. 20% of the gorilla permits fees go to communities for projects like building health care centers, schools, clean water and sustainable agriculture education. This itinerary blends gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with a relaxing stay at deluxe wilderness lodgings. Gorilla permits are guaranteed! ACTIVITIES LODGING CLIMATE Scenic drives, moderate to strenuous treks and nature walks in search of wildlife, boat rides, and day/night game drives in safari vehicles. Lodges with modern comforts and great access to Uganda's raw wilderness, plus a boutique hotel to bookend the trip. Uganda enjoys a tropical climate, though the heat is tempered by the altitude of more than 3,000' above sea level. Habibu was born in Uganda s Bushenyi district and is of Denis is of Eastern Uganda s Kumam Tribe and grew up the Munyankole Tribe. After working as a teacher, Habibu in a rural village, where his father is a chief. After four years decided to follow his love of animals and become a Uganda delivering NGO relief supplies to Southern Sudan, Denis Wildlife Authority guide. His work with UWA, as a ranger and decided to combine his driving skills and interest in wildlife interpretive guide, gave him the opportunity to explore all of and pursue a career in tourism. Through on-the-job and formal Uganda s parks in depth. With hard work and dedication he training courses with the Queen Elizabeth Bird Observatory was appointed head UWA guide for Queen Elizabeth National and Bird Life International, Denis gained extensive knowledge Park, enabling him to manage wildlife and educate his local as a general interest guide specializing in birding. He has community on how to live alongside their neighboring fauna. worked as a driver/guide for 12 years and is a member Habibu Muhereza of the Uganda Driver/Guide Association and the Uganda Birdwatching Society. Denis Erabu

4 Itinerary DAY 1 ARRIVE IN ENTEBBE, UGANDA Welcome to Uganda! Upon arrival in Entebbe, meet a MT Sobek representative outside the customs and immigration area at the airport, for your transfer to the hotel. If you arrive early enough, visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or the Entebbe Wildlife Center, for close-up views of some of Uganda's unusual species, such as the shoebill stork and the sitatunga antelope. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. Meals: (D) DAY 2 EXPLORE THE KIBALE FOREST This morning board a 4X4 vehicle and drive into Uganda's lush countryside, a country that Winston Churchill once described as "the pearl of Africa." Pass through gorgeous scenery featuring farmsteads crammed with bananas and tropical trees, scenic wetlands, and patches of bush and forest. Continue on to the hill country below the Rwenzori mountains, through beautiful tea plantations and parts of the tropical Kibale forest, where you may spot some monkeys. DAY 3 TRACK CHIMPS IN KIBALE NATIONAL PARK After a hearty breakfast, set out for a full day habitation trek through the forest in search of chimps! Follow experienced ranger-guides and a tracker, listening out for the chimps' pant-hooting calls on your way to their nesting site. An early start means the opportunity to see them waking up, stretching, and descending from the tree tops. As the day goes on, you'll quietly witness their routines, see them eat, and watch the group's social interactions. When evening comes, the group will find a new nesting site, expertly build new nests, and settle down for the night. At this point, you will say farewell (and goodnight) to the chimps and head back to park headquarters. Activity: 8 hours chimp trekking DAY 4 DISCOVER QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK This morning, take a swamp walk in search of red-tailed monkeys, gray-cheeked manabeys, olive baboons, and beautiful birds such as the great blue turaco and the elusive Angola pitta. Next, drive south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori mountains, with views of their glaciated peaks, and into the Great African Rift valley and today's destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park. Uganda's most popular and accessible savannah reserve,

5 this spectacular park showcases leafy rainforests, dense papyrus swamps, and natural volcanic crater lakes. It has impressively rich biodiversity, including a total of 95 recorded mammal species and more than 610 species of birds. In the afternoon, explore the park's natural wonders on a thrilling game drive. DAY 5 SPOT BIRDS IN QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK Today head out to explore the park on a number of wildlife adventures, including a 2-hour launch trip on the Kasinga Channel to view some of the largest concentration of hippo in the world reported to be about 30,000. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Africa's best parks for birding, with recorded species. See if you can break the record of spotting 296 bird species in a 24-hour period! Activity: Morning & afternoon game drives & 2-hour boat safari DAY 6 HEAD TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK Today drive through the park to the Ishasha region to search for tree-climbing lions (75% success rate) and other game. Then continue on to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, one of Africa's most ancient habitats comprised of steep, jungle-coated mountains known for their exceptional biodiversity. Protected as a national park and a World Heritage Site, these magnificent landscapes are home to more than 160 species of trees, over 100 kinds of ferns, at least 90 mammal species, and almost half of the world's population of critically endangered mountain gorillas. DAY 7 TREK THE FOREST IN SEARCH OF GORILLAS After breakfast, report to the ranger station for a talk on the etiquette of gorilla tracking, then hike with a guide and tracker through misty rainforest to encounter these wild creatures. Trekking can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours, on rough and at times muddy terrain; a reasonable degree of fitness is required. You'll forget

6 the fatigue once you lay your eyes on your first mountain gorilla the experience of seeing these gentle giants at close range and in the wild is among the most extraordinary nature can provide. Activity: 1-7 hours gorilla trekking & wildlife watching on foot DAY 8 ENCOUNTER MOUNTAIN GORILLAS Rise early for another full day of gorilla tracking. Hike through the bush, pushing your way through the undergrowth and parting thick creepers. Expect to stay with these gentle giants of the African forest for about an hour after first encountering them. Bwindi is renowned for its mountain gorilla population, an estimated individuals living in 15 groups. Looking deep into their expressive brown eyes is an unparalleled experience. Look out for other wildlife as you trek through the forest, including chimpanzees, yellow-backed duikers, and a variety of birds. Activity: 1-7 hours gorilla trekking & wildlife watching DAY 9 MARVEL AT LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK This morning, continue on to Lake Mburo National Park, an extensive area of wetland that harbors several species of mammals and birds found nowhere else in Uganda, such as eland, impala and klipspringer. The park's sculptured landscape has a varied mosaic of wildlife-rich habitats forest galleries, seasonal and permanent swamps, rich acacia-woodland, and grassy valleys. It is also home to the largest population of zebra in Uganda, estimated at about 5,000, and among the highest concentration of leopard in the country. DAY 10 EXPLORE MORE OF LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK After breakfast, enjoy the many activities available at the lodge. Choose between walking safaris, night game drives in search of nocturnal animals, a walk onto a stunning viewpoint, a boat trip with hundreds of hippos,

7 relaxing massages, and the chance to watch bush babies in the evening from the platform below the bar. Jogging and mountain bike tours are also possible outside the park, as are walks to a Bahima home. DAY 11 BID FAREWELL TO UGANDA This morning after breakfast, bid farewell to the bush and drive back to Entebbe. Enjoy access to a dayroom at Karibu Entebbe before your transfer to the airport, for your flight back home. Meals: (B) / (L)

8 May 15-25, 2019 Jun 9-19, 2019 Jun 23 - Jul 3, 2019 Jul 31 - Aug 10, 2019 Aug 20-30, 2019 Oct 16-26, 2019 Dec 25, Jan 4, 2020

9 2019 $ 7,295 per person Additional Cost $ 1,420 Gorilla $ 1,550 Single Supplement PRICE INCLUDES Expert leadership from experienced adventure guides Accommodations as noted in the itinerary Meals as noted in the daily itinerary Potable water and snacks throughout 1 glass of wine or beer at dinner All tips and gratuities for support staff with the exception of your lead adventure guide(s) All group entrance fees, activities, and ground transportation Arrival and departure day airport transfers PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE International airfare, any airport taxes, or excess baggage charges Optional tips to your lead adventure guides Personal expenses such as medical immunizations, phone calls, laundry, or souvenirs Airport transfers if arriving outside of Day 1 and departing outside of Day 11 Optional travel protection

DISCOVER UGANDA SAFARI 2014 INTERNATIONAL GROUP SAFARI 7 DAYS

DISCOVER UGANDA SAFARI 2014 INTERNATIONAL GROUP SAFARI 7 DAYS Discover the best of Uganda with this unique tour! Enjoy the flexibility and personalized service of a small group guided tour with unforgettable