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14 DAYS UGANDA CULTURAL SAFARI

DAY 1

Arrival at Entebbe Airport and travel to Kampala When you arrive at Entebbe International Airport from an early morning arriving flight, you will be met by the company’s guide who will then transfer you to Kampala. In Kampala we visit cultural sites which include Kasubi tombs where Buganda kings and royals are buried, Kabaka’s (the area King’s) lake and Palace, Nagalabi coronation site, Nakasero Green Market, Mulago Hospital, Uganda Museum, Cultural Market, Bahai temple, Namugongo shrines and many other interesting sites, learn the real history of what happened in Buganda, the transformations they have gone through and how different cultures interact yet without clashing with one another. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE (ALL ON BED BREAKFAST BASIS) UPMARKET: SHERATON KAMPALA HOTEL MODERATE: MOSA COURTS HOTEL BUDGET TOURIST:HOLIDAY EXPRESS HOTEL

DAY 2

Kampala - Masindi - Murchison Falls NP You will depart after breakfast for Murchison Falls NP and travel via Masindi and enter the Park from the south and through Kichumbanyobo gate. A picnic lunch is foreseen on your way to the Park. You will take the ferry and cross the river Nile to the north bank where your hotel is located. A late afternoon game drive is foreseen on the programme. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE (ALL ON FULL BOARD BASIS) UPMARKET: PARAA SAFARI LODGE MODERATE: PARAA SAFARI LODGE BUDGET TOURIST: RED CHILLI Masindi Town lies in the Bunyoro Kingdom. Speke met the Bunyoro King in Kijura, now a Masindi suburb, and also met Emin Pasha in the district. Masindi was during the colonial period the gateway to the 'hinterland of Africa', where goods from the Northern Congo and Southern Sudan found their way to European markets. Cargo was shipped across Lake Albert, trucked from Butiaba up to Masindi.From Masindi, goods were trucked on to Masindi Port on Lake Kyoga where it was shipped down to Soroti and then by railway to Mombasa.

DAY 3

Murchison Falls NP After an early morning breakfast, you have a full morning of spectacular game viewing! The best area for game-viewing on the north bank is the peninsula between the Victoria and the Albert Niles. It's known for his abundant wildlife and has several tracks (Buligi track, Victoria track, Queen's track and Albert Nile track). The Uganda kob is common here, but also the oribi and the Jackson’s hartebeest. North to the Nile you have the typical Borassus palm savannah which hosts his beautiful Rothschild's giraffes, large herds of buffalo and elephants. The afternoon will be spent on an extensive exploration by boat on the Nile river, upstream towards the Falls. This is where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge and cascades down to become a placid river. You can admire on the slopes of the Nile river, the big number of hippos, elephants and the Nile crocodiles. Especially January and February are very rewarding for Nile crocodiles since this is the breading season. The launch trip is a unique adventure, full of activity and constant surprises! ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE (ALL ON Full BOARD BASIS) UPMARKET: PARAA SAFARI LODGE MODERATE: PARAA SAFARI LODGE BUDGET TOURIST: RED CHILLI The spectacular Murchison Falls, were 'discovered' by Sir Samuel White Baker in 1864. Baker spended some time to explore the Albert Nyanza (lake), during which he demonstrated that the Nile flowed through the Albert Nyanza (lake). The Falls were named after the President of the Royal Geographical Society. The Societey has been a key associate and supporter of many famous explorers and expeditions, including those of Darwin, Livingstone, Scott, John Hanning Speke, Henry Morton Stanley

DAY 4

Murchison Falls NP - Kibale You will depart after breakfast for Kibale and travel via Butiaba, Hoima and Fort Portal. On your way you will see the western escarpment of the Western Rift Valley (Albertine Rift) and explore lake Albert. Lake Albert is a typical Rift Valley lake lying at an altitude of 615 m between two parallel escarpments (Congo and Uganda). You will visit Butiaba on Lake Albert where you can view the wreck of the Robert Corringdon Steam Ship, which was used to carry cargo and passengers from the Congo to Uganda. Palm lined sand covered roads, sandy beaches with canoes give a picturesque view, which has changed very little in the last century. Arrival at Fort Portal is foreseen in the late afternoon. If time allows, we will have a stop at Fort Portal for some shopping before heading to Kibale Forest NP which takes another hour. In 1864, the explorer Samuel Baker became the first European to discover lake Albert; he named it after the recently deceased Prince Albert, (26 August 1819 – 14 December 1861) who was the husband and consort of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Fort Portal is a small and attractive city. The fort was built between 1891 and 1893 and named after Sir Gerald Portal, the British Consul General of Zanzibar who arrived in Uganda in 1892 to formalise the protectorate of Uganda. He died of malaria a few months after the fort was completed. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE (ALL ON FULL BOARD BASIS) UPMARKET: NDALI LODGE MODERATE: MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON HOTEL BUDGET TOURIST: KIBALE FOREST CAMP

DAY 5

: Kibale National Park and Semliki Following a good breakfast, you will go to Kibale Forest National Park home of habituated Chimpanzees – it harbors 12 species of Primates and provides one of the highest Primates densities in the world! Here on a guided walk, you may find families of Chimps and Red Colobus Monkeys. Thereafter we have the opportunity to visit the Semliki Valley National Park. Located in this National Park are the Sempaya Hot Springs - ringed by forest and palm trees and veiled in a cloud of steam, these springs are almost primeval. The largest spring is a geyser shooting up from an 8m-wide opening in a low salt sculpture. The emerging water has a temperature of more than 100ºC! We shall also visit the local Pygmy community – some years ago, a group of pygmies forsook their traditionally nomadic lifestyle to settle near Ntandi. You can learn more about their live style and culture. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE (ALL ON FULL BOARD BASIS) UPMARKET: NDALI LODGE MODERATE: MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON HOTEL BUDGET TOURIST: KIBALE FOREST CAMP

DAY 6

: Visit to the Royal Tombs and Village Walks You will wake up for an early breakfast and leave for Fort portal to visit the Kings Royal tombs known as Karambi Tombs. You will also visit various cultural groups which include the Burungu community, rooted in Traditional Toro culture that will entertain you with music, dancing and story telling. You will spend the whole day with the local community and on village walks and return to the lodge in the evening. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE (ALL ON FULL BOARD BASIS) UPMARKET: NDALI LODGE MODERATE: MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON HOTEL BUDGET TOURIST: KIBALE FOREST CAMP

DAY 7

Exploration all the way to Queen Elizabeth National Park After an early breakfast, we proceed to the Bakonjo village at Ruboni near the foot hills of Rwenzori mountains and spend time with the Bakonjo Community, visit the traditional healer (Chesesa) receive their entertainment and later transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Katwe Salt Works. It’s fascinating to see how since the 14 century, salt has been mined by traditional methods and it is still in use today. The salt mine have been sub divided and distributed to various tribes in Uganda. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE (ALL ON FULL BASIS) UPMARKET: MWEYA SAFARI LODGE MODERATE: KATARA LODGE BUDGET TOURIST: QUEEN ELIZABETH BUSH LODGE

DAY 8

Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park We set out early in the morning for a game drive in the northern part of the park on the Kasenyi Track in search of lions, elephants, solitary buffaloes. This is the best time for opportunities of viewing the cats in action owing to the vast population of Uganda Kobs. We have an excellent chance to view just about every animal here at very close range. In the afternoon we go for a launch trip along the Kazinga Channel. This gives you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippo’s huff and spray at a mere feet away from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle billed stork and many others. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE (ALL ON FULL BASIS) UPMARKET : MWEYA SAFARI LODGE MODERATE :KATARA LODGE: BUDGET TOURIST:QUEEN ELIZABETH BUSH LODGE

DAY 9

: Drive to Bwindi Have break fast to game drive enroute as you drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National park. The park is known to harbour half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. It is situated in a hilly country side, together with some remnant lowland forest outside the boundary. You will reach Bwindi late in the afternoon. Upon arrival you can rather be interested in rural African culture we suggest you take a guided village walk in Buhoma Village– see how Ugandans live, visit a local bar and meet the local medicine man! ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE (ALL ON FULL BOARD BASIS) UPMARKET: GORILLA FOREST CAMP MODERATE: ENGAGI LODGE BUDGET TOURIST: BUHOMA BANDAS

DAY 10

: Gorilla trekking Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a natural world heritage site. Hikers will love it, with the gorilla excursion as a high point of your safari! Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It's difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE (ALL ON FUll BOARD BASIS) UPMARKET: GORILLA FOREST CAMP MODERATE: ENGAGI LODGE BUDGET TOURIST: BUHOMA BANDAS

DAY 11

: Lake Bunyonyi This day we will arrive at the town of Kabale after drive meandering along the Kigezi mountains. Kigezi mountains is another unique scenery for you to view during your trip. We take a short detour Lake Bunyonyi Bunyonyi means “place of birds” – the water birds are prolific. The large lake is oddly shaped but reaches depths of 900m. Small islands dot the lake and steep terraced hills surround it. Take your time to enjoy the scenery before finally driving to another of Uganda’s beautiful townships – Kabale. You will be entertained by the local community with traditional performances this evening before resting at your accommodation. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE (ALL ON FULL BOARD BASIS) UPMARKET: ARCHADIA COTTAGE MODERATE: ARCHADIA COTTAGE BUDGET TOURIST: BUSHARA ISLAND CAMP

DAY 12

Drive to Jinja via Mbarara, Ankole Kingdom Today you drive east to Mbarara, now one of Uganda’s major towns, but formerly capital of Ankole kingdom for over 400 years until disbanded by independence in 1962. In the days before modern Uganda came into being, the area had a series of fiercely independent tribal states. The once nomadic Bahima people, part of Bantu-speaking Ankole kingdom, are renowned for the particular bond they forge with their unique, long-horned Ankole cattle. These hardy cattle respond to their individual names when called by their male herder; he in turn lives in close harmony with them. From here you continue to Jinja with stopovers at the drum making centre at Mpambire. You will explore the source of the Nile and later drive up to the Spectacular Bujagali Falls. You will see how those people rafting are able to safely conquer the most challenging rapids, you will watch the local fishermen and the fantastic bird life. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE (ALL ON FuLL BOARD BASIS) UPMARKET: JINJA NILE RESORT MODERATE: NILE PORCH BUDGET TOURIST: PARADISE ON THE NILE

DAY 13

Jinja tour and transfer to Entebbe We may l go for a brief tour around Jinja town and have a look at those old beautiful colonial buildings before our departure to Entebbe. Entebbe is a city in Uganda with a population of approximately 90,500. It is located on the shore of Lake Victoria 40 Km from the capital city of Kampala. The name Entebbe derives from the Luganda phrase Entebbe za Mugala (‘Headquarters of Mugala’, head of lungfish clan) and thus literally means Headquarters- somewhat prescient, given that it would later serve as the British administrative capital of Uganda. Entebbe’s potential was hinted at as early as 1879 by the French missionaries Father Lourdel and Brother Amans, who noted that ‘the port…is large and well sheltered…’ It became a British colonial administrative and commercial centre in 1893 when Sir Gerald Portal, a colonial Commissioner, used it as a base. It’s potential was first realized in 1896, with the arrival of a European steamship on L. Victoria-shipped from Scotland. The steamship was put in use when the railway from Mombasa reached Port Florence (Kisumu) in 1901, allowing the travelers to and from the coast to reach Entebbe directly by the combination of train and ferry. Within two years, Entebbe had replaced Kampala as the colonial administrative capital. By 1903, certainly, Entebbe had greater population of European residents than Kampala. By 1904, Entebbe boasted a hotel, the Equatorial, evidently the precursor of the present-day Lake Victoria Windsor…Entebbe served as administrative capital of Uganda upto 1962 when Kampala replaced it as the national capital. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE (ALL ON BED BREAKFAST BASIS) UPMARKET: IMPERIAL RESORT BEACH HOTEL MODERATE: GATELY INN ENTEBBE BUDGET TOURIST: CAMP ENTEBBE

DAY 14

Transfer to Entebbe Airport for your out bound return flight Your tour guide will transfer you in due time to the Entebbe International Airport for your outbound flight. Please note that check-in for international flights should be done 2 hours prior to departure of the flight. In the departure hall (after check-in) you will find a small restaurant, a sitting area and several duty-free shops for your convenience. AVAILABE TOUR PRICE OPTIONS (includes Gorilla tracking permit per person $500): 1) UPMARKET: US$8698 for 1 single traveller on tour only (staying in a single room) US$5293 per person for two persons only (sharing in 1 room) US$4768 per person for three persons only(1 Twin & 1single) US$4495 per person for four persons only (sharing in 2 rooms) US$4338 per person for five persons only (2 Twin $ 1 single) US$4229 per person for six persons only (3 twin rooms) US$1779 single room suppliment 2) MODERATE (MEDIUM PRICE): US$6673 for 1 single traveller on tour only (staying in a single room) US$4442 per person for two persons only (sharing in 1 room) US$3911 per person for three persons only(1 Twin & 1single) US$3644 per person for four persons only (sharing in 2 rooms) US$3484 per person for five persons only (2 Twin $ 1 single) US$3378 per person for six persons only (3 twin rooms) US$624 single room suppliment 3) BUDGET (LOWER PRICE): US$5684 for 1 single traveller on tour only (staying in a single room) US$3853 per person for two persons only (sharing in 1 room) US$3320 per person for three persons only(1 Twin & 1single) US$3055 per person for four persons only (sharing in 2 rooms) US$2894 per person for five persons only (2 Twin $ 1 single) US$2789 per person for six persons only (3 twin rooms) US$231 single room suppliment *Price includes meals indicated on programme, experienced driver/guide, accommodation as per programme, park fees for the various parks and activities, transport on tour as well as hotel transfers, entrance fees for tours mentioned in the programme. **Besides the dates availed below, you can book to join this tour anytime. Please contact us for more information.