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AFRICA WILDLIFE SAFARI
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Uganda, where the East African savannah meets the West African jungle, is the “pearl of Africa”. Its incomparable natural beauty encompasses a host of different ecosystems, and the variety of animals is staggering! Uganda is the only safari destination whose range of forest primates is as impressive as its selection of antelope, and its bird checklist tops the 1,000 mark!
Rwanda is “the land of a thousand hills” and home to half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. For 20 years the late Dian Fossey traveled the bamboo-covered hillsides of Rwanda’s volcanoes and shared her amazing gorilla research with the world. This tiny country in the middle of Africa is filled with beauty, unsurpassed biodiversity, and is embracing a bright new future apart from its troubled past. We have selected five different locations to observe wildlife on foot, by boat and on game drives in safari vehicles. On each excursion, we will be accompanied by experienced guides and trackers when we look for the primates. Our lodging will be in small exclusive tent camps and lodges that offer true African hospitality, fabulous food and all the com Our first stop is Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest National Park, where the mighty Nile River explodes through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment, plunging into a frothing pool below. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe and a variety of antelope are regularly encountered on game drives through the lush borassus grasslands. The Nile itself hosts one of Africa's densest hippo and crocodile populations along with a dazzling variety of shore birds including the rare shoebill stork. Kibale Forest National Park is our next destination, and we will spend two nights at a wonderful lodge on a private reserve overlooking a crater lake. This is a great place for hiking. Besides helping us identify some of the remarkable plant life, our hiking guide will introduce us to the world of primates as we search for chimpanzees, phoestes, red colobuses, and red-tailed and grey cheeked mangabeys in the forest. Next we visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve renowned for its spectacular mountain scenery and impressive assortment of nearly 100 mammal species and over 600 bird species. Highlights are the tree climbing lions, elephants, hippos and several species of On route to Rwanda we will spend a night on Lake Bunyonyi where we will have an opportunity to meet the Batwa Pygmies, also known as “the people of the forest”. We finish our safari in Rwanda at Volcanoes National Park where the eminent primatologist Dian Fossey worked with the mountain gorillas and brought worldwide attention to their plight due to poaching. This park features a rich mosaic of ecosystems ranging from evergreen and bamboo forests, to open grassland, swamps and heath. With the help of expert trackers, we will hike on the protected slopes of a magnificent mountain range in search of the rare mountain gorillas. This exclusive African wildlife safari is designed for a small group of adventurers who enjoy hiking, watching wildlife, meeting local people and photography. We are confident the destinations we have selected for this safari will offer a fantastic assortment of wildlife and the best chance to see some of more rare species found in this special region of Africa. So grab your camera, be ready for surprises, and let’s go to Africa!
Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda, transfer to our hotel n Days 2 & 3: We board a flight to Murchison Falls National Park, famous for its thundering waterfall and superb wildlife. While in the park we will do a game drive to observe elephants, cape buffalo, bushbucks, lions, and a variety of bird species. An afternoon boat cruise brings us close to where the entire Nile River roars through Murchison Falls. We also plan to visit Mubaku village for a unique insight into the local way of life. We spend 2 nights at the Nile Safari Lodge. Day 4: A morning nature walk is planned along the banks of the Nile to observe the rich diversity of bird-life that resides in this area. In the afternoon we transfer to a comfortable lodging in Hoima.
Days 7 & 8: Today we transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, where we spend 2 nights on the shore of Uganda’s largest crater lake at an intimate eco-lodge with cozy guest cabins and complete facilities. This area is a naturalist’s dream with elephants, LOTS of hippos, the elusive giant forest hog and the handsome Uganda kob. We have a forest hike planned and then a boat trip through the Kazin Day 9: After breakfast we depart for the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park known as Ishasha, famed for its tree-climbing lions. We spend the night at Lake Bunyonyi which is called the “Switzerland of Africa” for its spectacular mountain scenery. There we will have an opportunity to visit the local Batwa Pygmies who are known as “the people of the forest.” Days 10 & 11: Today we leave Uganda and cross into Rwanda to visit Volcanoes National Park where Dian Fossey dedicated her life to the protection and conservation of the mountain gorillas. Her detailed work is best seen in the internationally acclaimed film "Gorillas in the Mist" that was shot in Volcanoes National Park. The second day we will hike with an experienced tracker and do our best to find the gorillas - but remember there is no guarantee because nature does not keep regular hours! The gorillas are shy, p Day 12: In the morning we transfer to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, where we have a city tour planned followed by a farewell dinner and hotel lodging in Kigali. Day 13: Depart for home or other destinations in Africa or Europe.
DATES: 13 days, August 3 – 15, 2008 TRIP
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Gratuities for local guides, hiking guides and lodging personnel (approx. $200 US); alcoholic beverages; international flights; Trip Cancellation Insurance (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!). Complete Trip
Detail Request RESERVATIONS: For complete reservation information click here. |
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Nichols
Expeditions 497 North Main Street, Moab, Utah 84532 phone: 800-648-8488, fax: 435-259-2312 email: info@NicholExpeditions.com |
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forts of home.
monkeys. For 2 nights we will relax in the comfort of a wonderful lakeside lodge.
ear the airport for an early evening orientation and dinner.
Days 5 & 6: In the morning we transfer to the Ndali Safari Lodge for 2 nights on a private reserve overlooking a scenic crater lake. From the lodge there is a wonderful hike to a local village that maintains banana plantations, coffee terraces, and plots of cassava, groundnuts, sorghum and millet. On our second morning we will hike with a guide in Kibale Forest National Park to look for chimpanzees, phoestes, red colobuses and red-tailed and grey cheeked mangabeys. In the afternoon we plan to visit Bigodi swamp, an amazing place to observe rare and beautiful flora and fauna. 
ga Channel to view a mighty array of hippos and cape buffalo at close range. Pink backed pelicans, fish eagles and the curious saddle-billed stork can also be seen along the shore.
eaceful animals that are remarkably tolerant of human visitors. Nothing can prepare one for the impact of encountering a fully grown silverback gorilla, and it is an unforgettable experience to watch and photograph these gentle giants at close range.
safari guide, 1 domestic flight from Entebbe to Murchison Falls, all ground transportation, guided walks, day and night game drives, 1 Gorilla Permit, 1 Chimp tracking permit, boat trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls and other activities while on safari and all applicable Government Taxes.