UGANDA PRIMATE PHOTO SAFARI, 29TH JUNE- 10TH JULY 2015
Uganda is among the top 20 global tourism destinations for the year 2013, according to the National Geographic, and was voted as the number one tourist destination for 2012 by Lonely Planet.
Known as the ‘Pearl of Africa’, Uganda is a friendly land-locked country in East Africa. It has a well-developed tourist infrastructure with excellent national parks that showcase Uganda’s wide variety of wildlife.
Uganda has the highest concentration of primates on earth, including the majestic mountain Gorilla, one of the rarest animals on the planet. It also boasts the tree-climbing lions, a Rhino Sanctuary and is one of the world’s best bird-watching destinations with over 1000 species. All this and more is set amongst stunning scenery of mountain ranges and the mighty Nile River that needs to be seen to be believed.
With a friendly and experienced Ugandan guide and myself, let us take you on an adventure of a lifetime and show you some of what Uganda has to offer.
This safari is suitable for photographers of all levels as well as nature enthusiasts as we will be maximizing our time in the field to witness and photograph wildlife in the best light available.
Monday 29th June 2015
Upon your arrival at Entebbe international airport, meet up with your guide who will then transfer you by mini bus to Cassia Lodge in Kampala city for your dinner, safari briefing and overnight. Experience the scenic view of the city and hills as the cool breeze comes in from Lake Victoria.
DAY 1 – Monday 29thth June 2015
Wake up to the sights and sounds that is Africa.
After a hearty breakfast, we will embark on our safari with our guides by 4×4 extended Land Cruiser. With a maximum of three people per eight seater, there will be plenty of room for your photographic gear, and will enable you to shoot from both sides of the vehicle without compromise. Our first stop will be at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a protected area for the last remaining Rhinos of Uganda. With our guide, we will have the opportunity to track and photograph these magnificent creatures on foot through the savannah and swamps. After lunch, we continue on to Murchison Falls National Park, where we will finish our day with an afternoon game drive before heading to our Fort Murchison Lodge to relax, chat and enjoy our evening meal.
DAY 2 – Tuesday 30th June 2015
With coffee/tea, snacks and a packed picnic lunch, we will head off at dawn for an early morning game drive to utilize the best light and active animals for prime photographic opportunities. We will spend the morning looking for wildlife, which include huge Elephant and Buffalo herds, well-camouflaged Leopards and a healthy population of Lions. This park is also known for its Giraffes, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Bushbucks, Uganda Kob, Water and Bush Bucks, Warthogs, Topi and Oribi. We will have our picnic lunch overlooking the banks of the Nile River. In the afternoon, we will embark on a private boat cruise along the river, where we hope to see various wildlife and bird species. We make our way to the bottom of the falls before returning to our lodge for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3 – Wednesday 1st July 2015
Today, with an early start, we will have our morning in the bush, before continuing onto Murchison Falls where we will explore the top of the mighty falls of the Nile, a place where the vast Nile river gushes through a gorge just six meters wide. We will stop here to enjoy our lunch while enjoying the falls scenic beauty. After lunch, we will head to Hoima town for our overnight stop. A rest stop to break our journey, you can wonder the town to explore and experience the local African life or rest up at our hotel.
DAY 4 – Thursday 2nd July 2015
After breakfast, we will be transferring to Kibale Forest, with lunch en-route. An opportune time to just sit back and admire the most amazing scenic views of the fabled mountains of the moon, the Rwenzori Mountains. We will have dinner and overnight at the Chimp Nest Camp/Kibale Forest Lodge.
DAY 5 – Friday 3rd July 2015
Today we will be venturing on an incredible all day Chimpanzee Habituation trek. With an early start, we will meet up with our guide and join our Chimpanzee community as they rise from their sleep in their purpose build overnight nests. We will journey with them as they feed, hunt, breastfeed, rest, patrol and display before building their nests for the following night. This full day allows us to witness and photograph their behavior in the wild. Be sure to keep your eyes open for other creatures of the forest including Forest Elephants, Buffalo, Bush Pigs, birds, other primate species and much more. After an amazing day with the Chimps, we will return to our Lodge for dinner and a well-earned rest, talking over our exciting days adventures.
DAY 6 – Saturday 4th July 2015
After breakfast, we will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, lunch en-route. We will go on an afternoon game drive to Kasenyi Plains where we hope to encounter Elephants, Lions, Buffalos, Ugandan Kobs, Water and Bush Bucks, and Warthogs amongst others. We will relax and overnight at Enganzi Lodge/Bush Lodge with a hearty dinner.
DAY 7 – Sunday 5h July 2015
We will again rise early with a hot coffee/tea and snack in hand, for our dawn game drive at Kasenyi mating ground to experience and photograph the wildlife, then to the Kasenyi fishing village to view Hippos before stopping for our picnic lunch. After lunch, we will take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel that connects Ramsar Lake George to Lake Edward. We can expect to see more wildlife and birds along the shores of the channel before heading back to our Lodge for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8 – Monday 6th July 2015
After an early breakfast, and with packed lunch provided, we will drive to Ishasha southern sector to search for the tree climbing Lions, Buffalos, Elephants and much more. Overnight at Savannah resort Hotel.
DAY 9 – Tuesday 7th July 2015
Again rising early, and with packed lunch, we will explore the Ishasha southern sector in search of the elusive tree-climbing lions, before driving to the Bwindi Gorilla Park, with dinner and overnight at the Kitandara Lodge. This evening you will have the opportunity to watch a Batwa cultural performance put on by the Bwindi orphan children, a moving experience!
DAY 10 – Wednesday 8th July 2015
A highlight of our trip!
As the American Zoologist George Schaller once said: “No one who looks into the eyes of a Gorilla, gentle and vulnerable, can remain unchanged.”
After a hearty breakfast, we will head off to start our unforgettable Gorilla experience. After our de-briefing, we will trek through the jungle in search of our Gorilla group. Depending on the location of the Gorillas to how long this will take us. Once we have found them, we have one memorable hour with these incredible animals before returning to the park office. In the evening, we will enjoy our sundowner with dinner then overnight.
Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla Beringei Beringei) are found in Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC. Along with the Chimpanzees, Orangutans and Bonobo, the Mountain Gorillas are the closest living species to man with DNA very similar to ours. They are highly social animals, and although strong and powerful, are generally shy and gentle. The males, known as Silverbacks due to the silver saddle down their back, can weigh in at 220kgs or more, and will defend their group from external threats. Gorillas will groom each other and females will allow nursing young to nest with them. The young Gorillas like to play games including wrestling, chase and somersaults, which helps them learn how to behave and communicate within the group. Gorillas can be identified by nose prints, with each one being unique to the other. Even though Gorilla numbers have increased to an estimated 880 individuals, they are still regarded as a threatened species. Mountain Gorillas are listed as critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and are dependant on conservation efforts to survive.
Some of you may wish to visit the Bwindi orphan children again for another Batwa cultural performance.
DAY 11 – Thursday 9th July 2015
Today after breakfast, we will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and spend the evening on a game drive in search of wildlife. Here we can expect to see wildlife species like Elands, Impalas, Zebras, Warthogs, Buffalo, Oribi, Defassa, Water Buck, Leopard and Hyena.
We will have dinner and overnight at the Rwakobo Lodge/Mburo Eagle Nest Camp with stunning views over the National Park.
DAY 12 – Friday 10th July 2015
Rising early, with coffee and a snack, we will head out for a dawn game drive. Our last game drive coming to an end, we will head off to the Equator for lunch, and souvenir shopping, before returning to Kampala. Farewell dinner and overnight at Cassia Lodge.
Saturday 11th July 2015
Today you will be escorted to the airport via mini bus for your departure, unless you have arranged for a tour extension.
“Mutuuke Bulungi – Safe journey back home.
The tour price includes:
Airport transfers by mini bus
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
Ground transportation by 4×4 Extended Land cruiser safari vehicles
Riwa Rhino Sanctuary entry
Equator visit
En-route luncheons
Chimpanzee permits
Park entrances
Game drives
Boat cruises
Gorilla permits
Batwa Cultural performance
Professional English speaking local guide
Mineral water on board
Exclusions:
Airfares
Visas and Passport costs
Meals and accommodation outside of the safari itinerary
Personal expenditure like; alcoholic drinks, curios, laundry, phone, Internet etc
Gratuities for the local guides and staff at your accommodation
Porter fee while trekking
Personal travel and camera insurance
Immunizations including Malaria medication
Cost of medical services and evacuation if necessary
Any other expenditure of a personal nature
COST: Total cost for this amazing wildlife photographic safari is $6,500 USD P/P subject to 8 bookings based on double occupancy, and $6,790 USD P/P subject to 5 bookings based on double occupancy. Extra costs will be incurred for single occupancy if available. To secure your placement, a 30% non-refundable deposit is required. The deposit ensures the booking of our Gorilla Permits as numbers to see these endangered animals are very limited. It also secures our Chimp Habituation permits and accommodation. Deposits are required by 30th January 2015 with balance to be paid by 1st April 2015. Spaces are limited to eight people and once full you can be added to the wait list.
If this safari sounds like you, then come join us for this exciting, fun filled trip of a lifetime.
For further information and booking details, please email me at;
samclarkphotography09@gmail.com or samclark@tpg.com.au
Mobile: 0428 441 044
See you on Safari,
Sam
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