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UGANDA
WILDLIFE SAFARI
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Uganda, where the East African savannah meets the West African 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 comforts of home. Our first stop is Lake Mburo National Park. The Park has about 68 different species of mammals, with common sightings We move to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the home of Uganda’s star attraction, the endangered mountain gorilla. They live in a spectacularly dense rainforest, and we will spend the day hiking with our experienced tracker in search of these animals. Queen Elizabeth National Park is our next destination. This National Park is a UNESCO world bio-sphere reserve with nearly 100 mammal species and over 600 bird species. Highlights here are the tree climbing lions, elephants and a large concentration of hippos along with several species of monkeys. Chimpanzees are 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. This exclusive African wildlife safari is designed for a small group of adventurers who enjoy hiking, watching wildlife, meeting local people and photography. 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 (June 28): Transfer from airport to hotel in Kampala. This evening we shall drive around Kampala to see some prominent places such as: Kasubi tombs, Makerere University, Kibuli Mosque, Bahai temple, and Mulago hospital. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 3: After breakfast, we drive to western Uganda, popularly known as" The Switzerland of Uganda". Our destination is a lovely inn above the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest lake in Uganda. There are 38 islands on the lake and an afternoon boat ride will give us opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery and see a variety of bird species. We will have an opportunity to visit the local Batwa Pygmies who are known as “the people of the forest.” Country Inn
DAY 5: The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to roughly half of the world's 650 mountain gorillas. At the Buhoma Headquarters of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a national parks Guide will present a briefing about Gorilla trekking. We will start hiking early with our tracker and do our best to find them - but remember, there is no guarantee because this is nature and she does not keep regular hours! The gorillas are shy, peaceful animals and it is an unforgettable experience to watch and photograph these gentle giants at close range. Gorilla trekking can take 2 to 10 hours depending on how easily the Gorilla family is located. We return to our tented camp for the night. DAY 6: After breakfast we will leave Bwindi early and DAY 7: An early start to take advantage of the cool of the morning where we game drive along designated tracks to see the herds of Buffalo, Elephant, Warthog and Lion. Return to the lodge for breakfast by 10:30 am. After lunch, a two-hour launch excursion along the Kazinga channel offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience at close quarters hippo and a variety of bird species common to the park. The prolific bird life is colorful a DAY 8: We depart from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale Forest National Park arriving by lunch. After lunch, prepare for a hike with a Park Service Guide who will provide a detailed explanation of the primates we are likely to see as well as the forest’s fauna and flora. On our half-day hike we will look for chimpanzees, phoestes, red colobuses and red-tailed and grey cheeked mangabeys. Overnight in a Luxury Tented Camp. DAY 9: On a morning hike, we will visit Bigodi swamp, an amazing place to observe rare and beautiful flora and fauna as well as excellent birdlife and primate viewing. After lunch we will drive to Entebbe for our final night and farewell dinner at a guest house near the airport. DAY 10: Morning transfer to the airport. ITINERARY CHANGES MAY BE MADE DUE TO LOCAL CONDITIONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL OR BY DISCRETION OF GROUP LEADERS. All the services described above are arranged weeks or months in advance of your trip. If airline schedule changes, unusual weather conditions or other circumstances beyond our control prevent us from operating the services according to the schedule described above, we will attempt to substitute services of equivalent value. If we are unable to do so, passengers may be responsible for additional costs due to circumstances beyond our control.
DATES: 10 days, June 28 - July 7, 2009 TRIP
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Gratuities for local guides, hiking guides and lodging personnel (approx. $150 US); alcoholic beverages; international flights; Trip Cancellation Insurance (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!).
WHO COMES ON A NICHOLS EXPEDITIONS TOUR? You can expect a spirited mix of singles and couples in their 20's to 70's from all corners of the US and a few international locations as well. Many have accompanied us on numerous tours in the past. All seem to share the common bond of an active lifestyle, an appreciation for the outdoors and a love for fun. We will gladly supply references a THE GUIDES: Our Uganda staff includes expert bilingual naturalist guides at the lodges and on the tracking safari. THE SECRET TO STRESS FREE TRAVEL: Simply put, PACK LIGHT & ARRIVE A DAY EARLY. If you travel to Europe a few days before the tour, you will eliminate jet lag. If you arrive in Entebbe a day before the tour, you will be rested and more acquainted with the customs and pace of life in Africa, and there is less chance of lost luggage. Contact us for additional hotel reservations. AVOIDING TRAVEL DELAYS: For international flights, it is necessary to arrive at least 2 hours prior to departure (check with your carrier to make sure). Also, make sure you ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME BETWEEN ALL CONNECTING FLIGHTS so both you and y ADDITIONAL LODGING: If you would like to reserve additional nights at the hotel in Entebbe, Uganda before or after your trip please CALL US TO MAKE YOUR ARRANGEMENTS EARLY as hotels are busy this time of year. WILDLIFE: Chances are good you will see gorillas, chimps, lions, buffalo, elephants, hippos, giraffes, monkeys, baboons, lots of birdlife and so much more. However, as with all things wild, nature really determines what happens, so start getting your “animal karma” in order…and we shall see!
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY ON THE HIKES: Any fit hiker who enjoys a good day's walk in hilly terrain with a light daypack will do fine on this trip. While the hiking parts of this safari are done at a relaxed pace, please keep in mind that this is an active, off the beaten path adventure, and at times we will be traveling over rough terrain and sometimes off the established trails. SELECTING THE RIGHT DAYPACK: Your daypack should fit comfortably and have adjustable shoulder and waist straps. It needs to be just large enough (around 2000-2500 cubic inches) to carry your rain gear, sweater, water, snack, camera and a small first aid kit. We STRONGLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING A DAYPACK WITH A HYDRATION SYSTEM or adding one to your existing daypack. For rain protection of your pack’s contents, use either a waterproof pack cover or a sturdy trash compactor bag to line the INSIDE of your pack. Another solution is to use waterproof stuff sacks for your clothing and non-waterproof items. (Chuck & Judy use both a waterproof pack cover & waterproof stuff sacks.) FOOTWEAR: For hiking, you can use either a sturdy hiking shoe or a light weight hiking boot. You do not need a heavy boot! We will be hiking in hilly, uneven terrain with loose rocks and occasional wet conditions. Your footwear should provide good ankle support, be in good repair and have a traction sole. Make sure to check old boots for worn laces, cracked leather and delaminating soles, and we suggest waterproofing all leather footwear before the trip. Be sure your footwear is well BROKEN-IN, (BUT NOT BROKEN DOWN) BEFORE THE SAFARI. Blisters, caused by improperly fitted or insufficiently broken-in boots are the most common, painful problem encountered on hikes. GOOD SOCKS: Pay special attention to your sock selection to help prevent blisters. Many hikers wear a thin liner sock that hugs the foot to eliminate abrasion. A thicker outer sock is worn over the liner to provide cushioning. What ever you decide to use, it is advisable to test it out on several hikes at home before the trip. FILM WARNING FROM TSA: See the TSA website http://www.tsa.gov/index.shtm for complete details at. Equipment used for screening both checked and carry-on baggage at airports will damage your undeveloped film. You should REMOVE ALL UNDEVELOPED FILM FROM YOUR CHECKED AND CARRY-ON BAGGAGE and have it hand inspected. To expedite the screening process, carry your film in clear canisters or take the film out of solid colored canisters and put it in clear plastic Ziploc bags. Digital cameras and digital media are not affected by the screening machines. EXCHANGING MONEY: The official currency in Uganda is the Uganda Shilling. The US Dollar is widely accepted, BUT THE DOLLAR BILLS MUST BE NEW BILLS WITH NO TEARS! PLEASE EXCHANGE YOUR DOLLARS OR USE THE ATM AT THE AIRPORT IN ENTEBBE AS SOON AS YOU ARRIVE. We will only be in small towns along the safari route. Master Card and Visa are widely accepted at ATM’s. We suggest traveling with 2 or more credit cards (in case you have trouble with one), and that each card has a PIN# that can be used in an ATM. Be sure you ACTIVATE THE PIN# at home and CHECK THAT IT WORKS IN AN ATM IN THE USA BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR TRAVELS. Also, notify your credit card company of your travel itinerary so they will allow charges to your card outside the USA. TRAVELERS CHECKS can be problematic and we do not recommend bringing them. MONEY NEEDS DURING THE TOUR: You will need to exchange the equivalent of $300-600 ($150 for tips for the African staff: drivers, hiking and cultural tour guides and hotel staff, and $100-400 extra for shopping, alcoholic beverages, etc.) PASSPORT & VISA REQUIREMENTS: All travelers need a PASSPORT (check the date of expiration to make sure that it does not expire within 3 months of the completion of your trip) and a VISA for entry into Uganda. We suggest obtaining your documents well in advance before the start of the tour. Complete information for obtaining a visa can be found at http://www.ugandaembassy.com/visa.html#6 MAKE COPIES OF PASSPORT & VISA INFORMATION: We recommend making 2 photocopies of your passport’s photo page and visa, and any other valuable documents you might carry with you on the tour. Travel with one copy stored separately from your passport and visa. Leave the other copy at home with a relative or friend (ideally the same person you gave as your emergency contact). In the event that any of your documents are lost or stolen, this will greatly assist the process of replacement. HEALTH ISSUES & IMMUNIZATIONS: A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required, and all visitors should take malaria prophylactic drugs. Be sure that you have a current tetanus shot. The most definitive source for current requirements and suggested immunizations is your State Health Department. PLEASE PURCHASE TOUR CANCELLATION INSURANCE!! Due to the limited number of people we are taking on this tour, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GIVE A REFUND FOR ANY CANCELLATIONS UNLESS WE ARE ABLE TO FIND A REPLACEMENT. HEALTH INSURANCE: Please make sure your current insurance policy covers both MEDICAL AND ACCIDENT RISK, and that it will cover you in Uganda and Rwanda. If not, consider subscribing to the Travel Insurance Policy you receive with your confirmation material for this tour. ELECTRICITY: Voltage in Uganda is 240V AC, so check to make sure all your appliances and battery chargers will accept that voltage. Wall OUTLETS ARE THE THREE-SQUARE-PIN “British variety” and you will need an OUTLET ADAPTER of this style for your appliances. LANGUAGE: Forty different tribal languages are spoken, but English became the official language of Uganda after independence. THE WEATHER: Uganda's equatorial climate provides plentiful sunshine, but there is always a chance of rain so adequate rain gear is a must. Temperatures range from 60 - 85 ° F during the day and 45 - 60 ° F at night, and the temperatures can be quite cool at the 7000 foot altitude in Bwindi National Park. FOOD AND WATER: The food is great and there is a wide selection of tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, meat and fish. Vegetarian diets can easily be accommodated with advanced notice. Tap water should not be drunk. Bottled water is available in all lodges, hotels and tent camps. SUGGESTED
SUPPLIERS OF OUTDOOR GEAR: BACKGROUND
RESOURCES AND READING:
For clothing, use the layered approach with synthetic fabrics such as pile, Supplex, Capilene and Coolmax that launder easily and dry quickly. Gore-Tex rain gear is the best for outerwear, and yes, you need BOTH PANTS AND JACKET WITH A HOOD! Daytime temperatures should be 60 – 85° F, with night lows of 45 - 60° F. Rain is always a possibility, and eveningwear is strictly casual. By following the equipment list carefully and leaving out unnecessary items, you will have all you need be able to travel light! TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: CLOTHING: FOOTWEAR: PERSONAL ITEMS: OPTIONAL ITEMS: PACKS & BAGS:
PACKING
SUGGESTIONS: DAYPACK – make this your carry-on bag with your hiking boots (you can wear them on the flight), toilet kit (NO SHARP INSTRUMENTS), essential medications, travel clothing and necessities for a day or two should your other bags be delayed. DUFFEL BAG / SUITCASE– your checked bag for the rest of your clothing and gear. Packing Hint #1: Freezer weight Ziploc plastic bags are lightweight, inexpensive, and see-through. They are indispensable for packing items like books, toilet kits and cameras, and to prevent spilled liquids & creams in your baggage. Packing Hint #2: Travel-size samples save space and weight! Visit the "samples section" of your drugstore or supermarket and see if your favorite shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, toothpaste and deodorant are available in travel-size samples. If not, transfer some to smaller plastic bottles that can be purchased in the size you need. Remember to plastic bag all lotions. Packing Hint #3: Think multiple use garments. Convertible pants with zip off legs save bringing an extra pair of pants. Quick dry shorts double as a swimsuit. A rain jacket over a sweater replaces bringing a bulky jacket. Hiking poles can be a camera support and replace a tripod. Be creative and keep that baggage light! Packing Hint #4: Do your own laundry. If you bring synthetic clothing, you can easily wash it and hang it to dry. 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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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!
are Zebra, Impala, Buffalo, Topi, and Eland, and there is a chance of seeing Roan antelopes, leopards, hyenas and jackals. Bird viewing opportunities are excellent. 
next on the list, and we should find them in Kibale National Park along with a number of other primates who make this forest their home.
DAY 2: Early morning departure to Lake Mburo National Park. We drive across the Equator through Uganda’s rolling green hills (the drive will take approx. 3 hours). Following lunch, we will take a hike and a late afternoon game drive in search of zebra, impala, eland, topi, oribi, cape buffalos, and with luck, Roan antelopes, leopards, hyenas and jackals. Our lodging is a luxury tented camp overlooking Lake Mburo underneath a starlit African sky. Luxury Tented camp
DAY 4: After breakfast we head through the highlands to Bwindi, Impenetrable National Park, home of the mountain gorillas. In the evening we shall walk to the nearby community for a cultural performance. We overnight at our tented camp for two nights.
depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. We’ll pass through the southern sector of the park known as Ishasha, famed for its tree-climbing lions. This National Park is a UNESCO World Biosphere and has one of the highest
biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world! Almost 100 mammal species and a remarkable 606bird species can be found. Elephants, LOTS of hippos, the elusive giant forest hog and the handsome Uganda kob all regularly sighted. We spend two nights in Queen Elizabeth National Park at an intimate eco-lodge with cozy guest cabins and complete facilities. 
nd stupendous with well over 550 resident species.
nd the make-up of any trip that you are interested in joining.
our baggage will make it. Nichols Expeditions is not responsible for any costs you may incur due to delays with transportation (airline or other), weather, road conditions, government intervention, sickness or other contingencies for which we are unable to control. If you miss your flight and we need to provide a special shuttle for you to meet up with the group, you will be responsible to pay for all extra costs. 
GAME DRIVES: We use comfortable vehicles to increase our travel range and more easily find the animals we are seeking. The vehicle provides safe viewing of Africa’s more dangerous animals and allows us to observe and photograph them from a closer vantage point. 
