East Africa

12 Days: “TREASURES OF EAST AFRICA”

NAIROBI-KENYA | RWANDA | UGANDA |

DAY 1 NAIROBI

On arrival into Nairobi at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you will be met by our representative and transfer to Ngong House or House of Waine, located under the shadow of Ngong hills in Karen. Renowned for fine decor and quiet location. It is close to the Giraffe Centre, Nairobi National Park, Daphne Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage and arts & crafts centre.

DAY 2 NAIROBI / KIGALI / RUHENGERI

After breakfast, transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International airport for your flight to Kigali - Rwanda. Upon arrival you will be met and transfer to Kigali for lunch and briefing. The journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of awesome Virunga volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. Check-in and overnight at Gorilla Nest or Virunga lodge.

DAY 3 PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS

After breakfast, transfer to the park headquarter for briefing on the gorillas etiquette. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and back at the base in time for late lunch or picnic under the shade of the mountain. Some gorilla families however are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially during bad weather condition.
Overnight at Gorilla Nest or Virunga lodge.

DAY 4 RUHENGERI / QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, proceed to Cyanika boarder, cross to Uganda (clock go forward one hour) and drive through the Switzerland of East Africa with the road winding through many hills and valleys with distant views of the volcanoes and lakes… Head to Queen Elizabeth National Park while keeping an eye out for the game. Overnight at Jacana Safari lodge or Mweya Safari lodge.

DAY 5 QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

An excursion to Kyambura gorge to track the fast moving and elusive chimpanzees, one of man’s closest relatives. Alternative go for game drive in the Kasenyi area or go for a nature walk in Maramagambo forest to see other primates and to visit the bat cavw and blue lake. In the afternoon take a boat cruise safari on Kazinga channel where wildlife and vast array of birds come to refresh and drink. Overnight at Jacana safari lodge or Mweya Safari lodge.

DAY 5 QUEEN ELIZABETH / SEMLIKI WILDLIFE RESERVE

This morning after breakfast will depart to Semliki Wildlife Reserve situated in the basin of the Western Rift Valley, gazetted in 1932 making it Uganda oldest protected area. Wildlife is plentiful but shy, including chimpanzees, forest elephant, savannah elephant, wonderful birds which include the rare Shoebill stork on Lake Albert. Overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge, a small beautiful and private tented lodge nestled on the crest of the Wasa River Valley. Consist of 8 tents with large four poster beds, Persina carpets, hardwood floors, en-suite bathrooms with a lovely swimming pool.

DAY 6 SEMLIKI WILDLIFE RESERVE

After breakfast, climb aboard your safari vehicle depart for game drive then to Lake Albert for a boat ride on Lake Albert to try and see the incredible and rare shoebill visually across between a dodo and a dinosaur. The lake is superb, there are waterfalls several kilometers up the lake which provide a magnificent view and picnic spot virtually untouched by the modern world. Drive back to the lodge through the borassus palm forest and acacia savannah. Afternoon relaxation at leisure by the poolside. Overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge.

DAY 7 SEMLIKI WILDLIFE RESERVE

An early morning rise, tea or coffee will be served in your tent, then go down into the beautiful gallery forest to track wild chimpanzee or drive to Semliki national park for nature walk in the Ituri Central African rainforest, home to myriad bird species, the community of Batwa Pygmies living there in a small village maintaining their traditional way of life. The Sempaya hot water springs are a key attraction. Guests at Semliki Safari Lodge have the whole valley of about 545 km? to themselves.

DAY 8 SEMLIKI WILDLIFE RESERVE / KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the airstrip for your private charter plane up to Kidepo Valley National Park which will take about an hour twenty minutes. You will be met by your host , the drive to Apoka Safari Lodge takes about 5 minutes. Game drives and walks at Apoka are directed by nature not time. Game drive in open topped safari vehicle in search of lions, cheetah, zebras, Jackson’s hartebeest, Patas monkeys, Rothschild’s giraffe, oribi, huge herds of buffalos, elephants… Enjoy picnic lunch and ice cold drinks under the shade of sausage tree. Incredible array of bird species roam in this vast wilderness: Bateleur eagle, Verreaux eagle, Rose ringed Parakeets, Abyssinian rollers are among the birds often seen in Kidepo Valley. The views are unimaginable, with back ground of Labwor hills and Mount Morongo. Overnight at Apoka Safari Lodge is the only lodge in this park. Culturally this part of Uganda is fascinating it is home to two distinctive ethnic groups with highly cherished traditions; the Karamajong and the Ik.

DAY 9 & 10 KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

This morning as the sun creeps over the peak of Mount Morongo, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before setting out for a full day discovery of the park and its environs. Katurum a lodge built by Idi Amin, this impressive abandoned structure is worth a visit, a must for birders, look for Fox Kestrel, Eastern chanting goshawk, grasshopper buzzard, Montague’s harrier and the very rare stone Partridge. Overnight at Apoka Safari Lodge.

DAY 11 KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK / KAMPALA

This is your last day of safari, after breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the airstrip for your private charter plane down to Kampala. You will be met by your representative who will transfer you to your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe. Emin Pasha Hotel, is a luxury boutique hotel nestled in 2 acres of beautiful landscape gardens of Kampala centrally located and within a walking distance of Kampala business district. Emin Pasha is a lovingly restored old colonial building and features 20 bedrooms. Amenities include a pool, massage, a small library and 2 private lounges.

DAY 12 DEPARTURE OR EXTEND YOUR VISIT TO THE SOURCE OF THE RIVER NILE

This morning or late afternoon transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.
Or after breakfast, depart to Jinja. The tour will include visit of Sezzibwa falls, Bujjagali falls, lunch in a restaurant facing river Nil. In the afternoon visit of the historical source of the river Nil before returning back to Kampala for overnight at Emin Pasha or at Entebbe.
Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The Royal Kasubi tombs and the National Museum worth a visit as it gives the visitor an interesting insight story of Uganda culture.
End of the safari