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Start: Kampala
Finish: Dar es Salaam
Countries Visited:
Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania
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TASTE OF AFRICA |
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Kampala - Zanzibar Island
24 days/23 nights
2011 Dates:
Fri 28 Oct 2011 - Sun 20 Nov 2011
Tue 22 Nov 2011 - Thu 15 Dec 2011
Fri 9 Dec 2011 - Mon 2 Jan 2012
(Christmas celebrations on leaving the Tanzanian parks and New Years on Zanzibar Island, 25 day safari)
Thu 15 Dec 2011 - Sat 7 Jan 2012
(Christmas with the gorillas)
2012 Dates:
Wed 1 Feb 2012 - Fri 24 Feb 2012
Wed 22 Feb 2012 - Fri 16 Mar 2012
Sat 7 Apr 2012 - Mon 30 Apr 2012
Fri 27 Apr 2012 - Sun 20 May 2012
Wed 30 May 2012 - Fri 22 Jun 2012
Wed 20 Jun 2012 - Fri 13 Jul 2012
Wed 1 Aug 2012 - Fri 24 Aug 2012
Mon 3 Sep 2012 - Wed 26 Sep 2012
Thu 27 Sep 2012 - Sat 20 Oct 2012
Sun 28 Oct 2012 - Tue 20 Nov 2012
Thu 22 Nov 2012 - Sat 15 Dec 2012
Sat 15 Dec 2012 - Mon 7 Jan 2013 |
Total Price from: $1340.00
Price includes $770.00 tour cost plus local payment of US$590.00 |
Overview:
Safari across the plains of the Serengeti and into the ancient caldera, Ngorongoro Crater. Trek the endangered mountain gorillas on the slopes of the Virunga. White water raft on the rapids of the White Nile, camp out in the wilds of Queen Elizabeth National Park and help out in a local school, finishing on the barefoot paradise of Zanzibar Island for a perfect taste of Africa.
Please note safari itineraries are given as a guide only.
A safari is a journey and true journeys in Africa unfold and are
of an adventurous nature, the unexpected can arise, so do
allow for this. |
Days 1 - 3
Kampala to Jinja, Uganda
Kampala to Jinja, Uganda |
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We depart Kampala early on Day One to transfer to our camp
at the Bujagali Falls by the White Nile. Here you can relax and be charmed by the beauty of Uganda whilst getting to know
your fellow travellers.
Make the most of the many activities on offer. Get your heart
pumping on grade 3 to 5 rapids whitewater rafting amidst lush
tropical vegetation in the Equatorial sunshine. Kayak, bungee
jump, quad bike, swim, fish, horse ride and take a village walk.
Volunteering at one of the community projects in a local school
is also a great way to get involved in the daily life of a village.
Optional excursions: Help in a local school, village walk,
whitewater raft on the White Nile (up to and including grade 5 rapids), bungee jump, sunset cruise, jet boating, kayaking and
boat trips, quad biking, horse riding.
Meals:
(Dinner)
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Day 4
Jinja to Entebbe |
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Leaving Jinja, we travel either as far as Kampala where we
stock up on supplies or on to Entebbe set by Lake Victoria.
Meals:
(Breakfast/Dinner)
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Day 5
Entebbe |
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Today we either continue further west or instead have the
option to take a Sesse canoe out on Lake Victoria and pay a
visit to the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Ngamba
Island is a 100-acre forested island which provides a safe
haven for 32 orphaned chimpanzees that are now free to roam
the island. The highlight of the visit is the opportunity to get
close to the chimps at their supplementary morning feeding,
via a raised walkway which allows easy viewing. Following this
we enjoy a traditional meal, including locally caught fish. You
can also take the opportunity to swim on the Equator on our
return from the island.
Alternatively we head west today to camp at Mbarara en route
to organize a trek to see chimpanzees in the wild at Kyambura
Gorge. We stop at local craft markets, including those of the
Royal Mpambira drum makers. Try your hand at bargaining with
the drum makers for a souvenir to take home with you. If you
are feeling hungry, roadside stalls sell fresh rotisserie meat
such as ‘chix on sticks’, a real local favourite. We stop at the
Equator on the way where there will be time for a quick photo
shoot.
Optional excursion: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary or
Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee trek.
Meals:
(Breakfast/Dinner)
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Days 6 - 7
Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park |
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We reach Queen Elizabeth National Park, our first big game
Park.
The cruise on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth is a very
special introduction to game viewing in Africa. Hippo wallow
close by our boat and elephant come to the water’s edge. We
have a good chance of seeing buffalo, as well as Ugandan
kob, Nile crocodile and a huge array of bird life. We bush camp in the wilds of the park tonight.
Meals:
(Breakfast/Dinner)
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Day 8
Queen Elizabeth National park to Kabale |
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We are now on our way to Lake Bunyoni, road conditions
pending, where we might spend our last night in Uganda before
heading on in to Rwanda. Otherwise we camp in Kabale town.
Meals:
(Breakfast/Dinner)
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Day 9
Kabale to Ruhengeri, Rwanda |
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On entering Rwanda, we stop over in Kigale at the Genocide
Memorial and Museum. The exhibition is a profoundly moving
memorial to those killed in the horrifying chaos that
descended on Rwanda in 1994.
We camp tonight in Ruhengeri and prepare for the gorilla trek.
Optional excursion: Genocide Memorial Centre and Museum.
Meals:
(Breakfast/Dinner)
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Days 10 - 11
Ruhengeri |
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Gorilla treks are organized ahead of time for the two days we
are based in Ruhengeri.
We trek in either the Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda or
in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.
For most a gorilla trek is a once in a lifetime opportunity to
allow you the chance to view this gentle and intelligent
endangered primate in its natural habitat. The guided trek can
take anything from an hour to all day depending on where the
gorillas are located on the day. Once found we are allowed an
hour with them, a measure set by the wildlife authorities to
protect the species.
The gorilla trek into this endangered creature’s Afromontane
home of haunting shady bamboo forest is always a huge
highlight of our trip. The gorilla forests themselves are also
home to an immense amount of birdlife as well as different
monkey species such as the golden monkey, apart from the
gorillas.
Close relatives of ours, the gorillas live in family groups led by
the older dominate male known as a silverback, who can
weigh up to 350 pounds. Whilst we are with them they usually
contentedly continue their daily routines in their lush jungle
environment. Seemingly unperturbed by human presence you
will probably find on a trek they continue grooming, sleeping,
and playing the day away whilst you are with them. Much time
is also spent eating and foraging for food - bamboo, wild
celery, nettles and other vegetation.
Apart from the gorilla trek during our two days there is the
option to visit a local orphanage, or Batwa village, as well as
take a separate trek to view golden monkeys or other hikes in
the national park. Some also hike to visit Dian Fossey’s grave.
Many just enjoy time in the local markets, and we all usually
enjoy some traditional dancing and singing on a night out in a
local restaurant.
Optional excursions: Mountain gorilla trek, golden monkeys
trek, visit to Dian Fossey’s grave, orphanage and preschool visit, Batwa (pygmy village).
Meals:
(Breakfast/Dinner)
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Day 12
Ruhengeri to Nyakhanzi |
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We cross the border into Tanzania today at Rusomo Falls.
Travelling a road less used we get a glimpse of real life in African towns and villages away from the tourist route. Enjoy a
game of football and a beer in an African nightspot lit by hurricane lamps, a samosa bought at the side of the road,
and a stay camping in a simple local African hotel.
Meals:
(Breakfast/Dinner)
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Day 13
Nyakhanzi to Mwanza |
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Continuing our journey off the beaten track, we travel towards
Lake Victoria where we camp overnight by Mwanza on the
lakeshore.
Meals:
(Breakfast/Dinner)
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Days 14 - 15
Mwanza to Seronera, central Serengeti |
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Approaching from the west there is time to overnight in the
Grumeti Conservation Area where we can enjoy game walks
and evening game drives with local guides.
Day 15 and we enter the world famous Serengeti National
Park at Ikoma to arrive on to the vast plains of this 14,000
sq. km park. Here on the timeless stage of the Serengeti
plains lion, leopard and cheetah pursue the vast herds of
wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelle and zebra on their seasonal
migration. We game drive through the afternoon to camp up at
Seronera in the middle of the park.
Optional excursions: Grumeti game drives, Grumeti game
walks.
Meals:
(Breakfast/Dinner)
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Day 16
Seronera to Ngorongoro Crater |
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We rise early this morning and head out further across the
plains for further game drives.
Leaving the park around mid-day we visit a traditional Masai
boma. The Masai can be seen all over this region dressed in
their traditional red-check blankets, maintaining their ancient
cattle herding lifestyle. We can also visit the Olduvai Gorge
Museum en route to find out about the fascinating
development of early man in the region.
Our overnight camp this evening finds us at altitude above the Ngorongoro Crater.
Optional excursions: Masai village visit, Olduvai Gorge
Museum.
Meals:
(Breakfast/Dinner)
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Day 17
Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha |
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After breakfast we descend 2,000 feet into the Ngorongoro
Crater, the world’s largest extinct volcano, where, with a little
luck, we can view rhino, hippo, lion, elephant, hyena, buffalo,
zebra, impala, wildebeest, cheetah, monkey, ostrich and flamingo.
We enjoy a picnic lunch after our morning game drives in the
Crater before travel ling through to the busy town of Arusha,
via the village of Mto Wa Mbu, where Masai display their
ebony carvings, spears and bead work.
Time at Arusha allows for a village walk and to relax over a
group barbecue and cold drink. A hot shower at the campsite
is always very welcome after days on the road and in the
game parks!
Meals:
(Breakfast/Dinner)
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Days 18 - 19
Arusha to Dar es Salaam |
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We are now on the way to Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean
coast with the chance of views of Kilimanjaro rising from the
surrounding savanna on the way. We park on the coast and
enjoy a seafood barbecue, and the relaxing pace of life here on
the Swahili coast. From here everyone usually elects to head
over to the exotic Zanzibar Island where we can arrange a four
night stay.
Meals:
(Breakfast/Dinner)
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Days 20 - 23
Optional stay on Zanzibar Island |
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Day 20 Arriving in the port of Stone Town, we find ourselves
amongst the winding, narrow alleys and colourful bazaars of
the traditional capital, Stone Town. A spice tour provides us
with a glimpse of the history of the island’s spice trade. Tonight in the evening food markets we enjoy fresh sea food
and sundowners at Africa House as we watch the traditional dhows sail into the harbour against the colours of sunset.
Day 21 Three nights are now booked to stay in beach cottages after our night in a lodge in Stone Town so you can complete
your safari relaxing on the palm fringed white beaches of the island. There is time for a snorkeling trips to Prison Island to
view giant land tortoise, and to snorkel amongst colourful fish and corals in the tropical waters at Mnemba Atoll. Dolphin boat
trips can also be organised and a visit to Jozani Forest’s troop
of indigenous red colobus monkeys.
Zanzibar is the perfect island paradise, an ideal location on
which to finish your safari.
Further details of arrangements for your optional time on
Zanzibar Island: We make core arrangements well ahead of time so we are assured our groups are comfortable in the
popular beach cottages to the north of the island and for a night in the capital. The tour leader travels over to the island
with the group to ensure that all runs smoothly. Other excursions available include snorkelling excursions to Prison
Island, famous for its giant tortoise, as well as Mnemba Atoll, dolphin boat trips, a trek in Jozani forest to see the red
colobus monkeys and fishing. Scuba diving can be arranged from the Dive Centre near our beach cottages.
Meals:
(Breakfast/Dinner)
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Day 24
Zanzibar Island to Dar es Salaam |
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We travel back to Dar es Salaam for a last night by the Indian
Ocean and bid our fellow travelers farewell.
Meals:
(Breakfast)
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