Unique Safari Offers and Holiday Packages in Africa

                      Rwanda, ‘Land of a Thousand Hills'

Lying at the heart of Africa, Rwanda is one her most dynamic leisure destinations, offering vibrant cities, pristine wilderness and an exceptionally hospitable people. A unique and largely undiscovered venue, Rwanda also offers unrivalled biodiversity, beautiful mountains, some of the oldest and most precious rain forests on earth, five volcanoes, 23 lakes, numerous waterfalls, and three stunning national parks.
Regarding wildlife, Rwanda boasts 13 species of primates (25% of the total number in Africa), and 670 species of birds, many of which are globally endangered. Sports lovers, meanwhile, can enjoy walking, trekking or mountain biking along thousands of pristine trails, mountaineering, volcano exploration, fishing, boating and a plethora of water sports, while cultural options include a pageant of traditional dance, historical sites, and displays of ethnic art and heritage.

                                            Arrival Kigali - Rwanda

Met on arrival at the Kigali International Airport, by our and transfer to Kigali Serena Hotel where you have been booked on a bed and breakfast basis for the night.
 Kigali Serena Hotel
Ideally located on one of Kigali's most charming boulevards, the five-star Kigali Serena Hotel is built around a polished granite atrium, which showcases the very best of Rwandese cultural art.
Relaxed yet elegant, the hotel features an Executive Lounge and Bar, which opens onto a wide sundeck overlooking the newly refurbished swimming pool. One of the city’s most popular venues, the Milima Restaurant,  overlooks the pool and has been styled to offer a classically elegant interior and light –filled atrium overlooking the verdant tropical gardens.
Relaxed and stylish, the all day cafe styled Sokoni Restaurant overlooks the pool and is renowned for its colourful cocktails, international cuisine and vibrant live music.
The “Maisha” Health Club and Spa offers a luxury swimming pool, gymnasium and cardio-studio, steam room, sauna, plunge pool, sundeck, juice bar and a full range of health and beauty treatments.
The capital's natural business hub, the hotel also boasts of its own extensive conference centre, 500-seater auditorium and lavish ballroom.
Overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel  

                               Kigali to Lake Kivu

Breakfast in the Hotel.
0800hrs Depart for a panoramic tour of Kigali city and the Memorial Centre

Kigali Memorial Centre
The Centre was opened on the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, in April 2004. Built on a site where over 250,000 people are buried, the graves are a clear reminder of the horrors of the ethnic conflict.  The memorial serves as a place for people to grieve those they lost. It also  Maintained by goodwill donations from visitors, the centre hosts a permanent exhibition of the Rwandan genocide and other  genocides that have taken place around the world.
1100hrs Depart and embark on a scenic drive to Gisenyi town to arrive at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel in the early afternoon and in time for lunch.

Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Serenely sited on the white sandy shores of Lake Kivu, the sixth largest lake in Africa, and surrounded by extensive tropical gardens, the tastefully open-plan Lake Kivu Serena Hotel offers the ideal holiday escape destination!
Within three hours drive from the Rwandan capital, Kigali and an hour’s drive from the glorious Volcanoes National Park, home of the world famous mountain gorillas, the hotel overlooks its own private beach and offers a variety of accommodation and hotel facilities.
 The Kiyaga Restaurant looks out over the swimming pool towards the lake, features Rwandese, African and international cuisine, and showcases a number of colorful theme nights.  Ziwani Cafe,  which stands just back from the beach offers all-day cafe service, beach BBQs, poolside BBQs and evening sundowners with live music and traditional Intore dancers.
The hotel offers a luxury swimming pool, a mini-gymnasium and a full range of health and beauty treatments.
Afternoon at leisure to relax or indulge in one of the vast activities offered by the hotel.
Some of the activities and places of interest to see include:-
Boat excursion
In our luxurious open boat complete with very comfortable seats and chilled drinks of your choice on board. Scenic views of the various islands within Lake Kivu and some panoramic view of Goma town.
Escorted Walks
Enjoy a refreshing stroll along the 1 Kilometre lake shore track or down the boulevards outside the hotel that take you down the “memory lane’ to the days of King Leopold! 
 Water Sports
These include; Wind surfing, Catamaran sailing, Kayaking and  Jet skiing.
 Cocktails
Late  evenings can be spent by the beach with a bonfire and cocktails of your choice…or better still drive to the Pettit barrier for a scintillating view of the ever smouldering Nyiragongo active volcanoes.
Hiking & Biking
The  winding lanes of Gisenyi area offer a vast choice of hiking sites and tracks be it by walking or biking. The choice is yours.
Dinner and overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel  

Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park – Mountain Gorillas encounter!

0500hrs Transfer to Kinigi at the foot hills of the Virungas for your Gorilla Tracking expedition! Carry with you our carefully sorted and packed breakfast box complete with sufficient energy giving food to sustain you throughout the tracking trip.

IMPORTANT - Hikers must be prepared to walk for up to 6 hours a day.
• Hikers must bring along their own personal hiking gear.

 Volcanoes National Park

The park was first gazetted in 1925, as a small area bounded by Karisimbi, Visoke and Mikeno, intended to protect the gorillas from poachers. It was the very first National Park to be created in Africa.
The park later became the base for the American naturalist Dian Fossey to carry out her research into the gorillas. She arrived in 1967 and set up the Karisoke Research Centre between Karisimbi and Visoke.  From then on she spent most of her time in the park, and is widely credited with saving the gorillas from extinction by bringing their plight to the attention of the international community. She was murdered by unknown assailants at her home in 1985, a crime often attributed to the poachers she had spent her life fighting against.  She is buried in the park in a grave close to the research center, and amongst the gorillas which became her life.
Fossey's life later was portrayed on the big screen in the film “Gorillas in the Mist”, named after her autobiography.
The park is best known for the Mountain Gorilla. Other mammals include: Golden monkey, Black-fronted Duiker, Buffalo, Spotted Hyena and Bushbuck. There are also reported to be some elephants in the park, though these are now very rare.  There are 178 recorded bird species, with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemic to the Virunga and Ruwenzori Mountains.
0700hrs Briefing and allocation to a Gorilla Tracking Group.  After the trek return to the base, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge for a shower and lunch.
Later drive to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
Dinner and overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel  

Lake Kivu to Kigali & Departure

0900hrs After breakfast in the hotel, depart and drive to Kigali City to arrive at the Kigali Serena Hotel in time for lunch.
Later transfer to Kigali International Airport for your homebound International flight.

The Package Includes:

• 01 night on bed and breakfast basis at Kigali Serena Hotel
• 02 nights on full board basis at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
• Panoramic city tour of Kigali and visit to Kigali Memorial Centre
• Volcanoes National Park Gorilla tracking expedition
• Lunch at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
• Ground transportation in 4x4WD Safari Cruisers on exclusive use with 05 pax per vehicle
• Services of English speaking driver guides
• Airport transfers as per the itinerary

The Package Excludes

• International and local Airfares  and Visa entry charges to Rwanda
• All items of personal use i.e. drinks, laundry, telephone calls, gratuities, personal travel insurances- e.t.c.

Costs

2nd January 2016 - 22nd Deccember 2016
US $ 3,115.00* per person sharing
US $ 3,384.00* per person in a single room 
US $ 4,210 Solo traveler in single room

Gorilla trekking

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Uganda; Sustainable Tourism

Full Uganda package

Uganda Birding – shoebills, chimps and gorillaWith over 1000 species, Uganda offers the highest concentration of birds in Africa and is the most accessible place to see the legendary shoebill.The misty peaks and fern-loaded forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda’s birding hotspot is one of the best settings to search for albertine rift endemics. Furthermore, these mountains offer perhaps one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth: the opportunity to come face to face with one of our closest relatives, mountain gorilla, in its natural and dwindling habitat.This trip will start by the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe, exploring its Botanical Gardens (the setting of Weissmuller’s Tarzan movies), moving onto the reedy and dense channels of Mabamba and Kamengo swamps in search of the mythical Shoebill. We then “trek” north to the open game plain of Murchison Falls where large game such as elephant, giraffe, kob and hippos await. We will also have a chance to enjoy the Albert Nile Delta and its prolific birdlife and Murchison Falls, arguably Africa’s most powerful waterfall. Here, the Nile forces its way through a gap in the rocks, only 7 meters (23 ft) wide, and tumbles 43 meters (141 ft), then flows westward into Lake Albert. Next will be Kibale forest, one of Africa’s best primate exploration enclave and indeed the site where you will have a chance to come up, close and personal with one of your closest relatives – chimpanzees. Great forest birding will be complemented with awesome waterfowl birding at Kasinga Channel in the nearby Queen Elisabeth National Park.From here we climb towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP where birding for the famed albertine rift endemics will be spiced with the ultimate wildlife encounter and experience Uganda has on offer…the unique and ultra special chance to trek and come face to face with the primal, hulking and ever humbling mountain gorilla. Offering 24 of the 26 albertine rift endemics recorded in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, spans an ecotone from Buhoma’s lowlands to Ruhiza’s highlands. At Buhoma, pitta-like short-tailed warblers and kivu ground thrushes skulk in the mossy undergrowth. African grey parrots fly overhead while chimpanzees shriek from deep in the forest. At Ruhiza, the cloud-swathed Virunga volcanoes (of Diana Fossey fame) loom in the distance. Here we’ll search for the near mythical African green broadbill and Grauer’s rush warbler. It is even suggested that at least one undescribed species might even be lurking in the park!Mburo NP down in the Acacia clad plain near Lake Victoria will beckon us last, and our trip will end birding and game viewing this interesting habitat and birding its papyrus stand for some classic papyrus specials. The trip ends back in Entebbe.Uganda is one of the friendliest and safest African countries to visit. After its distant and devastating political past, it is now recovering fast and emerging with a renewed outlook, tourism infrastructure and an enthusiastic and contagiously positive attitude people.Join Africa Geographic’s leading guides as they unveil the magic of this birding realm. With a maximum of 6 guests and an expert local leader at the helm working the flocks, this trip always supercedes expectations. Detailed ItineraryDay 1: Arrival in EntebbeArrive in Entebbe where you will be met by an Africa Geographic representative and transferred to The Boma Hotel.  In the afternoon we have scheduled a visit to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens. Established at the turn of the 20th century, this is a place of blooms, lush vegetation and gnarled old trees native to Uganda – it is certainly a beautiful introduction to the tropics, made all the more exciting by the presence of Colobus monkeys, awesome insects and great birds to be had.  Right at the entrance in the tall trees one usually finds a pair of Verreaux’s eagle owls. Closer to the water’s edge the key birds to get are orange-tufted and red-chested sunbird, as well as orange weaver. The latter breed in the bushes on the shores of the lake along with slender-billed, northern brown–throated, yellow backed, Jackson’s golden–backed, black-headed and Vieillot’s black weavers. Along the lakes’ edge one can find long-tailed cormorant, common squacco and black-headed herons, hamerkop, African open-billed stork, grey-headed gull, various terns, giant and pied kingfishers, and swamp flycatcher. Collared pratincoles are often present and the stunning black headed gonolek and red- chested sunbird occur in the dense scrub covering the headland.Your guide will also join you at dinner and explain the plan of action for tomorrows’ assault on Mabamba Swamp in search of Shoebill.Dinner and overnight at the The Boma Hotel

African Paradise FlycatcherDay 2: Mabamba or Kamengo Swamps and onto MasindiOne of the most reliable places to view Shoebill, the most sought after Bird in Africa is found a short distance from Kampala in the Mabamba or Kamengo Swamps.Mabamba Swamp is a large marshland cris-crossed by various channels that provide the perfect habitat for countless waterbirds besides shoebill. Here, other marsh species such as swamp flycatcher, winding cisticola, malachite kingfisher, black-headed weavers, yellow-billed duck, long-toed lapwing, African jacana and blue-headed coucal, banded martin, grey-rumped and Angola swallows, African pygmy goose, rufous-bellied and purple heron, blue-breasted bee-eater, black crake, African marsh harrier, fan-tailed widowbird are not hard to find, and occasionally one can also be rewarded with the rare and endangered blue swallow.After our morning search we head fro lunch in Kampala and proceed north shortly after towards the town of Masindi.  En route we will look for white-crested turaco. Common roadside species that you can expect to see include long-crested eagle perched atop telephone poles, Wahlberg’s eagle, palmnut vulture, black-winged kite, African harrier-hawk, lizard buzzard, the hulking and impressive great blue Turaco, raucous eastern plantain-eater, black-and-white-casqued hornbill, crowned and African pied hornbills, dazzling-blue woodland kingfisher, broad-billed roller, splendid and Rüppell’s starlings, African thrush, northern black flycatcher, sooty chat, gregarious grey-backed fiscal, scarlet-chested sunbird and pin-tailed whydah.

Great Blue TuracoDay 3: The Royal Mile – Budongo ForestAfter a very early breakfast we will drive to Budongo Forest to bird the famous Royal Mile. We will spend most of today in the vast Budongo Forest Reserve, the largest natural forest area in East Africa. Concentrating much of our attention on “The Royal Mile”. Among the numerous specials we hope to find include buff-spotted flufftail, tambourine dove, blue malkoha, chocolate-backed, blue-breasted and African dwarf, the hulking white-thighed hornbill, yellow-spotted, hairy-breasted and yellow-billed barbets and their cousins, speckled, yellow-throated and yellow-rumped tinkerbirds. Western oriole, green hylia, grey and yellow longbills, the rarely encountered Uganda woodland warbler, grey, buff-throated, black-throated, and the stunning black-capped apalises, rufous-crowned eremomela, green and the elusive lemon-bellied crombec, fraser’s forest flycatcher, chestnut-capped flycatcher, purple-headed starling, little green, greychinned, collared, olive-bellied and the aberrant greyheaded sunbirds, yellow-mantled weaver, crested and red-headed malimbes and white-breasted nigrita. Greenbuls are abundant, and we shall work slowly through any flock that we encounter looking for plain, grey, yellow-whiskered, slender-billed, honeyguide, white-throated, red-tailed and the striking spotted greenbul. The beautiful Nahan’s francolin is sometimes heard, and we will require luck and patience to see it. We will search the undergrowth alongside the track for the numerous understory skulkers, namely scaly-breasted, brown and pale-breasted illadopsis, fire-crested alethe, fraser’s rufous thrush, red-tailed rufous thrush, yellow-browed and olive-green camaropteras and greythroated tit- flycatcher. We will keep an eye on any openings in the forest canopy, as Cassin’s hawk eagle and crowned eagle, white-throated bee-eater and Cassin’s, mottled and Sabine’s spinetails are all possible.Packed lunch at Budongo, Dinner and overnight at Masindi HotelAfrican Blue FlycatcherDay 4: Murchison Falls NPThis morning we will proceed towards Murchison Falls along the valley floor to the southern banks of the Victoria Nile River and the top of Murchison Falls. En route we will stop at Kaniyo Pabidi to look for Puvel’s iladopsis, and per chance chimpanzees. Further along we will bird the vicinity of Sambiyo Lodge. This area holds a very different diversity of birds including brown-backed woodpecker, brown babbler, red-winged warbler, purple starling, chestnut-crowned sparrow-weaver, black-bellied firefinch, cabanis’ and brown-rumped buntings, white-breasted cuckooshrike and red-winged pytilia.Other species to keep an eye out for include African cuckoo, African grey Hornbill, grey woodpecker, northern and redfaced crombecs, African paradise flycatcher (the spectacular white morph), northern puffback, black-crowned and brown-crowned tchagras, tropical boubou and red-cheeked cordonbleu.The top of Murchison Falls is an awesome sight to experience that affords excellent views of the Nile as it is squeezed through a 20-foot wide gap in the rocks and dropped 145 feet over the escarpment. It is said to be the largest natural force of water in the world, creating what appears to be a boiling caldron of water.Dinner and overnight at Para Safari Lodge

Red-throated Bee-eaterDay 5: Albert Nile Delta and Murchison FallsToday we will depart with packed lunches towards the northern sectors of the park where the best birding and most of the game in this park is to be found. The wide expanse of grasslands and whistling acacias to the north of the Nile holds a number of typical dry savanna birds such as secretarybird, black-chested snake eagle, tawny and martial eagle, shikra, dark chanting goshawk, harlequin quail, Heuglin’s francolin, helmeted guineafowl, collared pratincole, black-headed lapwing, swallow-tailed and northern carmine bee-eaters, black scimitarbill, short-winged and black- backed cisticolas, speckle-fronted weaver, Shelley’s sparrow, bar-breasted firefinch and black-faced quail-finch to mention some.Some species whose ranges may be centered in the Sahel reach their southern limits here too, and we hope to find the stately abyssinian ground hornbill and white-fronted black chat.This morning we will also drive slowly along the Niles edge checking a number of stakeouts  where  the magical and archaic looking shoebill occurs Other water birds we can expect to see  include darter, intermediate egret, goliath and purple herons, woolly-necked and yellow-billed storks, hamerkop, egyptian and spur-winged geese, osprey, African fish eagle, black crake, African swamphen, the majestic grey crowned crane (Uganda’s national bird), Senegal thick-knee, long-toed and spur-winged lapwings, African jacana, malachite and giant kingfishers and the dainty wire-tailed swallow. Colonies of colorful red-throated bee-eater or loquacious pied kingfisher populate the river banks.Mammals abound here too we hope to come across bushbuck, giraffe (Rothschild’s Giraffe form), African buffalo, Uganda kob, oribi and defassa waterbuck, hartebeest, topi, buffalo, sitatunga, bushbuck, warthog, bush pig, leopard, several species of mongoose, African genet, spotted hyaena, black-backed jackal and bat-eared fox. If we are lucky we may see groups of the shy patas monkey, while this is one of the best places in Uganda to find lion.In the late afternoon, we will launch on a boat trip along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, viewing game and birds en route. Nile Crocodile are in abundance here awaiting stunned Nile Perch as they recover from their epic “joy-ride” down the falls. Hippo and water birds are in abundance, and there’s a good chance of seeing shoebills as well. Interestingly, this is where part of the movie The African Queen was filmed.Energy levels dependent, you may also want to drive towards the falls slowly and checking out all nightjars, courser and owls, for here pennant-winged and standard-winged nightjars are both possible, as is grayish eagle owl and bronze-winged courser.Nocturnal mammals that you may encounter include leopard, serval, white-tailed mongoose, African civet, crested porcupine, blotched and common genets and Uganda grass-hare.All meals and accommodation at Para Safari LodgeGrey crowned craneDay 6: Butiaba escarpment and Kibale ForestToday we leave for Kibale Forest, a long yet interesting drive ahead of us awaits.We will stop very briefly at the Butiaba escarpment to search for specials, depending on our timing, as our drive is approximately eight hours. Leaving the Rift Valley we pass through beautiful agricultural countryside where an abundance of people, fruit, vegetables and subsistence farming becomes evident.We will have packed lunches along and take our lunch en route.  We reach Kibale Forest in the late afternoon, where we will dinner and overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Guest HouseDays 7 –  8: Kibale ForestOne of these days we will embark on a Chimpanzee trek, in Kibale, our chances of finding these, our closest living relatives, are excellent.Kibale National Park will be today’s birding destination. The towering Kibale Forest has the highest primate concentration and species diversity of any reserve in East Africa. Primate highlights might include sightings of localized central African red colobus, handsome L’Hoest’s monkey and the scruffy grey-cheeked mangabey.The birds at Kibale are typical of medium-altitude forest, with excellent mixed species flocks and specials such as Afep and the globally-threatened White-naped Pigeons, Red-chested Owlet, Narina Trogon, white-headed wood hoopoe, dusky-blue flycatcher, shrike-flycatcher, superb and green-headed sunbirds, chestnut wattle-eye and black-and-white mannikin.It is also here that we stand a chance of finding the gorgeous green-breasted pitta, though we will require a good dose of luck and perseverance to find this delightful beauty!One of the afternoons we will take a walk around Bigodi swamp which is a good site to see white-winged warbler, papyrus gonolek and with luck papyrus canary.Meals and overnight at Chimpanze Forest Guest House

Papyrus GonolekDay 9: Queen Elizabeth National ParkToday we leave Kibale and head for Queen Elizabeth National Park.  The drive passes through Fort Portal and then south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains, where you can sometimes see the glaciated peaks. We again descend into The Great African Rift Valley and Queen Elizabeth National Park.Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a myriad of habitats, from open savanna to rainforest, dense papyrus swamps and crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward, it is little wonder that QENP boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world.Almost 100 mammal species and a remarkable 606 bird species makes this superb safari territory, with elephant, a profusion of Hippos, the elusive Giant Forest Hog and handsome Uganda Kob all regularly sighted around the tourist village on the Mweya Peninsula, which also boasts a marvelous waterfront setting in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains.Along the roads and tracks next to Kasenyi we will focus on species including Rüppell’s vulture, bateleur (one of Africa’s most spectacular raptors), brown snake eagle, peregrine falcon, grey kestrel, rednecked spurfowl, harlequin quail, kurrichane and the rarely encountered black-rumped buttonquails, African crake, pied avocet, temminck’s courser, senegal and crowned lapwings, the marsh dwelling black coucal, blue-breasted bee-eater, greater honeyguide, flappet, rufous-naped, red-capped and the scarce white-tailed larks, plain-backed pipit, fan-tailed grassbird, croaking, red-faced, and stout cisticolas, marsh tchagra, blacklored babbler, southern red bishop, flocks of red-billed quelea, red-billed firefinch and black-chinned quailfinch.Afternoon game-drive and boat trip to bird the Kazinga Channel.Overnight and dinner at Ihamba LodgeDay 10: QEP to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP

After breakfast we drive through th

e park’s Ishasha region searching for the famous tree-climbing lions.Later we head south on a five-and-a-half hour journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Park (a World Heritage Site) and passing through the scenic area known as The Switzerland of East Africa.Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: A magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, this ancient rainforest – one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age – is home to roughly half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The national park has 90 mammal species, including 11 primates, of which the black-and-white colobus, with its lovely flowing white tail, is abundant. The forest birding ranks with the best in Uganda, with 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemics present.Birding en route, and on arrival will be weaved into the day depending on road progress and arrival time in Buhoma.Overnight at Community Camp Ground BandasDay 11: Gorilla Trekking and Birding BuhomaAfter breakfast, take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. We then hike into the forest where the gorillas were seen the night before and start tracking from that point. The trekking can take between 1 and 6 hours and you climb to altitudes in excess of 7 500 feet.  The terrain is rough and at times muddy.  Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes’ notice; hence waterproof clothing is a good essential, as are zip lock bags for cameras and film.Looking deep into the expressive brown eyes of these gentle giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter that Africa has to offer – but we should not let it distract from Bwindi’s broader biodiversity, a result of its immense antiquity and an altitude span of 1 160 to 2 607m.Overnight at Community Camp Ground BandasUgandaDay 12: BuhomaToday we will bird some of the forest trails leading out from camp. Species we will search for include olive long-tailed cuckoo, bartailed trogon, dusky tit, abyssinian ground thrush, white-bellied robin-chat, equatorial akalat, whitetailed rufous thrush, red-throated alethe, white-bellied crested flycatcher, white-eyed slaty flycatcher, bocage’s bushshrike, northern double-collared sunbird, black-billed weaver and Magpie mannikin.High exposed perches in the open forest are favored by African goshawk, the dazzling Black bee-eater, blue-throated roller, sooty flycatcher and forest starlings including Waller’s, Stuhlmann’s and narrow-tailed. One of Bwindi’s star avian attractions is the diminutive, pitta-like Neumann’s warbler, a vocal yet very secretive bird!Other under-storey birds we hope to see include displaying African broadbill, banded prinia and the handsome black-faced rufous warbler. The mid-storey and canopy supports Elliot’s and Tullberg’s woodpeckers, Cabanis’s, kakamega and Ansorge’s greenbuls, the enigmatic Chapin’s flycatcher, strange Grauer’s warbler and White-browed crombec. The rare Jameson’s antpecker may also been seen probing under moss on dead branches or gleaning warbler-like in the canopy, while scarce swifts forage over the forest.Other wildlife that we may be fortunate enough to find here include the huge yellow-backed duiker, guereza colobus, L’Hoest’s, blue and red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzee and several species of squirrels including fire-footed rope, carruthers’ mountain, ruwenzori Sun and Red-legged sun squirrels.Overnight at Community Camp Ground BandasDay 13: Buhoma to RuhijaAlthough the distance is not large, the birds we are after en route to Ruhija deserve some time and patience, they are all good and great grabs to work for. The farm bush around Buhoma can yield Red-throated Wryneck, Copper and Variable Sunbirds, Baglafecht, Black-necked and African Golden Weavers, Yellow Bishop, Village Indigobird and Blackthroated Canary.Further up we reach a river crossing known colloquially as the  “The Neck”, and here we stand a great chance of connecting with Black Sparrowhawk, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Cassin’s Honeybird, Petit’s Cuckooshrike, White-chinned Prinia,Mountain Wagtail, Pink-footed puffback, the rare tiny sunbird, and the “sexy” Brown-capped weaver.Cultivated areas along the road provide seeding grasses for several seedeaters, our main being the highly sought-after Dusky twinspot and yellow-bellied and Kandt’s waxbills. African stonechat, streaky and thick-billed seedeaters, African citril and Yellow-crowned canary.Noisy Chubb’s cisticola will mock us from the bracken, and hopefully the stunning Doherty’s bushshrike will make a stellar appearance to please the crowds. Mackinnon’s shrikes adorn the roadsides from high, exposed perches.The ranger station at Ruhija is situated at an altitude of 7500 feet, and from our lodge nearby we will be able to enjoy the breathtaking views over Bwindi’s steep, forested valleys. If it is clear, we may even be able to see the distant Virunga Volcanoes that straddle the Uganda / Rwanda / DRC border. Ruhija is likely to be one of the highlights of any trip to Uganda with excellent birding in spectacular surroundings!Overnight and meals at Gorilla Mist CampDay 14: RuhijaAt least one day will be spent exploring the highland forest at Ruhiza-the site with most of the Albertine endemics. The star attractions here are collared apalis, Ruwenzori Hill babbler, Grauer’s warbler, Shelly’s crimsonwing, dusky crimsonwing, archer’s robin-chat, regal sunbird, blue-headed sunbird, dwarf honeyguide and many others.The trail to Mubwindi Swamp promises to reveal some of the most difficult of all rift-endemics including the mythical African green broadbill. Mubwindi Swamp holds Grauer’s rush warbler and Carruther’s cisticola.Overnight and meals at Gorilla Mist CampDay 15: Ruhija to Mburo NPThis morning we leave Ruhiza and head for Mburo NP.  We will spend most of today getting there but will be able to bird and enjoy Mburo’s superb wetlands and acacia savanna woodlands in the afternoon and following morning.Potential and sought after species include African marsh harrier, white-backed, lappet-faced and white-headed vultures, brown snake eagle and African hawk-eagle. Mburo’s woodlands are the northern-most example of the southern savanna system and are therefore home to several species at the edge of their range. Most sought-after of these is the elusive Red-faced Barbet, known only from remote northeastern Tanzania, Rwanda, and here.We will also search for crested and coqui francolins, emerald-spotted wood dove, red-chested, jacobin, levaillant’s, klaas’s and dideric cuckoos, blue-naped and speckled mousebirds, lilac-breasted roller, striped kingfisher, green wood hoopoe, common scimitarbill, spot-flanked barbet, nubian and bearded woodpeckers, several swallows including lesser striped, red-breasted, mosque, red-rumped and white-headed saw-wing, black cuckooshrike, white-browed scrub robin, trilling cisticola, the meadowlark-like yellow-throated longclaw, chinspot batis, yellow-billed oxpecker, grey penduline tit, arrow-marked babbler, brubru, wattled starling, greater blue-eared starling, marico sunbird and red-headed weaver. Specials we will watch for include African finfoot, long-tailed cisticola and green-capped eremomela. Mammals we may find include foraging groups of banded and dwarf mongoose surveying the world from atop their adopted termite mounds, common zebra, hippopotamus, common warthog, eland (the world’s largest antelope), defassa waterbuck, bohor reedbuck, impala, oribi, and topi. En route to Mburo and outside the park, we will come across some of the world-famous long-horned Ankole cattle, an amazing breed of cattle that put Texan Longhorn breeds to shame.  Overnight and dinner at Arcadia Cottage

s.

African FinfootDay 16: Mburo NP to EntebbeThis morning we will spend some time birding the acacia woodlands and if people are up for it and are still required we will do a boat trip into the papyrus fringed lake in search of a few more Papyrus specials. Here to, if early enough and with luck on your side, you may encounter both white-backed Night herons and African finfoot.At the Kigambira Loop we will look for savanna and Acacia woodland species including blue-naped mousebird, spot-flanked barbet, nubian woodpecker, northern black tit, red-headed lovebird, green-capped eremomela, Ross’ turaco and the highly sought-after red-faced barbet. After lunch, we will drive through to Entebbe (5 hour drive) where the trip will come to an end in Entebbe.Overnight at The Boma Hotel (Entebbe).

Redfaced BarbetDay 17: DepartureThis morning you could visit the UWEC (zoo) as an optional activity, since it is not far from The Boma Hotel, and very much depending on your departing flights.  A transfer to Entebbe International Airport for everyone’s departing flights will be arranged.End of services.Additional InformationClimate:  Being located on the equator Uganda is warm throughout the year. Variations do occur but they are negligible, only altitude has a real effect. The months of June – July are characterized as the cooler months, but even then temperatures will rarely drop below 20C at night, although it could get hot when we travel north to Murchison. The probability of rain is low as the rainy season has already come and gone, and the next one is only in September. Even if it did rain earlier than expected the most common forms of precipitation would be afternoon sporadic thunderstorms or light rain.Difficulty: Walking the trails is easy throughout the trip. The exception is Ruhiza in Bwindi which slightly demanding as the hike to get to Mubwindi Swamp is a steep trail down, and slow climb up, and if it rains it can be rather slippery. However this trail is vitally worth it and holds some of the best birds that Bwindi has on offer. In general a small degree of fitness is required. The terrain during the Gorilla tracking can never be predicted and can indeed be very steep, however walking sticks and an expert team of trackers and porters will be along to assist, wait and make sure the experience is a pleasant one.Accommodation: This tour has been designed with a tried and tested, very affordable, and great value for money set of accommodations that understand birders needs and idiosyncrasies and will allow this trip the best flexibility, location and logistics required to be most successful.Price Includes All accommodation, meals, mineral water during transfers, access to all parks and reserve, transportation in a 4×4 vehicle or minivan with pop-up roof, boat cruises mentioned in the itinerary, fuel, driver and guide fees.  24/7 office support.Price Excludes: International flights, visas, items of personal nature, telephone calls, laundry, alcoholic drinks, travel and medical Insurance, tips, excess baggage charges, any activities not specified in the itinerary.Booking and payment details: Once you have decided to join this safari, you will need to to contact us for a booking form, which will include details relating to deposit and final payments etc. As our groups are small they fill up quickly.

PINNACLE AFRICA SAFARIS

TOUR TO UGANDA WITH PINNACLE SAFARIS  ONE OF THE 10 SAFARIS COMPANY IN EAST AFRICA

Uganda tourism is associated with miracles of adventure ,it has got all the pearl of Africa , this is promoted by the government of Uganda ,for the provision of security , ''give thanks to uganda '', tour operators ,

pinnacle safaris is one of ten safari company in the region of East africa  with have greatly plaid part in the  development of tourism , they are basically in ground operation activites like;

Tours to Uganda - Gorilla Tours, Chimpanzee Trekking, Ecotours, Vehicle Hire, Conferences and Events Management in Uganda

 

For all tours to Uganda, Africa including gorilla trekking adventures, wildlife safaris in national parks, mountaineering trips etc, we have the best package for you!.

 

Welcome to Uganda also known as The Pearl of Africa. Located in East Africa, it is bordered on the west by Congo, on the north by the Sudan, on the east by Kenya, and on the south by Tanzania and Rwanda. Although generally equatorial, the climate is not uniform as the altitude modifies the climate. Southern Uganda is wetter with rain generally spread throughout the year. In the centre of the country at Kampala and Entebbe (on the northern shore of Lake Victoria), most rain falls from March to June and the November/December period. The south of the country is heavily influenced by one of the many forests there, and one of the world's biggest lake, Lake Victoria, which contains many islands and birds. Main Tourist Attractions are Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park; Kidepo Valley National Park; Lake Mburo National Park; Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; Mount Elgon National Park; Murchison Falls National Park; Queen Elizabeth National Park; Rwenzori Mountains National Park; and Semuliki National Park.

Tours offered by Pinnacle Africa Safaris

Pinnacle Africa Safaris one of Africa,s travel experts. We specialize in custom-made safaris to track gorillas, chimpanzees, and other primates. We have many gorilla tours and over 5 chimpanzee safaris, wildlife safaris, bird watching, eco-tourism and cultural tours  in Uganda, Rwanda, Congo and Burundi. We also provide you with travel advice. We are experts in Events Management. We can arrange Business Meetings, Conferences, and Conventions in Uganda, Rwanda, Congo and Burundi . For those who wish to travel to Kenya, Tanzania, or Central and Southern Africa, we  arrange your safari programs through our associated agents. Contact us for details.

There range of tours and vacations in Uganda include but not limited to the following;

 

GORILLA TOURS  pinnacle safaris

 
Tours to Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks to track the endangered mountain gorillas.

 

WILDLIFE SAFARIS with pinnacle safaris

These include tours filled with game drives in Uganda's national parks. See mammals including lions, buffalo, rhino, elephant.

 

BIRDING SAFARIS with pinnacle safaris

 
Uganda is truly a bird’s paradise. Go bird Watching in Uganda's birding areas.

 

ECOTOURS with pinnacle safaris

We focus on low impact responsible tourism in areas of natural beauty where nature thrives.

 

CULTURE IN UGANDA with pinnacle safaris

Uganda is a mega-hotspot for travellers interested in experiencing African culture. with over 52 tribes, Uganda is one country with a diverse population, all under one government.

 

MOUNTAINEERING  activities with pinnacle safaris

Prepare for thrilling adventures that will involve you trekking Uganda's Rwenzoris Mountains and Mt Elgon

For more information or inquries about this post ,send me an email to fredlutaaaya@hotmail.com or fred@pinnaclesafaris.com

Uganda Hosts The 2013 Commonwealth local government conference | Africa Travel Guide

Uganda Hosts The 2013 Commonwealth local government conference | Africa Travel Guide