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Uganda

Shoebills, Gorillas & Chimps

Tour 1: Tue 11th - Sat 22nd January 2011
Leaders: Callan Cohen, Deirdre Vrancken

Tour 2: Tue 10th - Sat 21st January 2012
Leaders: Callan Cohen, Deirdre Vrancken

• Uganda, the Pearl of Africa • A fabulous tour, packed with highlights • Gorilla tracking and three-night stay at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest • Boat trips at Mabamba Swamp for Shoebill, and in Queen Elizabeth National Park • Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park • A wealth of central African endemic birds and mammals • Many regional specialities • First-rate lodge accommodation

We maintain 100% success with Shoebill, Jan 2010 © tour participant Keith Bedford

We maintain 100% success with Shoebill, Jan 2010 © tour participant Keith Bedford

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Uganda, a small country straddling the Equator, is one of the wildlife gems of the African Continent. With over 1000 species recorded, it has the highest concentration of birds in Africa and is the most accessible place to see the legendary Shoebill, one of the world’s most bizarre birds. The misty peaks and fern-laden forests of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Uganda’s birding hotspot - are an apt setting in which to search for a host of Central African forest species, including many regional specialities and some exciting endemics.

These mountains also offer what is perhaps the greatest of all wildlife experiences on Earth: the opportunity to come face to face with one of man’s closest living relatives - the Mountain Gorilla - in its natural habitat. When tracking for them, a small party is a distinct advantage and we have therefore limited our group size on each tour to a maximum of 10 participants plus guides.

Other tour highlights not to be missed include the opportunity to track Chimpanzees (the cost of chimp permits is included in our tour price), plus some superb forest birding at Kibale, mammal-watching in some of Africa’s finest National Parks and two splendid boat trips: at Mabamba Swamp in search of Shoebill and along the Kasinga Channel at Queen Elizabeth National Park, with chances of African Skimmer, Papyrus Gonolek, African Buffalo and Giant Forest Hog.

Uganda is one of the friendliest and safest of African countries to visit at the moment. With the devastating period of its political past long behind it, the country is in an active state of regrowth and renewal, and this is evident in the positive attitude of the people. The rejuvenation of the tourism industry here has been nothing short of phenomenal in recent years and all the prime birdwatching and wildlife areas now have rebuilt roads and comfortable accommodations.

Our tour combines the best of Uganda’s forests with exploration of the surrounding savanna and wetlands to offer an incredibly rich and diverse mix of species. Accommodation is of a high standard everywhere, ranging from top-end lodges in magnificent settings to comfortable permanent tented camps and hotels. Guide Callan Cohen has 20 years experience of African birding and leads most of our sub-Saharan Africa tours. He has birded extensively across the continent, including spending a total of more than five months in the field in Uganda.

NOTE: Gorilla trekking is optional. Permits are strictly limited in number and issued on a first-come, first served basis. Once the daily quota is sold, no further permits are available. Early booking is strongly advised!

Detailed Itinerary

Close enough for you! Gorilla on our January tour © Deirdre Vrancken

Close enough for you! Gorilla on our January tour © Deirdre Vrancken

 

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Tour Overview

Birds Mammals Half/Full-day Walks Boat Trip

Outline Itinerary


Day 1: Fly London-Entebbe. Entebbe (2 nts)
Day 2: Birding around Entebbe
Day 3: Shoebill boat trip and Kibale (2 nts)
Day 4: Chimpanzees and Kibale National Park
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park (2 nts)
Day 6: Kasinga Channel boat trip, QENP
Days 7 - 9: Gorillas & Bwindi Forest. Buhoma (3 nts)
Day 10: Lake Mburo National Park (1 nt)
Day 11: Return to Entebbe
Day 12: Fly Entebbe-London

Detailed Itinerary

Trip Information

What to Expect:
A fabulous tour, packed with highlights - from boat trips through the papyrus swamps in search Shoebill, tracking for Chimpanzees and a chance to trek for Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Join us for the best of Uganda!

Group Size:
Maximum of 10
participants plus leader/s.

Accommodation:
We use comfortable high quality hotels, lodges and tented camps, all with private facilities.

Meals:
All included in the price. Most meals taken at the lodges/camps. Some picnic lunches.

Walking:
Easy except for optional Gorilla tracking at Bwindi, which is variable and can be physically demanding according to where the animals happen to be (see main text). For safety, due to the presence of wild animals, little walking is possible away from the lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Sturdy walking shoes with rugged soles and good grip advised.

Gorilla tracking Please don’t hesitate to call us to talk about Gorilla tracking if you are undecided. Do bear in mind that, just occasionally, and in spite of the best efforts of the skilled local tracker-guides, the Gorillas can prove elusive and are not seen.

It is important to note that Gorilla permits are strictly limited in number and issued to tour operators on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the daily quota has been sold (often many months in advance), NO further permits are available for that day/s. January is one of the best months to visit, so please do book early to avoid risk of disappointment!

Boat Trips:
Our boat trip to look for Shoebills at Mabamba Swamp is by dugout canoe and lasts about 2 hours. Each canoe carries 4-5 persons, so we will travel in convoy (according to group size). The boat at Kasinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park is larger and big enough to accommodate our group along with other visitors. This trip lasts about 3 hrs.

Travel:
We use the scheduled services of British Airways, KLM or similar, from London-Entebbe. Ground transport By Coaster bus, minibus or 4WD landcruiser.

Birds:
380-420 species

Mammals:
35-40 species

Species List (pdf)

Trip Reports

Tour Info Pack

Tour Cost

TOUR 1

£4595

Deposit: £500
Single Supp: £395

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TOUR 2

£4995

Deposit: £500
Single Supp: £425

Book Online

Cost includes Return scheduled flights London-Entebbe, all accommodation, meals, surface transport (including boat trips as described), Chimpanzee tracking permit, entry fees to the parks, tips to local drivers/guides, airport taxes, map, bird & mammals checklist and services of the leaders.

Cost excludes Insurance, visa (approx £25), drinks & other items of a personal nature. Optional Gorilla Permit (see below).

Please note: Gorilla trekking is optional and not included in the tour cost shown above. The permit for one day of Gorilla trekking must be requested at time of booking (see permit fees, below). Please note that the permits are 100% non-refundable. If you do not wish to participate in this, please let us know at time of booking.

The cost of Gorilla Permits is determined by the Ugandan authorities. The approximate cost (based on summer 2010) is US$500 per person per trek, but we expect prices to increase for 2011. We have no control over this and will invoice you the actual cost (in GBP) once the price is known. Note that just occasionally, and in spite of the best efforts of the local tracker-guides, the gorillas can prove elusive and are not seen.

This tour is operated in conjunction with The Travelling Naturalist