18 Day Uganda Gorilla Safari with Rwanda & Victoria Falls

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International airfares & internal flights

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Luxury Resorts & Lodge accommodation

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Most meals

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Gorilla Trekking Safari and all permits

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Professional English speaking guide throughout

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Sightseeing as per itinerary

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All park entrance fees

Day 1: Australia -

- Kigali

Today, depart on an overnight flight from Australia to Kigali, Rwanda. Day 2: Kigali

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10 January 2017 6 February 2017 27 February 2017 13 March 2017 12 June 2017 19 June 2017 3 July 2017 14 August 2017 28 August 2017 25 September 2017 16 October 2017

(B) - Breakfast / (L) - Lunch / (D) - Dinner Flight Cruise Train Game Drive

Welcome to Rwanda! Upon arrival in Kigali international airport, your guide welcomes and transfers you to your hotel. The rest of the day is then at leisure.

Spanning several ridges and valleys, Kigali, with its lush hillsides, winding boulevards and bustling streets, is arguably one of the most attractive capital cities in Africa. Hotel: Mutanda Lake Resort (or similar) Day 3: Kigali—Kisoro (B,L,D) After a breakfast, explore Kigali. Start by visiting the Genocide Memorial which is located in the northern Kisozi district and a moving memory of a horrific time in Rwanda’s history. Kigali exists as a testament to the peace and order that has defined Rwanda's trajectory after the brunt of the genocide in 1994. In the span of 100 days, estimated one million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were systematically butchered by lnterahamwe and army. This memorial honours the estimated 250,000 people buried here in mass graves and tries to explain how it was that the world watched as the genocide unfolded. You'll find the section that remembers the children who fell victim to the killers' machetes. Life-sized photos are accompanied by intimate details about their favorite toys, their last words and the manner in which they were killed. After you've absorbed the museum displays, take a rose to leave on one of the vast concrete slabs outside that cover the mass graves. After, visit the African craft centres and Kandt House National Museum which is dedicated to Dr. Richard Kandt a German doctor and explorer who embarked on an exploration of Rwanda in 1897, showcases many specimens and replica of the natural wonders of the country. Later, cross the

Cyanika border to Kisoro, Uganda. Hotel: Mutanda Lake Resort (or similar) Day 4: Kisoro—Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Trek—Kisoro (B,L,D) After an early breakfast, begin the excitement of getting ready for the exotic Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest that is a true African jungle. It is so called because the dense undergrowth, vines and other vegetation makes it almost impenetrable. The mysterious atmosphere is awesome. It is home to half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas (approx. 800 gorillas remain in the entire World). Upon arrival at the Bwindi Forest and briefing by a ranger guide, enter the gorilla sanctuary for your adventure. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular. The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle, endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored. Many find it to be a rare and moving opportunity. You will have chance to spend precious time with this remarkably peaceful gorillas as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting & raising their young. The trekking will take approximately 5 to 8 hours. Hotel: Mutanda Lake Resort (or similar)

Day 5: Kisoro—Batwa Pygmy Village—Kisoro (B,L,D) After breakfast we spend the day around Kisoro to visit a small Batwa (Pygmy) community to examine the lifestyle of this endangered culture. This is far from being a conventional nature walk; with the help of your guide, you will see the forest as a larder, pharmacy, builder's yard, tool kit and above all, a home. The Pygmy- Batwa people are a traditionally hunter - gatherer group who lived within the forests and survived on small mammals and plants. When National Park was gazetted in 1991, the Batwa were forced to leave the forest and were no longer able to enter the park to gather food. Given their traditional way of life and their dependency on the forest for food, this resulted in various socio-economic problems. We will take the chance to visit the local orphanage, the Sumbeam Project in

Rugubiri. You are likely to see children studying and visit some of their income initiatives such as their mushroom farm, tea plantation and brick making. Hotel: Mutanda Lake Resort (or similar) Day 6: Kisoro—Lake Bunyonyi (B,L,D) After breakfast proceed to Lake Bunyonyi, located 1962m above sea level and surrounded by steep sided heavily cultivated hills of Kabale. Lake Bunyonyi (literary meaning 'the place of many little birds') is a beautiful place with 29 islands dotting the centre of the lake and believed to be one of the deepest lakes in Africa. The lake surface is a fresh 25 degrees celcius, bilharzia free and safe for swimming. The spectacular scenery makes the place ideal for relaxation and refreshing oneself. Hotel: Lake Bunyonyi Resort (or similar) Day 7: Lake Bunyonyi—Ishasha—Queen Elizabeth National Park (B,L,D) After breakfast embark for a visit to lshasha a southern distant segment of Queen Elizabeth national park which is famous for its tree climbing lions. Here, the game drives begin! Game drives are without doubt the highlight of any safari in Africa. Normally, when it's hot in the day, lions tend to find shelter in large gnarled fig trees. We start our game drive in search for these lions before enjoying a picnic lunch. During the game drive, there are tremendous wild animal sighting opportunities such as Ugandan Kob (a type of antelope) and Topi. Queen Elizabeth Park is also widely recognized for having the largest concentration of hippos in the world and is home to chimpanzees and a variety of other antelope species. Hotel: Jungle Lodge Ishasha (or similar) Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park (B,L,D) In the morning start the day with an early morning game drive all the way to the Kazinga

track. If we have time, we explore the mating ground of the Uganda Kob in the Kasenyi plains where we are likely to come across warthogs, elephants, and buffaloes. In the afternoon enjoy a boat cruise on Kazinga channel. Kazinga Channel is a narrow neck of water body connecting lakes Edward and George. Your boat is the most luxurious in the region; plying these waters with comfort, elegance and attentive service, affording superb wildlife viewing from your observation deck. Watch as animals come down to the waters edge to drink. Along the Kazinga Channel, there are chances of viewing large schools of hippos, giant nile crocodiles, elephants and several species of shorebirds both migratory and resident. Relax as you take in the epic beauty of the river as you float spotting crocodiles lounging on muddy river banks. Hotel: Jungle Lodge Ishasha (or similar) Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park—Mburo (B,L,D) After the exhilarating experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park, we start our journey to the calm and beautiful Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo is a combination of open water with an extensive marsh and wooded grassland comprising of flooded plains bordered with pockets of tropical lowland forests giving the park an oasis setting that greatly draws wildlife in big numbers. The wooded grassland section of the park is endowed with large herds of, Roschild's Giraffe, buffalo as well as large numbers of antelopes like zebra, eland, impala, waterbuck, bush buck, and many others. This is the park where we shall take a walk and graze with the wildlife. The entire Lake Mburo Park is a place of breathtaking and magical beauty; "a place where the vision of a deep red sunset silhouetting the thorny acacia scrub along the extensive marshy area, brings the perfect end to a safari". Hotel: Mburo Safari Lodge (or similar) Day 10: Mburo - Entebbe - Australia (B) After breakfast, take a short game drive before depart for Entebbe. Enroute stopover at the Equator for a photo session and souvenir shopping. The Uganda equator is one of the most

and well known landmarks in Uganda. The Equator is an imaginary line that is seen on maps marking the equidistant from the North and South Pole. Along the imaginary line of the equator, a magnetic needle has no dip and stabilizes in perfect horizontal position. You are able to stand with one of your feet in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern hemisphere at this point; it is such an amazing experience to stand at both sides of the world. In the late afternoon, arrive at the Entebbe for your overnight stay. Hotel: Imperial Hotel (or similar) Day 11: Entebbe—Johannesburg (B,L,D) Today after breakfast you are transferred to Entebbe airport for you flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival at Johannesburg you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is then at leisure. Hotel: Peermont Mondior at Emperor Palace (or similar) Day 12: Johannesburg - Pretoria - Sun City - Johannesburg (B,L,D) After breakfast enjoy a day at Pretoria, often called the “Garden City” and indeed in late spring when the Jacaranda trees loom into a sea of purple it is easy to see why. It is the capital city of South Africa and steeped in history. You will visit some of the most beautiful venues this city has to offer. Visit the Voortrekker Monument, the Union Building and Church Square in the centre of Pretoria as well as the Cullinan Diamond Mine. In the afternoon, preceed to Sun City which is known for its charming oeuvre. In this entertainment city, tourists enjoy fun filled activities like the casino, theatre and world champion sporting events. After we make our way back to Johannesburg for our overnight. Hotel: Peermont Mondior at Emperor Palace (or similar) Day 13: Johannesburg - Pilanesberg—Johannesburg (B,L,D) Today we proceed to Pilanesberg. The route passes through the most scenic areas of the region and passed many of its best knowen tourist attractions. The journey takes

approximately 2 hours. On arrival spend and unforgettable day in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve on a safari. Go on game drives to explore the African wildlife which call thispark home. Be on the lookout for the reserves wildlife especially Rhino. The reserve is also home to Hyena, African Buffalo, Zebra, Warhog, Giraffe, Impala and many other mammals. There is also a huge variety of Eagles, Vultures and other birds of pray in the Pilanesberg park. After a big day we make our way back to Johannesburg. Hotel: Peermont Mondior at Emperor Palace (or similar) Day 14: Johannesburg - Victoria Falls (B,L,D) After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the spectacular Victoria Falls! On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. There is time to freshen up before embarking on a Sunset cruise on the Zambezi river. Cruise up and down a stretch of Africa’s mighty river. Have your camera ready to captures sights of wild animals coming to the waters edge. Watch the sunset as Cape Buffaloes head to the river to drink, all the while enjoying a drink or a glass of champagne plus finger food as you cruise. Relax as you take in the epic beauty of the river where you’ll likely see hippos floating along the shallows and crocodiles lounging on the muddy banks. Hotel: A’Zambezi Hotel (or similar) Day 15: Victoria Falls (B,L,D) After breakfast enjoy a visit to the falls which is listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore the rainforest trails surrounding the falls with a guide and enjoy uninterrupted views of the Zambezi Rivers ferocious torrents plunging down a series of basalt gorges. Victoria Falls is known as the worlds largest waterfall, and as you come face to face with it, with the water pounding down and spray rising before your eyes you’ll certainly understand the name ‘smoke that thunders’! While walking, watch out for Livingstone’s statue that looks out over the Devil’s Cataract—a natural pool that marks the lowest point of the falls. Hotel: A’Zambezi Hotel (or similar)

Day 16: Victoria Falls—Australia (B)

After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for you homeward flight. We hope you have enjoying your Africa experience! Day 17: In flight Day 18: Australia Arrive home today. Please note: Due to scheduling some flights might arrive home 1 day earlier.