Gorilla Trekking & Golf!

Karibuni in Swahili means welcome!

We are proud to present our first adventure tour in South Western Uganda! Experience Africa first hand. Designed for adventurous spirits who enjoy the exotic with a touch of luxury. We have tailored this tour with respect for the traveller and the host country. You will experience the charm of the local communities through various activities both organized and spontaneous. Our goal is to enrich the experiences of our fellow travellers and provide the local economies for the towns that we visit with a much needed boost.

Sept 19-26 2007 program is ALL SOLD OUT.

Contact us now to reserve your spot for 2008. Dates will be published later this year.

8-10 day – Itinerary

Day 0: Departure from Canadian or US city
Our base in Kabale, White Horse Inn

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, drive to Uganda also known as the “Pearl of Africa” (2hrs). We will arrive at our base in Kabale, the White Horse Inn, a basic old colonial-style establishment with 40 rooms, surrounded by charming gardens and a breathtaking view of the country. The current Management has just taken over the Golf grounds across the hotel.

Day 2: Discover Kabale town by foot, this charming town was named the “Switzerland of Africa” by Sir Winston Churchill. Golf or simply do nothing and relax in the charming gardens with a good book!

Day 3: Depart for a Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park where Kob Antelope run among scenic volcanic craters and in turn provide food for the famous tree-climbing Lions. Grey Crowned Cranes, the Ugandan national bird, have a dancing ground here, Black-bellied Bustards rasp from termite mounds and Kurrichane Button Quail creep through the grass.

The Maramagambo Forest holds Cameroon Greenbuls, African Emerald Cuckoo, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Blue-breasted Kingfisher and the striking white-morph African Paradise Flycatcher.

A boat trip allows us to see waterbirds at close proximity that will delight photographers. It is easy to see why Queen Elizabeth chose to visit this diverse and wonderful park.

We will dine and overnight at the luxurious Mweya Lodge with 50 rooms and a swimming pool overlooking the Kazinga Channel in the park. We can watch Elephant, Buffalo and Hippos. Heuglin’s Robins and Slender-billed Weavers nest in the hotel grounds.

Day 4: Drive to Lake Mburu. Where we may spot Broad-billed Rollers, Marabou Storks and Hooded Vultures en-route while Pied Hornbill and Ross’s Turaco are also roadside birds. Wattled Plover and Red-chested Swallow feed among Defassa Waterbuck, Tsessebe and Burchell’s Zebra. Bare-faced Go-away-birds, Nubian Woodpeckers, and Black-headed Bush Shrikes are found in the giant euphorbia. The pedigree Ankole cattle belonging to the royal family are also found here.

We will head back to White Horse Inn for Dinner.

Day 5: After breakfast we take a drive to Lake Bunyoni, the 3rd deepest fresh water lake in the world.

We will visit with the Batwa tribe a “pygmy” group, representing less than 0.02% of the the Ugandan population. They live mainly in Kabala, Kanungu, Kisoro and Ruhungiri Districts. They are described as an indigenous hunter-gatherer people who initially inhabitated forests in Central Africa. They are renowned for good dancing, harp playing, basketry, and pottery and! The culture and knowledge of this amazing people is fast disappearing.

We will stay at Acadia Cottages which are majestically set on a hillside in extensive gardens stretching over a 14-acre area. The cottages overlook Lake Bunyonyi and have a very clear view of 26 of 36 scenic islands in the lake.

Day 6: Depart for Kisoro, 3hrs away from Kabale after breakfast. Kisoro is just about the end of the road for those visiting South Western Uganda. It is the nearest town to the MgaHinga Gorilla National Park where we are headed for the evening and overnight at Bwindi Lodge. We will get some hiking in to enjoy the rich nature.

Stay overnight at the Nkuringo Safari Lodge. This magical paradise Situated on the shores of Lake Mutanda, on the Mushengero peninsula overlooking the magnificent Virunga Volcanoes,Nkuringo Safari Lodge’s location is nothing less then spectacular.

Day 7: Drive to Bwindi Inpenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. We will visit the higher elevation forest, one of the world’s great natural treasures providing home to various endemic birds. Ten species of primate occur here including the beautiful L’Hoest’s and Blue Monkeys and, of course, the magnificent Mountain Gorilla. With a world population of just 650, Bwindi is one of just two places where they still survive.

Gorilla trekking involves a long hike to their feeding areas where they can be watched from just a few feet away. Tourist revenue is vital to the Gorillas’ survival. The revenue from the permits provides education and medical facilities for the locals who are proud of the park and welcome tourists.

Villagers are actually giving part of their farmland back to nature, to increase Gorilla and bird habitats. Uganda is one of those countries where you feel that conservation is working for both people and wildlife.

Drive back to White Horse Inn for a Farewell Dinner while being entertained by a cultural troupe.

Day 8: Depart for Kigali after Breakfast.

Optional Golfing Day 8-9 at the White Horse Inn Golf Grounds.

Day 10: Depart for Kigali after Breakfast.

PRICE INCLUDES:

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD Full-board accommodation, soft drinks at meal times, Lunch is usually packed, or taken at the accommodations. Day Boat trips, transport, park entrance fees.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Air Fare and mandatory Travel insurance. Proof of Travel insurance must be provided. Personal items, alcoholic drinks, laundry, tips, etc. The optional Gorilla trekking permit must be confirmed at the time of booking.

Group Size: Minimum5 – Max 10

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following conditions:

• Cancellations received sixty (60) or more days prior to departure will forfeit a US $250 (Two Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars) per person cancellation fee.
• Cancellations received within thirty one to sixty (31-60) days prior to departure will forfeit 50% (fifty percent) of the total tour cost.
• Cancellations received within thirty (30) days of departure will forfeit 100% (one hundred percent) of the total tour cost.
• No refunds are given for: lost travel time or substitution of facilities and/or accommodations; itineraries amended after departure; not appearing for any accommodation, tour, game viewing or other booked activities; and/or cutting short the booked itinerary for any reason.
• No partial refunds will be given for unused activities unless the sponsor issues a refund and then only to the extent of such a refund received from the sponsor.

LifeSpices reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason, including insufficient group size or logistical problems.The refund of all deposits received shall release LifeSpices from any further liability in relation to such a cancelled trip.

Notwithstanding the above, if a trip is cancelled due to any of the above LifeSpices will refund the portion of the trip cost not already advanced to suppliers (hotels, transportation companies, etc.) and will use its best efforts to recover and refund the balance. However, a full refund is not guaranteed.

LifeSpices is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for a cancelled trip, such as non-refundable airline tickets, visas, gear, etc, nor for any fees incurred for additional and/or substitute travel arrangements.
We strongly suggest that you purchase travel insurance that covers trip cancellation charges.

Travel Documents and Visas

A valid passport is required for all international and over-border travel, which must be valid for at least 6 months after your return from overseas and have at least 2 blank pages in the passport for visa stamping purposes. South African passport holders require a visa for Uganda. Visas are not obtainable at the airport when you arrive. They must be be arranged prior to arrival. In certain cases, foreign passport holders require a re-entry or departure permit and it is advised to contact the relevant authorities to check this prior to departure.

LifeSpices cannot be held responsible if Visa applications are denied for any reason, nor can we be held responsible for any change of cost, requirements, delays or loss of passports caused by the Consulates concerned. Please note that a Visa does not guarantee entry to any given country at point of entry.

Health Requirements

Yellow Fever vaccination is compulsory.

Malaria Tablets: Uganda is situated in a malaria zone, so it is recommended that you consult your physician on the prescription right for you. Pregnant women are not allowed to take malaria prevention drugs, and are cautioned before entering any malaria area.

Insect/ Mosquito repellent: Mosquitoes, like little vampires, favour night conditions. Be sure to take a repellent, and cover all exposed areas of your body (e.g. neck and arms).

We recommend that you wear trousers at night and long sleeved shirts should you be outdoors. If the heat is too much and you wear a short sleeved shirt, make sure you smear/spray your arms with repellent. At night before you go to bed, make sure your mosquito net is either touching the ground, or is tucked in, and your exposed areas (especially your ankles) are protected with repellent. Bring along anti-histamine cream for those irritating bites.

All travellers are required to have comprehensive travel insurance.

To join us for 2008 expeditions contact us at info@lifespices.com for more information.