WILDLIFE ADVENTURE KIDEPO AND MURCHISON FALLS

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RATE - $2100 / Person

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DURATION

6 DAYS

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OVERVIEW

Explore, on this safari trip, two of Uganda’s National Parks that are remarkable for wildlife viewing. Both game parks, Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley, are located in the northern region of Uganda where the landscape is generally flat and is covered by vast savanna grasslands supporting plenty of animals and birds. Rated the best on the continent for a spectacular landscape and great buffalo herds, Kidepo Valley National Park is arguably Africa’s finest wilderness. The Park is tucked in the remote North Eastern corner of Uganda, spanning the unadulterated rugged semi-arid valleys and savanna plains of the Karamoja region. The park is home to plenty of wildlife including several animals and birds, such as Cheetahs and Ostriches, which are not found in other national parks. Due to its distant and remote location, the park is not easily accessible within a one day’s drive. After the incredible wilderness of Kidepo, next you explore Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest National Park. It is the most popular destination for animal viewing safaris because of the big volume and variety of game and other wildlife, along with the spectacular Murchison Falls.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Rhino tracking at the Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife sanctuary

• Afternoon and morning game drives in Kidepo
• Visit to the local community of the Karamajong tribe in Kidepo
• Game drive in Murchison falls national park
• Boat cruise on River Nile in Murchison
• Hike to the top of the falls

Day 1: Kampala – Ziwa Rhino tracking – Gulu

The trip starts from Kampala City or Entebbe with pick-up from the hotel at 7.00am. Travel northwards along the Kampala – Gulu highway to the Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Sanctuary in Nakasongola for your first adventures. Situated about 2 hours’ drive from Kampala, Ziwa harbors the only wild Rhinos in Uganda. There were plenty of Rhinos in Uganda but rampant poaching and civil wars of the 1970’s and early 1980’s lead to their extinction. The Sanctuary was established to breed Rhinos that later will be re-introduced back into Uganda’s National Parks where they once flourished. There is also other wildlife in Ziwa of which includes Oribi, Bushbucks, Uganda Kobs, Hippos and Monkeys and over 351 bird species. After rhino trekking, we continue the journey northwards, getting to Gulu in the evening. Overnight: Boma Hotel or Standard Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Kitgum – Kidepo – Afternoon game drive

After breakfast, we embark on the journey to Kidepo Valley National Park, where we arrive in the afternoon, check in at the lodge, have lunch and relax. Later, set out for an afternoon game drive in the unadulterated wilderness of Kidepo, visiting the Narus Valley located in the south of the park. This is the main game viewing area in the park mainly because of the permanent water source even during the long dry spells when the rest of the park dries out. A number of animals congregate in this area during the day to drink and cool off; Zebras, Elephants, Antelopes and large herds of Buffaloes are a common sight. Return in the evening for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Nga’ Moru Wilderness Camp or Standard Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Morning game drive – Afternoon community tour

Go for a morning game drive in the park after an early breakfast. Enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the rugged horizon and savanna/acacia grasslands, observing plenty of animals when you drive through the two main biomes of Kidepo – from the savanna/acacia grasslands of the Narus Valley in the south, to the semi-arid short grass of Kidepo Valley in the north near the border with South Sudan. Kidepo is very popular for cats, such as the Cheetah, Stripped Hyena, Aardwolf, Bat-eared Fox, and Caracal, some of which cannot be found in any other park in Uganda. Other mesmerizing animals in this Park include Lions, Leopards, Zebra, Giraffe, Kob, Topi, Waterbuck, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Oribi, and Warthog. The Ostrich is one of the conspicuous birds here and which you cannot find in any other park in Uganda. Not to be missed is the famous sand river and the Kanangorok hot springs both found in the northern most part of the park. After lunch you will visit a local community of the Karamajong tribe who are very similar to the famous Masai of Kenya. Learn about their traditions and cultures, unique housing and artistry (ornaments and crafts). You shall also be treated to a traditional dance presentation, before returning to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Nga’ Moru Wilderness Camp or Standard Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Have early breakfast, check out of the lodge and set off for Murchison Falls National Park. Stopover in Kitgum or Gulu town for early lunch, arriving in Murchison in the late afternoon; relax for the rest day of the day at the lodge. Overnight: Fort Murchison Lodge or Standard Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Game Drive – Afternoon boat safari – Murchison Falls hike

Be up for an early snack/tea/coffee at 6.00am and set off for a morning game drive in the park to observe plenty of animals, birds and the Park’s wonderful scenery. Explore the vast grasslands in the northern area of the park where you will be exposed to a large volume and variety of game. Sightings here include Buffaloes, Lions, Uganda Kob, Giraffes, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Oribi, Hyena, Leopard, Baboons, Patas Monkeys and more. Birds are in plenty with the beautiful Carmine Bee-eater and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill being conspicuous throughout the game drive. The game drive lasts 4 hours before returning to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation till lunch. After lunch, transfer to Paraa for a Boat cruise on the Nile to the base of the Murchison Falls. On this 2 hours relaxing ride, you get to observe plenty of wild life along the Nile including Hippos, Crocodiles, Elephants, and other game that come to drink and cool off in the water. Water birds, including cormorants, kingfishers, herons, fish eagle, bee-eaters and more, are also abundant in the area. When the boat gets to the base of the spectacular Murchison Falls, disembark and do a 45 minutes hike on a trail from the bottom to the top of the falls. Enjoy the amazing views of one of the world’s strongest waterfall where the Nile squeezes through a tiny cleft of 7 meters between the rocks to explode into the whirlpool below, before the river continues on a calm course filled with plenty of wildlife as you may have observed during the boat trip. You will meet the driver at the top of the falls to transfer you back to the lodge. Overnight: Fort Murchison lodge or Standard Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Murchison – Kampala

After breakfast, check out of the lodge and leave for Kampala, stopping over at the Kabalega Diners in Nakasongola for lunch. Drive to Entebbe Airport to catch your flight, or if time permits, you can have a tour of Kampala city in case your flight is scheduled another day. Tour ends.

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INCLUSIONS:

• An experienced tour guide / driver
• Accommodation and lodging
• Meals per Itinerary
• Airport transfers
• Park fees
• Bottled water
• 4WD safari vehicle
• Domestic flights
• Emergency Evacuation AMREF
• Public Liability Insurance

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EXCLUSIONS:

• Travel Insurance
• Visa and customs fees
• Tips or Gratuity
• International flights
• Personal expenses
• Cigarettes and alcohol
• Souvenirs

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TRIP INFORMATION:

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and National Park is located in a series of verdant rolling hills with incredibly thick forests. When it comes to tracking the mountain gorillas, it often involves steep up and down hill climbs and sometimes uneven and wet terrain. We therefore advise our visitors to wear hiking boots, rain coats and carry walking sticks for balancing your feet as we embark on the journey. The altitude in the forest is varied, with the highest point being 2607M above sea level. With this in mind, you might find hiking through that rather steep terrain a bit challenging. Your tour guides and Game rangers will be in handy to take you through the safety measures and important key notes to consider, before departure for planned activities, and also prior to getting close to the mountain gorillas. As a visitor, your time with the gorillas is restricted to one or two hours only by the Wildlife Authority. This is to safeguard the gorillas and avoid excessive contact with human beings. You will have some photo opportunities during the trek, so make sure your camera batteries are fully charged. Once the authorized time winds up, with your tour guides, you will retreat from the forest to your respective vehicles waiting to transport you to the hotel or to your next scheduled activity. Gorilla Trekking is an unforgettable experience especially when you have close ups with these gentle and incredible animals, an intense and life time encounter. Kent Safari Team is committed to executing the tour activities as detailed in the itinerary provided. We only request our clients to be understanding, remain calm and flexible on a few isolated occasions where local events may inconvenience the activities on the itinerary. Our clients should also note that the first day of the trip is simply for the drive or flight to the destination as shown on the itinerary and has a few activities planned. We advise that you be conversant with our Kent Safari representative who will take you through the Pre-departure briefings. NOTE: Entebbe international airport is your gateway to and from Uganda. To avoid inconveniences that are occasioned by rushing at the time of departure, we advise that you book international flights departing from Entebbe after 8pm. We will need you to furnish us with the following information:

• Airline
• Flight number
• Arrival and departure date
• Flight times

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PAYMENTS:

A deposit of 10% is required to confirm the tour. The remaining balance will be due and charged 45 days before departure. Prices however may be subjected to changes until a full payment is received.

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VISA AND CONSULAR ADVISE:

Each individual traveler is responsible for obtaining the required visa, as visa requirements vary per country. For visa information, we advise our clients to consult the US State Department and local Embassies for non-US citizens.

NOTE:

1. A visa can be obtained at Entebbe international airport on arrival at a fee $50 per person.
2. Visas for all other East African Countries can be obtained, on arrival, at the international airport or at boarder points.

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CASH AT HAND:

It is crucial to note that in many countries, some local Forex bureaus place much emphasis on quality of the dollar and other foreign currency notes frequently used by most visitors. It is our humble view therefore that you carry new and undamaged bills / notes especially in the dominations of $50 and $100 bills. Major credit cards like Visa and Master card are acceptable in towns.

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YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION:

Please remember to get your yellow fever vaccination as it is a crucial requirement especially if you are travelling to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Please be sure to visit the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. Or check with a physician for more information.

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ITINERARY, TRAVEL INSURANCE AND PASSPORT COPIES:

Leave a copy of your itinerary, travel insurance, smart waiver and passport to a family member, for reference purposes, in case of an emergency. Travel insurance is also compulsory on all trips.

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WHAT TO CARRY:

• Rain Jacket /coat
• Shoes with good traction
• Binoculars
• Travel plug adapter with USB port
• Antibacterial hand cleaning gel
• Good camera with fully charged battery and good memory card storage
• First aid kit
• Small back park
• Sun block hat
• Sun glasses
• Hiking boots
• Mosquito repellent

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AMENDMENT FEES:

Amendments made on the booking 25 days before departure attracts a surcharge of $25 per amendment. Less than 25 days no amendments or fees will be applied. A changed reservation will be confirmed within 24 hours. Fees Apply:

• Changing booking
• Changing departure date
• Changing guest name
• Removing /Replacing a guest
• Changing pick up time or location

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AGE LIMIT:

Some of our tours have strict age limit. Children 13 years and below are not allowed to visit the gorillas or participate in certain activities like canoeing and, for adults above 65 years of age, a medical report may be required.

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GENERAL SAFETY TIPS:

We prioritize safety of our tours, however travels are susceptible to risks. So, it is important to be prepared and approach all arrangements with utmost caution. It’s advisable to do some research about your destination to equip yourself with some tips to ensure safety. Register your trip and also avail a copy of your emergency contact details to your government travel advisory service (or diplomatic mission) in a country that you are visiting so that they can contact you in case of emergency. This process can be done online and it is also advisable to get contacts of the American Embassy in Uganda, your final destination. Depending on the itinerary you have booked, some activities may carry greater risks or personal injury, we therefore advise that you take great care and strictly adhere to the established pre-cautions before participating. These activities include white water rafting, canoe and boat rides, Gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee tracking, mountaineering, bungee jumping, culture walk or community visit and game drive. For safety, the following must also be accorded due consideration;

• Avoid expensive jewelry.
• Avoid all demonstrations and protests given their potential to turn violent.
• Monitor the media for information about any possible security risks and pay close attention to your personal security.
• Carry a copy of your passport and avoid hanging alone without the advice of the tour guide.

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

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ACCOMMODATION:

Prices for a twin/double shared room are per person, and, rates for single or triple travelers are available on request.

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TRAVEL INSURANCE:

This tour requires that a traveler should have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. We therefore recommend “Travel Guard” or Allianz travel Insurance” for all your insurance necessities.

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PRIVACY:

We understand and respect the value and importance of your privacy. Be assured therefore that protection of privacy is given the highest priority. All personal information that you avail to us is strictly used for purposes of Safari tour booking. We will endeavor to take all reasonable steps to keep secure any personal information which we hold about the guest. However, cognizant of the rampant cases of hacking into data on the internet, it becomes a bit tricky to guarantee 100% security to data shared through online sources. We therefore will not be held culpable if the breach or hacking into your personal information is by international unauthorized individuals.

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FORCE MAJEURE:

It is with regret that our office cannot compensate where an impediment to proper performance of duty is as a result of an event above and beyond our own making, control and anticipation nor is it due to the supplier of the service in question. Such events may include unexpected government quarantines, travel bans, riots, civil strife, natural disaster, terrorist acts, border closure, fire, road closures, industrial disputes, extreme weather conditions and other incidents beyond our control. NOTE: In some unfortunate circumstances, getting a park or Gorilla permit may not be guarantee to seeing wildlife in their habitats as unfavorable local conditions may sometimes hinder access to the wildlife. This can happen without prior notice or it can be at short notice. We therefore accept no liabilities in circumstances where Gorilla or wildlife viewing is due to cancellation by the authorities. Where the loss is due to the absence of Gorillas, closure of boarders, national park or security changes, refunding is at the discretion of the responsible offices. However, Kent Tour Safaris shall use all means necessary to obtain the monies / refunds and pass it on to the client.

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CANCELLATION AND REFUND:

Customers will receive a full refund, less the cost of the non- refundable gorilla permit ($600), with 45 days’ notice of cancellation. Customers will receive a full refund in case of operator’s cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, as indicated below; - 10% deposit - No refund - 30 – 44 days - 55% refund - Less than 30 days - No refund Please note that cancellation fees are calculated based on the date we receive your cancellation request. Also note: Sale of Gorilla permits is a preserve of the government (Uganda wildlife Authority), hence, fees for these permits is non – refundable. Thank you, have an ultimate fascinating experience.

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CONTACT US

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UGANDA

KENT SAFARI TOURS INC.

Sales&Operations office Silver Arcade Annex Suite#C.08 Second Floor Plot 62 P.O.Box 22000 Bombo Rd Opp.YMCA Kampala Uganda Office+256393228997 cell:+256752010111/256772537793 E-mail: info@kentsafaris.com

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