From/To Destination and Comments

Flying or Driving Times

Houston / Dubai

12 hours (nonstop)

Dubai to Entebbe

7 hours

Entebbe to Murchison Falls. 

5.5 hours

Including stops

Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest

8 hours

Kibale Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

3 & half hours

Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi National Park

4 & half hours

To the lodge

Bwindi to Entebbe by charter flight

1 hours

Day 1

Jan 10

Thu

DEPART USA!

PM - Depart from Houston to DUBAI on EMIRATES Airways flight # 214, departs at 12:30PM.  Overnight on board. Meals on board.

Day 2

Jan 11

Fri

• DUBAI

12:20pm: Arrive to DUBAI International airport) where you will be met , assist and transferred to Dubai to spend the next two nights at the deluxe 4 stars QAMARDEEN HOTEL down town the city of Dubai.

standard room at Qamardeen hotel in Dubai

QAMARDEEN hotel: is situated in the heart of Dubai, close to Souk al Bahar, Burj Khalifa, and Dubai Mall. Also, its 10 minutes away from Dubai International Airport. The hotelhas an outdoor pool and a fitness facility. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas. Business amenities at this 4.0-star property include a 24-hour business center, small meeting rooms. This romantic property has a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a coffee shop/café.

Dubai is the most populated and the second largest emirate of UAE. It has a spectacular combination of skyscrapers showcasing the modern living and the traditional architectures and souks displaying the age old vibrancy of the place. This fantastic blend of modernity with tradition makes it one of the most favored tourist destinations of the world.  PM: at leisure

Day 3

Jan 12

Sat

• DUBAI – CITY OF MERCHANTS (Half-day Dubai City tours)
• AM: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
• AM: Discover the new and the old Dubai. The half day tour will take you through some of Dubai’s beautiful landmarks. The magnificent Mosque in Jumeirah. Visit Burj AL Arab, the tallest standing hotel in the world, the Camel Race Track. Then we take a short break by the Creek to view the amazing architecture of Deira Towers, before we visit the fascinating underground Dubai Museum. Our journey continues through the colorful textile market and the glittering gold souk where we feast our eyes on the dazzling display of gold jewellery.
• Afternoon: AT LEISURE               OR
•  (Choose one of the following optional activities)
• 1 – 3:30PM – 10:00PM: SUNDOWNER, DUNE DINNER DESERT SAFARI:

      The mysterious desert beckons you for a magical evening out – an adventure you’ll never forget. Leaving behind the bustle of the city in the afternoon, our safari guides will transport you, by 4X4 (four-wheel) drive vehicles, for a thrilling journey over rolling dunes through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, deep into the heart of the desert. En route, you will stopto see camels resting at their camp, and then, from the crest of a high dune, watch the sun cast its orange glow over the vast expanse of rippling sand all round you as it sets. Like a shimmering mirage in the distance you will see the flickering lights of your camp where a traditional Arabian welcome awaits you.  The encampment conjures up images of the Arabian nights. Relax on comfortable low cushions in Bedun tents and quench your thirst, have your hands painted with intricate henna designs, experience a short camel ride, or just enjoy the aromatic shisha. A feast of grilled meats, fresh salads and delectable Arab sweets is served and under a galaxy of stars, you will be entertained by the bewitching belly dancer swaying to the haunting strains of Arabian music. You won’t want this enchanting evening to end. $125.00 per person (Minimum 6 passengers)

• 2 –7:30PM – 11:00PM: DHOW CRUISE WITH DINNER

What could be more enchanting than dinner aboard a dhow as it slips silently along Dubai Creek by moonlight? Your cruise aboard one of these traditional wooden vessels offers an intriguingly-different view of this amazing city - a portrait of the true character of Dubai, the intertwining of traditional and modern.

You will see old wooden dhows and luxury yachts, splendid examples of modern architecture like the National Bank of Dubai and the spectacular Chamber of Commerce building, whilst Sheikh Saeed’s House, the birthplace of Sheikh Rashid and the Heritage Village are reminiscent of the days gone by.  Dinner and fragrant Arabic coffee is included – a delicious taste of true Arabian hospitality.  (*Seating will be allocated upon boarding) $105.00 per person

• Dhow dinner cruise

Day 4

Jan 13

Sun

DUBAI / ENTEBBE / KAMPALA

6:00AM: After your buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Dubai International airport for our 8:25AM flight toEntebbe (Uganda).

2:45PM: Arrive to Entebbe where we will be met and transferred to Kampala city where we are going to spend the next night at CASSIA LODGE  

 CASSIA LODGE in Kampala

Cassia Lodgeis located off Gaba Road on Buziga Hill, one of the highest hills of Kampala close to Lake Victoria. The environment is cool with an astonishing view on the lake as well as the city and its suburbs.

20 nicely safari style furnished rooms, satellite TV, fridge bar and telephone. Comfortable bathrooms with showers.
Balcony with a 180 degree Victoria Lake View and spectacular view of Kampala. Welcome dinner and briefing on our up-coming safari adventure by our guides. Overnight.  D

Day 5

Jan 14

Mon

KAMPALA / MURCHISON FALLS       221 miles (4-5 hours drive)

AM: After breakfast, we will start our journey by driving north to  Murchison Falls National Park , which is considered Uganda’s largest National Park whose palm studded grassland support dense population of lion, buffalo, elephants, Rothschild’s giraffe, hippos and birds can be observed from morning to late afternoon. Lunch will be provided en route.

PM: Arrive to Murchison Falls where we will proceed to spend the next two nights at NILE SAFARI CAMP:  Dinner and overnight.  BB, L, D

Nile Safari camp

NILE SAFARI CAMP: is set amongst the rich papyrus forest on the southern banks of the Nile, it is close enough to see the elephants playing in the water and listen to the hippos grunting in the night.Accommodation at the Nile Safari Camp comprises 5 log chalets and 5 luxury tents all with en-suite showers, flush toilets and electric lighting.

The comfortably furnished chalets and tents are cleverly positionedto maximize privacy and the stunning view from your balcony.

Enjoy drinks from the bar or relax on the large wooden deck that provides beautiful views of the river and surrounding bush. Find respite from the heat of the day in the swimming pool and eventually end your day around an open fire, gazing at Africa's starlit night sky. Activities at the camp are numerous and include boats trips down the Nile and to the thundering Murchison Falls. Other options include game drives, walking safaris, cultural village excursions and fishing trips.

Day 6

Jan 15

Tue

MURCHISON FALLS – Game drive and boat trip

AM: Early morning, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee at the camp, and then we will board our safari vehicles for our early morning game drive in the northern sector of the park. Most of the game is to be found in the area north of the Victoria Nile River and East of the Albert Nile and Lake Albert. This is where part of the movie – The African Queen- was filmed. Game often seen includes: elephant, oribi, giraffe, waterbuck, hartebeest, topi, buffalo, sitatunga, bushbuck, warthog, bush pig, lion, leopard, mongoose, genet, hyena, jackal and bat eared fox.

Mid-morning: return to the camp to enjoy your breakfast. Relax at the camp. Read a book or Enjoy the pool. Lunch will be served.

After lunch, get ready for the highlight of your day: we are going on a boat ride to view this magnificent spectacle from down below where, the Nile River is forced through a 21-foot wide gap in the rocks and drops 145 feet over the escarpment. This is said to be the largest natural force of water in the world creating what appears to be a boiling cauldron of water.

Looking down the Fall

This boat trip will allow you to get up-close and personal with the animals. Along the stretch of the River, there are reported to be around 4,000 hippos in addition to some enormous Nile crocodiles. The boat will take us to the base of the Falls which only adds to their impressiveness. Return to our Lodge.  Dinner & overnight.    BB, L, D

Day 7

Jan 16

Wed

MURCHISON /  (FORPORTAL) KIBALE FOREST (276 miles, 7-8 hours)

AM: Following breakfast we start our 8 hours drive to Kibale Forest. We will be leaving the Rift Valley passing through beautiful agricultural countryside where every type of fruit and vegetable imaginable is grown. Upon reaching Kyanjojo, in the lower foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain of the Moon), we drive through beautiful tea plantations and into Kibale tropical rain forest where we will be spending the next two nights at the Beautiful Ndali Lodge.

Ndali Lodge: is situated, on a high saddle between two crater lakes.  The late Captain Mark Price, a British tea farmer, built the Lodge. The 8luxury bandas offer views over the dramatic Rwenzori Mountains. The rooms are decorated in local crafts and materials, and feature high ceilings and four posters beds with mosquito netting. The en-suite baths have hot & cold running water and flush toilets. There is no electricity at this lodge, but ample candle and oil lamps are provided in the evening, creating a romantic feel of Old Africa.  Dinner & overnight.   BB, L, D

Day 8

Jan 17

Thu

KIBALE FOREST- Chimp trek and Bigodi Swamp walk

7:00AM: Breakfast, followed by our forest & swamp walks to see the rain forest and view birds and primates, including chimpanzees. Walking is not difficult; paths have been made in the forest and all walks are with excellent English speaking local guides.  This morning we are going to track habituated chimps – these delightful apes, more closely related to humans, are tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees. The forest is home to over 13 species of primates including: red Colobus monkey, the rare L’Hoest, blue monkey, grey mangabey, pottos, black faced vervet monkeys, baboons and also bush babies. Birders are in for a treat with 335 species recorded including the endemic Prirogrin’s ground thrush. The elusive forest elephant, smaller and hairier moves seasonally into the developed part of the park while other terrestrial mammals include: buffalo, giant forest hog and half dozen antelope species. Later, we go for a nature walk in Bigodi Swamp. After our wonderful today’s adventure, we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.  BB, L, D

Day 9

Jan 18

Fri

KIBALE FOREST / QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK- 2 hours

AM:After breakfast,drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park passing through Fort Portal and then south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains, with the hope of viewing the glaciated peaks. Gently we will be descending into The Great African Rift Valley and we will enjoy a game drive en route with views of savannah wildlife and visit the crater lakes region before we arrive to Queen Elizabeth National Park where we are going to spendthe next twonights at Mweya Lodge:

Mweya safari Lodge

 Situated on a peninsula overlooking Lake Edward and Kasinga Channel, Mweya Lodge offers beautiful views of the park with Rwenzori Mountains in the background. Mweya Lodge has been completely renovated to a high standard. It has excellent rooms with private bathrooms, a bar area, a swimming pool and a lovely outside dinning area. Lunch and dinner and overnight at Mweya Lodge.   BB, L, D

Day 10

Jan 19

Sat

QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK – Boat ride and game drive

AM: After breakfast, drive to the Kasinga Channel for your two-hour boat trip,seeing many Hippo (the largest population in Africa, in excess of 30,000) and other game plus excellent birding. Keep a watchful eye for crocodile!  After our boat trip, we will return to our lodge to enjoy our lunch. Relax.

PM: you will board your landcruiser for another game drive in the Park to see game including, Elephants, Lion, Leopard, giant forest Hog and a very good variety of Antalope.  Return to the Lodge for dinner.  Overnight.  BB, L, D

Day 11

Jan 20

Sun

QUEEN ELIZABETH / BWINDI IMPENETRABLE PARK  (3-5 hours)

AM: After breakfast, our guides will take us in a Maramagambo Forest walk, visiting bat caves where, you can see thousands of bats and possibly pythons and Monitor Lizards catching bats. After lunch we will start our 4 and a half hours drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Park (A World Heritage Sight) passing through the scenic area known as The Switzerland of East Africa.

Arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: 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. Also, the park has 90 mammal species, including 11 primates, of which the black - and – white colobus, with its lovely flowing white tail, is prominent – where, we will be spending the next two nights at Gorilla Forest camp:

Gorilla Forest camp

The camp (4 star quality) true luxury in the rain forest.  Each room has two queen-sized beds and all the furnishings for comfort with en suite bathrooms with hot and cold running water.    Dinner and overnight.    BB, L, D

Day 12

Jan 21

Mon

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST  –  (Gorilla Trekking)

AM: After breakfast, meet with the local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of Gorilla trekking and viewing.  LET’S GO!!  Hike into the forest to where the Gorillas were seen the previous day, and then begin tracking with your expert local guide / tracker.

The trek can be from one to seven hours, including at least one hour with the Gorillas and may climb to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy.   The hike can be physically demanding at times but it is through a very beautiful tropical forest.  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 lunch is provided and it’s very 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 including zip lock bags for cameras & films.

Dinner & overnight. BB, L, D 

Day 13

Jan 22

Tue

BWINDI / ENTEBBE

AM: Afterbreakfast, we will be transferred to Savannah airstrip for our short charter flight to Entebbe. Arrive to Entebbe where we will be met and transferred to spend the next night at Lake Victoria Hotel.

A completelyrenovated colonial style hotel with beautiful gardens and a swimming pool, and 4 star qualities. Meals are served inside or on the terrace overlooking Lake Victoria.    BB

Lake Victoria Hotel in Entebbe

Day 14

Jan 23

Wed

ENTEBBE / HOUSTON via DUBAI

AM: Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure

1:00PM:Luggage outside your room door

1:30PM: transfer to Entebbe International airport for your Emirates flight #724 departs at 4:15PM to Dubai.

Day 15

Jan 24

Thu

DUBAI / HOUSTON

12:45AM: Arrive to Dubai international airport  where you will connect with Emirates airlines flight # 213 departs at 2:45AM to Houston

Morning at leisure

10:00AM: Arrive to Houston international airport and connect with your flight to Denver or your next destination.

                             WELCOME BACK HOME.