We are just starting to plan a safari. We are completely overwhelmed:( Africa is a BIG place:) Could someone please point us in the right direction? Looking for lots of wildlife, great reserves and accomadations, and great guides. Looking at 3 weeks or so and maybe 2 or 3 different spots. Help!!!!! THANKS

Suggest you contact Bert at Fish Eagle Safaris, a TTOL sponsor. Just click on sponsors and scroll down. Also, check out our multi-section trip report in the trip report archives. First section is here

we used
http://pioneerafrica.net/ in NEw Mexico for a 2 week SA, Bots, ZAmbia trip with Wilderness safaris (not wilderness travel)

We used Bert at Fish Eagle Safaris, TTOL sponsor. Click on TTOL sponsors for his link. We also stayed at Wilderness Safaris camps.

Experience the REAL Africa
Uganda is one of Africa's best kept secrets, and one of the very
best locations for your first visit to Africa.

It is unfortunate that when many people think of Uganda they still recall the bad days of Idi Amin. That was more than 20 years ago. Today Uganda is also developing into one of the most prosperous and politically stable countries in East Africa. English is commonly spoken and the Ugandan people are known for their warmth and friendliness.

Winston Churchill called Uganda "The Pearl of Africa" - and for good reason. Uganda is lush, green and fertile with spectacular water ways which hosts a wide variety of unique birds and wildlife - a perfect place for your first Safari.

Why not visit uganda! safaris immerse you in the sights, sounds and smells of Africa? You'll learn about African culture and tradition, as well as see the marvelous wildlife that Uganda has to offer. You'll also have opportunities to make new friends come away with a whole new perspective on life.

Your proposed Safari Itinerary:

Day 1: You are met by our Guide at Airport and transferred to your Hotel in Kampala. BB, Arrange with the guide when you are having a briefing and time to change money.

Day 2: Depart from your hotel. Driving North to Murchison Falls National Park, stop in Masindi for lunch and head to park through the top of the Magnificent Murchison falls. On your way find lots of Olive Baboons, Buffaloes, Jackson Hart Beast. Thereafter Spend the night on the northern sector of the park at Paraa Safari Lodge. Full board.

Day 3: After break fast head to the Delta in search for bird life and enjoy the game drive to look for lions, giraffes, herds of elephants, buffaloes and many more. Return to your hotel for Lunch and join the Launch taking you to the bottom of the falls, On the bunks of the River is truly stunning where you can take a near view of the Giant chrocodile, water birds, Lots of animals coming for a drink. Have a good view of the falls as it marvels down stream. Return to Paraa Lodge for your dinner and overnight . Full board.

Day 4: Leave Murchison falls N.P for Kibale Forest park drive through the L.Albert escarpment have a good view of the lake. A stopover at Colping Hotel in Hoima for Lunch, thereafter drive and cross an interesting river Nkusi that flows from the southern end of L.Albert, flows through the villages of Kagadi and joins Victoria Nile both of them joins L.Kyoga they all flows through to Form the falls as they join L.Albert and continue to Mediterranean sea. Overnight at Travellers inn Fortportal . Full board.

Day 5: After Breakfast head to Semuliki N.park have a view of the Hot springs and a forest walk, Birdlife here include Grey Kestrel, Helmeted and Crested Guinea Fowl, Senegal Coucal. Black and White Colobus, Red tailed and blue Monkeys and lots of Olive Baboons may be seen. Birds like White thighed Hornbills, Black billed Turacco, Great blue and Ross’s Turaccos, Afep Pigeons, African Green Pigeons, Narina’s Trogon can be seen, After lunch we drive back to Fortportal for overnight. . Full board.

Day 6: Have an early morning breakfast and transfer to Kibale stopping Briefly at the tea estates before you enter the forest. Birdlife here include Grey Kestrel, Helmeted and Crested Guinea Fowl, Senegal Coucal. Embark on a primate walk at Kanyancu a sector of Kibale forest park, Chimps, Black and White Colobus, Red tailed and blue Monkeys and lots of Olive Baboons may be seen. Birds like White thighed Hornbills, Black billed Turacco, Great blue and Ross’s Turaccos, Pigeons, Narina’s Trogon can be seen, After a hot day back to Hotel for dinner and Overnight at Travellers Inn. . Full board.

Day 7: After Breakfast drive to Queen Elizabeth N.Park. After lunch go for a game drive looking for wildlife i.e buffalo, elephants, water bucks etc. Overnight at Mweya Safari lodge . Full board.

Day 8: We set out early in the morning after breakfast go for a game drive in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes etc. We visit the Kasenyi sector famous for it's solitary buffaloes. We have an excellent chance to view just about every animal here at very close range. We return for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, we set out to visit the Baboon cliff and the crater lakes north of the park. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight rest. . Full board.

Day 9: We set off early in the morning and head to Kyambura wildlife reserve. Here we will be able to track the chimpanzee in the tropical rain forest. We hike into the Kyambura river gorge as we search for the chimps. The beautiful river valley is home to many species of birds and butterflies. Thereafter drive through gorgeous savannah grasslands as we head towards the breathtaking adventures of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. After check in we go on guided tours looking for the many bird species available here. More than 230 different species of birds have been sighted. We return to the camp to get plenty of rest for the day ahead. Overnight at Buhoma Homestead . Full board.

Day 10: After breakfast, we proceed for the morning briefing before we embark on one of the most exhilarating experiences in life. We go on a Gorilla trek which may last the entire day. These gentle giants are highly endangered and anyone suffering even the slightest of ailments including a cough will not be allowed to go this trek. A cough in front of these giants could trigger the most unexpected reaction. When the gorillas are sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters of them. Visitors will be allowed to sit around these animals for a whole hour gazing into their big round eyes. These giants are so powerful and can sometimes weigh up to 250kilos. Pictures with non flash zoom lens are allowed to be taken. We return to the camp longing for a good night's rest overnight at Buhoma Homestead . Full board.

Day 11: After breakfast go for a forest walk in search for forest birds up the beautiful Munyaga water falls (Giving room to others go tracking). Overnight at Buhoma Homestead Cottages Full board.

Day 12: We set off after breakfast towards L. Bunyonyi as we near the end of our trip. We arrive at Lake Bunyonyi in mid afternoon in time for lunch. After lunch, we relax by canoeing on the lake or go swimming. Cycling and birding are other activities to relax one's mind after Bwindi gorilla tracking experience. Overnight at Bunyonyi Cottages . Full board.

Day 13: After breakfast, we set out on a 4 hour drive to Lake Mburo National Park where we will go on a game drive in search of eland antelope, zebra, impala and many acacia- associated birds. We view the school of hippos, crocodiles and variety of water birds will be seen. We return for lunch and a short rest. After lunch, we set out on a guided walks around the park and crown off the afternoon with a boat ride on the lake. We return to the camp for dinner and overnight stay . Full board.

Day 14: Drive to Kampala for your flight

Email us for a price on <gumdaniel2002@gmail.com>/<goseeafrica@yahoo.com>
Please note that we have a variety of itineraries and can also arrange for a budget safari with accommodation in bandas.

gorillaman--I appreciate the note, and if you are interested in advertising here on TTOL, please contact me.

thanks for that idea,we have to make a deal "i be your agent here in uganda" give it a though.

Hi, I sent you a private message. Please click on the blinking envelope.

We went last year - it was by far the greatest experience of our lives. We went through Micato Safari and they were fantastic - http://www.micato.com/

Hey Mike, would love to hear more about it! Trip report?? Link to pictures??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

I see that you too have been on safari. For us, it was like one of the opening scenes in "Jurassic Park" - when they first arrived on the island and stood in awe as the Brontasuraus passed by. We were truly in awe the entire trip. I think thisk will work - just some of the hundreds of photos we took: http://www.freewebs.com/globaltraveler/kenyasafari.htm

I agree with you gorillaman. My wife and I visited brother who lives on Monkey Hill, Kampala and took us for a very private safari to most all places you mentioned. Taking a trip up the Nile to the base of M.Falls, seeing the hippos,the crocs.......still very much in our minds, everyone out there, DO TRY UGANDA, you will love it

Nick

I've been to Africa twice and going again to RSA this November for 3 weeks. Hunting the first week on 37 thousand acres with a PH(professional Hunter)near Tshipise in Limpopo Province.Using Greater Kuduland Safaris. It will be very hot! Sending wife to Kruger for photo safari so she doesn't get herself shot by me for screaming at the animals to RUN! Second week will be a few days in Swaziland visitng missionary friends (we helped build some churches in 9/2003 there) and then dropping southeast to Sodwana Bay for scuba and visiting the nearby game parks. Last week in the Midlands trout fishing, battlefields, etc. Flying Delta from Omaha to Atlanta to Dakar,Senegal to Jo'burg. Rental car up the N1 to Tshipise. Shell and Total have great maps, Hertz is doing a great job for us with the rental car but not cheap as it was in 2003. In 2003 drove ourselves from Swaziland to Bots and back through Zululand and stayed in a marvelous B & B outside Dundee and not far from Rourke's Drift, etc. We also spent 4 days in Durban area at the Oyster Box Hotel(very colonial). Cabelas can also arrange safaris and I have a PH buddy in Durban area that can also take very good care of you. You didn't say when your going or what part (RSA is a BIG place)

As sometimes happens, the spammers have hit upon this post. Therefore I will close this one now, but if anyone has some new info or imput on the topic, please feel free to post.