Uganda Itinerary UG100: The Oldest World From a New Perspective

Dr. Ludwig Siefert, wildlife health management and conservation expert will be your guide for this incredible 10-day educational travel experience in two of Uganda's spectacular national parks. Be among the rare few who have the opportunity to learn about African wildlife, ecosystems and people and the challenges of conservation from a world-renowned expert who is leading the fight to preserve Africa's magnificent biodiversity.

Many who make the journey to Africa experience an unmistakable feeling of "coming home"; an intimate connection with the land that remains with them long after their departure. As the cradle of humankind, Africa is part of all of us, and perhaps our ancient collective psyche retains the memories of our ancestors who walked this glorious land. Regardless of what you believe, you will return home forever enriched by the experience of this intimate look at one of Africa's most beautiful countries.

*note: this tour is offered four times a year and is only open to groups of six or more.

Highlights: Interactive educational activities in Lake Mburu and Queen Elizabeth National Parks including cultural experiences with local pastoralists, lectures on wildlife behavior, ecological interactions, conservation successes and challenges, evolution on the African plains, and the politics of wildlife management.

Vehicle: 4x4 safari vehicle

Accommodation: 3 and 4-Star Lodges

Price: USD $3875 per person sharing

Price Includes:
Airport transfers, accommodation, meals on full board basis, transportation, park entry and activity fees.

Price Does Not Include
Gratuities and all items of a personal nature, meals not specified above, beverages, entry visa, meals not indicated above, laundry or other items of personal nature.

Meal Key:

B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: "Arrival in Africa, the cradle of humankind"
On your arrival at the Entebbe international airport, transfer to your hotel where you will be greeted by Dr. Siefert and make the short trip to the Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC). UWEC is East Africa's premier wildlife center and has pioneered programmes for wildlife veterinary medicine, environmental education, and has rescued countless injured or ill animals as well as those confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade.

Your "insider's tour" of the center will give you a preview of the wildlife you will see on safari, and you will get an intimate look at the inner workings of the center. Depending on the Center's activities, you may get to see orphaned baby chimpanzees, confiscated African Grey parrots, help feed a lion or hyena, or take a tour with a group of delightful Ugandan schoolchildren.

Evening Lecture: "The Clock is at One Till Midnight" - challenges facing conservation in Uganda and the work that is being done to prevent further biodiversity loss.

Day 2: "Where do we come from and where are we going?"
Depart after breakfast for Lake Mburu National Park. This four hour trip will pass through Uganda's bustling capital, Kampala, and as you head west, the landscape will change from lush rolling hills covered with banana plantations to dry savannah scrub and grassland.

Lake Mburu National Park, set against the glimmering water of Lake Mburu, is a small, peaceful park that is often bypassed in the rush to Queen Elizabeth. It has an abundance of species that are not seen elsewhere in the country such as zebra, impala, eland and an astonishing number of bird species. A late afternoon game drive will orient you to the park and its inhabitants.

A sundowner cruise on Lake Mburu will provide the opportunity to a wide variety of the park's incredible bird life as well as its hippos and other species who rely on the lake's water. Discussion topic: “Where do we come from and where are we heading?”

Evening Lecture: "Long Time No See!” The evolution of humankind, “wild” and captive wildlife vs. humans - a presentation about human and wildlife co-evolution in East Africa; global dispersal of human and balanced view of globalization; demonstration of the needs for captive
wildlife management to serve a developing society.

Day 3: "So much more than a walk in the park!"
This morning's activity will give you an intimate introdution you to the ecology of Lake Mburu as you take a 4-hour guided walk through the park's true wilderness. As you walk and observe, you will learn about the intricate interaction of webs: ecologic, economic, ethnic and ethical. In the afternoon you will take an exploratory cruise on the Lake and learn about the aquatic ecosystem that the area's people, land and animals depend on.

In the evening, you will have the opportunity that few travelers have, a guided night drive with Dr. Siefert to explore noctural wildlife. Dr. Siefert's research on hyenas and leopards gives him a wealth of knowledge about these often misunderstood animals. If his research requires it, he may play recordings to attract hyenas to the area to observe "up close and personal". Learn about the habits of these and other fascinating species that come out at night and are not often seen.

Day 4: "Too many latecomers?"
Today your focus will switch from wildlife to people, and you will learn about the socioeconomic issues surrounding conservation and human development in the area. After a walk or game drive in the morning, spend an afternoon with Bahima pastoralists and their cattle for an introduction to their rapidly-vanishing culture and ranching practices. Learn about attempts to integrate natural resource management and ranching for the sustainable benefit of people and wildlife.

Evening Lecture: “Too Many Latecomers” – human population explosion and its consequences, competition for and destruction of resources

Day 5: "The Great Rift Valley: cradle of humankind"
Over a late breakfast, learn about community conservation and education efforts in the area. On your way out of the park, learn about "Bush Sausages", food production methods using wildlife in a sustainable manner being developed as a means to create income without resource depletion. This novel approach to conservation adds value to wildlife and an incentive to conserve and maintain healthy numbers of each species.

Your drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park will take approximately six hours. You will have a panoramic view of the Great Rift Valley as you descend down its escarpment to the plains of Queen Elizabeth. You will arrive at the park in enough time for an afternoon game drive, during which you will be introduced to the park's ecology and geology.

Evening Lecture: human-wildlife interactions: conflicts and solutions

Day 6: "Home on the range (in Africa!)"
Rise early for a game drive starting at 7am. Look for lions, leopards, hyenas, elephant, bushbuck, Uganda kob, and other mammals as well as some of the park's 600 bird species. Return around 10 am for a late breakfast and rest until mid-afternoon, when you will take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. You will observe a dizzying array of bird species on this 3-hour trip to Lake George, including African fishing eagles, pied kingfishers, African jacanas, pink and white pelicans, saddlebill and yellowbill storks, herons and many others. Hundreds of hippos also make the Channel their home, as do crocodiles, monitor lizards and other reptiles. You will likely observe elephant and buffalo as well.

Day 7: "The lion does not sleep tonight"
Sleep late this morning, and over a later breakfast learn about some of the challenges facing Queen Elizabeth National Park and the communities surrounding it, primarily human-wildlife conflicts such as crop-raiding, poaching, illegal livestock grazing, and fire. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, then join Dr. Siefert for a night drive to observe some of the park's nocturnal activities. If you are lucky you may spot leopard, lion, hyena, and some of the "less glamorous" but no less exciting species such as porcupine, bushbaby, anteaters and others.

Day 8: "Too close for comfort - people, livestock and wildlife"
Another early morning game drive will be followed by a guest lecture from Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Director of Conservation Through Public Health and former Chief Veterinarian for the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka will discuss human and wildlife interactions and the implications that close contact has for each, including disease transmission.

In the afternoon, explore the geology of the Rift Valley as you drive to the higher-altitude sections of the park where numerous ancient volcanic craters provide evidence of the area's formation. These magnificent craters are filled with lush grass and flat-topped acacia trees and their scenic vistas are remarkable.

Day 9: "The African chessboard"
Depart Queen Elizabeth and travel to Kampala. Stop at the AIDSChild project near the equator and learn about the HIV/AIDS situation in Uganda. Uganda recognized very early in the epidemic that action was needed, and as a result is one of Africa's few success stories; the rate of HIV infection has dropped substantially in the past 10 years. Unfortunately, however, there are still many children who have lost both parents to this disease, and AIDSChild works to assist some of them. Have dinner on the town in Kampala and if you like, experience some of the city's vibrant night life.

Evening Lecture: “The State of Africa: colonialism, cold war and the African “chessboard of the west”

Day 10: "What does the future hold and what can we do to work for change?"
Over a late breakfast, reflect on the trip with Dr. Siefert and answer the question: “What does the future hold for Africa and what can we do to work for change?” We hope that you depart Uganda with a greater understanding of the complex issues that Uganda, and all of Africa, faces as the continent strives to improve the lives of its people while preserving its incredible natural resources. We also hope that you become an ambassador for the continent, helping to dispel the myths and misconceptions about Africa and its people.

Some say Africa "gets in your blood" and you may feel the pull of the continent, calling you back. You may leave Africa, but Africa will remain with you forever.