Chobe Safari Lodge/Uganda, a Marasa* Africa luxury
property, announces the first Walking Safaris in Murchison Falls National
Park. The Walking Safaris were developed in tandem with Uganda Wildlife
Authority (UWA), which will provide an armed UWA Ranger to accompany the
safaris. “We worked with the UWA to build a watering hole and natural salt lick
around which the Nature Walks could take place,” said Roni Madhvani, Managing
Director.
Being around trees and grassy
areas lowers brain stress levels and is good for mental health, according to
findings just released by Glasgow University from a Scottish Health Survey. The
Survey concluded that walking (or jogging) in a forest has a 50% higher health
benefit than working out in a gym. So, the Chobe Walking Safari is not only
exciting and pleasurable, but is bound to have a calming effect on the brain.
The
Walking Safari costs $20, but may be incorporated (without charge) as part of a
new Nile, Nature Walk and Novelty Safari
offered by Premier Safaris (for rates and
itinerary, see below).
At 1480
square miles, Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda is the country’s
largest national park and the location of famous Murchison Falls, where the
River Nile is forced through a narrow gorge to plunge 140 feet to a frothing
pool below. The Park is home to four of the Big Five – buffalo, elephant, lion
and leopard (the fifth, the rhino, can now be seen at Ziwa
Rhino Sanctuary,
just 40 miles to the south). It is home, too, to the Rothschild giraffe,
tallest animal on earth, whose distinguishing feature is its white “socks” – no
patterning from the knees down. There is also an amazing array of birds,
some 300 different species, many with spectacular plumage, implausibly-wide
wingspans, or so architecturally skilled, they build elaborate “condo” nests in
the acacia trees.
Experiencing
a Walking Safari is entirely different than viewing the bush or plains from a
four-wheel-drive vehicle. Safari-goers can sense the pulse of Africa,
listen to its silence and its sounds, and feel the thrill of being a heartbeat
away from danger. The Chobe Safari Lodge/Uganda Nature Walk takes about an hour
and a half. Likely sightings include elephants, giraffes, buffalos, herds of
kob (Uganda’s national animal), wart hogs and such birds as Martial Eagle,
Woodland Kingfisher, African Marsh Harrier, Lizard Buzzard, African Harrier
Hawk, Yellow Mantled Widow bird, African Paradise Flycatcher, the rare Fox
Kestrel and many more. Also to be seen are crocodiles and hippo in the River
Nile that forms part of the Walking Safari.
NILE, NATURE WALK AND NOVELTY, A PREMIER
SAFARIS ADVENTURE
Day
1: Kampala – Jinja
In the
morning after breakfast, our safari guide will pick you up from your place of
stay, and drive you to the source of the White Nile – Jinja. Jinja is situated
directly at Lake Victoria, where the Nile finds its origin. En route, we will
make a stop at Mabira Forest for a forest walk with the possibility of seeing
different types of primates, birds and colorful butterflies. After Mabira
Forest, you will proceed to Owen Falls, and see the source of the Nile. Dinner
and overnight accommodations are provided at Wild Waters Lodge.
Day
2: Jinja
Ready for
a full day of adventure? Then start rafting at the source of the Nile. Enjoy
the beautiful scenery and thundering rapids of the White Nile. Don’t forget to watch
the incredible birdlife, as you drift quietly between the rapids of the river.
Dinner and overnight accommodations are provided at Wild Waters Lodge.
Day 3: Jinja - Murchison Falls
National ParkBeginning with a scenic drive
northwest, we will stop and visit the ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY,
to track rhino on foot (ZIWA was created to re-introduce Rhino to Uganda after
their extinction in 1982). After lunch, we proceed to Murchison Falls National
Park for an afternoon game drive around Chobe Safari Lodge area. Later, you will check in to
the lodge, marveling at the panoramic views of the Nile, and enjoy your first
evening in the African bush.
Day 4: Game Viewing Safari - Murchison Falls National Park After breakfast, we embark on a morning walking safari to a nearby watering hole. This is a fantastic experience as you can truly feel the pulse of the African bush away from the protective cocoon of your vehicle. Transfer from Chobe Safari Lodge to Paraa Safari Lodge in the heart of the Murchison Falls National Park, where your guide will help you spot the plethora of wildlife found in the Park. After lunch, you will safari upstream by boat to the calm Victoria Nile and the base of Murchison Falls, just tens of meters from the "Devil's Cauldron." Return in the evening for dinner and overnight accommodations at Paraa Safari Lodge.
Day 4: Game Viewing Safari - Murchison Falls National Park After breakfast, we embark on a morning walking safari to a nearby watering hole. This is a fantastic experience as you can truly feel the pulse of the African bush away from the protective cocoon of your vehicle. Transfer from Chobe Safari Lodge to Paraa Safari Lodge in the heart of the Murchison Falls National Park, where your guide will help you spot the plethora of wildlife found in the Park. After lunch, you will safari upstream by boat to the calm Victoria Nile and the base of Murchison Falls, just tens of meters from the "Devil's Cauldron." Return in the evening for dinner and overnight accommodations at Paraa Safari Lodge.
Day 5: Game Viewing Safari -
Murchison Falls National ParkAfter breakfast, visit the top of
the Murchison Falls. From this vantage point you will have an opportunity
to see the Nile’s savage beauty, as you watch the Nile forced through a seven
meter cleft in the rocks to plunge 45 meters below, forming a spectacular
rainbow. Return to the lodge for lunch and, after an afternoon siesta; venture
on a game drive through the Borassus Palms plains, a visual feast. Retire for
dinner and overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge.
Day 6: Murchison Falls National
Park – KampalaDepart from Murchison Falls, for
your return to Kampala.
Rates start at $3550 per person sharing
Single room supplement $450
Included:
All accommodation (full-board basis)
All activities as per the itinerary
All in-country transport
Park entry fees
Contact: operations@premiersafaris.com
Website: www.premiersafaris.com
The new
and luxurious five-star Chobe Safari Lodge, located in a little-known section
of Murchison Falls National Park, is becoming one of Uganda’s key tourist
destinations for adventurers, anglers, and aficionados of river-scapes.
It comprises 36 elegant guest rooms, 21 luxury tents, four suites and a
Presidential Cottage. A state-of-the-art Conference block can host up to 100
guests and is fully equipped for business meetings.
The lodge
enjoys breathtaking panoramic views of the River Nile, coupled with the sounds
of its frothing rapids. Room rates start at $275 a night for a double
($325 for full board); Tent rates start at $195 a night ($220) for full board.
All rates are inclusive of 5% service charge, all applicable government taxes
and $5 per person UWA royalty fees.
*Marasa is a member of the Madhvani Group of Companies,
one of the largest private-sector groups in East Africa, employing more than
10,000 people. Starting in Uganda in 1914, the Group has developed into a
widely diversified conglomerate with a geographical spread into various African
countries, the Middle East and India. As the largest private sector investor in
industry in Uganda, the Group has an outstanding track record in turning-around
dormant companies, and has achieved a market leadership position in most of the
sectors in which it operates, including tourism, sugar, agriculture,
floriculture, insurance, construction, and more. With a long-established
presence and core values of integrity and long-term commitment, the Madhvani
Group has a vision of continuing growth in this region.
No comments:
Post a Comment