CRUISE THE NILE IN STYLE; ZING THROUGH THE KAZINGA MARASA LAUNCHES NEW LUXURY BOATS

KAMPALA, Uganda (08/2013) Sure the Nile River looks pretty great from land, but why not cruise it in style with a 2- hour water safari on a luxurious boat from Mweya Safari Lodge through Uganda’s Kazinga Channel. The 22-mile channel links saltwater Lake Edward to fresh water Lake George – two rift valley lakes with royal lineage; they were named after Queen Victoria’s son Edward VII and her grandson George V.  

Mweya offers a couple of ways to experience the channel, with seasoned guides and a full crew. The Sunbird comfortably seats ten people, but for those seeking a truly special experience, the Kingfisher is perfect for a dozen people to ride in style and enjoy drinks and canapés while soaking in the beautiful surroundings and rich wildlife.

Nestled on a peninsula deep in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and surrounded by the fabled Rwenzori Mountains, (the ‘Mountains of the Moon’), Mweya is off the proverbial ‘beaten path.’ The Kazinga Channel serves as the border between the range and the Great Rift Valley Hills, and is a wildlife haven; hordes of hippos flock to the channel, and share this aquatic paradise with Nile crocodiles, while buffaloes and elephants drink at its edge. Additionally, the birding along Kazinga is truly unparalleled; there are over a hundred species of water birds, from the African Fish Eagle to the threatened, otherworldly Shoebill to the Lesser and Greater Flamingo. Mweya also boasts luxurious accommodations, a health club, and a host of activities.

A new luxury excursion boat, The Paraa Voyager, has also been launched at Paraa Safari Lodge to take guests and non-guests on a 2-1/2 hour Nile River cruise to Murchison Falls. Located in Murchison Falls National Park, Paraa overlooks the Nile as it flows from Lake Victoria to Lake Albert, where the Earth’s longest river squeezes through its narrowest point and cascades into a frothing pool below.  

Each excursion costs $36 per person and includes canapés and one soft drink/hard drink/beer/small bottle of red or white wine.

Both Paraa and Mweya are owned by Marasa Africa, which generously supported World Lion Day this year and continues to support lion conservation. Marasa has also donated two full board nights at Paraa to the Hope North event, benefiting Ugandan orphans, to be held in New York City September 18^th.

For more information or reservations, contact Corne Schalkwyk: corne@marasa.net or visit Mweya Safari Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge

MARASA PROPERTIES ROAR INTO ACTION FOR WORLD LION DAY – AUGUST 10, 2013

KAMPALA, Uganda (05/2013) Marasa, a member of the Madhvani Group of Companies, one of the largest private-sector groups in East Africa, announces its participation in World Lion Day, August 10, 2013, a day that will be marked around the world to call attention to the endangerment of the King of Beasts.  On that date, Marasa properties in Uganda – Chobe Safari Lodge; Paraa Safari Lodge and Mweya Safari Lodge, will donate $1.00 for each room night at these lodges to the non-profit Uganda Conservation Foundation which helps free lions from snares.

World Lion Day is the first global campaign to celebrate the importance of the lion worldwide and to call attention to the need for conservation efforts in the lions’ behalf.  Organizers say, “Since the dawn of man, the lion has played an integral role in our lives:  symbolically, religiously, culturally, economically and biologically.  To lose the lion from our world would be to lose part of our global heritage.”

Guests can see the splendid lion in his natural habitat by going on game drives at Chobe Safari Lodge and Paraa Safari Lodge, both in Murchison Falls National Park, and both scenically situated on the River Nile.  And they can view a particular wonderment – tree-climbing lions – while on safari at Mweya Safari Lodge. Mweya is located in Queen Elizabeth National Park on the amazing natural channel, Kazinga, running between salt water Lake Edward and fresh water Lake George. The channel attracts a varied range of animals and birds, with one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippos and numerous Nile crocodiles.

Arrangements to see the Ugandan lions can be made through Premier Safaris. 

For more information on World Lion Day, visit: www.worldlionday.com