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

ANNOUNCING THE OSCARS OF THE NATURAL WORLD – AFRICA THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE

The Seven Natural Wonders Project, a non-profit conservation initiative based in Dallas, Texas and spearheaded by Dr. Phillip Imler, has declared award winners of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and they are:  The River Nile; Mt. Kilimanjaro; The Red Sea; Ngorongoro Crater; Sahara Desert; Okavango Delta; and the Serengeti Migration. Tanzania’s Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador K. Kagasheki, presided over the awards ceremony which was sponsored by Ethiopian Airlines.

The voting process was conducted by specialists* and criteria included “grandeur; amazement and wonder.” 

Uganda’s Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the Hon. Agnes Egunyu, accepted the award for “The Nile, longest river in the world with its source in Uganda.”  She noted that this prestigious award is yet another in a series of accolades bestowed on Uganda, among which was being selected in 2012 by the New York Times as a top tourist destination.

To experience some of the wonders of this exciting country and The River Nile in all its glory, Premier Safaris has developed a six-night, all-inclusive package called Nile Spectacle, a water safari that comprises visiting the source of the White Nile, river rafting, and a boat trip to world-famous Murchison Falls and the foaming pool at its base known as the Devil’s Cauldron. Guests will enjoy stays at luxury lodges including Paraa Safari Lodge and Chobe Safari Lodge, both of which afford spectacular views of the Nile.

The rate per person for six nights, all-inclusive, start at US$3000. 

For more information, contact gm@premiersafaris.com Or call toll free +1-877-620-9329

*The Declaration Committee of the Seven Natural Wonders Project includes Alexandra Cousteau, daughter of the legendary marine explorer and founder of Blue Legacy International; Rich Beattie, executive editor of Travel + Leisure; Dr. John Francis, a vice president of the National Geographic Society; TV host Julia Dimon;  Dr. Frank Gill, president of Audubon; and Arend de Haas, co-founder of the Africa Conservation Society.