20% DISCOUNT
GREAT APES
GREAT ESCAPE
Summer 2007 will see Rwandan Gorilla trekking permits increase to £295 p/p. So why not head off into the mist before the price hike combining a 20% late booking discount on Dragoman Overland’s 15-night Great Apes & Gameparks expedition, departing Nairobi 16th and 29th April 2007.
With its prolific wildlife, rich culture and stunning beaches, Kenya is an incredible place to begin an adventure holiday. Starting in cosmopolitan Nairobi, drop in at Langatta Giraffe Sanctuary before heading off to the Masai Mara in search of big game. On to Jinja, where in line with Dragoman’s ethos of responsible tourism, travellers spend time helping maintain a school at their flagship community project. Here, travellers camp high above Bujagali Falls with magnificent views of the Nile River - adrenaline junkies will have a chance to challenge some of the world’s most exciting white-water rafting. Next, a boat trip to Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria to visit a Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Then on to Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, which while not displaying the proliferation of wildlife found in the Serengeti, does possess quality - elephant, leopard, buffalo, lion (four of the big five) and stunning bird-life. Here, wild camping surrounded by hippos, elephants and lions is the ultimate reality safari experience. Later, taking a boat safari through the beautiful Kazinga Channel, hippo and buffalo are everywhere. Travellers stay at Lake Bunyonyi and take a dugout canoe across the serene waters to visit Muko Forest and some of the local communities. Next up, for many the journey’s high point, Mountain Gorilla trekking in the stunning highlands of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The area currently has four habituated groups, the largest is the Susa Group, comprising 35 members including 3 silverbacks inhabiting Karasimbo Volcano and the original group studied by Diana Fossie, involves quite a strenuous walk. The Trebize, Sabinyo and Amahoro are smaller, with 13 members in each group, each involving varying levels of trekking to encounter. Also endemic to the same bamboo habitat as the gorillas, is Africa’s rarest primate, the Golden Monkey, and treks can be organised to view the two troupes that have become habituated in the NP since 2003.
The tour NOW costs £388 p/p (WAS £485 p/p) plus kitty US$270 (~£145) including transport aboard Dragoman Overland’s rugged but comfortable customised Mercedes Benz truck, camping and hotel accommodation (90%/10%) all camp meals, the expertise of Dragoman Overland’s two person crew and accompanying African camp master. Gorilla Permits are additional, currently £225 p/p (increasing to £295 p/p in the summer) and need to be purchased at time of booking trip.
