1.
Virunga Mountain Gorillas
The Virunga National Park is one of the most beautiful
national parks in East Africa, covered with active volcanoes, mist-shrouded
mountains and dense tropical forest. It is also home to 200 of the
last remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Tragically, after
years of ethnic violence the conflicts in Congo have flared up again.
The N kunda's
rebels have occupied a great part of Eastern Congo and forced park
rangers to abandon the national park, leaving the threatened mountain
gorillas at the mercy of rebel fighters and poachers.
Nevertheless, in neighbouring countries the gorilla parks are absolutely
secure and visits to the mountain gorillas continue as usual. The
border area as well as the national parks are closely watched by
the government and Uganda Wildlife Authority. Moreover, cancelling
or postponing your safari now will not help the many citizens who
directly benefit from tourism. And even less the vulnerable mountain
gorillas whose protection largely depends on your support...
Read more
about the mountain gorillas and find out how you can help!
2.
Run for fun, Run for life
On 23rd November 2008 Great Lakes Safaris participated
again in the MTN International Marathon in Kampala. The company
was well represented by 20 fanatic runners, standing out in the
mass of more than 10,000 registered particip ants.
The run however was not entirely for fun, but Great Lakes wanted
to focus on its social responsibility as well. Just like last year,
all proceeds of the MTN Kampala Marathon are donated to our fellow
citizens in Northern Uganda. Since the peace slowly returned to
the region, families are able to return to their homes and resettle
into a normal life. With the financial contribution of the yearly
marathon special "return kits" are purchased and given
out, helping them to make this process a little easier. And that
is why Great Lakes Safaris runs for fun, runs for life!
Read
more about the MTN Kampala Marathon...
3.
Meet Great Lakes in Spain!
Come and
meet Great Lakes Safaris at the tourism fair FITUR
in Madrid. Step by to share some great memories of your safari,
learn more about the possibilities for your next holiday, check
out the special offers
or buy one of the traditional handicrafts, made by the local people
of Uganda. Whether it is freezing and snowing, we will bring some
of the African warmth to Europe!
Great Lakes
will be present at FITUR
in Madrid from 28th January till 1st
February 2009, Hall 6, 6E18.
4.
Highlights of 2008
As the year 2008 is slowly coming to end, we can look back
at a turbulent but successful period. It was a year of important
initiatives, newly established collaborations and appreciated rewards.
We had the pleasure to host many international visitors at Primate
Lodge Kibale, to guide tourists around the country and share the
beauty of the hidden Pearl of Africa. And if you haven't had the
luck yet to visit this amazing country, we hope that 2009 will bring
you the opportunity to join an unforgettable safari!
Our great
highlights of 2008 are:
UTA President
In July 2008 Amos Wekesa, the Managing Director of Great Lakes Safaris,
was elected as the new President of the Uganda Tourism Association.
UTA is the national tourism apex body and represents all stakeholders
in the tourism sector. Being the president, Amos is determined take
tourism in Uganda to another level and increase the exposure not
only internationally, but on the domestic market as well.
New cottages at Primate Lodge Kibale
During the year of 2008 the bandas at Primate Lodge Kibale were
fully renovated and reconstructed into new comfortable forest cottages.
The cottages are secluded in the forest, featuring a private veranda,
spacious bedroom decorated with traditional African art and en suite
bathroom with a shower and toilet. Please
visit our website Primate
Lodge Kibale for our most recent photos.
Chimpanzee Award for Primate Lodge Kibale
On 5th June 2008 Primate Lodge Kibale was awarded with the Chimp
Award for Investment in Eco-tourism by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
The award was presented as a recognition of the high quality of
the lodge, the high customer's satisfaction, the loyal commitment
to the surrounding communities and meeting the eco-tourism standards
among others.
Opening of Simba Safari Camp
Not yet open but already highly popular, Simba Safari Camp will
open her doors on 25th December 2008! The newly built camp is located
on the border of Queen Elizabeth National Park with spectacular
views on Lake George and the savannah plains teemed with wildlife.
With eleven en-suite rooms, four dormitory rooms and a well-stocked
restaurant, Simba Safari Camp is the ideal gateway for your safari
to Queen Elizabeth National Park! Please visit our website Uganda
Lodges for more details and developments.
We would
like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continuous
support and we are looking forward to welcoming you in Uganda in
2009!
5.
Special offers for 2009!
Great Lakes Safaris is pleased to inform you that from this month
we will start running scheduled safaris with regular departures
throughout the year 2009. The groups will be small to ensure flexibility
and personal attention, but at the same time guaranteeing a competitive
price.
"Highlights of Uganda"
The "Highlights of Uganda" is a 16-days safari
to the main attractions of the country. From the amazing Murchison
Falls you  will
track the wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest and continue to Queen
Elizabeth National Park for great wildlife viewing. Find yourself
staring in the eyes of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable
Forest, followed by a fascinating meeting with the local people
of Nshenyi Village and end your safari at the river Nile, a world
class place for rafting!
The Highlights
of Uganda can be booked from US $2470
per person with an amazing
discount for all bookings made before 15th February
2009!
View
the promo video of "Highlights of Uganda"!
"Luxury Primate Safari"
An amazing
combination of the wide
savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park with the dense
tropical rainforests of Kibale and Bwindi. Excellent wildlife viewing
and unforgettable encounters with the primates of Uganda! The "Luxury
Primate Safari" is a 10-days safari that combines nature, wildlife
and adventure with comfort as you will be staying in small, luxury
African lodges.
The Luxury
Primate Safari can be booked from US
$2650 per person with an amazing
discount for all bookings made before 15th February
2009!
View
the promo video of "Luxury Primate Safari"!
Please
visit our website Special Offers
for a detailed itinerary, prices, departure dates and practical
information. Or contact
us directly and we will be happy to send you all details by
email.
6.
Permits available
The year 2008 has been characterized as a tumultuous year, with
an immense run on gorilla permits. Inevitably, many people got disappointed
by the fully booked tracking dates.
But no
need to worry! Great Lakes Safaris has already blocked some permits
for next year's season. Thus if you want to track the mountain gorillas
on any of the following dates, you are guaranteed of a permit!
10th December 2008 2
permits available
15th December 2008 4
permits available
06th January 2009
4 permits available
20th June 2009 4
permits available
29th June 2009 4
permits available
08th July 2009 4
permits available
12th July 2009 4
permits available
26th July 2009 8
permits available
31st July 2009 8
permits available
09th August 2009 2
permits available
20th August 2009 8
permits available
31st August 2009
6 permits available
15th August 2009
6 permits available
31st August 2009
4 permits available
Take this
unique opportunity and book your gorilla permit now! Complete your
safari with a visit to other national parks and more beautiful sites,
and we guarantee you a splendid holiday in 2009 that will be remembered
forever!
7.
Testimonial
Julia Pallant and her family travelled with us in
June 2008.
This is what she says about her safari:
"We returned
from Uganda after a wonderful holiday. We had had high expectations
of 'the holiday of a lifetime' but even they were exceeded! The
places that we visited were all, in their different ways, fantastic
and I certainly wouldn't miss any of them out.
In terms of security we didn't have a moment's concern. When travelling
in the rural areas we found people welcoming and curious. We had,
as was suggested by Great Lakes, a plentiful supply of pencils for
the children which went down very well.
As far as the company is concerned I cannot recommend them highly
enough. They responded promptly to emails when we were planning
and did everything as promised when we arrived. The office staff
was welcoming and no 'extras' to pay for were slipped in. Our driver,
Noel, was very knowledgeable, extremely friendly and competent and
anxious that we should see the best of Uganda. Thanks again!"
If you
have any questions or comments concerning the newsletter please
contact us!
Unsubscribe
to newsletter
If you do not want to receive our newsletter any longer, just send
us an email with the subject "unsubscribe newsletter"
and we will remove you from our mailing list.
ON
BEHALF OF THE GREAT LAKES TEAM WE WISH YOU: |
