#G1PhotoFridayEurope

The Underrated City of Ljubljana, Slovenia

on May 18, 2018

Ljubljana, Slovenia is the capital of the small country as well as its largest city. This city is unique in that it has the sophistication of a small town but the offerings of a large metropolis. Ljubljana has great activities to offer including touring Tivoli Park, Ljubljana Castle or Dragon Bridge, sampling Slovenian Wine or keeping caffeinated with a local favorite; Turkish Coffee.

ljubljana
This week’s #g1photofriday was submitted by user @yeeungt using the hashtag #gate1travel. This winding view was taken in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Be sure to tag your photos on social media with #gate1travel or #g1photofriday to be featured. Check out Gate 1 Travel’s Slovenia/Croatia trips here!

Travel Tips

Our Top 12 Most Popular Tours of 2018

on May 14, 2018

Gate 1 Travel is letting you in on a little secret. Today we are sharing the top 12 best performing tours thus far in 2018 because you deserve to know! These tours vary greatly in destination but they all excel in showing you must-see sites, beautiful cities, unique cultures and natural beauty all in one escorted tour! We are giving you a countdown of our top 12 tours in hopes of giving you some inspiration when it comes to planning your next unforgettable adventure. Journey with us from Ireland to Vietnam to the United States with a whole world in between and enjoy our list.

12. 9 Day Enchanting Ireland
Enchanting Ireland is right. Ireland is a beautiful country known for a warm culture, lush greenery and excellent sites to see. While on this tour of Ireland you will see some Blarney_Castleof the can’t miss spots including the city of Dublin, where you will enjoy a city tour, visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, and have free time to explore. Also enjoy the Killarney area where you will drive through the world-famous Ring of Kerry and see sites on your way. On this tour you will also see Blarney Castle, Waterford, Bunratty Castle, Cliffs of Moher and Galway. If you have been wanting to visit Ireland, there is no better time than the present to go green.

11. 8 Day Essential Vietnam
Vietnam is a country that is so incredibly different from anywhere else that it’s popularity is no surprise. Your tour of Vietnam will most likely begin with a visit to Ho Ch Minh City, formerly Saigon, where you will have the chance to take an optional excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels, enjoy a optional half day tour of the city or explore the city on your own at your leisure. You will also visit the incredible Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see caves, grottos, islands, stalactites, stalagmites and waterfalls, to name a few! You will also have a full day in Hanoi to either explore the city leisurely or take some optional tours that include the Museum of Ethnology and a Cyclo Ride/Water Puppet Show. This genuine country will win you over and you will enjoy every minute of it.

10. 8 Day Classic National Parks, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone & Grand Teton
What better way to see what the world has to offer than by visiting parts of your own country? Although our country doesn’t have a history as old as some others, we do have amazing sites, national parks, natural phenomenon and plenty of great cities with their own special elegance. On this tour you will see 3 national parks, stay in 6 different locations and have the experience of a lifetime, all in 8 days! Visit Rapid City, the gateway to South Dakota’s Black Hills and iconic Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. Experience the beauty of Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the United States and home to “Old Faithful”, hot springs, thermal features, rock cliffs and more! You will also get to visit Grand Teton National Park, with its dense forests and rich wildlife and then continue to Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s time to see what the United States has to offer and explore some of our greatest treasures.

9. 15 Day Cambodia & Vietnam
This excellent tour gets you seeing two of the greatest countries of Southeast Asia and experiencing some of the greatest sites they have to offer. In just over two weeks you will Vietnam HalongBay_1109_dt_16304888experience 7 different cities and add two different countries to your list! While on tour, visit Siem Reap, home to some of the most famous sites in the world; Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat. Travel to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy leisure time or take some optional tours to get to know this fascinating city. While on your Cambodia & Vietnam tour you will also see the city of Phnom Penh, Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia, the ancient town of Hoi An, Hue; home to a wealth of palaces, temples, museums and libraries, Halong Bay and Hanoi. This tour covers so much of these two amazing countries that it is a truly unmissable experience.

8. 13 Day Turkish Treasures
Welcome to the true crossroads of Europe and Asia; Turkey. This country has history that dates back to B.C. and has ancient sites to see that are some of the oldest on earth! On your journey to Turkey you will tour the city of Istanbul and see the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and the Spice Market. Traverse the ancient city of Cappadocia with its surreal rock formations, rock-cut temples and plenty of hot air balloons in the sky, with an optional have your own hot air balloon ride! This extensive tour also includes visits to the classical city of Troy, the port city of Izmir, the resort town of Antalya and Ankara the modern capital of Turkey. Learn about the country and sites you have read about in books like The Illiad and venture to this country today.

7. 13 Day Kaleidoscope of Central Europe
Central Europe has so much to offer in such a small area of the world. On this tour you will visit 5 major cities with a few stops along the way, and potentially add 5 new countries to your list. You will travel to the medieval city of Krakow, Poland, a city that was greatly affected by WWII and see the Jewish Quarter and Ghetto of the city as well as taking a solemn visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Experience the former center of the Hapsburg Empire; Vienna, Austria, where you will view Schonbrunn Palace, Empress Maria Theresia Monument, Votive Church, City Hall, Parliament and more. This tour will also bring you to more unforgettable places such as Warsaw, Czestochowa, Budapest, Bratislava and Prague. If you enjoy history, culture, music and experiencing unforgettable places, this tour is perfect for you.

6. 11 Day Affordable Croatia & Slovenia
Croatia is a travel location that is increasingly popular for good reason! This seaside country has excellent cities by the water and a neighboring country of Slovenia that you will not want to miss. This tour includes stops in 7 towns and cities with optional tours to see even more. This extraordinary tour takes you to Dubrovnik, the walled and cobbled-street city that you have probably seen on Game of Thrones, as King’s Landing, and in many pictures. Also explore the lake-side city of Bled, set among the Julian Alps and one of Slovenia’s most popular resort towns. Opatija, Zadar, Split, Krka National Park, Vodice, Zagreb and Ljubjana, Slovania are all included on this fully-packed tour. Come see why so many people are visiting this country and discover many of your own reasons!

5. 11 Day Enchanting Italy
Italy is always a great idea and this tour covers places you have always wanted to visit. If Venetian canals, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Michelangelo’s David, and Pompeii are things you have dreamed about, this tour covers it all and so much more. Visit and stay in the city of Florence, where David, the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and Signoria Square await you. Take a tour of ancient Rome, home of the Colosseum, excellent food and a tiny country called Vatican City. This tour will also take you to Venice, Tuscany, Pisa, Assisi, Pompeii, Sorrento, Bay of Naples and more! If a friendly culture, excellent food and beautiful sites are on your travel list, you will surely cross them off with this tour of Italy.

4. 8 Day Essential Greece
This country, in the heart of the Mediterranean, is home to some of the most famous landmarks in the world; the Acropolis, Olympia and Delphi. This tour has an unbeatable DelphiAthenaprice and gets you all around Greece in just over a week! You will likely arrive in Athens, the capital of Greece and home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Acropolis. Take a tour of the archaeological site of Olympia and see where the games were first held in 776 B.C. Visit the excavated site of Delphi, enjoy the coastal road to the mighty Corinth Canal and take an optional day tour to Hydra, Poros and Aegina Islands. Discover this ancient country that is the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of Western Civilization on this unforgettable tour.

3. 12 Day Danube River Cruise with Prague
A river cruise through Europe is an excellent way to see many destinations while returning to the comfort of a ship between each. Being on a cruise means that while you are busy sleeping or enjoying the ship, you are being whisked away to a new and exciting destination. On your river cruise you will sail along the Danube river and visit Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany, you will also see the Czech Republic on this specific tour. Visit the essential Danube village town of Melk, Austria where you will walk along medieval cobblestone streets leading to 16th century houses and wine taverns. You will also visit the city of Prague on this tour, where you will see the world-famous Astronomical Clock. The Town Hall, Jewish Quarter and many more sites. Other stops on this tour include Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, Linz, Passau, Vilshofen and Regensberg. It’s time to experience Europe in one of the most unique and special ways; on a European river cruise with Gate 1 Travel!

2. 10 Day Affordable Peru
Seeing Machu Picchu is on the bucket list of many travel enthusiasts. If you are one of these enthusiasts this tour was made for you. Visit the city of Lima, the capital of Peru and its excellent landmarks including the Palace of the Archbishop, the Government Palace and the Cathedral of Lima. You will, of course, experience the ancient capital of the Incan Empire, Cuzco, which contains some ruins of its own and will be your gateway to touring the incredible Machu Picchu. This tour also visits Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Uros Islands, Puno and more! This exceptional tour brings you to some of the most photographed and visited places in the world and is affordable as well. Get out your hiking gear because Peru awaits.

1. 13 Day Kaleidoscope of Morocco
If you have not been to Morocco yet, it is a must-visit! This up and coming country has been hugely popular this year thanks to its unique culture, vast array of things to do and excellent pricing! This tour offers many essential locations in Morocco including Fez, an OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAancient city with breathtaking views that you can decide to discover on your own or join the optional city tour. You will also visit Marrakesh where you will visit the Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Minaret, the Medina and the Bahia Palace. On this Moroccan tour you will also visit Rabat, Erfoud, Rissani, Ouarzazate and Casablanca. There’s no better time than now to start seeing the world and all its beauty and culture. What better way to explore, than to enjoy our most popular tour of the year to beautiful Morocco?

#G1PhotoFridayEurope

The Iconic Scene of Giant’s Causeway

on May 11, 2018

Giant’s Causeway is located in Northern Ireland in Bushmills. This famous landmark is the result of an ancient fissure volcano erupting and causing around 40,000 columns made of black basalt. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has sprung many legends and stories by the locals involving giants. See it for yourself and decide if science or stories built this fascinating landscape.

giantscauseway

This week’s #g1photofriday was submitted by user @3kingstraveling using the hashtag #gate1travel. This colorful view was taken at Giant’s Causeway located in Bushmills, Northern Ireland. Be sure to tag your photos on social media with #gate1travel or #g1photofriday to be featured. Check out Gate 1 Travel’s Ireland trips here!

#G1PhotoFridayAfrica

The Souks of Marrakesh, Morocco

on May 4, 2018

Marrakesh, Morocco is famous for its Souk District located in the heart of the Medina. At the souks you will find just about everything from spices to clothing to food! Put your bargaining skills to work and get a good price for a great find. This area can get very crowded with bicycles and people so it is important to be cautious and aware of your surroundings here.

marrakesh

This week’s #g1photofriday was submitted by user @erickyeva using the hashtag #gate1travel. This colorful view was taken in the Souk Medina District located in Marrakesh, Morocco. Be sure to tag your photos on social media with #gate1travel or #g1photofriday to be featured. Check out Gate 1 Travel’s Morocco trips here!

Travel Tips

5 Best Places to Travel this Summer

on May 3, 2018

June, July and August are the most popular times to travel. Work has died down and mother nature is at her best so it’s the time most take their much needed vacation days. Unfortunately, this means that the people come in swarms, the temperatures rise and there is a line to do just about anything. Crowds, heat and lines are all synonymous with summer vacations so we decided to compile a list of destinations that will get you to cooler places, places with less crowds and places that demonstrate that little something extra during the summer. It is time to get off the beaten path, try somewhere new and enjoy your days off with relaxation and adventure. Join us on our summer list to see where you should be visiting this season!

Evening at Lake Louise5. Alberta, Canada
Alberta, Canada has a lot to offer; a warm, summer temperature, about 75 degrees average, that won’t leave you sweating and an array of National Parks, landmarks and beautiful views of nature that you cannot see anywhere else. Edmonton is the capital of Alberta and it is a perfect city to explore. Museums, the famous Farmer’s Market in Old Strathcona and many hip and delicious restaurants to sample all await you in Edmonton. Some can’t miss adventures in Alberta include Jasper National Park, known for its abundant wildlife, Athabasca Falls, Lake Louise, a glacier-fed lake and one of the most photographed spots in all of Canada, Banff National Park and Cave & Basin National Historic Site, great for exploring the naturally-occurring, warm mineral springs that can be found inside the cave, and outside in an emerald colored basin. Get in touch with mother nature during her favorite season in Alberta, Canada.

SugarLoaf RioDeJaneiro_1111_dt_65528674. Brazil & Argentina
If you are specifically looking to beat the heat, then South America is perfect for you. The summer of the United States is actually the winter season in Brazil and Argentina. For example, the average temperature of July in Buenos Aires is only in the 50s, while January is the hottest month with an average of 76, the opposite of the United States! If the temperature isn’t enough to wow you, then the sites will get you on the next flight to South America. Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, a beautiful collection of waterfalls that has viewing sides in both Argentina and Brazil. Rio de Janeiro, the home of the famous “Christ the Redeemer” statue and a picturesque beach, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Mountain, which gives you a 360 view of the city of Rio, and so much more await you in this area of the earth. It’s time to brush up on your Spanish, put on your tango shoes and see the beauty that is South America: Brazil & Argentina.

3. Kenya & Tanzaniathe-serengeti
Welcome to another area that has its winter while the United States has their summer; Kenya & Tanzania. The average temperatures in July in Kenya & Tanzania are in the mid-70s and this is the coldest that they get all year! Luckily the temperature is not the only reason to visit, it is also the start of the dry season which makes for the best viewing for wildlife while on safari. June and July are also the best months for seeing the wildebeest migration through the Serengeti. Some of the great sites and adventures that await you on your journey include Karen Blixen Museum, the farmhouse of the prominent author of “Out of Africa”, Giraffe Centre, Elephant Orphanage, Samburu National Park, a park home to unique wildlife and a haven for birds, Serengeti National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, a park renowned for its spectacular game viewing, Ngorongoro Conservation area and many more adventures! There’s no better time to take your safari then in the summer and in Kenya & Tanzania.

cappadocia32. Turkey
While Turkey might not be the best place to beat the heat, it is the perfect place to avoid the crowds you may find in the popular destinations around the world. The average temperature in Istanbul in July is in the 80s so it is on par with most European countries during this time but it has just as many great sites and things to see as European cities! The great thing about Turkey and why you should visit, is its location, between Asia, Africa and Europe, and the fact that it is not a huge travel mecca… yet. Turkey also has a background that dates back to ancient times so there is a lot of history, architecture and culture to explore. While in Turkey make sure to visit Istanbul, the city that straddles two continents and home to an amazing spice market, Anzac Cemetery, Canakkale, Troy, a 4,000 year old city and real-life setting for The Iliad, Pergamum, Asklepion, Izmir, Pamukkale, Antalya, Cappadocia, home to rock-cut temples and tons of hot air balloons, Ankara and all of their history! Get away from the crowds and see an authentic country embedded with ancient sites and cities.

1. Icelandblue_lagoon_k9a8760_01-2
Not only is Iceland a hugely popular travel destination, but July has the warmest temperature that this northern country gets. The average temperature in July is in the 50s in Reykjavik and is the perfect sweater weather to make you forget about the heat back home. Going to Iceland in the summer really gives you a completely different outlook than visiting in the winter. It is a time of year that daylight is at its longest and can last about 20 hours a day from mid-May to Mid-August. This means you have extra daylight and warm temperatures allowing you to explore everything Iceland has to offer; from an inventive restaurant scene in Reykjavik, to the geographical wonders of Gullfoss Waterfall. Other things to see in Iceland include Blue Lagoon, a unique natural pool of mineral rich geothermal water located in the middle of a lava field, South Shore, Skaftafell National Park, see Europe’s largest ice cap and the peaks of Skaftafell, Thingvellir National Park, Snaefellsjökull Glacier, a splendid strato-volcano at the very end of the peninsula, Stykkisholmur and so much nature and beauty! It’s time to get out your finest fleece, wool socks and, of course, some sunglasses for the daylight! Take a trip to this striking country for a cool summer vacation you will not forget.

#G1PhotoFridayMediterranean

The Pristine Beauty of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

on April 27, 2018

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, the ultra-modern capital of the United Arab Emirates. The mosque is one of the world’s largest and can fit up to 40,000 worshipers at one time! Reflecting pools, hand knotted carpet, 24 carat gold chandeliers and a lighting system that reflects the phases of the moon can all be found at this magnificent mosque.

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This week’s #g1photofriday was submitted by user @rick.hines using the hashtag #gate1travel. This reflective view was taken in the Sheikh Zayed Mosque located in Abu Dhabi. Be sure to tag your photos on social media with #gate1travel or #g1photofriday to be featured. Check out Gate 1 Travel’s Abu Dhabi trips here!

Travel TipsUSA & Canada

Celebrating National Parks Week: Facts from our National Parks

on April 26, 2018

The national parks of the United States are a long-honored treasure and a must see for tourists and locals alike. With these parks sprinkled all over the country, there’s something different for everyone! Whether it be snow on the mountains in Denali National Park in Alaska or plunging canyons in the Grand Canyon of Arizona, you will find adventure at its best right in America. We are taking you on our own tour through the country and highlighting some of the most fascinating facts from each of these parks. Put on your hiking shoes, grab your canteen and join us on this magical journey.

Arches National Park:

  • Arches National Park is located in Moab, Utah and is perfect for nature enthusiast, hikers, campers and geology lovers
  • Bring your camera to Delicate Arch; it is one of the most photographed sites within the park and features a large sandstone arch that you can see from near and far
  • The park contains over 2000 natural sandstone arches, it is a true one-of-a-kind adventure

Denali National Park and Preserve:

  • Denali, Alaska 1405_dt_26795163Mt. Denali, formerly Mt. McKinley is the highest peak in North America and it is right here in this Alaskan park
  • Mt. Denali was renamed in 2015 to pay homage to the native Koyukon language of the Athabaskan people
  • Denali encompasses 6 million acres in a sub-arctic ecosystem and contains fascinating animals such as grizzly bear, wolf, Dall sheep and moose.

Kenai Fjords National Park:

  • Kenai Fjords is home to an array of marine wildlife that includes orcas, sea lions and fin, gray, minke, sei and humpback whales. Animals to see on land are moose, goats, otters, hares, lynx, black and brown bears, wolverines and gray wolves
  • Exit Glacier is one of the parks most famous attractions because of its accessibility and gradual recession, be sure to listen to its crackle!
  • Paddle the fjords, go on a boat ride, take a tour with a ranger or take a flight tour while in the park

Wrangell – St. Elias National Park and Preserve:

  • This Alaskan park is the largest national park in all of the United States; it also covers the largest wilderness area in the entire National Wilderness Preservation System, it equals 6 Yellowstones
  • Mount Wrangell, from which the park gets its name, is one of the largest active volcanoes in North America
  • The Malaspina Glacier spills out from the St. Elias Mountains between the bays of Icy and Yakutat, this natural phenomenon is called a Piedmont glacier

Grand Canyon National Park:

  • The Grand Canyon’s appearance is mainly due to erosion and took 3-6 million yearsGrand Canyon to form; erosion continues to alter it to this day
  • The Grand Canyon National Park receives close to 5 millions visitors each year
  • Grand Canyon was made a national monument in 1908 and established as a national park in 1919
  • The Grand Canyon area contains about 277 miles of the Colorado River and is populated by five main Indian tribes including; The Hopi, Navajo, Havasupai, Paiute and Hualapai

Yosemite National Park:

  • Yosemite has a huge array of things to do while in the park including Tuolumne Meadows, Tioga Road, Hetch Hetchy Valley, Crane Flat Area, waterfalls, rock formations, lakes and rivers.
  • Yosemite welcomes millions of guests a year due to its large area of over 1,000 square miles
  • Bears are plentiful in Yosemite so it important to follow the rules regarding bears and food storage while in the park

Redwood National Park:

  • Named for the tallest trees on Earth, this 200 square mile park is also home to prairies, woodlands, coastline and river ways
  • Hiking and camping is an excellent way to see the beauty of the Redwood National Park and some areas even allow a leashed pet
  • Find animals here such as banana slugs, gray whales, black bears and sea anemones to name a few

Sequoia National Park:

  • This park is named for the towering Sequoia trees and is located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains
  • While the Redwood is the tallest tree, a tree by the name of General Sherman, a giant sequoia located in the park, is the largest tree in the world
  • Glacial canyons, large lake basins, green meadows and granite peaks are all natural sites that you must see while in this park

Mesa Verde National Park:

  • Located in Colorado, this national park is home to the Ancestral Pueblo people who have called it home for over 700 years
  • The park protects around 5,000 known archaeological sites which includes 600 cliff dwellings that can be seen while visiting the park
  • Mesa Verde means “green table” in Spanish and describes the beauty of plant life and natural formations in the park

Crater Lake National Park:

  • Named for Crater Lake, a caldera lake formed within a now collapsed volcano called Mount Mazama
  • A violent eruption occurred 7,700 years ago and caused the collapse of this tall peak, it was even witnessed by Native Americans in the area at the time
  • Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and it is fed by rain and snow; it is known for its dark blue color and excellent water clarity

Badlands National Park:

  • Layered rock formations, towering landscapes, towering mountains, and steep canyons all await you at this national park located in South Dakota
  • The park contains one of the worlds richest fossil beds and some fossils are on display for visitors at the Fossil Exhibit Trail
  • Highway 240, or Badlands Loop Road, is a great place to go for a drive and enjoy many scenic lookouts

Bryce Canyon National Park:

  • Bryce Canyon is located in southern Utah and is home to hoodoos, or crimson-
  • Byrce Canyon_1111_dt_11825835colored spire rock formations that make this park famous
  • The Bryce Amphitheater, a depression filled with hoodoos, is a must-see while visiting the park
  • Prime viewing hours for the park and its magnificent formations are around sunup and sundown, so get your cameras out during this time!

Zion National Park:

  • Located in southwest Utah, this national park is most famous for its steep red cliffs and beautiful rock formations
  • Sites that you must see while in Zion include Angels Landing, Virgin River and The Narrows, these sites are all great for a hike and picture
  • Enjoy paths and trails that pioneers and ancient peoples walked in this narrow slot canyon

Canyonlands National Park:

  • Canyonlands National Park was carved by the Colorado River and is located in the southeastern part of Utah, near Moab
  • Fantastic buttes, canyons, rock pinnacles called “The Needles”, Horseshoe Canyon and Island in the Sky, a flat-topped mesa, are all sites you must see while visiting Canyonlands
  • Rivers divide this diverse park into four main districts; Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze and the rivers

Grand Teton National Park:

  • This picturesque park is located in the state of Wyoming and encompasses an entire mountain range, the TetonsMN0147SchwabackersLanding
  • The park is excellent for hiking, camping, fishing, mountaineering and getting excellent pictures
  • Must see adventures in this alpine landscape include Jenny Lake, an extremely picturesque site you will want a photograph of, Taggart Lake Trail, an easy/moderate hiking trail and Teton Park Road, a road that gives a nice overview of the park

Yellowstone National Park:

  • Wyoming, Montana and Idaho share this large park that is atop a volcanic hot-spot; this results in mud pots, hot springs, geysers and lots of steam
  • Old Faithful, perhaps the world’s most famous geyser, is located here and is named for the predictable nature of its eruptions
  • Yellowstone was the world’s first national park for good reason; mountains, forests, lakes, wildlife and the beauty of the natural world are all here for your pleasure

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve:

  • Located in the southeast Alaskan wilderness, this park gets its name for the immense glaciers that can be seen here, including the Grand Pacific Glacier
  • This huge park covers 3.3 million acres and includes every aspect of nature from steep mountains to large glaciers to temperate rain-forests
  • Be on the lookout for excellent wildlife viewing here including humpback whales, sea-lions, puffins and brown bears
AfricaSmall Group Discoveries

Far from Egypt, a Nile River Cruise

on April 25, 2018

When you think of the Nile, the meandering river through Egypt’s temple-dotted, desert landscapes probably comes to mind. But a 4,258-mile waterway is bound to flow through a huge array of ecosystems. As for the Nile, it begins in a very different environment, far from desert sands: among the lush forests of Uganda. As the river flows out of Lake Victoria, it is known as the Victoria Nile—or the White Nile for the color of its clay. The waters are calm and uneventful until they make a dramatic entrance into the Lake Albert region.

Here, the wide river is funneled into a 23-foot-wide gorge, creating a surging torrent of tremendous force that spills 141 feet. Murchison Falls, named for a celebrated 19th-century British geologist who once presided over the Royal Geographic Society, is one of the Nile’s most magnificent stretches, and you can see them up close during a scenic river cruise with your small group during Discovery Tours’ new Uganda Wildlife Exploration.

You begin your cruise downriver from Murchison Falls, then set off near the delta waters that split into finger-like rivulets on their way to Lake Albert. Hippopotamus, crocodile and numerous other magnificent creatures linger in or near the water against a backdrop of rich green forests of papyrus and other trees. Elephant might come to the river’s banks in search of a drink or a bath. Ugandan kob may sip from the shore. You might even spot the heads of Rothschild’s giraffe peering over the canopy. Watch the trees lining the shore for some of the 450 species of birds that make Murchison Falls National Park their home.

With unspoiled wilderness and primeval wildlife all around you, it is easy to imagine yourself in Victorian days setting out to search for the source of the mighty Nile. It is easy, too, to imagine The African Queen river boat drifting past, helmed by Humphrey Bogart, as it was here that parts of the 1951 Hollywood classic were filmed.

Then, the centerpiece of your safari cruise: Murchison Falls. You just might hear them before you see them, a roaring cascade forcing its way through a narrow gorge from 141 feet above. Its foamy rapids spill into the calmer waters that surround you, then join the more relaxed current and continue to Lake Albert. Pausing to take in their unbridled power, you feel the privilege of witnessing the Nile half a continent way from its more famous setting in Egypt.

Join us during our new Uganda Wildlife Exploration to discover this seldom-seen and astonishing corner of Africa.

AfricaSmall Group Discoveries

Undiscovered Uganda

on April 23, 2018

Unspoiled, Magnificent, and Teeming with Wildlife

Robustly fertile and lush, Uganda hums with the call of primates, the crunch of mammals roaming through underbrush, and the trill and screech of birdlife. It is perhaps one of the most richly populated centers of wildlife on earth. Wide savannahs reach out toward dense forest. Africa’s highest mountain range, the Rwenzoris, are capped by equatorial glaciers. And, most famously, it is the source of the mighty Nile River, which meanders at a rather dull pace until its voluminous waters crash through the Murchison Falls gorge in a torrent.

These unspoiled lands harbor classic safari wildlife, as well as a primate population found nowhere else. And much of it is protected in some two dozen national parklands, reserves, and sanctuaries. When you join Discovery Tours’ new Uganda Wildlife Exploration, you will set out in search of it all with expert guides, by safari vehicle, by foot, and by boat.

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest, has hosted the likes of Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, and several British royals. It is sliced in two by the Victorian Nile River, also known as the White Nile for the color of its clay, a tributary of the Nile. More than 100 species of mammals roam the park, including the African bush elephant, Rothschild’s giraffe, East African lion, and African buffalo. Chimpanzees make the dense forest their home. Look to the sky or to the marshland and you’ll see some of the 450 types of birds, including the shoebill with its distinctively enormous beak, a cousin of the stork and pelican.

The moist evergreen rainforests of Kibale National Park provide a stark contrast. Thirteen primates can be found in its dense canopy, comprising one of the highest concentrations in the world. The chimpanzees that reside on the safari circuit have been well-studied and are habituated to human presence. Other primates in Kibale include the Uganda mangabey, the Ugandan red colobus, and the L’Hoest’s monkey. Elephant, leopard, the African golden cat are among the other mammals here. Up in the trees, you might spot some of the 325 bird species, such as the olive long-tailed cuckoo, the grey parrot, and the endemic ground thrush. You will set out to find them all during a thrilling walking safari.

Adjacent to Kibale is Queen Elizabeth National Park. Together, they form a 110-mile wildlife corridor. When it was founded in 1952, it was named Kazinga National Park. On the occasion of the queen’s visit in 1954, the name was changed. Spanning some 764 square miles between Lake George and Lake Edward—which are linked by the Kazinga Channel—the park’s diverse ecosystems vary from endless savannah to dense forest, sparkling lakes to fertile wetlands. This fecund area is also notable for its enormous volcanic crater lakes sculpted over millennia into the emerald-green hills. Its most distinctive animals include the hippopotamus, the Nile crocodile, chimpanzee, and the tree-climbing lion with its dramatic black mane.

The king of Uganda’s parks system is Bwindi National Park, home of the last remaining great apes, the mountain gorillas. Only about 700 of these majestic creatures are believed to remain in the wild. Half of them are here in Bwindi while the other half are in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A hike in to see them is a thrill unlike any other.

Discovery Tours has secured breathtaking safari lodges in or near these national parks so you’ll enjoy easy access, delicious meals, and the ultimate in safari comforts. We hope you’ll join us on your journey to Uganda

AfricaSmall Group Discoveries

Tracking the Last of the Great Apes

on April 21, 2018

Deep in the dense jungles that skirt Uganda’s western Rift Valley, you follow the footsteps of your primate-specialist guides. All is quiet in this lush primeval world, the last remaining habitat of the mountain gorilla. There are only about 350 in this vast expanse of misty protected land. But you have faith that your long hike will pay off because you are in the hands of experts who intimately know the behaviors and routines of these gentle beasts. You have been reminded, too, that the families you are seeking have gotten used to human presence. Far from intruding on their territory, you are merely paying them a visit. So you persist, silently and meditatively losing yourself to the rhythm of your boots falling on the forest floor.

Then, a rustle in the bush, a soft crackling. Your guide raises his hand for you to stop and be still. Through the thicket of ferns and vines and past a cluster of trees, you see her dark form. You catch glimpses of thick black fur rising and falling as she reaches into the foliage for a snack. She pays you no mind as she sits on her haunches. There must be others around, you think to yourself, just as you hear more rustling farther up the slope. But your eyes dart back as she tugs at a branch, revealing the leather-like patina of her face: deep, sunken eyes, protruding snout, rounded jaw around pencil-thin lips. As she plucks a morsel from the leaves, she looks straight into your eyes.

It has been said that when you look at a mountain gorilla, you are in essence looking at yourself. No matter how you feel about the idea that humans are descendants of the great apes, there is no denying the mirror that they hold up to us. That is largely why the threat to their very existence (poaching has decreased their numbers to just 700) is so alarming. And why Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, works vigilantly to protect those that remain.

Make no mistake: though the realm of the mountain gorillas may not be impenetrable, it does present the visitor with some challenging terrain. You might walk for just an hour before spotting a family, or you might trek for several hours. It all puts a fine point on what a privilege it is to be in their presence … and on their turf.

But what a trek it is! This is thick African jungle, a tropical rainforest unlike any other. As you walk, you may encounter any of the 120 mammal species from bushbuck to forest elephants, as well as 23 endemic species of birds or vervet and colobus monkeys cavorting in canopy overhead. Even chimpanzees have been spotted here, though you are more likely to see them in Kibale National Park, which your itinerary also visits.

Join Discovery Tours’ new Uganda Wildlife Exploration for your chance to have a once-in-a-lifetime close encounter with the magnificent mountain gorillas of Bwindi.

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