ravel with WWF’s Allard Blom, Managing Director for the Visiting the gorillas of central Africa was a defining moment in THE GREAT APES OF T Congo Basin Program to experience Uganda’s incredible my life. It led me on a path to starting the successful habituation diversity of habitats and animals up close on a variety of wildlife A Safari to Uganda with WWF’s Allard Blom of western lowland gorillas, which had never been done before. July 6–15, 2021 adventures. Search for iconic safari wildlife in Kibale and Queen I look forward to sharing with you the incredible opportunity of Elizabeth National Parks like elephants, hippos, and the elusive tree-climbing lions of Ishasha and the Kazinga Channel; admire meeting gorillas while learning about WWF’s work on great apes. the soaring Rwenzori mountains; watch for birds, hippos, and —Allard Blom, Ph.D, WWF’s Managing Director, crocodiles on a river tour; and interact with in the Congo Basin Program Kibale Forest.

WWF Expeditions is an invitation-only conservation travel program for our closest supporters,along with friends and family, to see firsthand the positive impact World Wildlife Fund is making.

These custom-designed journeys are led by WWF experts and offer exclusive opportunities to discover the wildlife and ecosystems we protect; meet community members whose lives are being improved because of our work; and immerse yourself in the worlds of our field staff and partners on the ground.

VILLIERS STEYN / SHUTTERSTOCK Come explore the best of the natural world and see how together we are making a difference for our planet. The trip ends with two days of trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the chance to encounter the ever-charismatic mountain gorilla—a truly unforgettable experience. Here WWF has worked for more than 40 years to save the mountain gorilla and its forest habitat. In 1991, Fauna and Flora International and WWF partnered to create the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP). With the IGCP and other partners, we work to conserve gorilla habitat and populations, and help improve the quality of life of local people. ANDY ROUSE / NPL ANDY COVER: JOHN WARBURTON-LEE / DANITA DELIMONT / DANITA JOHN WARBURTON-LEE FRONT We spend two days trekking, our prime opportunity to meet gorillas. Meet Our Expert Bwindi boasts nearly half the world’s mountain gorillas—about 400. Allard Blom, Ph.D, is the Managing We may see a range of ages: younger gorillas playing, mothers carrying Director for the Congo Basin Program babies or a silverback, the patriarch of the troop. On our final morning, at World Wildlife Fund. Before joining we fly back to Entebbe for a farewell meal and transfers to the airport. WWF in Washington, DC, he spent more than 16 years working in Africa. He was instrumental in establishing the Wildlife Reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Lopé National Park in Gabon. In Dzanga-Sangha in the Central African Republic, he initiated a long-term sustainable funding strategy which includes a tri-national conservation trust fund and a successful gorilla habituation program, where

tourists can visit the elusive western lowland gorillas. Blom CHARLES J SHARP BY PHOTOGRAPH holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in biology/ecology and a Ph.D. in ecology and wildlife management from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Day 5-6: Queen Elizabeth National Park As we transfer to Ishasha Wilderness Camp in the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth Park, the spectacular Rwenzori Range provides a dramatic backdrop, with Day 1-4: Entebbe, Uganda and Kibale National Park snowcapped peaks rising 16,000 feet. The park is home to a great diversity of wildlife, with over 600 bird species and nearly 100 Upon arrival in Entebbe, you’re transferred to the different mammal species. During the following morning game drive, Hotel No. 5, followed by a welcome dinner. The next we search for classic African wildlife, possibly spotting leopard, buffalo, morning, we fly to Uganda’s verdant highlands, elephant, and antelope in the park’s northern sector. We then cruise before reaching Kyaninga Lodge where we may the Kazinga Channel on a private boat to view large concentrations ANDY ROUSE / NPL explore the surrounding area or relax and enjoy of hippos. The waterway is also home to colorful birdlife and baboons the majestic view from our lodge, which is that we observe from the banks. While exploring this region, we look perched on the rim of a crater lake. On day three, Reservation Information & Trip Details for the famous tree-climbing lions. we explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, Dates: July 6–15, 2021 followed by an afternoon trek. This equatorial Day­ 7-10: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi We head westward to Bwindi Cost: 4-6 guests: $12,615 per person, based on double occupancy rain forest reserve has one of the highest Impenetrable National Park, and watch savanna change to mountains. 7-9 guests: $11,995 per person, based on double occupancy concentrations of primates in the world— We spend the next three nights at Buhoma Lodge, our luxury camp and $980 per person for internal airfare 1,300 chimpanzees. We may also see red gorilla-trekking base. Here we will learn how WWF is working with IGCP $1,800 per person for two chimp and two gorilla trekking permits or black-and-white colobus, gray-cheeked to help communities grow tea plants in mang­abey, and other monkeys. Our final “buffer zones” that separate national Group size: Limited to 9 participants morning offers another chimpanzee trek parks from community lands, provide For reservations and additional information, please contact Karl Egloff at WWF at 202-495-4119 before lunch at Kyaninga where we take a walk around one income, and prevent wildlife from or [email protected] of the nearby crater lakes. straying into agricultural land.

ARCO IMAGES / ALAMY ARCO IMAGES / www.worldwildlife.org/expeditions To register or if you have questions, please contact Karl Egloff at 202-495-4119 or [email protected] STEVE BLOOM / ALAMY STEVE BLOOM /