8 Days game viewing and ape tracking to Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Lake Mburo National parks in Uganda.
This 8 days Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking safari combined with game viewing tour will take you through the most scenic places in the pearl of Africa, it involves the rolling hills with beautiful manicured tea plantations to the magnificent Rwenzori slopes, dense true African jungle, amazing nature created features, plenty of wild animals, different primates and numerous bird species that will make you appreciate that this country is truly the pearl of Africa.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe international airport – Transfer to Kampala City.
Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be welcomed by our company representative and safari driver guide for a transfer to hotel at Kampala for a hot shower, relaxation and briefings about your vacation. Dinner and overnight
NB: If time allows go for Kampala evening city Kampala city tour to explore the historical places of Uganda such as Kabaka’s palace and Amin torture chambers, Namugongo martyr’s shrines, Uganda National Museum, Kasubi tombs (the burial ground for the Buganda Kings one of the UNESCO’S recognized sight).
Accommodation
- Sheraton Hotel Kampala (luxury)
- Fairway Hotel and Spa (mid-range)
- Maries Royale Hotel (standard)
Day 2: Kampala city – Kibale Forest National Park – Bigodi sanctuary Evening Nature Walk
After breakfast our safari driver guide will pick you from your hotel at 0600 Hours and drive south west via Fort portal to Kibale Forest National Park. The drive will take approximately 5-6 hours. As you drive along the way enjoy the scenery and see Ugandan’s way of life in their traditional homesteads and farms. Have lunch from Fort Portal town, go for checking in at Nyabulitwa Country Resort and later go to Bigodi swamp sanctuary for evening nature walk which will gift you with numerous chances to see over 229 species of birds, different tree species, and other small animals within the wet tropical forests of the park. Plus other different primates such as, blue monkeys, baboons and a variety of birds. Return back at the lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Accommodation
- Crater Safari Lodge (luxury)
- Isunga Safari Lodge (mid-range)
- Kibale Guest House (standard)
Day 3: Kibale Forest National Park – Morning Chimpanzee Tracking – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
In the morning you will have breakfast then transfer to Kibale Forest National Park headquarters for briefings before setting off for a forest walk in search for chimpanzees. The forest walk will be guided to provide information not only on chimpanzees and primates but also on small organisms making it interesting. The walk will reward you with other primates like Grey cheeked Mangabeys, Colobus monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, lhoestes, and butterflies. After tracking chimps go to the lodge for your refreshments, lunch have a shower and then start the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the park is nestled between two lakes, George and Edward with kazinga channel joining the two lakes, its lush Savannah offers prime grazing ground for the African buffaloes, African elephants and various antelopes, the park hosts over 600 bird species, on a clear day there are chances of viewing the mountains of the moon the Rwenzori and its snow peak. Drive straight to the lodge check in, the entire evening of this day will be spent relaxing at the lodge and you can decide to swim or enjoying steam bath which are free of change.
Accommodation
- Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury)
- Parkview Safari Lodge (mid–range + standard)
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Morning Game drive – Afternoon Boat cruise – Evening nature walks to Lake Katwe salt mining village.
After a morning coffee, head out for a game drive to look for wildlife on the Kasenyi track of the park. Common sightings here are; elephant, warthog, waterbuck, kob, leopard, lions, hyena, buffalo and so much more. After a short break visit to Katwe fishing village and witness the local salt mining procedures. In season, you will see plenty of flamingos in this part of the park. Have lunch and go for an afternoon boat cruise on the well-known Kazinga Channel where you get to see schools of hippos. The Channel has the highest concentration of hippos in Africa it is also a great place for birders enjoy most as you will see hundreds and hundreds of birds on the shore, you can easily identify over 40 species while on the boat cruise on Kazinga Channel. Besides watching uncountable hippos and Birds, you will be also amazed with plenty of the Nile crocodiles basking on shores of the channel, Monitor lizards, Elephant herds, Buffaloes, Antelopes and by chance you might see the water shore killers such as lions, spotted hyenas as they have also come to quench their thirty with the waters of the channel. After a boat cruise go return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight
Accommodation
- Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury)
- Parkview Safari Lodge (mid–range + standard)
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Morning game drive through Ishasha sector –Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National park.
After breakfast and with bags ready head out to Ishasha section of the park famous for its tree-climbing lions, for a morning game drive looking for the tree climbing lions and afterwards continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park famous of harboring endangered mountain gorillas. A magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, this ancient rainforest -one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age -is home to roughly half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Arrive to check in and have lunch, relax or go for an evening village walk and shopping at the craft market before dinner. At an altitude of up to 2,607 meters (8553ft). Expect some cooler temperatures in the evening.
Accommodation
- Buhoma Safari Lodge (luxury)
- Gorilla Mist Camp (mid-range)
- Ruhija Community Rest Camp / Buhoma Community Rest Camp (standard)
Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Morning Gorilla trekking –Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – Evening canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi.
Wake up early in the morning for breakfast and depart for the morning pre trek Gorilla briefing at the park Headquarters. Later go for your long time awaited activity “Gorilla trekking” the time taken while trekking is not known but it is expected to be between2-8 hours depending on the movement of the Gorilla family you are allocated to. During the trek expect to discover other primates such as Chimpanzees, black and white colombus monkey, vervet monkey, and many others.
On encounter, spend an hour of exhilarating moments with these gentle giants. Return to the lodge for a shower, lunch. Then leave the home of red eyed giants and drive to Lake Bunyonyi where over 200 bird species have been recorded. “Bunyonyi” actually means “the place of many little birds” Lake Bunyonyi is one of the few African lakes completely safe for swimming and canoeing.
Accommodation
- Arcadia lodge Bunyonyi (luxury + mid-range)
- Lake Bunyonyi Overland Lodge (standard)
Day 7: Lake Bunyonyi – Transfer to Lake Mburo NP – Evening game drive
After breakfast with great memories of the mountain gorillas depart Lake Bunyonyi heading to Lake Mburo National Park the best place in the country to see the gigantic eland antelope, as well as zebra, topi, impala, and several acacia-associated birds. On arrival to the park enjoy the drive en route to the overnight accommodation. Wildlife here include: the elusive leopard, jackals, hyenas, zebra and the newly introduced giraffes among others. Drive straight to the lodge to have lunch relax as you are viewing the park and in the evening go for an amazing game drive in search for the wildlife of the park. Lake Mburo is the only park in Uganda with few predators and it is the best for biking and nature walk safaris. Dinner and overnight
Accommodation
- Mihingo lodge (luxury)
- Rwakobo Rock lodge (mid-range + standard)
Day 8: Lake Mburo N.P – Morning horseback riding – Entebbe International Airport
Wake up for breakfast before going out on horseback riding safari– a nature walk on horses for 2 hours in the park accompanied by an armed ranger will be one of the best since you get the opportunity to get closer to the inhabitants of the park and photo moment. Return to the lodge for another set of breakfast and then embark on the drive to Entebbe with a stopover at Kayabwe equator point for the water experience and to buy souvenirs and have lunch later drive straight to Entebbe international airport for your return flight back home with great experience of gorilla.
The tour price includes:
Price excludes:
Expenses of personal nature like:
