YOUR DETAILED ITINERARY:
Day 1: Transfer Entebbe – Kampala
Meet and greet at Entebbe airport – Time to be advised. Transfer to Kampala – 1 hr
Overnight Forest Cottages / Golf Course Hotel / Kampala Serena Hotel on BB
Day 2: Kibale Forest National Park [L, D]
After breakfast, drive south via Fort Portal through verdant countryside and past traditional homesteads and farms. Fort-Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon.
Afternoon visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to search for smaller mammals and primates. Look out for the rare red colobus monkey and the sitatunga. The guided 4.5km circular trail through the swamp is also one of the best guided bird trails in East Africa as well as offering a realistic opportunity to see up to six different primate species in a space of a few hours.
Overnight Kibale Forest Camp / Primate Lodge / Kyaninga Lodge
Day 3: Kibale Forest to Queen Elizabeth [B, L, D]
Morning search of chimpanzees and 10 other primate including l’ hoestes, red colobus, blues, red tailed and gray – cheeked mangabey. The guide will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates, but on all the forest fauna and flora and will ensure that your walk is both informative and enjoyable. This walk is excellent for viewing bird life and seeing primates at close quarters.
After proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the mystical Ruwenzori Mountain range for much of the journey. A game drive en route may be rewarded with views of lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena and a variety of antelope species.
Overnight Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge / Park View Safari Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth [B, L, D]
Two game drives today – morning and evening. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzoris as a backdrop provides excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi and bush buck. These two game drives and the boat trip (taken prior) are a memorable method of discovering a vast array of Ugandan wildlife
In the afternoon, enjoy the unique 2 hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and many animals may be seen drinking at the water’s edge. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colourful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species.
Overnight Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge / Park View Safari Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 5: Bwindi National Park [B, L, D]
Drive through the “Switzerland of Africa” area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi.
Overnight Buhoma Community Rest Camp / Engagi Lodge / Mahogany Springs
Day 6: Bwindi, Gorilla Tracking [B, L, D]
Early morning entry into Gorilla sanctuary. This rainforest is spectacular.
It offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but criss-crossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. Mammals recorded include the endangered mountain gorilla, rare golden monkey, buffalo, elephant, black-fronted duiker, bushbuck, leopard, giant forest log and others. This park is best known for the fascinating gorillas. The time taken and the terrain varies according to the movements of this marvelous primates. The thrill of spending time and observing the gorillas is a rare, moving, awesome and exciting adventure. The gorilla is a shy and peaceful animal and it is unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they interact.
Overnight Buhoma Community Rest Camp / Engagi Lodge / Mahogany Springs
Day 7 : Lake Mburo National Park [B, L, D]
After breakfast, you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Enjoy the boat ride on Lake Mburo and get quite close to crocs and hippos.
Birdwatchers will enjoy the more than 250 species of birds found in Lake Mburo including Papyrus Gonolek, Brown faced Lapwing. Carruther’s Cisticola, the extraordinary White winged Warbler and Bare-Faced-Go- Away bird.
Evening game drive along the Lakeshore track. With its own system of game trails and cleared walkways the “Kigambara Loop” offers interesting guided lakeside walks. Find here herds of zebra, Cape buffalo and eland. Oribi and topi are easily approached.
Overnight Eagles Nest / Lake Mburo Safari Lodge / Mihingo Safari Lodge
Day 8: Lake Mburo – Entebbe [B, L]
After breakfast, proceed for a game drive or a safari walk under the escort of an armed ranger. The leisurely pace of a walking safari also provides excellent opportunities for the keen photographer. The Kopjes are particularly interesting and camouflage kilpspringers and topis. Due to cattle herding in the area it is amusing to see zebra grazing alongside the long horned Ankore Cattle peaceably.
After drive back to Entebbe via Kampala stopping at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers en route where you will able to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through generations. There will also be time to stop at the equator for photographs. You arrive Entebbe in the early evening.
Overnight Airport Guesthouse / The Boma Hotel / Imperial Golf View Hotel on BB
Day 9: Transfer [B]
After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe airport for your onward flight: End of tour!!
Included in tour price
- All tour highlights
- Ground transportation in an exclusive 4×4 safari land cruiser
- Services of an experienced English speaking driver / guide
- Bottled water through the safari
- 01 Gorilla permit per person
- Park fees
- Meals as indicated
- Activities and accommodations as mentioned in the itinerary.
Excluded
- Airfare to and from Uganda
- Visa to Uganda
- Airport tax
- Travel / Medical / Baggage insurance
- All beverages [both alcoholic and non-alcoholic]
- Any activity, meal or accommodation NOT mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips
- Telephone bills
- Souvenirs, items of a personal nature
Notes on Gorilla tracking
– Gorilla trekking is a strenuous activity and one should be physically fit to enjoy this tour.
– Minimum gorilla tracking age is 15 years.
– Anyone with signs of communicable diseases will NOT be allowed to track.
– While possession of a gorilla permit is a guarantee of trekking and sighting the gorillas, the quality of the gorilla trekking cannot be guaranteed.
– Maximum time allowed with the gorillas will NOT exceed ONE hour.
We strongly recommend the following:
– Rain poncho (lightweight)
– Long-sleeved shirt
– Waterproof trousers
– Sturdy hiking boots
– Leather gardening -type gloves
– Sunscreen,
– Insect repellent and any necessary medications must be brought by you either from your home town or Kampala.
– Still Cameras and Camcorders are allowed, but bring batteries and film from your home town or Kampala.
On confirmation, please advise the following details:
– Full names as they appear in your passports
– Dates of Birth
– Nationality
– Passport number
Please understand that gorilla permits are booked on a “first come first served” CASH basis and therefore can be snapped up by anybody.