Classic Lake Mburo, Bwindi Gorillas & Queen Elizabeth


uganda-safaris

YOUR DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1:Transfer Entebbe – Kampala

Upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, you will be met by our Customer Care Representative who will assist you with the transfer to your Kampala Hotel. Before checking in at hotel, he will brief you on your program ahead and introduce the Driver Guide who will be with you throughout the safari– Arrival Time to be advised. Transfer to Kampala – 1 hr

Overnight Forest Cottages / Golf Course Hotel / Kampala Serena Hotel on BB

Day 2:  Lake Mburo National Park [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.

L-mburoEvening 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 3:  Bwindi Impenetrable Forest [B, L, D]

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.

Drive through the “Switzerland of Africa” area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi.

gorilla_11Overnight Buhoma Community Rest Camp / Engagi Lodge / Mahogany Springs

Day 4:  Bwindi, Gorilla trek [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 marvellous primates.  The thrill of spending time and observing the gorillas is a rare, moving, awesome and exciting adventure.

bwindi-gorilla-trackkingThe 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 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park [B, L, D]

Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha sector.

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 colorful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species.

Overnight Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge / Park View Safari Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 6:  Queen Elizabeth [B, L, D]
This day will include two game drives, offering the chance to view Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-systems of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters, home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzori Mountains as a backdrop, provide an excellent opportunity to see lion, leopard, giant forest hog, African buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda kob, topi and bushbuck. Combined with the boat trip up the Kazinga Channel, these two game drives are memorable methods of discovering a vast array of wildlife.

Queen-elizabeth-parkOvernight Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge / Park View Safari Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 7:  Entebbe [B, L]
Early morning departure to Kyambura Gorge, visitors can climb through tropical forest and catch a glimpse of a variety of primates, including chimpanzee, black-and-white colobus. vervet and olive baboons are regularly observed in the gorge. Less visible residents include red-tailed monkey and the giant forest hog. For birdwatchers a good range of forest birds are present.

After lunch, drive 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 8: 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.