Uganda Primate and Wildlife Safari 9D8N

Entebb

Arrive Entebbe, pick up by your driver guide and transfer to Kampala to your hotel (-/+45mins). Afternoon Kampala city tour.

Overnight: Le Petit Village, Kampala
Meal: --/--/--

Kampala-Fort Portal

Drive to Fort Portal (-/+5 hrs), you will pass throught traditional Ugandan villages and the lush rolling hills of the region.  One of the crater lakes in this area is called Kyaninga, and the most stunning lodge in this area is named after the Lake. The lodge will offer beautiful Crater Lake walks and forest hikes, for those who wish to relax, the lodge has a great swimming pool, wireless internet and delicious food!

Overnight: Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale Forest National Park
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Kibale Forest National Park

After an early morning breakfast we shall drive for about 1 hour towards Kibale National Park for a full day Chimpanzee tracking. Chimpanzee tracking is a fascinating experience. You will be allowed to spend some time (at most an hour) with our mesmerizing relatives, as you observe them swing from one tree to another, feed, play about or progress speedily on the ground right in front of you. The track lasts 3 to 5 hours depended on where the Chimpanzees are. Chimpanzees are the most sought after primate by visitors, but you should also look out for the black & white colobus, red tailed monkey or the grey cheeked mangabey. Your guides will be able to show you pittas & other bird species and will give details of the plant species within the forest. We shall have a picnic lunch arranged for you. And the afternoon there is a nature walk scheduled in the Bigodi Swamp.

Overnight: Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale Forest National Park
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (-/+3hrs) leaving through Fort Portal town. In the afternoon we shall go for a boat safari at the Kazinga Chanel. As most of the wildlife gathers around this area by evening it is a very beautiful trip that lasts between 2 and 3 hours. Queen Elizabeth National Park covers 1,978 sq. km and lies north and south of the equator in southwestern Uganda. From open savannah to rainforest, from dense papyrus swamps and brooding crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward, it is little wonder that Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world. Almost 100 mammal species and a remarkable 606 bird species makes this superb safari territory, with elephant, a profusion of hippos, the elusive giant forest hog and handsome Uganda kob all regularly sighted around the tourist village on the Mweya Peninsula - this also boasts a marvelous waterfront setting in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains. Bird species include the martial eagle, black-rumped buttonquail, Verreaux’s eagle owl and African skimmer to name but a few.

Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you will enjoy a morning game drive as you drive straight to Ishasha sector of the park. We will continue to the Southern sector of the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park. A late lunch is served at the lodge and in the afternoon we shall explore the park by open Land Cruiser vehicle and hopefully get to see the amazing tree climbing lions. A beautiful sunset with drinks and snacks is arranged for you and before dinner time we shall be back to the lodge.

Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

After breakfast you go for a forest walk to Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. This walk can take about up to 5 hours and with your private guide you shall walk through the local villages, the beautiful Bwindi Forest and will see amazing bird life, primates and if one is VERY lucky: the Gorillas.
Bwindi rainforest is said to be 25.000 years old, making it one of Africa’s most biodiverse habitat. The altitude of this mountain park ranges from 1200-2600 meters. Five rivers and a high annual rainfall make it rather humid. Besides its mayor attraction, the mountain gorillas (gorilla gorilla berengeri) the National Park is also home to an amazing 120 mammal species, 350 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies and over 200 species of trees.

Overnight: Clouds Mountain Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (+non premium brand drinks)

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Gorilla tracking in the Nkuringo area. Wake up early for a hearty breakfast to give you the energy needed for your Gorilla track. Before 08:00, report to the ranger station for registration and a breifing by ranger; the guides will then take you through the bush pushing your way through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track the Gorillas. It can take from half an hour to 7 hours – a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes.
Once you are close to the group the guides will ask you to leave behind your bags as no food items should be carried close to the Gorillas. Just take your cameras with you as you are about to meet the gentle giants! Sit in the forest amongst the gorillas, listening to them grumble to each other and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male; the silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas – sadly enough there are only about 720 of these beautiful creatures left in the world. You are allowed exactly one hour with the gorillas before returning to the base station.
Kindly listen to the instructions of the local rangers at all times. It is forbidden to approach the gorillas closer than 5 meters, to feed them or to use flash photography. Likewise for your and their safety. You will be accompanied by armed guards which guarantee your safety in an area where wild buffaloes are sighted. While walking, please feel free to ask guides to slow down if they are going too fast and if you need a rest. There is the additional option to hire porters on site.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority does not allow tracking when you are sick as gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases. Should you feel ill the day of the track we urgently advise you to abide this rule. In order to receive a 50% refund of the permit cost you MUST get a doctor’s report that day (please ask your guide to arrange this for you).
We must also stress that, while you have a very good chance of seeing Gorillas, success is not guaranteed (although chances are around 99%!). They are wild creatures with no fixed routine and finding them requires the skills and experience of your trackers and guides. The trackers and guides have helped to habituate the gorilla groups and know.

Overnight: Clouds Mountain Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast we will depart towards Lake Mburo National Park (-/+4hrs). The park extends over 260 km2 and its altitude ranges from 1220 to 1800 meters above sea level. There are several large lakes in the park which are fed by the Rwizi River with Lake Mburo being the largest of them. The park mainly consists of open savannah and acacia woodland while papyrus swamps line the verges of the lakes. The park is home to some of the rarer species of Uganda such as impalas and zebras. Furthermore, there are several antelope species, hyenas, buffalos, leopards, jackals, wild pigs, hippos and around 300 species of birds to be seen. Bird viewing opportunities are excellent – for birders, this is one of the best places to find the African fin foot and the papyrus bush shrike.
In the afternoon depart to the jetty for a boat ride in Lake Mburo. The wildlife-rich eastern banks of Lake Mburo can be explored during a tranquil two-hour boat voyage. Keep an eye out for crocodiles, buffaloes and hippos as well as colorful Kingfishers, magnificent Fish Eagles, Hammerkops and their enormous nests and even the prehistoric-looking Shoebill.

Overnight: Mihingo Lodge, Lake Mburo National Park
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Entebbe

Morning breakfast where you will be able to spot different animals like eland and buffalo, warthog, topi, impala, duiker, bushbuck, waterbuck and zebra. After this wonderful experience, you will drive back to Entebbe.

Meal: Breakfast/--/--