Overview:
This safari gives you a flawless complete taste of Uganda’s iconic wildlife including the sought after Mountain Gorillas in the impenetrable wilds of Bwindi National Park, the great Game in the savanna plains of Queen Elizabeth as well as the delightful Chimpanzees in the tropical forests of Kibale National Park. The tour is a combination of the “Pearl of Africa’s” premier destinations and its highlight is the tracking of the endangered mountain Gorillas in South Western Uganda. You also have a taste of the beauty around the magnificent Lake Bunyonyi and the Ndali –Kasende Crater Field in Fort portal.
On this safari, you will go game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, tracking some of the most interesting primates of Uganda that is Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park and Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Details
Note: On your day of arrival, you will be met and received by our guide at Entebbe International Airport and be transferred to your overnight accommodation in Kampala. A complementary city tour can be done depending on your time of arrival and how you may be feeling. O/N: Sheraton Hotel /Cassia lodge/ Speke Hotel; Bed & Breakfast
Day 01: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park [Approx. 6 hours drive]
After a hearty breakfast at your hotel in Kampala, meet with the guide here and embark on the journey west of the country to Fort portal. The route through this side of the country is scenic, spread with rolling evergreen tea estates; Enjoy lunch at the hotel in Fort Portal. Depending on the time of arrival, you may have a simple tour around this beautiful tourism city and later head to the park area at the booked lodge; it’s here you have dinner and overnight:
Meal Plan: Half Board [HB]. Overnight: Ndali lodge (Premium) or Crater /Primate lodge (Luxury) or Primate lodge (Midrange) or Kibale Forest camp (Basic).
Day 02: Chimpanzee tracking in the park and Bigodi swamp walk.
Begin with an early breakfast and head to Kanyanchu reception area, receive briefing from the ranger guide about the activity and at around 08:30am, you set into the forest to track the delightful Chimpanzees. On this ritual, expect to come across a number of forest dwelling species such as butterflies, birds and other primates like Vervets, Blue monkeys, Black and White colobus and Potto among others, as the park is home to 12 other primate species. An hour is availed to you once you locate the chimps to watch them display, hunt and feed. Retreat to the start point and head to the lodge for lunch and a simple break. In the afternoon, head to Bigodi wetland for a nature walk, this wildlife corridor is home to more than 200bird species, 8 primates and swamp dwelling mammals like Sitatungas.
Meal Plan: Full Board: Overnight: Ndali lodge (Premium) Crater /Primate lodge (Luxury) or Primate lodge (Midrange) or Kibale Forest camp (Basic)
Day 03: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park [Approx. 3 hours drive]
Have breakfast, checkout from the lodge and visit the beautiful explosion craters of Fort Portal region. Hike to the top of the craters presenting you some of the best Kodak experiences on this safari. Later have lunch and transfer in the direction of Queen Elizabeth taking in the pleasant back drop of mountain Rwenzori. On arrival you head straight to the reserved accommodation where dinner and overnight will be.
Meal Plan: Full Board; Overnight: Kyambura Gorge lodge (Premium) or Elephant Plains lodge / Mweya Safari lodge (Luxury) or Buffalo Safari lodge (Midrange) or Simba Safari camp (Basic).
Day 04: Game viewing on a safari drive and launch cruise.
Today you hit the savanna plains of Queen Elizabeth in search of the big game. A safari drive through the plains of Kasenyi reward you with huge herds of Uganda Kobs, Warthogs, Cape Buffalos and much more game that usually attracts predators like the lions to a morning hunt. Birds like Guinea Fowls are usually seen in the plains. In the afternoon after lunch, go for a stunning boat trip along the famous Kazinga channel, a water way connecting lakes Edward and Georg; it is known for hosting enormous Hippopotamus population. Cruise past the Hippo schools, also spotting wildlife on the shores such as Buffalos, Elephants and water birds. After about 2hours of the voyage, return to your accommodation.
Meal Plan: Full Board: Overnight: Kyambura Gorge lodge (Premium) or Elephant Plains lodge / Mweya Safari lodge (Luxury) or Buffalo Safari lodge (Midrange) or Simba Safari camp (Basic).
Day 05: Drive through Ishasha to Bwindi Impenetrable [About 4 hours drive]
Leave the lodge well in time after breakfast and head in for a drive to the Southwestern part of the country, leaving Queen Elizabeth through the famous Ishasha sector, known for its resident tree climbing Lions. Keep your eyes open for opportunity to spot those predators lying in the tree branches keeping a close eye on their prey. Continue with the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable arriving in the evening to check-in at your hotel for refreshment, dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Full Board: Overnight: Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge/ Bwindi lodge (Premium) or Buhoma lodge (Luxury) or Silverback/ Nkuringo lodge (Midrange) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Bwindi Jungle lodge (Basic).
Day 06: Tracking the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable
Begin with an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters with your driver guide; here you will be briefed by the ranger about the tracking etiquette and then enter the forest to start off the tracking of these Great Apes. The terrain is quite challenging therefore, reasonable level of fitness is required; the activity can last just a few hours or through the day depending on the gorilla location and their movements. Once you find these interesting species, you will be allowed an hour in their presence and later retreat to the start point, then head back to the lodge.
Meal Plan: Full Board: Overnight: Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge/ Bwindi lodge (Premium) or Buhoma lodge (Luxury) or Silverback/ Nkuringo lodge (Midrange) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Bwindi Jungle lodge (Basic).
Day 07: Experience the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi on a Canoe ride
Have a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, then checkout in the midmorning and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. You will participate in a Canoe ride along this tranquil lake known for its stunning beauty, you will be rewarded by the backdrop views of the terraced Kigezi Highlands. The lake is home to 29Islands and expect to visit some of them. Retire at the lodge with remarkable views of the surrounding highlands and the beauty in the vicinity of your lodge.
Meal Plan: Full Board [FB]: Overnight: Bird Nest @ Bunyonyi Resort (luxury) or Bunyonyi Safari Resort (midrange) or Crater Bay Cottages (Basic).
Day 08: Transfer to Kampala or Entebbe Airport
After an early breakfast, leave the lodge and embark on a journey back to Kampala, en-route stop in Mbarara for lunch and [optional at; Igongo Museum for a taste of the Ankole Culture]. Continue with the drive breaking off again at the Equator-00 latitude, proceed to Kampala and be dropped off at your hotel or at the airport for your flight back home. Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch. End of Safari
Rate Inclusions
*Chimpanzee and Gorilla tracking permits per person *Ground transportation in 4X4 Safari Vehicle *Professional English speaking guide/driver *Accommodation and meals as the itinerary details *Park entrance and activity fees *Round trip hotel/airport transfers *Drinking Mineral water in the car *Amref Air Ambulance
Rate Exclusions
*Air tickets (can be arranged on request) *Expenses of any personal nature *Additional meals and beverages outside the meal plan *Visas (can be arranged on request) *Pre and Post tour accommodation (arranged on request) *All activities labeled as optional *Travel insurance (arranged on request).
Contact Us for low season discounts and save more on your trip. April, May and November. For customize your trip or if more than 6 pax, request for a quotation safaris@avenstravelworld.com