Overview:
This 8 days is one of the best Uganda safari where you will marvel the delights of Kibale Forest while on Chimpanzee tracking, Queen Elizabeth on a game viewing safari and Bwindi Impenetrable national park on a Gorilla tracking experience. On this wildlife safari, you will visit Uganda's best safari destinations. It gives you a complete taste of the country's iconic wildlife including the sought after Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest, the great Game in the golden savannas of Queen Elizabeth as well as the delightful Chimpanzees in the tropical forest of Kibale.
This Uganda safari is a combo of the “Pearl of Africa’s” premier destinations and its highlight is the gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi. You also have a taste of the beauty around the magnificent Lake Bunyonyi and the Ndali –Kasende Crater Field in Fort portal for the best photography safaris in Africa.
Details
Note: On your day of arrival for this best Uganda safari gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking and game viewing, you will be warmly received by our guide at Entebbe International Airport and be transferred to your overnight accommodation in Kampala. An optional city tour can be done depending on your time of arrival and how you may be feeling. Overnight (o/n): Sheraton Hotel (Premium) /Imperial Royale (Luxury) /Cassia lodge (Midrange) / Speke Hotel (Basic): Bed & Breakfast
Day 01: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
After a hearty breakfast at your hotel in Kampala, your Uganda safari guide will meet you here and start 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 and transfer 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) Crater /Primate lodge (Luxury) or Primate lodge (Midrange) or Kibale Forest camp (Basic).
Day 02: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest 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, Potto and many 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. 3hours 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 (Luxury) or Buffalo Safari lodge (Midrange) or Simba Safari camp (Basic).
Day 04: Game viewing on a safari drive and launch cruise.
This day presents you some of the best Uganda safari moments, you hit the savanna plains of Queen Elizabeth in search of the 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.
After lunch, go for a stunning boat trip along the Kazinga channel; a water way connecting lakes Edward and George; 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 (Luxury) or Buffalo Safari lodge (Midrange) or Simba Safari camp (Basic).
Day 05: Drive through Ishasha to Bwindi Impenetrable [Approx. 4hours 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: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Begin with an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters with your driver guide; here you will be briefed by the ranger about the Gorilla trekking etiquette and then enter the forest to start off the gorilla trekking adventure. The terrain is quite challenging therefore, reasonable level of fitness is required; trekking 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. Meeting with these gentle giants is one of the best Uganda safari moments and Africa’s premier wildlife encounter.
Meal Plan: Full Board [FB]: 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 29 Islands 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 Arcadia lodge (midrange) or Crater Bay Cottages (Basic).
Day 08: Transfer to Kampala or Entebbe Airport [Approx. 7hours drive]
Sign-off this remarkable Uganda safari with an early breakfast, leave the lodge and embark on a journey back to Kampala, en-route stop in Mbarara for lunch. [Optional; cultural tour 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
*Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking permits per person *All activity fees unless labeled as optional * Park entrance fees *Professional English speaking guide/driver *Ground Transportation in 4X4 safari vehicle (Van for Basic or Midrange & Land cruiser for luxury or premium) *Round trip Airport or Hotel transfers *Drinking mineral water in the car *Meals as the itinerary details *Amref Air Ambulance
Rate Exclusions
*Tourist Visa fees (visa can be arranged on request) *Pre & Post Tour Accommodation [can be arranged on request] *Airline tickets [arranged on request] *Tips, Gratuities, laundry and any expenses of personal nature *Travel insurance.
Contact Us for low season discounts and save more on your trip. April, May and November. To customize your trip or if more than 6 pax, request for a quotation safaris@avenstravelworld.com