BEST OF UGANDA
10 Day Gorilla and Chimp Safari in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, & Bwindi
This affordable flying safari (eliminating many of the longer drives) takes you to Uganda’s famed national parks for the experience of a lifetime – tracking chimpanzees and gorillas. Begin our Best of Uganda adventure in the Kibale forest, spending two days tracking the chimps, then on to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can see some of the 95 recorded mammal species and enjoy a boat excursion that takes you close-up to the largest concentration of hippos in the world. Finish your safari with two days of Gorilla trekking in the famed Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
DAY 1 – ENTEBBE: Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight Protea Hotel.
Protea Hotel Entebbe is a newly-built 73 roomed hotel ideally located on the glistening shores of Lake Victoria and is conveniently located one km for the airport. The rooms are spacious and well-furnished with en-suite bathrooms and all modern amenities including complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, satellite TV and electronic safes.
DAY 2 – KIBALE: In the morning you will be transferred to Kajjansi aero club for your scheduled charter flight to Kasese (2 – 2.5 hours). Upon arrival you will be met by your private driver guide and driven to the Kibale Forest area and the Mountains of the Moon (1 – 1.5 hour drive). In the afternoon, you will take a guided forest trek in search of one of the most popular primate species in the world – the chimpanzee. There are 9 diurnal primates living in the forest, these include, vervet, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red colobus, black and white colobus, olive baboon and of course the chimpanzee. Overnight at Ndali Lodge or similar
Ndali Lodge is perched 328 feet directly above Nyinambuga Crater Lake and has eight individual cottages set on the hillside. All rooms are privately situated within the forest, sitting on raised on a wooden platform and covered by a grass-thatched roof, perfectly blending with the natural environment. Each has a private veranda with a splendid view of the surrounding forest, queen-sized beds, and en-suite bathrooms.
DAY 3 – KIBALE: This morning, you will take another forest walk in search of primates. While trekking in the depths of the lush green forest, you will be surrounded by bird song and can expect to see at least five or six primate species. The walk is fairly easy due to well-maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain. This afternoon, enjoy a swamp walk in Bigodi, a village situated in the highlands of western Uganda near the Ruwenzori Mountains, the “Mountains of the Moon”.
DAY 4 – QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (Q.E.N.P), passing the eastern length of The Rwenzori Mountains, with the hope of viewing the glaciated peaks. Descend into The Great African Rift Valley. Q.E.N.P is Uganda’s most popular and accessible savannah reserve, with a total area of 1,230 square miles. It has one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world, including a total of 95 recorded mammal species and more than 610 species of birds. In the afternoon, explore the park on a game drive. Overnight Kyambura Game Lodge
Kyambura Game Lodge has 8 spacious and tastefully decorated self‐contained grass‐thatched cottages, featuring bath tubs/showers with views to the park, running hot and cold water and equipped with 220v electricity. Each cottage is privately located and has a lovely wooden balcony from which the diversity of wildlife in the park can be viewed and enjoyed. The lodge also has a beautiful swimming pool.
DAY 5 – QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK: Game drives in Q.E.N.P., including a shared boat trip (about 2 hours) on the Kazinga Channel to view some of the largest concentration of hippo in the world (reported to be about 30,000), as well as other game viewing, and excellent birding. Q.E.N.P. is one of best birding parks in Africa. Overnight at Kyambura Game Lodge.
DAY 6 – ISHASHA: Today, you drive through the park to the Ishasha region. Game drive in search of tree climbing lions and other game. Overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
At Ishasha Wilderness Camp, each of the 10 spacious framed canvas rooms, situated in the wooded area besides the river, is comfortably furnished and with large mosquito netted beds, its own private en suite bathroom and dressing area providing running water, hot water ‘bush’ showers and a flushing eco-friendly toilet.
DAY 7 – ISHASHA/BWINDI: After breakfast, explore the Ishasha region of Q.E.N.P on a game drive. In the afternoon, drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park passing through the scenic area known as The Switzerland of East Africa. Slightly more than half the world’s mountain gorilla population is resident in Bwindi: an estimated 280 – 320 individuals in 15 groups. Overnight Mahogany Springs Lodge
Mahogany Springs Lodge has six luxury and spacious cottages, all with two double beds and en-suite facilities. Each cottage has its own private elevated terrace with a table, chairs, and stunning panoramic views.
DAYS 8 & 9 – GORILLA TRACKING IN BWINDI: Enjoy two days of exciting gorilla trekking. Each trek can take from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough, and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery makes the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located, all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Overnights Mahogany Springs Lodge.
DAY 10 – BWINDI/ENTEBBE: This morning you will be driven to Kihihi airstrip (1.5 hours) in time for your scheduled charter flight to Kajjansi. You will be transferred to the Entebbe airport for your international departure flight. Please note, departure flights can be no earlier than 4:00 pm.