9 Day Western Uganda Primates, Gorilla and Wildlife Safari

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Destination: Uganda

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast

* Prices are in US dollars, based on double and single occupancy.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

This is the ultimate Uganda wildlife safari and national park tour! Not only will we embark on gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tours in the mountainous regions, but we’ll also enjoy boat trips on the River Nile and the Kazinga Channel, and spot wildlife on game drives through the Queen Elizabeth National Park. We will have the opportunity to marvel at some of Uganda’s most impressive natural wonders, such as the Fort Portal Crater Lakes and Murchison Falls.

Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking in Kibale Forest National Park and Bwindi National Park

Learn about the local communities with a visit to a Batwa community village and a coffee-making experience

Cruise down the River Nile on a boat tour and marvel at Murchison Falls

ITINERARY

Arrive Entebbe, Uganda

Upon arrival in Entebbe, Uganda, our representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel—a transfer of about 30 minutes. When you arrive at the hotel, you will check in and receive your room assignment. Your hotel located in the close to the shores of Lake Victoria. Typical hotel amenities include a restaurant, bar, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness centre; rooms are likely to feature air conditioning, satellite TV, wireless Internet, and private bath with hair dryer.

Entebbe /Kibale

Fly over Uganda’s crater lakes region to your idyllic lodge on the outskirts of Kibale Forest. The rest of your day is at leisure — relax poolside and soak up the surrounding views of Lake Kyaninga and the Rwenzori Mountains. (BLD)

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Nat Park

Set out to explore the lush Kibale Forest National Park, which is home to 13 primate species, of which the star attraction are the chimpanzees. Return to the lodge for an afternoon at leisure. Alternatively, go on a second trek. (pre-purchase of the chimpanzee permit is required at the time of booking (BLD)

Bigodi Nature walk in Kibale Nat Park - Queen Elizabeth Nat park

Visit the Bigodi Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a haven for a huge number of bird and butterfly species and an ornithologist delight. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, boasting one of the highest biodiversity ratings in the world. Kick off your wildlife viewing with an afternoon game drive to seek out elephants, bushbuck and waterbuck, then watch the sun set over Kyambura Gorge. (BLD)

Bigodi Nature walk in Kibale Nat Park - Queen Elizabeth Nat park

Queen Elizabeth National Park - Game drive and Boat cruise

Explore the Kasenyi Plains, excellent for lion sightings. This afternoon, board a small boat and cruise the Kazinga Channel. Look out for pink-backed pelicans, hippos and the Ugandan Kob, often seen along the riverbank. At your lodge, gather for sundowners and watch wildlife on the savanna plains. (BLD)

Queen Elizabeth National Park / Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Journey southwest to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, renowned for its prized population of about 300 mountain gorillas. The magic begins with your stay at your stunning eco-lodge. (BLD)

Gorilla Trekking - Bwindi Nat Park

At about 7:00am, we take a drive of about 30 minutes to the National Park headquarters at to meet your guides for the day. After completing our park formalities, we are embark on a once in a life time experience of trekking mountain gorillas. Once you spot them you are allowed to spend an hour watching your closest long lost cousin. This is perhaps one of the most breath-taking experiences on earth!!! You get so close to these awesome giant primates. You stare at each other blankly not knowing who to break the long silence first. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga is a magical experience. These massive primates are extremely rare, with less than 1000 living today. You will get within meters of the family, and be privileged to spend an hour amongst them. The trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to 3 hours or longer at a relatively high altitude. It is important to bring good hiking boots, long trousers, gloves for protection against stinging nettles, some snacks & sweets (for you, not the gorillas) as well as sufficient water as the rain forest gets hot and humid during the day. You will spend one hour with the gorillas, but it is an hour you will never forget. Depending on the length of our trek, groups will return to our lodge by about 1pm.

Bwindi Nat Park - Entebbe Airport

Bid farewell to your forest friends and travel to Entebbe for your onward arrangements. (B)