10 Days/9 Nights Chimps,Gorillas and Game

The country is rich in wildlife, game, birds, and a vast culture of over 50 tribes occupying this beautiful, green country. In Uganda alone a birder will enjoy twelve percent of bird species in the world; a tracker will find half of the world’s gorillas; an explorer will have an opportunity to see more than 7% of the world’s mammals.

Uganda HAS a total area of 236,040 sq km, bordered by Kenya in the East and Tanzania in the South, Rwanda in the South west, DR Congo to the west and South Sudan to the North, making it a landlocked country. It lies at 1⁰S to 4⁰N Latitude and 30⁰ to 35⁰ East Longitude, so it is astride the Equator.1 00 N, 32 00 E. The country, however, is well watered and fertile. Although it lies at the Equator, it receives about three rainy seasons a year, with Lake Victoria, The Nile, the many forests and the Rwenzori mountains determining much of the climate. In forest ecosystems it rains regularly and weather is unpredictable. Water covers 36,330 sq km, about 15% of Uganda’s area. For the discerning traveller the potential for Ecotourism here is enormous, and the discreet have tapped into it.

DAY 1: Entebbe – Arrival Entebbe

Arrive. Transfer to Entebbe. Meet, greet by our smiling guides and short city tour of Kampala, transfer to the hotel.

Overnight Admas Hotel Hotel for mid level, BB - https://admasgrandhotel.com/

Overnight Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, BB - https://www.serenahotels.com/lake-victoria or Hotel No.5

DAY 2: Murchinsons Falls.

Briefing from your guide before taking a gentle drive to Zziwa rhino sanctuary, from there proceed to Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Drive through Luwero. Lunch en route and continue to the park[Approximate driving time: 6 hours]. Visit the top of the stimulating Murchison Falls, crashing through a narrow gorge.

O/N: Pakuba Lodge for mid level, FB - https://pakubasafarilodge.com/

O/N: Twiga Safari Lodge, FB – www.twigasafarilodge.com

DAY 3: Murchisons Falls - am: game drive / pm: boat excursion.

Have an early morning game viewing north of the Nile. Launch trip to the bottom of the mighty exciting falls, with crocodiles, and a vast array of birds including the rare shoebill stork, lounging on the banks of the Nile. Hippos are everywhere!

O/N: Pakuba Lodge for mid level, FB - https://pakubasafarilodge.com/

O/N: Twiga Safari Lodge, FB – www.twigasafarilodge.com

DAY 4: Murchison Falls / Fort Portal.

An early start. Drive to Drive south to Fort Portal, past big tea plantations, lunch en route. Proceed to your lodging in Kibale. Either explore a crater lake nearby or relax at your lodging. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours].

Midrange: Turaco Lodge/Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, FB (3.5 star) - https://www.chimpanzeeforestlodge.com/

Upper range: Chimpundu Lodge, FB (4 star) - https://chimpundulodge.com/

DAY 5: Kibale – chimps tracking / Queen Elizabeth Park

With the highest number of primates in Africa, you will have a guided nature walk in Kibale Forest in which you will see the red, black and white colobus, blue monkeys, baboons and a large number of chimpanzees. You can have a forest walk to spot chimps and other primates playing through the forest. Birdlife is also fabulous, with over 300 species recorded in the forest, commonly you might be able to see the casqued hornbill and track the green breasted pitta that is found only in one place in the world.

Lunch. Drive to Queen Elizabeth Park

O/N: Buffalo Safari Lodge, FB www.buffalolodge.ug

DAY 6: Queen Elizabeth

Morning game drive. A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a rewarding experience.

Crater lakes visit.

O/N: Buffalo Safari Lodge, FB www.buffalolodge.ug

DAY 7: transfer to Bwindi

Leave for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Drive via Ishasha, weather conditions permitting where you may see tree-climbing lion - to Bwindi. [Approximate driving time: 7 hours]

O/N: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, FB - https://www.lakemulehegorillalodge.com/

Higher range: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Full Board - https://www.chameleonhill.com/

DAY 8: Bwindi - gorilla tracking.

Go gorilla tracking, carrying packed lunch. You will be accompanied by a guide and porters who will carry your shoulder pack for you. You will then set off to the thick forest in search of gorillas. The terrain can be difficult, with steep slopes covered in dense vegetation that gives the park its name. In addition, the altitude of 5200 feet and more means participants do need to be physically fit. The time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 8-9 hours before one returns to camp. Difficulty, however, is not impossibility and coming face to face with the great primates is well worth it!

O/N: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, FB - https://www.lakemulehegorillalodge.com/

Higher range: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Full Board - https://www.chameleonhill.com/

DAY 9: Bwindi – Bunyonyi- Batwa - Mburo Park

After breakfast tour on Lake Bunyonyi and see the Batwa pigmy tribe.

Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park passing several communities on the way.

Arrive in the afternoon, relax at the Camp or go for an evening game drive in the park.

Did you know that this is the only national park in the country, whose name comes from a lake of the same? The lake creates a special contrast to the dense green vegetation and is the source of life of many living animals here. Have you ever watched flamingos up close? Perhaps you enjoy this magical experience! 

Lake Mburo National Park now contains much woodland as there are no elephants to tame the vegetation. In the western part of the park, the savanna is interspersed with rocky ridges and forested gorges while patches of papyrus swamp and narrow bands of lush riparian woodland line many lakes.

Upper Mid-range: Rwakobo Rock Lodge, Full Board  https://www.rwakoborock.com/ or Kigarama Wilderness Lodge, Full Board 

DAY 10: Safari Walk in Lake Mburo – Entebbe

Time permitting, short game drive or safari walk in the park and then a transfer to the flight in the drive to the airport Stop at the equatorial area and visit the local community or local school.

Passing Kayabwe Equator point for experiments on how waves and mass change when standing on either side of the equator. At the equator, there are a number of souvenir shops selling crafts, African fabrics and sandals.

Thereafter continue on your way to Entebbe airport for you flight out.

End of Service.