7 Days Primates & Game Tour

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.

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. Water covers 36,330 sq km, about 15% of Uganda’s area. 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. 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 or Kampala

Overnight in Entebbe at;

Mid-level - Admas Hotel Entebbe

Hotel No. 5 Hotel, BB (Upper range, 4.5 star) – www.hotelnumber5.com

DAY 2: Queen Elizabeth Park visit

Queen Elizabeth NP has the widest variety of wildlife of any Ugandan park. Elephant and buffalo are very common, and lions are surprisingly easy to spot. Hyena can be spotted occasionally, while Giraffe and zebra are absent. There are many interesting antelope species like Uganda kob, topi and sitatunga. Hippos and crocodiles are common in Kazinga channel. A troop of chimpanzees has been habituated for tracking. Nine more primate species are found, including the black-and-white colobus monkey.

Day Itinerary

Drive on the southbound road; past captivating attractions en route: look at royal drum makers, brief stop at the Equator and be in both hemispheres at once, drive past the roadside markets aerated with fruit and vegetables. Continue to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving very late in the afternoon, keeping an eye out for the game. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours]

Overnight: Buffalo Safari Lodge, FB – www.buffalolodge.ug

DAY 3: Queen Elizabeth, Game drive and Boat cruise

After breakfast, go for a morning game drive in the park and in the afternoon and be rewarded with a River cruise on the Kazinga Channel; a 32-kilometre long natural channel connecting Lake Gorge and Lake Edward. The shores of this channel draw a large number of wild animals, birds and reptiles all through the year, with one of the largest population of hippos in the whole world as well as plentiful Nile crocodiles. While returning to the lodge, do a short game drive in the park in the evening.

Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a rewarding experience. An evening game drive, time permitting.

Queen Elizabeth National Park (QE), below the famous Rwenzori Mountains, is an African savannah park, consisting of plain surroundings. The park which is part of the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley is centered around Lake Edward and Lake George. The launch trip along the Kazinga Channel linking these two lakes is especially good for viewing hippo, buffalo, elephant and a large host of birds amounting to over 500 species! Around Ishasha go on the hunt for the famous tree-climbing lions which lounge nonchalantly in the upper branches of high trees! The beautiful steeply forested Kyambura Gorge nearby, is home not only to chimpanzees but also the red-tailed monkey, black and white Colobus and many bird species.

Overnight: Buffalo Safari Lodge, FB – www.buffalolodge.ug

DAY 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi

After breakfast, transfer to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and enjoy a game drive, where you may have a chance at seeing the famous Tree Climbing Lions this area is known for. The lions climb up the Candelabra trees running away from the hot ground during dry seasons and also small ants that bite them. On the tree branches as they hang, they also get to rest from their hunt and spy for more prey. Whilst driving through the savannah plains you will spot other wildlife like Elephants and a good number of birds. This region offers a feeling that you are on that safari just by yourself, enjoying this pristine African Uganda nature. Afterwards travel onwards to Bwindi Gorilla Park and enjoy the evening at leisure.

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda in the Kanungu District. The forest is on the edge of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, at elevations ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 metres (3,806 to 8,553 ft).

"Bwindi" is derived from the Runyakitara language and means "impenetrable". This name comes from the extensive stands of bamboo interspersed amongst the larger forest hardwoods. The bamboo and thick ground cover of ferns, vines, and other plant growth severely hinder direct access on foot. Also known as the "Place of Darkness",[citation needed] the forest is on the edge of the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, only a few kilometers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) border and about 25 kilometres (16 mi) north of the Virunga Mountains.

The forest is one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth, where half the world's population of the highly endangered mountain gorillas live in its jungles. The forest has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a World Heritage Site for its biological significance.

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

DAY 5: Bwindi - gorilla tracking.

Today, tick off gorilla tracking from your bucket list! With gorilla permits included in your package, along with a guide and porters who will carry your shoulder pack, 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 up to 1600m a means participants do need to be reasonably fit. The time taken to track the gorillas will vary enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 8-9 hours before one returns to camp but coming face to face with these amazing primates will reward you. For those not wishing to participate, you are welcome to relax at the lodge and enjoy the day at leisure.

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

DAY 6: Batwa pygmies, and views of Lake Bunyonyi

Half day visit to a pygmy village.

The Batwa pygmies – the Pygmies, a rather shorter-than normal humans (about 3-4.8ft tall), can be found in the great lakes region of Africa – Bwindi, Semuliki, Kisoro and Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda; or Musanze region in Rwanda; and in Epulu of Bunia province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

For your day with a pigmy tribe, you will be introduced to their activities (ideally through an interpreter, or your guide), some of which include hunting, fishing, fruit gathering. A visit to the pygmies is done in their homes and forests, for just a short visit, or to hunt with them (now only done in Congo, not Uganda or Rwanda). The Batwa Project is an activity which was done to resettle them near Bwindi south (with a guide to explain how they used to live, including seeing their chief, show guests around, and where possible guests bring gifts to them, see school projects, hospitals> there may be pygmy dancers to dance for guests.  This should take half a day or the whole day. Then a brief show around their villages and homesteads. Here pygmies walk over the mountains from Rwanda to sell their produce at the market at hakekuba. In Bwindi, Kisoro and Semuliki, they are visited on foot to see their homesteads.

The Bwindi/Gahinga community is comprised of over 100 adults and children. They have had no permanent home since they left Mgahinga National Park over 25 years ago.

Three main activities can be done/offered for tourists;

BATWA HERITAGE EXPERIENCE

Supported by nearby lodges, this hands-on experience will open your eyes to another world – that of one of Uganda’s longest surviving tribes. Visit the local Batwa community in their traditional dwellings and learn about how they have lived for generations in the surrounding forest.

BATWA SETTLEMENT WALK

Walk along farmers’ fields to the local Batwa community. You can participate in architectural work or house constructions of permanent residential structures that meet the needs and desires of the community members.

VISIT THE BATWA VOCATIONAL SCHOOL

This vocational school offers the local Batwa community a place to come and learn various crafting skills such as sewing, weaving, and knitting. All goods produced by the Batwa are for sale and proceeds go directly back to the artisans.

Lunch.

Afterwards travel onwards to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is in south-western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale, and it is close to the border with Rwanda. The lake appears on the 5,000 Ugandan shilling note under the title "Lake Bunyonyi and terraces". It is known as the second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika.

Overnight: Birdnest Lodge, Lake Bunyonyi - https://birdnestresort.com/

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Return to Kampala city Transfer to Entebbe airport for your flight.

Morning breakfast. Return to Kampala, retracing your steps through this green and pleasant land. Lunch en route (lunch included).

Check out and transfer to the airport in time for your flight. [Approximate drive time: 45 mins]