Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport in the airport terminal you will be met by a representative from a Thousand Hills Africa. They will have a board with your names and Thousand hills Africa name and logo on it. From here you will be assisted with customs and immigration clearance (whilst you enjoy a cup of coffee at the VIP lounge). Thereafter you will be accompanied to your driver/guide who will transfer you to Protea Hotel – Entebbe, a drive just a few minutes. This luxurious 4-star resort hotel is ideally located on the shimmering shores of Lake Victoria just 1 km from Entebbe Airport.
Early this morning you will be transferred back to Kigali Airport to check in for your flight to Kasese. Please note that there is a luggage restriction of 15kgs per person in soft sided bags on this flight. There is an additional charge of USD3 per additional kg (subject to space).
On arrival at Kasese you will be met by your driver/guide and transferred to Ndali Lodge, a drive of about two hours in a 4x4 vehicle
12h00: You will be collected from Ndali Lodge and taken on an afternoon Chimpanzee Tracking. You will be transferred to Kanyanchu Park Headquarters for a briefing of the chimpanzee tracking. These delightful apes, more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, are tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees. The incredibly diverse forest is home to over 13 species of primates including red Colobus monkey, the rare L’Hoest, blue monkey, grey mangabey, black faced vervet monkeys, baboons and also bush babies swinging through the dense forests, with your informative guide making it even more interesting by pointing out other forest features, flora & fauna. Upon sighting the chimpanzees, you stay with them for 1 hour as they go about their daily life.
After a very early start at 04h30am you will depart with packed lunches to the Park offices Kanyanchu River Camp where you join the Kibale researchers and habituation team that goes out in the morning to study and habituate the chimpanzees. The activity starts at 05h30 and lasts for the day.
Chimpanzee habituation is an ongoing activity that entails following up the chimpanzees to get them used to human presence without altering their natural behavior. Spend your day with the chimpanzees and see how they spend theirs from de-nesting (getting out of the nests) between 5.30 and 6.30 am, through the day until nesting (building nests as they go to sleep) between 6.30 pm 7.30 pm.
You will take a packed lunch and drinks with you which your guide will give you.
After an early breakfast you will continue with your guide to the Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is a drive of approximately 3 hours.
An afternoon 2 hour boat cruise on the Kazinga channel, that joins Lake Edward to Lake George and is famous for the highest concentration of hippos in Africa, is included this afternoon. You may also encounter crocodiles, elephants and countless of birds on the shore and overhead. The trip gives you a chance to get some great pictures! This activity is run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Please note that Kyambura Gorge Lodge does not accept credit cards so extras should be paid for in cash.
Early this morning after tea and coffee, you will be collected from Kyambura Gorge Lodge and taken on a morning game drive in the Queen Elizabeth National Park which is famous for featuring four of the big 5, having a diverse bird species as well as other flora and fauna. The drive will take you to Kasenyi mating ground, expect to encounter Lions, spotted hyenas, grazing Hippos, Elephants and Warthogs, Herds of Buffalo, giant forest hog, Uganda kobs, Water bucks, Occasional leopard sightings, and a variety of bird species unique to the Albertine rift valley.
Later today enjoy a second afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel where you have a chance to take more close up photos.
These activities are run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
After breakfast you will be met at the lobby by your guide and be transferred to Bwindi National Park via the Ishasha Sector were you might be able to see the tree climbing lions with a lunch stopover at Savannah Hotel (included). The drive is approximately 5 hours drive.
You have the afternoon to relax at Gorilla Forest Camp which is a permanent luxury tented camp situated in the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Each tent also has a spacious wooden verandah where guests can relax, enjoy a private meal and absorb the exotic mystery of the surrounding rainforest.
After an early breakfast you will be collected from Gorilla Forest camp and driven to Bwindi National Park Head Quarters for the start of your gorilla tracking briefing experience. You set off for the trek at approximately 08h00 after your briefing.
Your walk will take you into the forests in the footsteps of the Mountain Gorillas! You will be led by experienced gorilla trackers on the slopes of the volcanoes. You will start from the site where the gorillas were encountered the day before and from here the gorilla tracking begins. It is a humbling experience to stand just meters from man’s distant cousins as they eat rest, play and bond with their young. Follow the mountain gorillas as they range freely in the impenetrable forest, and discover their gorgeous natural habitual and the many species they share it with. You are allowed an hour with the gorillas.
The trekking can take from 1 to 5 hours but sometimes it might take long hours. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make 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. It can rain at anytime, hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras. It is important to take plenty of water.
After the trek you will be transferred back to the camp for lunch and to relax.
Later this afternoon you will be collected from Gorilla Forest Camp and taken on a Nature Walk- entertained with the local music and dance.
You have another full day here to explore this area.
You will be transferred to the airstrip for your charter flight to Entebbe to check in for your onward flight home.
