Welcome to Uganda!
On arrival into Entebbe International Airport, clear immigration, collect your bags, and proceed through customs to the arrivals hall. Here, meet a driver who will transfer you to your boutique hotel in a peaceful region in the outskirts of Entebbe.
Enjoy one night at Karibu Guesthouse in a standard room including breakfast.
After breakfast, it's time to check out. At the agreed time, please be ready in reception where you will be met by your private guide who will be with you for the duration of your Ugandan safari. Enjoy a scenic transfer to Kibale Forest National Park where you will spend two nights at Kibale Primate Lodge in a cottage including all meals.
Your lodge is situated in the heart of Kibale Forest National Park and right next door to the starting point for your chimpanzee tracking excursion tomorrow.
Birding
Chimpanzee Tracking
This morning you will go on a forest walk in search of primates. Whilst trekking in the depths of the lush green forest, you will be surrounded by bird song and can expect to see at least 5 or 6 other types of primate, most probably the grey-cheeked managebey and the red-tailed monkey and of course the chimpanzee. The walking is fairly easy due to the well-maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain. You will get another chance to trek the chimpanzees in the afternoon, allowing for observation of the chimpanzees during a different section of their daily lives.
Kibale Forest is home to 13 primate species. There are 9 diurnal primates, these include, vervet, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked manabey, red colobus, black and white colobus, olive baboon and the most famous of all, the chimpanzee. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the odds are good with the chance of encountering them standing at higher then 90%.
After breakfast, it's time to check out. Meet your private guide and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Enjoy a boat ride along Kazinga Channel. The boat journey provides an amazing chance to sit back, relax and enjoy the fresh river breeze whilst observing a large selection of animals. Those species commonly seen along the riverbank are elephants, buffalo, waterbuck and Ugandan Kob. On rare occasion lucky visitors will also see giant forest hog, leopard and lion. The waterbirds in the area are plentiful; in particular, water thick knee, yellow-billed stork, various plovers, white pink-backed Pelicans and white-bellied cormorants, with 560 + recorded species and a record of 296 bird species seen in one 24 hour period. You will also view some of the largest concentration of hippo in the world {reported to be about 30,000}.
Following your shared boat safari and game drive continue with your guide your private exclusive lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park featuring breathtaking views of the National Park , Maramgambo Forest and Kazinga Channel in the horizon.
On arrival, check in and spend one night at Mazike Valley Lodge including all meals.
After breakfast, it's time to check out. Meet your private guide and enjoy a game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park to your intimate accommodation in the Southern Ishasha Region of the National Park.
You will spend two nights at Ishasha Wilderness Camp, located in a magical setting on the edge of the Ntungwe river in the middle of the wilderness. Your stay in a meru tent is inclusive of all meals.
Enjoy morning and afternoon safari activities with your guide in this remote sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for its tree climbing lions as well as home to elephant and buffalo herds, leopard, Uganda kob, Black and white Colobus monkeys as well as a wide variety of bird species.
After breakfast, it's time to check out. Meet your guide and enjoy a morning game drive before continuing on to your accommodation located on the waters of the Munyanga River, facing Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
On arrival at Mahogany Springs check in and spend 3 nights in a standard room with all meals included.
After an early breakfast, be ready to meet your driver/guide in reception at the agreed time (we recommend taking a small backpack with water, snacks, camera, garden gloves to protect your hands, waterproof jacket). and venture off in 4x4 to the starting point of your gorilla trek. Please note trekking in Uganda can be 2 - 10 hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family. You'll arrive at the National Park entry and your driver/guide will assist you with the registration/check in process. Once groups are allocated, it's time to venture up into the mountains in search of the gorilla family you have been allocated.
Your trek is led by highly skilled and qualified guides with the support of park rangers and porters (if you choose - and we highly recommend it). The majority of people who trek in Uganda see the gorillas as the guides are so knowledgeable about the places where the habituated groups frequent.
Once you are within close vicinity, you'll be asked to leave your bags behind and carry nothing but your camera with you within an even closer range of the gorillas. Enjoy the full one hour experience with the gorillas.
Afterwards, it's time to descend down the mountains and to the office where you'll pick up your certificate that is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
This is the ultimate wildlife encounter for those who like the outdoors, don't mind sweat and dirt and have an interest in seeing one of the most endangered species on the planet and the closest relation to humankind.
Today you have the option to do a second gorilla trek at a cost of AUD$780.00 per person, or the Batwa experience at a cost of AUD$145.00 per person (prices subject to change).
After a delicious breakfast, it's time to check out. Meet your guide at the agreed time and transfer (packed lunch included) to Kihihi airstrip in time to catch the scheduled light aircraft flight back to Entebbe International Airport.
All arrangements come to an end with Encompass Africa.
