Meet and greet at Entebbe International Airport where your Uganda Adventure Safari starts by our representative who will warmly welcome you and facilitate seamless arrival formalities. Your will then be transferred to your hotel where you will be briefed about your adventure safari.
Depending on the time of arrival you are advised to have money Changed on this day and time allowing you may go for city tour with the help of our driver/guide, visit the shopping Malls around town and craft villages to get items which you may need while in upcountry
Transfer to the hotel
Pick up from your hotel and drive west to Fort Portal through verdant countryside passing through traditional homesteads and farms. Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon. The drive approximately takes 5 hours.
Alternatively, you may opt for a flight to Kibale at a supplement of $283 per person
Arrive at the lodge in time for a late lunch. Relax at the lodge or take an unguided walk around the lodge to enjoy the beauty of the scenery.
**Optional Activities**
*Canoeing-$25 pp if in a group of 3 + but 1 or 2people -$50 per person
*Crater lakes visit -$25 per person
*Cycling around the crater lakes /tea estates-$30 per person
*Top of the world hike-$15 per person
*Kayaking -$90 per person per hour
After breakfast at your lodge, transfer to the starting point of your Chimpanzee Tracking experience in Kibale Forest National Park which is reputed to have the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. The most famous of its 13 species is the Chimpanzee, man’s closest relative. Kibale’s 1450 Chimpanzee represent Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate. Kibale is also a home to the rare I’Hoest’s monkey. Other primates include the black and white Colobus, Blue monkey, Grey cheeked mangabey, Red tailed monkey, Olive baboon to mention but a few. Therefore, you will enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and many others. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, visitors stand a good chance of hearing and seeing our distant cousins as they gloom and bond with one another.
Alternatively, you may opt for Chimpanzee Habituation with a supplement of $70 per person. This exercise takes the entire day. Only six people are allowed per day and you will be sure to come face to face with these closest cousins of man. Advance booking is necessary for this option.
After lunch, head to Bigodi for an afternoon swamp walk . Bigodi was established by a local development organization to protect the 4sq-km Magombe Swamp that's home to around 200 species of birds (highlights include papyrus gonolek, White-winged warbler and great blue turaco). The highlight of this tour is catching a glimpse of the great blue turaco. The swamp is also good for spotting butterflies and primates, with eight different species here, including grey-cheeked mangabey. Experienced local guides who interact with the guests and make the trip both enjoyable and exciting lead the 2-3 hour guided walk.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Bigodi Swamp walk
1 Chimpanzee Permit per person
Bigodi Swamp walk
After breakfast, you will proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park where your expert driver guide will take you through the game park where you might spot some animals.
Queen Elizabeth National Park¹s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife.
You will have a hot lunch, after lunch you will take a unique 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and this launch/cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colorful and stupendous, with well over 550 resident species. Check into the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
Game Drive
Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
Park entrance fees
Vehicle entrance fees
Boat Cruise
Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Have an early morning game drive where you have an opportunity to view the massive Rwenzori as backdrop, which provides excellent opportunities to spot lion, leopard, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephant, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, topi and bushbuck. The game drives and the boat trip (taken prior) are memorable methods of discovering a vast array of Ugandan wildlife. Be sure to have your camera ready for these amazing sightings!
Later, have an afternoon game drive as you transfer to Ishasha Plains – sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park for tree climbing lion search .
Alternatively visit to the bat and hunters cave where we take a close look at the bats, rock python and forest cobras at a supplement of $30 per person. The same walk will provide a chance of seeing birds, primates, tree species etc.
Tree Climbing Lions
Park Entrance Fees
Search for Tree Climbing Lions
Game Drive
After your breakfast, pack-up your bags and take a morning game drive through the Ishasha plains for your final visit with the tree climbing lions and other wildlife before heading out of the Queen Elizabeth National Park and on to Bwindi. The drive takes you through the Switzerland of Africa area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park which lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests,dating back over 25,000 years and contain almost 400 species of plants. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” is home to half of the remaining Mountain Gorillas in the world.
Transfer
After an early breakfast depart to the starting point for briefing about your gorilla trekking adventure after which 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. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is amazing, and the beauty of the gorilla forest and its inhabitants are fascinating. One of Africa’s major highlights is when you encounter these gentle apes. It is a humbling experience to stand just meters from man’s distant cousins as they eat rest, play and bond with their young ones.
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 before finally sloping down back to your lodge. If your trek was relatively short, you may have a guided nature walk around the lodge and the surrounding communities in the evening at a supplement of $35 per person. Return to the lodge where you will enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers before getting a good night’s rest for tomorrow's safari adventure.
You may opt for Gorilla Habituation on supplement of $800 per person – here you will be sure of meeting and spending enough time with the Gorillas.
Don’t forget to carry your rain gear, packed lunch, plenty of water, gloves, hat, and water proof bag for protection of your camera in case of rain
Details on what to pack for gorilla tracking in Uganda and Rwanda
When travelling to foreign destinations it is always respectful to dress modestly and we suggest the emphasis is on comfortable clothing. It is often warm on the plains and at lower altitudes but cold in the hilly and mountainous areas of Uganda and Rwanda; a rain jacket, fleece and good quality walking shoes/boots are essential.
When trekking the gorillas and chimpanzees we recommended wearing sturdy clothing to help protect against scratches, i.e. long sleeve shirt, trousers and a good pair of lightweight walking boots. Protective leather gloves or gardening gloves are also useful, as well as a pair of gaiters.
As the temperature is variable and weather conditions can change; we also recommend taking a fleece or light jumper (layers of clothing are best especially with moisture-wicking undergarments) and lightweight breathable waterproof jacket/trousers or poncho. A small backpack is useful to carry your water, pack lunch, camera and binoculars. Walking sticks are available at the park head quarters as are porters (it is worth taking a porter as it provides local people with employment and they will give you a helping hand on any steep terrain).
Whilst on safari neutral coloured, loose fitting and relaxed clothing is the most appropriate. Most hotels and lodges have laundry services, so an excessive amount of clothing should be unnecessary. Please note that most hotels and lodges hand wash clothing.
Khaki / natural coloured clothing for safaris / trekking
- 1 – 2 pairs of light weight trousers / slacks – that can dry quickly if wearing on treks
- 1 Pair of shorts
- 1 – 2 long sleeved shirts – preferably quick drying
- 2 – 3 short sleeved shirts – preferably moisture wicking
Casual clothes for evenings
- 1 – 2 pairs of light weight trousers / slacks
- 1 – 3 sports / long sleeved shirts and / or blouse
- 1 dress / skirt for ladies
Exterior clothing
- 1 Lightweight waterproof / windproof / breathable jacket, e.g. Gortex / Event type fabrics
- 1 Fleece, sweater or sweatshirt
- Sturdy / lightweight waterproof walking boots – trousers / pants should be tucked into socks and boots while trekking (heavy soled rain boots or gaiters also work well)
- 1 Pair of shoes for evening wear
- 1 Pair of sports sandals will be useful, e.g. TEVA
- Swimsuit (and a plastic bag for packing in)
- Bush hat with a brim for sun protection
- Underwear
- Lightweight wool socks
- Gloves – gardening or similar (for gorilla tracking only)
Miscellaneous
- Towel – many lodges provide these, but if needed we suggest taking trek towels. These are lightweight, pack to a small size and dry quickly. Best to get a large or extra large.
- Gaiters
- Sunscreen and moisturising cream
- Sunglasses with neck strap
- Insect repellent with DEET, please note that DEET can effect man-made fibres and plastics.
- Daypack / small rucksack
- Binoculars
- Alarm clock – though our staff will wake you
- Ear plugs
- Spare / extra batteries
- Camera and extra lenses
- Camera charger / converter / adapter for 220 / 240 AC voltage, plus cigarette lighter adapter is useful
- Film – particularly fast film for the primates (400 – 1600ASA)
- Personal toiletries /Prescription medicines and the prescription itself
- Wet-wipes / tissues
- Back-up glasses especially if you wear contact lenses
- Wash cloth and plastic bag (if needed)
- Ziplocs / dry bags and other plastic bags for keeping valuables dry or storing wet clothes
- Torch / flashlight – LED models are light weight and have a good battery life
- Sewing kit (needle, thread, safety pins)
- Small notebook
- First Aid Kit – including anti-diarrhoea medicine, rehydration sachets, aspirin, cold medication, antiseptic cream, band-aids (plasters), motion sickness pills, lip balm, eye drops and personal medication
- Photocopies of your passport, visas, credit cards and airline tickets (it is advisable to have 2 sets to keep in separate places)
1 Gorilla permit per person
After an early breakfast at 0700 head for Entebbe international airport, with a lunch stop on the way at the equator where you will be standing in 2 hemispheres at the same time. Arrive in time for check in time for your home bound flight.
Alternatively, you may opt to fly to Entebbe International Aiport at a supplement of $353 per person.
Accommodation on the last day can be booked at an extra cost
Transfer
