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 a restuarant for breakfast 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 ,If time allowing you may go for a city tour. All activities today are at your own cost. You may visit the botanical gardens at a supplement of $10 per person or visit the Uganda Wildlife Educational centre at supplement of $15 per pesrson or go for a cheese and wine sundowner on Lake Victoria at a supplement of $85 per person.
Airport Transfer
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 -6hours.
Alternatively you may opt to fly to Kibale Forest National Park Via Kasese Airstrip at a supplement of $300 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
*Birding-$20per person
*Kayaking -$90 per person per 2 hours
Transfer to the Lodge
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. So 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 $50 per person. You spend the Whole day with the chimps, availablity is limited so booking should be made in advance.
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.
chimps tracking
1 chimp Permit per person
After an early breakfast at your lodge before you proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes you through the Switzerland of Africa area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside. Your expert driver guide will take you through the game park where you might spot some animals. Of course you wont miss seeing the beautiful scenery of the crater lakes.
Upon arriving at your lodge, you will enjoy a hot lunch and later in the afternoon take a unique 2hour 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.
Game Drive
Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
Park entrance fees
After breakfast pack your bags and you will be flown l to Bwindi.The flight takes approximately one hour. You will be met by our representative who will transfer you to the lodge which is 35km away. 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. After lunch, you can either relax at the lodge or do some optional activities.
Bwindi forest is Located in southwestern Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is said to be Africa’s oldest rainforest. It is world-renowned for its excellent gorilla-sighting opportunities. The rugged landscape features dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys and steep ridges. This untouched forest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecological significance. Aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are other drawcards such as a network of forest walks, over 340 species of bird to spot and a variety of butterflies. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes.
Transfer to Bwindi Forest
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 amazing 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 opt for optional activities.
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
You may opt for Gorilla Habituation on supplement of $900 per person – here you will be sure of meeting and spending enough time with the Gorillas.
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 breakfast, you will be transferred to Entebbe international Airport to catch your flight to your next destination. You will stop at the Equator for lunch and you will also be to stand 2 hemispheres at the same time. You can take as many photos as possible.
Accommodation on the last day can be booked at an extra cost.
Airport transfer
Equator
