On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by a Wild Frontiers representative and transferred to The Boma Hotel.
Depart after breakfast to Kibale Forest. The drive via rural villages and towns will take approx. 6-7 hours, stopping for a picnic lunch en route.
Optional excursions around Kibale (aside from Chimp trekking) ) include a guided forest walk, visit to the Bigodi Swamps, or the Vanilla Farm close to Ndali.
Today is sure to be exhilarating! It's a short walk from your lodge down to park headquarters, and your Chimp trek briefing point.
Head off into the forest in search of Chimps – sometimes stepping off well-defined paths following their markings.
Chimpanzee trekking can be exciting – as unlike their cousins the Gorillas, chimpanzees tend to be more active and often keep moving through the forest canopies, so you may find yourself following a family through dense jungles! Of course sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the chances of seeing them are very good. Once amongst the Chimpanzees, spend approximately an hour observing and following them.
Afternoon at leisure to rest/ explore the Kibale Forest area.
Morning
Depart early to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a drive of approximately three hours. This park set in the Great Rift Valley is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds. With both a riverine and savannah habitat, the park includes the southern Ishasha area with its tree climbing lions and Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda.
Enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometre long natural channel linking Lake Edward and Lake George. Kazinga’s shores are dotted with herds of lazy buffalo, pods of hippos wallowing without a care, and countless bird species. Drift past local fishing villages, and soak up the peaceful tranquillity of this beautiful African day. (Cruise normally departs at 11h00, although this depends on availability when booking and is subject to change –no drinks/ snacks provided on boat)
Spend 3 nights at Ishasha WIlderness camp, spending your days at leisure to enjoy game viewing in Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Afternoon
From Queen Elizabeth National Park, we drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. On the way we will stop at the Community Project at Ishasha Village. Immerse yourself in Agartha’s ‘Taste of Uganda’tour – it’s a fun, educational experience for the inquisitive visitor who wonders how a rural Ugandan lady lives. Watch how the local crops are transformed into local staples such as millet porridge and kalo bread.
Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage site. Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa and home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and 160 species of trees. The park contains an estimated one half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site.
It’s up early today as one of the most humbling and enthralling wildlife experiences imaginable awaits your discovery. Coming face to face with an endangered mountain gorilla is something words cannot aptly describe. Please note that gorilla trekking is strenuous with treks ranging from 45 mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in hot African conditions. The thrill of the hour you spend quietly observing these gentle giants once you find them is well worth the hike to get there! Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and it should be noted that sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are well over 95%.
Head back to Buhoma Lodge for a complimentary massage after your trek, or explore the surrounding Bwindi community.
Those with additional pre-purchased permits will depart for a second gorilla tracking experience.
Guests not tracking have the day free to explore the Bwindi area – optional activities include forest walks, a visit to a local school/orphanage/hospital or Batwa pygmy village, and some local curio shopping.
* Please note that days 8 and 9 are interchangeable depending on when we can secure gorilla permits *
From Bwindi, we drive through the ‘Little Switzerland of Africa’ along winding mountain roads, and through rural villages, to the border of Rwanda, Kisoro. Here, on a clear day, the Virgunas can be seen ‘standing sentry’ along the border – a row of massive, dormant volcanoes watching over the region.
Crossing into Rwanda (border crossing takes about 1 hour), we continue to our Gorilla Trekking base.
(Full day in vehicle travelling from Bwindi to Rwanda, picnic lunch included)
Trekking gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park is a very similar experience to that in Bwindi – just as challenging, equally memorable. If you’ve opted not to trek today, take a hike to Dian Fossey’s grave or enjoy forest walk with Golden Monkeys. You will only be able to enjoy one of these activities (as they all take place in the morning) and pre-booking is essential.
After lunch (and depending on when your trek ends) we drive to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
Visit the haunting Genocide Memorial before your transfer back to the airport.
End of safari.
