10 Days - The great Uganda Gorillas & Primates

Arrival:

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• Complimentary pick-up from Airport/Hotel
• Accommodation before/end of the trip can be arranged at an extra cost

Day 1: Entebbe, Uganda—Botanical Gardens

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Our Uganda tour begins in Entebbe, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. If time permits, you may choose to visit the famous Entebbe Botanical Gardens. Established in 1902, the gardens boast a fine collection of plants spanning the country’s tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate zones. They are also home to numerous avian species, offering an excellent introduction to Uganda’s diverse birdlife. Vervet and black-and-white colobus monkeys are commonly spotted here as well. Afterward, head to your hotel in Entebbe for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Lake Victoria Hotel
Midrange: Admas Grand Hotel
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

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Today, we’ll transfer to Kibale from bustling Entebbe to Uganda’s verdant highlands, where fertile volcanic soil supports a tapestry of tea, coffee, and banana plantations. Arrive at our hilltop lodge in time for a late lunch and settle in before the sun dips behind the Rwenzori Mountains. Later, head to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Primates Lodge
Midrange: Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 3: Bigodi Swamp Walk & Afternoon Chimpanzee Tracking

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This morning, embark on a “swamp walk” through a wetland sanctuary that reveals more than 100 bird species. After lunch, we will meet our local trackers and begin our first chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest National Park. This equatorial rainforest reserve boasts one of the highest concentrations of primates in the world, including 1,300 chimpanzees. We may also encounter red colobus, black-and-white colobus, red-tailed, gray-cheeked mangabey, and other monkey species.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Primates Lodge
Midrange: Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 4: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Evening Game Drive

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An early start marks the beginning of an activity-filled day exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park, situated along the western Rift Valley. The park is a microcosm of East Africa’s safari highlights, with a great diversity of wildlife residing among its volcanic craters, grassy plains, and tropical forests. In the evening, embark on a game drive to search for classic African wildlife, possibly spotting lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and antelope in the park’s northern sector. Later, return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge
Midrange: The Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 5: Full-Day Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park

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At 6:00 a.m., wake up for an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, exploring the area along Kasenyi and Queen’s Mile. In the afternoon, embark on a two-hour boat trip on Kazinga Channel, getting up close to hippos, buffalos, and other wildlife. The boat trip offers excellent birdwatching opportunities, as well as the chance to see elephants, warthogs, and kobs. The banks of the channel are home to a rich variety of wildlife. This ride will leave you with an amazing experience on the water. When back on the shores, relax at the lodge.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge
Midrange: The Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

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Head westward to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, watching the scenery gradually change from open savanna to mountain slopes covered in dense green rainforest. Upon arrival in Bwindi, check into your mountainside lodge, which serves as our Gorilla tracking base. Relax at the lodge.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge
Midrange: Buhoma Gorilla Camp
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 7: Gorilla Tracking – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

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After an early breakfast, embark on Gorilla tracking at 8:00 a.m. We recommend wearing good walking shoes and carrying a rain jacket and a flask of water. Gorilla tracking can be challenging, so we trust that you are in reasonably fit condition. You will carry a picnic lunch into the forest with you. You will be thrilled to have seen these rare primates (though there’s no guarantee), and the return journey will be easier. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge
Midrange: Buhoma Gorilla Camp
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 8: Batwa Cultural Walk and Relaxation at the Lodge

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This morning, after breakfast, you will hike in the forest with the Batwa people, who are the forest dwellers. A Batwa guide will provide you with the chance to see the forest and its habitats through their eyes. You’ll see how the Batwa lived and hunted in the traditional manner. Enjoy trying out your hunting techniques as the Batwa teach you how to shoot with a bow and arrow. Visit a traditional Batwa homestead and learn from the women how to prepare, cook, and serve a meal. You will also have the opportunity to sample the prepared dishes. Talk to a medicine man and learn about the medicinal properties of the forest flora. Hear ancient legends and traditional songs.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge
Midrange: Buhoma Gorilla Camp
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 9: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

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Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. After gorilla trekking, Lake Bunyonyi is a magical, stunningly beautiful lake in Uganda to relax and chill out. Check-in to your lodge, where you can decide to go swimming. After lunch, you will go for a boat trip on this beautiful lake. Later, head back to the lodge, where you will enjoy the African sunset on Lake Bunyonyi.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: BirdNest Resort
Midrange: BirdNest Resort
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 10: Departure

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You will embark on your journey back to Entebbe on a scenic drive. You will arrive in the late afternoon in time for your flight back home.

End of Safari