Only nine days of game viewing, Launch Cruise and Gorilla tracking and Chimpanzee tracking. This tour covers the south-western part of Uganda - L. Mburo, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Parks; with an extension to Kibale Forest National Park
Overview
Despite the apprehensiveness by many people about Uganda’s historic horror of Idi Amin’s reign, whoever visits this small African country is engulfed in the awe inspiring and unrivaled landscapes, and feels the powerful and singular magic of encountering majestic animals in their own territory plus the congenial demeanor of the people of Uganda. The unsurpassed of all the spontaneous adventures is tracking the mountain gorillas. These are the rarest of the great apes, visible only in their natural habitat - unimaginably dense rain forest clinging to harsh mountain slopes in one of the most inaccessible pockets of Africa – The UNESCO world heritage site, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Tracking the mountain gorillas in Uganda makes one discover why Winston Churchill exuberantly declared in 1907 that "Uganda is a Fairy Tale".
The Journey
Travelling west across the Uganda’s midsection, is a leisurely journey that gives one plenty of time to get over jet lag and determine that 100 years later, Uganda remains, in Churchill's words, ''end to end, one beautiful garden'' . The journey strolls through groves of papyrus reed beds, acres of isolated woodland pockets and remnants of tropical forests, endless banana trees, etc.
The first wildlife encounter begins with a ride through the Lake Mburo National Park, an archetypal introduction to the African savanna denizens - with zebra, impala, Topi, Eland, elephant, buffalo waterbuck, bush buck etc. From here we move further south, you will drive past rich tea plantations and a roadside troop of baboons; a magical charm journey that leads you to “Africa’s sensational biosphere reserve” – Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area. A launch cruise along the fêted Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park takes you through yawning and snorting hippos, crocodiles, giant forest hogs and thousands of waterfowls.
After having a real feel of biodiversity in this park, we shall drive to Buhoma through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Lions sleeping in giant, gnarled trees are sometimes seen. This teeth-jarring journey ultimately ends in the lush hunk of greenery in Uganda's southwestern corner, aptly named Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gorilla tracking will be the main activity here.
optional extension to Kibale National Park
This mini tour is guided by a professional driver guide in a strong 4×4 Customised Landcruiser and the accommodations are among the best and most comfortable in the region.
UGANDA EXCLUSIVE BIG GAME AND PRIMATES SAFARI – 9DAYS
Costs
Group of 2 pax: USD5095.75
Group of 4 pax: USD4397.25
Group of 6 pax: USD4164.42
Includes all accommodations and meals, car hire and knowledgeable driver guide, fuel, Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking fees, Park entrance fees, exclusive boat CRUISE, nature walks, and bottled drinking water.
Excluded: tips, laundry, alcoholic drinks, and any items of personal nature
Summary Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and transfer immediately to your hotel / lodge for refreshments. Early arrivals will give a chance for a leisurely walk along Entebbe botanical gardens.
Overnight: Boma Hotel Entebbe (B&D)
Day 2 – Start early after breakfast at 7:00am for a 4.5hours drive to Lake Mburo National Park. We may have a brief stopover at the equator for a coffee break. Final destination will be at Mihingo Lodge in the park where we shall have our lunch. Have a siesta after lunch, before embarking on the Ankole Cattle keeping experience till dusk.
Overnight: Mihingo Lodge or Kigambira Safari Lodge (B, L & D)
Day 3 – We start with breakfast at 6:30, check out the Lodge and take a walk in the woods as we enjoy zebra, elands, impalas, buffalos etc grazing along, for another 4hours. We shall have lunch towards mid-day and later drive southwest to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Ruhiija Sector.
Overnight: Kiho Bwindi Gorilla Lodge or other (B, L & D)
Day 4 – Today we shall have an early morning breakfast at 6:00am. We later drive for about 10minutes, assemble at the park headquarters for a briefing before we start our trek into the impenetrable forest tracking the Gorillas. This activity will likely last for half a day. We shall carry enough drinking water and a snack in case we are unable to get to the gorillas in time. Hot lunch will be late this afternoon at the Lodge.
Overnight: Kiho Bwindi Gorilla Lodge or other (B, L & D)
Day 5 – Transfer to Ishasha - the southern segment of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for Lions that climb the trees. We do a stroll in the park this morning, watching game as we drive to our Lodge. Lunch will be here, short siesta and later do another drive in the afternoon/evening.
Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Day 6 – we check out here after breakfast, do another game drive looking for tree-climbing lions as we transfer to Mweya Peninsula for an Exclusive Boat Cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel. Lunch will be at Mweya Safari Lodge. The boat cruise along the channel is a very rewarding experience with schools of hippos, Nile crocodiles basking in the sun; the birdlife is prolific. Elephants too, join herds of buffalo, giant forest hogs to take a bath along the channel.
Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 7 – Game drive along Kasenyi tracks - Lions and Leopard are occasional encounters here. Coffee break at Kasenyi Crater View Point. We shall a hot lunch at our lodge in Mweya and later drive to Fort Portal area.
We shall stay at Kyaninga Lodge (B, L & D)
Day 8 – Drive to the Park headquarters after an early morning breakfast for briefing before we embark on trekking for the chimps. We do carry enough drinking water and a snack, or otherwise do picnic lunch. There is another chance for a community/village tour at Bigodi village to experience the life of local people. We shall later drive to back to our Lodge late today for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9 – drive to Kampala / Entebbe for your flight back home
¬End of Safari¬
contact us to book this trip and for more details about availability
