Gorillas and the Best of Uganda Safari - 7 Days - VSU 551

Day 1 - Kampala – Bwindi/ Mgahinga National Parks
After breakfast you will set off for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the home of Mountain Gorillas or Mgahinga national park depending where permits will be available. It is estimated half of the world’s surviving population of mountain gorillas –300 live within Bwindi and Mgahinga boundaries. Cross the Equator and continue southwards passing through Ankole grassland, stop for long horned Ankole cattle viewing along the road. The drive is long but enjoyable with lunch stop on the way. Bwindi National Park is located in the southwestern part of the country at the edges of Kigezi Highlands once known as Switzerland of Africa before the drop of the Western Rift Valley.

Both National Park offer a dramatic steeply forested landscape and are incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. Among the gorilla families that live in this forest have been habituated for tourism and although trekking may be strenuous the viewing of the gorillas in their natural habitat is an experience long to be savored. Apart from the gorillas, there are a variety of primates to be seen including the blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, and black & white colobus monkeys. The great blue turacos are often seen and even for a non bird watcher they are marvelous sight.

Arrival will be in the late evening, dinner and stay overnight at Community Bandas or Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel as you prepare for the tomorrow’s event!

Day 2 - Gorilla trekking
Early morning breakfast and head for gorilla trekking with a guide together with other tourists group. The trek is strenuous but enjoyable. This is the major tourist attraction in Bwindi. Carry packed lunch with you have it at a picnic site in the forest. The thrill of your encounter with these gentle giants will erase your difficulties of the potentially strenuous trek. Spend time in awe watching gorillas go about their activities. Each encounter is different and has it’s own rewards. You are likely to enjoy a close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic from vines in a delightfully playful display. Return from tracking gorillas, have dinner and overnight at Community Bandas or Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel.

Day 3 - Bwindi – Queen Elizabeth National Park
After early breakfast head for Ishasha, which is the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, carry out a game drive where you may sight tree-climbing lions. Ishasha is dominated by acacia woodland and scrubland and features the meandering Ishasha River, banked by a riparian forest. After picnic lunch drive all the way to the northern sector of the park stopping at baboon greeting spot, continue and check in at Mweya Safari Lodge or Institute of Ecology (budget). If you tracked Mgahinga, will drive strait via Kabale and a stop on the way for lunch and continue to Queen Elizabeth and check in at Mweya Safari Lodge or Institute of Ecology (budget). The evening will be at leisure dinner and overnight.

Day 4 - Queen Elizabeth National Park
Early morning visit Kyambura gorge and track chimpanzees in their natural habitat. View a variety of monkeys. After lunch take 2-hour boat/launch cruise on Kazinga Channel. This water way connects two lakes- Edward and George and is filled with schools of hippos, buffaloes and elephants at the banks. Evening will be at leisure, dinner and overnight.

Day 5 - Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast carryout game drive viewing herds of elephants, buffaloes and antelopes and some predators- lions leopards hyenas etc. Watch different species of birds. Over 500 species have been identified here making it a Mecca for bird –watchers. They include Black-bee eater, 11 different species of Kingfisher, several falcons, eagles and raptors. Depart this interesting unique part of the world and head to Kibale Forest National Park another primate concentrated families. Check in at Toro Resort for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 - Kibale Forest – Chimp tracking
After an early breakfast you will be driven to Kanyanchu park headquarters. With local guides trek chimps Kibale National Park in their natural habitat nestled in the shadows of the Rwenzori Mountains (the famed mist shrouded “Mountains of the Moon”) Kibale Forest is rich in animal life, including an astonishing 12 species of primates including chimps in this park have been recorded, the very localized red colobus and L'Hoest's monkeys. Tracking the chimpanzee our 'cousin' is a very interesting experience. The way they feed, climb trees, respond to humans, caring for their young ones leaves an imaginative dream to tell.

In the afternoon visit the surrounding- Bigodi swamp eco tourist site or enjoy unique view of crater lakes and other volcanic features. Overnight will be at Toro Resort (this provide mid range clean facilities) dinner and overnight.

Day 7 - Kibale – Kampala - Entebbe
After breakfast drive to Kampala or Entebbe via Mubende stopping at interesting forest and swamp spots with lunch on the way.

Please note the safari cost include:

• Meals and accommodation while on safari
• Full time safari driver/guides with associated expenses
• 2 chimp permits per person
• 1 gorilla permit per person
• Park entry fees, game drives, launch trips, applicable government taxes
• 4x4 wheel drive vehicle with gas
• Safari can be booked privately or you can opt to join group

Excluded are:

Drinks, your bar bills, phone calls, personal insurance and any other services of a personal nature like souvenirs tips and laundry etc.