Tour Details
DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Starts any day. January to December
10 days from $8295.00Arrive Entebbe & Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda
Welcome to Uganda! You are met on arrival at the Entebbe airport, and then transferred by plane and 4-Wheel Drive vehicle to your lodge in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, “Mountains of the Moon.” This picturesque region is a mixture of forest and tea plantations.
In the afternoon, enjoy an informative walk around the rim crater of an extinct volcano, which, since its demise, has filled with water to become the breathtaking Lake Nyinambuga. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (D)
Kibale Forest National Park
Early morning, arise for a guided exploration of the birdlife in the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary. This fascinating area of the Magombe swamp is recognized for its extensive array of biodiversity and populations of primates including the red colobus monkey, baboon, black & white colobus monkey, chimpanzees, Sitatunga, mongooses, bush pigs and many more. The Bigodi is most noted a paradise for bird watchers having more than 138 species of bird recognized on site.
In the afternoon, visit the BBC honey project, the Bunyangabu Beekeeping Cooperative, a community organization with a well-stocked apiary. Next, enjoy meeting the talented women of the Rubona Basket Weavers Association. You are invited to take part in the dying process from start to finish, and take home some samples. (B,L,D)
Kibale & Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kibale National Park is one of Africa’s most researched and documented forest reserves. The fascinating 300 sq. mile mahogany Kibale Forest is home to over 250 butterfly species, 360 bird species, and the natural habitat for an amazing 12 primate species, and contains the highest primate density of any area on Earth. This morning, enjoy a guided forest walk and the thrill experience of tracking families of chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys and 10 other primate species. Witness families of Chimpanzees and Red Colobus Monkeys chattering and swinging through the ancient forest trees.
In the afternoon, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with a stop en route at the House of Love, an orphanage village where the children learn to create crafts such as participate in making banana fiber dolls and flowers.
Arrive in time for dinner and an evening game drive in Queen Elizabeth National park. Explore the plains and view a vast array of birds, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, waterbuck, bushbuck, and giant forest hogs. (B,L,D)
Queen Elizabeth National Park
This morning begins with a game drive to visit the salty Lake Katwe, where you learn about the fascinating yet tough process of mining salt. See the local people work, cross the mud walkways and enter one of the traditional storage huts.
This afternoon, enjoy a boat trip on the 25-mile Kazinga channel connecting Lake George to Lake Edward. View hippos at close range, marvel at the majestic elephants, and spy the notorious Nile crocodiles sunbathing along the channel. More than 560 bird species have been recorded here, including eagle, stork, waterfowl, kingfisher, and bee-eater. (B,L,D)
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enjoy your morning in the park.
This afternoon, you drive south through Maramagambo Forest to the remote southern sector of the park. Arrive at the Ishasha Wilderness Camp, overlooking the Ntungwe River.
Enjoy dinner and spend the night at this wonderful encampment. (B,L,D)
Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
The remote Ishasha sector protects a wilderness of swamps and thorn savanna, and is home to large herds of Cape buffalo and topi as well as tree-climbing lions. These tree-dwelling lions prey on the wildlife that grazes Ishasha’s beautiful acacia studded savanna.
Depart camp early this morning for a game drive into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a landscape of volcanoes, jagged valleys, waterfalls, lakes and dramatic mountain ranges.
In the afternoon take the Buhoma community cultural walk, and meet the people of Buhoma Mukono Community and the Batwa pygmies. Learn about these former forest dwellers and meet the traditional healer of this Pygmy community.
Late afternoon, arrive at the permanent luxury-tented Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, set on the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. It hosts 113 species of mammals (including a herd of the rare forest elephant), 200 species of butterfly, and over 360 species of birds. In addition, Bwindi is home to seven species of primates of which the most endangered is the elusive mountain gorilla. This is your home for the next three nights.
In the evening, attend a briefing on gorilla-watching etiquette. (B,L,D)
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Spend the next two days on an incredible gorilla tracking experience. Some of the terrain is steep and hiking strenuous, but the reward of watching gorillas undisturbed in their natural habit is unmatched.
Start early each morning with a walk to the nearby park headquarters to receive a briefing from your trained local guide. Then set off on a trek towards sites site where the gorillas were seen the previous day. The tracking can be strenuous because of the steep slopes and the high altitude, but the rewards to seeing the gorilla is certainly worth it. Once the gorillas are located, you have time to observe, photograph, and enjoy this unique experience.
Other activities at Bwindi include forest trekking for the lesser primates and looking for the many bird species that make this mountain forest their home. You can also choose to stroll through a small tea farming project, visit a local beer brewery seeing how they mash bananas to make a fermented brew, or visit the local clinic and meet a traditional medicine man.
Enjoy the evening to relax at the camp and trade tales with fellow adventurers. (2B,2L,2D)
Bwindi to Entebbe
Bid farewell to Bwindi and the gorilla homeland before you are transferred to the Kihihi airstrip for scheduled flight to Entebbe. You are met upon arrival, and escorted to your boutique guesthouse accommodations.
In the afternoon, view the monkeys and exotic birdlife at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, a beautiful lakeshore haven of trees and plants.
Next, tour the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. Once operated as a zoo, the center is now a conservation and education institution. An optional activity is the 'Chimpanzee Close Up' experience, allowing you to interact with a group of young chimps. (B)
Depart Entebbe
Today you are at leisure until time for your transfer to the Entebbe Airport, for your flight home or to another destination. (B)
Note: If you are departing on an evening flight, you have the opportunity to take an optional boat excursion to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria. Ngamba is home to approximately 40 chimpanzees rescued from poachers and other forms of private captivity. The Sanctuary was set up by concerned organizations including Uganda Wildlife Education Centre and Jane Goodall Institute. (Additional charges apply.)
Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale
Set against a stunning backdrop of Lake Kyaninga and the legendary Mountains of the Moon beyond, Kyaninga Lodge is the spectacular result of one man's vision and six years of unwavering commitment to creating an experience of Africa's beauty unlike anything else. When Englishman Steve Williams first saw the lake on his way to visit the gorillas, there was nothing there aside from unspoilt natural beauty and breathtaking vistas. There aren't many people who could stand on the rim of an ancient crater lake thousands of miles from home, and have the vision to imagine building a luxury lodge entirely out of timber on that very spot. Six years and over a thousand hand carved logs later the stunning vistas remain, and thanks to Steve's achievements, they can now be enjoyed in ultimate comfort and style.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Situated on the edge of the Kyambura Gorge and Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge Lodge has stunning views over the Gorge and the lush savannah of the park, with the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance. The main lodge building was originally a coffee store and processing plant, surrounded by coffee plantations. The original structure has been sensitively restored to create a stunning living space, balancing the history of the building with the location and creating a series of distinct luxurious contemporary spaces for guests. Four beautiful, spacious bandas have been carefully nestled into the hillside, each with their own luxury bathroom. Each room has a different aspect of the panoramic views across the gorge, savannah and mythical Rwenzoris. Each banda is uniquely appointed, adopting a different color theme.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Ishasha Wilderness Camp is situated inside the southern Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park on the Ntungwe river, and is an idyllic retreat for travelers who truly enjoy the wilderness. This exclusive tented camp offers quality accommodation and services in this unspoiled remote sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree climbing lions that can sometimes be spotted resting in the branches of the large fig trees in the area. A central lounge and dining area, under a cool thatched roof, provides a comfortable environment for meals and relaxing during the day. A shaded area beside the river offers al fresco dining and an evening 'fireplace' for guests to relax with sundowners and share their day's experience. Meals are freshly prepared with many local ingredients, offering a balance of international and locally flavored cuisine. Our bar has a selection of local and imported beverages and our friendly local staff offer excellent hospitality. Hot beverages are delivered to your tent with early morning wake up calls as required, allowing you to savor the early morning sounds of the bush awakening.
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Located deep in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in western Uganda, this intimate lodge offers luxury in the midst of one of Africa's most amazing natural environments. The camp is tucked away on a flat ridge high in the Bwindi forest, yet is an oasis of luxury and sophistication. Located within the National Park, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp offers guests an unrivalled location, including the best bird and wildlife viewing in the Bwindi area. In fact, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp often receives regular visits from the gorillas themselves, up to 4-6 visits per month. For the lucky guests in camp at those times, they may have the chance for a gorilla encounter without even leaving Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp! Guests can dine under the stars and relax by the roaring campfire. On cooler evenings, the central cottage provides a warm shelter. The eight tents are just as impressive as the communal areas. Wooden floors and decks support comfortable warm beds, and each tent boasts a bathtub, ideal for soaking tired muscles after a day spent observing and meeting gorillas, which looks straight out into the jungle's canopy.
Boma Guesthouse, Entebbe
The Boma Guesthouse is Entebbe's original and most exclusive Hotel, set in tropical gardens in a leafy suburb, just a few minutes from the Entebbe International Airport. All of our rooms are individually decorated in a mixture of African and European décor, and have been designed to reflect original colonial architecture. The rooms combine the modern comforts one expects today with the charm and character of the original 1940's home. Our staff and management team ensure guests receive personal service and enjoy our hospitality; our standards keep within the tradition of this charming lakeshore town.