10 Days Classic Primate Safari

Arrival in Entebbe as per your international flight meet up with a representative from Nkuringo Safaris and transfer to Hotel No.5

Optional Extra: In the afternoon (departure from the hotel must be max at 14.30/15.00 hours) departure by car and local canoe to Mabamba Swamp, one of the best places for spotting the rare shoebill storks. Of course, some fortune is needed but rarely does one leave the swamp without seeing one! Many other water birds have chosen this area as their home so birding is always very interesting.

Enjoy a relaxing sundowner on Lake Victoria and then return to the Guest House.

Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House (Garden Room)

Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

After breakfast transfer to Kibale forest National Park – arrive at the lodge at time for lunch – in the afternoon explore the crater lakes region.

Accommodation: Turaco Tree tops (Luxury Cottage)

Meal Plan: Full board

After breakfast proceed to Kanyanchu for the Chimpanzee trekking activity ; you will spend 1 hour with Chimpanzees following them from nest to nest. While tracking, you will be able to spot different animal species like the Red Colobus, Black and white Colobus, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Olive Baboon, Red-tailed Monkey, and L’Hoest’s Monkey among others and different bird species. 

In the afternoon, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a nature walk, Rich in biodiversity and beautiful scenery, the wetland is a birder’s paradise with about 138 species. Located outside the park in Magombe Swamp, it also hosts eight species of primates including the black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed, l’Hoest’s and blue monkeys, and olive baboons. Bushbucks and mongooses can also be found here. The sanctuary was set up to preserve the exclusive environmental features along with the wetland and is managed by the local community.

Accommodation: Turaco Tree tops (Luxury Cottage)

Meal Plan: Full board

Depart Kibale Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park, lying 1978 sq. km west of Uganda. It harbours a diverse eco-system with a lovely savannah, fertile wetlands making it home for the big game, 10 primate species and a large number of bird species. Check in for lunch at the lunch and head out for a game drive.

QENP is one of Uganda’s oldest parks being formed officially in 1952. The park was initially known as ‘Kazinga National Park’ before it was renamed in 1954 to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. QENP hosts 95 species of mammals, more than any other park in Uganda, and 619 bird species, the second highest of any park in Africa – the sixth highest of any park worldwide

Accommodation: Katara Lodge (Private Cottage)

Meal Plan: Full board

Relaxed morning and breakfast and transfer to Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, lunch at the camp and in the afternoon head out for a game drive with an evening sundowner in the park. The drives take approx. 2-3hours

The Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park is rich with wildlife including warthog, water buck, bush buck, leopard, Ugandan kob, elephants, countless bird species and even the rare giant forest hog.  The Ishasha sector of the park is known for its famous tree climbing lions sometimes found lying about in the branches of the native fig trees.

Accommodation: Enjojo Lodge (Thatched Cottage)

Meal Plan: Full board

Today we will depart the beautiful area of Queen Elizabeth and drive to the southwest via Ishasha sector with a game drive in search of tree climbing lions, thereafter, precede to Buhoma sector guided walk through the impenetrable forest.

In Buhoma which is the northern side of the park you will meet our Nkuringo Walking Safari guide who will walk with you 4 hours through the forest to Nkuringo, on the southern side via the Ivy River trail which is the shortest route. Your safari guide will meanwhile drive around to the lodge and will meet you there so we recommend you pack a little day pack as chances are high that you will arrive before him. A packed lunch will be provided.

Your arrival in Nkuringo will see you at 2160m above sea level. From the vantage of Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge a 270-degree panorama will hopefully unfold to reveal views of the volcanoes of the Virunga, the western arm of the Great Rift Valley and a huge swathe of primary forest that constitutes the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Deluxe Garden Cottage)

Meal Plan: All-inclusive

After breakfast, at around 7:45 am, with packed lunch and drinking water you will be transferred to the National Park Head Quarters for the briefing on the dos and the don’ts while with the gorillas. You then continue to the forest for the start of the actual gorilla tracking.

The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular. The area offers a dramatic, steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary as per the movements of these great primates. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored. Many find it to be a rare and moving opportunity. The tracking can take place at Nkuringo or at Rushaga(1hr drive from Nkuringo), as per the gorilla permits obtained.

Upon return, relax at the lodge and, for those who like, at 5.00 pm either stroll through the community center or drive up to the “Top of the World” - the name given to the football field, high up in Nkuringo which offers amazing views over the peaks and forests around Nkuringo. A great way to stretch your legs after the gorilla tracking and to enjoy a sundowner.

Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Deluxe Garden Cottage)

Meal Plan: All-inclusive

This morning after an early breakfast, drive to Rubuguri Junction (10k – 1 hour) to start a nice hike across beautiful landscapes and local communities - a great opportunity to experience authentic village life (9km – 2/3 hours). Upon arrival at Lake Mutanda, you then “settle” in a dugout canoe for 1.5-2 hours of gentle relaxed cruising across the lake, enjoying the beautiful panorama. Meet with your vehicle and drive back to Nkuringo.

Of course, you could also drive from the lodge directly to the lake (20k - 90 minutes), enjoy the canoe ride around the lake and drive all the way back to the lodge again. Guests decide!

Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Deluxe Garden Cottage)

Meal Plan: All-inclusive

After breakfast depart Kabale through the mountainous hillside of Kigezi region, with glimpse sighting of Lake Bunyonyi famous crate Lake onwards to Lake Mburo National Park. Your Amazing Uganda Primates Safari guide will stop at Igongo Culture Center for your lunch break, learn about the Bantu cultural, the Ankole horned cattle and the Ankole Kingdom, after lunch proceed to Lake Mburo National.

Evening game drive in search of Zebras, Impalas, elands, warthogs and waterbucks, return to the Lodge to enjoy swim. In the afternoon, proceed to conduct boat trip on Lake Mburo; you will see lots of birds, hippos, learn more about the people and history of Lake Mburo.

In the night you will have chance to see resident Bush babies come for feed.

Optional activity safari horse riding.

Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (Luxury Safari tent)

Meal Plan: Full board

Breakfast at your lodge and transfer to Entebbe for your outbound flight.

Depending on your out bound flight, have a day room use / overnight at Papyrus Guest House.