8 Day Classic Uganda Primate Safari

Arrival in Entebbe as per your international flight meet up with a representative from Nkuringo Safaris and transfer to the guest house.

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:

• No.5 Boutique Hotel in a Luxury Room on Bed & Breakfast - Luxury
• Papyrus Guest House in a Garden Room on Bed & Breakfast – Mid-range

After breakfast transfer to Kibale forest National Park – arrive at the lodge at time for lunch – In the afternoon hike to the ‘Top of the World’ to enjoy fantastic views of the Rwenzori Mountains, the crater lakes, the tea plantations, and local villages.

Accommodation:

• Primate Lodge Kibale in a Luxury Cottage on All-inclusive - Luxury
• Turaco Treetops in a Luxury Cottage on Full board – Mid-range

Morning chimpanzee trek. The density and diversity of primates in Kibale

National Park is the highest in the whole of Africa. The most well-known of its 13 species are the chimpanzees, our closest relative. Kibale’s 1450 chimpanzee population of this threatened primate is Uganda’s biggest. Additionally, Kibale is home to the uncommon I’Hoest’s monkey as well as East Africa’s biggest population of the endangered red colobus monkey. The black & white colobus, red tailed monkey, blue monkey, olive baboon, grey cheeked mangabey, bush baby and potto are among the other primates.

In the afternoon transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. 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:

• Elephant Plains Lodge in a Luxury Cottage on All-inclusive - Luxury
•  Katara Lodge in a Cottage on Full board – Mid-range

Morning dedicated to a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and in the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel - the 36 km waterway which connects Lake George and Lake Edward which allows special viewing of game and birds on the riverbanks, as the boat passes through pods of hippos. Crocodiles have only recently been seen in the Channel, they disappeared for 8,000 years after they were eliminated from Lake Edward by toxic ash from local volcanoes.

Accommodation:

• Elephant Plains Lodge in a Luxury Cottage on All-inclusive - Luxury
• Katara Lodge in a Cottage on Full board – Mid-range

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 in a Forest Suite on All-inclusive - Luxury
• Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge in a Deluxe Cottage on All-inclusive – Mid-range

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 savoured. 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 in a Forest Suite on All-inclusive - Luxury
• Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge in a Deluxe Cottage on All-inclusive – Mid-range

After breakfast depart Bwindi via and enjoy a road trip to Lake Mburo National Park where your accommodation will be at Mihingo Lodge. A provision of 5 to 6 hours on the road between venues should be considered.

Afternoon game drive in the park.

Accommodation: Mihingo lodge (Luxury Safari Tent)

Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast, enjoy a guided nature walk in the park, the walk will take you to the salt lick area where chances are high that you will find many animals that are attracted to the salty rocks. The walks usually start at 7:00am and this walk takes approximately 2 hours of being taken up by nature and in the two hours that are given to this activity you get an opportunity to see many wildlife species that are examined habiting the premises of Lake Mburo national park. After the activity return to Entebbe. Anticipated driving time 6 hours on the road. En route you will pass the equator where a coffee break can be taken and possibly the picnic lunch provided by the lodge.