PRIMATE WATCH SAFARIS

The great classic 8-day package will take you on an adventure through the most beautiful national parks in Uganda, tracking the most endangered primates in the world. This trip will start in Entebbe, where on the first day you will be able to visit the famous Botanical Gardens or the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre . After that you will set off to Ngamba Island sanctuary to see chimpanzees. Then you will be moving to Kibale National Park to track several troops of chimpanzees and observe many other species of primates living here. After Kibale, you will travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you will have the unforgettable experience of gorilla tracking. The tour will end by a visit to Lake Mburo National Park and enjoy your evening game drive. Overall the joy of being able to observe such epic animals in their natural habitat will boost your adventuring soul throughout the 8 days.

Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe – Uganda

Arrive in Entebbe, and transfer to your accommodation to rest and freshen up. If time permits visit the famous Entebbe Botanical Gardens or the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.

Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel / Papyrus Guest House

Day 2: Ngamba Island – Lake Victoria

Drive to Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe where you are briefed about your day’s adventure to Ngamba Island. Take a boat for a half-day trip to see chimpanzees at close range Ngamba Island is a sanctuary for confiscated and orphaned chimpanzees awaiting re-introduction to the wilderness. Return to your accommodation.

Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel / Papyrus Guest House

Included: Ngamba Island

Day 3: Entebbe – Kibale National Park

Drive westward to Kibale National Park approximately a 5-hour drive. The route slowly ascends from the Lake Victoria Basin into the lush rolling foothills of The Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon). The road passes through villages and farmland where every imaginable fruit and vegetable of the tropics can be seen growing. Birding is excellent as the road passes through rainforest regions, agricultural land, papyrus swamps, and scrubland before reaching the famous tea-growing area around Fort Portal and Kyenjojo. Pass through tea plantations into the Kibale Forest area.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge Kibale / Ndali Lodge / Turaco Treetops

Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

After breakfast, proceed for Chimpanzee tracking. The exciting activity begins in the morning and may take a whole day or a few hours. Briefing is done by the UWA park rangers at the park headquarters. Besides being human’s close cousins, the chimpanzees, Kibale National Park hosts other primates such as red colobus, L’hoest, black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabey among others. The swamp walk at Bigodi wetland is an optional activity in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Ndali Lodge / Primate Lodge / Turaco Treetops

Included: Chimpanzee tracking

Day 5: Kibale National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you through Fort Portal and then south along the eastern stretch of the Rwenzori Mountains, with the hope of seeing the glaciated peaks. You will drive through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park to search for the tree-climbing lions and then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Accommodation: Mahogany Springs / Buhoma Haven / Gorilla Bluff Lodge

Included: Search for the Tree Climbing Lions

Day 6: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, and our packed lunch, we then take a short drive to the park headquarters for briefing where we meet the excellent local guides and trackers who give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. We then trek into the forest to a spot where gorillas were last seen the previous night and track from there. Trekking may take anything between 1 to 6 hours depending on the family and altitudes which is more than 7500 feet. The terrain is rough and muddy calling for physical fitness. Although the hike is physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery makes the trekking worthwhile. Once the Great Apes (Gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world). It is recommended that you take plenty of water with you on the trek. Non-flash cameras and plenty of fast-speed films are recommended. Being a tropical rain forest, it may rain at no notice, hence need to bring with you waterproof clothing, including zip-lock bags for cameras and film. Others to come with include sturdy hiking boots, long pants, gloves, and a raincoat. Maximum time spent with the gorillas is 1 hour.

Accommodation: Mahogany Springs / Buhoma Haven / Gorilla Bluff Lodge

Included: Gorilla tracking

Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National Park through the renowned Kigezi hills arguably known as the Switzerland of Uganda. Do an evening game drive in the park.

Overnight Mihingo Lodge / Rwakobo Rock / Mantana Camp.

Included: Game drive

Day 8: Return to Entebbe/Departure

After breakfast, take a game drive to the Acacia Savannah. The game likely to be encountered include the Burshell’s Zebra, Topi, Impala, buffalo, and the beautiful Eland. After lunch at the camp, drive to Entebbe Airport for your International flight connections.