WESTERN UGANDA GAME PARKS & GORILLAS

KIBALE FOREST-QUEEN ELIZABETH-BWINDI GORILLAS-LAKE MBURO – 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS

Day 1: Kibale Forest National Park            

After breakfast, drive south via Fort Portal through verdant countryside and past traditional homesteads and farms. Fort-Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon. Morning visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to search for smaller mammals and primates. Look out for the rare red colobus monkey and the sitatunga. The guided 4.5km circular trail through the swamp is also one of the best guided bird trails in East Africa as well as offering a realistic opportunity to see up to six different primate species in a space of a few hours.

Overnight Kibale Forest Bandas / Primate Lodge / Ndali Lodge

Day 2: Kibale Forest         

All day search of chimpanzee and 10 other primate including l' hoestes, red colobus, blues, red tailed and gray - cheeked mangabey. The guide will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates, but on all the forest fauna and flora and will ensure that your walk is both informative and enjoyable. This walk is excellent for viewing bird life and seeing primates at close quarters.

Overnight Kibale Forest Bandas / Primate Lodge / Ndali Lodge

Day 3: Queen Elizabeth National Park  

Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the mystical Ruwenzori Mountain range for much of the journey. A game drive en route may be rewarded with views of lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena and a variety of antelope species. 

In the afternoon, enjoy the unique 2 hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and many animals may be seen drinking at the water's edge. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colourful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species. 

Overnight Simba Safari Camp / Jacana Safari Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth  

Two game drives today. Queen Elizabeth National Park's diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzoris as a backdrop provides excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi and bush buck. These two game drives and the boat trip (taken prior) are a memorable method of discovering a vast array of Ugandan wildlife     

Overnight Simba Safari Camp / Jacana Safari Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 5: Ishasha Sector Queen Elizabeth

Early morning transfer to Ishasha Area of Queen Elizabeth national park. Game drives in Ishasha sector, home to the famous [tree-climbing lions] and the large herds of game. The scenic beauty, the size of the euphorbias and combination of riverine forest, Savannah plain and equatorial forest makes this a memorable day, only found in Africa.

Overnight Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp / Ishasha Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 6: Ishasha Sector Queen Elizabeth

Game drives in Ishasha sector, home to the famous tree-climbing lions and the large herds of game. The scenic beauty, the size of the euphorbias and combination of riverine forest, Savannah plain and equatorial forest makes this a memorable day, only found in Africa.

Overnight Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp / Ishasha Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 7: Bwindi National Park     

Drive through the "Switzerland of Africa" area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi. 

Overnight Buhoma Bandas / Engagi Lodge / Buhoma Lodge

Day 8: Bwindi, Gorilla Tracking   

Early morning entry into Gorilla sanctuary. This rainforest is spectacular. 

It offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but criss-crossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. Mammals recorded include the endangered mountain gorilla, rare golden monkey, buffalo, elephant, black-fronted duiker, bushbuck, leopard, giant forest log and others. This park is best known for the fascinating gorillas. The time taken and the terrain vary according to the movements of these marvelous primates. The thrill of spending time and observing the gorillas is a rare, moving, awesome and exciting adventure. The gorilla is a shy and peaceful animal and it is unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they interact.

Overnight Buhoma Bandas / Engagi Lodge / Buhoma Lodge

Day 9: Lake Mburo National Park

After an early breakfast, you will and drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Enjoy the boat ride on Lake Mburo and get quite close to crocs and hippos. This is the only park where you are not entirely imprisoned in a vehicle. Rather refreshing!!

Birdwatchers will enjoy the more than 250 species of birds found in Lake Mburo including Papyrus Gonolek, Brown faced Lapwing. Carruther's Cisticola, the extraordinary White winged Warbler and Bare-Faced-Go- Away bird. Evening game drive along the Lakeshore track. With its own system of game trails and cleared walkways the "Kigambara Loop" offers interesting guided lakeside walks. Find here herds of zebra, Cape buffalo and eland. Oribi and topi are easily approached.  

Overnight Rwonyo Rest Camp / Lake Mburo Tented Camp / Mihingo Safari Lodge

Day 10: Kampala

After breakfast, proceed for a game drive or a safari walk under the escort of an armed ranger. The Kopjes are particularly interesting and camouflage kilpspringers and topis. Due to cattle herding in the area it is amusing to see zebra grazing alongside the long horned Ankore Cattle peaceably. Return for lunch which should be taken leisurely enjoying the view of the lakes in this park.

After lunch, drive back to Kampala stopping at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers en route where you will able to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through generations. There will also be time to stop at the equator for photographs. You arrive Kampala in the early evening.

Included :

All tour highlights

Ground transportation in a exclusive 4x4 safari vehicle

Services of an experienced English speaking driver / guide

Bottled water through the safari

01 Gorilla permit per person

Park fees

Meals as indicated

Activities and accommodations as mentioned in the itinerary.

Excluded :

Airfare to and from Uganda

Visa to and from Uganda

Airport tax

Travel / Medical / Baggage insurance

Airport transfers

First and last night's accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe

All beverages [both alcoholic and non alcoholic]

Any activity, meal or accommodation NOT mentioned in the itinerary

Tips

Telephone bills

Souvenirs, items of a personal nature

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