9 Days /8 Nights
Day 1:
Meet and Greet at Entebbe International
Airport and transfer to your hotel discretion
in Kampala. This drive will take approximately
45 minutes.
Dinner and overnight in Kampala.
Day 2
A
magnificent verdant swathe across the steep
ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, this ancient
rainforest - one of the few in Africa to have
flourished throughout the last Ice Age - is
home to approximately two thirds of the world’s
endangered mountain Gorillas and the safest
place to track these magnificent giants. Looking
deep into the expressive brown eyes of these
gentle giants is surely the most exciting and
poignant wildlife encounter that Africa has
to offer. In addition to Gorillas, Bwindi has
a broad biodiversity of plant and animal life,
a result of its immense antiquity with an altitude
spanning from 1,160m to 2,607m above sea level.
The national park has 90 mammal species, including
11 primates, of which the black-and-white colobus
monkey, with its lovely flowing white tail,
is prominent. The forest birding ranks with
the best in Uganda, with 23 highly localized
Albertine Rift endemics present. Gorilla tracking
is the most popular activity in Bwindi, with
four Gorilla groups. Located in south-western
Uganda, at the junction of the plain and mountain
forests, Bwindi National Park covers 32,000
hectares and is known for its exceptional biodiversity,
with more than 160 species of trees and over
100 species of ferns. Many types of birds and
butterflies can also be found there, as well
as many endangered species, including the mountain
Gorilla.
The vegetation, as the park's name implies,
is composed of tropical rainforest with dense
undergrowth. The rugged terrain hills make hiking
in search of Gorilla strenuous work. Visitors
who trek should be prepared for up to 8 hours
of hiking. Good physical condition is required.
Along with the Gorillas, some of the other
species of primates include chimpanzee, blue
monkey, red tail monkey, L'hoest's monkey,
black and white colobus, potto, Demidoff's
and needle-clawed galago.
Three hundred forty-seven (347) species of
birds have been recorded in Bwindi; seven
species are listed
as endangered. Species of particular interest
include the Kivu ground thrush, white-bellied
robin chat, red-throated alethe, collared
apallis, short-tailed warbler, yellow-eyed
black flycatcher, Rwenzori batis, blue-headed
sunbird, strange weaver and the Shelley's
crimson wing. Over 200 species of butterflies
have also been recorded here.
Meet and Greet at your accommodation at 0700hrs.
An early morning departure starts from Kampala
and takes you south-west and across to the
Equator (approximately 45 minutes drive).
You will have a stop over for an experience
of the dramatic water flow experiments and
photographing for about 30 minutes. Then proceed
on a 3 hours drive to Mbarara town for Lunch
at a selected Restaurant. Drive through to
Bwindi which will take 4 hours to arrive at
Buhoma Homestead. As you travel to Bwindi
Impenetrable Forest National Park, the journey
takes you through the savannah grasslands
and enables you to have a glance at the banana
plantations and herds of Ankole cattle with
their incredibly long curving horns. You then
ascend into the Kigezi highlands, known as
the "Switzerland of Africa", with
terraced farming, numerous crater lakes, and
beautiful mountain scenery. Arrive and check
in at Buhoma home stead.
Buhoma homestead is a small, beautiful lodge
situated less than five minutes walk away
from the National Park offices in Buhoma,
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home of the mountain
Gorilla in Uganda. It offers en suite accommodation
in traditionally built cottage units with
individual verandas allowing excellent views
towards the pristine tropical rain forest.
Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Homestead.
Day 3:
Early
morning entry into the Gorilla sanctuary after
break fast. This rain forest is spectacular.
It offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape
and is incredibly dense, criss-crossed by
numerous animal trails by which access to
the wild game is made easier. Mammals include
the endangered mountain Gorillas, rare golden
monkey, buffalo, elephant, black-fronted duiker,
bushbuck, leopard, giant forest hog etc.
This park is best known for the fascinating
Gorillas. The time taken and the terrain vary
according to the movements of these marvellous
primates. The thrill of observing the Gorillas
is a rare, moving, exciting adventure. The
Gorilla is a shy and peaceful animal.
Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Homestead.
Day 4:
Proceed
to Queen Elizabeth National Park (140km) through
Ishasha following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain
range for much of the journey. From open savannah
to rainforest, from dense papyrus swamps and
brooding crater lakes to the vastness of Lake
Edward, it is little wonder that QENP boasts
one of the highest biodiversity ratings of
any game reserve in the world.
Almost 100 mammal species and a remarkable
606 bird species makes this a superb safari
territory, with elephant, a profusion of hippos,
the elusive giant forest hog and handsome
Uganda kob all regularly sighted around the
tourist village on the Mweya Peninsula - which
also boasts a marvellous waterfront setting
in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains. The
melting glacier waters of the mountains create
a vast wetlands system comprising of two main
lakes, George and Edward, as well as the connecting
Kazinga channel. Thousands of hippos populate
the lake shores. Open savannah dotted with
acacia and Euphorbia trees provide habitant
primates. The park boasts of more bird species
than any other park in Africa.
Check in and Lunch at Jacana Safari lodge.
Set
on the edge on one of Uganda’s largest
crater lakes, this tree house lodge is set
on the out skirts of the forest, peacefully
at one with nature. The delicate use of rock,
poles, wood, rope, organic furniture and rich
textures blend perfectly with the smells,
sights and sounds of the natural environment.
After lunch, 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. 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.
Dinner and overnight at Jacana Safari
Lodge.
Day 5:
A
game drive 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.
The park has over 200 km of well-maintained
tracks that give visitors access to the park’s
game. Game drives in this park, with the massive
Rwenzoris as a backdrop provide excellent
opportunities to see the lion, leopard, giant
forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephants, defassa
waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi and bushbuck.
These two game drives and the boat trip (taken
prior) are memorable methods of discovering
a vast array of wildlife.
Dinner and overnight at Jacana Safari
Lodge.
Day 6:
Drive 2 hours north of Queen Elizabeth national
Park to Kabarole district. You may have a
stop-over at the Karambi Tombs. These are
the burial grounds for the Kings of Toro Kingdom
about 10 miles before approaching Fort Portal
town. You will be entertained by the Batoro
cultural dancers.
Fort
Portal town lies in the shadow of the fabled
“Mountains of the Moon”. Enjoy
the spectacular landscape en route, from rolling
hills to the green beautifully looking tea
plantations.
Continue your journey approximately 25 km
south of Fort portal to Ndali Lodge. Ndali
is a thatched lodge with spacious sitting
room, reception and dinning room flanked by
8 cottages providing luxurious accommodation
for 16 guests. The cottages face west to offer
a panoramic view to the spectacular 'Mountains
of the Moon', are well designed and built
of local stone and thatch. The interior décor
is comfortably furnished emphasising the use
of local materials. Each cottage, large enough
to accommodate a family, has en-suite facilities
with bath, shower, WC and hand basin as well
as a private veranda, perfect for watching
the sun setting behind the snow-capped peaks
of the Rwenzori Mountains which are plainly
visible on a clear day.
In the afternoon visit to Bigodi wetland
sanctuary found in Kibale National Park (20km
from Fort Portal). With lush tropical rainforest
and a fascinating diversity of animals. Kibale
National Park is one of the most beautiful
and stunning forests in Uganda.
The forest has one of the highest diversity
and density of primates in Africa totalling
13 species including over 1,500 chimpanzees,
the rare L’ Hoest monkey, the threatened
red colobus monkey, the black and white colobus
monkey, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey,
red tailed monkey, bush babies and pottos.
Highlights are finding the rare red colobus
monkey & the sitatunga. Bird lovers will
not be disappointed with splendid forest-fringe
and swamp species easily located by the highly
experienced bird guides. Return to the lodge
and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Dinner & overnight at Ndali Lodge.
Day 7:
The
search for chimpanzees. These delightful apes,
more closely related to humans than to any
other living creature, are tremendous fun
to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting
trees. Look out for other primates as well.
The guide will provide detailed explanations,
on primates, the forest fauna and flora. A
network of shady forest trails provides much
to delight botanists and butterfly lovers,
while birders are in for a treat with 335
species recorded including the endemic Prirogrine's
ground thrush. The elusive forest elephant,
smaller and more hairy than its savannah counterpart,
moves seasonally into the developed part of
the park, while other terrestrial mammals
include buffalo, giant forest hog and a half
dozen antelope species. The walk is both informative
and enjoyable.
Dinner and overnight at Ndali Lodge.
Day 8:
After Breakfast, we will take a brief forest
nature walk before we leave for our return
journey, driving through Mubende to Kampala.
This 360 km journey will take 5 hours reaching
Kampala at your hotel in the early evening.
Dinner and overnight at your Hotel.
Day 9
Transfer to the Entebbe on time for your departure
flight.
END OF SERVICE
Book and pay at least a month in advance
for a discount!
Package Cost Includes:-
Transport plus Fuel in a Four Wheel Drive
Vehicle
English speaking Driver / Tour Guide
Accommodation in Ndali Lodge, Jacana Safari
Lodge and Buhoma Homestead on Full Board Basis
All Park Entry Fees
Launch/Boat Trip in Queen Elizabeth National
Park
Chimpanzee tracking fee
Package Cost Excludes:-
Gorilla Permits (USD 500 per person)
Tips and gratuities
Drinks and beverages
Other Services not mentioned above
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