9 DAYS / 8 Nights Uganda Primates – Lions and so much more (mid-range)
Primates and wildlife in Uganda combined with Ngamba Island sanctuary which is the great work of Jane Goodall institute for the protection and conservation of chimpanzees. The tour continues westwards towards Kibale Forest national park where the powerful encounter with the chimps in their nature habitat may leave you asking for more. The journey continues to Queen Elizabeth national park and through Ishasha region famed for the tree climbing lions before you encounter the mountain gorillas.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Entebbe for overnight
Upon you arrival through Entebbe International airport, you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your overnight hotel in Entebbe in BB.
Accommodation option: Cape Diem Guest House (subject to room availability at time of booking).
Meal plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 2: Transfer to Nganba Island for chimpanzee tour
This morning after breakfast, take the 45 minute boat trip to Ngamba Island, the home to the orphaned chimpanzees living in the protected sanctuary. On arrival, the duty caretakers will take you around the chimp home and brief you about the history of the sanctuary and how and why the chimps were transferred to this island. You will be in time for the feeding session as this gives a chance for visitors to interact with the chimpanzees. Standing on the visitor platform, you’ll also notice their unique behavior and then take pictures of them. Return to your Entebbe accommodation.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Entebbe and transfer to kibale forest national park
After breakfast, drive south west of Uganda to the town of Fort Portal and then proceed to Kibale Forest National Park. Lunch en-route. Arrive at Kibale forest in the evening and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.
Accommodation Options: Kibale Forest Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner.
Drive time: 6 - 7 hours.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trek in Kibale Forest National Park
After an early breakfast, you’ll have briefing session by the park officials and later set off to the rainforest on the chimpanzee tracking adventures. Return to the lodge for lunch and in the evening, we organize the Bigodi swamp walk. Bigodi Swamp is popular with many swamp endemic birds like pelicans, herons, collared apallis, bee-eater, Narina trogon, black capped apallis, yellow spotted nicator, blue headed sunbird, woodland warbler and more. The swamp is also a major livelihood for the local community through tourism and crafts.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight as night before.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive to Queen Elizabeth national park, one of the largest parks and home to several species of mammals. Lunch and arrive in time for an evening game drive in the savannah with sights of Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, hyenas, stripped jackals, Hippopotamus, Kobs, Warthog and a variety of primates like Chimpanzee, olive baboon, red-tailed and vervet monkeys in the forests. Dinner and overnight at accommodation of your choice
Accommodation options: Enganzi Lodge /Ihamba Safari Lodge (subject to room availability at time of booking)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Drive time: 4 - 5 hours.
Day 6: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat cruise in the park
After breakfast, drive towards Kasenyi and visit the crater lakes, Edwards and George which has been popularly marked as the mating ground for several antelopes, particularly for the Uganda kob. You maybe be lucky to also sight more wildlife that may include lions, buffaloes, elephants, and other animals. Head back to your lodge for lunch and then proceed on an afternoon launch cruise on the Kazinga channel. Enjoy the rays of the setting sun on the launch cruise as you return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight as night before.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Transfer to bwindi forest via the ishasha sector
Take an early breakfast and then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable forest park through Ishasha sector the area famed for the tree climbing lions. Have a short game drive, lunch and then proceed to Bwindi via the lush green countryside. Reach Bwindi by the evening and check into your lodge for overnight and dinner.
Accommodation options: Silverback lodge/ Nkuringo Gorilla Camp / Chameleon Hill lodge (subject to room availability and gorilla permit allocation at time of booking)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drive time: 5 - 6 hours.
Day 8: Gorilla Safari in Bwindi Forest
After an early breakfast, head to the ranger station for briefing and by mid-morning, start your gorilla trekking expedition in the lush forest vegetation of Bwindi national park. It is quite strenuous and requires fitness through the long hours of anticipated gorilla tracking, sometimes taking 2-7 hours of trekking. Other sights on the trails may include monkeys, birds and several butterflies. Spend utmost one hour with the gorillas and then retire to your lodge happy to have made the trip. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight as night before.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Day 9: Transfer from Bwindi Forest back to Entebbe
This morning after your breakfast, start the long journey back to Kampala with stops at the equator point and lunch. Reach Kampala in the early evening and transfer to the airport for your flights. This day is reserved for late evening or night flights.
Meal plan: Breakfast and Lunch
End of Safari
