Highlights: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria, visiting the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda or Parc National des Volcans Gorilla Sanctuary,Rwanda. Detailed itinerary
About Uganda
• Area: 236,040 sq km²
• Capital: Kampala
• Currency: Ugandan Shilling
• Climate: Uganda is tropical, but the heat is tempered by its altitude. The rains tend to fall between March and May, and between November and December, with April being the wettest month. The periods between December and February, and June and August are dryer. The northeast part of Uganda is semi-arid, with only two distinct winter and summer seasons, rather than four seasons.
• People: Baganda 17%, Ankole 8%, Basoga 8%, Iteso 8%, Bakiga 7%, Langi 6%, Rwanda 6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Batoro 3%, Bunyoro 3%, Alur 2%, Bagwere 2%, Bakonjo 2%, Jopodhola 2%, Karamojong 2%, Rundi 2%, other 9%
• Official language: English
• Time: GMT + 3
Landlocked in East Africa, Uganda shares its borders with Sudan (to the north), Kenya (to the east), the Democratic Republic of Congo (to the west), and Tanzania and Rwanda (to the south). Home to several national parks and protected nature areas, Uganda has several natural resources and offers unique beauty and bio diversity. Visitors come to Uganda to experience its incredible African game, the amazing primates, tropical rainforests, bustling cities, adventure tours, birding, biking, and hiking Africa’s tallest mountain range.
Best Game Viewing Months: Game viewing is generally better in the dry seasons. The peak safari time is in the dry winter months because the game concentrates around the available sources of water. These months include June through to October, and December to February.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to about half the 700 remaining mountain gorillas in the wild. Join us as we trek into the mountains of Uganda in search of the magnificent mountain gorillas. We'll track a family group from their last known location and spend an hour amongst them in their natural habitat. But this experience is more than gorillas... their home is studded with breathtaking waterfalls and a wide variety of other, if somewhat less dramatic African flora and fauna. We'll have opportunities for great bird spotting and a thrilling game drive and a cruise where we may encounter lions, hippos, elephants and buffalo.
Join our 6 day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari
Permits for either one or two treks will be issued. If trekking only once, the other day will be used for a forest walk or cultural/village visit. Searching for the gorillas is an unforgettable experience, and the beauty of the jungle and mountain scenery are amazing. Included is an excursion to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria where orphaned chimpanzees have been relocated. Viewing of these chimpanzees is excellent, offering good photographic opportunities. By visiting Ngamba Island, you are directly assisting the funding of this worthy project.
ITINERARY:
Day 1
Arrive Entebbe International Airport, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Lake Victoria Hotel, Entebbe. Bed and Breakfast only included. Depending on your arrival time, a half-day trip to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Reserve on Lake Victoria has been arranged for this afternoon. [B]
Day 2
We strongly recommend you FLY from Entebbe to Bwindi or Kisoro today, it's just under two hours by air and is most scenic (additional cost). Alternatively, we will depart after an early breakfast to to the west of Uganda, along mountain roads to either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda gorilla sanctuary - depending on where permits are held. Overnight in en suite chalet/lodge accommodation, all meals included. It will be a fairly long day in the vehicle, passing some interesting scenery, farmland and lush green hillsides. Lunch en route. [BLD]
Day 3
An early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers will bring you amongst a family of Mountain Gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare, only approximately 650 remaining. You will get within meters of the family, and be privileged to spend time amongst them. Returning to the camp for a late lunch, we have an opportunity for forest walks with the guides, or just to relax. Overnight lodge or camp. The trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to six hours or longer is not uncommon - at relatively high altitude. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals, as such sightings cannot be guaranteed, however the success rate is well over 90%. [BLD]
Day 4
Today, those who have opted for two gorilla treks, will set off once again into the forest in search of one of the gorilla families. Those persons not trekking will be able to go on a forest walk in Bwindi looking for birds and primates with a local knowledgeable guide, or go on a local community village walk (Bwindi or Rwanda). This has been included in your tour. Relax for the afternoon at your camp, or possibly go and do some curio shopping along the road, or visit a local village where you may be treated to some dancing etc. Overnight Bwindi / Rwanda all meals included. [BLD]
Day 5
The road to Kabale takes you into the Uganda Highlands - the Switzerland of Africa - with great views and vistas of this lush green area. From here we continue, heading towards Kampala on good tarmac roads to Lake Mburo National park. This small park offers a great variety of game. Here you may go on a walk with a local guide, or on game drives exploring this park. [BLD]
Day 6
Return to Entebbe, stopping en route to shop for curios and at the Royal Drum makers at Mpigi if desired. You will be back in Entebbe mid afternoon, in time for an early evening flight out. [B]
TOUR COST: on request
Please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with the details.
Group Size:Minimum 2 people
Type of Safari: Adventure Trekking Safari
Accommodation: Combination of good quality lodges and hotels or camps
Includes
A combination of good quality lodges and hotels or camps are used throughout, transfers and park fees per itinerary below, Ngamba island chimpanzee reserve. All meals on safari are provided as per itinerary, bed & breakfast only in Entebbe.
Meal Key B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner
Excludes
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary, passport and travel visa fees, medical or travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature, such as beverages, laundry, telephone calls, gratuities, etc.
Gorilla & Chimp tracking permits extra. Gorilla Permits:USD 500.00 per person per trek.
Tailor-Made Travel: We can tailor-make a private safari to meet your departure date, time period, group size and budget.
