Uganda: 8 Day Exploration of Ape trekking and gem Safari

This is a safari specially designed for primate lovers. Your trip will take you to some of the most pristine natural environments in search of chimpanzees, mountain gorillas and other gem species that make Uganda a special destination.
This is a safari specially designed for primate lovers. Your trip will take you to some of the most pristine natural environments in search of chimpanzees, mountain gorillas and other gem species that make Uganda a special destination.


DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN UGANDA

Your Mahanda Africa Safaris guide will pick you up from Entebbe airport (or other specified pickup point) and transfer you to Protea Hotel in Entebbe, only a 10-minute drive from the airport.
Depending on the time of your arrival, you might have time to explore Entebbe town. There are many options in Entebbe and a tour can easily be organized at an extra cost. For example, you could visit the Botanical gardens or the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC).


Key Facts
Journey Time: 10 minutes (approximate)
Accommodation: Protea Hotel by Marriot (Mid-range hotel set right on the shores of Lake Victoria and only 1km from Entebbe Airport)
Meal Plan: Breakfast

DAY 2: TRANSFER TO KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Today, after an early morning breakfast, and a briefing from your guide, you will leave Entebbe town heading westwards to KibaleForest National Park, home to the highest population of chimpanzees in Uganda. It will be a full day’s road trip driving through Uganda's scenic countryside with a stopover for lunch and refreshments . You will arrive late in the evening, and check in to the Kibale Forest camp, where you will spend the night.

Key Facts
Journey Time: 6 hours (approximate)
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp (Kibale Forest Camp Mid-range, beautifully furnished guest house located just outside Kibale Forest National Park)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 3: CHIMPS TREKKING IN KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Today, you will be woken up by the sounds of the jungle, and served an early morning breakfast. Your guide will transfer you to the trekking start point, where you will be briefed about the day's trekking activity. And then your primate adventure begins! Your morning will be spent trekking through the jungle in search of our closest relatives, the chimpanzees. Trekking is a great way to get close to the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. You will also have many great photo opportunities for sure. When your adventure with the chimps is over your guide will drive you back to the lodge.

In the afternoon after your lunch, you can choose whether you would like to go for a Community walking tour or go deeper into the forest on a Swamp Walk in the Bigodi Wetland. The Bigodi wetland is home to 8 primate species, over 200 bird species, butterflies and various reptiles. In the evening, you will return to the Lodge/Camp for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.

Key Facts
Journey Time: N/A
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp (Kibale Forest Camp Mid-range, beautifully furnished guest house located just outside Kibale Forest National Park)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 4: TRANSFER TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK AND AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE

Today, after an early morning breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and head out for a brief morning tour where you will enjoy the magnificent view of Lake Nyabikere, one of several crater lakes in the Ndali Kasenda area of Kabarole district in Western Uganda. These stunningly beautiful crater lakes, cradled in vegetation and gentle hills, are a must see for any visitor to this area.
After lunch, you will head toward the iconic Queen Elizabeth National Park and should arrive just in time for an evening game drive to preview some of the park’s abundant wildlife. You will then check in to your lodge for a night of comfort at Kazinga Wilderness camp.


Key Facts
Journey Time: 1-2 Hours
Accommodation: Kazinga wilderness camp (mid-range located at Queen Elizabeth Park, Katunguru Bridge, near the magical Kazinga channel, 1km off Kasese-Mbarara road, Western Uganda. The lodge has both standard and deluxe cottages)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Game drive and Boat cruise

Today, after an early morning breakfast, you will set just before dawn for a game drive in the Northern part of the park on the Kasenyi Track. Queen Elizabeth National park is home to some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife including lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, buffaloes, and so many more! You and your guide will spend the morning spotting these amazing animals and enjoying the vast and sprawling savannah grasslands that make this park so awesome!

In the afternoon, you will return to the lodge for lunch, after which you will head out for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a 32km natural water channel that links two freshwater lakes, Lake Edward and Lake George. On this exciting 2 hour boat cruise, you will be able to spot a vast array of wildlife including hippos, buffalo, waterbucks, and elephants as they rest along the banks for the channel. At the end of this eventful day, you will retire to the Kazinga Wilderness Camp for a relaxing evening and a sumptuous dinner.


Key Facts
Journey Time: N/A
Accommodation: Kazinga Wilderness Camp (mid range located at Queen Elizabeth Park, Katunguru Bridge, near the magical Kazinga channel, 1km off Kasese-Mbarara road, Western Uganda. The lodge has both standard and deluxe cottages)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 6 TREE-CLIMBING LIONS IN ISHASHA AND TRANSFER TO BWINDI

Today, after an early morning breakfast, you and your guide will head off for a game drive on the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive there runs along a path teeming with wildlife like baboons and elephants, buffaloes etc. If you are lucky, you will be able to spot the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha which are famous for their tree climbing skills and their knack for resting in the tree branches.
After your game-drive, your guide will drive you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where you will reside at the Gorilla Mist Camp for the evening.

Key Facts
Journey Time: 1 hour 30 mins(approximate)
Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp (Mid-range African safari lodge with landscaped gardens, breathtaking views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Virunga Mountains)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 GORILLA TREKKING

Today, after an early morning breakfast, you and your guide will head off for a game drive on the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive there runs along a path teeming with wildlife like baboons and elephants, buffaloes etc. If you are lucky, you will be able to spot the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha which are famous for their tree climbing skills and their knack for resting in the tree branches. Gorilla Trekking can last anywhere from 1 to 6 hours and therefore requires a decent level of fitness. After your game-drive, your guide will drive you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where you will reside at the Gorilla Mist Camp for the evening.

Key Facts
Journey Time: None (approximate)
Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp (Mid-range African safari lodge with landscaped gardens, breathtaking views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Virunga Mountains)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 8: TRANSFER TO KAMPALA

Today, after breakfast, you will embark on the journey back to Kampala/Entebbe. You will have a stopover for lunch at the Equator where you can also take some photos and buy some souvenirs. Afterwards, you will proceed to Entebbe airport ready to catch your flight home. If you need to spend an extra night in Entebbe, we will be happy to arrange this for you.

Key Facts
Journey Time: 6 hours (approximate)
Accommodation: Not Applicable
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.