Adventure Safari in Uganda

Upon arrival at the Entebbe International Airport you will be picked by our driver guide. Having passed immigration and luggage collection please exit the arrival hall and look out for our company driver who will be holding up a signboard with your name. He may take you to a nearby hotel to freshen up before you start on your drive to Western Uganda to Lake Mburo National park.

Lake Mburo National Park is located between Kampala and Bwindi National Park, making it a great location for a stopover on your way to the gorilla trek. It extends over 260 km2 and its altitude ranges from 1220 to 1800 meters above sea level. There are several large lakes in the park which are fed by the Rwizi River with Lake Mburo being the largest of them. The park mainly consists of open savannah and acacia woodland while papyrus swamps line the verges of the lakes. The park offers a harbor for some of the rarer species of Uganda such as impalas and zebras. There are several antelope species, hyenas, buffalos, leopards, jackals, wild pigs, hippos and around 300 species of birds to be seen in the park.

Bird viewing opportunities are excellent - for birders, this is one of the best places to find African fin foot, papyrus bush shrike.

Arrive in time for lunch. In the late afternoon, go for a game drive to view the bird life and wild animals. Return to the late evening.

Dinner and overnight, Eagles nest safari tents.FB.

Wake up early and go for a guided nature walk at 0700. Return to lodge for breakfast at 0900. At 1030 depart the lodge for Bwindi Impenetrable national Park. You will carry a packed lunch to have at stop at Kabale town.

Bwindi Rainforest Park said is said to be 25.000 years old, with altitude range 1200 - 2600 meters, with five rivers and a high annual rainfall make it rather humid. Besides its mayor attraction, the mountain gorillas (gorilla berengeri) the National Park is also home to an amazing 120 mammal species, 350 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies and over 200 species of trees. Arrive at the park late evening.

Dinner and overnight, Rushaga Gorilla camp (cabins) FB

Wake up very early to a good breakfast to give you the energy needed for your gorilla trek. At 0730, report to the ranger station for registration and briefing. At 0800, together with the ranger guides and porters, you head for the forest to start on our adventure. The Ranger guides will guide through the bush pushing your way through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track the gorillas. The trek can take from half an hour to 7 hours – a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes.

Once you are close to the group the guides will ask you to leave behind your bags as no food items should be carried close to the gorillas. Just take your cameras with you as you are about to meet the gentle giants!

Stand still in the forest and watch the gorillas, listening to them grumble to each other and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male; the silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas – sadly enough there are only about 950 of these beautiful creatures left. You are allowed exactly one hour with the gorillas before returning to the base station.

Please note: please listen to the instructions of the local rangers at all times. It is forbidden to approach the gorillas closer than 5 meters, to feed them or to use flash photography. Likewise for your and their safety! You will be accompanied by armed guards which guarantee your safety in an area where wild buffaloes are sighted. While walking, please feel free to ask guides to slow down if they are going too fast and if you need a rest. There is the additional option to hire porters on site.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority does not allow a trekking when you are sick as gorillas are very susceptible of human diseases. Should you feel sick the day of the trek we urgently advise you to abide this rule. In order to receive a 50% refund of the permit cost you MUST get a doctor’s report that day (please ask your guide to arrange this for you).

We must also stress that, while you have a very good chance of seeing gorillas, success is NOT guaranteed. They are wild creatures with no fixed routine and finding them requires the skills and experience of your tracker sand guides, as well as luck. The trackers and guides have helped to habituate the gorilla groups and know them intimately. They will take you to the area where they left the gorillas the day before from there you track to the day’s position. When you find them, you will spend one hour in their presence.

Return to the lodge to relax and reflect on your experience and sharing pictures.

Dinner and overnight, Rushaga Gorilla camp (cabins) FB.

After breakfast at 0900 depart the lodge and head to Queen Elizabeth national park.

Queen Elizabeth Park is well known for its diverse eco system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters

The north and southern sector of the park wild life includes: lions, elephants, buffalo, topi, water bucks and much more.

Take a short game drive in the park as you head for your accommodation.

Dinner and overnight, Bush Lodge .FB.

This morning after an early breakfast at 06.00 am go for game drive. The park has excellent game viewing opportunities for buffalo, elephants, kob, topi and other species of antelope. Return to the lodge for an early.

In the afternoon drive to the Mweya Peninsular for a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel which connects Lake George and Edward. This will allow you to experience wildlife up close where hippos huff and spray mere feet away, buffalo linger in the shallows and a tremendous variety of birds grace the grasses on the river’s edge. Amongst those you will see are the malachite and pied kingfishers, great white and pink-backed pelicans and the open-billed stork. With some luck you will even spot elephants on the river banks coming for a drink and a bath. Return to the lodge early evening.

Dinner and overnight, Bush lodge.FB.

After breakfast at 0800hrs and armed with your packed lunch head further west to Kibale Forest National park. Enjoy the scenery against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountain range. You will spot some animals on the way as you drive out of the Queen Elizabeth Park. Drive to the park by 1300hrs. At 1400 hrs. after briefing , head for the forest to start the chimpanzee tracking adventure.

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. A network of shady forest paths in light terrain provides much joy to nature lovers and especially botanists and birders are in for a special treat.

You must obey the instructions of the local rangers at all times. It is forbidden to approach the chimpanzees closer than 5 meters, to feed them or to use flash photography. You are allowed exactly one hour with the chimpanzees before returning to the base station.

Later drive to our accommodation.

Dinner and Overnight, Kibale forest camp.

Kibale Tropical rainforest in addition to primates has a network of shady forest trails provides much delight to 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 hairier that 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.

Optional

This morning you may visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary at $ 25 each. A guided 4.5 km circular trail through this small sanctuary is a must for birders.

Or, visit the community to experience their life style at same cost

At 1100, head for Entebbe international airport, Arrive in time for check in for your home bound flight.