8 Days Great Apes of Uganda Safari
For this tour package, a traveller is exposed and availed with what “The Pearl of Africa” is endowed with, when it comes to primates. The trip commences with a day trip to Ngamba island intentionally for chimpanzee tracking, it proceeds to Budongo forest which inhabits over 400 Chimpanzees where you will get mesmerized by the giggles of the jungle, watch their different modes of communication, swing over the tree branches and how they look out for survival. Kibale Forest has the most significant number of primates in Africa. Thirteen species in all, including the blue monkeys, red, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons and a great number of chimpanzees. The forest walk rewards a high possibility of watching and listening to sounds of chimps and several other primates playing in and around the forest. In addition to that, Queen Elizabeth additionally rewards another spectacular Apes trip in the tranquil Kyambura gorge. Far in the South of Bwindi go for gorilla tracking on foot and watch more primates and wind up your African Apes trip.
Day 1: Arrival to Entebbe and transfer to your chosen Accommodation
On entrance into Uganda via Entebbe International Airport you will be ushered in by our representative and transferred for a nutritious dinner and overnight at Protea hotel or 2 Friends Beach Hotel Entebbe or Pineapple Guest House or Lake Victoria hotel or Alison or Dave’s Guest House.
Day 2: Day Adventure to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Having been served with a healthy breakfast, board the boat to Ngamba Island for a day tour. Ngamba Island is located 23 km offshore from Entebbe. In 1998 it turned into Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary spearheaded by Jane Goodall Foundation with the sense of providing a safe haven for orphaned chimpanzees that had been rescued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority from traders/poachers, without an opportunity of survival back to the former wild. The day tour grants you with opportunities of viewing the island’s scenic beauty and the feeding trends, modes/styles of the chimpanzees. Alternatively, if you would like to take the care giver chimpanzee experience, you will be incumbent upon you to spend a leisurely night in the eco-lodge. This is offered with an optional supplement. In the middle of the day you head to Kampala, for a delectable dinner and overnight at Protea Hotel or 2 Friends Beach Hotel Entebbe or Pineapple Guest House or Lake Victoria hotel or Alison or Dave’s Guest House.
Day 3: Transfer from Kampala to Budongo Forest
After a delicious breakfast, your adventure is continued by driving northwest to Budongo Forest in Masindi district. You will stop over for a memorable African lunch at Kabalega Diner, your journey progresses to Budongo Forest in Kaniyo-Pabidi, the Eco-tourist site where there is a possibility of arranging chimpanzee trekking activities. A serene overnight and dinner in Budongo Eco-Lodge or Naju Homestay or Murchison Backpackers Hostel or Iado Hotel Masindi or Masindi Hotel or Masindi Kolping Hotel. Full Board
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest-Kibale Forest National Park
After an aromatic and nutritious breakfast, get into Budongo forest for the chimpanzee trekking. It’s presumed that Budongo inhabits over 1000 chimpanzees and a series of several primates, like baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkey, grey checked mangabey, vervet monkey and so many more. With completion of a healthy lunch at Budongo, head to Kibale forest national park which is famous as the cardinal primate centre of the world. Sign in at your preferred accommodation in the evening. A nutritious dinner and overnight at Mountains of the Moon Hotel or Tembo Safari Lodge or Primate Lodge or Hippo Hill Camp or Kibale safari lodge or Chimpanzee guest house or Chimp’s nest.
Day 5: Kibale Forest for primates and chimpanzee tracking-Queen Elizabeth National Park
After a flavorous breakfast, organize for the nature walk in Kibale National Park for adventuring the magnificent tropical rain forest/ equatorial forest, birding and most interestingly to encounter the chimpanzees in their natural environment. Kibale national park with its 296 sq. miles of tropical rain forest contains the most significant number of primate density in the whole world with a total of over 70 mammal varieties, most profoundly 13 species of primates comprising over 1000 chimpanzees and other primates. Amongst the various species which you would glance at include; vervet, grey checked mangabey, black and white colobus, red tailed monkey, olive baboon. For birders, over 300 species of birds are can be viewed amongst these are; Green-breasted Pitta, African Emerald Cuckoo ,Owl, Black-billed Turaco, Black Capped Waxbill African Black- headed Oriole and so many others.
Late in the day, progress to Queen Elizabeth National Park, which lies between Lake Edward on the west, Lake Albert on the East and Mountain Rwenzori ( Mountains of the Moon) in the North. Enjoy an amazing game drive as you get into the park. Overnight and dinner at Mweya Lodge or Park view safari lodge or Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge or Mountains of the Moon Hotel or Tembo Safari Lodge or Primate Lodge or Hippo Hill Camp or Kibale safari lodge or Chimpanzee guest house.
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest
From a tasty and healthy breakfast, drive to Kyambura Canyon, a deep forested gorge along river Kyambura within Queen Elizabeth National Park. This place deserves to be visited for its magnificence and, if you are courageous to descend the gorge for a nature walk, you might experience the amazing chimpanzees. Kyambura has a population of about 50 chimpanzees. Have a flavorous lunch at your preferred lodge and in thereafter progress to Bwindi National Park, where you find the tropical rain forests which are the natural habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas. You will reach an altitude of up to 2300 m above sea level. A serene overnight and dinner at Gorilla safari lodge or Nkuringo Gorilla lodge or Trackers Safari Lodge or Buhoma Community Rest Camp or Bwindi Guest House or Chameleon Hill Lodge or Gorilla Resort.
Note: Currently transfer varies, this is in accordance to the location of the gorilla permits and road worthiness.
Day 7: Mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Having done with an early morning aromatic breakfast, you will enter the tropical rain forest of Bwindi for the gorilla expedition. This interesting activity commences at about 8am where you will move with the ranger guides in a group of not more than 8 people as you look out for the habituated family of mountain gorillas, which was assigned according to the permits. Uganda is home to more than half the world’s 1004 or more mountain gorillas as of May 2018 and Bwindi National Park houses a remarkable number of mountain gorillas. It is unpredictable the time you will consume to encounter the gorillas. You will spend a wonderful and joyful full hour with these humble people loving mammals which will mesmerize you greatly, while taking great pictures that will aid you for a great memorable experience. Make it a point to have a backup lunch meal (packed lunch and water) with you in the bag, in case support is needed shall be accorded. In the evening, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, for a magnificent and spectacular scenery, for an overnight and dinner a Gorilla safari lodge or Nkuringo Safari Lodge or Trackers Safari Lodge or Buhoma Community Rest Camp or Bwindi Guest House or Chameleon Hill Lodge or Gorilla Resort
Day 8:Transfer from Bwindi to Kampala via Mbarara
After a morning healthy breakfast, return back to Kampala with a tasty lunch in transit in Mbarara city at Igongo cultural centre or . In the evening transfer to Entebbe International Airport or, alternatively with supplement, you may enjoy a night in Entebbe and depart the following day.
Day 9: Reserved for your departure.
This Trip is inclusive of;
Accommodation, Park Entrance fees, Ground Transport with 4×4 wheel drive vehicles, transportation in 4 wheel tourist vehicles with internet access on board that makes you stay in touch with family, relatives and friends, Fuel, Guide fees, Gorilla and chimpanzee permits, Meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner), Mineral drinking water and all activities in the park.
Excluded are:
Tips and beverages, flight tickets and anything of personal Nature