Gorillas, Chimps, & Game Safari

Arrive Entebbe

On your arrival into Entebbe you will be met and transferred to Hotel No. 5. Please note that Entebbe Airport is currently undergoing expansion and it can seem a little chaotic, making it harder for you and your guide to meet. You will need to exit the arrivals area after you pass through immigration and make your way to the courtyard where you will see some canopy tents; your guide will be waiting here, holding a sign with your name on. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing, or if you prefer, you can arrange with your guide to go out and explore some of the highlights of Entebbe.

Overnight: Hotel No. 5

(D)

Entebbe - Kibale Forest National Park

This morning you will transfer to Entebbe Airport for your scheduled light aircraft flight to Kasese Airstrip near Kibale Forest National Park, where your private driver/guide and 4x4 vehicle are waiting to transfer you approximately two hours to your lodge. This afternoon, spend some time at your lodge to relax and prepare for your first chimpanzee tracking experience in the morning.

Overnight: Ndali Lodge (B, L, D)

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park

After an early breakfast you leave for Kibale Forest, renowned for the greatest variety and the highest concentration of primates in East Africa. At the visitor centre the rangers will brief you before you head into the forest to track the chimpanzees. As with gorilla tracking, the amount of time spent with the chimps is limited to one hour. This is to prevent the spread of disease, but also to allow the chimps to have a normal life in the forest. This afternoon you have the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Ndali Lodge (B, L, D)

Kibale Forest - Queen Elizabeth National Park & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

This morning you set off from Kibale, making your way southwards towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, an approximately 3-hour drive. On clear days you have stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains (the Mountains of the Moon). This afternoon you join the Kazinga Channel boat cruise. This is a fantastic boat safari renowned for its wildlife and bird-viewing; a relaxing trip down the channel with chances of spotting elephant, buffalo, huge Nile crocodiles and much, much more. At the end of the day you will arrive at Kyambura Gorge Lodge where you will be welcomed and briefed on your stay before being shown to your room.

Overnight: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (B, L, D)

Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trek

This morning, you will have the chance to enjoy the beautiful Kyambura Gorge. Up to 500 metres in width, Kyambura Gorge was formed by deep erosion from the Kyambura River, now flowing 100 metres below on the valley floor. The gorge forms a border between Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve. Inside the gorge is an isolated and contained cover of riparian forest. The gorge emerges between open savannah, allowing the resident chimpanzee community a relatively restricted territory. Accompanied by an official Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger, you will descend into the gorge and spend the morning on a nature walk. Here you will spend time tracking the remnant population of about 20 individual chimpanzees as well as the other primates that inhabit the gorge.

Overnight: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (B, L, D)

Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha Sector)

This morning you drive southwards, enjoying a game drive along the way to the southern sector of the park and Ishasha. Renowned for its tree-climbing lions, Ishasha is one of the quieter areas of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Later today you will arrive at Ishasha Wilderness Camp where you will be introduced to the camp and briefed on your stay before being shown to your tented room.

Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp (B, L, D)

Ishasha Sector - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

A relaxing game drive this morning in search of the tree-climbing lions. If you are lucky you may also see one of the resident leopards that are becoming a frequent sighting in the park. Late in the morning you leave the park and make your way southwards (picnic lunch provided) to the renowned Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Relax upon arrival and prepare for your first gorilla tracking experience in the morning.

Overnight: Gorilla Forest Camp (B, L, D)

Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today you set off on your gorilla tracking expedition. You will be briefed at the headquarters before setting off into the forests (please note you may have to be driven to the trailhead depending on which gorilla family is allocated to you). The mountain gorillas in Bwindi are part of a worldwide population of just 1,000. The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to one of three habituated family groups. The time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as eight hours. Once the gorillas are located, the group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. This is one of the world's truly memorable experiences – a look into one of these magnificent creatures' eyes brings home the bond that exists between them and us. Tracking the mountain gorillas is an awe-inspiring experience and as you come across them in their forest surroundings all thought of fatigue disappears! The hour is often over all too quickly, after which you slowly make your way back to the lodge.

Overnight: Gorilla Forest Camp (B, L, D)

Second Gorilla Tracking Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Your second day of gorilla tracking. A fantastic experience and one that we recommend you make the most of. Ideally try to spend as little time behind a camera lens as possible today, so you can fully appreciate this once-in-a-lifetime experience. This evening, relax back at your lodge and reminisce on the adventures of the last few days.

Overnight: Gorilla Forest Camp (B, L, D)

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Depart Entebbe

Today, at a time to be advised locally, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight back to Entebbe. On arrival you will be assisted to your onward international flight.

(B)