This safari starts and finishes in Kampala/Entebbe. [The gorilla permit in Bwindi is included in the safari cost].
The tour takes you to see wildlife and birds in Queen Elizabeth National Park - elephant, lion, buffalo, hippo, and leopard. Antelopes and birds are everywhere! Look out for the rare shoebill stork! Track chimpanzees in the nearby Kyambura Gorge. Visit Ishasha - an area with the highest concentration of wildlife in the park.
With luck, you may see a particular attraction of this area - the famous tree-climbing lions, which lounge nonchalantly in the upper branches of high trees! The magnificent Queen Elizabeth National Park, in the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley, is centred around Lake Edward and Lake George. The two lakes are linked by the Kazinga channel, a waterway rich in wildlife and birds.
The Rwenzori Mountains act as a majestic backdrop to the park’s variety of habitats - tropical forest, green meadows, savannah, crater lakes and swamps. Continue further West to track one of the habituated gorilla families in the dense, impenetrable forest of Bwindi, also rich in other primates, birds and butterflies. Return via Lake Mburo Park in Mbarara for unusual wildlife. This overnight stop is also necessary to break the long journey from Bwindi.
Itinerary
Download Itinerary UST2 Adobe PDF Document
DAY 1
Arrive Entebbe airport. Meet, greet and drive on the southbound road; past captivating attractions en route: look at royal drum makers, brief stop at the Equator and be in both hemispheres at once, drive past the roadside markets aerated with fruit and vegetables. Continue to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving late in the afternoon, keeping an eye out for the game. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours].
Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge/Katara Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch and dinner
DAY 2
Drive to the Kyambura Gorge, a deep natural ravine in the surrounding plains. Descend into the floor of the gorge, track the fast moving and elusive chimpanzees, one of man's closest relations. The chimp population is quite mobile and viewing is unpredictable but the walk is enchanting. Alternatively go for a nature walk in Maramagambo Forest to see other primates and to visit the bat cave and the blue lake. In the afternoon take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel where the wildlife and a vast array of birds come to drink.
Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge/Katara Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 3
Early morning game drive and start for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Either drive via Ishasha, weather conditions permitting - where you may see tree-climbing lion - or drive through farmland to Buhoma. Time permitting; go for a guided nature walk in the forest to help you acclimatise. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours].
Overnight: Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Homestead
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 4
Go gorilla tracking (subject to availability of gorilla permits at time of booking), carrying a packed lunch. You will be accompanied by a guide and porters who will carry your shoulder pack for you. You will then set off to the thick forest in search of gorillas. The terrain can be difficult, with steep slopes covered in dense vegetation that gives the park its name. In addition, the altitude of 5200 feet and more means participants do need to be physically fit. The time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 9 hours before one returns to camp. Difficulty, however, is not impossibility and coming face to face with the great primates is well worth it!
Overnight: Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Homestead
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 5
Travel eastwards to Lake Mburo National Park. After lunch in Mbarara, drive to the park and check into your camp. Enjoy an evening game drive to view the parks plains, game species and birds, followed by a return to the camp to freshen up for dinner. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours]
Overnight: Mihingo Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 6
Early morning game drive and return to Entebbe, Lunch on arrival. Afternoon at leisure. Transfer to the airport for your return flight. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours].
Tour Costs: Prices on Application
Scheduled Dates: 2010
Jan - 8th and 22nd
Feb 5th and 19th
March 5th and 19th
April 2nd and 16th
May 7th and 21st
June 11th and 25th
July 9th and 23rd
August 13th and 27th
September 3rd and 17th
October 8th and 22nd
November 12th and 26th
December 3rd and 24th
