7-Day Uganda Primate & Wildlife Adventure

Summarized itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Kibale National Park for crater tour

Day 2: Chimp trekking and afternoon Bigodi experience or Experience at the Tunka Homestead.

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth for afternoon game viewing and relaxation.

Day 4: Whole day Queen Elizabeth National Park safari (Game drive & boat)

Day 5: Morning game drive and transfer to Bwindi and late optional Batwa encounter.

Day 6: Gorilla trekking and Lake Bunyonyi encounter.

Day 7: Transfer back to Kampala via the equator.

DETAILED ITINERARY

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Our 7-day Uganda Safari departs from Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Leaving Kampala this morning, we shall drive through the dense jungles and papyrus marshes of the Nile Delta. We pause for lunch en route to the Kibale National Park, near the Ruwenzori Mountains.

In the afternoon we embark on a guided walk in the national park, exploring the crater lakes area and experiencing the local culture. This evening we will enjoy an interesting cultural visit in the crater area.

Meals and overnight near the Kibale Forest and the scenic Rwenzori Mountains.

Accommodation: Fort Heights Homestay

Meals: All meals

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Day two starts with an early breakfast before being briefed on the chimpanzee trekking walk in the forests of Kibale.

We then set off on our walk to track chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, home to an impressive 500 chimpanzees.

The guided walk offers a great opportunity to learn more about chimpanzees and other primates, along with the various plants, butterflies, and creatures of the jungle.

Kibale National Park covers 795 km² and consists mostly of a vast tract of equatorial rainforest.

This national park is home to numerous forest wildlife species, boasting one of the highest concentrations of primates in the world. The 13 primate species include the rare I’Hoest’s monkey, black-and-white colobus, Uganda red colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, gray-cheeked mangabey, and bush babies.

After chimpanzee tracking, we take the Tinka Homestead experience before proceeding for dinner, relaxation, and overnight.

Accommodation: Tinka Homestay

Meals: All meals

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On the third day, after your relaxed breakfast, you will check out and start your journey to Queen ELizabeth National park which is the second largest park in Uganda. On the way, you will enjoy scenic views of the Rwenzori mountains, Lake George, tea plantations among others. Up on arrival, you will find your lunch waiting for you at your lodge!

After lunch, you will proceed for a great afternoon game drive with the possibility of viewing Lions, Elephants, Topis, Leopards, Bush bucks, Cape Buffaloes, Defassa Waterbuck, Giant Forest Hogs, Uganda Kobs, among others. You will return to your odge after this encounter.

Accommodation: Pumba Cottages

Meals: All meals

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Our 7-day adventure and gorilla safari start with a game drive in Queen Elizabeth Park at sunrise. The Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's top protected area and covers about 1978 km². The park is scenically located on the rift valley floor between Lake Edward and Lake George flanked by towering mountains in the distance.

The game park is set among hills and lakes and consists mostly of euphorbia tree-studded savannas or grasslands. The varied habitats within Queen Elizabeth National Park host 95 mammals and over 612 bird species. The big game is abundant in Queen Elizabeth Park, which is known for excellent elephant and Uganda kob antelope sightings.

After lunch we embark on a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, offering superb bird-watching opportunities. The banks of the channel are home to a rich variety of birds, including Pink-backed Pelicans, Pied and Malachite Kingfishers, and Saddle-billed Stork. Wildlife sightings along the Kazinga Channel, stretching between Lake Edward and Lake George, include numerous buffalo and hippos.

Accommodation: Pumba Cottages

Meals: All meals

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This morning we shall enter the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, known as the Ishasha section. We take a game drive on our way out of the game park, looking out for wildlife, especially the tree-climbing lions found in this area. From Queen Elizabeth Park we drive through breathtaking landscapes, some of the most scenic in East Africa.

We continue into the area of Uganda consisting of volcanic craters covered in highland rainforests, passing the impressive craters of the western Rift Valley escarpment and scenic tea plantations. En route, we stop to see Bat Cave near the Maramagambo Forest or the Kyambura Gorge - both top scenic highlights on any safari in Uganda. In the afternoon we explore the local communities near Bwindi National Park on foot, to gain insight into the lifestyles and cultures of these resourceful Ugandan people.

Overnight accommodation: Broadbill lodge or similar

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

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Undertaking the gorilla trekking experience in the hilly forested landscapes of Bwindi is such a lifetime endeavor that will create lasting memories. You gather at the respective park headquarters for briefing in the morning at 8am where you are also allocated the respective gorilla families to track. The encounter takes 2 – 8 hours depending on the gorilla movements and one hour is available to you to have a direct touch with the gorillas. Upon approaching gorillas, their reaction is not predictable as it can include them giving you a courteous welcome, minding less about you and charging against you. Retreat from the activity and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.

Overnight: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort (Mid-range)

Meals: All meals

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Wake up early for breakfast and go out for nature walks to enjoy the beautiful scenery/landscapes as you wait to begin the Journey back to Kampala. The Lake Bunyonyi area is green throughout the year with beautiful trees and vegetation which are worth exploring. Lunch will be in Mbarara preferably at the Igongo Cultural Center. After visiting the Center, you will continue to Kampala and have another stop at the Equator or the Buganda Royal Drum Makers. Expect to reach Kampala or Entebbe late in the evening.

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Thanks for choosing Friendly Gorillas Safaris and we hope to see you again!