The Best of Uganda

Duration: 8 days

Highlights: Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

On this journey your guests will experience the very best of what the Pearl of Africa has to offer including its fascinating history as told from the Entebbe Botanical Gardens Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi National Parks home to cheeky chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions and the rare mountain gorilla. 

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Entebbe

On arrival at Entebbe International airport and after clearing customs and immigration formalities you will be met by our representative and driven in your private vehicle to your hotel.

Located on the northern shore of Africa’s largest lake – Lake Victoria – the city of Entebbe oozes an infectiously happy and laid-back vibe. The cool temperature, lush vegetation and relatively small size has meant that some consider Entebbe to be one of the most naturally pretty towns in Uganda. But Entebbe has much more to offer than a charming atmosphere, as its unique setting means for some incredible activities; visit one of Lake Victoria’s many beaches (but avoid swimming as there is a possibility of catching bilharzia), hop on a boat to go feed chimps at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and end the day with a sunset cruise across the waters. Entebbe is also a growing hub of hotels, restaurants, events and nightlife. Within the city, visitors can take a walk through the beautiful Botanical Gardens as they listen to the fascinating history of Uganda as told by Edward, a lawyer and also an incredible storyteller.

Overnight:  Bronze – Boma Guest House | Silver - Hotel No. 5

Meal Plan: D

Day 2 - Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast drive to Kibale National Park. Arrive in time for lunch and have the afternoon to relax or head out on a nature walk.

Kibale National Park is an enchanting place and one of the most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. At a little under 800 square kilometers, the park is a mix of lowland tropical rain forest, mixed tropical deciduous forest and montane forest. All those trees means it's good monkey country: Kibale is famous for its thirteen resident primates including chimps, L'Hoest's monkeys with their white neck ruffs, Black and White colobus, Grey Cheeked Mangabeys and red colubus whose copper coloured backs gleam in the sunshine; the Forest is the last place in Uganda where large concentrations of Red Colobus can be found.
Kibale lends itself to trekking and after-dark walking is permitted. The seventy species of mammals here - including smaller forest elephants, bushbuck, Harvey’s red duiker, blue duiker, bush pig, giant forest hog and African civet - are partly supported because of the generous 180 kilometer wildlife corridor that runs from southern Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Birdlife is prolific as are butterflies; Kibale is home to a staggering 250 species of butterfly.

Overnight: Bronze – Primate Lodge | Silver - Kyaninga Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 3 - Kibale Forest National Park

Today you set out to track the habituated chimpanzees. This the highlight of visiting Kibale National Park and the habituated chimps are great fun to watch as they squabble and play in the trees. You can expect to see at least two or three other types of primates most probably the Grey-cheeked mangabey and Red-tailed monkey. Once you find the family you will have about an hour with them to observe their fascinating behavior.

Once you have completed the track take a guided walk to the nearby Bigodi Swamp for some bird watching. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is an important biodiversity area situated at the western edge of Kibale National Park. The swamp is host to over 200 bird species, including the most popular, Great Blue turaco.

You will then return to the lodge for a late lunch and a chance to enjoy the facilities.

Overnight: Bronze – Primate Lodge | Silver - Kyaninga Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 4 - Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a picnic lunch will be provided and it is game driving all the way.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda's most popular game conservancies; within its 2 000 square kilometers it harnesses savannah, fertile forest, lakes and wetlands which means it offers refuge to a huge diversity of game. The endless Ishasha plains are hunting grounds for lion. The Kasinga Channel is thought to home the planet's largest concentration of hippo, the wetlands and forests 600 species of bird including the pouting shoebill which stands 4 foot tall. Rare sitatunga antelope live here and so does the Uganda Kob, with his graceful rearward leaning horns. The Kyambura Gorge to the north east of the park, with its thick tree top canopy strung with vines, and the Maramagambo Forest, south of the Kasinga Channel are both chimp country.

Overnight: Bronze:  Mweya Safari Camp | Silver: Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 5 - Queen Elizabeth National Park

Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Keep an eye out for the lions that call this area their home. In the afternoon there is the option of going on a cruise down the Kazinga Channel and seeing the wildlife from the water (additional cost).

Overnight: Bronze: Mweya Safari Camp | Silver: Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 6 - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Drive to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, arrive in time for lunch then set out into the village for a community walk and to see amazing Philanthropy projects and the positive affect they have on the local communities. The projects include visits to the Bwindi Community Hospital and the Nursing School. Starting out as a simple clinic operating beneath a mango tree, Bwindi Community Hospital is now a 112 bed facility that treats15,000 families in the community. Also included is a visit to Ebenezer Primary School and the Life Straw Project which offers clean drinking water to the students, as well as the Bwindi Bike Shop which offers disadvantaged women a source of income and the community a source of transportation. 

Overnight: Bronze – Mahogany Springs | Silver - Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 7 - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast drive to the Gorilla Tracking HQ to meet the guide, porter and the other people tracking the same gorilla family. Treks can take anywhere from 45 minutes to six or more hours. Once clients reach the family everyone has 60 minutes to enjoy these amazing primates.

The gorillas you will track belong to one of the 'habituated' family groups in Northern Bwindi. For several years each group has undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually made them used to the presence of humans. Experienced guides will accompany the tracking, many of whom have been involved in the habituation process themselves. A look into the deep and expressive brown eyes of these giants is surely one of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters that Africa has to offer. 

In the afternoon you may have the time to head out on a community walk which will give you real feel for the singular nature of this place. Walk through tea plantations, have a go at brewing local banana beer, visit the local hospital and speak to the traditional medicine man and then cap it all off with a dance performance by the Batwa pygmies. 

Overnight: Bronze – Mahogany Springs | Silver - Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 8 - Departure

Transfer to the airstrip and fly back to Entebbe where a day room is booked. Freshen up before connecting to the outbound international flight.

Meal Plan: B