CH0043- Uganda and Rwanda including gorillas and chimpanzees. 10 days.
Trip highlights: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale boat trips and game drives in Queen Elizabeth National park, gorilla tracking in Bwindi and Rwanda.
Day one: Arrival – Entebbe –Kampala - 42km.
On arrival at the airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your representative from Churchill Safaris who will then transfer you to Kampala for the over night at either Serena Kampala Hotel (High end/luxurious accommodation), Hotel Africana (Medium class accommodation) or Namirembe Guest House (Low budget/basic accommodation). B/B.
Day Two: Kampala - Kibale
After breakfast, you will head for Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale Forest is a large protected block of rainforest, which has the highest number of primates in Africa such as Chimpanzees, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Red Tailed monkey and Red Colobus. Relax in the evening have dinner and over night at either Ndali lodge, a stunning location overlooking a dramatic Crater Lake and the fabled "Mountains of the Moon"/ Mantana Tented Camp (High end/luxurious accommodation), Rwenzori View Guest House/Ataco Guest house (Medium class accommodation) or Primate Lodge Kibale Bandas (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.
Day Three: Kibale National Park.
This morning you will go for the morning Chimpanzee tracking in the forest, get a chance to see other species like the Grey-Throated Flycatcher, Masked & Black-Capped Apalis', Chestnut-Winged Starling, Orange -Tufted & Tiny Sunbirds, a good infrastructure and variety of interesting activities which makes this a worthwhile destination returning in time for a heartily breakfast.
Later in the afternoon, you will have the opportunity of a guided walk through Bigodi Swamp. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is managed by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental organisation formed in 1992 with the aim of achieving social and economic development for local communities. This swamp is a home to approximately 137 bird species and its also rich in vegetation, such as wild palms, polita figs and the dominant papyrus.
There are a network of forest trails that radiate out from the visitor centre, allowing you to search for a number of species that shun the vicinity of the main road.
Dinner and over night at either Ndali Lodge / Mantana Tented Camp (High end/luxurious accommodation), Rwenzori View Guest House/Ataco Guest House (Medium class accommodation) or Primate Lodge Kibale Bandas (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.
Day Four:
This morning you will proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park having a game drive while entering the park arriving in time for lunch. Relax around the pool after lunch and later go for an early evening game drive.
Its little wonder that Queen Elizabeth boasts one of the highest bio diversity ratings of any game park or reserve in the world, - from the open Savannah to Rain Forest, dense Papyrus Swamps and brooding Crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward.
Almost 100 mammal species that include Lions, Hippos, Buffaloes, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Elephants and the elusive Giant Forest Hog plus remarkable 606 bird species that include the Black Chested Eagle, the Swallow Tailed Bee Eaters, to mention but a few.
The Primates include Chimps, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Blue, Black Faced Red Colobus, and Red Tailed monkeys and Olive Baboons.
Reptiles are the amazing huge Rock-Python, Puff adders, Spitting Cobras, Gabon Rippers, Green Mambas, and Turtles etc. All these are regularly sighted around the tourist village on the Mweya Peninsula and all this makes a superb safari territory.
Queen Elizabeth Park has the highest recorded number of over 600 species of birds including the Shoebill Stork, Black Bee-Eater, Chappirs Fly Catcher, Bustards, and craters full of Lesser Flamingos etc. Over night at either Mweya Lodge/ Jacana safari Lodge (High end/luxurious accommodation), King Fisher Lodge Kichwamba/ Hippo Hill Camp (Medium class accommodation) or the Institute of Ecology Cottages (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.
Day Five: Queen Elizabeth.
This morning, you will have a game drive to the Kisenyi area to look for Lion prides and other wildlife like the Uganda Kob that mate around this area returning at the Lodge for breakfast.
Then go for the afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. Here Hippos huff and spray mere feet away from the boat, Buffalos linger in the shallows, a tremendous variety of birds grace the grasses on the shores. Great White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, Great and Long-Tailed Cormorants, Open-Billed Stork, African Jacana, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers are commonly seen. February and March offer spectacular sightings of some of the bird migrants. Spend the night at either Mweya Lodge/ Jacana safari Lodge (High end/luxurious accommodation), King Fisher Lodge Kichwamba/ Hippo Hill Camp (Medium class accommodation) or the Institute of Ecology Cottages (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.
Day Six: Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. (Approx. 4 hours drive).
After breakfast, you will have a game drive as you depart Queen Elizabeth for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Best known for its Mountain Gorillas, the Montane Forest also attracts spectacular birds. There are 23 of the 24 Albertine Rift endemics including the African Green Broadbill, Bar Tailed Trogon and other beautiful forest species. You may decide to relax in the afternoon or take a nature walk ( at an extra cost of $20 P.P) which will lead you to the Munyaga Waterfall and a chance to see primates such as the Grey Cheeked Mangabey Blue Monkeys and others species. Spend the night at either Gorilla Forest Camp/ Mantana Tented Camp (High end/luxurious accommodation), or Lake Kitandara’s Tented Camp/ Buhoma Homestead (Medium class accommodation) or the Community Bandas (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.
You will need to have a good night’s rest to get ready for the following day’s gorilla tracking.
Day Seven: Gorilla Tracking – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. (There is an option of tracking in Nkuringo the southern sector of Bwindi or Rwanda as well).
This morning you will have to wake up very early to get ready for Gorilla tracking. Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare Mountain Gorilla, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. There are now only 650 left in the world! The tracking may take between 2 and 6 hours but its well worth the effort. There are always park guides with you who interpret the flora and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas. In the afternoon relax at the camp or go for a Village walk to visit the Local Batwa Community walk ( at an extra cost of $15 P.P) returning to the Camp in the evening. Dinner and over night at either Gorilla Forest Camp / Mantana Tented Camp (High end/luxurious accommodation), or Lake Kitandara’s Tented Camp/ Buhoma Homestead (Medium class accommodation) or the Community Bandas (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.
Day Eight:
After breakfast, you will depart Bwindi for Rwanda passing via Kabale (the little Switzerland of Uganda) and having lunch in Kabala arriving in the evening.
Both Gorilla’s Nest and Kinigi guest house are strategically located near the park entrance. Gorilla’s Nest consists of 37 comfortable bungalows with en suite facilities. The lodge is situated on a hillside overlooking a school and farmland. It offers a pleasant restaurant, bar and lounge area and curio shop with a central lawn. The entire property is surrounded by trees with magnificent views of the Virunga Mountains on three sides – an idyllic location to start your gorilla trek. At dinner guests should request
a special packed lunch to be ready at the following morning’s breakfast. The lunch and bottled water will be carried on the next day’s activity. Porters are also available to carry backpacks and camera gear. (L, D).
Dinner and over night at either Mountain Gorilla Nest (Highend accommodation) or Kinigi guest house for the medium class accommodation.
Day Nine: Volcanoes National Park;
After breakfast it’s just a short 10 minute drive to the park headquarters at Kinigi. Registration is a simple process and it is here where the park staff will determine which group of gorillas you will visit. The park staff will discuss your fitness level and will advise you of the trekking times and conditions to reach the various groups, based upon their location in the park the previous evening. There are a total of 32 gorilla permits available each day with a maximum of eight trekkers visiting any one group.
Once the trekkers are put into groups, each group’s lead guide will advise the group of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the starting point. Once at the starting point all trekkers are offered a porter to carry their
backpack and any other gear.
Trekking to the nearest group, Sabinyo, can take up to 2 hours but can also take a little more or less if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way.
After the trek stop for lunch at The Gorilla’s Nest or Kinigi guest house or ask your guide to recommend a local restaurant. After lunch, head to Kigali and over night in the Intercontinental Hotel for the High end accommodation or Okapi Hotel for the low budget. This might be a good opportunity to launder some clothes or visit a local market.
(B/B).
Day Ten Kigali / Nairobi
Enjoy an early breakfast before being transferred to the airport for your early morning flight back home:
Important:
Please note the gorilla tracking in this itinerary can be done in Rwanda as well if permits/accommodation can’t be got in Uganda at the time of your booking.
Gorilla tracking is dependant on the permits availability at the time of your booking. Gorilla permits in all park are on a very high demand and we advise that you book them as early as possible.
