Uganda – Primates of Uganda Tour

Uganda – Primates of Uganda Tour Overview

From the bustling capital Kampala, we see the source of the Nile and then head north via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Murchison Falls National Park to search for elephant, lion and buffalo on game drives, then search for chimpanzees in the Kibale Forest.

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe – Kampala (Approximate driving time is 1.5 hours) Arrive in Entebbe and transfer to Kampala. Overnight Urban by City Blue Kampala or similar. No meals or guided activities.

Day 2: Source of the Nile and Sezibwe Falls (Overall approximate driving time today not including stops is 4 hours) Transfer to the source of the Nile in Jinja, with excursions to Sezibwe Falls and Mabira forest. Return to Kampala. Overnight Urban by City Blue Kampala. (BL)

Day 3: Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (Approximate overall driving time today without stops is 7 hours) The day begins with a drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to around 20 southern white rhinos which were reintroduced after their extinction in the 1970s through poaching. A local ranger guide will lead you on foot to an up-close encounter with the rhinos and it may take about 1 and half hours. Continue to Masindi Town for lunch and later continue to Murchison Falls National Park arriving at your lodge late afternoon. Overnight Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar (BLD)

Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park – Game drive and the falls An early start for a game drive on the northern bank of the River Nile in your open-roof vehicle which will give you an excellent opportunity to view and photograph the diverse wildlife. Species may include elephant, lion, cape buffalo, Roth child’s giraffe, hartebeest, waterbuck, oribi, bushbuck, bohor reed buck, hyena and if you are lucky, the leopard. After lunch, cruise upstream the calm Victoria Nile to the base of the falls stopping just few of meters from the ‘Devil’s Cauldron’, marvel at the schools of hippos, crocodiles and over the 17km stretch you may see elephant, waterbuck and Uganda Kob. This is also an area with prolific birdlife, species such as goliath heron, Egyptian goose, pelican bee-eater, kingfisher, hornbill, cormorant and the rare shoebill stork. Continue to the top of the falls, and admire the amazing views where the Nile -world's longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below. Later, return to your lodge. Overnight Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar (BLD)

Day 5: Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest (Approximate driving distance today not including stops is 8 hours) After an early breakfast, travel to Kibale Forest National Park. Drive south via Hoima to Fort Portal through verdant countryside passing through traditional homesteads, farms and tea estates. Lunch will be taken en route and arrival at Kibale is expected by late afternoon. Overnight Crater Safari Lodge or similar (BLD)

Day 6: Kibale Forest Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp After breakfast enjoy one of the highlights of the trip, the Chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest National Park which is reputed to have the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. With an expert guide, walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and many others. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, visitors stand a very good chance of hearing and seeing our distant cousins as they gloom and bond with one another, a sight never to be forgotten. Later for those that wish to keep active, take a beautiful but easy walk at Bigodi Swamp, a community project where you will be accompanied by a local community guide. The swamp is an oasis for birdlife and it is also common to see different primate species on the walk. If time allows after the Bigodi swamp walk, visit the local community, where you will be shown how coffee is grown, harvested, roasted and prepared to drink. You may also see how banana beer is brewed from bananas with sorghum. Bananas are mashed using feet. Subject to local permission it may be also possible to visit the local school and a medicine man. If still time allows, you may also visit the school and women's group being supported by the lodge. The kids will sing and dance for you. Overnight Crater Safari Lodge or similar. (BLD)

Day 7: Kibale Forest - Queen Elizabeth National Park (Approximate driving time today not including stops is 3 hours) After breakfast, take a beautiful drive towards Queen Elizabeth National Park and on arrival at the park we drive through looking for game with the impressive Rwenzori Mountains as a spectacular backdrop. After lunch at the lodge, cruise on the Kazinga Channel, to view buffalo, hippo and other animals at the edge of the channel as they cool off. European migratory birds, including flocks of terns and gulls can also be seen in the area. Overnight Park View Safari Lodge or similar. (BLD)

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Tree climbing lions (Approximate driving time today is 2 hours not including stops and game drive) This morning, travel to a different part of this magnificent park and later in the afternoon; take a game drive in search of the famous tree climbing lions and other species. Overnight Enjojo Lodge or similar (BLD)

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Approximate driving time is 5 – 6 hours not including stops and morning game drive) After breakfast, take a morning game drive through the Ishasha plains for another chance to spot the famous tree climbing lions and other wildlife before heading away from Queen Elizabeth National Park and on to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest through beautiful mountain scenery often referred to as 'little Switzerland' in anticipation of another major highlight of the trip tomorrow. Overnight Gorilla Safari Lodge or similar. (BLD)

Day 10: Gorilla Tracking at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest After an early breakfast, travel the short distance to park HQ for an important briefing about your gorilla trekking adventure. You will then be led experienced gorilla trackers on the slopes of the volcanoes. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is amazing, and the beauty of the forest is enchanting. One of Africa’s major highlights is when you encounter these gentle apes. It is a humbling experience to stand just meters from man’s distant cousins as they eat rest, play and bond with their young ones. You are allowed an hour with the gorillas before returning to your lodge. If your trek was relatively short, you may have a guided nature walk around the lodge and the surrounding communities. Overnight Gorilla Safari Lodge or similar. (BLD)

Day 11: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Lake Mburo National Park (Approximate driving time today is 4 hours not including stops and game drive) This morning we have an early start and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park for lunch with views over the savannah. After some relaxation time around mid-afternoon we take a boat cruise and afterwards look for game by safari vehicle as the sun dips and we may be able to spot giraffe, zebra and various species of antelope. Overnight Rwakobo Rock Lodge or similar. (BLD)

Day 12: Lake Mburo National Park – Entebbe (Approximate driving time today is 5 hours not including stops) After breakfast, take a walking safari under the escort of an armed ranger. The Kopjes are particularly interesting with the camouflage kilspringers and topis. It is exciting to approach wildlife at such close range. Later, leisurely drive back towards Entebbe with a stopover at the Equator. Also stop at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers and observe the ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through the generations. Transfer to Entebbe, arriving in the afternoon and transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight. (BL)