Description

UGANDA SAFARI ADVENTURE

This tour Uganda Safari Adventure takes you in a search of the rare mountain gorillas at Bwindi National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is located in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the western rift valley covering 331 sq. kms. It is one of the largest natural forests in East Africa, supporting a large number of plants and animals not found elsewhere. About half the world’s population of 600 mountain gorillas reside in Bwindi.

While on Uganda Safari Adventure along with the gorillas, there are nine other species of primates including chimpanzee, blue monkey, redtail monkey, L’hoest’s monkey, black and white colobus, potto, Demidoff’s and needle-clawed galago. Three hundred forty-seven species of birds have been recorded in Bwindi; seven species are listed as endangered. Species of particular interest include the Kivu ground thrush, white-bellied robin chat, red-throated alethe, collared apallis, short-tailed warbler, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Rwenzori batis, blue-headed sunbird, strange weaver and the Shelley’s crimsonwing.

Day 1: Welcome to Uganda

On arrival at Entebbe Airport, our driver / guide will be there  to pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your lodge in Kampala. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may be able to explore the sites in and around Kampala.

Dinner and Overnight at Cassia Lodge

Day 2: KAMPALA – BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST

After breakfast, transfer south wards to Bwindi Impenetrable forest. You will have a stopover at the Equator where you will have an opportunity to stand in 2 hemispheres at the same time and take some photos. Have a stopover for lunch before continuing with your journey to Bwindi.

Dinner and Overnight at Nature Lodges

Day 3: GORILLA TRACKING IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NTL PARK

Gorilla trekking within Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Track Mountain Gorillas and other primates you will enjoy gorilla tracking within Bwindi. Following breakfast, go for the morning briefing just before searching the forest on this highlight of Gorilla trekking that may take the whole day. You will trek the gorillas through the sloped covered with thick vegetation in the company of a safari guide plus trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can at times be tough and lengthy, however when you finally see the glorious silverback, you will forget all discomforts. On finding the gorillas you will be guided to stay within a 6 meters’’ distance from the gorillas, you will observe them for an hour as you stare into their big brown eyes.

Gorilla trekking activity is unpredictable. It is challenging to foresee the number of hours you will track. The gorilla outing may take anything between 2 and 8 hours. Anticipate walking lengthy distances in steep muddy terrain, at times with rain overhead, prior to meeting the gorillas. You will be required to be in physical condition to track. For purposes of conservation visitors are only allowed to spend just one hour with the gorillas. Even though the majority of the forests today are not over 12,000 years old, the vegetation of Bwindi has been surviving for at least 25,000 years, and as time went by it has been able to harbour various species of wildlife. Among the wildlife here are 310 butterfly species, 51 reptiles’ species, 200 trees species, 88 moths’ species plus a unique 120 mammal species among which are 10 primates.

The primates here include baboon, chimpanzee, black & white colobus, Lhotse’s, red tailed monkeys plus blue monkey, as well as the renowned residents of Bwindi- the mountain gorilla. Bwindi is an ideal destination for watching birds. It has 350 bird species among which are the 7 IUCN red data listed plus 90% of the Albertine rift endemic, species that are challenging or even impossible to see in any other part of East Africa.

Dinner and Overnight at Marafiki safari lodge

Day 4: GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING OR BATWA TRAIL

After an early morning breakfast drive to Mughinga National park where you can either go for golden monkey trekking or take the Batwa trail where you will be immersed in the cultural experience of the Batwa people (Pygmies) who used to stay in the forest. Have lunch before transferring to Lake Mburo National Park. Time allowing, have an evening boat ride on the Lake Mburo.

Dinner and Overnight at Mutanda Lake Resort

Day 5: BOAT CRUISE IN LAKE MBURO – TRANSFER TO KAMPALA

After breakfast, have a game drive before proceeding to Kampala with a stopover at the Equator where you will have an opportunity to stand in 2 hemispheres at the same time and take some photos, then another stops over at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers where you will be able to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using traditional methods passed down through the generations. Time allowing go for a city tour or simple visit the craft villages before being dropped at your hotel for overnight.

Dinner and Overnight at Cassia Lodge

Day 6: It’s the final day in Uganda, so be sure to grab any last minute souvenirs you may want and say one last goodbye to the new friends you made before being transferred to the airport to catch your flight back home.

Kwa heri ya kuonana – (Good bye and see you again).

Included Services

• Local tourist taxes
• Lake Mburo and Boat Safari
• Binoculars for game drive viewing
• Gorilla Tracking (Trekking) Permits
• Bottled Water at all times while on safari
• Park or reserve entry fees – where applicable
• Driver’s salary and allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
• Game drives or sightseeing as detailed on the itinerary – where indicated
• All meals at hotels as mentioned in the itinerary – ( Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner )
• Ground transportation with an English-speaking driver/guide or naturalist guide
• Pick up from airport of arrival and drop off to the airport of departure while on safari
• Transport based on excellent 4X4 Vehicle (Land cruiser) with open roof for game viewing
• Full board Accommodation and If accommodation is fully booked we’ll suggest a comparable alternative

Excluded Services

• International flights
• Tips and gratuities, which are optional
• Airport customs entry visas (currently US$ 50 per person)

Optional Services

• Balloon Flight Trip
• Optional Night Game Drives  and Optional Tours

Remarks:

Note: The above prices are based on a minimum of 2 persons. A price reduction is available for numbers above two persons. Twelve (12) persons may enjoy up to 25% saving on the per person rate!

***PLEASE NOTE: The tour can be upgraded to a higher standard accommodation at an extra cost. It can also be cheaper if less expensive (but still good quality) accommodation is used. The final cost of the tour depends on your budget and preference.