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| DAY 1
- KAMPALA / KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
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Today you will be met by your guide and vehicle at your hotel or at the airport and depart Kibale National Park via the town of Mubende set in rolling hills. Time permitting, take a two hour detour to visit the Nakayima Shrine, a 400 year old tree venerated in local folklore as holding the spirit of an ancient king. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route and continue to Kibale, arriving in the late afternoon.
The park is home to 11 primate species, including species of nocturnal prosimians, several monkey species, chimpanzees, and baboons. Other wildlife at Kanyawara include hundreds of bird species, the rare forest elephant, duikers, giant forest hog, golden cat, civit, genets, and mongoose. Here, on a daytime or evening guided forest walk, you may find families of chimpanzees and red colobus monkeys chattering and swinging through the ancient forest trees. The sightings of birds in the forest are no less impressive - there are at least 325 species, many of which are found nowhere else. In addition there are over 144 species of butterflies. The park contains pristine lowland tropical rain forest, montane forest, and mixed tropical deciduous forest. In addition to forest, you will also notice areas of grassland and of swamp.
Today after you arrive, relax at lodge or explore nearby crater lake. Your stay will be either at the Mantana Kibale Forest Camp or at Ndale Lodge. The forest camp is set in an area which attracts a host of butterflies, birds and small primates. Accommodation is full-board in one of the seven fully furnished Batian tents with a verandah, dressing area and en-suite facilities. Ndali Lodge is set high above Lake Nyinambuga with 360° views. The lodge is built from local materials. Eight individual cottages provide en suite bathrooms and spacious, airy bedrooms with high ceilings. The four-poster beds are draped in elegant netting and decorated with local craftwork. Each cottage has a private verandah. There is no electricity; instead, ample candles and oil lamps evoke the sense of "old Africa" in the evening.
Overnight
- Mantana Kibale Forest Camp / Ndali Lodge (L,D & activities) |
| DAY 2
- KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
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This morning after an early breakfast you will head into the park to track the noisy chimps and other primates crashing around through the high canopy of the forest, stopping for a picnic lunch. After your time with the chimps you will take an afternoon walk in Bigodi to see swamp birds. The tourism and conservation activities in Bigodi wetland have helped build a number of community projects including a local library and a new secondary school.
Overnight
- Mantana Kibale Forest Camp / Ndali Lodge (all meals & activities) |
| DAY 3
- QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
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This morning after breakfast, you’ll depart by road for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way you will stop at the Equator where you can stand astride both hemispheres and you’ll also have the opportunity to stop at the roadside markets that burst with fruit and vegetables. Continuing on, you’ll descend the escarpment to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s oldest park, which lies in the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley. The park is centered around Lake Edward and Lake George, with the two lakes being linked by the Kazinga channel, a waterway rich in wildlife and birds. The Rwenzori Mountains act as a majestic backdrop to the park’s variety of habitats - tropical forest, green meadows, savannah, crater lakes and swamps.
Around Ishasha you may spot the famous tree-climbing lions which lounge nonchalantly in the upper branches of old fig trees. In the Maramagambo forest, a vast virtually untouched woodland area, search for forest game and primates. Over 500 bird species have been recorded with 260 sighted in a day, making it a Mecca for bird-watchers. They include the shoebill stork, the black bee-eater, kingfishers, raptors and spectacular flocks of flamingos.
While in the park you will stay at one of the two safari lodges: Mweya Safari Lodge built on a peninsular and almost surrounded by water has stunning views of this magnificent panorama. A luxury lodge in the old style with a restaurant, bar, a terrace, suit bedrooms, conference theatre and swimming pool. The bedrooms are self contained with such comfort that one could ever need! The lodge is located in the prime area for the park’s attraction; it is the door gate for the entire of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Jacana Safari Lodge is situated on the margin of Maramagambo Forest close to Lake Nyamusingiri and Kyasanduka. The log cabins built in an African way stretch from the woods up to the great views of Lake Nyamusingiri and the forest. Above all, these cabins are self contained. There is a restaurant, waterside bar, swimming pool and offers a boat trip on Lake Nyamusingiri which is encircled by a blanket of forest.
Overnight
- Jacana Camp/Mweya Lodge (all meals & activities) |
| DAY 4
- QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
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This morning after breakfast you will drive to Kyambura to track the fast moving Chimpanzees. The chimp population here is quite mobile and viewing is unpredictable. The walk in this "lost world" is nevertheless enchanting. You may also visit the tropical Bee Care Center to look at their range of community projects from bee keeping, honey making to the community nursery for children. Alternatively go for a nature walk in Maramagambo Forest. This forest harbors some unusual species - red-tailed and L’Hoest’s Monkey, potto, giant forest hog, pygmy antelope, and giant elephant shrew. You can also visit the bat caves and the blue lake. In the afternoon you will go on boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel ,rewarding for viewing a variety of game, especially hippo, buffalo, elephant and a vast array of birds. After walking in to visit them for a few hours, time permitting you will also have a chance to visit the Tropical Bee Care Center. You may also see the famous tuskless elephants that have evolved in response to poaching in the past.
Overnight
- Jacana Camp/Mweya Lodge (all meals & activities) |
| DAY 5
- BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
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This morning after breakfast you will drive to the dense forested hills of Bwindi. Bwindi is a rainforest and thus is wet all year round, so depending road conditions and where the gorillas where last spotted you may have time to an afternoon wildlife walk after arriving in camp.
The Bwindi Impenetrable forest was established in 1991 to protect some of the last remaining great apes in the wild. Here exists about one half of the world's population of the endangered mountain gorillas. Other animals including the Colobus monkey, chimpanzee, elephant, bushbuck, duiker, buffalo, golden cat, leopard, civet, bushpig and giant forest hog. This pocket of primeval forest in the Virunga Mountain range is one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth and has been designated as a World Heritage Site. The Gorillas live at altitudes of up to 6,500 feet (1,980 m) so be prepared for a long and difficult hike. Ususally these habituated gorilla’s are tracked daily by the park rangers, but they can travel long distances through the dense jungle in a matter of hours.
Your stay here will be at Volcanoe’s Bwindi Lodge. The Lodge overlooks the primeval Bwindi forest, home to gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees and birds. Amidst the many noises of forest life, it is the perfect place to experience the magic of this area. The lodge consist of 8 spacious bandas with a dinning room, bar and lounge that overlooks the forest below.
Overnight
- Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (all meals & activities) |
| DAY 6
- BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST - GORILLA TREK
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This morning you arise early to begin your hike to find the Gorilla’s. Depending on where they were last spotted it may take several hours to come upon them. But your patience and stamina will be rewarded. Coming upon a family of these amazing creatures in the undergrowth is an inspiring moment. After a full hour with these intelligent gentle creatures it’s time for one last look before hiking back to camp.
Overnight
- Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (all meals & activities) |
| DAY 7
- KAMPALA / END OF SAFARI
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After an early breakfast you will depart by road, driving through this beautiful land. With a picnic lunch en route, you’ll arrive back in Kampala in the late afternoon.
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7
Days
from
US $ 3,370
