Rwanda
Uganda
Gorillas FAQ
Uganda 11 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees
On this page: Overview | Itinerary | Pricing
Overview
11 days in Uganda including
- 1 day of gorilla tracking
- 2 days of chimpanzee tracking
- 10 nights lodging
- Tour of Jane Goodall Institute and Ngamba Island in Entebbe (time allowing)
- Airport transfers
Optional excursions after this tour:
- 4 Days to Rwanda including Gorilla tracking and Golden Monkeys
- 3 Days to Bulago Island in Lake Victoria
- 4 Days to Murchison Falls
- 1 Day river rafting on the Nile River
2009 Group Departure Dates
|
2010 Group Departure Dates
| Camping: | Lodges: |
|
|
itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival at Entebbe - Transfer to Hotel in Entebbe
Meet and greet at the airport by the guide. Transfer to the hotel in Entebbe or campsite on the shores of Lake Victoria. Dinner and overnight. (D)
Lake Victoria is the largest Lake in Africa and the second largest freshwater in the world. It is about 68.000 km² and is shared by three East-African Countries: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Lake Victoria once supported the world's most diverse community of freshwater fish with more than 500 species. Today, Nile perch and Tilapia introduced as food fish have already wiped out 50% of the native species.
Kampala is the capital city of Uganda. With a population of about 2 million, Kampala city is the largest urban settlement in Uganda. Kampala was developed around a fort constructed by Frederick Lugard in 1890 for the British East Africa Company. In 1962, Kampala replaced Entebbe as the national capital.
Entebbe is a city in Uganda with a population of approximately 90,000. It is located on the shore of Lake Victoria 40 km from the capital city of Kampala. The name Entebbe derives from the Luganda phrase Entebbe za Mugala ("Headquarters of Mugala," head of lungfish clan) and thus literally means Headquarters - somewhat prescient, given that it would later serve as the British administrative capital of Uganda.
Day 2 : Kisubi - Kibale NP
After breakfast, drive to Fort Portal via Mubende. This is a long trip to Western Uganda with a break for a picnic after Mubende. There is also a stop at Fort Portal before heading to Kibale Forest NP.
Fort Portal is a small and attractive city. The fort was built between 1891 and 1893 and named after Sir Gerald Portal, the British Consul General of Zanzibar who arrived in Uganda in 1892 to formalize the protectorate of Uganda. He died of malaria a few months after the fort was completed.
Day 3 : Kibale NP (Chimps) - Mweya (Queen Elizabeth NP)
After breakfast, leave for Kibale Forest renowned for the greatest variety and the highest concentration of primates in East Africa. At the visitor center, the rangers are ready to escort different groups of a maximum 6 people. They will give a briefing about the guided nature walk in the tropical forest in search of the wild chimpanzees. This is one of the great moments on safari!
The rangers are very knowledgeable and will answer all questions about the forest and the chimps. The Jane Goodall Institute assists the Uganda Wildlife Authority with the training of the rangers.
On the way to Mweya after leaving Fort Portal, there are good view of the Rwenzori Mountains. It is during the wet season that has the best chance to enjoy a clear view of the Rwenzories. On the way to Mweya, pass through Kasese town and stop at the equator for a traditional picture.
Enter Queen Elizabeth NP at the Kabatoro gate and have a short game drive on the way to the lodge or camp. (B-L-D)
The Rwenzori Mountains lie along the western border of Uganda and rise to a height of 5100 meters. They form a magnificent landscape of non-volcanic mountains, 120 kilometers long and 48 kilometers wide. The so-called Mountains of the Moon were formed from a single block during the creation of the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley (Albertine Rift).
Day 4 : Mweya (Queen Elizabeth NP)
This is the second day of Queen Elizabeth northern sector exploration. After an early morning breakfast, take another track driving to the Kabatoro main gate and take the Katwe road to visit the Uganda Kob mating ground again. In the rainy season, the area around Lake George is also a very rewarding area to see some birds and to have a nice view on the Rwenzories.
After the morning game, drive to Katunguru and cross the Kazinga Channel to visit the Maramagambo Forest which lies on the southern part of Queen Elizabeth. Lunch will be served at Nyamusingiri in the forest. After lunch, there is time for a guided nature walk into the forest.
Drive back to the camp along the Channel track for another game drive. Sometimes visitors can see the giant forest hog. Mweya offers probably the best chances of East Africa to see them because an English scientist habituated them years ago. (B-L-D)
Day 5 : Kyambura - Ishasha (Queen Elizabeth NP)
Early wake up for the one hour drive to the Kyambura WR in the southern area of the park. For the last time, take the Channel track trying for the last time to see leopard.
The Kyambura River, about 16 km long, flows into the Kazinga Channel. On arrival, the rangers will drive to where the chimpanzees are approximately located. The rangers will give a briefing before descending into the depths of the gorge. The nature walk takes a few hours, and lunch will be served at Kyambura fig tree campsite before heading to Ishasha.
Ishasha is about 3 hours away from Kyambura, and there will be a short game drive on the way to camp. The first night at Ishasha is always the most impressive one for visitors. At night, there is usually a concert of black-and-white colobus monkeys, baboons, hyena, hippos, and roaring lions! The Ishasha River supports a narrow strip of riverine gallery forest on either side with plenty of rustling wildlife. (B-L-D)
Day 6 : Ishasha (Queen Elizabeth NP)
Explore Ishasha in the southern region of Queen Elizabeth, considered by some experts as one of the most alluring game viewing areas of East Africa.
Wake up early since this is the best time for observing nature. Start along the southern circuit in search of the elephants, and drive over the plains of Ishasha in the open savannah. The southern circuit usually has large herds of buffalo, Uganda kob, and topi. Near to the swamps of the southern circuit, there might even be leopard. Continue to the northern circuit known for its tree climbing lions and also visit the Uganda kob mating ground which is their preferred hunting area.
After an initial scouting expedition, return to the camp for lunch, relaxing, and observing the hippos.
In the afternoon, there will be another game drive. During the dry season, the game drive goes to the Edward's flats to see elephants, large herds of buffalo, and different water birds. Occasionally, there are shoebill storks or some hunting lions.
Return late in the afternoon to enjoy the last moments of the day on the Ishasha river. After dinner, sit around the campfire and enjoy the natural sounds of the woods. (B-L-D)
Day 7 : Ishasha - Bwindi Impenetrable NP
This is the last game drive in Queen Elizabeth. It will be the last opportunity to find the lions. Start again with the northern circuit and finish the game drive with the southern part.
When returning from the morning game drive, enjoy the last moments in the wilderness. After lunch, depart for the 2 hour drive to Bwindi with a stop at Kihihi for refueling and some shopping at the local stores. The Muzungu (the white visitors) are an attraction for the children of the village!
Arrive at Buhoma (near Bwindi) in the afternoon. Bwindi has a unique rich and varied ecosystem and has lowland rainforest and afromontane forest. It is considered as one of the most unique and important forests of Africa. UNESCO declared it as a Natural World Heritage site for its many values and because it is vital to the survival of many endangered species. (B-L-D)
Day 8 : Gorilla trekking - Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Bwindi Impenetrable NP is a natural world heritage site. Hikers will love it with the gorilla excursion as a high point on safari!
Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It is difficult to foresee how many hours of hiking will be necessary. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before encountering any gorillas. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will give a briefing on how to behave with the gorillas.
Once back from trekking, there is entertainment by orphans of the Buhoma village with traditional Bakiga dances. For participants who want to contribute to the orphans, bring some used clothes or school pens. (B-L-D)
The Bwindi orphans group was created in 1998 with the main objective of taking care of the orphans dwelling on the streets of Buhoma. The aim of the organization is to provide education, teaching agriculture and handcraft skills, teaching basic hygiene, and the importance of sanitation. Today there are more than 160 children from all ages.
Day 9 : Bwindi - Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, take a village walk and have a look at handicrafts and a blacksmith nearby. Then depart for Lake Bunyonyi, a meandering drive along the Kigezi mountains. On the way, have a picnic at an altitude above 2200m in the mountains. Upon afternoon arrival, relax on the shores of this wonderful lake or enjoy swimming and water sports. (B-L-D)
Lake Bunyonyi, a crater lake formed by volcanic eruption, is 900m deep. This lake is the second deepest lake in Africa and third deepest in the world. It is a home for otters, crayfish, and a variety of water birds. You can swim or take a canoe or motor boat ride.
Day 10 : Lake Bunyonyi - Kisubi
Lake Bunyonyi means "place of little birds" and is a very idyllic spot. Drive to Kabale and join the highway to Kampala via Mbarara and Masaka. The journey to Kisubi will take about 6 hours with a stop on the way for a picnic. (B-L-D)
Day 11 : Departure
Depending on the flight time, a visit to Ngamba Island and the Jane Goodall Institute can be included.
Ngamba Island – Chimp Sanctuary – Jane Goodall Institute: Ngamba Island is located in Lake Victoria, 23 kms South-East of Entebbe. The island provides an ideal environment (97 acres - 45 ha) for the chimps confiscated by authorities from poachers and animal dealers. There are more than 35 orphans. They are fed four times a day and this is a spectacular moment for visitors. Good photo opportunities! Boat excursion organized with an other operator. Before taking the boat to Ngamba a visit at the Wildlife Education Center is possible.
pricing
2009-2010 Tour price per person in U.S. Dollars land only:
| LODGING: | Price Per Person | Single Occupancy |
| Camping: | ||
| Lodge: |
- ADD $515/PERSON/DAY FOR THE GORILLA PERMIT AND $170 FOR CHIMP PERMITS (OPTIONAL)
- 4 person minimum per group.
Tour Includes: Airport transfers, accommodation, all meals, plenty of mineral water, the services of a driver-guide, all park and entry fees, all activities as per itinerary.
Excludes: Airline ticket, beverages, tips for your gorilla guide ($10 local currency), tips for your driver/guide, visas, porters to help carry gear ($10 local currency), and personal expenses.