TOUR PACKAGE-UGT006

GORILLAS, CHIMPANZEES & BIRDS OF UGANDA TOUR: CODE-UGT006

JEWELS OF UGANDA - Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Birds, Wildlife and Primates in Kibale & Budongo Forests, Murchison, Queen Elizabeth, Semliki, Lake Mburo Parks - 14 Days

This is one of our longest safaris, this tour visits 8 of Uganda's 10 National Parks. Five of these Murchison Falls, Semliki, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi are in the Western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley! Your trip starts with Murchison Falls Conservation Area, the largest in the country, with chimps, birds, crocodile, and game. Visit the dramatic Falls from which the park derives its name. Drive the long journey westwards to Semliki Game Reserve for chimps, birds and game. Kibale Forest, nearby, is home to thirteen species of primates the highest in tropical Africa. Animal species such as red, black and white colobus, blue monkeys and baboons and a large number of chimpanzees can be seen. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains: a half day walk into the mountains is possible. The launch trip along the Kazinga Channel in QE is especially good for viewing hippo, buffalo, elephant and a large host of birds. The beautiful steeply forested Kyambura Gorge nearby, is home not only to chimpanzees but also the red-tailed monkey, black and white colobus and many bird species. Around Ishasha go on the hunt for the famous tree-climbing lions which lounge nonchalantly on old fig trees. Further south in Bwindi go gorilla tracking and see other primates, birds and butterflies. Have an opportunity to track gorillas again or climb a volcano, go birding or take in the breathtaking landscape. Return to Kampala via Lake Mburo, one of Uganda's most conspicuous parks rich in birds, hippo, buffalo, and zebra.

ITINERARY FOR GORILLAS, CHIMPS AND BIRDS IN UGANDA TOUR

DAY 1, Arrival
Arrive Entebbe airport. Meet, greet and transfer to Entebbe or Kampala for overnight.

DAY 2, Entebbe or Kampala to Murchison
Briefing from your guide before taking a gentle drive for Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Drive through Luwero. Lunch en route and continue to the park. Visit the top of the stimulating Murchison Falls, crashing through a narrow gorge. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours].

DAY 3, In Murchison
An early morning game viewing north of the Nile. Launch trip to the bottom of the mighty exciting Falls, with crocodiles, and a vast array of birds including the rare shoebill stork, lounging on the banks of the Nile. Hippos are everywhere! Evening game drive.

DAY 4, Murchison to Budongo to Hoima
An early start. Game drive on your way to Kaniyo-Pabidi in Budongo Forest. Go for a guided nature walk to track chimpanzees. Budongo is also known for its many plant and bird species. On return drive to Hoima via the mesmerising Lake Albert, view fishing villages, local communities and local fishermen. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours].

DAY 5, Hoima to Fort Portal
Drive south to Fort Portal, past big tea plantations, lunch en route. Proceed to your lodging in Kibale. Either explore a crater lake nearby or relax at your lodging. [Approximate driving time: 5 hour(s)].

DAY 6, In Kibale Forest
A guided nature walk in Kibale Forest, which has the highest number of primates in Africa - including red, black and white colobus, blue monkeys and baboons and a large number of chimpanzees. A forest walk provides a high possibility of seeing and hearing a vast number of chimps and other primates crashing around through the forest. Birdlife is also fabulous, with over 300 species recorded in the forest. An afternoon walk in Bigodi wetland gives the opportunity of seeing the unusual birds, baboons, chimpanzee and other primates which live around the swamp.

DAY 7, Kibale to Semliki
Drive to Semliki Safari Lodge. Boat trip on one of the lakes. Hippos, crocodile and a vast array of birds can be seen. Evening game. [Approximate driving time: 3 hours]

DAY 8, To Queen Elizabeth Park
Leave for Queen Elizabeth Park, passing via the Rwenzoris, or Mountains of The Moon as they are sometimes called. Continue to QE. Evening game drive. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours].

DAY 9, In Queen Elizabeth Park
Visit Kyambura gorge to track chimpanzees, man's closest relation. In the afternoon, a game drive on your way out of the park. A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a rewarding experience.

DAY 10, Queen Elizabeth Park to Bwindi
Leave for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We may drive via Ishasha, weather conditions permitting where you may see tree-climbing lion - or drive through farmland to Buhoma. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours].

DAY 11, Bwindi gorilla tracking
Go gorilla tracking (subject to availability of gorilla permits at time of booking), carrying a packed lunch. You will be accompanied by a guide and porters who will carry your shoulder pack for you. You will then set off to the thick forest in search of gorillas. The terrain can be difficult, with steep slopes covered in dense vegetation that gives the park its name. In addition, the altitude of 5200 feet and more means participants do need to be physically fit. The time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 8-9 hours before one returns to camp. Difficulty, however, is not impossibility and coming face to face with the great primates is well worth it!

DAY 12, Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, a gentle drive to Lake Bunyonyi for mesmeising views of the lake, relax at the sandy beaches, explore nearby local communities.

DAY 13, Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo
After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National Park via Kabale. Boat trip and an evening game drive. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours].

DAY 14, Return and fly out
Time permitting, early morning game drive. Return to Kampala via Masaka, and on to Kampala arriving late afternoon, lunch en route (HB). [Approximate driving time: 4 hours]

This 14-day safari allows visitors to see the gorillas of Bwindi, see Chimpanzees & Birds, Wildlife and Primates in Kibale & Budongo Forests, see game and do launch cruises in Murchison, Queen Elizabeth, Semliki, and Lake Mburo Parks. See the chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge and Kibale Forest. Also see birds and enjoy a visit to the islands of Lake Bunyonyi. Tour ends with Lake Mburo Park and a visit to the Source of the River Nile in Jinja.

Tour Ends.