Arrive Entebbe, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Lake Victoria Hotel, Entebbe. Bed and Breakfast.Accommodation: Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel This is an old colonial-style hotel with views over Lake Victoria. It has good facilities including a formal dining area with an outside terrace, 2 bars, breakfast room and pool with it's own bar and restaurant area. The meals include European style food, as well as an Indian menu. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxing. The rooms are in a quadrant around a ventral garden with some facing the lake and on two levels. All rooms are en suite, have air conditioning or fans, and satellite television. A complementary shuttle service operates to and from the airport for all flights - about 8 minutes drive away.


Depart after breakfast to Lake Mburo National Park, approximately 5 hours drive from Entebbe via Kampala. Here you will have the opportunity to go on game drives, or a walk with a local ranger, and explore this pretty park.Accommodation: Lake Mburo Tented camp Situated high up on a hillside off the main route to the park headquarters is this tented camp with views stretching far and wide. Each tent caters for two persons and has it's own bathroom area with hot showers provided, eco friendly toilet systems and a private dressing area. A central area provides dining and bar facilities. Meals are generally of a high standard with several courses for most.Rooms: 9 x en suite double tents


Today we travel along from Mburo towards the Kabale region, and then into the mountainous area of the lush Uganda Highlands - the 'Switzerland of Africa' - with great views and vistas of this beautiful green area, from here we continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, or to Kisoro and on to Ruhengeri, Parc National des Volcans, for your gorilla tracking base - depending on where pre-purchased permits are held. Overnight in en suite chalet/lodge accommodation, all meals included. It will be a fairly long day in the vehicle, passing some interesting scenery, farmland and lush green hillsides. Lunch en route.AccommodationGorilla Valley Lodge, Buhoma - or Gorilla Nest, or similar (Bwindi or Rwanda) Gorilla Valley Lodge, Buhoma is one of the original camps at Bwindi, which has been upgraded over the years. Very conveniently situated inside the park opposite the park entrance with views over the forest canopy. Currently they have individual cottages with their own private veranda, a bedroom and bathroom area and some rooms with shared bathroom facilities. Lighting is by solar in all the rooms. Meals are taken in a central dining area where a fireplace provides warmth in the cool evenings. Peter the current manager provides excellent service levels to all clients. Rooms: 6 x en suite double cottages, 2 x twin, 1 x single shared bathroom rooms.Or, in Rwanda - Mountain Gorilla's Nest This quality lodge is located close to the Parc National des Volcans. It is nestled under a grove of trees, with all the rooms surrounding a large courtyard. The rooms are quite spacious, en-suite chalets with modern bathrooms. The lodge has a spacious restaurant with large bar and reception area and friendly service. On a clear day the views across to the volcanoes and surrounding hills are spectacular.


An early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers will bring you amongst a family of Mountain Gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare, only approximately 650 remaining. You will get within metres of the family, and be privileged to spend time amongst them. Returning to the camp for a late lunch, we have an opportunity for forest walks with the guides, or just to relax. Overnight lodge or tented camp. The trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to six hours or longer is not uncommon - at relatively high altitude. Please refer to our information sheet. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals, as such sightings cannot be guaranteed, however the success rate is well over 90%.


A second opportunity for gorilla tracking, with pre-purchased permits subject to availability. For those not trekking, you will have the opportunity to go on a forest walk with a local guide, or on a community walk at the local village which has been included in your tour cost, or perhaps visit the local orphanage. After lunch at your lodge, we will head in a northerly direction to the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National park, from Bwindi approx 3 hours drive, to be welcomed to our newly established luxury tented camp nestled under trees alongside a river.AccommodationIshasha Wilderness Camp, Queen Elizabeth National Park Newly established, located on a river within the Ishasha sector of QENP. With the backdrop of the Ruwenzori Mountains to the north, and the Virunga volcanoes to the south, there are few places on earth to rival the scenery in this park. Large herds of elephant, buffalo, Uganda kob and topi are often seen, as well as 'tree-climbing' lions, who favour the big Fig trees. The camp is conveniently situated midway between Bwindi & the Mweya section of QENP and is the only camp in 70 km, giving a feeling of exclusivity.Style of camp: East African 'Meru' Tents, ensuite shower, toilet and basin. Tents are spaced under shady trees, overlooking the river. The camp currently accommodates up to twelve persons, with facility for four more in the near future. The dining area is under canvas, on the banks of the river.Activities: Game drives, walking with ranger/guide (on request), birdwatching.


Game drives this morning in the Ishasha area of the park, looking for tree-climbing lion as well as some of the large herds of buffalo and topi in the region. Lunch at the camp, before transferring to Mweya Lodge or Jacana Lodge. Two nights will be spent here game viewing, with an opportunity to go on a chimp walk at Chamburu Gorge.Accommodation: Mweya Lodge Located on a peninsula overlooking the Kazinga Channel on one side and with spectacular views towards the Ruwenzori Mountians on the other, this recently upgraded and renovated lodge now provides some of the best accommodation and service facilities in Uganda. Amenities include a swimming pool, the Tembo bar and an elegant air-conditioned restaurant with a global cuisine. Breakfast is taken on the alfresco terrace adjacent to the Kazinga Channel.Or Jacana LodgeSet on the edge of a crater lake the lodge blends in perfectly with the wooded surroundings of the Maramagambo forest. Built with sensitive use of rock, wood, rope and other natural materials it combines to form a unique style. Each log cabin is beautifully and uniquely furnished to high standards and all rooms are en suite. A floating dining area on the crater lake provides a tranquil and different option for sundowners and dinner in the evenings.Rooms: 8 x en suite double log cabins.Within these two days we will go on a boat cruise on the Kasinga Channel, famous for hippos and bird life, and trek chimps in the Chamburu gorge (subject to permits being available and group size, this is an optional extra). Early morning and late afternoon game viewing / drives will also be conducted in search of Uganda's unique wildlife such as the Giant Forest Hog, Red Forest Buffalo and Ugandan Kob, and lion, elephant and leopard are often seen.


Morning game drive out of the park, returning to Entebbe late afternoon (4-5 pm). It is possible to fly out this evening, but we suggest you do not book a flight earlier than 20h00. Additional accommodation tonight is not included, but we can book an overnight at the Lake Victoria Hotel, or Boma Lodge, or even a night or two at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Chimpanzee sanctuary on Lake Victoria, where orphaned chimpanzees have been relocated under the management of a group of dedicated conservationists including the Jane Goodall Institute. The option of overnighting on Ngamba Island affords the opportunity of going on a forest walk with the young chimps the next morning. You would stay in our exclusive tented camp on the island, (only four tents) and spend time with the staff (care-givers) learning about the plight of the chimps. This is an additional charge.

Rates

p/p sharing 01.01.08 - 31.12.08 - 2575 USD p/p sharing 01.01.09 - 31.12.09 - 2865 USD