A six-day safari from Entebbe, visiting the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, and Lake Mburo National park. Top quality local hotels and lodges are used throughout.
Forest walks
Guided gorilla trekking
Chimpanzee tracking
Game viewing
Start: Entebbe Scheduled flights: Entebbe International Airport
Day 1 Arrive Entebbe International Airport, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Lake Victoria Hotel, Entebbe. Bed and Breakfast only included.
Depending on your arrival time, a half-day trip to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Reserve on Lake Victoria has been arranged for this afternoon. Ngamba is where orphaned chimpanzees have been relocated under the management of a group of dedicated conservationists including the Jane Goodall Institute.
Ngamba Island is part of the Koome group of islands located on Lake Victoria 23km south of Entebbe, Uganda. It consists of approximately 100 acres, 98 of which are forested and separated from the visitors area by an electric fence. Ngamba Island was officially opened to visitors in October 1999 and is currently home to 35 orphaned chimpanzees, 15 of which have been confiscated and brought to the island since it's opening.
Entebbe is a small town, located on the edge of Lake Victoria. Depending on your time of arrival, you may like to spend some time exploring the town on foot, or you can take a taxi in to Kampala and visit the craft and curio markets there, the Kasubi Tombs and Museum. In Entebbe there is the Wildlife Education Centre, and you can see close up the large slow-moving Shoebill Stork, or you can try your hand at golf on the local 9-hole course.
Day 2 Bwindi National Park We strongly recommend you FLY from Entebbe to Bwindi or Kisoro today, it's just under two hours by air and is most scenic.
Alternatively, your safari will depart after an early breakfast to to the west of Uganda, along mountain roads to either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda gorilla sanctuary - depending on where 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.
Buhoma Lodge or similar (Bwindi or Rwanda) One of the original camps at Bwindi which has been upgraded over the years. Very conveniently situated 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 he 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.
Day 3 Bwindi National Park 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 should get within metres of the family, and be privileged to spend time amongst them. Returning to the camp for a late lunch, you have an opportunity for forest walks with the guides, or just to relax. Overnight lodge or camp. All meals included.
The trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to six hours or longer is not uncommon - at relatively high altitude.
Mountain Gorillas are wild animals, as such sightings cannot be guaranteed, however the success rate is well over 90%.
Day 4 Bwindi National Park Today, those who have opted for two gorilla treks, will set off once again into the forest in search of one of the gorilla families. Those persons not trekking will be able to go on a forest walk in Bwindi looking for birds and primates with a local knowledgeable guide. This has been included in your tour. Relax for the afternoon at your camp, or possibly go and do some curio shopping along the road, or visit a local village where you may be treated to some dancing etc. Please discuss your options with your guide. Overnight Bwindi / Rwanda all meals included.
For those safaris that track gorillas in Rwanda, the spare day will be taken up with a local excursion in the region. For those preferring, we can book a tour to visit Dian Fossey's grave, or tracking the Golden Monkeys - both of which are quite strenuous activities and attract an additional cost of USD75 & USD50 respectively.
Day 5 Lake Mburo National Park The road to Kabale takes you into the Uganda Highlands - the Switzerland of Africa - with great views and vistas of this lush green area. From here we continue, heading towards Kampala on good tarmac roads to Lake Mburo National park. This small park offers a great variety of game including zebra, leopard, various antelope and hippo - as well as prolific birdlife. Here you may go on a walk with a local guide, or on game drives exploring this park.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6 Return to Entebbe, stopping en route to shop for curios and at the Royal Drum makers at Mpigi if desired. Breakfast included.
You will be back in Entebbe mid afternoon, in time for an early evening flight out, or if you would like us to book an additional night accommodation either in Lake Victoria Hotel, or Kampala hotel. Alternatively go to Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary for an overnight - in an exclusive tented camp, located on the island just four large tents with en-suite facilities on teak decks overlooking the lake.
Whilst on the island, you may be able to go on a chimpanzee walk (by prior arrangement only) in the forest with the young orphaned chimps. Or you may fish, or simply relax and interact with the staff on the island (care-givers) and researchers who look after the orphaned chimps. You can help support this project by visiting. The entrance and activity fees paid goes directly towards helping cover the recurring costs of the island sanctuary and ensuring the well being of the chimpanzees.
Do not book your flight out before 20h00.
End: Entebbe Scheduled flights: Entebbe International Airport
Rate includes - accommodation as stated - all meals per itinerary (bed and breakfast in Entebbe) - transfers - services of driver/guide - all park entry fees as per itinerary (not permits) - forest walk in Bwindi and game drives in Lake Mburo
Rate excludes - visas - insurance - drinks - tips - all items of a personal nature - Gorilla permit (Bwindi or Mgahinga or Rwanda) USD500 fm 1.6.07 - nature walk in Mburo optional extra.
In all cases the Gorilla Permit will be pre-booked and prepaid prior to final confirmation of the safari - safaris are thus dependent on availability of permits. This itinerary may be altered slightly depending on gorilla permits and flight bookings.
Group size Minimum: 2 Maximum: 7
Guestbook
Thanks so much for setting things up for us. Our four days in Lamu were beautiful and interesting and relaxing - we had the best room at Kijani House, with thatched porch overlooking the sandy beach and people and donkeys and fishing boats. There was even another thatched deck above it where we hosted a couple of new friends we met at meals for sunset wine. Staff were very helpful and we couldn't have asked for more. Good food.
The trip to Uganda was also a definite highlight. George, our driver, was very helpful, knew wildlife and birds, and arranged everything we needed. I had been having problems with calf muscle of my leg and they arranged for me to go in the gorilla tracking to the closest group (only about 15 minutes), had porters to help me on the way, etc. Ellie was in group that hiked 2 hours up the mountain and half hour down the other side before meeting their gorillas--but then her body was up to it!
Mburo National Park visit more than made up for the fact that we didn't get to overnight at Ngamba Island - sitting out on the deck in front of the tent watching sunset and sunrise and listening to the night sounds; also boat trip out on Lake Mburo where the park guide found great birds for us (the whole trip, including our beginning safari in Kenya, added 147 species to my life list).
So your arrangements worked out beautifully, we were met at all airports by drivers to take us to the arranged hotels. While we expected that people involved in the tourist business would be open and friendly, we were impressed by the local people we met and passed in both Kenya and Uganda - kids waving, if we saluted a man or woman on the roadside as we passed they returned the salute or wave.
Thanks again for your efforts and we recommend you to anyone we talk to about our trip.
Richard and Eleanor Dawson (USA) - 4 day fly-in to Lamu Island + 6 day Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari, March 2006
