Kibale has the greatest variety and concentration of primates in East Africa. One of the last strongholds of the red colobus, 12 other species present include L’Hoest’s monkey, grey cheeked mangabey and chimpanzee. Chimp tracking and birding are the main activities in Kibale Forest and the rare forest elephant or leopard may be seen.
Positioned between Lake Edward and Lake George in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s showcase of wildlife. Diverse habitats include open savannah, dense papyrus swamps, crater lakes and rainforest – offering the country’s largest selection of mammals and over 600 bird species – one of the highest species diversity in the world.
Lake Mburo is the largest of the five lakes within this national park that consists of open Savannah, acacia woodland and swamps. A good range of wildlife can be seen on boat trips, nature walks or game drives. For birders Lake Mburo National Park this is the best area for African finfoot, as well as six endemic papyrus species including the brilliantly colored papyrus gonalek. Located 420 km southwest of Kampala City, the park covers 260 sq km. It is one of the more popular parks, due to its relatively close location to Kampala, being particularly busy with city weekend visitors.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Kampala. Arrive at Entebbe airport. Pick up and proceed to Kampala city. International Landmark Hotel (B&B).
Day 2: Kampala - Murchison Falls National Park. We will leave Kampala in the morning and then go north to the town of Masindi, the gateway to Murchison Falls National Park. As we cross into the park, we will pass through lowland jungle before traveling up and over a side-shoot of the Great Rift Valley, before plunging down into the Nile Valley and rolling savanna lands. We will make a stop at the top of the famous Murchison Falls, where the entire Nile is forced through a six meter gap in a pounding fury, before spilling out into a more placid flow at the bottom. We will spend the night nearby the Nile, where the laughing of hyenas, the roar of lions and the grunting of hippos will thrill you to the core. Red Chilly Rest Camp.
Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park. An early start this morning for a game drive encompassing elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, warthog, baboon and a huge variety of other wildlife. Later today we will take a boat ride up the river to the bottom of Murchison Falls, where boils of water, floating crocodiles and pods of hippo intersperse with some of the best bird viewing in the world. From the safety of the boat you can see the crocodiles, hippos, elephants, buffaloes and other animals on the shores of the Nile. Red Chilly Rest Camp
Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park. Early morning breakfast and go for an adventure on the Nile on a private boat trip This is a great opportunity of seeing the Shoebill Stork and other beautiful birds. In the afternoon drive to Hoima Town for dinner and overnight at Kolping Hotel at a superb viewing point. Kolping Hotel.
Day 5: Murchison Falls - Kibale Forest. On this day we will drive southward down the western edge of Uganda, through winding agricultural lands, where villagers and their children will show their friendly nature and wave out and you can glimpse the Ugandan way of rural life. We will enter the crater-lake region located underneath the magnificent Rwenzori Mountains. We will spend the night in a lodge in Kibale Forest. Primate Lodge/Chimpanzee Forest Guest House.
Day 6: Kibale Forest. Waking up early you can hope to get a good view of the Mountains of the Moon before we make our way into the chimpanzee forests of Kibale National Park. Get your walking shoes on as we move through bush and jungle to spend time with our fascinating relatives, watching them swing through the trees or move quickly across the ground in front of us. The park is home to 12 species of primate. The Primates include Chimps, black and white Colobus Monkeys, blue, black faced red Colobus Red Tailed Monkeys, Olive Baboons and an incredible array of bird life, including the Great Blue Turaco. In the afternoon we will take an optional walk through some nearby jungle and swamplands, over board walks put together by a community project, giving a fascinating insight into the wetland community and flora and fauna within. We will spend the night at the Rwenzori View Guest house in Fort Portal, with a fascinating viewing point of the Mountains of the Moon. Primate Lodge/Chimpanzee Forest Guest House.
Day 7: Kibale Forest - Queen Elizabeth National Park. After breakfast we drive to one of the features of volcanically with cycled movement of water while in a pot like shaped environment. Then take a closer look at the caves, the best home for Bats and Lizards. In the afternoon we connect to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the best National Park of Uganda with outstanding wildlife. Have a relaxed guided walk at the Mweya Peninsular or make a game drive. Mweya Hostel (B&B).
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park. Early game drive in the park with high expectations of seeing Lions, Hippos, Buffaloes, Leopards, Spotted Hyenas, Elephants, Antelopes and the elusive Giant Forest Hog in this park. Return to the hostel for lunch, in the afternoon you will take a unique boat ride on the Kazinga Channel which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The area is believed to be the biggest Hippo concentration in Africa. You will be entertained by amazing hippos usually in interesting pools and many animals may be seen drinking at the water's edge. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, Hippos huff and spray mere feet away from the boat, Buffalo linger in the shallows and the prolific bird life is colorful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species. Buffaloes linger in the shallows and the prolific bird life is colorful and stupendous. Mweya Hostel (B&B).
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park - Ishasha. Game drive in the morning or optional chimp-tracking in the Kyambura Gorge. In the afternoon we continue to move through the National Park as we enter the southern region of the park known as Ishasha. This area is famous for tree-climbing lions and driving underneath the huge thorn trees is an experience you will never forget, as you find the lions lolling around in the upper branches. Game drive in the afternoon. Ishasha Hostel.
Day 10: Ishasha - Bwindi Impenetrable. Before we leave the park we will have another game drive in the Park to search for animals. After the game drive we enter the southwest of the country, where winding roads lead through tiered agricultural lands and take us to the misty mountains of the gorillas. We will stay at one of the beautiful lodges under the stars right on the edge of the Mountain Gorilla's natural habitat. Depends on the group of gorillas you will be tracking.
Day 11: Bwindi Impenetrable. Rise with the sun and trek into the green cloaked and misty mountains to find the world's rares primate: the mountain gorilla. It is estimated that half the world's population, some 300 individuals, live in Bwindi. The chances of tracking the mountain gorillas in Bwindi are almost 100%. The rain forest will drip around you as you first hear the breaking of bamboo signaling the group is near and then you will be face to face with one of the most delightful and fascinating creatures in the world. After an hour's viewing you will make the trek back to the lodge. Relaxing in the afternoon or bring a visit to the Batwa (pygmies). Depends on the group of gorillas you will be tracking.
Day 12: Bwindi - Lake Mburo. After breakfast we will drive through twisted and winding roads, and lake dotted countryside, before emerging on to the lower thorn and savanna scrub lands of Lake Mburo National Park. Lake Mburo National Park has markedly different fauna to other Parks and reserves, and its the best place in the country to see the gigantic Eland Antelope, as well as Zebra, Topi, Impala, and several Acacia - associated birds. There are no lions an elephants in the park, so the park is ideal for walking safaris. The five lakes within the park attract Hippos, Crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds. Game drive in the afternoon. Rwonyo Tented Camp
Day 13: Lake Mburo. Fancy a walk through wild, wild Africa? This morning we are going to take a walking safari, complete with a ranger, so we can get up close and personal on ground level to many of the beautiful and free animals of the park. It's also possible to have another game drive instead of a walk through the park. Lunch at the Lakeside Restaurant. In the afternoon we take a boat ride at Lake Mburo, which gives great opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles and a lot of beautiful birds. Rwonyo Tented Camp.
Day 14: Lake Mburo - Kampala/Entebbe. Game drive or walk through the park and later drive Kampala with a stopover at the equator for photos. We will then go to the craft centers in the city before your flight.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation in lodges or luxury camps
- Park entrance fees
- Forest walks
- Bird watching and game drives in open topped safari vehicles
- Local forest guides
- Boat trips on the Nile and Kazinga Channel
- Private 4x4 custom built vehicle with knowledgeable driver/guide
Price Excludes:
- International Flights
- 1 Gorilla permit each, which costs USD $500 pp)
- Meals and (alcoholic) beverages and those not mentioned above
- Tips and personal expenses such as laundry and communication
- Air fares
- Tips
- Drinks
- Laundry and others
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Uganda
Wildlife Viewing
National Parks
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