This wonderful itinerary can be done almost year-round and takes in a selection of the country's most appreciated protected areas: start with a visit to the spectacular Murchison Falls National Park, which, with a stop for rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route, means you have the chance to see the Big 5 during your trip.
From Murchison Falls, travel to the luxuriant tropical forest of Kibale Forest, famed for its Chimpanzees and other primates which include several monkey species.
From Kibale, continue to the Mweya sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where aside from game drives, you will be taken for a morning launch cruise on Kazinga Channel. Travel south to magical Ishasha, to enjoy the Wilderness Ishasha Tented Camp.
From Ishasha, its a quick drive to Buhoma in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, from where you then do the awe inspiring 5 - 6 hour walk known as the Ivi Trail. The walk takes you to Nkuringo, the southern sector of Bwindi. Here you have the opportunity to visit one of the resident, habituated groups of Mountain gorilla - an awe inspiring end to a wonderful adventure! Transfer afterwards to Kisoro air strip for the internal flight back to Entebbe, where you have day room use before the late night flight home.
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London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports) - Entebbe
Fly from London Heathrow or selected other UK airports in the early morning, via Amsterdam to Entebbe where you arrive in the late evening. You will be met and transferred to Boma Hotel to stay overnight with breakfast included.
Accommodation: Boma Hotel
Entebbe - Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary - Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, depart with your driver-guide in your comfortable 4WD to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, (about 3hrs,30min) where you have the opportunity to see White rhinos. Continue on to Murchison Falls National Park, where you stay for three nights in the highly-rated Bakers Lodge with all meals included.
Accommodation: Bakers Lodge
Murchison Falls National Park
After an early morning game drive in the magnificent Murchison Falls National Park, enjoy lunch at Bakers Lodge. Take an afternoon boat cruise along the Nile River, during which you'll be able to look for game and an abundance of birdlife. With luck, you may see the nationally scarce Shoebill. The cruise culminates at the bottom of the Falls.
Accommodation: Bakers Lodge
Murchison Falls National Park
Another day in which to savour the delights of Murchison Falls National Park with its abundant wildlife and varied habitats as well as some of the country's most impressive scenic highlights. Today's activities will once again include a boat trip and game drives. During your time in the park you will also be taken for a guided walk to the top of the Falls
Accommodation: Bakers Lodge
Murchison Falls NP - Fort Portal - Kibale Forest National Park
Depart after breakfast with your dedicated, professional driver-guide in your private 4WD vehicle to Fort Portal, where you make a lunch stop. Continue on to the beautiful tropical forest at Kibale Forest National Park. Arrive in the afternoon at Primates Kibale Lodge for a 2 night stay, all meals included.
Accommodation: Primate Lodge Kibale
Kibale Forest National Park
This morning depart for a full day of Chimpanzee tracking in the morning, with a nature walk in the afternoon***.
During walks in Kibale, expect to see a variety of other monkeys and wonderful Equatorial African birdlife.
*** Alternatively, you may wish to go on a Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, which involves spending the day with members of the research team, following the movements of one of the resident groups of Chimpanzees. (Ask us for details; there is an additional cost included for this activity).
During the habituation excursion, you can expect to see the chimps de-nesting between 05.30 to 06.30 and follow them throughout the day till they make new nests in the early evening.
Return to the camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Primate Lodge Kibale
Queen Elizabeth National Park - Mweya Sector
Drive on to Mweya, the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, with optional stops en route at a honey project, basket weavers' workshop and a crafts stall.
Arrive at Mweya Safari Lodge for an overnight stay with all meals included.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
Queen Elizabeth National Park - Mweya Sector - Ishasha Sector
After breakfast, take a launch cruise on wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel which links Lakes Edward and George. The area is in particular, known for its concentrations of hippo and also, huge Nile crocs.
Then drive southwards to the Ishasha sector of the national park. Please note that on the launch cruise, you may share the boat with other tourists (the same is the case with Chimpanzee and Gorilla tracking where you will invariably be with other tourists). Overnight in the stylish and beautifully located Wilderness Ishasha Tented Camp with all meals included.
Accommodation: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha Sector) - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Take a game drive in the southern (Ishasha) sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, looking for the tree-climbing lions and other game found in this part of the park. Continue southwards to the beautiful Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for an overnight night stay at the lovely Buhoma Lodge, all meals included.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park - Gorilla tracking!
You will be taken to the Park HQ for a briefing at 07h00 on conduct during gorilla tracking. Head into the dense rainforest with experienced trackers to seek out one of the resident, habituated groups of Mountain gorilla. The hour you may spend with these magnificent primates is one of the most memorable wildlife experiences to be had anywhere in the world. Overnight in Buhoma Lodge.
Buhoma - Nteko: the Ivi Trail experience
Today we hike along the Ivi River Trail to Nteko (walking time about 4 - 5 hours depending on pace you choose) on the other side of Bwindi for a 2 night stay in Nkuringo Gorilla Camp in a terraced room, all meals included. During this walk, for which a reasonable level of fitness is required, you can expect to see a variety of small wildlife such as Duikers (a family of small forest-dwelling antelopes), fantastic birdlife - much of which is unique to the Albertine Rift - and clouds of butterflies, especially at Bushpig wallows near the tracks.
Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park - second gorilla trek OR gorilla habituation
Today you have the opportunity for either a second gorilla trek*** in the Rushaga section of the national park, OR, you can participate in the Gorilla Habituation Experience***.
*** Second gorilla permit is US$600 per person
*** Gorilla Habituation Experience (4 hours with the Gorillas) is US$1,500 per person.
Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Nkuringo - Kisoro - Entebbe (flight)
After breakfast, transfer to the Kisoro airstrip for the morning domestic flight back to Entebbe. Here you have the use of a day room at Boma Hotel. You can take either a canoe excursion on Mabamba Swamp if you wish to seek Shoebill, or, visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens. Evening transfer for the KLM flight departing late at night back to Amsterdam.
Accommodation: Boma Hotel
Arrival: London or selected other UK airports
On your early morning arrival in Amsterdam, connect with the KLM flight to London Heathrow or selected other UK airports.
Pricing Information & Dates
14 day tour, from £8170 per person
Price Includes:
- Flights
- Accommodation
- Transfers
- Guide
Price Includes
* Return international flights from London Heathrow or selected other UK airports to Entebbe via Amsterdam (economy class seating)
* Air taxes
* Domestic flight Kisoro - Entebbe
* All accommodation based on double or twin room occupancy, with meals as specified (Full Board everywhere except in Entebbe).
* All road transfers as indicated in comfortable 4WD vehicle
* Services of an English speaking driver- guide
* Park fees/ permits
* One Chimpanzee tracking permit per person
* One Gorilla tracking permit per person
* All other excursions and activities described in the itinerary
* Mineral water, tea and coffee in the vehicle
Price Excludes
* Beverages other than those in the vehicle
* Visa (US$50, must be applied for on line prior to travel)
* Expenses of a personal nature; gratuities
* Chimpanzee habituation (ask us for details); Gorilla habituation experience (ask us for details) and second gorilla permit.
Price Notes
Price is based on two people travelling together and sharing in twin or double room accommodation.
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