Day
1: Arrival Uganda Kibale Forest National Park
In the morning, you arrive at the newly refurbished and
modern Entebbe International Airport, where we will meet
you for a welcome drink and a briefing. We then drive southwest
to the Kibale Forest National Park. We pass through Ugandan
villages, catching views of the Western Rift Valley as we
go. This afternoon we arrive at our lodge. Overnight: Primate
Lodge. Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 2:
Kibale Forest National Park
This 766-square-kilometer tropical rain forest is the
natural habitat for an amazing 12 primate species, and
contains the highest primate density of an area on Earth.
Here, on a guided forest walk, you may find families of
Chimpanzees and Red Colobus Monkeys chattering and swinging
through the ancient forest trees. Some of the trees are
50 to 60 meters (150 to 180 feet) in height, and provide
a majestic canopy for the profusion of rain forest life,
including 325 bird species. Even though you may only rarely
see them, the park is home to the largest population of
Forest Elephant in Uganda, and is also home to Buffalo,
Uganda Kob, Genet, Civet, Waterbuck and Bushbuck. This
morning we take a guided walk through this fascinating
forest, following the well-marked trails. After lunch
we visit a nearby forest swamp that is excellent for viewing
more primates and other forest animals. Overnight: Primate
Lodge. Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3
and 4: Kibale Forest National Park - Queen Elizabeth National
Park
This morning we drive to Ishasha in the southern sector
of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ishasha is a much more
remote and less-traveled part of Queen Elizabeth National
Park, but one which has a sense of exclusivity and remoteness.
The game densities here are high, and this region has
reported some of the largest herds of Elephant anywhere
in Uganda, as it is the main migration corridor between
Uganda and the DRC. There is prolific plains game here
- primarily Topi and Uganda Kob, Buffalo, Hippo and of
course Elephant. There is plenty of smaller plains game
and a number of primate species and this of course means
that predators are in attendance. Spotted Hyaena is a
common visitor, and Leopard is occasionally sighted. However,
a prime attraction for Ishasha is that is has a large
lion population, and the frequency of sightings for this
magnificent animal is higher here than anywhere else in
Uganda. An added bonus is that they have learned to climb
trees to escape the midday heat and insects, and one is
usually rewarded by the slightly surreal sight of anything
up to six lions relaxing high up in a Sycamore Fig, Arbisia
or Acacia. These are the only other lions apart from those
in Tanzanias Lake Manyara National Park known to
exhibit this behaviour. Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness
Camp. Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5:
Queen Elizabeth National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable National
Park
After breakfast, we travel further south to the Bwindi
Impenetrable Forest. This is a leisurely drive, taking
most of the day. We climb out of the Rift Valley at first,
and then travel through the Kigezi Highlands of South-Western
Uganda. The scenery gets increasingly breathtaking as
we switchback up and down the hills. Thirty kilometers
(18 miles) before the end of our journey, we see our objective
the mist-swathed mountains of the Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and
is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world.
On arrival, we are welcomed to the luxurious Gorilla Forest
Camp with hot towels and a welcome drink. We retire to
our enormous tents for a hot shower (or a hot bath if
you prefer), and meet later around the campfire to recount
the days activities. After dinner, we retire for
the night, lulled to sleep by the sounds of one of Africas
most incredible natural environments.Overnight: Gorilla
Forest Camp. Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6
and 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
These two days activities may be amongst the most exciting
and challenging of our entire expedition. The Mountain
Gorillas in Bwindi are part of a worldwide population
of just 600 individuals. The gorillas we are allowed to
track belong either one of two habituated family groups.
For up to five years each, these groups have undergone
an extremely delicate process that has gradually brought
them to tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period
every day and allowed a few privileged visitors to interact
with them in the wild. The gorillas are by no means tame,
and are completely wild animals. However, experienced
guides will accompany us on our tracking, many of who
have been involved in the habituation process themselves.
The guides will use their knowledge of the gorillas
habits and information from the previous day to locate
the groups whereabouts. Because of this, the time
taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as
little as half an hour to as much as 9 hours before one
returns to camp. Once the gorillas are located, our group
will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. This
is one of the worlds truly memorable experiences
a look into one of these magnificent creatures
eyes brings home the bond that exists between them and
us. It also brings home the poignant fact that they are
on the edge of extinction, and that our presence here
contributes to ensuring their continued survival. The
hour is often over all too quickly, and we slowly make
our way back to camp to recount the days adventures.
Overnight: Gorilla Forest Camp. Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 8:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Lake Mburo
Today we will travel eastwards to Lake Mburo National
Park. After lunch in Mbarara, we drive to the park and
check in to our camp. We enjoy an evening game drive to
view the parks plains game species and birds, followed
by a return to the camp to freshen up for dinner. Overnight:
Mihingo Lodge. Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 9:
Lake Mburo - Entebbe + Depart
After an early morning game drive, we return to Entebbe.
We will arrive in time for lunch, with the afternoon at
leisure or optionally doing some last-minute shopping
in Kampala. If your flight departs this evening, you may
opt to take a day room to rest at Imperial Resort Beach
Hotel. Your tour leader will advise you on cost and options
available. Later, we transfer you to the Airport for your
onward arrangements. AfriChoice! airport representative
will re-confirm your onward flight, and assist you at
check-in. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
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