Best of Uganda

Chimpanzee Trek in Kibale Forest
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park,  one of the most popular and most scenic park in Uganda
Mountain Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day 1 Arrival Entebbe
Day 2 – 3 Kibale Forest
Day 4 – 5 Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 6 – 8 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Day 9 Depart

• Day 1 Arrival Entebbe

  Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, meet and greet and transfer to your hotel. the Protea Hotel in Entebbe is situated just 1km from Entebbe International Airport, right on the shores of Lake Victoria. Part of the established South African business hotel chain, it offers a reliably comfortable option for clients over-knighting in Entebbe. The Hotel has great views, with a fully stocked restaurant offering a la carte and buffet meals, as well as a terrace and bar with pool deck for sundowners overlooking the lake. Each of its 75 rooms are air conditioned, with en suite bathrooms. Standard rooms have shower facilities, with suites offering bath sand showers.
  Overnight at Protea Hotel (Deluxe Room BB Basis)
  

• Day 2 Kibale Forest

  After breakfast with your personal driver guide, depart to Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is about  7 hours. After leaving the Lake Victoria Basin pass through beautiful agricultural countryside where every type of fruit and vegetable imaginable is grown. Upon reaching Kyanjojo, in the lower foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon), we drive through beautiful tea plantations and into Kibale tropical rain forest. Arrive at the lodge near Kibale Forest National Park for a late lunch. Afternoon relaxation at the lodge.
  You will be based at Ndali Lodge, set on a 1,000 acre farm owned and operated by the third generation of the Price/Sturdy family. The lodge was built using local materials and labour and designed by Mark Price to blend with the landscape using traditional rough-casting and spear-grass thatch. Light, space, simplicity and openness to nature are key qualities. At Ndali, there is an opportunity to visit the farm and learn more about its operations.

  The fascinating 766-square-kilometer Kibale Forest is the natural habitat for an amazing 12 primate species, and contains the highest primate density of any 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.
  Overnight Ndali Lodge ( Std Cottage) BLD

• Day 3 Kibale Forest

  Today we get the opportunity to explore Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale Forest is home to 13 primate species and a guided forest trek can be taken in search of one of the most popular primate species in the world – the chimpanzee. There are 9 diurnal primates, these include, vervet, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked manabey, red colobus, black and white colobus, olive baboon and the most famous of all, the chimpanzee. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the odds are good with the chance of encountering them standing at higher then 90%. This morning you will go on a forest walk in search of primates. Whilst trekking in the depths of the lush green forest, you will be surrounded by bird song and can expect to see at least 5 or 6 other types of primate, most probably the grey-cheeked managebey and the red-tailed monkey and of course the chimpanzee. The walking is fairly easy due to the well-maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain.
  Overnight Ndali Lodge ( Std Cottage) BLD

• Day 4 Queen Elizabeth National Park

  Today after breakfast, you will drive approx. 3.5 hours to your lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon enjoy a game drive in the park.

  Your accommodation today is situated on the edge of the Kyambura Gorge and Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Africa’s most renowned parks. Kyambura Gorge Lodge, offers stunning views over the Gorge and the lush savannah of the park, with the snow covered peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance.
  The main building was originally a coffee store and processing plant, surrounded by coffee plantations. The structure has been sensitively restored to create a stunning living space, balancing the history of the building with the location and creating a series of distinct luxurious contemporary spaces for guests. Each room has a different aspect of the panoramic views across the gorge with their own luxury bathroom.
  The lodge has recently been included on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2012 ‘Hot List’ out of only 121 selected lodges across 49 countries.
  Located at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains, on the floor of the Rift Valley, Queen Elizabeth National Park is defined by rolling savannah and shimmering lakes. The park is continuous with the Virunga National Park in the Congo, and is a migration corridor for elephants that move from the Congo to the Kibale and Kayosha Kitoome Forests.
  Overnight Kyambura Gorge Lodge  ( Std Room) BLD

• Day 5 Queen Elizabeth National Park

  Today you will enjoy a game drive in the park. Because of its location and variety of habitats, the park is home to large populations of wildlife. Game drives here are rewarding. In the afternoon enjoy a shared boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel which is the day’s highlight. Here, hundreds of hippos mingle with other large herbivores coming down to the water’s edge to drink, while the outstanding bird life will impress even non-birders.
  Overnight Kyambura Gorge Lodge  ( Std Room) BLD

• Day 6 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

  Today after breakfast, drive 6 hours to your lodge near Bwindi Forest in time for lunch. Afternoon relaxation at the lodge as you enjoy the great views of the forest.
  Our base will be Mahogany Springs, one of Uganda’s newest lodges, with eight luxurious suites situated in lush, exotic gardens on the banks of the Munyanga River. Each suite offers a twin queen size beds, with a large bathroom featuring a beautifully designed terracotta shower. The rooms also offer dressing tables/desks and power points, with their own private balconies with panoramic views of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You will be offered à la carte menus for every meal, which can be enjoyed around the warmth of the restaurant’s log fire or outside on the terrace with the sounds of the forest all around you.
  The 331 square-kilometer (128 square-mile) Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is comprised of both montane and lowland forest.
  Overnight Mahogany Springs (Superior Suite) BLD

• Day 7 Gorilla Traking Day

  After breakfast take a short drive to Park Headquarters where we receive a briefing and select your porters for the day. Then you’re off on a drive that may last anything from 10 minutes to 2 hours before starting your gorilla track. The tracking can be strenuous because of the steep slopes and the high altitude. Initially, you will walk along established paths, your ranger coordinating with the advance trackers by radio to guide you in to the gorillas last known location. As you get to where the gorillas are, you will leave the paths and begin hacking your way through the slippery underbrush. Your porters will stay back as only your privileged party of 8 and your rangers approach the gorillas to spend a magical hour with them. The hour passes all too quickly, and then it’s time to reluctantly make your way back to your waiting vehicles.
  Overnight Mahogany Springs (Superior Suite) BLD

• Day 8 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

  Today you will have the privilege of meeting the Batwa tribe. Often referred to as ‘pygmies’, this ancient forest people reside in the forests of south-west Uganda.
  The day will begin with a hike from Buhoma to reach the nearby Batwa community. You will meet members of this proud but vulnerable people, and learn all about their history and culture, herbal medicines and traditional hunting techniques. This experience is considered one of the most authentic living history encounters available with the Batwa in Uganda today, and represents a sustainable way for these marginalized forest people to earn an alternative income now that much of their ancestral lands have become conservation areas.
  Overnight Mahogany Springs (Superior Suite)  BLD

• Day 9 Departure Day

  Today you will be transferred to Kihihi airstrip for your morning scheduled flight to Entebbe in time to check in for your International departure flight. B

• Departure Dates

  Flexible departures (any day)

• Included

  Airport transfers
  Meet and Greet upon arrival
  Comfortable, modern, 4X4 vehicles, customized for maximum viewing with open roof hatches
  Professional, experienced drivers
  Local flight as indicated
  All accommodations and meals as stated in the itinerary
  All excursions as stated in the itinerary, which includes park fees and taxes
  Bottled water in vehicles

Uganda Safari can be done all year-long, but best time is during the dry season: June to early October and from mid December to early March