9 days primate safari

This tour will include Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi National Parks.

Trip Highlights; Attractions include the famous mountain gorilla and chimpanzee treks, game drives, boat cruise and birding. This trip is ideal for those who want to discover interact with the close cousins of man, the Gorillas and chimps!!!

DAY1: KAMPALA- ENTEBBE (47 KMS)

Meet and greet at Entebbe  International Airport by Crystal Guide who will warmly welcome you and facilitate seamless arrival formalities.  After a short transfer to your hotel you will be briefed about you safari. Depending on the time of arrival e.g. if your flight arrives in the morning, you are advised to have money changed this day. To get to know Kampala, you can visit some of the landmarks in town with the help of our driver/guide. Overnight  at either Serena Hotel (www.serenahotels.com) / Sheraton Hotel (www.sheraton.com/kampala) for Luxury accommodation or Hotel Africana (www.hotelafricana.com) for Medium range accommodation or Namirembe Guest House (www.namirembe-guesthouse.com) for Budget accommodation. BB

DAY 2. KAMPALA- KIBALE NATIONAL PARK (358 KMS)

After an early morning breakfast, you will depart Kampala for Fort Portal arriving in time for lunch .In the afternoon relax at your hotel or visit the crater lakes area. Dinner and overnight at either  Ndali Lodge (www.ndalilodges.com) or Mountains of the Moon Hotel (www.mountainsofthemoon.co.ug) for Luxury accommodation or Rwenzori View Guest House for Medium range accommodation. FB

DAY 3:  KIBALE NATIONAL PARK

After Breakfast go for chimpanzee tracking.  You will also see and other primates including L’Hoest, red colobus, and blue red tailed and gray cheeked mangabey.  Enjoy the services of our ranger guide who will give you detailed information on primates, forest, flora and fauna. Later in the afternoon, you will have the opportunity of a guided walk through Bigodi Swamp. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is managed by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental organization formed in 1992 with the aim of achieving social and economic development for local communities. This swamp is a home to approximately 137 bird species and it is also rich in vegetation, such as wild palms, polita figs and the dominant papyrus.  There are a net-work of forest trails that radiate out from the visitor centre, allowing you to search for a number of species that shun the vicinity of the main road. Dinner and overnight at either  Ndali Lodge (www.ndalilodges.com) or Mountains of the Moon Hotel (www.mountainsofthemoon.co.ug) for Luxury accommodation or Rwenzori View Guest House for Medium range accommodation. FB

DAY 4: KIBALE NATIONAL PARK- QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK (157 KMS)

On this day after your morning breakfast you will proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain range for most of the journey.  A game drive en-route may be rewarded by seeing a lot of wild animals such as elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena and variety of antelope species.  After lunch, enjoy the unique 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake Edward and Lake George.  You will see a lot of hippos and other animals may be seen drinking at water’s edge.  During this launch cruise you will have opportunity to take photographs, game viewing and bird watching with over 550 resident species of colorful birds for you to enjoy. Overnight  at either Mweya Safari Lodge (www.mweyalodge.com) or Jacana Safari Lodge (www.geolodgesafrica.com) for Luxury accommodation, Kingfisher Kichwamba Lodge for medium range accommodation or Albertine Rift Camp for Budget accommodation. FB

DAY 5: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Today we have an early morning game drive.  Queen Elizabeth National Park is a home of abundant wildlife with grassy plains, and volcanic craters.  You will have an excellent opportunity to see lion, leopard, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda kob, topi and bushbuck. In the   afternoon, go for   chimp tracking in the Kyambura Gorge. Overnight  at either Mweya Safari Lodge (www.mweyalodge.com) or Jacana Safari Lodge (www.geolodgesafrica.com) for Luxury accommodation, Kingfisher Kichwamba Lodge for medium range accommodation or Albertine Rift Camp for Budget accommodation. FB

DAY 6: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK- BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK (150 KMS)

After your breakfast you will  depart Queen Elizabeth National Park for Bwindi Impenetrable National  Park by driving through the ‘Switzerland of Africa’ area known as Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads.  Pass through Ishasha where you will have an opportunity to see the tree climbing lions or take the alternative route through the cultivated area. Overnight  at Gorilla Safari Lodge (www.gorillasafarilodge.com FB.

DAY 7: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK

Go for gorilla tracking walking up steeply in the dense rain forest through different animals’ trails allowing access to tourists. Gorilla tracking is an inspiring and wonderful adventure which one can’t miss. The Gorillas are peaceful animals and it is an unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they interact. Overnight at Gorilla Safari Lodge (www.gorillasafarilodge.com) . FB.

DAY 8:  BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK-KAMPALA (527 KMS)

After breakfast, Leisurely drive back to Kampala with a stop over for lunch en-route.   Stop at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers where you will be able to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through the generations.  There will also be time to stop at the Equator where you will be able to stand in 2 hemispheres at the same time and take photographs.  You will arrive in Kampala in the early evening. Overnight at either  Serena Hotel (www.serenahotels.com) / Sheraton Hotel (www.sheraton.com/kampala)  for Luxury accommodation or Hotel Africana (www.hotelafricana.com) for Medium range accommodation or Namirembe Guest House (www.namirembe-guesthouse.com) for Budget accommodation. BB

DAY 9: DEPARTURE

Depending on the departure time, go for a city tour and visit the craft markets before transferring to airport to catch your flight back home.