This African safari will offer you an opportunity to track primates in Uganda, with a chance of seeing the amazing tree-climbing lions of Ishasha sector, the gentle apes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a game drive & boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Depart via Kampala to Entebbe after chimpanzee tracking experience. Enjoy a full-day tour of Kigali City.
Tour highlights:
- Boat cruise
- Game drives in QENP
- Gorilla tracking
- Gorilla habituation
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
- Bird watching (various species)
- Cultural encounters & interactions
- Scenic views & stunning sunsets
- Kigali city tour & genocide memorial
- Visit the Nyamata twin Churches
- Souvenir shopping in local craft markets
Key
B&B: Bed and Breakfast
FB: Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Price per Person from 5,850 USD
Included
- Meals on a full board basis
- Daily mineral water on safari
- 8 nights’ accommodation
- All park entry fees & cruise fee
- Gorilla & Chimp Permits
- Game drives & the Katwe experience
- Transport in a 4X4 land cruiser (Window seat guaranteed)
- AMREF emergency medical evacuation cover
- Services of an English–speaking driver-guide
- Fuel for the round trip
Excluded
- Meals & snacks outside accommodation
- En Route–lunches
- All optional activities
- Extra nights at a fee
- Medical & travel insurance
- All drinks alcoholic & non-alcoholic
- Expenses of a personal
- Tips & gratuities
Day 1: ARRIVAL, MEET & GREET WITH A TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by one of our driver guides who will transfer you to the hotel. Check-in and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Flame Tree Village / Onomo Hotel/ Kigali Serena Hotel.
Basis
Bed and Breakfast
Day 2: KIGALI CITY TOUR & THE GENOCIDE MEMORIAL SITES
Today you will have a detailed city tour of Kigali through the historical landmarks with a visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial Site, which offered a place in which the bereaved could bury their families & friends, now over 250,000 victims are buried at the site. This site also includes three permanent exhibitions, the largest of which documents the genocide of April 1994. There is also a children’s memorial and an exhibition on the history of genocidal violence around the world.
Your tour of Kigali extends to Nyamata Genocide Memorial Centre (with twin churches), just 30 km outside the capital city. Many Tutsi people gathered here as churches were a place of solace & safety, about 10,000 people locked themselves in the church. After this memorable excursion, transfer back to the hotel & spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Flame Tree Village / Onomo Hotel/ Kigali Serena Hotel.
Day 3: TRAVEL TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Journey time: 4 Hours
At 331 sqm, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to half the world’s mountain gorillas, over 346 bird species, 202 butterfly species, 400 plant species, 63 tree species, 120 mammal species & 27 frog species. It is the only gorilla conservation area in Africa with the highest population of Gorillas. On this day your driver-guide will pick you up for your transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through Cyanika/ Gatuna Boarder to Uganda. On arrival, check into your lodge for lunch and recuperate from the journey.
Overnight: Mahogany Springs Lodge/ Trackers Safari Lodge/ Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge.
Meal Plan
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: GORILLA TRACKING DAY | OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters in time for the 08:00 am briefing. Gorilla tracking commences 30 minutes after registration and briefing by the ranger guides. Gorilla tracking is a very captivating and unforgettable experience which more than repays the effort needed to reach Bwindi. It can last a few hours to a whole day depending on where the gorillas were left previously. After tracking, return to the lodge for lunch with optional activities thereafter. Buhoma Community Village Walk This walk provides guests with an opportunity to support the local community whilst enjoying visiting various interesting places as you follow a walking trail through the village. Highlights include the traditional healer, banana brewery and a local Primary school where you may interact with the children.
Meal Plan
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: ROAD TRIP TO QUEEN ELIZABETH N. PARK VIA ISHASHA
Journey time: 4 – 5 Hours
After an early breakfast depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for diverse ecosystems which include sprawling Savannah, shady humid forests, sparkling lakes, wetlands & amazing craters. The southern route through Ishasha will give you the opportunity of spotting Tree climbing lions; Have picnic lunch near River Ishasha and continue on your journey. Arrive at your pre-arranged accommodation and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.
Day 6: EXPLORE THE UNIQUE QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
After an early breakfast, go explore the highlights of this wonderful national park with a variety of animal, birds, insects, flora and fauna. Enjoy a scenic view of several crater lakes like Nyamunuka (medicinal to the animals) & Munyanyange (frequented by flamingos) Proceed to Lake Katwe (salty lake) interact with the locals, learn about salt mining and return to the lodge for lunch. The boat cruise is scheduled in the afternoon on the Kazinga channel. Return to the lodge & enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure with dinner at the lodge.
Overnight: Buffalo Safari Lodge/ Mazike Valley Lodge/ Mweya Safari Lodge.
Meal Plan: Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: A JOURNEY THE PRIMATE CAPITAL
Journey time: 2 – 3 Hrs
Enjoy breakfast on a leisurely morning & later start off your journey to Kibale National Park. This trip is composed of a scenic view of the Rwenzori Mountains & a brief stopover at the Equator (photo opportunity) in Kasese. There is an optional tour of Fort Portal the tourism city with highlights like Amabere ga Nyinamwiru, the crater lakes, and Toro Botanical gardens among others. Upon arrival at the lodge in Kibale National Park, enjoy lunch & spend the rest of the day at leisure or have a sundowner walk around Kibale communities, with dinner in a serene atmosphere.
Overnight. Primate Lodge Kibale/ Papaya Lake Lodge
Meal Plan:
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 8: ADVENTURE IN THE PRIMATE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
On this day you will take part in Chimpanzee tracking where you will have an exclusive experience of the chimps plus many more primates which include but not limited to the following; Ugandan Mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, de brazza’s monkey, red colobus monkey, black & white colobus monkey, blue monkeys, baboons and many more varied types of primates Thereafter, return to your lodge for lunch
In the afternoon,
- Visiting a local church & Bigodi Trading Centre
- Bigodi village trail
- Guided nature walks in Bigodi wetland sanctuary (Birding)
- Experience a Ugandan school system
- Visit elders’ homes for storytelling
- Get engaged in local community interactions.
- Be entertained with cultural songs, dances & plays plus souvenir purchases.
- Visiting homesteads
Later on, after this memorable experience, return to your lodge and enjoy your leisure in a quiet environment with the sounds of fauna.
Overnight at Primate Lodge Kibale/ Papaya Lake Lodge/ Kyaninga Lodge.
Meal Plan:
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: LEAVE KIBALE VIA KAMPALA TO ENTEBBE & DEPARTURE
Journey time: 5 – 6 Hrs
After an early breakfast, depart Kibale via Fort Portal and Kampala City straight to Entebbe International Airport, so as to check-in for your outbound flight. This road trip offers you an opportunity to shop for souvenirs in Fort Portal town (the most scenic town in Uganda) with a view of the largest tea plantation (Rwenzori Commodities). En-route meals are at the client’s own cost but mineral water is fully provided at any time.
END OF SAFARI
DISCLAIMER:
- The journey time stated in the itinerary is an estimation and it is subject to variation depending on traffic and road conditions.
- Listed accommodation options are subject to change for similar ones depending on availability per destination visited.