Uganda’s tropical climate and position – Positioned between two massive rift valleys are a bless to the country creating scenic landscapes and favoring the rare species that flourish in the country .This safari combines exploring wildlife and the primates of the country. Taking you through Kidepo National Park this part of the country that is not fully exploited, voted by CNN as one of the best wildlife national parks in Africa due to its abundant wildlife and rich culture. Flight to Kasese and transfer to Kibale the Primate playground, then a road transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park known for the tree climbing lions and another transfer to Bwindi home of the mountain gorillas.
Day 1: Arrival
On arrival at the airport, our waiting driver guide will pick you and transfer guests to the hotel. Depending on the arrival there lots of adventurous optional day activities may include a visit to Ngamba chimpanzee Island, Uganda wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), Kampala or Entebbe city tour and a Visit to Mamba Swamp in search for the shoebill at a subsidized rate. Check in to your hotel
Accommodation BB: Serena Hotel/ Protea Hotel
Day 2: Fly to Kidepo Valley Park from Entebbe:
After Lunch, you will be transferred to Entebbe airport for your domestic flight to Kidepo Valley National Park. .Flying over scenic views of the country’s landscape. A representative from Apoka Safari lodge will pick and transfer you to the Lodge upon arrival
Kidepo National Park has not attracted a lot of tourists but has the best scenery in the country. A few tourist opt for this park giving you a chance to enjoy the park without any interruption. Check in and relax at the lodge
Journey Time: 2 hours
Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge
Meal plan: All meals
Day 3: Game drive and Cultural tour
Morning breakfast will be served at the lodge followed by a game drive through the Narus Valley expect to stare at herds of buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, zebras and if chanced some lions, leopard and the cheetah. Blessings of abundant birdlife along the way. Experience the True African Wilderness
Coming back in time for lunch at the lodge. A cultural tour to the Karamajong people follows after lunch learning about their proud tribe and how they have refused most influences of change. Visiting their homesteads called the Manyatas and also the kraal’s where their cattle are kept in the night.
Returning to the lodge dinner and overnight
Accommodation: Apoka Safari lodge
Meal plan: All meals
Day 4: Game drive –fly to Entebbe
After breakfast, an exciting game drive summarizing Kidepo National Park across the savannah, hills, small forests, dry river beds and always the rings of mountains you may come across. Lots of animals wandering around the park. Not missing out on a game drive to Karankorog with lots of wildlife on the way. Return to the lodge in time for lunch
An early lunch will be served and followed by a transfer to Kidepo Airstrip to catch your domestic flight back to Entebbe. (By this time no flights to other destinations).Today you overnight in Entebbe.
Journey Time: 2 hours
Accommodation: Protea Hotel/Serena
DAY 5: Fly Entebbe-Kasese and Transfer to Kibale National Park
After breakfast, our driver guide will pick you early in the morning from your overnight hotel and proceed to the Airport to catch your domestic Flight to Kasese .Our already waiting guide will be ready to receive and transfer you to your lodge or Camp.
Relax at the lodge until lunch is served, then transfer to Kibale National Park Headquarters located at Kanyanchu. Joining other trekkers for briefing followed by Primate walk into the forest with trained ranger guide in search for the enchanting primate species. The forest highlights you with an opportunity to come closer with the habituated chimpanzee groups. You are allowed to spend an hour with the Apes amidst observing their behaviors and photograph moments. The primate capital of Kibale National Park is also home to other 13 primate species which can also be encountered during the trek, numerous species of forest birds are observed making it a haven of bird to the bird lovers. After the trek head to Bigodi wetland for a nature walk with opportunities to see primates and several bird species. This walk will enable you appreciate the role of the local people around Bigodi in conserving the wetland.
Departure time from Entebbe: 07.00am
Arrival time in Kasese: 10:00am
Journey Time: Kasese to Kibale Park :2 hrs hours
Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge
DAY 6: Transfer Kibale National -Park-Queen Elizabeth National Park by Road
After breakfast transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes you through Superb Views of the Rwenzori ranges, meandering Rivers that originate from the Mountain of the moon, with opportunities to experience different breathtaking landscapes. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a high concentration of Uganda’s mammals in the wilderness expect to encounter flourishing wildlife including tree climbing and savanna lions, elephants, wart hogs, Uganda kob, water buck, cape buffalo, hippos, leopards in addition more than 600 species of birds in habit this savannah dominant park these include the African spoon bill, pied kingfishers, fish eagles, pelicans, vultures. Reaching in time for lunch
After lunch a game in the grassland area expect to see Uganda kob, warthog and waterbuck these are often sighted from the park entrance, huge numbers of hippos and elephants are a must see and not missing out on the lookout for Lions and leopards lazing in the sunshine. Retire to the lodge in time for Dinner.
Journey Time: Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth National park: 2 -3hours
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge or Katara
DAY 7 –Lion Tracking research experience and Launch Cruise
Today after breakfast, a Lion Tracking research experience awaits you. Immense yourselves into the Savannah equipped with research and tracking devices to look for the collared lions in the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National park. The research is conducted by Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Uganda Carnivore program and as the experience proceeds, you will learn about lions, their habits, their environment and habituation calls. 98% assurance for lion encounter in this experience. The results obtained are additional to researchers’ databases, contributing important information to the understanding of wildlife ecology – and helping to conserve this sustainable ecosystem.
After the search your guide drive you to Mweya Safari lodge for lunch. After lunch a boat cruise awaits you at the famous Kazinga channel, this a chain between lakes Edward and George and a potential spot for viewing lots of birds, and animals that include elephants, countless hippos, crocodiles, buffalos, monitor lizards among other.
As we proceed to the lodge en route game drive winds up the beautiful park experience
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge or Katara
DAY 8 –Transfer Queen Elizabeth- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (By Road)
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the southern grassland of Queen Elisabeth National Park known for tree climbing lions. The chance of spotting the lions is 60-70% but sometimes hard to find especially when they are down in the grassland searching for prey. Spotting them up in the tree produces a memorable sight and a photographic moment. Continue to southwestern Uganda close to Uganda –Rwanda border at the edge of the rift valley where Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is located .It is one of Uganda’s oldest rain forest home to the Mountain gorillas. Check in at the lodge as you prepare for the strenuous day ahead of you the following day
Journey Time Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetarble : 5 Hours
Accommodation: Gorilla forest camp/ Clouds Lodge/Trackers Traven, Mahongy Springs
DAY 9 – Gorilla tracking
Have breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters offices for briefing about mountain Gorilla trekking by trained ranger guides. Hiking in the forest in search for the creatures feels magical as the environment brings serenity closer to you, just songs of birds and giggles of other primates crossing and watching around to see the intruders. The time taken to reach out to the gorillas is unpredictable but usually 2-8hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. Meeting the forest Giants is unexpectedly one of the most captivating life time experiences. Strictly 1 hour is offered to observe the gorillas, adults feeding and grooming among themselves plus photographic moments. After that moment your guide will lead back to the starting point where your driver will readily be waiting to transfer you back to the lodge.
Batwa. These are pygmies whose life fully depended on Bwindi forest for survival till the early 90s when conservation of the mountain gorilla habitant by the government became a reason to relocate them. To protect some of their leftover cultural activities, they demonstrate their ancient life to visitors through telling amazing stories and unique traditional performances
Recommended clothes to wear while on the track include: Waterproof Hiking Boots, Long-Trousers-Long-Sleeved Shirts, Tough Gardening Gloves, a hat Light Rain-Jacket, Sweater and Walking sticks will be provided for you at the briefing point.
Overnight Gorilla forest camp/ Clouds Lodge/Trackers Traven Lodge/Mahongy Spring
DAY 10: Transfer to Kihihi- Entebbe Airport
After breakfast transfer to Kihihi Airstip to catch your Domestic flight back to Entebbe Airport and then a connecting flight back home Or Depending on your arrangement a hotel may be reserved for the Night
Journey Time Kihihi- Buhoma or Ruhija-1hour 30 minutes or 2 hours
