11 DAYS UGANDA BIG FIVE PRIMATES SAFARI WITH GORILLA, GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING EXPERIENCE LAKE & CULTURAL ADVENTURE

Day by day itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Entebbe to Murchison falls National Park Via Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.

Your 11 Days Uganda Big Five Primates safari with Gorilla, Golden Monkey trekking & cultural adventure will begin with our guide picking you up from the Airport or your hotel in Entebbe and transfer to Murchison falls national park via Kampala-Luwero-Masindi route with a stop at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to track Rhinos.

Thereafter, continue to the top of Murchison falls to witness the Nile River being forced through a 7m gorge with thunderous falls emerging out before checking in at your Lodge in Murchison falls national park

Travel time: 6-7 hours

Dinner and Overnight:

 Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Red Chilli, Hornbill Bush lodge, Gipir and Labong lodge

Moderate: Ikorom Safari Lodge

Luxury: Tilenga safari lodge, Sambiya River Lodge

Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner.

 Day 2: Early morning game drive, afternoon boat cruise on the Nile and top of the falls hike.

Have breakfast by 6am and thereafter proceed to the wilderness in search of the early morning raisers, the morning game drive starts at about 6:30am,   look out for animals such as; the giraffes, lions, hyenas, water bucks, elephants, buffalos, antelopes- many species of birds such as; egrets, ibis, shoebill stock, marabou stock, king fisher, egrets to mention but a few. As you have your game drive, you may relax and have a picnic on the river bank as you listen to the groans of the Hippos.

After the game drive, you will transfer to the lodge and enjoy your lunch either way you may take packed lunch with as you prepare to have an afternoon boat cruise on the Nile River. This cruise is spectacular as it allows you to get up close to the aquatic animals such as; the hippos, crocodiles, water bucks, buffalos, elephants etc. Among the birds commonly sited on the boat cruise include the goliath heron, king fisher, weaver birds, bee eater, cattle egrets and the beautiful scenery along the bank. At the bottom of the falls, you will trek to the top of the falls or choose to take photos at the rocks below the falls.

Dinner and Overnight:

 Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Red Chilli, Hornbill Bush lodge, Gipir and Labong lodge

Moderate: Ikorom Safari Lodge, Bamboo Village

Luxury: Tilenga safari lodge, Sambiya River Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

 Day 3: Transfer to Kibale national park

Check out of your accommodation in Murchison falls national park and transfer to Kibale national park-primate capital of East Africa. Kibale Forest is home to 13 species of primates with the main attraction being chimpanzee tracking.

On this journey, you will have stunning views of the landscape scenery, pass through small villages, local markets and several birdlife

The drive from Murchison falls national park to Kibale national park takes 6-7 hours

This is day’s journey with packed lunch or hot lunch Enroute.

Dinner and Overnight:

 Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Kibale guest House, Kabale riverside camp, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Moderate:  Chimp nest safari Lodge, Isunga Lodge, Turaco treetops

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Luxury: Turaco treetops

 Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest, Bigodi community visit and transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park

Have an early breakfast and drive to Kanyanchu visitors centre in Kibale forest national park to attend briefing by 8am to prepare for tracking the habituated Chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

After briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimpanzee tracking, you will join other tourists in groups of 8 and will be led by an armed ranger guide to track the Chimpanzees.

A long the way you will see velvet monkeys, white colobus monkeys, birds, old and giant forests and sometimes forest elephants until you find the chimpanzees.

Chimpanzee tracking takes 2-6 hours depending on where you meet the Chimpanzees. You will be allowed an hour with the chimpanzees after spotting them before returning from the trek in the forest.

Later after lunch, visit the Bigodi village and swamp known for rich biodiversity of birds and primates. Thereafter proceed to Queen Elizabeth national park for overnight stay,

 Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Enshama Lodge, Kazinga wilderness lodge, Pumba safari cottages, Bush lodge (tents)

Mid-range: Aardvark safari Lodge, Kikorongo Safari lodge, Bush lodge, Simba safari camp, Ihamba Lakeside safari Lodge

Luxury: Elephant hab lodge, Buffalo safari Lodge,

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

 Day 5: Wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Wake up early morning, and after enjoying breakfast, embark on a morning game drive. During this drive, you will have the opportunity to see various animals, including elephants, antelopes, buffalos, Lions, leopards along various birdlife and salt lake within the park. After the game drive, set out on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where you can spot a range of wildlife such as crocodiles, hippos, waterbucks, and Buffaloes, as well as the various bird species, including storks and kingfishers.  Return to lodge for lunch break, relax and after

 Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Enshama game Lodge, Kazinga wilderness lodge, Pumba safari cottages, Bush lodge (tents)

Mid-range: Aardvark safari Lodge, Kikorongo Safari lodge, Bush lodge, Simba safari camp, Ihamba Lakeside safari Lodge

Luxury: Elephant hab lodge, Buffalo safari Lodge,

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6: Early morning transfer to Ishasha sector and Bwindi Impenetrable national park

After your morning breakfast, your driver guide will pick you up for transfer to Ishasha sector for the game drive. During this activity, you will have opportunity to view the tree climbing lions lying up in acacia, fig tree branches staring at the antelopes feeding in the open savannah plains. Lions in the Ishasha sector are believed to climb trees due to various factors such as to run away from biting insects, to escape from ground heat, to have a clear view of the prey among others, additionally, view other animals like elephants, top, Uganda kobs, warthogs, Buffaloes, waterbucks, Hippos, bird species like giant kingfisher, long tailed nightjar, white headed barbet, grey headed kingfisher, African green pigeon etc.

After the game drive, sign out of the park and have lunch break, after start the journey to Bwindi impenetrable national park, which is home to mountain Gorillas and covers an area of 331 square kilometers.

Accommodation options:

Budget: Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp / Karungi camps/ Buhoma community Rest camp/ Bwindi Guesthouse /

Mid-range: Rushaga gorilla lodge, Bweza lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Buhoma Lodge

Luxury: Engagi Lodge, Ichumbi Lodge, Lake Mulehe safari Lodge, Silverback Lodge

 Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

 Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Batwa Community visit and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

On this day, you will have a wonderful experience meeting the mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Forest! After a delicious breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the lodge for a transfer to the park reception for briefing about Gorilla trekking regulations, you will be divided into a group of 8 visitors, led by a ranger who is conversant and knowledgeable about the mountain Gorillas and the trekking trails as you start trekking the gentle giants

You will immerse yourself in the enchanting misty forest as you observe these gentle giants along with other wildlife, such as colobus monkeys, forest elephants, butterflies and various bird species including the Rwenzori turaco.

You will have an hour to spend with gorillas, observe their behaviours, watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, playing, breastfeeding, grooming young one, take photos and record videos.  The trekking duration can vary from one hour to eight hours or less, depending on the location of the Gorillas.

Principally hikers will love the trek in the beautiful ecosystem of the park. But overall, this will be a unique and unforgettable experience! After the gorilla trek, you will be given a certificate for succeeding a gorilla trek in Uganda/Bwindi then transfer back to your lodge.

You will have an afternoon Batwa community visit to experience the forest life of the Batwa (Pygmy people). Finally, proceed to Lake Bunyonyi for overnight stay and relaxation

 Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Bunyonyi safaris Resort, Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Byoona Amagara Island

Mid-range:  Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort, arcadia Lodge lake Bunyonyi, Birdnest Resort

Luxury: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort

 Meal plan: Breakfast, Packed/hot Lunch, Dinner.

 Day 8: Explore Lake Bunyonyi and afternoon transfer to Mgahinga National park

After your late breakfast, later board a boat or canoe ride on the deepest lake in Uganda and second deepest lake in East Africa after Lake Tanganyika.

This interesting boat cruise/Canoeing will give you an opportunity to explore some of the 29 islands especially the punishment island.

After the boat ride, you will have lunch where after you will embark on transfer to Mgahinga national park for overnight stay

 Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Mucha Lodge, Travellers Rest hotel, Ichumbi Hotel kisoro

Mid-range:  Mutanda Lake Resort

Luxury: Imbogo Diners & Lounge

 Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

 Day 9: Mgahinga Golden Monkey Trekking

Today is dedicated for Golden Monkey trekking in Mgahinga national park. Golden Monkey trekking starts at exactly 8.00am. After your breakfast, Head to the park reception for briefing and orientation on what to expect and to do or not while on trekking in the forest.

Depending on number of clients, you will be divided into groups with guides and then start off the tracking of Monkeys in the bamboo forest to explore the uniqueness of the Golden Monkeys appearance, Golden Monkeys are have an outstanding attractive colour, that is close to gold, hence its name, they are playful and move quite fast, be steady and fast when taking pictures.

Note, most of the Golden monkeys are used to humans and so they will not run away if they see you. Return to your lodge for relaxation and overnight stay

Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Mucha Lodge, Travellers Rest hotel, Ichumbi Hotel kisoro

Mid-range:  Mutanda Lake Resort,

Luxury: Imbogo Diners & Lounge

 Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 10: Transfer to Entebbe/Kigali international airport for departure

After your morning breakfast, Check out of your accommodation in Mgahinga national Park and get ready for transfer through the misty hills of southern Uganda back to Entebbe via Mbarara- Masaka highway with Enroute stopover at Kayabwe Equator to relax before proceeding to Entebbe to catch up with your departure flight or for an overnight.

The transfer from Bwindi forest to Entebbe takes 8-9 hours depending on the traffic. arrive and check in your booked accommodation

Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Pulckal Hotel, Imperial Resort Beat Hotel

Mid-range: Lake Victoria Granada hotel, Pelican Lodge & Marina

Luxury: Protea Hotel Entebbe

 Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

 Or for Rwanda

Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Afrika Boutique

Mid-range:  Century Park Hotel & Residences, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention centre

Luxury: Kigali Marriot

 Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

 Day 11: Full day Relaxation and evening airport transfer

Options: Entebbe botanic garden tour

                   Kigali City tour to Genocide memorial center

The 11 Days Uganda Big Five Primates safari with Gorilla, Golden Monkey trekking & cultural adventure trip has come to an end

FEES

 Budget

4 people travelling $3,253   per person sharing budget accommodation.

 Moderate

4 people travelling $3,497 per person sharing mid-range accommodation.

 Luxury

4 people travelling $4,963 per person sharing Luxury accommodation.

 FEES INCLUDE:

-Transfer to and from Entebbe airport/Kigali International airport

-Park entrance fees

-Game drives

-Gorilla permits

-Rhino tracking permits

-Chimpanzee tracking permit for Kibale National Park

-Golden Monkey tracking fees

-Boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison falls, on Kazinga channel and Lake Bunyony- island

-Community activity fees in Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth national park

-Accommodation on the trip except accommodation in Entebbe/Kigali before or after the trip.

-All meals

-Drinking water

-Full time English speaking guide

-Transport in 4WD Land cruiser

-Government taxes and VAT.

 FEES EXCLUDE:

-Visa

-Insurance

-Air tickets

-Tips

-Souvenirs

-Soft drinks like Beers, fresh Juice

-Activities as indicated optional.