Primates of Uganda

Day 1: Entebbe
Today you will arrive at Entebbe International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative who will then transfer you to your accommodation for overnight at Boma Guesthouse.

Day 2: Entebbe – Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, we will start our journey to Kibale Forest National Park through verdant countryside and past traditional homes and local farms. Kibale Forest offers an accessible and enlightening insight into life in a tropical rainforest. Large mammals aren't so easily seen but the clouds of dazzling butterflies and gorgeous forest birds more than make up for it, and besides, Kibale is most famous for its primates and it is commonly known as the primates capital with about 13 species of primates. The commons being the Chimpanzees.  In the afternoon we will transfer to the accommodation for dinner and overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Day 3: Kibale Forest National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park
After having breakfast, you will be transferred to the headquarters of the park where we will be briefed by the rangers, and by around 8:00 am the search of the amazing chimpanzees begins. Kibale Forest is where the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa are exceptionally represented and as you track the chimpanzees you will have an opportunity to see other wildlife species such as the rare I’Hoest’s monkey, the black and white Colobus, Blue monkey, Grey-cheeked mangabey, Red-tailed monkey, Olive baboon among others. In the group, the adult males dominate the group and provide protection to the territory against the rest of the males from other territories. The chimps are located by simply listening for their pant hooting calls, and then head to the place from which they replied. Here you can observe them as they feed, play as well as socializing with each other. The tracking takes 2-3 hours after which you will return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Once you have settled in and time allows, you will go for an evening game drive. In the evening transfer back to the hotel for dinner and overnight at Park View Safari Lodge.

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Rise up early to go for a morning game drive to catch up with the early risers and predators returning to their hideouts. You will most likely meet grazing Hippos, Elephants, and Lions, spotted Hyenas, bushbuck, waterbuck, stripped jackal, comical warthogs, and the elusive leopard. Later in the afternoon, you will go for a boat ride on Kazinga Channel. The Kazinga Channel is home to many of the captivating species that inhabit the park and taking a boat ride along it gives tourists a chance to cruise just meters from the enormous hippos and buffalos while elephants linger on the shores. Later return to Park View Safari Lodge for overnight and dinner.

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi Impenetrable National park via Ishasha
After breakfast, we will start our journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. En-route, we will have a game drive in Ishasha which is the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The place is famously known for its tree-climbing Lions. You will thus have a game drive in search of them. Later proceed to the home of the rare mountain gorillas. Upon arrival you will check-in, relax, have dinner at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge and get ready for the next day as it will be an early wake-up call.

Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast with your packed lunch, your guide will drive you to the park headquarters for a briefing about the dos and don’ts during your gorilla trekking. Your gorilla family tracking will start immediately after the briefing. This is a memorable and amazing experience watching the Mountain gorillas feed, play around, and also do their day-to-day activities. This activity can take 2 hours or even up to 8 hours since it's dependent on the location and movement of the gorillas. Also, expect to walk long distances in muddy and steep conditions- this will require you to have a walking stick. On meeting the gorillas, you will spend one hour with them as you take photos. Later, trek back to the park headquarters to pick your certificates and return back to the lodge.   In the evening, you may choose to relax at the lodge or visit the Batwa community which will expose you to their culture based on how they live, dance, and also hearing stories concerning their culture which will leave you amazed. Dinner and overnight at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge.

Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, we will start the day with an early morning game drive and thereafter drive to Lake Mburo National Park. The park is the smallest of Uganda’s Savannah National parks and is home to a number of wild animals some of which are not found anywhere else in Uganda especially Zebras and Impalas. You will also be able to see Oribis, buffalos, waterbucks, and hippos. It also harbors quite a number of bird species totaling up to 350 species. Time allowing, you will also visit a cattle keeping family where you will learn how to rear cattle, milk, and make local butter commonly known as cow ghee. Dinnner and overnight at Rwakobo Rock.

Day 8: Lake Mburo National Park – Entebbe
Early in the morning, we will go for a 2 hours horseback riding at Lake Mburo. This is an awesome way to see wildlife in the wild without the sound of an engine. Later you will return to the lodge for a healthy breakfast and then start the journey back to Entebbe arriving in time for your departure flight.