Kyambura Go Safaris

Day 1: Kampala – Queen Elizabeth National Park

(430km/6-7hrs)

Collected from your Kampala hotel or residence by a Great Lakes safaris’ driver guide and driven west to Queen Elizabeth national park. With some stops at places of interest including the Equator for photo as well as at the Royal Drum Makers en-route and lunch at a local restaurant in Mbarara, you will arrive at Ihamba Lakeside Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park late afternoon with time to relax before dinner and overnight.

DINNER AND OVERNIGHT AT IHAMBA LAKESIDE LODGE (B-L-D)

The natural beauty in Queen Elizabeth National Park is overwhelming and diverse: green savannah plains with small acacia and euphorbia trees gave way to sunken crater lakes and swamps, bounded by the snow-covered peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. The park is home to 95 types of mammals, including Uganda Kobs, lions, elephants and the giant forest hog. Moreover, with a bird list of over 600 species, it has the highest number of bird species found in any national park in Africa! On the shores of the Kazinga Channel, a natural link between Lake Edward and Lake George, you will encounter large herds of hippopotamus and many crocodiles. Chimpanzees can be tracked in Kyambura Gorge, while the famous tree climbing lions are found in the southern part of the park, called Ishasha.

Day 2: Game viewing and boat ride

The day begins early with a morning game drive around Kasenyi plains, the mating ground of the Uganda Kobs, in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes and other wild animals in their natural habitat. You will return to the lodge for a late breakfast then time to relax and enjoy the lodge facilities before lunch.

In the afternoon we take on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel is 33 km long and 2-3 km at its widest points. The scheduled 2hr boat ride runs 12 to 14kms along the channel, with almost guaranteed excellent wildlife sightings including multitudes of hippopotamus – possibly the world’s highest concentration – Nile crocodiles, wallowing buffaloes on its reedy banks, elephants, and many birds.

DINNER AND OVERNIGHT AT IHAMBA LAKESIDE LODGE (B-L-D)

Day 3: Queen Elizabeth NP – Bwindi NP

Approx. 4 hours /200Km

After breakfast depart Queen Elizabeth National Park through Ishasha and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home of the endangered mountain gorillas.

DINNER AND OVERNIGHT AT SILVERBACK LODGE (B-L-D)

Of the over 800 mountain gorillas worldwide, Bwindi National Park is home to almost half of the gorilla population. There is no better place for observing these gentle giants from a close distance! Thanks to the wildlife conservation program, the number of gorillas has increased from 300 to 400 in the recent years, which include nine different families that are habituated for tourism purposes. Apart from the famous residents, the dense forest hosts 9 other primates. There are different trails in the park, including the Munyanga River Trail and Waterfall Trail, leading through the pristine rainforest to three sparkling waterfalls.

Day 4: Gorilla Tracking

Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the Gentle Giants!

Following breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family in groups of 8 as well as a gorilla tracking guide. After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide touching on the gorillas generally, your assigned gorilla family as well as appropriate safety precautions, you drive to the trail head for the start of a thrilling adventure. Expect to walk between 2 and 8 hours in steep and sometimes muddy conditions with rain overhead, which can be tough and require a degree of (average) fitness. However the thrill of coming face to face with a giant Mountain Gorilla silverback completely makes up for the effort!

Please remember to bring your passport for registration, appropriate, water proof hiking boots and a light rain coat. To protect from stinging nettles, we recommend long pants and long sleeved tops. A pair of old gardening gloves can help grabbing onto the vegetation while most hotels/lodges provide a walking stick that come in very handy especially when hiking downhill. A small waterproof backpack is an excellent idea to carry a light snack, bottled water as well as protection for your camera.

Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life; feeding, moving, playing, raising their young and sometimes wrestling with the juveniles – it is a totally unique and unforgettable experience!

DINNER AND OVERNIGHT AT SILVERBACK LODGE (B-L-D)

Day 5: Bwindi NP – Entebbe  – Departure

After an early breakfast we will depart Bwindi for Entebbe with stops at places of interest, stop over at the Equator if not done on day 2, lunch will be en-route in Mbarara town, continue to Entebbe International Airport to connect to your international flight (B, L)

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda

Arrival at Entebbe Airport where you will be welcomed by a Great Lakes Safaris’ representative and transferred to Cassia Lodge in Kampala (approx.1hr drive depending on the traffic) for overnight – dinner under own arrangements.

OVERNIGHT AT CASSIA LODGE (B&B)

Day 2: Entebbe – Kibale Forest

Approx. 330km/6hrs drive

After breakfast, we drive west to Kibale National Park via the lovely town of Fort Portal, resting in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon and famous for her many tea plantations. After stopping for lunch at a local restaurant, continue on to the Park and check in at Primate Lodge late afternoon with time to relax before dinner and overnight.

PRIMATE LODGE KIBALE (B-L-D) – STANDARD COTTAGE

Kibale Forest National Park harbours the greatest variety and concentration of primates found anywhere in East Africa with no less than 13 different species are living in this small area of 560km², including Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Blue Monkeys and Grey-cheeked Mangabeys. More importantly, the dense forest is home to a population of more than 1,000 chimpanzees, allowing visitors the unique opportunity to view these great apes in their natural environment. Just outside the national park you will find Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, offering a number of walking trails in the Magombe Swamp.

Day 3: Kibale Forest National Park Chimp Tracking

Today the forest opens its doors for a sensational Chimpanzee Tracking Excursion.

Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzee. Upon sighting the chimpanzees, you will spend the allowed one with them as they go about their daily life then hike back to base where your Guide will be waiting to transfer you back to lodge for a shower and lunch.

In the afternoon, join your guide on a tour around the Bigodi Swamp, an initiative of the local community and famous for the many species of birds and primates, before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

PRIMATE LODGE KIBALE (B-L-D) – STANDARD COTTAGE

Day 4: Kibale Forest – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Approx. 6hrs /360 kms

After breakfast you may wake up early to head for the famous Bwindi Impenetrable national Park. You will have the opportunity to drive through the crater lakes of this area. Bwindi, is home of the endangered mountain gorillas.

Dinner and overnight at Silverback Lodge (B-L-D)

Of the over 800 mountain gorillas worldwide, Bwindi National Park is home to almost half of the gorilla population. There is no better place for observing these gentle giants from a close distance! Thanks to the wildlife conservation program, the number of gorillas has increased from 300 to 400 in the recent years, which include nine different families that are habituated for tourism purposes. Apart from the famous residents, the dense forest hosts 9 other primates. There are different trails in the park, including the Munyanga River Trail and Waterfall Trail, leading through the pristine rainforest to three sparkling waterfalls.

Day 5: Gorilla Tracking

Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the Gentle Giants!

Gorilla Luxury Primate SafariFollowing breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family in groups of 8 as well as a gorilla tracking guide. After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide touching on the gorillas generally, your assigned gorilla family as well as appropriate safety precautions, you drive to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure. Expect to walk between 2 and 8 hours in steep and sometimes muddy conditions with rain overhead, which can be tough and require a degree of (average) fitness. However the thrill of coming face to face with a giant Mountain Gorilla silverback completely makes up for the effort!

Please remember to bring your passport for registration, appropriate, water proof hiking boots and a light rain coat. To protect from stinging nettles, we recommend long pants and long sleeved tops. A pair of old gardening gloves can help grabbing onto the vegetation while most hotels/lodges provide a walking stick that come in very handy especially when hiking downhill. A small waterproof backpack is an excellent idea to carry a light snack, bottled water as well as protection for your camera.

Dinner and overnight at Silverback Lodge (B-L-D)

Day 6: Bwindi NP – Entebbe – Departure

Approx. 540km/9hrs drive

Today we will depart the impenetrable forest of Bwindi and head back to with stops at places of interest, stop over at the Equator, lunch will be enroute in Mbarara town, continue to Entebbe International Airport to connect to your international flight (B, L)

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome to the Pearl of Africa!

Arrival at Entebbe Airport where you will be welcomed by Great Lakes Safaris guide and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe approx.7mins drive. Overnight at Boma Guest House.

Day 2: Entebbe – Bwindi National Park

Approx. 540km / 9-10hrs drive

After an early breakfast drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park-home of the endangered mountain gorillas. This will be relatively a long drive with stops at places of interest including the Equator, royal drum makers and lunch en-route in Mbarara town. Continue to Bwindi and check in at the lodge for dinner and overnight, time permitting go for an optional community walk around Buhoma village.

DINNER AND OVERNIGHT AT SILVERBACK LODGE (B-L-D)

Of the over 800 mountain gorillas worldwide, Bwindi National Park is home to almost half of the gorilla population. There is no better place for observing these gentle giants from a close distance! Thanks to the wildlife conservation program, the number of gorillas has increased from 300 to 400 in the recent years, which include nine different families that are habituated for tourism purposes. Apart from the famous residents, the dense forest hosts 9 other primates. There are different trails in the park, including the Munyanga River Trail and Waterfall Trail, leading through the pristine rainforest to three sparkling waterfalls.

Day 3: Gorilla tracking

Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the Gentle Giants of Bwindi!

Following breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family in groups of 8 as well as a gorilla tracking guide. After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide touching on the gorillas generally, your assigned gorilla family as well as appropriate safety precautions, you drive to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure. Expect to walk between 2 and 8 hours in steep and sometimes muddy conditions with rain overhead, which can be tough and require a degree of (average) fitness. However the thrill of coming face to face with a giant Mountain Gorilla silverback completely makes up for the effort!

Please remember to bring your passport for registration, appropriate, water proof hiking boots and a light rain coat. To protect from stinging nettles, we recommend long pants and long sleeved tops. A pair of old gardening gloves can help grabbing onto the vegetation while most hotels/lodges provide a walking stick that come in very handy especially when hiking downhill. A small waterproof backpack is an excellent idea to carry a light snack, bottled water as well as protection for your camera.

Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life; feeding, moving, playing, raising their young and sometimes wrestling by the juveniles – it is a totally unique and unforgettable experience!

DINNER AND OVERNIGHT AT SILVER BACK LODGE (B-L-D)

Day 4: Bwindi NP – Entebbe – Departure

Approx. 540km / 9hrs drive

After an early breakfast we will depart Bwindi for Entebbe with stops at places of interest, stop over at the Equator if not done on day 2, lunch will be en-route in Mbarara town, continue to Entebbe International Airport to connect to your international flight (B, L)

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