About Bwindi NP
Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest largely contained within Bwindi impenetrable national park comprises a large primeval forest at altitudes spanning from 1,160 to 2,607 meters. The impenetrable forest also known as ‘Place of darkness’ is located in southwestern of Uganda on the edge of the western arm of the great rift valley where mountain gorillas have survived for many centuries Thanks to Diana Fossey and her famous documentary the “Gorillas in the Mist”
Tour highlights
- Gorilla trekking (bwindi forest)
- Game drive (Queen Elizabeth)
- Boat cruise
- Chimpanzee tracking (Kibale forest)
- Primate walk (Bigodi)
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable NP
This Morning, you will be picked from your hotel/residence in Kampala at around 7:00 am and proceed to the south western part of the country. We shall have a stop at the equator for land mark photo taking and continue with our journey with a stop in Mbarara for a lunch break. Then proceed to Bwindi National Park the home of Mountain Gorillas. It is estimated to half of the world’s surviving population of mountain gorillas 300 live within these boundaries shared by Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. It’s along and enjoyable drive. Proceed south to Buhoma viewing the terraced hills of Kigezi Highlands once known as Switzerland of Africa.Arrival at Buhoma will be in the evening. You will then settle in at your lodge for dinner and over night as you prepare for tomorrow’s activity.
Budget: Buhoma Community Banda’s, Nkuringo campsite tents, Virunga Hotel, Nkuringo safari center
Middle: Nkuringo camp Site, Wagtail Eco lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp; Shongi Gorilla Resort
Up market: Lake Kitandara Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Resort Camp: Traveler’s Rest Camp: Silver Back Lodge, Gorilla Safari lodge.
Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Clouds Lodge, Gahinga Volcanoes Bwindi Safari Lodge
Day 2: Gorilla trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Early morning after having your breakfast, with your packed lunch, you will be escorted to the starting point for briefing by your guide. You will be allocated guides to track gorillas with, and then will be off to begin your adventure. A briefing from your local guides and then start off. The time taken and the terrain vary (3- 8 hours) this depends on the movement of these gentle giants. The thrill of meeting face to face takes away the pain of some times long and arduous trek. Each encounter is different and has its own rewards, but you are likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in delightfully playful manner. After tracking you will walk back to your lodge for overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer from Bwindi NP to Ishasha Queen Elizabeth Park
After early breakfast head for Ishasha, which is the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, carry out a game drive where you will sight tree-climbing lions and viewing other wildlife like elephant buffalo, hyena etc. Ishasha sector is dominated by acacia woodland and scrubland and features the meandering Ishasha River, banked by a riparian forest. After picnic lunch drive to Mean Peninsular all the way to the northern sector of the park arriving in time at 3:00pm for boat cruise on Kazinga channel where you will view more wildlife elephant, buffalo, crocodiles, schools of hippos and many bird species along this fascinating channel. Later on check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Budget: Albertine Camp: Farmland Resort.
Moderate: Hippo Hill Camp, Simba Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Bush Lodge, Engazi Lodge
Up market: Mweya Lodge standard rooms, Katara Lodge
Luxury: Mweya Safari lodge: Jacana safari lodge: Wilderness Safari Camp
Day 4: Transfer from Queen Elizabeth NP to Kibale Forest NP
After breakfast, you will go for Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge where you will see not only the chimpanzee but also other primates like the colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys plus baboons.Depart this interesting unique part of the world and head to Kibale Forest National Park another primate concentrated families. Check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale
Up market: Fort Motel, Mountains of the moon Lodge, Kibale Guest Cottages
Moderate: Ruwenzori view guest house, a taco
Budget: Toro Resort, Nyinabulitwa Country Resort
Day 5: Early morning chimpanzee tracking
After an early breakfast you will be driven to Kanyanchu park headquarters. With local guides trek chimps in Kibale National Park in their natural habitat nestled in the shadows of the Ruwenzori Mountains (the famed mist shrouded “Mountains of the Moon”) Kibale Forest is rich in animal life, including an astonishing 12 species of primates including chimps in this park have been recorded, the very localized red colobus and Lhotse’s monkeys. Tracking the chimpanzee our ‘cousin’ is a very interesting experience. The way they feed, climb trees, respond to humans, caring for their young ones leaves an imaginative dream to tell.
In the afternoon, you will visit the surrounding Bigodi swamp eco tourist site or enjoy unique view of crater lakes and other volcanic features. Overnight will be at Toro Resort (this provide mid range clean facilities) dinner and overnight
Day 6: Transfer from Kibale to Entebbe
After breakfast drive to Entebbe via Mubende stopping at interesting forest and swamp spots with lunch on the way.
END OF TOUR
Inclusions in the tour
- Gorilla permits @600 and chimpanzee permit @50
- Game drive @Ishasha
- driver /guide and 4×4 vehicle
- Applicable government fees
- Accommodation full board
- A bottle of water
Excluded in the tour
- Beverages and bar bills
- Phone calls.
- personal insurance and
- Any other services of personal nature like souvenirs, tips, laundry etc.
What to carry
- Long pants and long sleeved shirts or blouses
- Hiking boots
- Cameras(without flash)
- Raincoat, insect repellent and
- Sun cream