6 days/5 nights: Chimpanzee & Gorilla tour
Uganda has a total area of 236,040 sq. km, bordered by Kenya in the East and Tanzania in the South, Rwanda in the South west, DR Congo to the west and South Sudan to the North, making it a landlocked country. It lies at 10S to 40N Latitude and 300 to 350 East Longitude, so it is astride the Equator.1 00 N, 32 00 E.
The country, however, is well watered and fertile. Although it lies at the Equator, it receives about three rainy seasons a year, with Lake Victoria, The Nile, the many forests and the Rwenzori mountains determining much of the climate. In forest ecosystems it rains regularly and weather is unpredictable. Water covers 36,330 sq. km, about 15% of Uganda’s area. The country is rich in wildlife, game, birds, and a vast culture of over 50 tribes occupying this beautiful, green country.
In Uganda alone a birder will enjoy twelve percent of bird species in the world; a tracker will find half of the world’s gorillas; an explorer will have an opportunity to see more than 7% of the world’s mammals. For the discerning traveler the potential for Ecotourism here is enormous, and the discreet have tapped into it.
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe Airport
Arrive at Entebbe airport and thereafter transfer to your Hotel in Entebbe for refreshment and relaxation.
Overnight:
Hotel No.5, OR Entebbe Forest Lodge Bed & Breakfast – Room type: Luxury rooms
Inclusions at Hotel No.5
Includes accommodation and Breakfast
Day 2: Charter flight to Kasese, Road transfer to Kibale NP, Time at Leisure or Crater lakes Visit
After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe airport, fly to Kasese and short drive to Fort Portal/kibale, upon arrival, have lunch at the lodge. For the rest of evening, tour the nearby crater lakes or spend the rest of your evening at leisure.
In this region there are over 30 crater lakes and it’s believed to be the densest concentration of crater lakes in the world over a short stretch of 10Kms. Walk along the “Top of the World” trail where you view most of the crater lakes whilst passing through local villages and tea plantations. On a clear day you can also view the Rwenzori Mountain Ranges, Africa’s tallest Mountain range, in the distance
Overnight:
Chimpundu Lodge, Full Board – Room type: Luxury cottages
Inclusions at Chimpundu Lodge
- Accommodation
- All meals and beverages (including complimentary House wines, beers and soft drinks)
- WIFI Access where possible
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi Swamp Walk
With the highest number of primates in Africa, you will have a guided nature walk in Kibale Forest in which you will see the red, black and white colobus, blue monkeys, baboons and a large number of chimpanzees. You can have a forest walk to spot chimps and other primates playing through the forest. Birdlife is also fabulous, with over 300 species recorded in the forest, commonly you might be able to see the casqued hornbill and track the green breasted pitta that is found only in one place in the world.
About Bigodi Swamp
Bigodi Swamp is four square kilometers large and is considered to be one of the prime birding destinations in Uganda. “Bigodi” was borrowed from a Rutooro word ‘kugodya’. Kugodya means to walk in a tired way. The term was coined because whenever people were going to Kibale forest, they had to pass through Bigodi wetland.
Overnight:
Chimpundu Lodge, Full Board – Room type: Luxury cottages
Inclusions as above
Day 4: Fly to Bwindi NP
Breakfast at your lodge and drive to Kasese, flight to Bwindi National Park. Upon arrival lunch at the lodge, visit to Ride4AWoman charity project or nearby school. Later have Dinner and overnight
Overnight:
Mahogany Springs Lodge, Full Board – superior rooms
Inclusions at Mahogany Springs
- Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea and Dinner.
- All bottled water, All Hot drinks, All house drinks (house wine, house beer, house spirits)
- A visit to Bwindi Plus School. (Subject to school opening dates).
- A visit to Ride4AWoman charity project
- VAT among others
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking, Community Visit (Batwa)
Have breakfast at the lodge, go gorilla tracking, carrying your packed lunch. You will be accompanied by a guide and porters who will carry your shoulder pack for you at $20 per porter (optional) and paid directly. You will then set off to the thick forest in search of gorillas. The terrain can be difficult, with steep slopes covered in dense vegetation that gives the park its name. In addition, the altitude of 5200 feet and more means participants do need to be physically fit. The time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 7 hours before one returns to camp. Difficulty, however, is not impossibility and coming face to face with the great primates is well worth it!
Overnight:
Mahogany Springs Lodge, Full Board – superior rooms
Inclusions at Mahogany Springs
- Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea and Dinner.
- All bottled water, All Hot drinks, All house drinks (house wine, house beer, house spirits)
- A visit to Bwindi Plus School. (Subject to school opening dates).
- A visit to Ride4AWoman charity project
- VAT among others
Day 6: Fly to Entebbe, Departure
Breakfast at the lodge as you enjoy your last moments in Bwindi, transfer to the airstrip and fly to Entebbe. Upon arrival connect to your onward flight
Tour Includes
- Daily breakfast,
- Meal plan as listed in the itinerary (BB in Entebbe, FB on tour)
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary on sharing basis
- Gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Bigodi swamp tour
- Crater lakes tour
- Mineral/bottled water in vehicle
- Flights (domestic or charter)
- Snacks and soft drinks in the vehicle
- All transfers, fuel with vehicle
- English speaking driver all along the tour
- Cultural visits where available (Batwa)
Tour Excludes
- Meals in Kampala or Entebbe
- Other optional activities
- Extra drinks at lunches and dinners
- International Air tickets
- Personal Expenditures; phone calls, laundry
- Visa fees for Uganda
