Uganda
From US$ 2850 pp / Person
Taking a guided trek to find Uganda’s mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park is an incredible experience. Look out for other primates, wildlife and birds and enjoy staying in comfortable lodges in the heart of the forest.
Day 1: Arrival and Hotel Transfer
You will be picked up from the airport by a representative of Gecko Tours who will transfer you to your hotel in Kampala. Depending on your time of arrival you can explore Kampala city. You will stay in Forest Cottages, a hotel with safari style furnished rooms, equipped with satellite TV, fridge, bar, telephone and fan, designed in harmony with the environment and aiming to fully immerse guests in a forest experience.
Journey Time: 1 hour
Accommodation: Forest Cottages
Meal Plan: BB
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Today you will begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park. The long drive is incredibly scenic, passing through tea plantations and lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda. After about 7 hours’ drive, you stop for lunch in the suitable town of Fort Portal. Have time to walk around town, observe local life and/or visit the local market. Then you drive one more hour to the Primate Lodge, an exclusive eco-lodge situated in the heart of Kibale Forest National Park. The lodge has eight lavish safari tents, seven friendly cottages secretly located in the forest, restaurant and bar serving international and local food as well as a cultural fire dancing place where evenings are usually enjoyed to give you all the warmth you need.
Journey Time: 7 hours
Accommodation: Primate Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch and dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking
Today you will experience some serious chimpanzee business! Kibale Forest National Park boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including the chimpanzees. Approximately 5,000 chimpanzees live in the wild in Uganda, which makes it a perfect place to spot them! An experienced ranger will take you chimp tracking in the morning or afternoon; you might also see other primate species that live here. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have a full hour of eye-to-eye contact with them.
Tracking Time: From less than an hour up to about 7 hours
Accommodation: Primate Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Your driver-guide will pick you from your lodge for your drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, about 6-7 hours. Dinner and overnight at Brode Bill Forest Camp in the middle of the forest, calm and peaceful with a fantastic view of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The camp gives you a warm bottle and fireplace to warm yourself during the harsh conditions in the forest.
Journey Time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Broad Bill Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Tracking
Prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorilla. For most people, this is the highlight of their tour in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to not only mountain gorillas but also five other species of primate, 113 species of mammal, over 200 butterflies and 360 bird species. The gorillas tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day.
Your gorilla tracking will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorilla’s habitat. En route your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as 2 hours or up to as much as 8 hours. Once the gorillas have been located, your group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a truly emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda’s very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.
Journey Time: 2–8 hours
Accommodation: Brode Bill Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 6: Transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast at the lodge, you will drive back to Kampala or Entebbe (airport) stopping at the equator for the essential snapshot and a bit of souvenir shopping.
Journey Time: 7 hours
Accommodation: Not Included
Meal Plan: Breakfast and lunch
From US$ 2850 pp
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