Gorillas, Chimps and Lions Safari – A Tailor Made Tour

Welcome to the Pearl of Africa! Arrival at Entebbe Airport where you will be welcomed by our local representative and be transferred to your hotel.

Overnight at 2 Friends Beach Hotel- pool view (BB)

Just a short distance from the airport at Entebbe the 2 Friends Hotel has just 16 spacious and beautifully decorated rooms beside the beach on Lake Victoria.

After a relaxed breakfast, you will cross the capital city of Kampala and head west to Fort Portal, with lunch en route. Approx. 370km/5hrs drive.

Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled “Mountains of the Moon” and is famous for its green slopes covered with many tea plantations.

From this lovely town you will continue to nearby Kibale National Park.

Dinner and overnight at Turaco Tree Tops- deluxe room

Today you will enter the forest for a sensational chimp tracking session. Kibale Forest is reputable of having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa.

After a pre-tracking briefing at walking distance from your accommodation, you will start your hike adventure into the forest.

Follow the footsteps of a large habituated family of chimpanzees, with over 120 individuals that has made Kibale one of the finest locations in Africa for chimp viewing.

En route your guide will explain more about the forest and the other inhabitants, including other primates and birds such as the blue breasted Kingfisher, black billed Turaco, Pied Hornbill, Chestnut winged Starlings and many more.

Upon sighting the chimpanzees, you will stay with them for one unforgettable hour as they continue their daily routine – growling, grooming, feeding, taking care of the young ones and agilely climbing up trees. It certainly is one unforgettable wildlife encounter and the hour is always over too soon.

After your forest walk, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon transfer to Bigodi Village for a community walk that will bring you closer to the local tribe that lives in this area.

Accompanied by a local guide, who can tell you everything about the traditional customs and lifestyle, you will follow the village path and visit a primary school, traditional homesteads and learn more about the crops in the fields.

Dinner and overnight at Turaco Tree Tops- deluxe room

Kibale Forest National Park harbors the greatest variety and concentration of primates found anywhere in East Africa. Not less than 13 different species are living in this small area of 560 sq km, including Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Blue Monkeys and Grey-cheeked Mangabeys.

Most importantly, the dense forest hosts 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.

Both parks are also a birding paradise!

After an early breakfast depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, (approx. 450km/7hrs) home of the endangered mountain gorillas.

En route we will pass the vast savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park where we will go in search of the tree climbing lions.

Enjoy a picnic lunch en route before we finally reach Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, for an overnight in the middle of the African jungle.

Overnight at Bwindi in Haven Lodge – cottage

Haven Lodge is perched high, above Buhoma village, a 5- minute drive from the main road, and this elevated location guarantees best views across Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The architectural design is simple and natural merging simple elegance with local materials. Each room has an en- suite bathroom with sweeping views of the valley and forests that surround it. WiFi is available.

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 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 with the juveniles – it is a totally unique and unforgettable experience!

Dinner and overnight at Haven Lodge Buhoma – cottage

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 in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest only 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.

After breakfast depart the impenetrable forest of Bwindi and head to Lake Mburo National Park (250km c. 6hrs)

As you enter the park it is likely that you will spot some wildlife. After checking in to your safari lodge you will go on a boat ride on the lake to view the rich bird life and many hippos that are cooling off.

Have an early dinner before going on a optional night game drive in an open Landrover with spot light. This special game drive of 2-3 hours provides good chances of seeing the elusive leopard and of course other nocturnal animals.

En route today you’ll stop at Igongo Cultural Centre for lunch. The cultural centre illustrates the culture and traditional way of life of the local tribes in this area, including a museum, garden with indigenous trees and plants and traditional homesteads.

Dinner and overnight at Rwakobo Rock- cottage

Rwaboko Rock is an eco-friendly family run lodge nestled on a scenic outcrop at the edge of Lake Mburo National Park. The rustic cottages are dotted around the hill, all with a private bathroom and offering great sunset views.

The main dining area and bar overlook the national park and a nearby rocky pool where wild animals can often be seen drinking. WiFi is available in the main area.

Lake Mburo is the smallest national park in Uganda and conveniently located in the west of the country. Despite of its size, the area offers amazing scenery.

The five lakes are surrounded by forested hills, open savannah, acacia woodland and papyrus swamps. Wildlife includes some special species such as impalas, zebras and the gigantic elands, which are almost nowhere else found in the country.

Lake Mburo is an excellent place for bird watching as well. About 315 species are recorded in this area. Besides exploring the network of game tracks by car, guided safari walks and boat rides on Lake Mburo can also be arranged.

In July 2015 giraffes were translocated from Murchison Falls to Lake Mburo NP!

An early start today for a thrilling African bush walk guided by a ranger. A safari on foot allows you to notice the smaller, often overlooked, details and usually brings you much closer to the wildlife than when in a car.

Return the lodge for breakfast and with a game drive on our way out you depart the protected area and head back towards the capital city.

En-route will pass the Equator where you will make a stop for lunch, photos and souvenir shopping.

In time you will be dropped at Entebbe Airport for your international flight.

Approx. 270km/6-7hrs drive – additional nights can be booked near to the airport or day rooms.

Additionally a few days to relax in the adventure ‘capital’ of Jinja can be organised.

* The high season period includes January, February, March, June, July, August, September, October and December.

* The low season period includes April, May and November when it can be wet, although it should be noted that Uganda is a tropical country with high rainfall year round.

* Availability of accommodation, permits and activities is not guaranteed until confirmation by your contact person of Great Lakes Safaris. Permits are sold on ‘first come first serve’ basis.

* Gorilla permits can only be secured after receiving the requested deposit.

* The chimp tracking in Kibale Forest may take place either in the morning or afternoon, depending on the availability of the permits for chimp tracking.

* The safari will be carried out with an international travel company, with a minimum of 2 and maximum of 6 participants. Mandala World Travel has no control of the nationality, gender, age or any other details of the participants. However this safari may be booked as a private safari if you prefer.

* The estimated travelling hours are based on the actual hours of driving; stops for lunch or photos not included.