Discover the Wild Heart of Uganda: A Seven-Day Safari Extravaganza

Join a 7-day safari to witness Chimps, Gorillas & Big Five in the stunning landscapes of Uganda's parks.

Itinerary:

Day 1: No.5 Boutique Hotel, Entebbe         

Entebbe

Situated on a peninsula in Lake Victoria, the former seat of Uganda’s government, Entebbe is just a short drive from the current capital and offers plenty to keep visitors amused. This charming town features tree-lined streets and serves as an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding area. Tourists can look forward to spending days on beautiful beaches along the banks of Lake Victoria, stroll through the fields and forests of the magnificent Botanical Gardens, or pay a visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a haven for country’s orphaned chimps.

Day Itinerary

• TBA: Arrival at Entebbe International airport. 
• TBA: Vip Meet & Greet service through immigration, 
• TBA: Meet our company representative. 
• TBA: Transfer to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. 
• Overnight: No.5 Boutique Hotel

Nestled in the leafy suburbs of Entebbe, is the new and stylish boutique hotel, Hotel No.5. From the moment you arrive, you are warmly welcomed and cared for. With luxurious rooms opening onto the garden and swimming pool, this is a great option for guests looking for an intimate stay in a tranquil setting.

Make yourself at home – unwind beside the swimming pool, pamper yourself with a spa treatment, or work up a sweat in the hotel gym. For one of the most flavoursome dining experiences in Entebbe, carefully planned menus are paired to an international wine list, and served with pride.

Attention to detail and an attentive guest experience are synonymous with Hotel No. 5, making it the perfect choice for a restful stay in this busy town.

Basis

Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Ndali Lodge, Kibale Forest National Park  

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park, situated in Western Uganda, is famous for its high density of primates, breathtaking crater lakes, and thick, beautiful jungle. Thirteen primate species inhabit the beautiful tropical forest, including red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest's monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red colobus, and black and white colobus monkeys. Visitors may spot some of the 300 bird species and 250 butterfly species, and buffalo, forest elephants, leopards, bushbucks, and sitatungas also live in the park but are generally shy. The area is decorated by around 50 enthralling crater lakes and numerous pristine hiking trails. Several cultural tours are on offer which delve into the rich traditions of the Batoro people, giving travellers a chance to see Batoro dancing, singing and traditional healing up close.

Day Itinerary

• 0700: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• 0800: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
• 1200: Arrival at Kibale Forest National Park.
• 1300: Lunch at the Lodge.
• 1500: Crate walk tour.
• 1700: Return to your Lodge. 
• 1800: Dinner and overnight stay. 

Overnight: Ndali Lodge        

Known as the 'Cradle of the Nile', Uganda is one of Africa's best kept secrets. Few countries can boast the infinite variety of flora and fauna and such diverse and spectacular scenery. Uganda has much to offer the first time visitor to Africa as well as veteran travellers.

Ndali Lodge is set stunningly amidst the Bunyaruguru Crater Lake region of Western Uganda, 26 kilometres south of Fort Portal lies at the centre of 1000 acres of privately owned fertile farmland still cultivated in a traditional style. A visit to Uganda would not be complete without experiencing the wonders Ndali has to offer.

Activities

Crate walk tour 

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3: Ndali Lodge, Kibale Forest National Park  

Day Itinerary

• 0700: Transfer to the park headquarters for your Chimpanzee briefing.
• 0800: Start the Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest.
• 1300: Lunch 
• 1500: Community/Village visit around Kibale for local experience 
• 1800: Return to your Lodge.
• 1900: Dinner and overnight stay. 

Activities

Kibale Forest Chimp Tracking

Village visit around Kibale for local experience 

Kibale Forest Chimp Tracking

The most favourite of Kibale’s walks embarks on from the Kanyanchu Visitor center at 08.00 & 15.00 and lasts 2 to 3 hours. Chimpanzee are the most sought after primate by visitors, but you should look out for the black & white colobus, red tailed monkey or the grey cheeked mangabey. Your guides will be able to show you pittas & different bird species and will give details of the tradit of the plant species within the forest. This walk is for 6 people in a group.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4: Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park         

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Located in south-western Uganda, the Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the county’s most popular parks. Volcanic craters, grassy plains, tropical forest and giant lakes connected by a channel inhabited by abundant hippos, are what you will see at the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park has almost 100 types of mammal and 606 different bird species, including the peculiar shoebill. The 40-kilometre-long Kasinga Channel alone is said to contain the world's largest concentration of hippos, and a guided boat trip here is a popular way to see the wildlife. Other species to spot include buffalo, the rare aquatic sitatunga antelope, giant forest hog, Uganda kob, Defassa waterbuck and elephant. Don't miss the chance to explore the dramatic Kyambura Gorge, is home to habituated chimpanzees.

Day Itinerary

• 0800: Begin the day with a morning cup of coffee.
• 1000: At your convenience drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. 
• 1230: Arrival at your lodge and check-in
• 1300: Lunch at the Lodge.
• 1400: The afternoon is spent on a boat safari along Kazinga Channel. 
• 1930: Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge. 

Overnight: Kyambura Gorge Lodge

The Chimpanzee and Wildlife Lodge

This renowned Kyambura Gorge Lodge, with entirely remodelled public areas and gardens, has been converted from a coffee store to create a breathtakingly beautiful space. The lodge is located on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park with sweeping views of the rolling savanna, the distant mountains of the moon, and the sunken Kyambura Gorge.

The guest bandas have a afro-chic theme with the accent on local artifacts re-imagined in a new context. Each banda offers a unique view either across the savanna or the gorge. There are four new deluxe bandas and four standard bandas. A new spa and swimming pool was launched in 2019.

The lodge is the ideal location for tracking the lost chimps in the sunken forest of Kyambura Gorge nearby and seeing the amazing game in one of Africa’s most beautiful parks, centred around the waterway of the Kazinga Channel. The park has six hundred amazing bird species, the highest in an African park.

Guests can participate in the Kyambura Gorge Eco-tourism project, a series of community and conservation activities developed since 2009 to safeguard the Kyambura Gorge ecosystem.

Activities

Wild Frontiers Kazinga Channel Kingfisher Boat

Wild Frontiers Kazinga Channel Kingfisher Boat

Wild Frontiers Kazinga Channel Kingfisher Boat is a leisurely boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Passengers may encounter herds of elephant, buffalo and antelope, families of warthog, large groups of hippo, and crocodiles basking on the shore. Kazinga's shores are a haven for numerous birds, including many migratory species as they make their way south to warmer climates. The cruise also provides a spectacular view of the beautiful Mweya Peninsula and life in local fishing villages set along the banks.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest 

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Located in south-western Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is said to be Africa’s oldest rainforest. It is world-renowned for its excellent gorilla-sighting opportunities - the forest is home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas on earth. This gorilla experience takes place among a rugged landscape of dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys, and steep ridges. The untouched forest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its breath-taking natural beauty and unique ecological significance, and aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are other draw cards such as a network of forest walks, over 340 species of bird to spot, and a variety of brightly-coloured butterflies to identify. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes, three of which are still active.

Day Itinerary

• 0600: Begin the day with a morning cup of coffee.
• 0630: Step out for a morning game experience. 
• 1000: Heading to Ishasha Sector. 
• 1230: Lunch at Ishasha.
• 1430: Game drive in Ishasha for tree-climbing lions. 
• 1700: Drive and continue to Bwindi
• 1830: Dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp            

Once-in-a-lifetime encounters with Uganda’s endangered gorillas await when you stay in one of these ten private luxury tents in the heart of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Ecologically respectful, contemporary-yet-classic in style, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp blends in sensitively with the dramatic African mountain landscape and, situated uniquely inside the national park, you are only minutes away from the start of your gorilla trekking adventure.

Located in one of the remotest areas of Africa, these comfortable canvas spaces are dressed with indigenous prints and furniture made from natural materials. Beds are draped in neutral-toned linens, and local artefacts set a scene that ensures memorable moments both inside and out the accommodation. Each tent has a spacious, stone-walled bathroom with private sections, and a free-standing bath for a relaxing soak after a day’s trekking. The trees around the camp light up in the morning when the sun starts shining, and thanks to there being so few tents, the camp retains an intimate, exclusive feel, enabling you to experience Africa’s magic with the lightest of footprints yet with practically every mod con.

Activities

• Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth
• Ishasha Game Drive

Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth

The Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth takes place in the open grasslands of Kasenyi in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is a primary game viewing area due to the variety of wildlife which includes antelopes, elephants, buffalos, and lions. Visitors will be accompanied by an experienced guide able to track down these animals.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day Itinerary

• 0600: Start the day with morning breakfast ready for the day's gorilla trek
• 0700: Transfer/walk down to the park headquarters for the gorilla trek 
• 0800: Start the gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi. 
• 1300: Estimated time of returning from the jungle.
• 1500: Afternoon community/Batwa village walk. 
• 1830: Dinner is served at the Lodge. 

Activities

• Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Batwa Cultural Village

Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Wake early for a hearty breakfast to give you the energy needed for gorilla trekking. Before 8:00 am, report to the ranger station for registration and a talk by one of the rangers. The guides will then take you through the bush, pushing your way through the undergrowth, to track the gorillas. (Please note this trek can take from 30 minutes to 5-6 hours). A reasonable degree of fitness is required, as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes. Sit in the forest among the gorillas, listening to them ‘talk’ to one another, and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male, the Silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas. It's amazing to think there are only about 650 of these beautiful creatures left.

Batwa Cultural Village

The Batwa Cultural village is where the Batwa (Pigmies) still live in the same way they used to years ago in tree houses. The Batwa only began leaving their forest homes around 15 years ago and they have been able to remain on this land thanks to the support of a generous American benefactor who donated the land back to them and created a cultural program. The fees from visiting tourists and are given to the Batwa project and they delight in welcoming visitors to their village and demonstrating how they make weapons, dance, make fires using sticks and cook.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7: End of Itinerary  

Day Itinerary

•  0700: Breakfast is served.
• 0800: Transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Entebbe. 
• 0925: Flight time to Entebbe. 
• 1125: Estimated time of arrival at the Airport. 
• 1140: Pick up transfer to the hotel for Lunch. 
• 1340: Return to the airport for your flight check-in 
• 1620: Flight departure time. 

End of service. 

Basis

Breakfast and Lunch 

Included

• Airport Transfers.
• Accommodation and meals as per the Itinerary.
• Transportation by a 4 x 4 Safari Land Cruiser 
• One Gorilla permit per person is US$ 700.00 FOR 3 persons. 
• One Chimpanzee permit in Kibale US$ 200.00.
• 2 Game safari in Queen Elizabeth
• Boat safari along Kazinga Channel
• Cultural village visit in Kibale. 
• Batwa Village/Cultural Experience. 
• Park fees.
• Driver/guide subsistence allowance.
• Enroute lunches.
• Ranger guide fees.
• Bottle drinking water
• All government taxes.
• Our assistance

Excluded

• Other drinks apart from bottled water.
• Laundry.
• Tips to local guides.
• Telephone expenses.
• Porter fees while trekking Gorillas and chimpanzees
• Personal Insurance.
• Cigarettes.