UGANDA
UGANDA CLASSIC: 8 Days
Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Game
Uganda is situated right on the Equator. With its 37 million inhabitants it is a large country of savannah grasslands dotted with lakes and papyrus marshes.
Uganda is also the land of the Rwenzori Mountains, the famous “Mountains of the Moon” with their snow-capped peaks; of the Western branch of the Rift Valley with its sparkling lakes; of impenetrable forests of jungle vegetation; of hills that have been cultivated with care by meticulous local farmers, of vast stretches of grassland used by the proud nomadic herdsmen of the Banyankole tribe; of tea plantations whose endless green carpet stretches to the distant horizon.
The National Parks scattered throughout the country are home to an unparalleled abundance and variety of wildlife.
It is not, therefore, without good reason that it had so impressed Winston Churchill, who referred to Uganda as “the Pearl of Africa” in the heart of the British Empire.
HIGHLIGHTS
The great African game of Queen Elisabeth National Park
Discover on foot the chimpanzees of Kibale N.P.
Birding in Bigodi Swamp
Discover on foot the last mountain gorillas
The 2 great lakes: Victoria and Edward
PRACTICAL ASPECTS
About 2,000 km of tracks and roads on board of comfortable vehicles.
7 nights spent in good hotels, nicely located tented camps.
Cold lunches, warm and varied diners.
Equatorial type of climate (25 – 30°C). Some nights can be fresh, mostly at high altitudes.
Risks of rains in the Virunga region.
Experienced, English speaking guide during the whole safari.
ITINERARY
Itinerary
Day 1 – ARRIVAL
Meet at Entebbe Airport, probably the friendliest in Africa, met by our smiling guides.
Overnight in Entebbe or Kampala
Day 2 – KAMPALA – KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
Briefing on the great African adventure. Set off on the west bound road; bargain at the roadside markets bursting with fruit and vegetables, stop at extensive tea plantations. Continue to the Kibale National Park.
Overnight near to the park
Day 3 – CHIMPANZEE TRACKING IN KIBALE – BIRDING IN BIGODI SWAMP
Start early for chimpanzee tracking. Kibale National Park is located in Western Uganda near the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains protecting a large block of rainforest that harbours the greatest variety and concentration of primates found anywhere in East Africa.
Superb birds and a well-established chimpanzee-tracking program with a high success rate make this forest a worthwhile destination. After lunch transfer to nearby Bigodi Swamp, a papyrus and tree filled swamp that is home to an abundance of birds including the Great Blue Turaco.
The Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the local community and takes approximately 2 hours. Overnight near to the park
Days 4 and 5 – QUEEN ELISABETH NATIONAL PARK
Drive to Queen Elisabeth NP along the foothills of the Rwenzoris. The game seen will depend on the season, the Mweya peninsula is good for a variety of animals including elephants; in the Kasenyi plains you will find mostly lion and Uganda cob. Have lunch at the lodge.
In the afternoon take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel where a vast array of birds and the wildlife come to drink.
During the second day go for an early game drive searching for the big African game. In the afternoon have an easy walk in Maramagambo Forest to observe groups of Colobus monkeys or for a second chimpanzees tracking in the lush Kyambura Gorge. Finish with an evening game drives. Overnight in the park
Day 6 – QUEEN ELISABETH NATIONAL PARK – BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Today we have 2 options for reaching Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, depending on the weather conditions. When dry, we take the road direction south toward Ishasha, home of the tree climbing lion.
Near to the Congolese border, we begin to climb eastwards out of the rift and follow the rough track leading to Buhoma, at the edge of the forest.
If the weather conditions are not so mild, we take the mountain track through cultivated expanses in the Rukungiri region to reach Buhoma. Overnight near to the park
Day 7 – MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
As the first light of dawn breaks through the curtain of mist clinging to the summits of the evergreen hills, we make our way into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Tracking the gorillas through the unique vegetation can take several hours of challenging walking in wet and muddy conditions. To see a gorilla, the trek will have been worth the hardship. Overnight near to the park
Day 8 – DEPARTURE
Leave Buhoma in the very early morning hours and reach Kampala via Mbarara, Masaka. Continue to Entebbe for your late evening flight.
UGANDA GALLERY
