UGANDA CLASSIC
Lakes – Game - Primates
8 Days
Uganda is situated right on the Equator. With its 20 million
inhabitants it is a large country of savannah grasslands dotted
with lakes and papyrus marshes. Uganda is also the land of the
Rwenzori Mtns, 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 NP
. 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
Day 1 - ARRIVE
Meet at Entebbe Airport, probably the friendliest in Africa, met by
our smiling guides.
Overnight in Entebbe or Kampala
Day 2 - KAMPALA – KIBALE NP -
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 the park
Day 3 – CHIMPANZEE TRACKING IN KIBALE NP – BIRDING IN BIGODI
SWAMP –
Start early for chimpanzee tracking. Kibale National Park is
located in western Uganda near the foothills of the Ruwenzori
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 take s approximately 2 hours
Overnight near the park
Day 4 and 5 – QUEEN ELISABETH NP –
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 NP – BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NP –
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 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 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.
