Gorilla Safari Uganda, Rwanda, Congo Africa: Mountain Gorilla Safaris And Tours

PRIMATE SAFARI - 10 DAYS 

Watch the chimpanzees playing and the baboons staring curiously at you. An impressive meeting with the gorillas will become an experience of a lifetime!

Day 1: ARRIVAL
You will be welcomed by a representative of Great Lakes Safaris who will transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe. Depending on the time of arrival you can visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre for a first introduction with the extraordinary flora and fauna of Uganda. Dinner and overnight at Sophie’s Motel.

For upgrade you can stay at Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel.

Day 2: NGAMBA ISLAND
A visit to the island of the chimpanzees! In the morning you will depart from Entebbe for a close encounter with our relatives. After a pleasant boat ride you will reach Ngamba Island, where you will be directed to the visitors centre to learn more about the chimps and their lifestyle. You will be able to view and photograph these fascinating apes in their natural environment from only a few metres away! In the afternoon you will take a boat ride back to Entebbe and return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at Sophie’s Motel.
For upgrade you can stay at Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel.

Day 3: ENTEBBE - KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast we will depart Entebbe and head west to Fort Portal. This lovely town rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon and is famous for the many tea plantations. From Fort Portal we will continue to Kibale National Park for a stay within the tropical forest. Dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge Kibale.
Also for upgrade you can stay at Primate Lodge Kibale.

Day 4: KIBALE NATIONAL PARK & BIGODI SWAMP
Today the forest opens it doors for a sensational chimp tracking. Kibale Forest is reputable of having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey and many others. After a hearty lunch we transfer to the Bigodi Swamp for another, totally different nature walk. The Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the local community and takes approximately two hours. The swamp is known for its rich diversity of birds and primates. Dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge Kibale.
Also for upgrade you can stay at Primate Lodge Kibale.

Day 5: KIBALE NATIONAL PARK - QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
In the morning we will visit the crater lakes area with some stunning views, before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is a beautiful route via Kasese, with the Rwenzori Mountains on your right side and the green valley on the left. A game drive on our way to the accommodation in the middle of the national park gives us the chance to spot waterbucks, warthogs and other wildlife. Dinner and overnight at Institute of Ecology Hostel.
For upgrade you can stay at Jacana Safari Lodge or Mweya Safari Lodge.

Day 6: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
The day begins early as we head for the mating ground of the Uganda kobs. We search for lions, elephants, buffaloes and other wild animals in their natural habitat, before returning for lunch. In the afternoon we take on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George. Thanks to the elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of hippos, this cruise will definitely be one of the highlights of your safari. Dinner and overnight at Institute of Ecology Hostel.
For upgrade you can stay at Jacana Safari Lodge or Mweya Safari Lodge.

Day 7: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK - BWINDI
Early in the morning we will leave for an experience in the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve. Driving through a grassland area, all of a sudden we come across an amazing gorge of a hundred meters deep, covered with tropical rainforest. You will hike into the gorge of the Kyambura River in search of the wild chimpanzees. Later we will leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and head towards Bwindi. The scenic route runs through a verdant countryside while you pass traditional homesteads and farms. In Bwindi dinner and overnight at Buhoma Community Bandas.
For upgrade you can stay at Lake Kitandara Luxury Tented Camp.

Day 8: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
The highlight of your primate safari: a meeting with the gentle giants of Bwindi! Especially hikers will love the tracking in the beautiful ecosystem of the park. It is difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike, it may take two to eight hours. Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. But it will definitely be worthwhile as you observe them closely while they eat, play and rest. A unique and unforgettable experience! For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. The ranger guide always briefs you on how to behave with these giant apes. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Community Bandas.
For upgrade you can stay at Lake Kitandara Luxury Tented Camp.

Day 9: BWINDI - KAMPALA
We start the long but rewarding drive back to Kampala. On our way we will pass Mpigi village, famous for the Royal Drums Makers and of course the Ugandan Equator, where you can take pictures and shop for a souvenir. With lunch on our way we will reach Kampala by the end of the day. Dinner and overnight at Olympia Hotel.
For upgrade you can stay at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

Day 10: DEPARTURE
Enriched with an experience of a lifetime and unforgettable memories you will say goodbye to the Pearl of Africa. Depending on the time of departure you might have some time to spend in Kampala for a city tour. Visit the interesting and historical sites, including the Kasubi Tombs, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, the Uganda Museum and of course the African Craft Village. Afterwards we will transfer you to the airport for your flight back home. We are looking forward to seeing you again!

Two types of safaris are offered:

Budget safari (simple guesthouses, hostels and furnished tents):
Euro € 1080 per person when 6 people
Euro € 1230 per person when 4 people
Euro € 1430 per person when 2 people

Luxury safari (lodges, hotels and luxury tented camps):
If you wish to stay in the luxury accommodations please notify so we can inform you about the upgrade fees.

The prices include:
Airport transfer, ground transportations, English speaking driver/guide, accommodation, all meals, mineral water, park entrance fees, game drives, chimp tracking in Kibale Forest and Kyambura Gorge, visit to Ngamba Island (min. 6 people), boat launches, nature walks.

The prices exclude:
International flight, visa, gorilla permit, tips, personal items.

Note:
A gorilla permit costs Euro € 320 per person. Effective 1st July 2007 the price increases to Euro € 400 each. With regard to the high demand of permits we advise you to book them at least 4 months in advance. Overnight at Ngamba Island with a chimpanzee walk in the morning is possible; please ask for more details.

Prices apply till the end of December 2007 and are subject to change without notice. For more details and tailor-made safaris please contact us.