Classical Uganda Scheduled Safari

Tour Highlights:

• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Gorilla Trekking
• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
• Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest

Day 1

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by a Wild Frontiers representative and transferred to your hotel.

Entebbe is a small, quiet town located on the shores of Lake Victoria and is easy to explore on foot, boda bodas (local motorbike) or taxis.  Soak up the local markets  filled with clothes and crafts, shop for souvenirs in curio shops, or explore the Botanical Gardens on Lake Victoria.

Enjoy the wide variety of restaurants serving many different cuisines as well as several bars and clubs where you can sample the local beer, catch a game of football and chat with the local Ugandans, known for their open, friendly nature.

Nestled in the leafy suburbs of Entebbe, Hotel No.5 is a stylish boutique hotel. With all 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. Attention to detail , outstanding dining and an attentive
guest experience are synonymous with Hotel No 5.

Overnight at Hotel No.5 (www.hotelnumber5.com) or similar, with breakfast included.

Day 2

Transfer after breakfast to the airport for your scenic light aircraft charter flight to Kihihi airstrip. A roughly 90 minute drive through local villages and along mountain roads brings you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage site.

Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa and home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and 160 species of trees. The park contains an estimated one half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site.

Set within the National Park, just steps away from the Gorilla Trekking headquarters, Buhoma Lodge offers cosy accommodation in wooden chalets with uninterrupted views of the pristine rain forest. Well loved for its warm welcome and attentive service, Buhoma is an eco friendly lodge operating on solar power, constructed using sustainable local materials. Each of the ten wooden chalets offers a private verandah and enchanting forest views.

Overnight at Buhoma Lodge with all meals and local drinks included.   (www.ugandaexclusivecamps.com)

Day 3

Gorilla Tracking – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

It’s up early today as one of the most humbling and enthralling wildlife experiences imaginable awaits your discovery. Coming face to face with an endangered mountain gorilla is something words cannot aptly describe. Please note that gorilla trekking is strenuous with treks ranging from 45 mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in hot African conditions. The thrill of the hour you spend quietly observing these gentle giants once you find them is well worth the hike to get there! Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and it should be noted that sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are well over 95%.

Head back to Buhoma Lodge for a complimentary massage after your trek, or explore the surrounding Bwindi community.

Overnight at Buhoma Lodge with all meals and local drinks included.

* Please note that days 3 and 4 are interchangeable depending on when we can secure gorilla permits *

Day 4

Those with additional pre-purchased permits will depart for a second gorilla tracking experience. Guests not tracking have the day free to explore the Bwindi area – optional activities include forest walks, a visit to a local school/orphanage/hospital or Batwa pygmy village, and some local curio shopping.

Overnight at Buhoma Lodge with all meals and local drinks included.

Day 5

Continue this morning onto southern Queen Elizabeth National Park (a 2-3 hour drive), with a brief stop enroute at the Ishasha Community Uplift project. Immerse yourself in Agartha’s ‘Taste of Uganda’ tour – an interactive experience for the inquisitive visitor who wonders how a rural Ugandan lady lives. Watch how local crops are transformed into staple food such as millet porridge and kalo bread.

Located in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, leopard, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds.  The southern Ishasha area includes the massive Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda, and is home to the tree climbing lions typically found in the area.

Enjoy afternoon game drives, looking out for the huge herds of buffalo, elephant and Uganda kob.

Overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp including all meals and local drinks. (www.ugandaexclusivecamps.com)         

Day 6

A relaxed day out and about enjoying game drives in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, rounding things off with scenic bush sundowners including drinks and snacks.

Overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp including all meals and local drinks.

Day 7

Game Drives & Boat Cruise – Mweya Sector

Today we depart Ishasha to the ‘Mweya’ sector of the National park to enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.  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.  (Cruise normally departs at 14h00, although this depends on availability when booking and is subject to change –no drinks/ snacks included on boat).

Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge including all meals. The lodge boasts stunning views overlooking the Kazinga Channel on one side and the Rwenzori Mountains on the other. (www.mweyalodge.com)         

Day 8

Depart early this morning to Kyambura Gorge to enjoy Chimpanzee trekking.  A fun photo stop as you cross the Equator can be squeezed in.

The gorge is alive with noise – chimpanzees are very active and may move quickly through the treetops… or, if you are very lucky, you may find them resting or eating on the ground. It’s an exhilarating walk, in beautiful scenery.  Sightings cannot be guaranteed even though the chimps are habituated to humans.

A 3-4 hour drive takes you to Kibale Forest, comprising an interesting blend of lowland tropical rain forest, montane forest, and mixed tropical deciduous forest. In addition to forest, you will also notice areas of grassland and of swamp. The forest is rich in wildlife and is most noted for its primate population.

These include red-tailed monkey, diademed monkey, olive baboon, chimpanzee, and black and white colobus. The birdlife is also abundant, with close on 300 species identified here. The forest is also home to 144 species of butterfly and a diverse population of moths and other insects

Overnight at Primate Lodge or similar including all meals.  (www.ugandalodges.com)

Day 9

Your Kibale Forest chimp trek will generally take place in the morning.  Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at Primate Lodge or similar.

Day 10

Depart after an early breakfast for the drive to Entebbe, arriving back late afternoon.

Please do not book a flight out of Entebbe before 19h00

Package Includes:

• Meet & greet at Entebbe airport
• Airport transfers throughout
• 1 night accommodation at Hotel No.5 including breakfast
• One way domestic flight from Entebbe to Kihihi on a scheduled flight (light aircraft)
• 4×4 transport with English speaking local driver/guide as above
• Bottled water in safari vehicle
• 3 nights accommodation at Buhoma Lodge including all meals and local drinks
• Community visit en route from Bwindi to Ishasha
• 2 nights accommodation at Ishasha Wilderness Camp including all meals and local drinks
• 1 x Sundowner drinks and snacks at Ishasha
• 1 night accommodation at Mweya Safari Lodge including all meals (no drinks)
• All park entrance fees
• Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
• 2 nights accommodation in Kibale at Primates Lodge or similar including all meals (no drinks)
• Full liability insurance cover
• 24 hour emergency contact

Package Excludes:

• Gorilla Permit of USD600 per trek Bwindi (USD 700 from July 2020)
• Kyambura chimpanzee permit USD 50
• Kibale chimpanzee permit USD 150 (USD 200 from July 2020)
• All international flights and airport taxes
• Personal expenses such as porters, drinks, tips, visas and travel insurance
• Services/activities/meals not included above

Please note:
The flight Entebbe – Kihihi has been included in above price, currently estimated at USD300. Should prices increase due to circumstances beyond our control, we will need to recost accordingly. Total weight limit is 15kgs in SOFT bags.

Please note – two gorilla trekking options are available on this itinerary. Please specify your permit
requirements at time of booking.

GORILLA TREKKING AREAS & PERMIT ALLOCATIONS
On our scheduled departures, we typically buy permits for Buhoma & Ruhija, which are accessible from Buhoma area. One of the Buhoma families, and the Ruhija families, require a road transfer to the start point. This does not deviate from the enjoyment of the trek (and could be considered as enhancing your
trip as you are seeing a different part of the region). Furthermore, your permit may be organised for day 3,
or 4, of your safari. It will depend on availability at the time of purchase.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:

POPULAR TRIP EXTENSIONS:

MURCHISON FALLS: River Nile, game drives, chimpanzee trekking, fishing, bird-watching.  Suggested add on 3-4 nights.

JINJA: Source of the Nile, adventure activities including white water rafting, bungi jumping, quad biking. Suggested add on 2-3 nights.

ENTEBBE: City life and local craft shopping, boat cruises or fishing on Lake Victoria, Botanical Gardens, Uganda Wild Life Education Centre/ Ngamba Island.

We offer 6, 8 and 10 day small group set departures as well as combination Uganda/Rwanda trips. We are also experts at designing your own tailor made trip to meet your exact personal interests.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: 

Yellow fever inoculation is compulsory & malaria prophylactics are recommended. For gorilla trekking it is imperative that you are healthy and free of any disease or virus – officials do have the right to refuse entry if you are found to have or show any signs of communicable illnesses.  Should you opt to spend time participating in any UWEC Wildlife Integration programme, you may require additional inoculations and health clearances.

VISA REQUIREMENTS: 

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Uganda. All visitors who require a visa should apply through the online application system prior to arrival at https://visas.immigration.go.ug.  Cost is USD 50 single entry.  Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after return date of travel, or 12 months in the case of UK nationals, and have at least 3 blank pages in it.  The newly established EAC Visa allows entry into Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya for one fee of USD100 – handy if you are visiting all three regions.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Is compulsory for all guests travelling with Wild Frontiers.