Join Indepth African Safaris on this trip of a lifetime to Uganda, also known as the Pearl of Africa. This lush, tropical country is one of the finest places in the world to get close to primates, including the chimpanzee and mountain Gorillas, as well as a population of tree climbing lions and the bizarre shoebill. This tour has been designed to incorporate all these iconic species and introduce you to a wealth of other wildlife that’s on offer.

Lake Victoria is vast, straddling Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It is the world’s largest tropical lake. Rising early on our first morning in Uganda, we make our way to Mabamba swamp, on Lake’s northern shore just a short distance from Entebbe. This papyrus swamp, characterized by small channels of marsh-filled water and lagoons, is a bird lover’s paradise. Whilst the colorful African Jacana and papyrus gonolek attract our attention, it is the formidable shoebill which we search for. Using expert local guides, we hope to maximize our chances of capturing a range of images unusual and enormous birds.

From Mabamba, we head north to Murchison Falls National Park. The park has a diversity of landscapes ranging from savannah, acacia forests, borassus palms, riverine woodland, and of course the Nile River and the famous falls. In turn, this array of habitants a wealth of fascinating wildlife including lion, Nile crocodile, hippo, leopard, giraffe, elephant and a host of plains species. Birds are also prolific and we can hope to encounter goliath heron, dwarf kingfisher, red-throated bee-eater and great blue turaco as we explore this beautiful park by land and water

Our group travels next to Kibale National Park – this evergreen forest supports a bewildering diversity of primates. Species includes endangered red colubus monkey and the rate L’Hoest’s monkey, but it is the chimpanzees which will captivate us during two dedicated excursions. An experience with these primates can be incredibly powerful and the photography opportunities are exceptional, as we look to capture an array of intimate portraits and the images of these beautiful mammals in their forest surroundings.

Bwindi Impenetrable forest and its Gorilla population draws us south for the grand finale of our tour. As the gorilla’s main stronghold in Uganda, this part is an excellent place to see and photograph these enamoring apes. Spending time in the presence of these incredible animals is awe-inspiring and an experience that will stay with you for a life.

OUTLINE ITINERARY

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1

Entebbe

Capital of Uganda during the British Protectorate period, Entebbe is leafy, relaxed city on the shores of Lake Victoria, and makes a great place to start a holiday to this beautiful country. With plenty of excellent bars, hotel, restaurants and attractive beaches (however do not go in the water!), shopping malls and Botanical Gardens, Entebbe’s central-south location makes it a good stopover en route to safari destinations, and it is close to the Mabamba Wetlands.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Entebbe – Dinner included

(The 4-star Protea Hotel Entebbe hotel is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, just 1 km from Entebbe airport. The hotel has an a la carte restaurant offering specialties such as tilapia and Nile perch, and there’s also a bar and terrace with superb lake views. There are 86 rooms and suites, all with private facilities and free WIFI)

DAY 2

Excursion: Mabamba Swamp and Murchison Falls National Park

We have an early start, head out to the Mabamba Swamp area of Lake Victoria in search of the bizarre shoebill. Travelling in dugout canoes and with the assistance of expert local guides, we have an excellent chance of encountering this unusual species alongside a wealth of other wetland bird species.

After our time at Mabamba swamp, we are driven through the lush landscapes of rural Uganda to Murchison Falls National Park which is journey of around four and half hours. We should arrive at our lodge for the next 3 nights in the afternoon. There’s some for us to settle into our accommodation before dinner in the evening.

Murchison Falls National Park.

Murchison Falls National Park is renowned not only for its scenic landscape and abundant flora and fauna, but especially for the beauty of the meandering River Nile which dissects the park. The highlight of any visit to Murchison is the falls themselves, where the 50 metre wide river Nile is forced through a narrow cleft in the rocks, dropping down with a thundering roar to produce a beautiful rainbow. A boat trip to the bottom of the fall is unforgettable, both to experience the mighty river and to see the wildlife that basks on its banks.

On game drives in Murchison, buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, Uganda Kob, hartebeest and waterbuck are commonly seen. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, sitatunga, bush duiker, warthog and bush pig. There are six species of primate here including chimpanzee. Large carnivores include lion, leopard and spotted hyena while Nile crocodiles and hippos may be observed basking on the banks of the river. The river boasts extensive birdlife which includes herons, geese, pelicans, bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbills, cormorants and the endangered shoebill.

Begin your stay at Twiga Safari Lodge (3 nights)

Set on a hilltop perch overlooking the river, the hotel offers a lounge, restaurant, bar and terrace to enjoy the views.

There are eight elevated canvas tents spaced throughout the grounds, with views of the river and the hills, each with their own terrace. Tents can have a single, double or twin-bed configuration, fan for cooling, and en suite bathrooms with toilets and solar-powered showers.

Good-quality linens, four-poster bed frames, mosquito netting and solid outdoor furnishings give a real sense of comfort and luxury.

Guests have a good chance of seeing hippo, monkeys and wide range of bird visitors during their stay.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included

DAY 3 & 4

Murchison Falls National Park

We have two full days to enjoy this hidden corner of Uganda, as we focus our efforts on searching for and photographing the park’s fascinating wildlife on a combination of boat trips and game drives. In recent years, the area has become relatively reliable as a place to encounter lion and leopard and if we are particularly lucky, we may see one of these beautiful cats. The open savannahs, riverine habitants and pockets of acacias and palms make for some interesting landscape and wildlife, we will be using an open-top lands cruiser during the game drives. The boat trips will also provide a different perspective to capture images of the wildlife and the landscapes of this beautiful park.

Overnight: Twiga Safari Lodge – BLD

DAY 5

After another morning game drive in Murchison Falls, we depart and start making our way to Kibale Forest National Park. We will arrive late afternoon, in time to spend a relaxing evening in the surroundings of our lodge

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest, just to the east of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, offers a splendid forest habitant, and is home to an incredible 13 species of primates. Among them are chimpanzees, some families of which have been habituated. Other species include black and white colubus, L’Hoest’s monkey and grey-cheeked mangabey.

The bird-life here is also outstanding, though the dense growth and high forest canopy means stealth and patience are needed. The huge crowned eagle patrols like skies above, whilst African grey parrot, the beautiful and secretive black bee-eater, black-and-white flycather, black necked and yellow-mantled weavers may all be found here by the quiet observer. The wealth of wildlife in this magnificent forest will delight the keen naturalist, and an overnight stay here is recommended as bird and mammal’s activity is at its best in the very early morning and late at night. Tracking the noisy chimpanzee families racing through this verdant forest is a thrilling experience

Begin your day at Primate Lodge (3 nights)

This exclusive eco-lodge stands in a secluded position in lush Kibale Forest, which is home to 13 species of primate including chimpanzees. This secluded setting is a perfect base for tracking primates. Eight luxury safari tents on raised wooded platform are covered by thatch to blend perfectly with the environment. Each has a private verandah with a forest view, comfortable beds, lare windows and en soute bathrooms, interiors are tastefuly decorated in African style, using local stone, bamboo and rain forest and wal paintings. In additon seven intimate first cottages with veranda and fully equipped en suite bathroom are decorated with African art. If you yearn for adventure, spend a night in the Sky Tree House, which consists of a simple bedroom with basic washing facilities at the foot of the tree, 10 minutes’ walk from the main home, overlooking the elephant wallow.

Breakfast Lunch and Dinner are included

DAY 6 & 7

Excursion: Chimpanzee Trekking

We make the most of our time in Kibale Forest National Park by heading out in the morning into the forest in search of our closest relative – the chimpanzee.

An experience with these primates can be incredibly powerful and the photography opportunities can be exceptional. We can be out in the forest for a few hours as we try and track a family group. When we find the chimps, we are only allowed to spend an hour with each group, but this is more than enough time to capture an array of intimate portraits and images of these beautiful mammals in their forest surroundings.

After each walk, we will head back to the lodge where there will be the chance to freshen up before lunch. On one afternoon, we will enjoy a guided nature walk through the Bigodi wetland. The Bigodi swamp walk is an initiative of the local community and is known for its rich diversity of birds and primates. The path and board walk maybe flooded and muddy after heavy rainfall and gumboots are recommended. The walk is approximately 4km in length, taking 3-4 hours at birding/photography pace with local community guides. All proceeds from eco-tourism go back into the community

Overnight: Primate Lodge – BLD

DAY 8

This morning, we depart Kibale and head south. Our destination is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – famous as the home of the mountain Gorillas, which we will reach later in the day after a journey of approximately 7 hours. We will be staying at a charming Buhoma Lodge – situated within the national park and in the forest itself. Tonight will be a relaxing evening, with time to recharge before the finale – 2 day’s trekking the mountainous slopes in search of mountain Gorillas.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in south-western Uganda is one of Africa’s most extensive belts of primary montane forest. Its exceptional altitudinal variation – rising and falling deep river gorges and low hills at 1,200 meters to high forested ridges at 2,800 meters – ensures a unique range of flora and fauna, in particular birds and primates. Mountain Gorillas are undoubtedly the prime attraction.

Over 300 – half of the world’s population – live in the park, and two of the family groups living close to the park headquarters at Buhoma have now been successfully habituated to allow human approach. L’Hoest’s monkey is a specialty of the lower level forest and rare golden monkey is occasionally encountered at higher elevations. Like all rainforest inhabitants, these animals and all of the birds are very difficult to see, and bird watching in such an environment requires stealth and patience! Among the species you may hope to see are African goshawk, Aggur buzzard, western bronze-napped pigeon, olive long-tailed cuckoo, bar-tailed trogon, grey-throated barbet, African broadbill, red-throated alethe, Equatorial akalat, forest robin, black-faced rufous warbler, short-tailed warbler, Ludher’s bush shrike, slender-billed chestnut-winged starling, Waller’s chestnut-winged starling, plus a selection of forest woodpeckers, greenbulls (always a challenge to identification skills!) warblers, flycatchers, sunbirds and weavers.

Begin your stay at Buhoma Lodge (3 nights)

Situated within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and less than 5 minutes’ walk from the start point of the Gorilla Trekking, the lodge commands spectacular and uninterrupted views of the forested hills. It comprises 10 comfortable cottages, each with its own private veranda, which affords wonderful views of the forest canopy.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

DAY 9 & 10

Excursion: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

For two of our days in Bwindi, we will enjoy Gorilla Treks in the Forest. One of the benefits of being based at Buhoma is the proximity to the registration point for your gorilla Trek (only a couple of hundred meters away). This morning, we will wake up early for breakfast before making our way to the meeting point. Here we will be allocated our Gorilla treks, our ranger and depending on the starting point, we may be required to drive up to an hour around the mountain.

Once we arrive at the start point of the trek, we will be allocated porters ($30 USD per person) and we highly suggest you employ their services. Not only do they help you with any camera equipment you may have, they will also be on hand to help you get up the mountain. In fact, the porters are instrumental in the success of any Gorilla trek!

The trek to find the Gorillas can be arduous, there is no denying it, but you can take your time and the rewards are out of this world. Intimate, emotional encounters with one of the most remarkable members of the primate family are life-changing and the photography opportunities are second to none. We will be able to spend an hour with the gorilla families on each given trek and it is essential we listen to the instructions of you ranger. Within an hour there should be ample opportunity to capture an incredible number of images and memories that will last a lifetime.

Overnight: Buhoma Lodge – BLD

DAY 11

Today, after two days of Gorilla trekking, we will be taking a light aircraft flight back to Entebbe. This flight will arrive back at Entebbe in time for the group’s international flight.

Breakfast included

ITINERARY NOTES

Please note that the light aircraft flight from Bwindi to Entebbe on the last day of the tour, there is limited luggage allowance due to capacity of this aircraft. The luggage allowance will be 35kgs per person in total for both a checked bag and hand luggage.

Grading and conditions

Medium to Hard. You need to be able to walk for prolonged periods over some challenging terrain at altitude. The most important elements of this tour are the chimpanzees and Gorilla treks. Chimpanzees can move at speed through their forest environment and it is therefore important that you are able to keep up with the group walking through the forest – this will be undertaken at a normal walking pace. The mountain Gorillas, as their name suggests, live in forest-clad mountains, and the trek can cover some challenging terrain at altitude. The trek can vary in length and it is essential to hire porters – they will do whatever they can to help you reach the Gorillas.

Packing list for Gorilla Trekking

Please note: Walking sticks, gloves, gaiters and spare backpacks are available to loan from the lodge

END OF INDEPTH AFRICAN SAFARIS TOUR