Day 1: Arrival & Airport Transfers
Met upon arrival by your vehicle and driver and transfer to the Boma Guest House to relax after your flight. You will also have a short safari briefing in preparation for the adventures of the next 10 days…
Overnight: Boma Guesthouse – a simple but comfortable guest house (B/D)
Day 2: Kampala – Kibale Forest
Today we drive west to the renowned Kibale Forest. One of the best places to track chimpanzees on the continent. This 766-square-kilometer tropical rain forest is the natural habitat for an amazing 12 primate species, and contains the highest primate density of an area on Earth. Here, on a guided forest walk, you may find families of Chimpanzees and Red Colobus Monkeys chattering and swinging through the ancient forest trees. Some of the trees are 50 to 60 meters (150 to 180 feet) in height, and provide a majestic canopy for the profusion of rain forest life, including 325 bird species. Even though you may only rarely see them, the park is home to the largest population of Forest Elephant in Uganda, and is also home to Buffalo, Uganda Kob, Genet, Civet, Waterbuck and Bushbuck. This afternoon we go on a nature walk through Sebitoli to see what we can see…
Overnight: Primate Lodge – a comfortable lodge located in the forest providing near to the chimpanzee tracking departure point (B/L/D)
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale. Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP
After breakfast we go chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest; a fantastic experience and one of the best opportunities to see chimpanzees in the wild. In the afternoon we set out in a southerly direction for the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Set in the western branch of the Great Rift Valley, the park is incredibly diverse in the type of terrain it encompasses. Prehistoric volcanic explosion craters now serve as huge amphitheatres across the floor of which troop herds of Elephant and Buffalo. Some of these craters have formed salt lakes in which Flamingo from as far away as Kenya are scattered like delicate pink dust. Wide-open plains support fair numbers of game, both prey and predator. The two large lakes that bound the park – Edward and George, together with the connecting Kazinga Channel are home to large numbers of Hippo, and numerous Crocodile. This evening, we arrive at Mweya Lodge, dramatically located on a peninsula that juts out into Lake Edward and provides excellent views of the Kazinga Channel. We will enjoy our first game drive this evening.
Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge – a spectacular location overlooking the Kazinga Channel (B/L/D)
Day 4: Game Drives & Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura
This morning, we will go on the first of our game drives and chimpanzee tracking in the beautiful Kyambura Gorge. We return to the lodge for breakfast, and in time to prepare for our launch trip on the Kazinga Channel. This water system hosts the highest concentration of Hippo in the world, and this excursion brings us up close to them. We will also see crocodile, buffalo, and other game that drink from the Channel, and experience the profusion of bird life that is supported here.
Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge (B/L/D)
Day 5: Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Bwindi Forest
Morning game drive before departing southwards to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This is a leisurely drive, taking most of the day. We climb out of the Rift Valley at first, and then travel through the Kigezi Highlands of South-Western Uganda. The scenery gets increasingly breathtaking as we switchback up and down the hills. Thirty kilometres (18 miles) before the end of our journey, we see our objective – the mist-swathed mountains of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. On arrival, we are welcomed to the comfortable Buhoma Lodge. We retire to our bandas for a hot shower and meet later to recount the day’s activities. After dinner, we retire for the night, lulled to sleep by the sounds of one of Africa’s most incredible natural environments.
Overnight: Buhoma Lodge – cosy bandas and great views into the forest (B/L/D)
Day 6: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Forest
Your first day of gorilla tracking! This is a fantastic experience, often out for between 4-8hrs, this is hard work but well worth the effort. Coming across these amiable primates in their natural habitat is a thrilling experience and one that you will never forget. You have an hour with the gorillas and then return to your lodge in the afternoon. Relax in the evening reminiscing on the days amazing experience…
Overnight: Buhoma Lodge (B/L/D)
Day 7: Transfer to Rwanda
A relaxing start to the day prior to making your way southwards and across the border into Rwanda. A stunning drive through the winding hills and down to the breathtaking Virunga Volcanoes. Relax upon arrival at your lodge in preparation for the next couple of days…
Overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge – comfortable mid-range lodge with views of hte Volcanoes(B/L/D)
Day 8: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Early start to Ruhengeri, to start the Gorilla tracking. The Mountain Gorillas in the Parc National des Volcans form the other half of the total population. The gorillas we are allowed to track here belong to one of five habituated family groups.
As with Bwindi, the time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 9 hours before one returns to base. Once the gorillas are located, our group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Tracking the mountain gorillas of Rwanda has to be one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in the world today; coming face to face with a 175kg silverback gorilla is an experience that will remain with you forever!
Overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (B/L/D)
Day 9: Gorilla Tracking / Golden Monkey Tracking
Today you have an optional gorilla tracking, visit to the golden monkeys, Dian Fossey’s memorial or climbing of Bisoke Volcano. This is subject to what you have arranged upon booking.
In the afternoon following your activity you return through the land of a thousand hills to the capital city of Kigali. Relax back at your hotel and reminisce over the adventures of the last 10 days.
Overnight: Kigali Serena Hotel – a 5 star hotel located in the centre of Kigali (B/L/D)
Day 10: Kigali City Tour & Airport Transfers
Today you have a city tour and a visit to the genocide memorial prior to transferring to the airport in time for your international flight back home (B)
End of the Safari