6 Days Uganda Primate Safari − DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1 of the 6 Days Uganda Primate Safari: Transfer To Fort Portal; Visit The Amabere Caves, Hike To The Fort Portal Crater Lake Field & Transfer To Kibale National Park.

After breakfast at your place of stay in Kampala (at around 6.30 am), we’ll embark on the drive to Fort Portal area 300km about 4 – 5 hours’ drive. We’ll drive through the impressive countryside landscapes of Uganda with impressive scenic views including the scenic Mubende inselbergs. We’ll have lunch in Fort Portal town after which we’ll undertake a heritage tour to Amabere cave which is named after the live stalactite formation, Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru (literally, Breast of Nyinamwiru).

These breast-like features in the caves are believed to have belonged to Nyinamwiru, the daughter of King Bukuku who is said to have been so beautiful that no man could leave her alone. When Nyinamwiru father King Bukuku became weary of receiving marital requests from unsuitable suitors, he took the extreme measure of cutting off his daughter’s breasts to make her less attractive. But even this proved to be insufficient to deter Nyinamwiru many admirers, so the king hid her away in the cave now known as Amabere. Here, she was discovered by the Batembuzi King Isaza, who impregnated her with a son. Because Nyinamwiru lacked breasts, she stayed on in the cave with her baby, feeding him on the cloudy limestone ‘milk’ that drips from its stalactites. The child nurtured by the stalactite formation grew up and became king Ndahura, founder of the Bachwezi dynasty that ruled over the Bunyoro Kitara Empire centuries ago.

From the caves, continue to hike the Fort Portal Crater field where you will summit the famous Kyeganywa hill offering impressive views of the crater lakes and crater hollows below and the views of Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day. Return from this activity and transfer to Kibale National Park Uganda 26km from Fort Portal town arriving at the lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – An adventurous hike to Amabere Cave and the scenic Fort Portal Crater Lake Field.

 

Accommodation:-

Luxury/Upmarket: – Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge Kibale

Midrange/Standard: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp/Turaco Tree Tops

Budget/Basic: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp

 

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive distance & time: – Approx.  300km or 4 – 5 hours

 

Activities & services of the day:-

• Transfer to Fort Portal Area
• Visit Amabeere Cave
• Hike to the Fort Portal Crater Lake Field
• Transfer to Kibale National Park

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day:-

• Nocturnal walk in Kibale to see nocturnal creatures like Pottos, Bushbabies, Nightjars and Tree hyrax.

 

Day 2 of the 6 Days Uganda Primate Safari: Chimpanzee Tracking In the Morning & Bigodi Wetland Walk in the Afternoon.

After an early morning breakfast (at around 6.30 am), we’ll drive to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre where you’ll meet the excellent local ranger guide who will lead you into the magnificent rainforest of Kibale on your unforgettable Chimpanzee tracking experience which starts at 8 am. In fact, beforehand you’ll be given an informative talk on tracking etiquette after which you’ll embark on a trek in search of our closest known relatives on foot.

Kibale’s chimps have been tracked since 1993 and there are over 95% chances of locating some of Kibale’s 1500 Chimpanzees. The trek to see these intelligent apes lasts between 2-5 hours. Contact time with chimpanzees is limited to one hour; group size is limited to 6 visitors and participants must be aged 12 or over. As you track Chimpanzees, you’ll encounter a myriad of other primates in the forest including Black-and-white colobus, Red-tailed monkeys, Uganda red colobus, Uganda mangabey, Blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Olive baboons and vervet monkeys. You will also see several of the park’s 375 bird species including Green-breasted Pitta, African pitta, Africa grey parrot, Afep pigeon, Crowned eagle, Black-bee-eater, Cassin’s spinetail, White-naped pigeon, Little greenbul, Purple-breasted sunbird and Blue-breasted kingfisher, to name a few.

Once the chimpanzees are located, will watch them go about their daily routine in peace. Viewing them as they munch fruit, swinging in trees, socializing, patrolling, mating and making hooting calls is an unforgettable experience that you will treasure forever. You are free to take photos but keep the flash off. Retreat from the activity and connect to the starting point where you connect with your company guide, settle for your packed lunch after which you connect to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for an afternoon walk.

Bigodi wetland is an eco-tourism project developed and managed by the community sheltering a count of 138 bird species which include the Great Blue Turaco. The swamp also supports the swamp-dwelling sitatunga antelope but importantly features a heritage encounter to the local people and craft centre that enables you to explore the local way of life. Retreat from the 2 hours walk back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Highlight of the day: – A face to face encounter with our closest living relatives, Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park.

 

Accommodation:-

Luxury/Upmarket: – Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge Kibale

Midrange/Standard: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp/Turaco Tree Tops

Budget/Basic: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp

 

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & services of the day:-

• Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
• Swamp walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day:-

• Birding in Kibale
• Nocturnal walk in Kibale to see nocturnal creatures like Pottos, Bushbabies, Nightjars and Tree hyrax.

 

Day 3 of the 6 Days Uganda Primate Safari: Transfer from Kibale to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

After breakfast at around 8.00 am, we’ll embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park driving past the amazing scenic landscapes of the mountains of the moon – the Rwenzoris towering up to 5,109m above sea level with snow-capped peaks. We also drive past the rolling savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park lying on the Albertine rift flats teeming with 95 species of mammals including the tree-climbing lions and 610 bird species. We arrive in Bwindi in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

The untouched forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an amazing piece of land that survived the last Ice Age when most other forests in Africa disappeared. This 321 km² park has been declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site because of its breathtaking natural beauty, unique ecological significance and incredible biodiversity. The rugged landscape features dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys and steep ridges Bwindi is world-renowned for excellent gorilla trekking opportunities, harbouring nearly half of the Mountain Gorillas on Earth. Aside from the majestic Mountain Gorillas, there are other drawcards including over 120 mammal species, 10 species of primates, over 350 species of bird to spot, 1000 species of flowing plants and a variety of colourful butterflies.

Highlight of the day: – The scenic drive from Kibale to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

 

Accommodation:-

Luxury/Upmarket: – Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs

Mid-range/Moderate: – Silverback Lodge/Haven Lodge Buhoma

Budget/Basic: – Buhoma Community Rest Camp

 

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 365km 7- 8 hours

 

Activities & Services of the day:-

• The scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

 

Day 4 of the 6 Days Uganda Primate Safari: Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for an Evening Boat Cruise & Relaxation

Day 5 of the 6 day Uganda safari is going to be an undoubted highlight. And I don’t mean only for this safari, but of your life. Trekking Mountain Gorillas is a bucket list experience that naturalists from all over the world dream of doing!  We’ll have our breakfast at around 6.00 am and then embark on a short drive to the Buhoma park headquarters and meet with the expert local ranger guides. At around 8.00 am, the guides will provide an informative briefing on the gorilla trekking etiquette and the experience. Top on the list; avoid getting too close. Not only for your own safety, but also for theirs as our colds, viruses and diseases can easily spread to them due to shared DNA.

After the briefing, you’ll head into the forest in search of these great apes. The trek to see gorillas lasts between 2-8 hours. Contact time with gorillas is limited to one hour; group size is limited to 6 visitors and participants must be aged 15 or over. Owing to the nature of the terrain and the need to explore to find the gorillas, the trek doesn’t follow a path and instead, the guides will cut a route through the undergrowth. Strong hiking shoes/boots are highly recommended. Encountering wild gorillas in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. An adult male can weigh up to 485 pounds and reach 6 feet in height. Mountain Gorillas are gentle creatures and are not known to attack unless very severely provoked. The minimum distance that we must keep when we’re with the Gorillas is 10 metres.

Please note that if you’re unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you’ll not be allowed to trek Gorillas. After your one hour with the gorillas, return to the starting point to embark on a drive to the magical Lake Bunyonyi driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands. You arrive at Bunyonyi in the afternoon and embark on the 2 hours evening boat trip to explore the second deepest Lake in Africa with a count of 29 Islands. The sunset views of the lake, the myriad of Islands and the surrounding hills contribute to lasting safari memories of this trip. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Highlight of the day: – A face to face encounter with one of the surviving families of mountain gorillas who roam Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Accommodation:-

Luxury/Upmarket: – Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort

Mid-range/Moderate: – Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort/Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort

 

 

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Activities & Services:-

• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
• Evening boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Birding in Bwindi Buhoma sector of Bwindi
• Cultural visit to Batwa/Bakiga communities around Bwindi.
• Swimming at Lake Bunyonyi

 

Day 5 of the 6 Days Uganda Primate Safar: Lake Bunyonyi Community Tour, Transfer to Entebbe with Traditional Lunch Stop at Igongo Cultural Center & Uganda Equator Stop.

After breakfast at around 7.30 am, we’ll undertake a 2 hours walk through villages around Lake Bunyonyi. This is a pleasant experience, which brings you in close interaction with the local people in their homes, gardens and businesses, which make a safari surely wonderful. We can visit Batwa community villages where you’ll be introduced to their traditional forest life as well as visiting Good Samaritan preparatory schools around the lake to interact with the school-going children. While visiting the local families, you will be introduced to local life in terms of their traditions, norms and cultures.

Retire from the activity and embark on the transfer back to Entebbe 477km about 8 hours’ drive via Mbarara and settle at Igongo Cultural Center for lunch (Traditional dishes). You can make an en-route stop at the Equator for more photos and passing through the gift shops to secure yourself memorabilia as a commemoration of your gorilla and Uganda wildlife safari.

Highlight of the day: – Lake Bunyonyi community walk

 

Accommodation:-

Luxury/Upmarket: – Protea Hotel Entebbe/Serena Lake Victoria Resort

Mid-range/Moderate: – Boma Hotel Entebbe/2 Friends Beach Hotel Entebbe/Lake Heights Hotel Entebbe

Budget/Basic: – Airport Guesthouse Entebbe/Acacia Boutique Hotel

 

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & dinner

Drive distance & time: – Approx. 477km or 8 hours

 

Activities & Services of the day:-

• Village walks at Lake Bunyonyi
• Transfer to Kampala
• Lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Centre
• Another stop at the Equator

 

Day 6 of the 6 Days Uganda Primate Safari: Do Half Day Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Tour.

We’ll have breakfast at around 7 am and take a 90 minutes boat cruise out on Lake Victoria to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. This 100 acres sanctuary is located 23km offshore from Entebbe and offers a safe haven for 50 orphaned and confiscated chimps, rescued from the illegal pet and bushmeat trade. The Chimps are free to enjoy and forage daily in the natural habitat on this wonderful island. Their diet is supplemented multiple times per day much to the delight of visiting tourists who are able to observe the feeding from a viewing platform.

On arrival at the sanctuary, you’ll be directed to the visitor’s center where you’ll be introduced to the project, its history, the resident chimpanzees and their plight. You’ll receive a personal orientation by a chimpanzee caregiver and view feeding of the chimpanzees from the visitors’ raised platform area along the edge of the sanctuary fence.

Besides chimpanzee viewing, you can enjoy bird watching, experiencing other wildlife encounters, swimming on the equator, visiting a neighboring fishing village or simply sunbathing and relaxing. You can also get your hands dirty by being part of the feeding team. On top of being able to feed your favorite chimp, you will also watch as the chimps excitedly try and gain your attention to receive food. Retreat from the activity to mark the end of the 6 days Uganda primate safari.

Highlight of the day: – Chimpanzee viewing at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

Meal Plan: – Breakfast & Lunch

 

Activities & Services of the day:-

• Ngamba Island Chimpanzee tour

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day:-

• Search for Shoebills in Mabamba Swamp

End of the 6 Days Uganda Primate Safari

6 Days Uganda Primate Safari − SAFARI INCLUSIONS

  Full-time English professional safari driver-guide

  4×4 safari van/ 4×4 Safari land cruiser with pop up roof for game viewing with functional A/C

  Full board accommodation

  Gorilla/chimpanzees trekking permit fees

  Boat cruise fees

  Wi-Fi Internet on board the safari vehicle

  Bottled water

6 Days Uganda Primate Safari− SAFARI EXCLUSIONS

 International & domestic flight fees

 Visa fees

 Laundry services

 Items of personal nature

 Gratuities and tips

 Other beverages/ drinks

 Other extras not mentioned in the itinerary above

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