TOUR UG13: ECO TOURISM IN UGANDA (16 DAYS)

This safari starts and ends in Entebbe.

Uganda is well known for its immaculate attractions. This trip allows you a chance to enjoy these pulls. Some five parks, in the Western section of the country, are selected for a comprehensive exploration.

The safari starts with Kibale Forest National Park in the West, continuing to Queen Elizabeth Park, and then on to Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla parks – all World Heritage Sites. Kibale Forest has the highest number of primates in Africa - 13 species in all, including red, black and white colobus, blue monkeys, baboons and a large number of chimpanzees.

A forest walk and Habituation Experience provides a high possibility of seeing and hearing the vast number of chimps and other primates playing and jumping around through the forest. With over 300 bird species recorded in the forest, Kibale boasts of many rewarding experiences not thought of in some other forests of the world. An excursion to Bigodi and Magombe wetlands gives the opportunity of seeing the unusual birds, chimps, baboons, monkeys and other primates which live around the swamp.

See abundant game in Queen Elizabeth park including buffalo, tree-climbing lion, leopard, warthog and the ever present hippo. Birds are everywhere – on the kazinga water channel, in Kyambura and Maramagambo forests, on game tracks!

The beautiful steeply forested Kyambura Gorge is home not only to chimpanzees but also the red-tailed monkey, black and white colobus and many bird species. Around Ishasha go on the hunt for the famous tree-climbing lions which lounge nonchalantly on old fig trees. Further south in Bwindi go gorilla tracking and see other primates, birds and butterflies before continuing to Mgahinga, which is part of the Virunga Conservation Area, for gorillas and breathtaking volcanoes.

Track gorillas again or climb a volcano, go birding, take in the breathtaking landscape or visit local Batwa animist communities. Return to Kampala via Lake Mburo, one of Uganda’s most striking parks rich in birds, hippo, buffalo, zebra. Visitors are briefed on conservation by four different park officials/wardens. They stay in well- selected environmentally friendly Camps and lodges.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe airport. Meet, greet and transfer to Boma Guest House for overnight (BB)

Day 2: Start for Fort Portal via the pretty little town of Mubende set in rolling hills. A brief stop at Nakayima Shrine, a splendid tree known to be 400 years old, worshipped by local people and thought to be holding the spirit of an ancient king. Picnic lunch en route and continue to Kibale. Arrive late afternoon. Relax at lodge or explore nearby Crater Lake. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours] O/N: Ndali Lodge/Mantana Kibale Camp (FB).

Day 3: A guided nature walk/Chimp Habituation in Kibale Forest, which has the highest number of primates in Africa - including red, black and white colobus, blue monkeys, baboons and a large number of chimpanzees. Together with the researchers, the Chimp Habituation Experience allows participants the opportunity of acclimatising the primates to humans. (This activity is limited to the months of March, April, May and November only); see chimps and other primates playing through the forest. Birdlife is also fabulous, with over 300 species recorded in the forest. O/N: Ndali Lodge/Mantana Kibale Camp (FB).

Day 4: Choice of activities as in Day 2. Time permitting, a walk in Bigodi wetland – owned and managed by the local community - for birds and other primates which live around the swamp. O/N: Ndali Lodge/Mantana Kibale Camp (FB).

Day 5: Drive 4 hours to Queen Elizabeth Park, passing via the Rwenzoris, or “Mountains of The Moon”. Continue to QE. A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a rewarding experience. Visit to Tropical Bee Care Centre, a locally managed Centre, to see their projects. O/N: Jacana Lodge (FB).

Day 6: In Queen Elizabeth Park. Early start, carrying a packed lunch. Bird Maramagambo Forest, Lake Kikorongo, and Kasenyi Track. See the illustrious blue lake in Maramagambo Forest. Evening game drive. O/N: Jacana Lodge (FB).

Day 7: Visit Kyambura gorge to track chimpanzees, man’s closest relation. Evening game drive. O/N: Jacana Lodge (FB).

Day 8: Leave for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We may drive via Ishasha, weather conditions permitting – home of the tree-climbing lion - or drive through farmland to Buhoma. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours] O/N: Mantana Tented Camp or Bwindi Lodge or Buhoma Homestead (FB)

Day 9: Go gorilla tracking (subject to availability of gorilla permits at time of booking) O/N: Mantana Tented Camp or Bwindi Lodge or Buhoma Homestead (FB).

Day 10: Go for the Buhoma Village Tourist Walk organised by the local community. Look at local projects including baskets, mats, etc. O/N: Mantana Tented Camp or Bwindi Lodge or Buhoma Homestead (FB).

Day 11: Leave for Kisoro, stopping at Kanaba Gap to view the spectacular Virunga volcanoes and stunning terraced hills. Visit the natural, beautiful-looking Lake Mutanda, surrounded by the volcanoes, take a walk on the shores or continue directly to Mgahinga. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours]. O/N: Mgahinga Safari Lodge or Mount Gahinga Lodge (FB).

Day 12: Either track gorillas (on payment of US$360 gorilla permit supplement at time of booking) or go for a guided nature walk in the forest for butterflies, plant and bird species; or climb a volcano or simply relax at the camp! In the afternoon visit the Batwa pigmies, a local animist communist that is almost extinct. See their cultures. Evening dance by the group can also be arranged. O/N: Mgahinga Safari Lodge or Mount Gahinga Lodge (FB).

Day 13: After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National Park via Kabale. Boat trip and an evening game drive. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours] O/N: Mburo Tented Camp (FB).

Day 14: Time permitting, an early morning game drive. Return to Kampala via Masaka: look at royal drum makers, stop at the Equator for photo opportunities, and the roadside markets to enjoy some fruit and vegetables; lunch en route. Continue to Kampala arriving late afternoon. Visit a local environment-based project. O/N: Cottage at Speke Resort Munyonyo (HB).

Day 15: Start for Jinja, via Mukono. Detour to Sezzibwa Falls, thought in local folklore to have been “born” by an ancient woman. Birding while there and continue to Mabira Forest. Visit the Source of the Mighty River Nile. Your trip ends with a cultural tour to Bujagali Falls on the other end of the Nile. Return to Kampala late afternoon. O/N: Cottage at Speke Resort Munyonyo (HB).

Day 16: A city tour to visit green environments and projects. Kampala, the capital of Uganda, is a charming green city, spread over about 10 hills. Visit the museum, the Namugongo Martyrs' Shrine, and the colourful markets. Visit Kasubi Royal Tombs, the green Bahai Temple which is the only one in Africa; buy art crafts. Transfer to the airport in time for your flight. Tour ends.

More Uganda Tours

TOUR UG1 GORILLAS & WILDLIFE - BWINDI & LAKE MBURO (5 Days)	TOUR UG2 GORILLAS IN BWINDI & MGAHINGA (7 Days)
TOUR UG3 GORILLAS AND GAME BWINDI, QUEEN ELIZABETH & LAKE MBURO PARK (7 Days)	TOUR UG4 BIRDS & GAME IN QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK (4 Days)
TOUR UG5 CHIMPS & BIRDS IN KIBALE FOREST (4 Days)	TOUR UG6 CHIMPS ON NGAMBA ISLAND (3 Days)
TOUR UG7 WILDLIFE, CHIMPS & BIRDS IN KIBALE & QE (6 Days)	TOUR UG8 WILDLIFE, CHIMPS & BIRDS IN MURCHISON FALLS (4 Days)
TOUR UG9 BIRDING IN UGANDA (15 Days)	TOUR UG10 JEWELS OF UGANDA (14 Days)
TOUR UG11 CLIMBING THE RWENZORI MOUNTAINS (11 Days)	TOUR UG12 CLIMBING MOUNT ELGON (8 Days)
TOUR UG13 ECO TOURISM IN THE PEARL (16 DAYS)	TOUR UG14 CULTURAL TOURISM IN UGANDA (14 Days)
TOUR UG15 BUTTER FLIES IN UGANDA (17 Days)	TOUR UG16 BIRDING UGANDA (8 Days)
TOUR UG17 BIRD WATCHING IN UGANDA (15 Days)	TOUR UG18 BEST FOREST BIRDING (20 Days)

For all categories of accommodation, ALL drinks (except bottled water) are excluded in the safari cost and clients are to pay for them direct to the hotels/Camps / Lodges. Clients could choose to fly out the following day in cases where there are no flights for their departure on the last day of the itinerary. A supplement for the extra night will be required.

Flights

Merit Safaris will advise the most appropriate airlines to use to fly to Uganda. We could book your flights; alternatively you can contact your tour operator or travel agent.

Safaris start and end either in either Entebbe or Kampala in Uganda; or Kigali in Rwanda.

For those who wish, a visit for an extra three days by air, to the Karamojong nomadic farmers/cattle rustlers in the North, can be arranged. Please contact us for details.

Unless otherwise stated, prices quoted include a safari car for the itinerary stated, accommodation on a shared basis and meals (in Kampala/Kigali bed and breakfast only and on safari full board), 1 boat/launch trip, park fees, chimpanzee permits and one gorilla permit.

Prices do not include airfares to Uganda/Rwanda, entry visas and airport taxes, all personal expenditure such as tips, telephone calls, laundry and drinks. For single rooms, the supplement (SRS) has to be paid. Fees for mountain climbing, fishing and other specialist activities will attract an extra charge where not stated.

Prices are quoted in US Dollars. At the time of booking, clients should confirm with us the prevailing exchange rates for Pounds and Euros, if they wish to pay in those currencies. At the time of booking, the client(s) will need to pay for all gorilla permits needed in full otherwise a deposit equivalent to 20% of the cost of a safari paid, whichever is higher.

Key to Itineraries: