104: Classic Gorillas and Wildlife Safari

Ref: 104, 9 days

104: Classic Gorillas and Wildlife Safari

$5410 per person

This comprehensive wildlife and primates safari takes you to a range of habitats where you will get the chance to encounter a host of wildlife and enjoy exquisite scenery.

Uganda – the Pearl of Africa – is a wonder, from the diversity of wildlife to her friendly people and stunning landscapes. This safari will show you the best of Uganda including memorable jungle experiences with the endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, fabulous game drives and nature walks, boat cruises on some of the most amazing bodies of water and glorious sight-seeing. Staying in some beautiful accommodation, this safari offers an excellent introduction to the highlights of this overlooked country.

Highlights

Go gorilla and chimpanzee tracking
Excellent game viewing opportunities including tree-climbing lions
Guided walks in national parks and local villages

Overview

Day 1: Evening arrival at Entebbe International airport
Day 2: Drive to Fort Portal, towards Kibale National Park. Guided swamp walk
Day 3: Chimp tracking (12 years+). Queen Elizabeth National Park. Visit a conservation project
Day 4: Lion tracking and boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Day 5: Explore the famous Ishasha sector – Queen Elizabeth
Day 6: Game drive in Ishasha. Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 7: Gorilla tracking experience (15 years+). Village walk
Day 8: Travel to Lake Mburo via Igongo cultural centre. Afternoon game drive
Day 9: Nature walk and travel to Entebbe via the Equator. Evening flight home

When is the best time of year to visit Uganda?

Although Ugandan seasons have become less predictable in recent years, peak tourist seasons usually coincide with dry seasons. When choosing your dates consider:

Uganda is an all-year round destination with a pleasant climate and temperatures averaging in the mid 20s⁰C. The huge variety in altitude means temperatures vary around the country (but this also means increased biodiversity)
Flight prices often increase in European/American holiday seasons
There are fewer tourists in low seasons so you can have the place to yourselves!
Many hotels offer all-year prices so the price of your visit may not change much between seasons
Most major roads going from the capital, Kampala, up-country are tarmac. Conditions on murram roads may worsen, to varying degrees, in rainy season
Rainy season can be good for birding as there is more food (bugs) available
If you are targeting certain birds, ask our advice on breeding and migration seasons
Should you plan to climb the Rwenzori mountains, dry seasons are best
Hiking may be better in rainy seasons when it is cooler

Please note

Permits are required to track gorillas. The minimum ages is 15 years. Gorilla permits are limited to eight people per gorilla family. Permits are also required to track chimps and the minimum age is 12 years.

Please read the information about primate tracking on our primates web page and remember to look at our suggested packing list.

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Day 1: Evening arrival at Entebbe International Airport

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by your guide who will take you to your hotel in Kampala. S/He will be your guide throughout this safari. A meal is available, at the hotel, up to 22:00pm.

Accommodation: Cassia Lodge - Kampala Meal plan: D

Day 2: Drive to Fort Portal, towards Kibale National Park

07:30 Depart Kampala and travel to Fort Portal (approx. 5 hours). The route is incredibly scenic, passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterises so much of Uganda. In the afternoon, explore Bigodi swamp, a community initiative to protect the environment and wildlife. The swamp is home to a number of monkey species, plants and birds.

Accommodation: Papaya Lake Lodge – Fort Portal – Kibale Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking. Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP. Visit a conservation project

08:00 After an early morning briefing, your wildlife ranger will lead you on a trek in the forest, tracking your chimp family. Once you find them, spend an hour in their company. In the afternoon, drive (approx. 2.5 hours) via the scenic crater lakes region to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Relax in your lodge and enjoy the beautiful landscape and peaceful surroundings. Spend an evening with the local people and ex-poachers now protecting wildlife and support the local communities around the park.

Accommodation:Mazike Valley Lodge - Queen Elizabeth National Park Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 4: Lion tracking and afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel

Today provides another outstanding wildlife experience as you spend 2-3 hours with the lion researchers. Participate in their activities on the day which may include monitoring species, climate and habitat, learning about tracking and about the animals. After your lunch, take a 2-hour boat cruise on the majestic Kazinga Channel known for its high concentration of hippos. Look out for animals by the shores and many colourful birds. Undoubtedly one of the highlights of this park.

Accommodation: Mazike Valley Lodge - Queen Elizabeth National Park Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 5: Explore the famous Ishasha sector – Queen Elizabeth

This morning you take a 2-hour safari drive to Ishasha sector for a game drive in search of the famous tree-climbing lions. The sector has got a rich biodiversity and is home to a host of wildlife such as buffalos, different species of antelopes and birds. Take the mid-morning and afternoon exploring and reaching wide and far for game.

Accommodation:Ishasha Jungle Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 6: Game drive. Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Take another game drive this morning, game viewing. Later, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home of the endangered mountain gorillas and also a UNESCO world heritage site approx. 2 hours away.

Accommodation:Engagi Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 7: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The big day is here! Join your group for a briefing from your ranger at 07:30. Thereafter, with your guide, enjoy the jungle walk to locate your gorilla family (taking, on average, 3 to 8 hours in total). Once with them, you are allowed to watch the gorillas for one hour as they eat, play, groom, swing and sleep. Afterwards, have a relaxed community walk if time allows.

Accommodation:Engagi Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 8: Transfer to Lake Mburo and go for a game drive in the afternoon

08:00. Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park (approx. 4-5 hours) stopping at Igongo Cultural Centre for a local lunch and a quick peep in the cultural museum. Continue to the park (approx. 1.5 hrs). Check in at your lodge, perched high up on a rock with spectacular views over the vast savannah landscape. Later, go for a late afternoon game drive in search of game including giraffe, zebra, eland, waterbuck and more.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock – Lake Mburo National Park Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 9: Safari walk and travel to Entebbe via the Equator

07:00 Start your day with a 2-hour guided nature walk among animals such as impalas, giraffe and zebra and beautiful birds. 10:00 transfer to Entebbe passing by the Equator, stopping to stretch your legs and enjoy photo moments. Relax in Entebbe until it is time for your guide to take you to the airport for your flight home.

Meal plan: B, L,D

Venture Uganda on a game drive in Murchison falls national park

Guide price: from US$ 5,410 per person

Based on 2 adults sharing a double room, in mid-range accommodation, in low season and travelling in a safari Land Cruiser (all our safaris and tours can be adapted to high-end, mid-range or budget versions)

The price for every safari depends on the number of people travelling, their ages, the time of year, whether or not international flights are included, the type of transport and accommodation used and the activities undertaken.

We calculate according to the specific dates of your booking because after we publish our itineraries some things may change. For example, hotels may increase their prices, exchange rates fluctuate, the government may introduce new taxes or some discounts may become available. Unfortunately, we also have to pass on surcharges imposed on us by, for example, airlines when fuel prices or airport taxes are unexpectedly increased.

We would be happy to prepare a quotation, based on your requirements. We normally include most costs in the price so all you need to bring with you is ‘pocket money’ for items like drinks, tips and personal shopping e.g. souvenirs.

Price includes

1 gorilla & 1 chimp tracking permit each

A double room in mid-range, non-air-conditioned accommodation with a full board meal plan

Private safari vehicle with driver and fuel for this itinerary

All entrance and other fees for the activities included in the itinerary

Mineral water in transit

All government taxes

Price does not include

International flights

Visas

Travel insurance

Personal expenses: alcohol, laundry services and souvenirs

Tips (normally 5–10% and around $10 per day for your guide).

Booking

All bookings are governed by our Booking Conditions not the regulations in place in the different countries where our clients or their tour operators/travel agents come from.

Note: if you want to track gorillas, we recommend that you book your holiday as early as possible (6+ months) when permits are more readily available, so you can book and pay at leisure. Last minute permits can sometimes be found, especially if you are flexible with dates, but there will always be a rush to pay and secure them.

If you would like to book or adapt one of our safaris or tours or if you would like a tailor-made itinerary, please send us an enquiry form telling us about your requirements.

When we receive this we will check the availability of your preferred gorilla tracking permits (for a certain date and forest sector) and your accommodation. If changes are necessary, we will inform you and suggest alternatives.

Unfortunately, there is no system in Uganda for reserving permits, they can only be secured with payment and, once bought, they are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Once your itinerary is agreed, we will send you a booking form and an invoice for the full costs of any international flights, 30% deposit (40% for Rwanda) for gorilla and chimp tracking permits (this payment is non-refundable in any circumstances but permits can be rescheduled) and a 20% deposit on the rest of your holiday upon booking. Kindly send us a remittance note so that we know your payment is on the way and, once it is received, we can secure your preferred permits and confirm your booking.

If we are very unlucky and permits sold-out in the meantime, we will call you to suggest an alternative forest sector or date. Booking early should help to avoid this.

Full payment is due 90 days before arrival. If travel plans are not clear at this point, this payment can be reviewed and paid closer to arrival (at our sole discretion) or the holiday can be rescheduled.

Payments and Cancellation

We charge in US dollars. Payment is by bank transfer into our Standard Chartered USD bank account in Uganda.

For bookings from within Uganda, cash can be deposited on our bank account.

Payment instructions are given on our invoices.

If clients are unable to travel and their holiday has to be cancelled (for example if the Uganda Government closes the borders), we will reschedule their holiday, free-of-charge, within 1 year, for the same price. It may not be possible for us to obtain refunds from our suppliers and therefore we cannot guarantee being able to issue refunds to our clients.

When we book your safari, we have to pay non-refundable deposits on your behalf, for example to hotels. Therefore, we charge cancellation fees as follows:

If you cancel more than 90 days before your arrival date you lose your deposit

If you cancel 90 – 61 days before your arrival date you lose 50% of your total holiday price

If you cancel 60 – 31 days before your arrival date you lose 75% of your total holiday price

If you cancel 30 days or fewer before your arrival date you lose 100% of your total holiday price

We are subject to our suppliers’ cancellation policies. Payments already made to them cannot be refunded to you at any stage.

If one or more group members cancels, the price for remaining members may increase.

Cancellations must be made in writing and acknowledged by Venture Uganda Travel. Charges will be applied based on the date of our written acknowledgement.

We recommend clients include cancellation cover and Covid-19 cover in their travel insurance.

Insurance

AMREF flying doctors provide a medevac service in case of illness or injury during your safari. This costs $25pp for 31 days. We recommend this service and can include it in your package price.

Travel Information

Please see our Travel Information page for information on flights, visas, currency, packing lists, books and field guides, health and safety, emergency contacts and much more general information. If there is anything you cannot find just ask us (sales01@ventureuganda.org).

Responsible Tourism

See our Responsible Tourism pages for information about our approach to tourism and advice on how to travel responsibly.

For general advice please see our travel information webpage.

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104: Classic Gorillas and Wildlife Safari