302 Hiking Special

Ref: 302, 15 days

302 Hiking Special

$6645 per person

Enjoy exceptional hiking as you explore some of Uganda’s beautiful natural places and encounter extraordinary wildlife, including chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. This amazing hiking holiday takes you off the beaten track to explore some of Uganda’s natural places. As you…

Enjoy exceptional hiking as you explore some of Uganda’s beautiful natural places and encounter extraordinary wildlife, including chimpanzees and mountain gorillas.

This amazing hiking holiday takes you off the beaten track to explore some of Uganda’s natural places. As you walk, enjoy stunning scenery and the opportunity to see extraordinary wildlife. Get a rare insight into the traditional cultures of Uganda as you meet some of the warm, friendly

This holiday is suitable for all levels and abilities; more challenging hikes can be replaced by gentler walks in the same areas.

 

Highlights

  • Some outstanding walks in stunning locations
  • Opportunities to meet people and learn about Uganda’s culture along the way
  • An amazing mountain gorilla tracking experience and other wildlife encounters
  • Enjoy the company of the chimpanzee in Kibale

 

Overview

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Day 2: Travel to Fort Portal. Amabere ga’nyinamwiru cultural site.
Day 3: Top of the world hike. Farm and village walk
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking. Swamp walk for primates and birds
Day 5: Hill climb at the foothills of the Rwenzori’s. Drive to Queen Elizabeth
Day 6: Lion tracking and boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Day 7: Ishasha sector. Game drive
Day 8: Game drive. Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 9: Scenic impenetrable forest walk
Day 10: A thrilling moment with the mountain gorillas
Day 11: Batwa trail experience. Optional Mt Muhavura climb
Day 12: Drive to Lake Mburo national park. Community walk
Day 13: Enjoy a safari walk. Travel to Kampala. Cultural music and dance entertainment
Day 14: Visit the crafts market before your transfer to the Airport

 

When is the best time of year to visit Uganda?

Although Ugandan seasons have become less predictable in recent years, peak 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 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 slightly 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 things like breeding and migration seasons
  • If you plan to climb the Rwenzori mountains, ask our advice about the best times
  • Hiking may be better in dry seasons.

 

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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Our gallery

Discovering Uganda's Country side on a group hiking trip
Uganda hiking Safari.
Hiking mountain Rwenzori in Uganda.
Hiking western Uganda
Rwenzori mountain, Uganda
Gorilla Mgahinga Gorilla National Park-Uganda
1
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your guide who will be with you throughout your holiday, will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for a relaxing and peaceful night in this quiet part of town.
Accommodation:  Boma Hotel – Entebbe
Meals: B&B
2
Day 2: Travel to Fort Portal. Amabere ga’nyinamwiru cultural site.
After breakfast, you will drive west to Fort Portal town, 5 hours away. Settle in to your lodge and have lunch. After, you will walk to Amabere, a series of caves featuring many stalagmites and stalactites. During your hike to the site, through the local community and countryside, your guide will tell you all about the history, geography and culture of the region.
Accommodation: Kluges Guest Farm - Fort Portal.
Meals: B, L, D
3
Day 3: Top of the world hike. Farm and village walk
Today you will hike to the top of the world, a popular activity with visitors to Fort portal and Kibale national park. Accompanied by your knowledgeable guide, you walk through villages, hills, lush gardens, tea plantations, crater lakes and coffee bushes. When at the top – hopefully the day is clear, you can see the Rwenzori mountains, several crater lakes, Fort Portal, Kibale forest, community settlements and lots more. You will also have the opportunity to learn about processing of coffee - from planting to making a cup for yourself. In the evening, go out for a relaxed farm walk at the lodge and a guided village walk. Meet the local people. The forested area hosts some monkey species and birds.
Accommodation: Kluges Guest Farm - Fort Portal.
Meals: B, L, D
4
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking. Swamp walk near Kibale
At 07:30, join your group for your briefing and then enter the forest and begin your search for the chimpanzees. Once you have located them, you will spend a thrilling hour with them before returning for lunch. Later, visit Bigodi: a conservation project run by the local community which protects the wetlands and their inhabitants including various primates and birds.
Accommodation: Kluges Guest Farm - Fort Portal.
Meals: B, L, D
5
Day 5: Hill climb at the foothills of the Rwenzori’s. Drive to Queen Elizabeth
Departing early this morning, the journey of approx. 2 hours takes you to Kasese, where you will go on a approx. 3-4-hour hill hike on the Rwenzori mountain ranges. The hike takes you through lush gardens, community valley, across some of the beautiful rivers and a chance to view the Magherita - the snow-capped peak of the Rwenzoris on a clear day. The ecosystem is amazing.  You will afterwards drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, an hour away.
Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Meals: B, L, D  
6
Day 6: Lion tracking and boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
This morning presents a different experience where you go off the beaten tracks, getting close to lions. You will be accompanied by researchers and wildlife rangers. This is a learning experience, having you get deeper knowledge of lions, how tracking gadgets are used, their ways and habits in their natural habitat. Explore the explosion craters, another stunning area in this park to see the several beautiful crater lakes as well. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing 3-hour boat ride along the Kazinga Channel, renowned for its rich birdlife, including the Pied Kingfisher and Goliath Heron and wildlife such as hippos and crocodiles. You may also spot thirsty visitors to the riverbanks, such as elephants and buffalos.
Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Meals: B, L, D  
7
Day 7: Ishasha sector. Game drive
Travel further south to Ishasha, a sector famous for her tree-climbing lions and its diverse ecosystem. This is the only area in Uganda to see the tree climbing lions. The numerous fig trees in this sector hide the suspicious hunters scanning the savannah grass for prey or perhaps relaxing and taking a nap. Spend the best hours of the day exploring this sector, game viewing.
Accommodation:  Enjojo Lodge – Queen Elizabeth national park.
Meals: B, L, D
8
Day 8: Game drive. Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
Another game drive this morning starts your day in ishasha for wildlife viewing. After lunch, drive through the lush green countryside to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, about 2 hours. This park is home to the mountain gorillas, 113 mammal species and 360 bird species. Relax for the evening at your lodge.
Accommodation:  Engagi Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Meals: B, L, D
9
Day 9: Scenic impenetrable forest walk
This morning you take the opportunity to discover the hidden treasures of Bwindi by foot. A forest walk unfolds secrets of this impenetrable forest rewarding visitors with an exclusive natural feeling of a virgin forest, melodies of the birds singing, and come close to wildlife. From Buhoma to Nkuringo, enjoy the 5-6-hour trail, enjoying the scenery, learning about the flora and fauna, the trees, birds, wildlife, the misty hills as you go along. Your guide will wait for you at the end of the trail and transfer you to your lodge.
Accommodation:  Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Meals: B, L, D
10
Day 10: Thrilling moments with the enchanting mountain gorillas
Today presents a rare and privileged opportunity to see the endangered mountain gorillas. Join your group for a briefing and trek through the forest in search of your gorilla family; this can take anything from 3 to 8 hours. Once you find them, watch these enchanting creatures as they eat, play, groom and even snooze. If yours is a shorter trek, enjoy an afternoon’s relaxation at your lodge or a stroll around the local town.
Accommodation:  Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Meals: B, L, D  
11
Day 11: Batwa trail experience
Meet the community from one of the oldest tribes in the world – the Batwa pygmy people this morning. They will take you through their former home – the forest, where they lived in harmony with nature (5 - 6 hours). Hear their fascinating story and traditional way of life then! Optional: Mt Muhabura climb At 07:00, meet your guide and, taking a packed lunch, begin the hike up Mt. Muhabura. The 8-hour hike will not only reward you with spectacular views of the Virungas but also an opportunity to stand at the border of two countries – Uganda and Rwanda. Keep your eyes peeled for chances to see some of the wildlife present in the park.
Accommodation:  Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Meals: B, L, D
12
Day 12: Cultural experience at Enyemebwa Cultural Village
Today is your chance to experience a day-in-the-life of a tribal cattle-keeper. Join the Bahima herdsmen as they take their cows to the bush for grazing and watering. As you walk, learn all about their way of life. Bring the cows back to the kraal for evening milking and see how the milk is processed into ghee. Visit the calves and learn more about the cultural significance of the wooden milk pots.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock - Lake Mburo National Park
Meals: B, L, D
13
Day 13: Morning safari walk and an afternoon game drive
Search for the early grazers of the park on a safari walk. Get closer to the animals including buffaloes, impalas, elands, zebras and the newly introduced Rothschild giraffes and watch as they go about their daily activities. After lunch, go for a game drive in other parts of the park for more game viewing opportunities and some spectacular views.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock - Lake Mburo National Park
Meals: B, L, D
14
Day 14: Travel to Kampala. Cultural dance performances
Travel back to Kampala, 5 hours away, with a stop at the equator to have lunch and check out the craft shops. When you arrive, head downtown to explore the city or just relax in your hotel. In the evening, visit the famous Ndere Centre for a traditional dance and music performance from Uganda’s various tribes.
Accommodation: Cassia Lodge – Kampala
Meals: B

Guide price: from USD $ 6,645 per person

Based on 2 adults, sharing a double room in mid-range accommodation and travelling in a safari Land Cruiser

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, 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

Full-board, mid-range, non-air-conditioned accommodation

Private safari vehicle with a 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).