7 Days Uganda Primates Exclusive and Shoebill Safari

Flight Time: 1 – 2 Hours

Have an early breakfast at the hotel; at 06:30AM meet your guide and transfer to Nakiwogo Landing Site – a gateway to Mabamba Swamp (Ramsar Site). From Nakiwogo transfer by boat to Mabamba Swamp, one of the best locations for bird enthusiasts.

Mabamba Swamp; is the best place to sight the Shoebill stork. The wetland accessed by a canoe ride is located on the North West of Entebbe Peninsular, along the edge of Lake Victoria, the wetland is a sanctuary for over 260 bird species. This popular birders’ hotspot, got its name from the local fishermen due to a huge quantity of lungfish “Mamba”, most sought after fish by fishermen as well as a favourite food for the shoebill. In addition to the Shoebill Stork, the other bird to expect include: Blue swallow, Pallid harrier, Papyrus Gonolek, Swamp flycatcher, Pigmy goose, Lesser jacana, Vie lot’s weaver, Grosbeak weaver, Black-headed weaver, Palm-nut vulture, Carruther’s Cisticola, Papyrus canary, Goliath heron, Malachite kingfisher, Gull-billed terns and more.

Thereafter sail to Entebbe and head to the airport. Arrive and proceed to check-in for your midday domestic flight to Kasese.

Upon landing, transfer to Buffalo Safari Lodge for Lunch and refreshment. Thereafter, continue to Kibale and check-in to stay at leisure. Dinner included.

Overnight: Papaya Lake Lodge – or similar                                                

Meal Plan: Half Board

Arrive at 08:00am for registration and briefing at the park’s visitor office. Kibale’s most popular activity is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk, with the most sought after on this trail being the chimpanzees. Kanyanchu’s chimps have been tracked since 1993 and the chances of locating them are excellent. Daily guided walks start at 08:00am and 02:0pm and last an average of one to two hours with chimps in their natural habitat.
The habituated groups are accustomed to human presence; some have been observed for over 25 years, and the chances of locating them are at 90%. The time spent with the chimps is limited to one hour for a maximum of six visitors per session daily. Most prominent among Kibale’s primates is a large population of chimps (about 1,500 individuals). The biologically diversity of Kibale includes other 120 mammals, with several primates like baboons, Ugandan Mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, de brazza’s monkey, colobus monkeys, blue monkeys commonly spotted, with 370 bird species including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Nahan’s francolin, Cassin’s spinetail, blue headed bee-eater and low-land masked apalis.

After the trek, transfer to Tinka’s Homestead for an early traditional lunch.

Planned Activity: Bigodi Community Tour and birding – On your cultural experience be engaged in: Birding in Bigodi swamp, Bigodi coffee processing and tasting, Taste banana beer and traditional vodka, lookout for traditional arts and crafts, Cultural entertainment (songs and energetic dances).

After exploring Kibale transfer to Buffalo Safari Lodge. Arrive and check-in to stay at leisure. Dinner included.

Overnight: Buffalo Safari Lodge – or similar   

Meal Plan: Full Board

Flight Duration: 1 – 2 Hours

Have an early breakfast at the lodge and check-out. Thereafter, transfer and be at the airstrip by 07:00am. Arrive and check-in for your next domestic flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Upon landing at Kisoro Airstrip, transfer to the lodge and check-in for lunch and refreshment. In the afternoon go explore an iconic Batwa culture close Bwindi Forest.   

Planned Activity: (subject to change depending on tracking location at booking):

Buniga Batwa Cultural Trail – this 3 hour trail exhibits a mutual relationship between the Batwa and the jungle before their expulsion in the process of converting this forest into a protected reserve. In a bid to promote their unique heritage and traditions; the Batwa will walk you through their small pocket forests, showcasing a nomadic culture during their occupation of the rain forest. Approach the Batwa settlement and observe how the women go about cooking and serving a traditional meal. Continue to visit herbalists so as to explore the various herbs plus medicinal significance, and listening to ancient legends alongside traditional songs. You will as well explore their lifestyle (from religion to food gathering, hunting skills, and creating fire from rubbing sticks).Your experience is spiced up with a sundowner overlooking the rain forest at a golden sunset. Drinks (local brands and juices) are all available for you to sample.

Overnight: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge – or similar

Meal Plan: Full Board

After an early breakfast you will be handed a lunchbox and mineral water to put in your backpack, then proceed to the park office. Upon completing your park formalities, you will embark on a once in a life time experience of tracking the endangered mountain gorillas.

Once you meet the gorillas on a tracking adventure, you are allowed between 1 to 2 hours watching and photographing the gentle apes including the silverback. This is perhaps one of the most breath-taking wildlife experience on earth!!! You stare at each other blankly not knowing who to break the long silence first. These massive primates are extremely rare, with less than 700 living today, but you will get within meters with the gorillas in the process of creating a new family. Gorilla tracking may be fairly strenuous lasting approximately an hour at a relatively high altitude. During the trek, your ranger guide will identify a safe and scenic spot for your picnic lunch after which you will proceed with the trek or back to the lodge (Subject to change).  It is important to bring hiking boots, trousers, and gloves for protection against stinging nettles as well as sufficient water as the rain forest gets hot and humid during the day. 

Return to the lodge and have a massage treat at leisure. Dinner included.   

Overnight: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge – or similar

Meal Plan: Full Board

Journey Time: 02 Hours: BINP – Mgahinga    

After an early breakfast checkout and travel to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Arrive at the Park headquarters by 07:30am for briefing and the trek will commence immediately after briefing. Hiking through the forests to reach the golden monkeys is less tedious as golden monkeys live in the lower bamboo areas. Spend an hour with the golden monkeys and take pictures while observing their behaviour. Come along with waterproof hiking boots, wear long sleeved shirt, long trousers, and carry a backpack for your lunch and documents and do not forget to carry an insect repellent.

After the trek, next is a boat cruise on Lake Mutanda with lunch and refreshment.

Planned Activity: Boat Cruise on Lake Mutanda – Enjoy a detailed 2-hour boat cruise on this scenic lake exploring its various islands. Accompanied by a local guide you will get to explore more about the surrounding communities, sight the birds, and otters with splendid views of the volcanoes sheltering the lake. Visit the lake’s only habituated island to meet the Abagesera (indigenous residents), and visit the Punishment Island to learn about its interesting history.

Return and transfer back to Bwindi; check-in and refresh for dinner at leisure.

Overnight: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge – or similar

Meal Plan: Full Board

Flight Duration: 1 – 2 Hours                                             

After an early breakfast at the lodge and check-out. Thereafter transfer to Kisoro Airstrip and check-in for your domestic flight departing at 08:00am.  

Arrival at Entebbe is at midday (12:00PM) and proceed to check-in for your onward departure (subject to change). For guests with a late flight; will have lunch outside the airport Faze 3 with a day room (until 05:00pm) to refresh and relax. Later be transferred to the airport and check-in for your night flight.

Day room use: No. 5 Boutique Hotel – or similar

Meal Plan: Breakfast and lunch at Entebbe

DISCLAIMER:

• The journey time(s) stated in the itinerary is an estimation and it is subject to variation depending on traffic and road conditions.


• Listed accommodation options are subject to availability at the time of booking. If not available, similar properties will be considered.


• Kindly note that we cannot determine which of the five sectors of Bwindi you will be allocated as this will be depend on availability at the time of booking.


• Rates are subject to change without a prior notice due to factors out of our control. We will notify you concerning any top-ups as a result, if the booking is not made within the same period of inquiry.