Uganda safari for gorillas, chimps, pygmies and rafting

Today, you are welcomed at the airport then shifted to your hotel to relax and overnight.

Overnight stay at: Cycad Guest House (BB) or The Boma (BB)

After the breakfast, you are picked up from the hotel. Then, we drive west through the green hills of local farms and tea plantations towards Fort Portal city. This colonial center lies at the bottom of the mountains of the moon. Here, we have a stop for a lunch buffet of hot and delicious local food or a La Carte. The scenes of the city and the mountains in the background make the stop really worth it. We then visit a crater lake nearby. Later, we transfer to the lodge to relax to sights and sounds of the forest. However, you may go for a walk around the lodge. We may as well go for a walk in the forest to see the primates and other animals of the night (optional).

Overnight stay: Chimpanzee Guest House (FB) / Primate Lodge (FB)

After an early breakfast, we start off with a briefing of the activity. The question is, what do we expect to see in the park? Certainly a lot of stuff. Hereafter, we enter the forest for chimp trekking and to investigate the thick undergrowth. Otherwise, walking at your own pace along the trails is easy with the excellent local guides. In fact, the guides make the walk interesting. They truly explain the life of the chimps, the tree species, birds and other mammals of this forest.

Regularly, primates that you see include the grey mangabeys, Olive Baboon, red-tailed Monkey, red colobus and black and white Colobus. It is possible to see the forest elephants and duikers as well. Nonetheless, the best moment is when we meet face to face with a group of chimps. Occasionally, they feed and associate in the trees or play on the ground. Sometimes, the chimps fight amongst themselves for food and dominance. Other times, they fight against neighboring groups to defend their territory.  Afterwards, we return to the lodge for lunch and to rest. In the afternoon, if you are not tired, we have a swamp walk in the Bigodi community nearby. Just like in the park, the swamp has birds and monkeys. The swamp is adjacent to the Kibale national park. Therefore it has similar wildlife.

Overnight stay: Chimpanzee Guest House (FB) / Primate Lodge (FB)

We have early breakfast and then continue southwards to Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Ordinarily, the drive is interesting through farmed villages and picturesque landscapes. Bwindi forest is uniquely located between mountains. Without a doubt, it is  special park with a variety of African animals. These include the gorillas, chimps, the forest elephants. There are some rare birds such as the handsome Francolin and the Green breasted Pitta. Interestingly, Bwindi is among the only few places in the world where you can see the mountain Gorillas!!

Overnight stay: Gorilla Mist Camp (FB) or the Mahogany Springs (FB)

We have breakfast and move to the briefing point close by. At first, we attend a brief talk about the park and the gorillas. We then explore the forest in search of the gorillas. By the way, the time we will take to look for them is unpredictable. However, it ranges between 1-6 hours. This undoubtedly depends on their movements and where they spent the night.

In some areas the forest trails are steep, making the exploration rather tiresome. However, the excitement of meeting the huge gorillas is a life time memory. The gorillas may come really close and touch you. The babies may even jump on you, but keep calm!!! After the trekking, we return to the lodge to rest. Later, we may go for the cultural dances in the surrounding community. Or still do a sun-downer community walk.

Overnight stay: Gorilla Mist Camp (FB) or the Mahogany Springs (FB)

This morning, we start off with a relaxed breakfast. Next, we drive southwards through the forest, tea plantations and terraced local farms. The road winds around picturesque mountains. Along the way, there are several places to stop for photos. Finally, we reach Kisoro town. This is in fact the last frontier town between Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo. Subsequently, we relax to views of the border mountains.

Overnight stay: Travellers Rest Hotel (FB) or the Chameleon Hill Lodge (FB)

After our breakfast, we embark on the Uganda batwa trail. This is an experience about the life of the Pygmies. Here, the life and stories are similar to that of the stone age. They take you through their daily life and beliefs. The firsthand experiences of the Batwa people include hunting, food gathering and cooking. During the trail, the Batwa show us their medicines. They further demonstrate their cultural games and clan fighting. Nonetheless the Batwa trail summarizes the world challenges that many minority tribes face. Thereafter, we return for late lunch and relax in the afternoon.

Overnight stay: Travelers Rest Hotel (FB) or the Chameleon Hill Lodge (FB)

Start off the long journey early and transfer leisurely to Kampala. Lastly, have a stop at the Equator en route for photos and late lunch. You will reach Kampala in the afternoon.

Overnight: The Golf Course Hotel (FB) or the Serena Hotel (FB)

We have early breakfast and hereafter transfer east near the source of the river Nile. We enjoy all day rafting in the wild waters downstream and even have lunch by the river Nile. The white water rafting of the river includes 5 exciting rapids. The river flows through smooth rocks and green woodland. After this adventure on the river Nile, we return to Kampala city to relax. However we may enjoy a swim or take a walk around the city. The nearby places that are interesting include the national theater, the parliament, a golf course and two shopping malls.

Overnight: The Golf Course Hotel (FB) or the Serena Hotel (FB)

We relax at the Hotel until the late morning. Shortly after, we transfer to Entebbe airport for the departure flight. This is where the 10 days Uganda safari ends.