Kidepo Savannah Chimps and Gorillas

Kidepo Savannah, Chimps and Gorillas

Day 1: Arrival
Upon your arrival at Entebbe Airport your driver / guide will be waiting to pick you up from your flight and drive you to your hotel in Entebbe.  Depending on the time you arrive, you can visit the Entebbe Botanical gardens if time allows.
Overnight Karibu Guest House
 
Day 2: Jinja
After breakfast you will drive to Kampala and then continue Eastwards to Jinja.  It is in Jinja where you find the source of the longest river in the world - the River Nile.  It is from here that the Nile River begins its journey from Lake Victoria all the way up to the Mediterranean Sea. Many activities are available around town.  (Whatever activities you choose to do in Jinja are not included in the price).
Optional activities include;white water rafting, horseback safaris, visit to the source of the nile, town visit, quad bikes etc.
Overnight the Haven
Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner
 
Day 3: Sipi Falls
After breakfast you will continue on your Eastern Uganda journey driving through the town of Iganga and other smaller trading centers to Mbale and on to beautiful Sipi Falls, on a plateau 1800m above sea level.
Overnight Sipi River Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 4: Sipi Falls
After breakfast, choose to go on a 3-hour or a 7-hour hike through the region you will be accompanied on this adventure by a local guide who will be intepreting the flora and fauna and ofcourse the culture of this area to you.
Overnight Sipi River Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner
 
Day 5: Drive to Kidepo National Park
Today after breakfast you will travel to Kidepo valley N.P. in the Karamoja region, one of the remotest areas of Uganda.  This a long but rewarding drive taking you passed one of the most beautiful scenery in Uganda.

Kidepo Valley National Park. The park has some of the most amazing scenery in the country!
Overnight Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 6: Wildlife Safari in Kidepo
After an early morning breakfast, you will be taken to explore Kidepo Valley National Park.  During this game drive in Kidepo you will spot ostriches, zebras, giraffes, elephants, and if lucky lions, leopards and cheetah.
Kidepo is famous for its lions relaxing on the rocks
Overnight Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
 
Day 7: Transfer to Murchison Falls Game Park.
Today you continue your Uganda safari by driving to Murchison Falls Game Park.
Overnight Fort Murchison
Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 8: Murchison Falls National Park
You will rise up early today for your game drive in the northern bank of River Nile.  the early morning game drives are the best as most animals are always active before the sun comes up and the temperatures are cooler.
During this game drive you will spot wildlife like; elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds may all be spotted during the game drive.

In the afternoon there will be a boat cruise to the bottom of the Murchison Falls. During the boat ride you will see plenty of hippos, buffaloes, crocodiles, water birds, and other wildlife that come to the banks of the river to drink.

After viewing the falls from the bottom, you then hike to top of the falls to view the falls from the top. Your driver guide and vehicle will be waiting to drive you to your lodge on the Southern Bank of River Nile.
Overnight Murchison River Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
 
Day 9: Boat Safari on Delta
Today you will take a boat trip to the Delta this is the area where the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert. The banks of the delta are home to hundreds of bird species including the rare shoebill stork. As well you will see hundreds of hippos, crocodiles and other wildlife like elephants and buffaloes that come to the water edge to drink.

In the afternoon if you are up to it you can go for another game drive in the park. Or  choose to just relax at the lodge hanging around the swimming pool.
Overnight Murchison river lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: Drive to Kibale Forest
Today you will depart Murchison Falls in the morning after breakfast for Kibale Forest National Park. This another very scenic drive, passing through tea plantations around the Kyenjojo and Fortportal area and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda.

You will have a lunch break in fortportal before continuing on your journey to Kibale Forest Park where you will arrive in the evening.
Overnight Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner
 
Day 11: Chimpanzee Tracking & Swamp Walk
Early breakfast then transfer to Kibale Forest park headquarters for your chimpanzee tracking experience. Kibale Forest National Park boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including the chimpanzees. Approximately 5,000 chimpanzees live in the wild in Uganda, which makes it a perfect place to spot them!

An experienced ranger will take lead you through the forest in search of the chimpanzees.  The chimpanzee tracking can either be in the morning or afternoon depending on chimp permit availability. Besides chimpanzees the forest is also awash with other monkey species that live here including the black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys.
You are allowed 1 hour regulated time to view the chimps.   

In the afternoon you will have a 2 hour swamp walk.  This walk will take you through the village of Bigodi.  The Bigodi swamp will reward you with different primate and bird species.
Overnight Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and dinner

Day 12: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Leisurely breakfast then depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s second largest park, located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George.
The park has prolific game, including gazelle, Uganda kob, warthog and waterbuck. Lions are often sighted both in and at the entrance to the park. Be prepared for huge numbers of hippo and elephant, and keep your eyes peeled for a leopard lazing in the sunshine.
 
Later in afternoon you will go for a game drive in the Kasenyi Plains.
Overnight Park View Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
 
Day 13: Morning Game Drive & Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel
Today you wake up early before sunrise to drive to Kasenyi area for a long game drive in time to see the te sunrise and the early early risers. You will search for all the wildlife in the park and are likely to come across Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Waterbuck, Leopard, Uganda Kob, and many Warthogs.

In the afternoon you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake George and Lake Albert.  You will see pleny of hippos, as well as a variety of other animals which come to the banks to drink animals like the buffalos, crocodiles, elephants, and a many species of birds.
If time allows you can go for another gme drive before returning to your lodge for overnight.
Overnight Park View Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
 
Day 14: Chimp tracking and game drive
Early morning breakfast and then transfer to the Kyambura Gorge. You will then hike through the gorge in search of the habituated chimpanzees and other types of primates including red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus, baboons and vervet monkeys. Although the chance of spotting chimpanzees is not as high as in the Kibale Forest, the landscape itself is very attractive.  

Later you will continue on your journey to Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth Game park, the  home of the famous tree-climbing lions. If you are lucky you might spot a few during your game drive!  
You will arrive at your lodge in the evening.
Overnight Enjojo Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15: Morning Game drive then drive to Bwindi Forest
This morning you will have another chance to explore the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park on a game drive. Return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon you will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (a World Heritage Sight) passing through the scenic area known as The Switzerland of East Africa. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has at least 90 mammal species, including 11 primates and is ranked as one of the best in Uganda for forest birding, with 23 highly localised Albertine Rift endemics.

Bwindi is renowned for it’s Mountain Gorilla population, slightly more then half the world’s mountain gorilla population is resident in Bwindi: an estimated 280 – 320 individuals living in 15 groups. Looking deep into the expressive brown eyes of these gentle giants is an extremely special privilege and an encounter unparalleled in most likely the whole of Africa.
Overnight Engagi Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 16: Gorilla tracking day.
After breakfast take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. You will then hike into the forest where the gorillas were seen the night before and track the gorillas from that point. The gorilla trekking can take anything from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the Hike can be physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located you will be allowed 1 hour of regulated time to view the gorillas.
Please take with you a picnic lunch and it is important to take plenty of water as well.
Overnight Engagi Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
 
Days 17: Cultural/Village walk/Ivi River walk
Today you can choose to visit the village or go for the river walk these are some of the optional activities that you can participate in today.
Overnight Engagi Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
 
Day 18: Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, you will travel to Lake Mburo National Park, Lake Mburo Park is the only Ugandan national park (besides to Kidepo Valley NP) which is home to zebra, eland and impala, as well as an abundance of other wildlife.  On a boat ride on the lake there are good number of hippos and crocodiles.
Overnight Rwakobo Rock
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 19: Safari Walk, Drive to Entebbe
Before your departure for Entebbe you will go for an early morning safari walk in the in the park.
Lake Mburo N.P. is one of two parks in Uganda where bush walks with an experienced ranger are permitted. It is a unique opportunity to approach wildlife at such close range.

After breakfast at the lodge you will then embark on your journey back to Entebbe stopping at the equator for photo options and souvenir shopping.

Accommodation for tonight is not included.  
Please note; for those departing today make sure your deparure flight is booked at 10 pm or later. If you want us to book one (or more) nights in Kampala or Entebbe for you, please let us know.
Meal Plan: Breakfast