25 Days Primate Safari Uganda and Rwanda | Adventure Holiday

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – KAMPALA CITY TOUR

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our guide will welcome you and then transfer you to your accommodation in Kampala. In case you reach in the morning, you will enjoy a city tour to the various fascinating sites around Kampala. Basically Kampala is popularly known as a ‘city on the 7 hills” as the city initially covered only 7 hills which offered the major pointers of direction as well as distinctiveness; the majority of these hills are strongly connected to Uganda’s colonial history.   Among these is Rubaga hill – the catholic seat of the Rubaga Catholic Cathedral. Namirembe hill – seat of the Namirembe Anglican Cathedral and Makerere hill where the legendary Makerere University Kampala which is the oldest university in the country, Kololo hill a diplomatic area which offers administrative offices for various diplomatic missions, Mengo hill the seat of the Kabaka’s palace – king of the Buganda kingdom as well as Buganda’s Central government, Kibuli the Islamic seat and Mbuya hill which holds the largest army barracks.  You may opt to take on the Kabaka’s trail; which will take you to historical Nagalabi coronation site, the burial ground of the Buganda kings – the Kasubi tombs, Katereke prison ditch, the kabaka’s man-made lake as well as the Ssezibwa falls. Alternatively you may choose to visit the Uganda Museum, African markets within town, the National Theater, creative local art and craft markets, Namugongo Uganda Martyrs Shrine, the Bahai temple, Makerere University and the Ndere Center, as well as do some shopping within the city center. Dine and overnight at Cassia lodge, or Speke Hotel, or Sheraton Hotel or Hotel Africana

DAY 2:  MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

In the morning our guide will pick you up from your hotel and transfer to Murchison Falls National Park in northern Uganda. Prior to reaching you accommodation, you will visit the top of the falls to see the great Nile force its way through a narrow 7 meter gorge before thunderously plunging 43 meters below. From here you will cross the Nile by ferry to your accommodation – Paraa Safari Lodge. You will see various animals such as buffaloes, crocodiles and hippos as you cross on the river banks. Other accommodation options: Sambiya River lodge, or Budget Red Chili Camp

DAY 3:   CHIMPANZEE TRACKING – KANIYO PABIDI| BOAT CRUISE – RIVER NILE

After breakfast, set out Chimpanzee tracking inside Kaniyo Pabidi Forest. This is an pristine forest area within Budongo Forest Reserve in which you will walk beneath huge full grown mahogany plus iron wood trees. The most famous activity here is Chimpanzee tracking. You will see various forest birds, such as the chocolates-backed Kingfisher, puvel’s illadopsis, white-thigh hornbill and the chocolates-backed Kingfisher. Have Lunch and then go for a launch cruise on the River Nile banks. Overnight at Paraa safari Lodge, Nile safari camps, or Sambiya River lodge, or Red Chillis camp

DAY 4: WILDLIFE SAFARI | GAME DRIVE

Early in the morning you will set out for a game drive. Some of the animals you will see include: Giraffes, antelopes, bush bucks, water bucks as well as several others. Head back to the lodge for a late breakfast and later lunch. In the afternoon, you will set off for a launch cruise on the Nile up to the bottom of the falls. During this amazing voyage, you will see large schools of hippos, water-bucks and giant crocodiles plus various birds along the river banks. Return to either Paraa Safari Lodge, or Sambiya River lodge, or Budget Red Chili Camp for dinner and the overnight

DAY 5: KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

After your breakfast, you will drive southwards to Fortportal town having lunch en route. Dine and slumber at Ndali Lodge, or Rwenzori View guest house, or Kanyankyu campsite. This scenic drive takes approximately 9 hours.

DAY 6: KIBALE FOREST | CHIMP TRACKING

After breakfast early morning, you will head to Kanyankyu tourist centre where you will be briefed before Chimpanzee Tracking. Kibale forest has a large number of about 13 primate species including the grey mangabeys, uncommon L’Hoest, pottos, red Colobus monkey, baboons, blue monkey, bush babies and black faced vervet monkeys, among others. A series of shady trails offers great to delight to botanists as well as butterfly lovers, whereas birders will have a lot to enjoy of the 335 bird species. Other wildlife here includes buffaloes, giant forest hogs and various antelope species. Return to the lodge for lunch before going for a nature walk in Bigodi swamp.
Dinner and slumber at Ndali Lodge, or Rwenzori View guest house, or Kanyankyu campsite

DAY 7: SEMLIKI RESERVE | WESTERN RIFT VALLEY

Get up early in the morning and transfer to Semliki Wildlife Reserve; this amazing drive will go through the eastern shore of Lake Albert. The Semliki reserve is located in the Western Rift Valley basin. It is among the most diverse wildlife habitats across Africa having an amazing rain forest, borassus palm forest, short & high grass savannas as well as Riparian forest.  Semliki is among the most bio-diverse forest in Africa. It’s chiefly popular for its diverse species of birds.  It is among the most oldest Forests in Africa that have lived to survive the arid conditions of the previous ice age 12000 – 18000 years back along with Bwindi. There are Chimps living close to elephants, lions and buffalos in addition to the western Uganda species. After dinner you will go for a night game drive. This is the sole national across Uganda where you may enjoy night drive. Usually you will see big cats including the genet plus serval cats. Odd nocturnal dwellers as well are also seen including the white tailed mongoose and nightjars basing on the season. Dinner and Overnight at Semliki safari Lodge

DAY 8: CHIMPANZEE TRACKING – SEMLIKI

Early in the morning you will have breakfast and then move down into the verdant rain-forest where you will track chimpanzees. These Chimpanzees are tracked by several researchers within Semliki early morning and in the evening, since they normally disappear in the course of the day. In addition there are numerous bird species that are living in this amazing forest. You will head back for lunch at the lodge and the opportunity to unwind by the pool and also enjoy the beautiful the Lodge. Late in the afternoon you’ll enjoy a game drive, making a stopover to see beautiful African sun set disappear beyond the horizon. Dinner and Overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge

DAY 9: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Today morning you will be picked from your accommodation in Kampala by our guide and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will arrive in the afternoon. There will be an optional walk in the Mweya Peninsula. In comparison to the different National Parks across the world, Queen Elizabeth prides as one of the leading greatly diversified natural areas with diverse habitats including the Crater lakes areas, open Savannah, thick Papyrus Swamps, Rain Forest and the beautiful Lake Edward.
There are nearly 100 species of mammals here including Buffaloes, Lions, the elusive Giant Forest Hog, Leopards, Bushbucks, Hippos, Mangoose, Spotted Hyena, Elephants in addition to more than 600 bird species such as the Swallow Tailed Bee Eaters, Black Chested Eagles, Lesser Flamingos, Black Bee-Eaters, Chappirs Fly Catchers as well as the Bustards in addition to the renowned Shoebill Stork. This park is among the leading birder’s paradise across East Africa. Queen Elizabeth national park is in addition home to various primate species including Chimpanzees, Black & White Colobus Monkeys, Black Faced Olive Baboons Red Colobus, Blue and Red Tailed monkeys among others.  Green Mambas, Puffadders, crocodiles, Rock-Python, Turtles, Gabon Rippers and Spitting Cobras, are among the reptiles here. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana safari Lodge, or Institute of Ecology

DAY 10: CHIMPANZEES | KYAMBURA SECTOR

In the early morning you will set out tracking chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge.  This 100 meter deep goes is home to habituated chimpanzees, and It is found on the rift valley floor near the Kazinga channel. During this guided walk you will look for chimps which are man’s closest cousins. This 6 to 8 hours activity begins at 8:00am and will also offer you an opportunity to see some other primates including the colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys and olive baboon. You will return for lunch at the lodge and in the afternoon enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel to see various water mammals including Crocodiles plus large schools of Hippos, in addition to several birds like the fish eagle, African jacana and pelicans.
Return to your lodge for dinner and the overnight Mweya Safari Lodge, or Jacana safari Lodge, or Budget Institute of Ecology

DAY 11:  BOAT CRUISE – KAZINGA CHANNEL

You will wake up to a hot cup of tea / coffee before setting out for an early morning game drive inside the Park. Some of the animals you should expect to see include the Big Five animals such as Buffalos, Hyenas, leopards, mangoose, Elephants, waterbucks, Lions, Bush bucks, forest hog as well as a great profusion of bird species. In the mid morning head back to the lodge for heavy breakfast and rest as you wait for Lunch. At around 2:00pm in the afternoon, you will set out on a lunch cruise down the Kazinga channel to see the large schools of Hippos, Buffalos, as well as Crocodiles near the water edge. In addition, you will be fascinated by the great profusion of bird species down the Kazinga Channel including the Shoe bill stork, African Jacana, pelicans, papyrus gonelok, fish eagle, martial eagles, and Skimmers.
Later return for dinner and overnight at your lodge Mweya Safari Lodge, or Jacana safari Lodge, or Institute of Ecology

DAY 12: ISHASHA SECTOR | BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST

Get up early in the morning and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You will drive through the southern Ishasha Sector in Queen Elizabeth. Have lunch by River Ishasha and search for the famous Ishasha tree-climbing lions before reaching Bwindi, home to the mountain gorillas. The Birds and primates in Bwindi are very amazing. Bwindi is a Bird watchers paradise! It has 348 bird species and supports 24 of the total 26 Albertine Rift Endemics found in Uganda plus seven red-data book species. Several years back, the Bwindi was continuous with the Virunga Volcanoes forests (where the legendary Dianne Fossey lived and worked). Today Bwindi is an ecological island, encompassed by cultivation cultivated rich volcanic soils. Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Resort Camp, or L. Kitandara Luxury Camp, or Buhoma Community Bandas

DAY 13: GORILLA TRACKING | BWINDI FOREST

Today you will set out in the early morning dressed in long trousers and hiking boots, with a packed lunch, drinking water, cameras, rain jackets for a briefing by the rangers concerning the gorilla tracking experience! You will assemble at the ranger station by 8.00 am where you will be briefed and also meet your ranger guides who will guide you through this amazing activity. There is no predictable time frame in which you will see the gorillas however the activity may take anything between 2- 8 hours of trekking. On finding them you will be stunned by the big size of the dominant male – the silver back, and you will observe them play feed and interact with one another and also take photos of them .sadly there are only 650 estimated mountain gorillas remaining in the entire world!  If time allows, you will enjoy a guided walk in the afternoon to the nearby villages to observe the traditional lifestyle of the locals. Dine and overnight at Gorilla Resort Camp, or L. Kitandara Luxury Camp, or Buhoma Community Bandas

DAY 14: RWANDA | GORILLA SAFARI

Today you will have breakfast, and then transfer to Kisoro or Kabale, then cross the border into Rwanda to Kinigi. There you will go to the genocide memorial and also Visit the Dianne fossey graves prior to having dinner and spending the night at Mt Gorilla nest lodge, or Kinigi guest House, or Muhavura lodge. 

DAY 15: GORILLA TREKKING RWANDA | PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS

In the morning transfer to Parc National des Volcans to track mountain gorillas; you will move through the forested slopes of the Virungas as you search for the gorillas. Although this is a tiring activity, it is also very rewarding. You will spend one hour with the gorillas, and later have a late lunch. A number of the gorilla families are more challenging to track and may take the entire day especially if it is rainy and muddy.  You will drive back to Uganda and have dinner and overnight at Bushara Island Camp, or Habuharo Island Camp, or Arcadia cottages.

DAY 16: LAKE BUNYONYI | KABALE

Following breakfast, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi alarge and variably shaped lake found at an elevation of 2000 meters that follows the curves of this hilly landscape that separates Kabale and Kisoro towns. It is a very beautiful place with tiny islands and steep terraced hills. This Lake got its name Bunyonyi from the great diversity of bird species found here.  Dine and overnight at Habuharo Island camps, or Arcadia cottages, or Bushara Island Camp.

DAY 17: KABALE MUSEUM | PYGMIES

Today you will spend the day exploring kabala area, visit the busy lively local market as well as Kabale Museum. You may visit the Pygmies or go for a canoe ride on the beautiful lake Bunyonyi. Dine and Overnight at Habuharo Island camps, or Arcadia cottages, or Bushara Island Camp.

DAY 18: LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK

Following early breakfast depart for Lake Mburo National Park as you enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the way. This National Park is actually an extension of the large Tanzanian plains which are habitat to large herds of elands, zebras, impalas, along with other ungulates. For birders, this is among the finest places to see the African fin foot, Shoe bill and papyrus bush shrike. check into your camp and go for a ride in a dugout canoe. Dinner and overnight at Mantana Camp, or Rwonyo Bandas

DAY 19:  NATURE WALK – SALT LICK | LAKE MBURO

Today you will Explore Lake Mburo for a game drive looking for animals plus birds. the park is habitat to several zebras and  more than  310 species of birds. It is perhaps the finest place in Uganda to observe the Acacia associated bird species and other special birders. The swamps also have the Papyrus Yellow Warbler. Have lunch and later enjoy a guided nature walk to the stunning salt lick area where several animals converge to lick salt. Dinner and overnight at Mantana Camp, or Rwonyo Bandas

 DAY 20: JINJA | NILE SOURCE

After breakfast, have a brief game drive and then leave for Jinja popular for the source of the Nile – Africa’s Longest River. Before reaching Kampala stopover at the Equator for photos and an informative talk illustrating evidence that this is the Equator. in Kampala, have lunch  then  continue Eastwards through coffee, Tea plus Sugar plantations stopping over in Mabira Forest; to see primates, birds as well as butterflies during a brief nature walk .  Proceed to the source of the Nile. This is where John Speke discovered the true source of River Nile. You will check into Jinja Nile Resort or Sunset hotel where you will stay. Unwind or visit Bujagali Falls to enjoy various cultural activities including Acrobatic, Dances and songs. Dinner and overnight at Jinja Nile Resort, or Gately on the Nile, or Kingfisher

DAY 21: SIPI FALLS | MOUNT ELGON

Have breakfast then leave for an excursion in Mountain Elgon National Park. Mt. Elgon has been an extinct volcano which initially erupted over 24 million years back. With the biggest surface area among extinct Volcano on the planet (50Km X 80Km), it ranks 4th amongst East Africa’s highest mountains.   Explore Mount Elgon’s mountane forest along the Sipi trailhead; see the Chebonet falls and Kapkwai cave. Overnight at Lucum Lodge

DAY 22: RETURN – KAMPALA

Take breakfast return to Kampala and check into your lodge. Freshen up and relax.  If you are interested, shop for some crafts and souvenirs. Dinner and overnight at Serena Hotel, or Hotel African, or Holiday Express Hotel

DAY 23: NGAMBA ISLAND – LAKE VICTORIA

Early in the morning the guide will pick you up from your Hotel and then transfer to the shore of Lake Victoria where You will transfer by boat to Ngamba island Chimpanzee Island (a one hours ride). This island is home to approximately 39 orphaned chimpanzees. On arrival you will be offered a brief introduction about this sanctuary plus its history. You will them observe the chimpanzees being fed and see how they interact with each other. Amazing to see are some of their unique characters which include whistling for food and clapping. This is a very amazing activity worth enjoying. Dine and sleep at G and C camps at Ngamba Island.

DAY 24: FOREST WALK WITH CHIMPANZEES

Today morning, those having clearance from CWT officials will set out for a forest walk in this natural habitat of the chimpanzees, it is a very unique exciting experience. You will have the opportunity to interact with the playful chimpanzees as they pull your hair, try to hold your hand as they walk besides you or even climb on you!
Overnight ion Ngamba Island Camp (FB)

DAY 25: DEPARTURE – ENTEBBE AIRPORT

following breakfast, return to the main land and transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.