Rafting the Nile on this adventure vacation offers a world-class adrenaline adventure, but the country’s most iconic experience is tracking mountain gorillas in their misty habitat.
With a tapestry of landscapes, excellent wildlife watching and welcoming locals, Uganda packs a lot into one small country. It’s home to Africa’s tallest mountain range (the Rwenzoris), the source of the Nile, the world’s longest river and the continent’s largest lake.
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 : After breakfast, fly to Kibale National Park. After checking in and having lunch; either relax or head out on a nature walk.
The accommodations for the next two nights are at Primate Lodge in Kibale. An exclusive eco-lodge situated in the heart of Kibale Forest National Park, the lodge is surrounded by a lush tropical forest that is home to 13 different species of primates, including the chimpanzees. Privately secluded in the rainforest, this safari lodge offers you a truly authentic jungle experience and is the perfect gateway for tracking the primates in Uganda.
Day 3: This morning, get ready for a chimpanzee track (2 to 4 hours). In the afternoon explore the Bagodi Swamp on foot or one of the many craters.
Kibale Forest National Park is said to be home to the highest density of primates in Africa. Although the highlight of the park is the habituated chimpanzees, the treetops are alive with a variety of monkeys including: red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest’s , grey-cheeked mangabey, red colobus and black and white colobus monkeys. When not looking for monkeys, there are over 300 bird species and an incredible 250 species of butterfly to keep you busy.
Day 4 & 5: After breakfast drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (approximately 6 hours) for two days of game drives and picnic lunches.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its rich biodiversity, wildlife and history. The remote Ishaha sector in the southern part of the park is home to tree-climbing lions who spend long lazy days dozing in the shady fig trees. The Uganda Kob, which the lions watch from the branches, graze the plains. Around Lake Edward, enjoy fishing and more game watching – make sure to look out for chimpanzees, elephants, crocodiles, and perennial and migratory bird species.
The evenings will be spent at Ishasha Wilderness Camp. Situated within the Southern Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park on the Ntungwe river, this is an idyllic retreat for people who truly enjoy the wilderness. Watch for tree climbing lions that can sometimes be spotted resting in the branches of the large fig trees in the area.
Being within the park the wildlife is free to also pass through the camp and elephants can be seen bathing in the river. Buffalo enjoy grazing and resident troops of black-and-white Colobus and vervet monkeys are frequently viewed.
Day 6- 8: Drive to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (approximately four hours). After lunch head out into the village for a community walk. Get to know the lodge, where the next three evenings will be spent. Mahogany Springs is situated in one of the most intimate, secluded, beautiful and most importantly natural settings in the world and only around 2 minutes away from the gorilla tracking starting point.
The main dining area is exquisitely furnished with panoramic views. Within the main building there is a stunning bar where guests can sit day and night trying one of the many cocktails or a bottle of fine wine. Most of the produce used at Mahogany Springs is grown on site to provide guests with the freshest ingredients.
For the next two days, after an early breakfast you will be driven to the gorilla tracking headquarters and meet the guide, porter and other people tracking with you. Treks can take anywhere from 45 minutes to six or more hours. Once the family is reached, one hour will be spent with them.
Day 9: Transfer to the airstrip (approximately one and a half hours) and fly back to Entebbe. Connect to your outbound international flight.
Cairn Travels 