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This extraordinary private journey is the perfect introduction to the highlights of Uganda. While the exceptionally rare mountain gorilla is often the image most commonly associated with the country, Uganda is a true wildlife wonderland, also home to chimpanzees, tree climbing lions, elephants, buffalos, hippos, and hyenas, numerous species of monkeys, countless rare birds and much more besides. Excursions on this fully-guided tour include gorilla trekking, two chimpanzee walks, four game drives and a boat cruise, and high quality accommodation is used throughout. However, the itinerary is fully flexible and can be tailored to meet your exact preferences and requirements.
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Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Entebbe, via Dubai, with Emirates. (N)
Arrive in the afternoon and transfer to the Karibu Entebbe Hotel for an overnight stay. The evening is at leisure to relax or explore. Entebbe is a small, laid-back and safe town of around 70,000 people. Home to attractive botanical gardens dating back to the colonial era, the town sits on the shores of Lake Victoria, providing some very pleasant walking opportunities. (L, D)
Drive west towards the Kibale National Park. It is a long drive (around 6 hours excluding stops), but a rewarding one, with vast plains, undulating hills and characterful villages dotting the route. In the late afternoon, arrive at the Papaya Lake Lodge, just outside Kibale, for a 2-night stay. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore the verdant surrounds, or rest after your drive. (B, L, D)
Today begins with your first chance to encounter the primates that share the most genetic similarities to humans, chimpanzees. With only a 1.2% genetic 'gap', these fascinating and endearing apes display many familiar behaviours and can mesmerise onlookers with their social interactions and powerful bonds. While sightings are never guaranteed, the region offers the best possible chance, with success rates averaging around 90%. In the afternoon, enjoy a boardwalk wander through the wetlands and look out for a host of monkeys including colobus, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervets, red tails, L'Hoests and blues. Sitatungas, mongooses, bush pigs, otters and bush bucks also frequent the region. (B, L, D)
After breakfast, head south on an approximately 3-hour journey (excluding stops) to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, named to commemorate a visit from the British monarch. With such sensational primate viewing opportunities in Uganda, it can be forgotten that the country also offers superb opportunities for viewing more traditional safari wildlife. Take a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel this afternoon, where possible sightings include the world's largest population of hippos and Nile crocodiles, as well as buffalos, elephants, over 60 species of birds, and many others. After the excursion, drive for a further hour to the Kyambura Gorge Lodge for an overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Set off early through the dense jungle near Kyambura Gorge, in search of the resident population of chimpanzees. After returning to the lodge, drive for approximately 2 hours to the southern sector of the park known as Ishasha. Here, you can check in at the Ishasha Wilderness Camp, home for the next 2 nights, before embarking on a game drive to view animals such as elephants, buffalos, colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys and of course, the famed tree climbing lions. This extremely rare lion behaviour is frequently observed in only 2 locations worldwide. (B, L, D)
Enjoy another game drive and more wildlife photography opportunities, before an afternoon at leisure to enjoy the camp facilities. (B, L, D)
After breakfast, continue south with a drive of around 2 hours (excluding breaks) to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check in at Buhoma Lodge for 2 nights and then choose from a range of optional cultural or wildlife walking experiences to warm up for tomorrow's hike. (B, L, D)
Rise early for a trek into the forest mist in search of critically endangered mountain gorillas. These wonderful beasts, the world's largest living primates, number only around 1,000 individuals, and with trekking permits strictly limited, those lucky enough to visit them often feel an overwhelming sense of humbleness and awe. The duration of the trek will depend on the conditions and exact location of the gorillas, and can range from 1 to 4 hours each way. The time spent with the troop is always limited to 1 hour, to ensure that minimal disturbance is made to their behaviour and habitat. (B, L, D)
Drive east for around 6 hours (excluding breaks) until you reach Mihingo Lodge, within Lake Mburo National Park. After checking in for an overnight stay, depart on a night safari in search of leopards, jackals, zebras, hippos, buffalos, impalas, warthogs and over 300 different bird species. (B, L, D)
After a short morning game drive, continue east to Entebbe. Check in to the Karibu Entebbe Hotel for an overnight stay and enjoy an optional excursion or time at leisure. (B, L, D)
Morning at leisure before transferring to Entebbe airport for your afternoon flight to London via Dubai, arriving the following day. (B) (N)
As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.
This tour is based in 3- and 4-star accommodation.
Available on request.
For a price quote based on alternative accommodation standards, to discuss flight options or to tailor this itinerary, please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.
This tour involves some potentially physically demanding activities. The location of wildlife, including the mountain gorillas, cannot always be known or predicted before the commencement of each trek. Therefore, hikes will vary in length and difficulty depending on the whereabouts of the wildlife on the day. Changeable weather conditions, moderately high altitudes and uneven, muddy terrains can also provide additional challenges. Therefore, this tour is best suited to hardy travellers with a reasonable level of mobility and fitness. Wild animal encounters are never guaranteed. While you will be travelling to areas that offer you exceptional chances of sightings, there is always a possibility that the animals will not be successfully located. Unfortunately no refunds can be given should sightings not be achieved. There are strict health requirements in place for those participating in gorilla or chimpanzee excursions due to their susceptibility to contagious human diseases, including colds and flu. If park authorities have doubts about your health on the day of your activity, you may not be permitted to complete the trek. Although this is a private journey, some excursions such as the gorilla and chimpanzee treks and the boat trip on the Kazinga Channel will be on a shared basis with a small group of other travellers who may or may not be Cox & Kings clients.
This tour can be booked / reserved online by clicking on one of the coloured links below.
CUG2019: 10 Nights
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to some of the few remaining...
Entebbe, located on the shores of Lake Victoria 35km from the capital city of Kampala,...
The Kibale National Park forms a contiguous block with the more southerly Queen Elizabet...
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda's most popular national parks combining...