8 days gorilla tracking, wildlife & chimpanzee safari - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )

8 days gorilla tracking, wildlife & chimpanzee safari: Africa Natural Tours (For Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Zanzibar) Tanzania safari company in Moshi

Specialized in:  Wildlife safaris, Mountain climbing, Cultural tourism and Beach holidays in East Africa

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8 days gorilla tracking, wildlife & chimpanzee safari

Gorilla, Wildlife and Chimpanzee Safari

A thrilling safari to see gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest, wildlife in Queen Elizabeth national park & chimpanzees in Kibale Forest reserve

Day 1: Kampala -Lake Mburo

On arrival have breakfast and leave Kampala for the first game park Lake Mburo. It’s known to be the smallest park and yet one of the magnificent ones. Five lakes charm its boundary with a number of bird species and animals to be seen. The journey is surrounded by a beautiful countryside that will make it interesting. The vehicle can be stopped at any time in case you see something exciting or you may want to take photos. We arrive and check in to your desired lodge, these ranges from super luxury, luxury, moderate and budget. Whichever you choose, you will enjoy a wonderful view of the park. Have lunch as you delight in the animals like the antelopes, waterbucks, zebras roaming around the vicinity. After check in to the lodge of your choice

 

Luxury:
Mihingo Lodge

Mid-range: Mantana tented camp

Budget: Arcadia cottages Rwonyo camp.

They offer a wonderful view overlooking Lake Mburo. As you are dinning, you will see animals roaming around the lodge’s vicinity. You will experience the true wilderness of Uganda as you have lunch; all your expectations will come to reality as the day ends. Late in the afternoon, we set off for the boat ride around the lake. You will get a chance to see large concentration of hippos thrashing the water, crocodiles basking in the sun, herds of elephants and buffaloes coming for water, zebras, antelopes, Impalas, Elands at a distance as they enjoy their vegetation and bird species of all kinds as they make their sounds. It will be a great encounter with nature at its best.

Right after your boat ride, get back to your lodge and relax for some time. In the evening we go out for the sunset walk, you will pass through the savannahs that are spread with extraordinary acacia trees that are a home to many zebras, antelopes, birds and many others. You will get a closer look at these animals and actually appreciate the fact that Uganda is a gifted country. Return to your lodge for dinner and rest.

Monkey

Day 2: Lake Mburo- Bwindi Impenetrable

Have an early morning breakfast and leave for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The journey is quite exciting as you will enjoy a good view of the scenery. As you approach Kabale, you will be mesmerized by the many hills that make it a beautiful countryside. You will see the weather change as you proceed to Bwindi. Get there in time and check in to your desired lodge, there are so many lodges surrounding the park and so the choice will depend on you. All these range from up market, moderate and budget. Some of these include

Gorilla safari lodge,

Buhoma lodge Gorilla resort

Buhoma community camp

Mahogany spring lodge

They are strategically located with a wonderful view overlooking the Impenetrable forest. As you have your lunch, you will hear sounds of birds and the water falls within the forest. Truth be told, Gorillas can’t be tracked at this time and so we wait patiently till morning but in the meantime we proceed to a village walk to see the Batwa that live around the forest. It’s one exciting walk that you can’t afford to miss. Among the sites you expect to see include women handcraft shop, traditional healer, banana brewing home stead and a community school that is supported by the different lodges around the area. They will entertain you with their cultural dance and sing as a way of thanking you for visiting them. This will be memorable as you get ready for your Mountain gorilla trekking. Return to your lodge for dinner and rest.

Budget Accommodation:
Nshongi lodge
Buhoma community rest camp
Bwindi view Bandas

Moderate Accommodation:
Wagtail safari camp
Lake Kitantara rest camp
Gift of Nature Lodge
Trekker’s Tavern Cottages,

Luxury Accommodation:
Gorilla resort lodge
Silver back lodge
Buhoma lodge
Gorilla safari lodge

Super Luxury Accommodation:
Cloud lodge
Mahogany spring lodge
Gorilla forest camp
Murchison-hippo

Day 3: Adventure with the gorillas in Bwindi:

A lovely morning breakfast at your lodge and proceed to the park’s headquarters for an orientation about the guidelines of how to behave when tracking the gorillas. It’s the time to meet your ranger guide and split into your assigned group. Bwindi has 9 groups of habituated gorilla families and these include; Rushegura, Kyaguriro, Oruzogo, Habinyanja, Nshongi, Bitukura, Mubare, Nkuringo and Kahungye. Close to 72 tourists can track the gorillas per day. Tracking the gorillas usually takes about 8 hours or less depending on where they were the previous day. Some level of fitness is required because you are supposed to climb the steep hills as you look for the gorillas. There are porters to assist you just in case you get tired at a fee. Hiking is quite a mysterious journey as you will see other primates, birds, flora and fauna, all this preparing you to meet the powerful Mountain gorillas. Coming face to face with the gorillas will be thrilling as you will see them do their daily routine work such as the silverback playing with the young ones, some resting and the Mothers feeding their babies. You will take pictures of them that will remind you of a wonderful safari you had in Uganda. This will be one of the most exhilarating days of your life. Return to your lodge for dinner and rest.

Day4: Bwindi- Queen Elizabeth National Park:

Have an early morning breakfast and head off to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive will be interesting as you will be saying bye to the countryside of Bwindi. We arrive in time and check in to our desired lodge and have lunch. These range from up market, moderate and budget. Your choice will depend on what you want. All these have a wonderful view overlooking the park and you will see elephants roaming around the lodge’s vicinity. The best part of our safari is to visit the park and right away see the Kazinga channel linking to Lake George and Edward. You will see hippos, elephants, buffaloes coming for water at the stream and for bird watchers; this is the best park to visit because they are in abundance. Return to your lodge and have dinner as you enjoy a night in the wilderness.

Budget Accommodation:
Queen Elizabeth Safari Camp
Mweya Hostel

Moderate Accommodation:
Simba Safari Camp
Ihamba Safari Lodge
Bush Lodge

Luxury Accommodation:
Kyambura Game Lodge
Mweya Safari Lodge
Katara Lodge

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park:

Very early in the morning you will get a cup of tea at your lodge and set off to the game drive. It takes about three hours driving to all corners of the park looking at different kinds of wildlife. This will be adventurous as you set your eyes on the lions, herds of elephants, buffaloes and the solitary ones, antelopes, Ugandan Kobs, Leopards, warthog, Impalas and various bird species. Get your camera ready to take great pictures that will make your safari worth remembering. As we conclude the game drive, we return to the lodge for breakfast, relax after lunch prepare afternoon boat ride; you will get a chance to see animals that you may have not seen on land and now in water. As you look ahead, you will see the evergreen vegetation that is a home to so many animals. You will see large schools of hippos thrashing the water, crocodiles basking in the sun, Elephants and buffaloes coming for water and others will be seen at a distance. You will spot various species of birds that are rare to find anywhere in Africa. Return to your lodge and have dinner.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth- Kibale Forest Park:

Right after your morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and set off to Kibale Forest prominent for its great Chimpanzees. The drive will be exciting as you will see the crater lakes and the dense vegetation around the area. Check in to your lodge and have lunch.  Choice of lodge will depend on what you want for your safari. All these lodges have a beautiful view overlooking the park thus making your stay comfortable and memorable. In the evening, we prepare for the nocturnal game walk guided by the ranger at Kibale Forest. You will see animals that are rare to find during day like the potto, night birds and the bush babies. This is a thrilling walk that can’t be offered anywhere in Africa. It’s a memorable night walk to the sounds of birds and animals in the wild. Return to your lodge for dinner and rest.

Budget Accommodation:
Ruwenzori View Guest House
Chimpanzee Guest House

Moderate Accommodation:
Chimp Nest Lodge

Luxury Accommodation:
Primate Lodge
Ndali Lodge
Mountains of the Moon,

Super Luxury Accommodation:
Kyaninga Lodge

Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest

Here comes the long awaited day for tracking the chimpanzees at Kibale Forest. Have your morning breakfast and off to the park’s Headquarters to meet your guide who will take you to the best spots where chimpanzees are found. It’s a thrilling moment to come face to face with the chimpanzees in their natural setting. Besides the Chimps, you will see other primates like the Red tailed Monkeys, Black and white Monkeys, Blue Monkeys and many others. You will spot thousands of butterflies and different bird species in the park. You will experience nature at its best by having this adventurous walk. Return to your lodge for dinner and rest.

Day 8: Kibale national park- Kampala

A hearty morning breakfast at your lodge and check out as you say farewell to the park. Head off to Kampala and have lunch along the way. Arrive in Kampala and check in your hotel if you don’t have a flight that day. You may stay in Cassia lodge one that has the best view in Kampala. Just in case you still have time, you may enjoy visiting the vibrant nightlife of Kampala. It is one place where parties never end, people move from bar to bar enjoying life. Clubbing is done till morning with people drinking and dancing. You will delight in your night with friendly Ugandans. Our driver will take you back to your hotel or lodge and rest.

Safari Price Includes
-Permits as applicable
-Park Entrance Fees
-English Speaking Driver
-Bottled Water
-Wheel Drive Safari Vehicle4*4
-Guide for Tracking and Game Drives
-Cultural Site Entrance Fees
-Lodging and Food

Note: Uganda Visa Costs, Tips, alcoholic drinks and Air Travel to and from Uganda are not included in the price.

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