Wildlife Viewing & Primates Holiday
15 days | tailored tour | Uganda and Rwanda
Wildlife Viewing & Primates Holiday
Duration: 15 Days, 14 Nights
This 15 Day Wildlife Viewing & Primates Holiday Safari is an African dream come true for those who have come for a nice and slow Holliday. You will actually have potential to see the big five in this safari covering almost all the major national parks and tourist attractions in the north, western and Rwanda.
Covering two great mountain gorilla habitats one would dream of, this is a luxury trip that gives the high touch of class but similar program can be done in mid-range accommodation to yield the same experience.
Along the way there is a lot of scenic beauty, good comfortable accommodation and a 4×4 comfortable Landcruiser . The Wildlife Viewing & Primates Holiday safari will start in Entebbe Uganda and end in Kigali Rwanda.
Highlights
- On foot Rhino Trekking
- Boat cruises
- Chimpanzee habituation
- Rwenzori hike,
- Lion Experience in Queen Elizabeth Park
- Gorilla Tracking Uganda
- Gorilla tracking Rwanda
- Golden Monkey tracking
Trip Summery
- Day 1: Entebbe – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Amuka Lodge
- Day 2: Rhino Tracking – Murchison falls – Sunset Cruise on the Nile
- Day 3: Game drive and Boat cruise on the Nile in Murchison falls
- Day 4: All day drive to Kibale forest
- Day 5: Chimpanzee Habituation and optional Bigodi wetland visit
- Day 6: Kibale Forest Park – Queen Elizabeth
- Day 7: Lion Experience and game drive in Kasenyi
- Day 8: Drive To Rwenzori for the Hike
- Day 8: Drive To Ishasha for tree climbing lions and transfer to Bwindi
- Day 10: Big day, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
- Day 11: Community tour and drive to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 12: Bunyonyi Island Tour and travel to Volcanoes National park
- Day 13: Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda
- Day 14: Golden Monkey tracking and drive to Kigali
- Day 15: Genocide memorial visit and depart to home
The price includes:
- 4×4 Landcruiser safari car with gasoline
- English speaking driver guide
- Airport transfers
- Border crossing fees
- Chimpanzee permit
- Bottled drinking water
- Shared Accommodation based on B,L,D
The Price does not Include:
- Gorilla Permit (US$600 per person extra)
- Visa Fees
- Tips and gratuities of different nature
- Extra activities
- Soft drinks or Alcoholic drinks
- International and domestic air flights
- Insurance
Day 1: Entebbe – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Amuka Lodge
Our driver will Meet you at Entebbe Airport, greet and transfer to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. Located in Nakasongola, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the 7 000 hectares of savannah and woodlands provides the land for the rhinos. .
It is in partnership with Rhino Fund Uganda which was formed as a non-governmental organization (NGO) in 1997. It was set up to repopulate Uganda with wild rhinos in the future. Both rhinoceros breeds, black and white, are globally endangered. In 1983, both black rhinos and northern white rhinos declared extinct throughout Uganda. Therefore, our purpose is to return rhinos, a vital aspect of both environmental and cultural heritage, back into Uganda, through our breeding and release program.
From this, the first six southern white rhinos were trans-located in 2005/6, with four from Kenya, and two from Disney Animal Kingdom (USA). As it was northern white rhinos that once populated Uganda’s national parks, our rhinos are technically considered an exotic breed. 24th June 2009 the first healthy male calf was born, making history by being the first rhino born in Uganda in approximately 30 years! He was named Obama, making history, with his mother from the United States and his father from Kenya.
Arrive at the lodge later in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Journey Time: 4-6 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation:
Amuka Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 2: Rhino Tracking – Murchison falls – Sunset Cruise on the Nile
We will wake up, have breakfast and then transfer to the headquarters for the briefing and then the rhino tracking, drive then towards Murchison falls national park.
Murchison Falls Conservation Area was first visited by explorers John Speke and James Grant as the first Europeans to visit in 1862. It was more thoroughly explored by Samuel and Florence Baker in 1863-4 who named the falls Murchison falls after the geologist Roderick Murchison who was then the president of the Royal Geographical Society. In 1952, the British administration established the National Parks Act of Uganda hence Murchison Falls National Park.
Experience the big herds of elephants, kob, Jackson’s Heartbeat, Lions and many other animals and bird species. You would not be disappointed visiting this national park
Arrive at the lodge, check in and then later start your sunset boat cruise with one of the most spectacular, breathtaking experiences. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Journey Time: 4-5 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation
Bakers Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 3: Game drive and Boat cruise on the Nile in Murchison falls
You will; have breakfast at leisure then setoff for the classic African safari in the park as you drive towards Para Lodge which offers virtually guaranteed Buffalos, Antelopes and Elephant sightings, along with warthogs.
This rewarding game drive takes about 3-6 hours according to the season and the movement of these animals, this is a magnificent game which includes a lot to see such as Herds of Elephants, Hippos, Buffalos, Antelopes like Jackson’s Heartbeats’, Uganda Kobs, Dafforsa Waterbuck and much more wildlife and on lucky days see a pride of lions and the solitary Leopard.
You will check in and have a have a hot lunch before your set off for this wonderful activity which is non-other than a boat cruise on the Nile. This is an oasis for many of the fascinating species that inhabit the park, and taking a boat trip gives the visitors a chance to cruise just a few meters from hundreds of enormous hippos, Crocodiles sun basking and Buffaloes while Elephants linger along the shoreline. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. It takes about 3hours from the starting point to coming back. (Recommended is the hike to the top of the falls from the bottom)
You will upon arrival drive to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Journey Time: All day activities (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation
Bakers Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 4: All day drive to Kibale forest
Today after early morning breakfast, we will start our all day drive journey to Kibale Forest national park home to the chimpanzees.
Kibale National Park is located in southern Uganda, protecting moist evergreen rain forest. It is 766 square kilometers (296 sq. mi) in size and is located between 1,100 meters (3,600 ft.) to 1,600 meters (5,200 ft.) in elevation. Despite encompassing primarily moist evergreen forest, it contains a diverse array of landscapes. Kibale is one of the last remaining expanses to contain both lowland and montane forests. In eastern Africa, it sustains the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest. It is an important eco-system and safari destination, popular for its population of habituated chimpanzees and twelve other species of primates.
Lunch will be served on the way, enjoy the different scenic views, craters, forests and community drives. This road used ins challenging with parts that are not well maintained but all part of the experience. Arrive at the lodge in time for relaxation dinner and overnight.
Journey Time: 7 – 9 hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation
Primate Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 5: Chimpanzee Habituation and optional Bigodi wetland visit
You will have a quick breakfast, carry packed lunch and walk to the briefing area where you will be briefed by the rangers and driven to your starting point for the chimpanzee habituation. You will practically spend the whole day experiencing each move of the chimpanzees until they start making nests. Usually it is a group of 8 people in a group but sometimes they are more or less.
If time permits, you will go for the Bigodi wetland community walk. Expect to see many other primates, birds and other wildlife. It is the experience of a life time. Drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Journey Time: All day Activities (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation
Primate Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 6: Kibale Forest Park – Queen Elizabeth
Breakfast at leisure, then start our drive to Queen Elizabeth National park, the second largest National Park in Uganda. It is a medley of wonders because of its fabulous wildlife and many eye-catching attractions.
This beautiful park is crossed by the Equator where you will have a stopover and pose for the photos as you watch the beauty of the jagged Rwenzori ranges. After this fascinating experience you proceed to Mweya Peninsular an area encircled by two water bodies that is Kazinga channel and the waters of Lake Edward leaving one way which is the entrance and the same time Exit.
At Mweya lodge to join the Jacobson’s family for lunch. You will have a hot lunch before your set off for this wonderful activity which is non-other than a boat cruise on Kazinga Channel.
This is an oasis for many of the fascinating species that inhabit the park, and taking a boat trip along Kazinga Channel gives the visitors a chance to cruise just a few meters from hundreds of enormous hippos since Kazinga channel is well known for its big number of Hippos of over 4800, Crocodiles sun basking and Buffaloes while Elephants linger along the shoreline. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. This takes about 2hours from the starting point to coming back.
Return to the lodge for dinner and spend an overnight.
Journey Time: 4-6 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation
Mweya Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 7: Lion Experience and game drive in Kasenyi
Start this day with an early morning breakfast then setoff for the classic African safari in the Kasenyi tracks.
You will have an experiential lion experience in the Kasenyi area which offers virtually guaranteed Buffalos, Antelopes and Elephant sightings, along with warthogs. This is a rewarding game in the Kasenyi plains, this is the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park rich with wildlife, the game drive takes about 3-6 hours according to the season and the movement of these animals, this is a magnificent game which includes a lot to see such as Herds of Elephants, Hippos, Buffalos, Antelopes like Uganda Kobs, Dafforsa Waterbuck and much more wildlife and on lucky days see a pride of lions and the solitary Leopard.
This Park is known to have the longest bird list in all East African protected National Parks, thus giving you a chance to see a lot of beautiful Savanna species.
Drive back for breakfast and relaxation, After noon go back for another game drive returning in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Journey Time: Al day Activities (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 8: Drive To Rwenzori for the Hike
Breakfast and then drive towards the base of the Rwenzori mountains for the all day hike that takes about 8 to 9 hours depending on the fitness of the hikers. You will have lunch and then return to the headquarters where we will drive back to the hotel
Journey Time: Al day Activities (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation
Mweya Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 8: Drive To Ishasha for tree climbing lions and transfer to Bwindi
After breakfast we will then drive towards Ishasha the home of the tree climbing lions with other rare species of antelopes like the Toppi’s , Kobs and other species of birds. Upon arrival, enjoy the game drive in search for the tree climbing lions. Lunch will be on the way and we will later drive to Bwindi arriving early evening for relaxation dinner and overnight.
Journey Time: 6-8 hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation
Buhoma Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 10: Big day, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Today is the big day; prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorillas. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda. You will wake up very early in the morning and carry packed breakfast and packed lunch, drive to the starting point of the gorilla tracking depending on the available permits will take about 3-9 hours.
Tracking is a captivation and unforgettable experience which more than repays the efforts needed to reach Bwindi or Mgahinga and to trek through the forest. Gorilla tracking can be challenging and needs one to be reasonable fit before undertaking to venture into the activity.
Gorilla tracking starts at 8:00am and lasts from a few hours to a whole day depending on where the Gorillas where left the previous day. This means you shall have to carry you packed Lunch and enough driving water. Once the gorillas are located, you will spend one whole hour with them and then later return to the starting point for pick up.
Then drive to Later to the lodge for dinner and overnight
Journey Time: Al day Activities (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation
Bwindi Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 11: Community tour and drive to Lake Bunyonyi
Breakfast at leisure, you will then go for the experience with the community tour. This is one of your first community encounters like the Batwa experience, women sustainable project and the hike itself. You will then start your journey towards lake Bunyonyi.
Lake Bunyonyi means a place of very many birds. This lake is the Africa’s second deepest Lake with about 900M. This is situated in the south-western part of Uganda and has about 29 islands amongst these include the Punishment Island. This is a beautiful place with beautiful sceneries accompanied by good historical attachments.
While on this lake you will do an optional boat cruise around the lake and visit all the 29 Islands and enjoy the cool breath of the lake or swim. Arrive late in the evening for dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Journey Time: 4-6 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation
Bird nest Resort
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 12: Bunyonyi Island Tour and travel to Volcanoes National park
Breakfast at leisure, you will then go for the Bunyonyi island boat cruise tour which last about 3 hours and then return for lunch at the lodge, later drive to volcanoes national park arriving in time for relaxation dinner and overnight.
Journey Time: 4-6 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 13: Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda
Today is the big day; prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Gorillas in the mist at volcanoes mountain: the rare mountain gorillas. This will be your second highlight of their tour in Rwanda. You will wake up very early in the morning and carry packed breakfast and packed lunch, drive to the starting point of the gorilla tracking. It will take about 3-6 hours.
Tracking is a captivation and unforgettable experience which more than repays the efforts needed to reach the volcanoes. Gorilla tracking can be challenging and needs one to be reasonable fit before undertaking to venture into the activity.
Gorilla tracking starts at 7:00am and lasts from a few hours to a whole day depending on where the Gorillas where left the previous day. This means you shall have to carry you packed Lunch and enough driving water. Once the gorillas are located, you will spend one whole hour with them and then later return to the starting point for pick up.
Then drive to Later to the lodge for dinner and overnight
Journey Time: 4-6 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 14: Golden Monkey tracking and drive to Kigali
Today is the other big day; prepare yourself for an encounter with the Golden monkeys still in the volcanoes mountain This will be your last highlight of your tour in Rwanda. You will wake up very early in the morning and carry packed breakfast and packed lunch, drive to the starting point of the park headquarters. It will take about 3-6 hours.
After the tracking and locating you will spend one hour with the golden monkeys and later drive to Kigali for dinner and overnight. .
Journey Time: 2-4 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation
Kigali Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
Day 15: Genocide memorial visit and depart to home
Today is the last day where you will visit the genocide memorial and short Kigali tour, then drive to the Airport for your flight to Burundi and end of the tour.
Amuka Lodge – FB (Day 1)
Nestled in a pristine woodlands forest, in the heart of the world-renowned Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Amuka Lodge brings you breathtaking encounters with Uganda’s only wild rhinoceros as well a wide array of birds and wildlife.
Baker’s Lodge FB (Days 2 & 3)
With a thatched central lounge, dining and bar area, and a refreshing swimming pool, the eco-friendly lodge offers an ‘Africa of olde’ feel. Built on raised wooden decks to take full advantage of cool breezes and spectacular river views, each spacious thatched cottage includes a fan, room safe, and beautifully appointed bathrooms with solar-heated showers and some also featuring baths.
Primate Lodge Kibale (Days 4 & 5) – Luxury
Tucked deep in the forest and right next door to the starting point for Chimpanzee Tracking as well as the incredible Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, arguably, two of the most genuinely breath-taking wildlife experiences on the planet. As well as the cool weather, amazing natural surroundings, our staff’s astounding service, nice and well furnished rooms, great lounges and free WiFi.
Mweya Safari Lodge (Days 6, 7 & 8)
Located on a peninsula within the heart of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mweya Safari Lodge is surrounded by the magical Rwenzori Mountains aptly described as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’. To the east, lie the guardians of the birthplace of mankind, the Great Rift Valley hills, separated from the Mountains of the Moon by the meandering Kazinga Channel. Here the water flows endlessly into two giant lakes – Lake George and Lake Edward.
Buhoma Lodge (Day 9)
One of only two lodges situated within the National Park, a short walking distance from the meeting point for gorilla tracking and other activities in the area. An elevated central lounge area, complete with bar, dining and spa facilities, offers a cosy, comfortable environment to discuss the day’s activities around the fireplaces which add atmosphere and warmth in the cool evenings.
Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (Day 10)
With dramatic intense views of the forest canopy across a serene stream, it is one of Africa’s unique properties. The gorillas frequently come to relax in the verdant bush around the lodge! The lodge is perfectly located for a Uganda jungle gorilla tracking experience.
Bird Nest Lodge (Day 11)
Mountain Gorilla Lodge Rwanda (Days 12 & 13)
Among our 148 sophisticated rooms and suites, guests can choose Standard and Deluxe Rooms with comfortable beds, Executive Suites with separate bedrooms and expansive living rooms and the sumptuous Presidential Suite, whose 300 square metres of living space encompass a master bedroom with king bed, a bathroom with a Jacuzzi and impressive spaces for meeting or entertaining.
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