Compare Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari by Mango African Safaris vs Uganda in 8 days - Land of the Primates - CHARM by Exoticca

Day 1: Entebbe, Uganda

Accommodation: Boma Guesthouse

The Boma Guesthouse is Entebbe 's original and most exclusive guesthouse, set in tropical gardens in a leafy suburb, a few minutes drive from Entebbe International Airport. Its convenient location makes it a great place to stay whether stopping briefly in Entebbe or staying to explore the lively city. The beautiful gardens set around the guesthouse are dotted with delightfully colorful blooms, making for a welcoming retreat within the city.

The rooms combine the modern comforts one expects today with the charm and character of the original 1940's home. Rooms include comfortable four poster beds with mosquito nets, private verandas, full en-suite bathrooms, satellite TV, international power points, safes and a wireless internet connection. All of our rooms are individually decorated in a mixture of African and European décor, and have been designed to reflect the original colonial architecture. There is a pool surrounded by sun lounge chairs to help guests refresh and rejuvenate themselves after a long day of traveling or sight-seeing.

The restaurant serves home-made Continental European meals with a dash of Indian and Mediterranean influences to create a delicious menu that will satisfy any palette. Our staff and management team ensure guests receive a personable service and enjoy hospitality standards which are in keeping with the tradition of this charming lakeshore town.

Day 2 : Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda

Accommodation: Mantana Lake Mburo Camp

Set in one of Uganda's most picturesque game parks, this is a classic camp in the grand safari tradition. The camp is situated in Lake Mburo National Park on a small hill overlooking Lake Mburo. This small classic permanent tented camp is the only luxury camp in Lake Mburo National Park, and is set in a high hill overlooking Lake Mburo. All nine guest tents and the restaurant and bar area are set on raised wooden platforms that provide stunning views. Each tent is private with en-suite bathrooms with a drop toilet and hot bucket shower. There is no electricity and dinner is served under the stars, or in the dining room under lanterns.

Lake Mburo Camp combines seclusion and exclusivity in enchanting surroundings, offering extraordinary contrasts of comfort and wilderness. The camp emphasizes personal service and idyllic settings, from the spacious, airy sleeping tents to the comfortably furnished dining area and well stocked bar, where guests can unwind after each days activities.

This park is the only place in Uganda where one can see impala and zebra and contains one of the greatest concentrations of eland. Other species seen are buffalo, topi, waterbuck, crocodile, hippo, leopard, hyena, jackal, klipspringer and the long-horned Ankole Cattle. Lake Mburo Camp introduces you to the park with its game drives, lake safaris, guided hiking, and bird watching opportunities.

Day 3 and 4 : Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge Bwindi

The Buhoma Lodge enjoys uninterrupted views of the lush and misty forest-covered mountains, creating a peaceful and unique setting. A warm welcome awaits you by our friendly staff that will attend to your needs and requirements. Eight charming cottages have been carefully built, each with its own private veranda, allowing wonderful views of the forest canopy of the National Park. Inside the spacious cottages you will find comfortable beds, a well appointed en-suite bathroom with flushing toilet and a hot shower and also some rooms with bath tubs. The main area has an elevated lounge area and bar and dining facilities, offering a cozy, comfortable environment to discuss the days activities around the fireplace. The lodge may be in the jungle, however there is no  foregoing everyday comforts.

Each morning, guests with trekking permits depart in groups of six, accompanied by two guides and four guards and head out in search of the mountain gorillas. These special animals are rare and gentle, like us yet so different. This can be humbling and thrilling at the same time. Gorilla tracking is an intense experience that can take all day. The guide will lead you through the gorillas world, explaining aspects of their ecology and behavior along the way. The variety and abundance of birds and butterflies only adds to the magic of this mystical forest.

Day 5 and 6 : Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Accommodation: Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Ishasha Wilderness Camp is situated inside the southern Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park on the Ntungwe river, and is an idyllic retreat for people who truly enjoy the wilderness. This exclusive tented camp offers quality accommodation and services in this unspoiled remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for its tree climbing lions that can sometimes be spotted resting in the branches of the large fig trees in the area.

Each of the ten spacious East African style Meru tents, situated in the wooded area besides the river, is comfortably furnished and with its own private en suite bathroom and dressing area providing solar powered showers and an eco friendly toilet. A central dining area, also under canvas, provides a comfortable environment for delicious meals. The outdoor lounge area beside the river is great for bird watching during the day, and in the evening guests can relax around a cozy fire and discuss the days events. All this combined offers a truly African bush experience in total comfort.

Ishasha offers excellent game viewing including large herds of buffalo, elephant, kob, topi and other species of antelope. Its location, midway between the Mweya area of Queen Elizabeth NP and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP, makes it a natural place to spend a few nights on an Ugandan itinerary.

Day 7 : Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge

Mweya Safari Lodge is located on a peninsula overlooking Lake Edward and Lake George, in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Mweya can be compared to no other - with great location, breathtaking views from every room, an abundance of game and some of the best bird watching in east Africa - it's truly a natural paradise just awaiting exploration.

Each of the lodge rooms includes a private bathroom and balconies overlooking the Kazinga Channel and Lake Edward. Facilities also include a nice swimming pool, a poolside bar, the Tembo Safari Bar, the Kazinga Restaurant serving global cuisine, and a souvenir shop. The rooms are decorated with a tasteful blend of Victorian elegance with lively African-inspired art pieces.

You will have a chance to discover the vast variety of wildlife including elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, hippo, crocodile, and waterbuck via game drives in Land Cruiser vehicles. Experience a launch trip on the Kazinga Channel using one of our luxury boats, or watch some of the 612 different species of birds available to be seen. Nearby, chimpanzees can be found in the breathtaking Kyambura gorge which is a formation of the natural rift in the earth. Here the ancient movement of tectonic plates has created a natural forest habitat for hippos, monkeys, chimpanzees, elephants and buffaloes.

Day 8 and 9 : Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda

Accommodation: Ndali Lodge

Known as the Cradle of the Nile, Uganda is one of Africas best kept secrets and Ndali Lodge is nestled right in the heart of it. The lodge is on a working farm with beautiful views of the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance. It's perched on the rim of an extinct volcano which, since its demise, has filled with water to become the breathtaking Lake Nyinambuga.  There is a main thatched lodge with spacious sitting room, reception area and dining room flanked by eight luxurious cottages that face west to offer a panoramic view of the spectacular Mountains of the Moon. Each cottage has en-suite facilities with bath, shower, toilet and hand basin, and a private veranda, perfect for watching the sun setting behind the Rwenzori Mountains, the snow-capped peaks of which are clearly visible on a clear day. At night the dining room glows with candles. Breakfast is on the veranda overlooking the lake: freshly squeezed passion fruit juice from Ndali's own vines and homemade bread with wild honey.

Ndali provides local guides for walks around the 1000 acre farm, to the Mahoma Waterfall, and a boat for relaxing contemplation of a large variety of birds, butterflies and primates. Walks will take you around crater rim, past alcohol brewing in oil drums, through banana plantations, coffee terraces, plots of cassava, groundnuts, sorghum and millet. A highlight of Ndali is trekking to see the chimpanzee families in the Kibale forest.

Day 10 : Entebbe, Uganda

Accommodation: Boma Guesthouse

The Boma Guesthouse is Entebbe 's original and most exclusive guesthouse, set in tropical gardens in a leafy suburb, a few minutes drive from Entebbe International Airport. Its convenient location makes it a great place to stay whether stopping briefly in Entebbe or staying to explore the lively city. The beautiful gardens set around the guesthouse are dotted with delightfully colorful blooms, making for a welcoming retreat within the city.

The rooms combine the modern comforts one expects today with the charm and character of the original 1940's home. Rooms include comfortable four poster beds with mosquito nets, private verandas, full en-suite bathrooms, satellite TV, international power points, safes and a wireless internet connection. All of our rooms are individually decorated in a mixture of African and European décor, and have been designed to reflect the original colonial architecture. There is a pool surrounded by sun lounge chairs to help guests refresh and rejuvenate themselves after a long day of traveling or sight-seeing.

The restaurant serves home-made Continental European meals with a dash of Indian and Mediterranean influences to create a delicious menu that will satisfy any palette. Our staff and management team ensure guests receive a personable service and enjoy hospitality standards which are in keeping with the tradition of this charming lakeshore town.

Day 11 and 12 : Ngamba Island, Uganda

Accommodation: Ngamba Island Tented Camp

Ngamba Island is home to an incredible population of orphaned chimpanzees who have been rescued and live in the island sanctuary. A visit to Ngamba includes a stay in an East African style tented camp with each of the tents overlooking the lake complete with duvets and all linens, en-suite bathroom facilities and solar lighting. All meals are prepared and served to you by friendly camp staff in either our relaxed covered dining area or open dining area beside the lake. Cold drinks are available on a cash sale basis, including water, sodas and beer.

View two of the daytime chimpanzee feedings from the visitors platform, plus the bedtime and early morning feeding routines at the overnight chimpanzee holding facility and unlimited use of the other island facilities. You take one of the kayaks around the island bays searching for wildlife such as monitor lizards, otters and abundant bird life - view a local fishing village, go for a sunset cruise or try your hand at fishing.

The Forest Walk experience offers you an opportunity to join a group of infant chimpanzees on a one hour walk through their forest habitat. These chimpanzees are used to human contact and they will play-bite, climb on you, grab your glasses, and pull your hair or even just walk along holding your hand. And thats where the fun just begins!

Day 1: US - Night on board

Arrive at your departure airport ready to check-in for a flight * to Entebbe. Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Entebbe

Arrive in Entebbe, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. A charming town, Entebbe is situated on the shore of Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure, relaxing or exploring the town for a chance to experience the local culture. Overnight stay in Entebbe.

Day 3: Entebbe - Kibale Forest

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off to Kibale Forest National Park, enjoying the changing landscapes as you leave the town behind. Arrive in the afternoon and check in at your lodge. Kibale is a huge protected rainforest, known for being the home of a large number of primates such as chimpanzees red-tailed monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabey. Overnight stay in Kibale.

Day 4: Kibale Forest - Queen Elizabeth National Park

Breakfast at the lodge. In the morning register at the Park Offices and begin an exciting Chimpanzee Tracking Excursion. Go in search of man's most genetically similar animal, and begin with a trek through the rainforest until you make the first sightings of the Chimpanzees. Watch as the group go about their daily activities such as feeding, climbing, raising their young and noisily interacting with each other, while enjoying informative insights from your expert guide. Return to the lodge and in the afternoon head to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Overnight stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Set off early for a sunrise game drive in Uganda's most popular national park for the best chance of spotting the abundant wildlife of the region including lions, buffalo, elephants and nocturnal animals such as hyenas and leopards, with the beautiful soundtrack of morning bird song to accompany you. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and relax at your leisure. Later, set off for an afternoon Launch Cruise on the Kanziga Channel, famous for its hippos, Nile crocodiles and buffalo. Overnight stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Breakfast at the lodge. Drive south through the Ishasha area, famed for its tree-climbing lions, towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Spend the journey admiring the spectacular natural landscape. Continue to the southern sector of Bwindi, the iconic national park home to the elusive and endangered mountain gorillas. Arrive at the lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing at your leisure. Overnight stay in Bwindi.

Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Early breakfast at the lodge and set off to the Park Offices to register for your exciting Gorilla Tracking Excursion. Be assigned a particular family of Gorillas and head into the magical rainforest, abundant with colourful birds, butterfly and animals species, until you finally reach the group of Gorillas. Watch in awe as these majestic animals go about their daily lives, grooming, feeding and interacting with each other. It is an unforgettable experience to see Gorillas in the wild. Trek back to base and return to the lodge. Overnight stay in Bwindi.

Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Lake Mburo National Park

Breakfast at the lodge. Leave Bwindi and drive towards Lake Mburo National Park, situated on the border of Tanzania and home to various species of savannah animals including lions, hyenas, zebras and giraffes, as well as water-loving animals such as hippos and crocodiles who can be found by the lake. Enjoy fantastic game-viewing as you make your way towards the lodge. Arrive and overnight stay in Lake Mburo.

Day 9: Lake Mburo – Entebbe - Night on board

Breakfast at the lodge. This morning enjoy either a game drive or a fascinating guided forest walk to get up close to the local wildlife. Afterwards, head back to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator, where you can stand in both hemispheres at once, and visit the Royal Drum Makers of Mpambire, masters of making hand-made drums. Arrive in Entebbe and transfer to the airport for your flight back to the US. Night on board.

Day 10: US

Arrive in the US and end your trip.