Compare Chimps & Gorillas of Uganda by Exodus Travels vs Nairobi To Cairo (64 Days) Nile Trans by Oasis overland

Day 1 Arrive Entebbe

Our adventure begins in Entebbe, a city on the north shore of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. Today is all about settling in after your journey, so head to the hotel and relax for the evening.   Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Papyrus Guest House or Boma Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 Drive to Kibale Forest

This morning, we have breakfast and your leader will run a welcome brief before we leave Entebbe. The drive time depends, in large part, on traffic in Kampala but should take approximately seven hours. Upon arrival, we can relax at our lakeside lodge. Kibale Forest National Park is home to 13 primate species: there are nine diurnal primates, including vervet, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s, red colobus, black-and-white colobus and blue monkeys, plus grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons and, the most famous of all, chimpanzees. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the odds of encountering them are very good. Accommodation: Turaco Treetops (or similar)

Day 3 Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale; visit Bigodi wetlands

Today we explore the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary in the Magombe wetland. The sanctuary is a major tourist attraction in the Kibale Forest area and is operated by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED), a local community-based organisation. We also go on a forest walk in search of primates. While trekking in the depths of the lush green forest, we are surrounded by bird song and can expect to see at least five or six types of primate, most probably grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys and, of course, chimpanzees. The walking is fairly easy with well-maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain. The order in which we do these activities may vary. Accommodation: Turaco Treetops (or similar)

Day 4 Optional second chimpanzee trek; to Queen Elizabeth National Park

There is the option of doing a second chimp trek this morning to increase the probability of seeing them (due to limited permit availability, we recommend you prebook the second chimp trek). In the afternoon, we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). The drive goes south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains, where we can see the glaciated peaks, weather permitting. We gently descend into the Great Rift Valley and QENP. The park resides in a fertile, equatorial area and has beautiful scenery. It is the most popular and accessible savannah reserve in Uganda, with a total area of 764sqmi (1,978sqkm). It is primarily associated with grassy savannah plains, but this impressive park also includes leafy rainforests, dense papyrus swamps and natural volcanic crater lakes. As a result, it has one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world, including 95 recorded mammal species and more than 610 bird species. Accommodation: Simba Safari Camp (or similar)

Day 5 Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park; boat safari on the Kazinga Channel

This morning, we explore Queen Elizabeth National Park on a game drive in search of wildlife, including elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards, hyenas, jackals, topis, kobs and bush bucks. In the afternoon, we have a boat trip (about two hours) along the Kazinga Channel to view some of the largest concentration of hippos in the world (reported to be about 30,000) and other animals with excellent birding. Accommodation: Simba Safari Camp (or similar)

Day 6 Game drive in the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park; to Buhoma

Today we drive through the park to the Ishasha region. We game drive in search of tree-climbing lions and other wildlife. This afternoon, we head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest, a World Heritage site, passing through the scenic area known as the Switzerland of East Africa. The driving today is about 5hr 30min (not including game drives). Accommodation: Haven Lodge Buhoma (or similar)

Day 7 Mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

For many, observing a wild mountain gorilla is one of the most emotional wildlife experiences possible. Tracking these gentle giants can take anything from under an hour to more than six, depending on where the family is located. The number of permits allocated daily are limited so we recommend early booking. If the permits for gorilla families close to where we stay are unavailable, there are more permits for another area of the park, though this will mean a long drive to the trek start point. The trek itself can be along steep, slippery trails and through the bush so you should be in reasonable physical condition, but the rewards of spending an hour with our close cousins more than makes up for the effort of getting to them. Accommodation: Haven Lodge Buhoma (or similar)

Day 8 Optional second mountain gorilla trek

Today is a free day and there is the option of getting a second gorilla permit for this day, though due to the limited number of permits, this should be obtained at time of booking. For those who choose not to go on a second gorilla trek, there are other walks you can do nearby or you can relax at our lodge, reminiscing about the previous day’s encounters. On some departures, due to the availability of permits, we may have to swap these two days over with the free day (and optional second gorilla trek) on Day 6 and the included gorilla trek on Day 7 or we may have to split the group to trek with gorillas across both days. Accommodation: Haven Lodge Buhoma (or similar)

Day 9 To Lake Mburo National Park

Leaving the forests, we head towards Lake Mburo National Park. En route, we stop in Kabale near the Rwandan border for lunch. The drive should be about five hours (not including stops). Lake Mburo is the only place in southern Uganda where you can see zebras, giraffes and impala and is a great place to try to see leopards. It is also home to more than 300 bird species and offers the possibility of game walks and game drives. Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock (or similar)

Day 10 Game drive; optional game walk or boat safari

Today we go on a final game drive looking for plains wildlife. The park has a network of game tracks in the eastern part of the park passing a variety of landscapes: acacia woodland, wetlands, grassy hillsides, rocky outcrops and seasonally flooded valley floors. The early morning and late afternoon are the best times to roam the park in search of wildlife. There is also the option of tracking game on foot through the savannah and going on a boat excursion, particularly good for birdlife. You also have the option of going on an early morning game walk. Accompanied by a ranger guide, you walk to a salt lick where many animals are attracted to the salty rocks. At this time of day, you may encounter hyenas returning to their dens and hippos retreating to the lake. The lake itself is rich with a diversity of animals and plants, and these can be viewed clearly on a boat trip. These include crocodiles, hippos and birds, such as pelicans, black crakes, herons, cormorants and fish eagles, but you may also see the rare shoebill stork if you are lucky. Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock (or similar)

Day 11 Drive to Entebbe; trip ends

Today is our final day and we return to Entebbe and the shores of Lake Victoria. The driving time will depend on the amount of traffic in Kampala, but we make regular stops to break up the journey. En route back to Entebbe, we visit Mabamba Swamp (Mabamba Bay Wetland System), which lies about 25mi (40km) from Entebbe. The swamp, said to support more than 190,000 birds, is the perfect spot in Uganda for watching the globally threatened shoebill stork and the papyrus yellow warbler. We arrive into Entebbe in the early evening, if time permits, you guide will take you for dinner (own expense) before dropping you at the airport.

DAY 1-9: NAIROBI TO KAMPALA In Nairobi, you have the opportunity to visit the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, where Oasis helps support one of the elephants (Kamboyo). A great experience to see the nursery animals come out for their daily mud bath and comical play and to see the amazing work the centre does with rescued and injured elephants and rhinos. Nearby is the Langata Giraffe Centre, where you can learn more about these gentle and majestic creatures - hopefully getting the chance to get up close to feed them. From Nairobi, we head north into one of Africa's greatest natural features, the East African Rift Valley. Stretching from the Dead Sea in Jordan down to Mozambique in Southern Africa, our first view is from the top of a steep escarpment. Overland trips through East Africa will allow you to experience some of the most dramatic scenery in the world, and the Rift Valley is a definite highlight. The valley floor seems to sweep on forever and is dotted with volcanic peaks, shimmering lakes and countless springs. Our journey takes us into the heart of the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha. We camp near the lakeshore where Hippos sometimes feed at night! Here you can walk to Elsamere, the house of Joy Adamson - of Elsa the Lion and Born Free fame, and enjoy a film of her life - and cream teas! You can also hire mountain bikes and cycle or walk through Hells Gate National Park - the only game reserve in Kenya in which you are permitted to do so. Or for a less active but equally enjoyable game viewing experience - visit the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. Both offer excellent scenery & opportunities to spot hyrax, abundant bird & plant life along with several types of gazelle, impala and eland. A further half-day drive through hills covered in tea plantations and rural scenery drive brings us to Lake Nakuru National Park - home to a wide variety of wildlife including Black Rhino, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Hyena and Giraffe. However, Nakuru is a soda lake and most famous for its pink inhabitants, a flock of Pink Flamingos which feed noisily along the shoreline. A mountainous drive with spectacular scenery through the Nandi Hills brings us to our next stop at Eldoret. From here we cross into Uganda and continue west to the capital. Kampala has had a turbulent past, but these days it is a friendly and safe city. We have a free day to spend in local cafes and nightspots - where you can get to know the local people.  DAY 10-17: KAMPALA TO JINGA The following day we have a long drive as we head west through swamps, patches of forest and fertile green countryside. As we travel through Uganda, we'll pass through several small towns and villages; Mpigi, where you will see roadside stalls manufacturing and selling traditional musical instruments Kyazanga, where we can buy fresh rotisserie and roasted meat and vegetables, as well as roasted plantain bananas. We will also be able to make a photo stop where our route crosses the Equator. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are home to several families of Highland Mountain Gorillas. Getting up close to these amazing creatures is truly a once in a lifetime experience and one of the highlights of the trip. You have the opportunity to trek to see the Gorillas in Uganda (bookable as an Add on). It is estimated that only around 700 of these gentle giants remain. This mountainous area on the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and Zaire (now renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo) is their only natural habitat and they are periodically threatened by poachers and political instability in the area. One permit allows you to spend about 50 to 60 minutes with one of the gorilla families. Trekking to find them in groups of 8 people can take anywhere from half an hour to 5 hours. The organisations and well-trained guides that continually monitor and protect the families are conscientious and responsible. We will base ourselves in the village of Kabale which will allow you to trek the Mountain Gorillas and visit the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi. (Due to the popularity of Trekking to the Mountain Gorillas and the limited availability of obtaining Trekking Permits, we may do the Gorilla trek in Rwanda in Volcanos National Park, which may come at an additional cost - you will be advised in advance). Passing over the mountain ranges we cross the border into Rwanda. The small, friendly town of Musanze is home to Musanze caves and several hiking trails, take a village tour throughout the area where you can see first-hand production of local Banana beer. There will also be an opportunity to visit the genocide memorial in Kigali, which is a moving and humbling experience. We then return to Uganda and make our way towards Kampala and camp near Jinja - Uganda's adventure playground. Here, on the edge of Lake Victoria, the Nile begins its 6700km journey to the sea. We spend the next few days downstream from the source of the Nile. This is a spectacular area and a superb place to go whitewater rafting or kayaking. You can also organise quad biking, horse riding or a visit to a local education project. DAY 18-26: JINGA TO ADDIS ABABA Re-entering Kenya, we travel around the foothills of Mount Kenya. before embarking on the next phase of our journey. This leads us into the remoteness of northern Kenya. Nomadic tribespeople like the Rendille in Marsabit & the Samburu (cousins of the Maasai) still wear a very distinctive and often elaborate dress. As we cross into Ethiopia - the roads we travel on are often in mountainous areas, so travel is slow. Ethiopia has a lot more visual & indigenous history than any other sub - Saharan country. We continue our journey north heading into the Omo Valley. This region is home to some of the most colourful ethnic groups in Ethiopia. The friendly Hamar people are noted for their ornate, interesting hairstyles and the Mursi people are famous for the clay lip plates and earlobe decorations. An optional day tour will take you into the Omo National Park. We make our way north to the capital, Addis Ababa. DAY 27-33: ADDIS ABABA TO BAHIDAR We spend a couple of days in Addis Ababa where we have the chance to indulge in some authentic Ethiopian coffee or explore 'El Mercato' - one of East Africa's largest open-air markets. We also spend the next few days organising our Sudanese and Egyptian visas - before heading onto Bahir Darvia the spectacular Blue Nile Gorge & Falls. DAY 34-42: BAHIDAR TO SUDAN Bahidar is based on the southern edge of Lake Tana - you can organise boat trips to some of the small islands which have Monasteries dating back up to 900 years, and which are still looked after by monks who live from subsistence farming or take a trip to Blue Nile Falls. Lalibela, famous for its 11 monolithic rock-hewn churches is our next destination where you have the option of a guided tour of one of Ethiopia's holiest cities. Gondar (the capital of Ethiopia from 1632 until 1868), we spend a few days where it is possible to organise overnight trips to the Simien Mountains National Park - home to the Gelada Baboon, hikes are available in the area. You may also wish to arrange a trip to the holy city of Axum dating from the 12th Century have been kept alive by generations of dedicated priests who guard their precious religious and artistic artefacts. The border with Sudan is not far from Gondar and the first town after the border is Gedaref & Wadi Medani. Note: If the security situation in Sudan has not improved, then we will adjust our itinerary in Ethiopia and then fly from Addis Ababa to Cairo (flight at your cost, budget $200), leaving the truck behind. We will then complete the Egypt section using public transport and local hotels. We ran our 2023 departure in this way and it worked very well. DAY 43-49: KHARTOUM TO WADI HALFA The hospitality in Sudan can be surprising - but very genuine. For such a poor country with so many recent problems - Sudanese people are often too willing to invite you for a meal or a cup of 'Sudanese whisky' - better known as tea! Khartoum is our next stop and it has a fantastic setting on the confluence of the Blue and White Niles. Our stay here is on the banks of the Nile at the quirky but interesting Blue Nile Sailing Club. It houses one of General Kitchener's old Gunboats, a relic from the British military campaign against the Mahdi over a century ago. For such a large city, Khartoum feels quite laid back. Here you can visit the Hamed al-Nil Tomb or take a trip to the daily camel market or viewing the confluence of the two Niles are also interesting ways to pass the time. The ancient Pyramids at Meroe lie to the north of the capital Khartoum. Our drive across the Nubian Desert will see us either hugging the banks of the Nile as it snakes its way north or possibly experiencing the vast open desert plains which are dissected by the main train line from Khartoum - making this our only real point of reference. Whether passing through sleepy Nubian villages, resting in tea rooms, pottering around the local souqs or experiencing total isolation in the middle of the desert - a unique experience awaits you along with this not so travelled route to Wadi Halfa. DAY 50-56: WADI HALFA TO LUXOR Upon reaching Lake Nasser and Wadi Halfa in Northern Sudan, we enter Egypt and board the ferry to Abu Simbel - our ultimate destination on our expedition. We arrive in the small village of Abu Simbel, where you will notice you will notice one of the many cultural changes on this trip - the darker Nubian people lead a more relaxed and less hectic pace of life than their Egyptian countrymen. You have the opportunity to visit Abu Simbel - the massive stone monuments built by the greatest of all pharaohs, Ramses ll, after spending the night we will travel in convoy to the city of Aswan. Philae temple, Nubian museum, an evening boat cruise to a Nubian village and walking through the colourful souk, is a great way to spend your days here. You can also join a 2 or 3 day felucca boat cruise to Edfu and/or Kom Ombo before arriving into Luxor. DAY 57-64: LUXOR TO CAIRO You will be kept busy exploring Luxor - where we visit the Valley of Kings and Queens. Here, the remarkably well-preserved tombs of the ancient rulers -namely Ramses ll and Tutankhamun -have coloured paintings and hieroglyphics that still seem fresh even after 3000 years. Karnak and Luxor Temples are both in easy walking distance from our camp - as is the local souq where you can pick up the last of your souvenirs. The following day we drive out towards the Red Sea Coast. You will have time to relax on the beach or try your hand at various watersports such as snorkelling, windsurfing or scuba diving in the cool clear blue waters. Our final destination, Cairo is only a days drive away. Visiting the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza with our Egyptologist guide and also the Egyptian Natural History Museum in the afternoon is a fitting way to end this amazing expedition.