This incredible Africa safari begins in the Kibale Forest, moves through Queen Elizabeth National Park, and concludes in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Experience the rare highlight of tracking the last remaining mountain gorillas, the elusive chimpanzee, and spotting the unusual tree-climbing lions. Interact with the Batwa Pygmies, the indigenous people of the forest, and discover their rich cultural history all on this uniquely Uganda tour. You will return each night to pure comfort at the classic safari lodges of Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge and Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
Highlights
Game drive through the Kasenyi plains to search for lions & Uganda kob
Track chimpanzees on foot through the Kyanbura Gorge
Cruise the Kazinga Channel to view hippos, elephants, & buffalo
Walk through a local Bwindi village and learn about community life
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive at Entebbe airport where an Aerolink member of staff will assist you with the check-in and transfer to your 07:45am (arrival 10:05am) or 12:30pm (arrival 14:35pm) domestic flight to Kasese, check-in time is one hour before the flight. Once in Kasese you will be welcomed by your expert guide who will provide knowledge and assistance throughout your journey.
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and the contemporary Kyambura Gorge Lodge. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks on the veranda that overlooks the savannah plains with the magnificent Rwenzori Mountains in the distance.
Either take an early morning or evening game drive for the best opportunity to see game. What you see depends on the season, but the Kasenyi plains are excellent for sighting lion and large herds of Uganda kob. The Mweya peninsula is one of the best places to look for leopard, which live in the dense, scrubby thickets.
You can also visit various community projects from the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) including: Women’s Coffee Cooperative Tour, Reclaimed Wetland Tour, Bee-Keeping Fence Visit, Omumushaka Dance Group Performance, Empundu Playground Visit and much more.
The Kyambura Gorge is an extraordinary natural environment and forms a stark contrast to the surrounding grasslands. Here you can track one of our closest animal relatives: the chimpanzee. The chimp population is quite mobile and viewing can be unpredictable but the walk itself is enchanting.
In the afternoon take a cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which flows between Lakes Edward and George. Kazinga is home to one of the greatest concentration of hippo in Africa and herds of elephant, buffalo and other animals come to drink at the waters edge. The channel is a magnet for waterbirds, with great flocks of pelicans and others birds on the shore, and a great spot to see African fish eagle.
Your safari now continues to the primeval Bwindi forest. Travelling via Ishasha – subject to road conditions – you can observe the unusual behaviour exhibited by the tree-climbing lions. The long journey through the rapidly changing landscape takes you to Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, which looks across to the towering trees of the forest. Depending on when you arrive, there maybe time to explore the lodge grounds with its clear mountain stream or visit the local village.
You can also visit the Bwindi bar a VSPT project located just 3 minutes from the lodge. They serve chilled drinks and delicious snacks at pocket friendly prices. A few minutes at Bwindi bar will give you an insight in what life in Bwindi Community is like.
After an early breakfast, set off gorilla tracking. Trekking through the steep, densely forested hills and then finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation is an inspiring and privileged moment. Tracking in the Bwindi forest requires stamina and can often take most of the day.
Alternatively there are other activities and excursions on offer in and around the national park:
Take a guided walk in the rainforest, home to several endemic bird species, clouds of butterflies and rare plant life. This walk offers excellent photographic
opportunities and the knowledgeable guide will provide a great insight into this globally important habitat.
Walk through the local village, and learn about community life and Bwindi Community Hospital that started as a health clinic under a tree and now provides vital medical and educational services to over 60,000 people. Also take a tour of our local tea processing operation at the lodge which enables guests to see the various different methods for tea growing and at the end of the tour taste some of our own grown tea! The Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust supports both projects.
Discover the traditions of the Batwa Pygmies, and learn about the native tribal inhabitants of the forest. The indigenous people of Bwindi forest, though no longer resident in the forest, still practice many of their traditional hunter-gatherer skills.
Either go gorilla tracking again (additional permits required, upon payment of supplement, subject to availability), or opt for one of the other, gentler but equally rewarding alternatives available (see above).
Day 7: Depart Uganda
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Transfer from Bwindi Lodge to the Kihihi airstrip. Leave with the 09:45am (arrive at 11:25am) or 14:05pm (arrive at 15:55pm) return flight to Entebbe and connect in time for your return flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 25% plus permit cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners
6 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
1 Gorilla Tracking Permit
1 Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking Permit
1 Chimpanzee Tracking Permit
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Optional Excursions - Additional Gorilla Tracking Permit in PNV
Passengers must ensure that their purchased insurance includes cruise travel in the polar regions and has evacuation and repatriation coverage of no less than 200,000 USD per person, both for Arctic and Antarctica cruises.
For non-polar trips with Poseidon, please be sure to check their insurance requirements, see HERE for more info.
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 167 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 167 reviews on
5 hours ago
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
APtravelwell
1 day ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
1 day ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
2 days ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.
Anne Petty
3 days ago
Follow up was effective any questions were answered in a timely manner