EMPIRE OF APES SAFARI
At the edge of the Albertine rift in South Western Uganda lies the vast and misty Bwindi impenetrable forest which stretches over a formation of steep mountains. This ancient pristine forest is home to families of formidable mountain gorillas that we will encounter within this 9-day adventure. Our expedition will bring us into the homes of energetic chimps in Kibale forest and draw us to the most scenic park in Uganda.
8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS
Safari Highlights
- Chimpanzee Tracking
- Game Drive
- Boat Cruise
- Gorilla Tracking
- Bird Watching
- Equator Experience
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Entebbe
Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed by your safari guide/driver, who will transfer you to your booked accommodation.
Day 2: Into the Dense Kibale Forest National Park
After a sumptuous breakfast in Kampala, we drive west, taking in the scenic views as we head to Fort Portal, a beautiful town nestled in the shadow of the “Mountains of the Moon.” Enjoy a short respite in this charming town before moving on to the idyllic formations of the crater lakes. From Fort Portal, we set a course for the thriving forest of Kibale National Park, where we turn in for the night at our booked safari lodge.
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Half-Board
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking – Bigodi Swamp Walk
The evergreen Kibale Forest holds the widest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. On a guided nature walk, we encounter wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and more. We return to our lodge for lunch and later set out to Bigodi Swamp, an ideal place for bird lovers. After a satisfying day of exploration, we return to our lodge in time for dinner.
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Full-Board
Day 4: Through the scenic Crater Lakes and into Queen Elizabeth National Park
We check out of our lodge and head out for a brief tour at Lake Nkuruba, where we will see magnificent views of the vibrant crater lakes, cradled in vegetation and gentle hills. After lunch, we head toward the popular Queen Elizabeth National Park just in time for an evening game drive. We hope to see warthogs, buffalo, waterbucks and elephants before checking in for a night of comfort at Bush lodge.
Accommodation: Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Full-Board
Day 5: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise
The crisp morning opens with a game drive to seek out various animals; this is a great opportunity for wildlife sightings as animals tend to be more active in the wee hours. We return from our adventure in the beautiful savannah to some much-needed relaxation and lunch before we head out on an afternoon boat cruise along Kazinga Channel. Hippos, crocodiles, and other mammals, reptiles, and birds congregate at the shores in the afternoon heat. We will drive to the crater lakes and take in the scenic views before returning to the lodge in time for dinner.
Accommodation: Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Full-Board
Day 6: Through Ishasha and into the Impenetrable Forest
Today we depart from Queen Elizabeth, but not before attempting to set eyes on the tree climbing lions of Ishasha. We cross stunning landscapes to reach Bwindi National Park, where we will seek out another rare creature, the mountain gorilla.
Accommodation: Ride 4 A Woman Lodge
Meal Plan: Half-Board
Day 7: The Gorilla Families of Bwindi
After breakfast, we set out for a briefing at the park offices where we are allocated gorilla tracking groups and given tips in preparation for a close encounter with the gentle giants. Guided by an experienced tracker, we brave a challenging trek through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; it may take minutes or hours of pushing through vegetation before we set our eyes on a colossal dominant silverback male and his group.
Upon return from the deep forest, you will receive your gorilla tracking certificate, and later, after refreshing at the lodge, set out for a community walk, a charming experience with the local people and a closer look into their culture.
Accommodation: Ride 4 A Woman Lodge
Meal Plan: Full-Board
Day 8: Return to Kampala/Entebbe & Equator stop
After a fun-filled adventure of seven days, we check out of the lodge and begin our journey to a preferred drop off point in Kampala/Entebbe. Our first stop will be in Mbarara for lunch and last stop at the Uganda Equator for pictures and shopping for various souvenirs or gifts for friends and family.
Meal Plan: Half-Board
Note: You can choose to add another day or two and head into the Mufumbira Mountain Ranges, home to the famed Golden Monkeys.
Inclusive
- Transfer to/from Entebbe International Airport
- Ground transport on a private 4WD safari vehicle
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Accommodation as included in the itinerary (twin/double room)
- Meals included in the itinerary
- Bottled mineral water in the safari vehicle
- Entrance fees and ranger fees for national parks
- Gorilla permit (USD $600 per permit)
- Activities included in the itinerary
- Permit for chimp tracking in Kibale Forest
- Detailed map of Uganda (1 map per person)
- A pair of Binoculars
Exclusive
- International flight
- Visa (USD $50, available upon arrival)
- Meals and drinks outside the itinerary
- Items and services of a personal nature
- Tips
Terms and conditions
* The mentioned rates are in US dollars and subject to change.
* The high season period includes January, February, June, July, August, September and December.
* The low season period includes March, April, May, October and November.
* Availability of accommodation, permits and activities is not guaranteed until confirmation by your contact person at Bushman Safaris. Permits are sold on ‘first come first serve’ basis.
* Gorilla permits can only be secured after receiving the requested deposit.
* The chimp tracking in Kibale Forest may take place either in the morning or afternoon, depending on the availability of the permits for chimp tracking.
Customer Experiences
Customer Testimonials
“Great company, Top notch experience”
From beginning to end we had a wonderful safari experience. Kate Okellele at Bushman was our main contact and organizer for our 18-day tour covering much of Uganda, including Mabamba Swamp for shoebill viewing, Sipi Falls, …”
– Mark Newman from United States
“worriless wandering”
“For the time we spent in Queen Elizabeth and Lake Bunyonyi, Bushman safaris booked our accommodation and made sure our days were filled with safaris, lake cruises, comfort and a hot spring…”
– Jolien from Belgium
“Made my time and experiences exceptional”
I travelled for 11 days pearls of Africa deluxe safari with Bushman safaris and it went beyond my expectation. The tour guide was knowledgeable, kind, patient, and fun. From my first interaction with bushman safaris… “
– Samuel from United States
“UWEC Behind the Scenes”
“This was an excellent experience – once in a lifetime! The zookeeper was incredibly knowledgable and passionate, and he made me feel safe while interacting with the animals… “
– Samuel from the United States
“Amazing Uganda because of Bushman Safaris “
“Bushman Safaris Kampala Uganda Our fantastic trips in Uganda with Bushman Safaris: Trip 1 Day trip to jinja and chocolate Factory so interesting thank you Michael our great guide. The Start of the #Nile #JinjaUganda #Monkeys.. “
– Lynne S from United Kingdom
“Great Safari”
“Overall we had a fantastic time. The northern half of Murchison Falls National Park is beautiful, with all the wildlife we were hoping for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Budonho Chimp Tracking are…”
– Matt from Canada
“Great 18 day Uganda Safari”
“We arranged a terrific camping safari for 16 days with Bushman Safaris, a local tour operator based in Kampala. The dates were Feb 7-22,2019. The trip coordinator, Kate Okellele, was incredibly helpful in helping… “
– Mark Newman from United States
“Uganda Behind the Scenes Zoo tour”
“Bushman Safaris arranged for my son and I to have a Behind the Scenes tour at the Uganda Zoo. It was an amazing experience that I would highly recommend. Bushman Safaris was great to work wit…”
– Judd W from Russia
