Day 1: Drive to Elizabeth National Park

Early morning after breakfast, start your trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park (1978sq.km) in western Uganda. Have a break at the Uganda Equator for photo shoot. Move on to Mbarara town where you will have lunch before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is one of the most excellent treasures of Uganda and named after UK’s Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Uganda in 1954. As you get into the park you will be able to see the escapements of Rwenzori Mountain Crater Lakes, rift valley and spot some animals on the road side. Have an evening game drive in the park and see the tree climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, Kobs, bushbucks, waterbucks, warthogs and leopard. Then take dinner at Mweya Safari Lodge or Institute of Ecology where you will have a good outlook of Kazinga channel and Lake Edward peninsular.

Day 2: Early Morning Queen Elizabeth Park Game drive.

Have a cup of African tea in the morning and take chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge and you will stumble upon with buffaloes, water bucks, warthogs, lions, Uganda kobs and other animals plus a collection of birds. Over 95 species of mammals and 600 species of birds have been recorded. Then head to Katunguru trading centre where there are different ethnic groups with very much related languages for cultural performances. You will be taken back to Mweya Safari Lodge for refreshments and lunch. Take a boat cruise at the Kazinga Channel in the afternoon and spot buffaloes close to the water, scores of hippos, and swarms of pied kingfishers and Pelicans among others. After lunch, apart from boat cruise one can take jungle walks in the widespread Maramaganbo forest preceded by a brief history and back ground of the forest. While on the guided forest nature walks, you will see the bat cave with pythons in there. There are other trails which will lead you to the crater lakes and the blue River which is in the vicinity of the bat caves. You may probably see other primates like chimps plus elephants and birds. Return to your accommodation for dinner and over night.

DAY 3: Morning Wildlife Safari

Wake up early on this day to catch up the early risers’ game drives that usually start at 6:30 when the predators are returning to their hideouts. You could possibly see elephants, lions, spotted hyenas, leopards and hippos grazing. Have a late breakfast at Mweya Safari Lodge and then proceed to Kampala taking Kasese-Fort Portal Road. Arrive in Kampala in the evening where you will have a wonderful dinner and over night as you reflect on the concluded exciting trip.

Day 4: Departure.

You will be picked by our driver for Air port transfer.

Uganda and Rwanda are not only homes to the only remaining mountain gorillas population but also have the highest concentration of primates in Africa. Each country has 13 primates species.

Primate trekking in Uganda

Uganda is a home to 13 primates species such as Chimpanzees, Black and white colobus monkeys, Olive Baboons, Grey checked mangabeys, Giant forest hogs, Golden Monkeys, Vervets, Blue Monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys and many more. Among the homes of primates include Kibale Forest national park, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park and Kaniyo pabidi forest reserve in Murchison falls national park. Mgahinga gorilla park is also famous for Golden Monkeys.
During the chimpanzee trekking and other primates, expect an encounter with over 350 bird forest species and forest mammals like elephants and Buffaloes.

Primates tracking in Rwanda

Nyungwe forest is the largest montainous forest in East and Central Africa. This is Rwanda’s number one home to primates, with 13 species that include Golden Monkeys, Chimpanzees, large troops of Black and white colobus, Vervets, Redt tailed Monkeys, L’hoest’s Monkeys, Mangabeys and many more. Its also a home to 288 forest bird species. Nyungwe Forest national park is also now popular for Canopy walking adventure.

Golden Monkey Tracking

In Rwanda, Volcanoes National park (Parc des Volcans) is also famous for tracking the endangered golden monkeys. The same activity is known in Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park. Golden Monkey trekking is usually done in the morning and requires permits booking at the park head quarters.

Stakeholders in the Rwanda tourism industry are not happy with the increase in the price of gorilla permits saying this will adversely affect their businesses as many clients will no longer want to come to Rwanda to do gorilla trekking safaris.

However, the Rwanda Development Board – RDB has now said that in order to conserve the mountain gorillas due to the increased gorilla tourism the increase in gorilla trekking fees will not be reserved.  The increment comes at a time when the Country is enjoying increased numbers of clients coming to do gorilla safaris in Rwanda. The number of mountain gorillas in Rwanda has also increased tremendously in the last couple of years despite the fact that they were initially facing extinction.

The recovery of the number of mountain gorillas in the Wild from the brink of extinction means that the conservation efforts of the many International conservation agencies coupled with the efforts of the three governments of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo is paying off.

Despite the uproar from the different tour operators in Rwanda both local and international, the Rwanda Development Board said it is not going to go back on the increase in the price of mountain gorilla safari fees. The local tour operators say that the increase should have been in consideration of the other two neighboring countries of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo who have not increased the price of their mountain gorilla tour prices.

Mr. Edwin Sabuhoro and Mr. Kayihura Manzi Chairmen of the Tourism Chamber which is the body representing Rwanda tour operators and the Rwanda Tours and Travel Association – RTTA have however, expressed their fears about the new increase in the gorilla tour booking fees.

In a joint statement they said, “We agree that the gorilla permit increase was inevitable, however the immediate and draconian enforcement of this decision will have lasting repercussions on our industry and the image of the country”.

According to them, the new increase on the price levied on mountain gorilla safari is not welcome at this point as the amount of money being spent by tourists has significantly dwindled due to the global economic meltdown. They further said that the hike in the prices was done without proper consultation of the different stakeholders in the Rwanda tourism industry.

However, the increment has raised a lot of concern among the private sector stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism industry in Rwanda.  They say that the gorilla tour permits will adversely affect their businesses.

Mountain gorilla safaris in the top foreign exchange earner for Rwanda’s tourism industry,  accounting for 90% of all the park fees.

In a drastic move the Rwanda Development Board – RDB said that the increment will take place with effect on 1^st June 2012. However, the increment will not affect gorilla permit bookings made prior to that date so as not to affect gorilla safaris to Rwanda that were booked earlier.

This increment cuts across board with foreign residents paying $375, up from the initial $250 while the locals paying $50 dollars, instead of the $30 that they paid previously.

The private stakeholders in the tourism industry in Rwanda in a statement signed by the chairman of the Rwanda tourism chamber of Private Sector Federation – PSF   that the “immediate and draconian enforcement of this decision’ will have lasting repercussions on their industry and the image of the country”

“The implementation of this increase was done without due consultation and we regret the manner in which this was done despite our attempts to consult on this process.

We have already seen strong reactions from our partners, and we are very sure that this is going to have a negative impact on our businesses and the industry at large”

The tourism foreign exchange earnings of Rwanda has seen significant increase. The sector saw an increase of 14 percent from the 2009 earnings and recorded $200 million in 2010. While in 2011, there was more than a 25% increase in earning with the Country getting $251 million.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board – RDB, John Gara “This increase comes at a time when there is significant growth of the gorilla population as well as an increasing demand for gorilla tourism. We are very committed to sustain our efforts in conservation in order to protect their environment as well as the rich biodiversity that exist in our national parks”.

There has been such a significant increase in the number of mountain gorillas in Rwanda and the whole Virunga Massif as a whole. The Virunga Massif includes the border region of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. There has been an annual growth rate of 3.7% in the population of mountain gorillas which has seen a 26.3 percent increase in the number of mountain gorillas in Rwanda over the last seven years since 2005

Leave Kampala in the morning and drive southwards. A first stop over at the Equator, a famous spot for photography. For the rest of the journey, view the long horned Ankole cattle, papyrus, acacia woodland and terraced landscape of Kigezi highlands on your way to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Lunch enroute in Mbarara. Dinner and overnight at Bwindi Gorilla safari lodge or Nkuringo Lodge (C) or Buhoma Community – Kisoro Tourist Hotel (L.D).

Day 2: Gorilla trekking and optional community tour

After an early breakfast and briefing from the guides, set off for the gorilla tracking in the forest sanctuary. The activity starts at 8.00am. You need to carry packed lunch, drinking water, rain jacket and jungle boots while the rangers will provide you with a walking stick. The time taken to find the gorillas varies according to the movements of these marvelous primates. An encounter with an earth shaking 350 pound silver back or a baby gorilla is very exciting and never forgotten experience!. Dinner and overnight at Bwindi Gorilla safari lodge or Nkuringo Lodge (C) or Buhoma Community – Kisoro Tourist Hotel (B.L.D).

Day 3: Volcano Trek

Today we hike one of the three volcanoes in the area: Mt. Muhavura, Mt. Gahinga or Mt. Sabinyo. All offer incredible scenery, immense biodiversity, and fantastic views though most people chose to hike Mr. Muhavura. This area bordering Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo is a nature lover’s paradise!

Day 4: Depart Kampala

Depart early for the scenic return drive from Kisoro to Kampala. Stop just after the town of Masaka at Mpambiire drum village to see the Ugandan drum craftsmen at work. Arrive back in Kampala in the early evening, where the tour ends.

END OF 4 DAYS GORILLA SAFARI AND VOLCANOE TREKKING SAFARI

Your exciting Gorilla viewing tour starts with a drive from Entebbe to Kampala for an overnight stay at your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you will have an optional city our before you retire for diner at Sheraton hotel /Serena hotel for luxury option/Cassia lodge for mid range/Sliver springs hotel/Holiday express hotel for budget option.

Day 2: Kampala – Bwindi National Park

Early in the morning set off for Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park. This gorilla safari will take a minimum of nine hours. Make a brief stop at the Equator line. The drive takes you through the grasslands of Ankole, whose common sight are the famous long horned cattle; then to the highlands of Kigezi with their beautifully terraced hills. Break off for lunch at any hotel enroute. Continue with the journey through beautiful scenery and arrive Bwindi National Park in the evening. This park is home of the rare mountain gorillas. Apart from gorillas, there are a wide variety of primates to see including the blue and red tailed monkeys. The forest itself is lush and green and there are streams running through it. You will check in at Buhoma Homestead / Gorilla Resort/Gorilla safari lodge (up market) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Bandas/wagtail eco lodge (Budget) for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 3: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early morning breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing from the park ranger before commencing the gorilla trek at 08:00 am local time. The time taken to encounter the mountain gorillas varies subject to the movement of these apes in the natural environment. Encountering the mountain gorillas in the command of a silverback is worth an Africa adventure tour. Return to the lodge for relaxation. In case you have done the tracking successfully in time, you can have a community walk to the Pygmies (Batwa) for cultural performance. Along the way you may visit the Munyaga River Fall where a variety of butterfly species and bird species can be viewed. Local beer brewers are also near the same place. Overnight at Buhoma Homestead / Gorilla Resort/Gorilla safari lodge (up market) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Bandas/wagtail eco lodge (Budget) for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable to Parc Nationale Des Volcans Rwanda

After breakfast, depart for Rwanda via Kisoro crossing the border to Kigali, Ruhengeri dinner and overnight at Mountain gorilla view lodge/Gorilla Nest Hotel or Kinigi Guest House.

Day 5: Gorilla Tracking in Parc National Des Volcans and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Early morning departure for the mountain gorilla tracking. After the briefing from the authorities of the park at Kinigi, set off for the trekking into the rain tropical forest searching for the habituated gorilla family. You remain close to the beautiful primates for over one hour, for observation and photography. Make sure you carry with you packed lunch and water. After a Lunch break, we depart for Lake Bunyonyi for dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi Overland camp or Arcadia cottages.

Day 6: Lake Bunyonyi

In the morning, have a sumptuous breakfast at leisure and cherish some relaxing moments on the shores of this peaceful lake. Tourists will choose among the various tour activities. They can choose to go birding, cycling, and sun bathing, swimming or even canoeing. Dinner and overnight at Arcadia cottages/ Bunyonyi Overland camp

Day 7: Lake Bunyonyi – Kampala

After a hearty breakfast, head to Kampala having lunch en-route. It’s a 7-8 hours drive. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight or check-in Sheraton Hotel /Serena Hotel/Sliver springs hotel/ Holiday Express hotel for dinner and overnight.

Leave Kampala early morning for Queen Elizabeth National Park via Fort Portal with several stops at places of tourism interest. Have Lunch at selected Hotel/Restaurant at either Masaka or Mbarara and proceed to the Park arriving late afternoon. Enjoy a good panoramic view tea plantations and Rwenzori Mountain Ranges. Have an evening game drive through the National park before you check in to your lodge/camp for diner and overnight stay at Mweya Safari Lodge / Kyambura game lodge/Katara lodge for luxury option/Ihamba safari lodge/Simba safari Camp for budget option.

Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Cruise

After a cup of coffee, you will go for as sunrise game drive to the park game interesting parts Kasenyi Area. Expect to see the elephants, lions, buffaloes, kobs, the Python, hyenas, warthogs, birds’ hippos etc. Return to the lodge for lunch and a chance to relax by the side of the swimming pool.

In the afternoon, go for a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. The beautiful cruise will yield sighting hippos, buffaloes, watering elephants, warthogs and also a chance to see spectacular birds. Meals and overnight stay at stay at Mweya Safari Lodge / Kyambura game lodge/Katara lodge for luxury option/Ihamba safari lodge/Simba safari Camp for budget option.

Day 3: Morning Chimpanzee tracking and return back to Kampala

Depending on the days travel plan, depart for Kyambura gorge for chimpanzee trekking and a wide range of primate species, butterflies and a wide range of Bird species which is among the most exciting activities in the park. After the adventurous experience, head for Kampala arriving in the evening for a drop off at the airport or at your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

END OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK SAFARI

Have an early departure from your Hotel with your guide to Murchison Falls National Park. Drive through the beautiful country side; stopping at the top of the falls. The sight of the Nile River, the world’s longest river, winding its way through the park and plunging through a narrow gap is unforgettable. Have a wildlife safari experience en-route to view hippos, elephants, buffalos and a wide range of Birdlife. Overnight at a Luxurious Paraa Safari Lodge/ Sambiya River lodge/Red Chili Camp (Full Board).

Day 2: Murchison Falls Game Drives, Nile Boat/Launch Cruise Safari

Take a cup of Tea to go for a before dawn game drive in the northern circuit of the park. This drive will reward you with game like, leopards, hyenas, lions, jackals, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda Kob and many more. You will retire from the game drive for the Boat cruise or launch cruise in the afternoon. This takes you to the bottom of the falls. It provides an opportunity to view some of the water animals like the crocodiles, buffaloes, hippos and plenty of birds. Dinner and overnight at Paraa safari lodge / Sambya river lodge/Red chilli.

Day3: Bundong Forest Chimpanzee primate watch- Kampala

Early morning breakfast drive to Budongo Forest for chimpanzee tracking and nature appreciation Or you can proceed to Kampala incase your not interested in chimps. Return to Kampala with lunch enroute.

Have an early departure from your Hotel with your guide to Murchison Falls National Park. Drive through the beautiful country side; stopping at the top of the falls. The sight of the Nile River, the world’s longest river, winding its way through the park and plunging through a narrow gap is unforgettable. Have a game viewing experience en-route to view hippos, elephants, buffalos and a wide range of Birdlife. Overnight at a Luxurious Paraa Safari Lodge/ Sambiya River lodge/Red Chili Camp (Full Board)

Day 2: Game drive and Launch cruise

Start you day with a game viewing session from the northern banks of the placid Victoria Nile.  This side has got a number of animals which include elephants, Oribi, Rothschild’s giraffe, lions, Cape buffalo, hartebeest, Waterbuck, Bohor reedbuck, hyena, bushbucks and leopards.  Return to the lodge and relax as you wait for your lunch. After lunch go for a launch cruise upstream the calm Victoria Nile to the base of the falls. While on the cruise, marvel at the toothsome hippos, the Nile crocodiles as well as a wide variety of birds.  Look out for bird species such as the Goliath heron, Egyptian goose, pelican bee-eater, kingfisher, hornbill, cormorant and the rare shoebill stork. Dinner and Overnight accommodation Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Camp/Red Chili hide away

Day 3: Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park

We depart Murchison Falls and head towards Kibale Forest National Park. The drive will provide you with some spectacular views as you pass small African villages and banana plantations. The lovely town of Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon and is famous for the many tea plantations. Dinner and overnight at the Ndali Lodge /Primate Lodge/Rwenzori View Guest House

Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking

Today the forest opens its doors for a sensational chimp tracking. Kibale Forest is reputable of having the highest concentration of primates in East Africa. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzee. Other primates are usually spotted; red-tailed monkey, black-and-white Colobus monkey and many others. After a hearty lunch we transfer to the Bigodi Swamp for another, totally different nature walk. The Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the local community and takes approximately two hours. The swamp is known for its rich diversity of birds and primates. Dinner and overnight at the Ndali Lodge/Primate lodge/Chimps nest.

Day 5: Kibale Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. A game drive on our way to the accommodation in the middle of the national park gives us the chance to spot waterbucks, warthogs and other wildlife. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge/Kyambura game lodge /Ihamba safari lodge.

Day 6: Game drive and Launch cruise

Begin your day with a cup of coffee. Early morning game drive along Kasenyi and Queens Mile makes visitors encounter elephants, buffalo, water bucks, warthogs, lions, Uganda Kobs lakes and a variety of birds. After lunch, a two hour boat trip along the famous Kazinga channel a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George. Thanks to the elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of hippos, this cruise will definitely be one of the highlights of your safari. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge/Kyambura game lodge /Ihamba safari lodge.

Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Bwindi National Park

Have a morning chimpanzee trekking at Kyambura gorge before leaving for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. We will drive through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth called Ishasha. Here we will take lunch by the Ishasha River and try to find the famed Ishasha tree-climbing lions before continuing on to Bwindi, home to the few remaining mountain gorillas. Bird life and primate life in Bwindi is quite superb, and there is an incredible variety of flora. Bwindi is the Bird watchers haven! It holds 348 species of birds and supports 24 of 26 Albertine Rift Endemics that occur in Uganda; and seven red data book species. Once continuous with the forests of the Virunga Volcanoes (Dian Fossey’s stomping ground), Bwindi is now an ecological island, surrounded by cultivation on the rich volcanic soils. Overnight at Gorilla forest camp/Buhoma Lodge/ Gorilla Resort/Buhoma Community Bandas (FB)

Day 8: Gorilla tracking

Take a cup of coffee early in morning and set off with your guide to track the gorillas. The thrill of your encounter will erase the difficulties of the potentially strenuous trek. Spend time with the gorillas see their activities. Each encounter is different and has its own rewards, but you are likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in a delightfully playful display. If you finish tracking early leave for a guided village walk to see African crafts. Return to your camp/lodge for dinner and over night

Day 9: Bwindi Gorilla Safari to Kampala

Past breakfast leave for Kampala arriving late evening which marks the end of your safari.

Later than breakfast and the safari briefing, you will travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park by the help of our African Secrets’ guide. Cross the Equator and mark both the travel hemispheres. Have a lunch stop over on the way and, continue southwards passing through Mbarara. You will view some wildlife on your way to the park. On your arrival, you will check in and embark on the launch cruise on the Kazinga channel, a narrow band of water connecting lakes Edward and George. This is one of the most memorable experiences of a visit to Uganda. You will view a number of hippos, elephants and birds who inhabit the lakeshores and other animals who drink from the lake. Birding is excellent, and we expect to see species ranging in size from the tiny, brilliant Malachite Kingfisher to the giant Goliath Heron. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara lodge/Kyambura game lodge/Ihamba safari lodge (FB)

Day 2: Morning game drive and transfer to Bwindi National Park

After a cup of coffee , Embark on an early morning game drive along Kasenyi track and Queens mile in the park and expect to see Lions, Elephants, cape buffalo, Warthogs, leopard, hyena, mangoose, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, Topi and lots many small animals and birds. After the game drive, proceed to Bwindi via Maramagambo and Ishasha sector. As you drive along the road via Ishasha sector, animals such as the waterbucks, elephant, antelopes, buffalo, kobs, can be seen along the road. Relax around the Forest camp. Dinner and over night at the luxurious Gorilla Forest Camp set deep in the rain forest/Buhoma lodge/Gorilla safari lodge/Gorilla Resort/Budget options Wagtail eco lodge/Buhoma bandas.

Day 3: Gorilla tracking and afternoon community walk

After an early breakfast and briefing from the guides, set off for the mountains gorilla tracking inside the Bwindi forest. You need to carry drinking water, rain jacket and jungle boots while the rangers will provide you with a walking stick. Gorilla tracking is one of the unique activities you will enjoy while photographing and observing the gorillas. After gorilla trekking, come back to the lodge and relax. Should you have the energy in the afternoon, you will go for a village walk and see more about how Ugandans live!. Overnight at Gorilla Resort/Buhoma Community Bandas (FB)

Day 4 Return back to Kampala

After an early morning breakfast depart to Kampala stopping at the Equator for a photographic opportunity as well as an informative talk arriving in the afternoon with either a drop off at the airport or at your hotel of residence for an overnight stay.