11 Day Itinerary - Uganda Only
Western Guide supported by local assistants

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe, Uganda.  You will be met by your Program Leader and transferred to the Lake Victoria Hotel. Relax at the hotel, or, if time permits, visit the famous Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

Day 2: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.  This morning we will take a boat ride to the new Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria. The sanctuary was created by the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre and The Jane Goodall Institute, among others, to offer a home to 26 orphaned chimpanzees in a natural environment – the chimps are free to roam the 100 acre tropical forest island. The chimpanzee tracking is a highlight of this trip and a wonderful opportunity to view these otherwise elusive animals, while helping to fund their rehabilitation. Overnight at the Lake Victoria Hotel.

Days 3 & 4: Kibale Forest.  We drive to Kibale Forest and at the forest entrance, we will meet our local guides.  We then enter the park in search of chimpanzees, red colobus, black-and-white colobus, red tails, gray-cheeked mangabey and other primate species. We will also enjoy a “swamp walk” offering excellent primate viewing at close range. Overnight at Ndali Lodge Camp.

Day 5: Kibale / Queen Elizabeth National Park.  After another forest walk this morning, we will drive about 3 hours to Queen Elizabeth Park and settle into Jacana Lodge. The lodge is located in Maramagambo Forest within the park on the shores of Lake Nyamasingiri. Each luxurious chalet features a balcony overlooking the lake, which is home to troops of colobus monkeys. The central dining area and bar, also overlooking the lake, offers gourmet cuisine amidst the exciting forest sounds. Or you may enjoy dinner on a floating pontoon. The lodge’s luxurious amenities include a pool and sauna.

Days 6 & 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park.  This morning we will enjoy a launch trip on the Kazinga Channel, which is home to countless hippos, as well as baboons and birdlife. Afterwards, we will explore Queen Elizabeth National Park, which covers 2,000 sq km and spreads along the eastern shore of Lake Edward. We may observe lion, leopard, herds of Uganda kob, bushbuck, waterbuck, reed buck, oribi, buffalo, hippo and herds of elephant. The Ruwenzori Peaks provide a magnificent backdrop to the  antelope speckled plains. The park has the largest concentration of hippos in the world and we will see many of them as well as other wildlife. If we’re lucky, we may also catch sight of one of the resident elephant herds. Overnight Jacana Lodge.

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park / Bwindi.  Today we will take a walk through Maramgambo Forest. While here, we will visit bat caves that can be observed from above, seeing thousands of bats and often a python or monitor lizard catching the bats. In the afternoon, we will drive to Bwindi National Park and our base at Buhoma. It is from here that we will make our treks to the mountain gorillas. Overnight Gorilla Forest camp.

Days 9 & 10: Gorilla Tracking and Observation.  We wake early today in preparation for one of the most exciting days of our lives. After an early morning briefing from our guides, we set out on our adventure. The trail through the tropical rainforest is both challenging and exciting, and we will travel deep into dense jungle, alluded to by early explorers as “the Impenetrable Forest." Our goal is to reach the gorillas by midday, at which time these massive vegetarians rest from their morning foraging, allowing their food to digest as the youngsters play. 

We will travel to the group's last known position, where the guide will seek signs of gorillas: broken and torn vegetation indicative of a night nest, stripped bark and chewed leaves where the gorillas have been feeding, and even gorilla dung. Our pulse quickens as we climb over vines and dense foliage and approach the group, our guides signaling for silence and then proclaiming our peacefulness to the gorillas with amiable grunts. During our stay with the gorillas we may see a range of ages: young ones playing in the trees, mothers carrying babies, and the mighty silverback, the leader of the group. 

The terrain and length of the treks vary according to the movements of these great primates. The thrill of meeting these animals face-to-face in their own habitat is one that you will remember for the rest of your life!

Day 11: Entebbe / Home.  We will take our charter flight to Entebbe. We will have our farewell meal upon arrival there and transfer to the airport for your departing flight.

Group Size: Maximum is 11

2 Gorilla permits are included on this itinerary 



                                                                                                Other Gorilla Options

2008 Dates: Jul 27 - Aug 6, Sep 20 - 30

2009 Dates: Jan 23 - Feb 2, Feb 3 - 13*, Feb 23 - Mar 5*, Jun 27 - Jul 7, Jul 27 - Aug 6, Sep 20 - 30

Plus other possible dates as a private gorilla safari.

Price indication per person 2008: 

2-4 people in the group - GBP3973 / USD7945
5-8 people in the group - GBP3753 / USD7545

NB.  Prices for 2009 may be amended

Single Supplement: GBP398 / USD795

The US Dollar is the base currency and payment in any other currency may involve an adjustment for exchange rate fluctuations.  You can book as an individual, but we need a minimum of 2 for the safari to proceed at these prices.  The final price you pay will depend upon the ultimate size of the group at the time we invoice for the balance. Please note there are very limited numbers allowed into the area, so book early.

Deposit: USD1000 non-refundable, once confirmed.



What is Included
Accommodations, all meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 11, land transportation, permits, services of a professional expedition leader and local guides. 2 Gorilla permits (guaranteed availability).

What is Not Included
Travel to Entebbe from your home, optional services of porters on gorilla & chimp treks (approximately $3 per trek), alcoholic beverages, gratuities, and required medical evacuation insurance.

Extension to Murchison Falls


Physical Requirements
The strenuous (sometimes very strenuous) trek to the gorillas usually takes between two and three hours, but could be as short as fifteen minutes or as long as eight hours. We travel at a pace to accommodate the slowest hiker. You are not required to participate in all activities and are welcome to forego any portion of the program. You should be aware that if there is a need to return to base camp due to fatigue, minor illness or any other reason the remainder of the group, including the Program Leader may continue on the trek. The returning traveller will be escorted by a local guide to base camp.

Getting There & Getting Home
Arrive in Entebbe by 11:30am on Day 1 if you would like to visit the famous Entebbe Botanical Gardens. Otherwise, we ask that you arrive in time for dinner at 19.00. We encourage travellers to arrive a day or more early to rest from their plane trip. You are free to depart Entebbe after 17.00 on Day 11.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk  As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.