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Gorilla in
Bwindi Forest Uganda
BWINDI,
QUEEN
ELIZABETH
AND
LAKE MBURO
PARK
This
safari starts and ends in Entebbe. [The
gorilla permit in Bwindi is included in
the safari cost.]
The
tour takes you to see wildlife and birds
in Queen Elizabeth National Park - elephant,
lion, buffalo, hippo, leopard. Antelopes
and birds are everywhere! Look out for the
rare shoebill stork! Track chimpanzees
in the nearby Kyambura Gorge. Visit
Ishasha - an area with the highest concentration
of wildlife in the park. With luck, you
may see a particular attraction of this
area - the famous tree-climbing lions, which
lounge nonchalantly in the upper branches
of high trees! The magnificent Queen
Elizabeth National Park, in the western
arm of the Great East African Rift Valley,
is centred around Lake Edward and Lake George.
The two lakes are linked by the Kazinga
channel, a waterway rich in wildlife and
birds. The Rwenzori Mountains act as a majestic
backdrop to the park’s variety of habitats
- tropical forest, green meadows, savannah,
crater lakes and swamps. Continue further
West to track one of the three habituated
gorilla families in the dense, impenetrable
forest of Bwindi, also rich in other primates,
birds and butterflies. Return via Lake Mburo
Park in Mbarara for unusual wildlife. This
overnight stop is also necessary to break
the long journey from Bwindi.
ITINERARY
DAY
1
Arrive at Entebbe International
airport. Meet, greet and transfer to Imperial
Resort Beach Hotel for overnight (BB)
DAY
2
Drive on the southbound road; past
captivating attractions en route: look at
royal drum makers, brief stop at the Equator
and be in both hemispheres at once, drive
past the roadside markets aerated with fruit
and vegetables. Continue to the Queen Elizabeth
National Park, arriving very late in the
afternoon, keeping an eye out for the game.
[Approximate driving time: 6 hours]
O/N: Mweya Safari Lodge/Jacana Lodge (FB)
DAY
3
Visit Kyambura gorge to track
chimpanzees, man’s closest relation. A boat
cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a rewarding
experience. Evening game drive. O/N: Mweya
Safari Lodge/Jacana Lodge (FB)
DAY
4
Today we go for an early morning
game drive. Afterwards, start for Bwindi
Impenetrable Forest. We may drive via Ishasha,
weather conditions permitting – where you
may see tree-climbing lion - or drive through
farmland to Buhoma. Time permitting; go
for a guided nature walk in the forest to
help you acclimatise. [Approximate driving
time: 4 hours] O/N: Bwindi Tented Camp or
Buhoma Homestead (FB)
DAY
5
Go gorilla tracking (subject to
availability of gorilla permits at time
of booking), carrying a packed lunch. You
will be accompanied by a guide and porters
who will carry your shoulder pack for you.
You will then set off to the thick forest
in search of gorillas. The terrain can be
difficult, with steep slopes covered in
dense vegetation that gives the park its
name. In addition, the altitude of 5200
feet and more means participants do need
to be physically fit. The time taken to
track the gorillas varies enormously, from
as little as half an hour to as much as
8 hours before one returns to camp. Difficulty,
however, is not impossibility and coming
face to face with the great primates is
well worth it! O/N: Bwindi Tented Camp or
Buhoma Homestead (FB)
DAY
6
Start for Mbarara, enjoying natural
and other arresting attractions en route.
Excursion to Lake Mburo National Park for
some unusual game. [Approximate driving
time: 6 hours] O/N: Mburo Tented Camp (FB)
DAY
7
Drive to Kampala. Arrive in the
City early afternoon and transfer to Entebbe
airport for your flight (HB). [Approximate
driving time: 4 hours]
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