- Gorilla Trekking, Uganda

Day 1
5 night / 6 day Scheduled Gorilla and Chimpanzee Express package starting and ending in Entebbe including meet and greet service, airport transfers from / to Entebbe airport, accommodation in top quality hotels / lodges, meals on safari, services of driver / guide, all park entry fees, activities as per itinerary, and an excursion to Ngamba Chimpanzee Island by boat.
Excluding visas, drinks, tips, personal travel insurance, and all items of a personal nature.
Gorilla permits are not included in this service, but will be shown separately and charged in the final package cost.

The Gorilla and Chimpanzee Express is a six day safari from Entebbe, visiting the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda. Time permits for either one or two treks - if trekking once, the other day will be available for a forest walk or cultural / village visit. A combination of good quality lodges, hotels and tented camps are used throughout and transport is by customised 4x4 vehicle.

Day 1: On arrival in Entebbe, you will be met at the airport by a Wild Frontiers representative and transferred your hotel in Entebbe. Travel this afternoon from Entebbe pier by boat, across Lake Victoria to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and view a chimpanzee feeding session close-up from the visitor's platform area. Listen to a talk by sanctuary staff, view a neighbouring fishing village, enjoy some fantastic bird-watching and other wildlife encounters, with the option to swim on the equator, or just sunbathe and relax before returning to Entebbe. Overnight at Lake Victoria Hotel, or similar, on a bed and breakfast basis.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary excursion could go at the end of the itinerary.

Spacious and elegant, the Lake Victoria Hotel nestles in well-manicured, palm-studded gardens. Step over the threshold of Lake Victoria Hotel into an oasis of tranquility in classic colonial style. Each room is equipped with air-conditioning, and the veranda or terrace overlooks the tropical gardens and calm beauty of Lake Victoria. Service with a smile is the established hallmark of Lake Victoria Hotel. The staff take pleasure in making you feel like an honoured guest from the moment you arrive and consider it their privilege to serve you well during your stay.

Entebbe is a small town located on the edge of Lake Victoria. Depending on your time of arrival, you may like to spend some time exploring the town on foot, or you can take a taxi to Kampala and visit the craft and curio markets, or the Kasubi Tombs and Museum there. In Entebbe there is the Wildlife Education Centre where you can see close-up the large slow-moving Shoebill Stork, or you can try your hand at golf on the local 9-hole golf course.

Ngamba Island is a project of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT), established in 1997 by the Born Free Foundation (UK), International Fund for Animal Welfare (USA), the Jane Goodall Instituted (Germany and Uganda), the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Trust (UWECT) and the Zoological Board of New South Wales (Australia) and it provides orphaned chimpanzees with a secure home to live out their lives, since a return to their natural habitat is not possible, while educating visitors and local communities about their remarkable species and the importance of conserving their fragile forest habitat. Ngamba Island consists of approximately 100 acres, 98 of which are forested and separated from the visitors area by an electric fence. Ngamba Island was officially opened to visitors in October 1999 and is currently home to 40 orphaned chimpanzees.

Day 2: After breakfast, drive to the west of Uganda, along mountain roads, to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - where your gorilla tracking permits are held. Lunch will be en-route. Alternatively, you can fly to Bwindi on a private charter (additional cost applicable). For those flying, an afternoon forest walk or cultural visit may be undertaken. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge, or similar, on a full board basis.
Please note: Overnight may take place in Parc National de Volcans in Rwanda.

Buhoma Lodge, one of only two located inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, is on the edge of the forest offering spectacular views of the forest, and is only a short walk to the starting point for gorilla tracking. Its peaceful location means you may truly relax after your tracking experience while you listen to the birds and primates in the forest. Each cottage has its own private veranda and is self-contained with a shower, flush toilet and basin. There is a cosy central lounge area for you to unwind around the evening fire, and meals are served in a separate dining room.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in south-western Uganda, covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro and Kabale Districts. This is the richest forest in Uganda in terms of the number of plant species as the area is one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa where lowland and montane communities merge. The valley bottoms contain a dense ground cover of herbs, vines and shrubs, with only a few trees - hence its name "the Impenetrable Forest". This is also one of the richest faunal communities in East Africa where about one half of the world's population of the endangered Mountain Gorillas live. The forest is also home to several endangered species of birds.

Day 3: You will be escorted to the National Parks Headquarters after breakfast to meet your guides for the day for your gorilla trekking experience. An early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers, will bring you amongst a family of Mountain Gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare, with only approximately 650 remaining. You will get within metres of the family, and be privileged to spend time with them. Time permitting, return to camp for a late lunch with the opportunity for a forest walk with the guides, or just to relax. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge, or similar, on a full board basis.
Please note: Trekking and overnight may take place in Parc National de Volcans in Rwanda.

The trekking may be fairly strenuous - up to six hours or longer is not uncommon - at relatively high altitudes. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals and, as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed. The success rate however is well over 90%.

Day 4: Today, for those who have opted for a second Gorilla Trek, set off once again into the forest in search of one of the gorilla families. Those not trekking will be able to go on a forest walk in Bwindi looking for birds and primates with a local, knowledgeable guide, or go on a local community village walk. Relax for the afternoon at your camp, or possibly go and do some curio shopping along the road, or visit a local village where you may be treated to some dancing. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge, or similar, on a full board basis.
Please note: Overnight may take place in Parc National de Volcans in Rwanda.

Day 5: The road to Kabale takes you into the Uganda Highlands - the Switzerland of Africa - with great views and vistas of this lush green area. Continue from here, heading towards Kampala on good tarmac roads to Lake Mburo National Park. This small park offers a great variety of game, including zebra, leopard, various antelope and hippo - as well as prolific birdlife. Here you may go on a walk with a local guide or on game drives exploring this park. Overnight at Mantana Lake Mburo Tented Camp, or similar, on a full board basis.

Mantana Lake Mburo Tented Camp is a classic tented camp in the grand safari tradition, providing the only luxury accommodation inside the Lake Mburo National Park. It is set in a commanding hilltop position overlooking Lake Mburo and its surrounding eco-system. Each of the guest tents are set on wooden platforms with veranda, twin bedroom, dressing room and en-suite bush shower and toilet. Solar power electric lighting is fitted in each tent. The dining and bar facilities are also set on raised wooden platforms that provide stunning views of Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo Tented Camp provides first class service and comfort in a truly tranquil and natural setting, in the classic African safari tradition.

Lake Mburo National Park, which is 260 square kilometres in size, was gazetted in 1982 as Uganda's fourth national park. It is composed primarily of grassland, wetland and acacia woodland habitats. At the centre of the park lies Lake Mburo which, together with 14 other lakes in the area, forms part of an extensive wetland system. The park is home to topi, eland, klipspringer, zebra, buffalo, oribi, sitatunga, and leopard as well as an excellent variety of water and acacia savannah bird species like crested crane, marabou stork and bronze-tailed starling.

Day 6: Return to Entebbe, arriving late afternoon. Enjoy some curio shopping en-route. Additional accommodation may be booked on request. Ngamba Island is recommended for an overnight stay post safari. DO NOT BOOK FLIGHT OUT BEFORE 20H00 THIS EVENING!