Lodge Safari in Uganda

THE GORILLA & CHIMPANZEE EXPRESS
5 nights & 6 days discovering uganda's best

safari cost  ·  best season  ·  activities  ·  map of safari

A six-day safari from Entebbe, visiting the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, and Lake Mburo National park. Top quality local hotels and lodges are used throughout, and transport is by customised vehicle. All meals on safari are provided, bed & breakfast only in Entebbe on the first night. Included is also a half-day boat trip to Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria where orphaned chimpanzees have been relocated and viewing is excellent.

This itinerary may be altered slightly depending on gorilla permits and flight bookings.

DAY 1: ENTEBBE TO LAKE VICTORIA
Arrive Entebbe International Airport, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Lake Victoria Hotel, Entebbe. Bed and Breakfast only included.

Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel
This is an old colonial-style hotel with lovely views over Lake Victoria. It has good facilities including a formal dining area with an outside terrace, 2 bars, breakfast room and pool with it’s own bar and restaurant area. The meals include European style food, an Indian and Chinese menu. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxing. The rooms are in a quadrant around a central garden with some facing the lake. All rooms are en suite, have air conditioning and satellite television. A complementary shuttle service operates to and from the airport for all flights – about 8 minutes drive away, although our guests receive a meet and greet as part of their safari itinerary by a Safari Co. representative.

Depending on your arrival time, a half-day trip to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Reserve on Lake Victoria has been arranged for this afternoon. Ngamba is where orphaned chimpanzees have been relocated under the management of a group of dedicated conservationists including the Jane Goodall Institute.

Ngamba Island is part of the Koome group of islands located on Lake Victoria 23km south of Entebbe, Uganda. It 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 35 orphaned chimpanzees, 15 of which have been confiscated and brought to the island since it’s opening. Ngamba Island is a project of the Chimpanzees Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT), established in 1997 by the Born Free Foundation (UK), International Fund for Animal Welfare (USA), the Jane Goodall Institute (Germany and Uganda), The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Trust (UWECT) and the Zoological Board of New South Wales (Australia) and it provides these 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.

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 in to Kampala and visit the craft and curio markets there, the Kasubi Tombs and Museum. In Entebbe there is the Wildlife Education Centre, and you can see close up the large slow-moving Shoebill Stork, or you can try your hand at golf on the local 9-hole course.

If you have a couple of spare days (either before or after your safari), we would recommend one of the following activities: for those who are really energetic, by prior arrangement it is possible to go to Jinja for the day and do some whitewater rafting or even a bungi jump!

DAY 2: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST OR PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS
We strongly recommend you FLY from Entebbe to Bwindi or Kisoro today, it’s just under two hours by air and is most scenic. Alternatively, we will depart after an early breakfast to to the west of Uganda, along mountain roads to either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda gorilla sanctuary – depending on where permits are held. Overnight in en suite chalet/lodge accommodation, all meals included. It will be a fairly long day in the vehicle, passing some interesting scenery, farmland and lush green hillsides. Lunch en route.

Buhoma Lodge or similar (Bwindi or Rwanda)
One of the original camps at Bwindi which has been upgraded over the years. Very conveniently situated opposite the park entrance with views over the forest canopy. Currently they have individual cottages with their own private veranda, a bedroom and bathroom area and some rooms with shared bathroom facilities. Lighting is by solar in all he rooms. Meals are taken in a central dining area where a fireplace provides warmth in the cool evenings. Peter the current manager provides excellent service levels to all clients.
Rooms: 6 x en suite double cottages, 2 x twin, 1 x single shared bathroom rooms.

Or, in Rwanda – we normally use :Mountain Gorilla’s Nest
This newly opened quality lodge is located close to the Parc National des Volcans. It is nestled under a grove of trees, with all the rooms surrounding a large courtyard. There are comfortable nicely appointed rooms with en-suite chalets with modern bathrooms and hot water. It has a spacious restaurant with large bar and reception area and friendly service. On a clear day the views across to the volcanoes and surrounding hills are spectacular.

DAY 3: BUHOMA LODGE OR SIMILAR
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, only approximately 650 remaining.

You will get within metres of the family, and be privileged to spend time amongst them. Returning to the camp for a late lunch, we have an opportunity for forest walks with the guides, or just to relax. Overnight lodge or camp.

The trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to six hours or longer is not uncommon – at relatively high altitude. Please refer to our information sheet.

Mountain Gorillas are wild animals, as such sightings cannot be guaranteed, however the success rate is well over 90%.

DAY 4: BUHOMA LODGE OR SIMILAR
Today, those who have opted for two gorilla treks, will set off once again into the forest in search of one of the gorilla families. Those persons not trekking will be able to go on a forest walk in Bwindi looking for birds and primates with a local knowledgeable guide. This has been included in your tour.

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 etc. Please discuss your options with your guide. Overnight Bwindi / Rwanda all meals included.

For those safaris that track gorillas in Rwanda, the spare day will be taken up with a local excursion in the region. For those preferring, we can book a tour to visit Dian Fossey’s grave, or tracking the Golden Monkeys – both of which are quite strenuous activities and attract an additional cost of USD75 & USD50 respectively.

DAY 5: LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
The road to Kabale takes you into the Uganda Highlands - the Switzerland of Africa - with great views and vistas of this lush green area. From here we continue, 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.

Lake Mburo Tented camp
Situated high up on a hillside off the main route to the park headquarters is this tented camp with views stretching far and wide. Each tent caters for two persons and has it’s own bathroom area with hot showers provided, eco friendly toilet systems and a private dressing area. A central area provides dining and bar facilities. Meals are generally of a high standard with several courses for most.
Rooms: 9 x en suite double tents

LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Lake Mburo, 260square km 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 has topi, eland, kilpspringer, zebra, buffalo, oribi, sitatunga, leopard, an excellent variety of water and acacia savannah bird species, like crested crane, marabou stork and bronze-tailed starling.

DAY 6: ENTEBBE
Return to Entebbe, stopping en route to shop for curios and at the Royal Drum makers at Mpigi if desired. You will be back in Entebbe mid afternoon, in time for an early evening flight out, or if you would like us to book an additional night accommodation either in Lake Victoria Hotel, or Kampala hotel.

Alternatively go to Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary for an overnight – in our exclusive tented camp, located on the island just four large tents with en-suite facilities on teak decks overlooking the lake. Whilst on the island, you may be able to go on a chimpanzee walk (by prior arrangement only) in the forest with the young orphaned chimps. Or you may fish, or simply relax and interact with the staff on the island (care-givers) and researchers who look after the orphaned chimps. You can help support this project by visiting. The entrance and activity fees paid goes directly towards helping cover the recurring costs of the island sanctuary and ensuring the well being of the chimpanzees.

END OF SERVICES

Costs:
Please contact us for up to date rates

Price includes:
Accommodation as stated, all meals per itinerary, transfers, services of driver/guide, all park entry fees, forest walk in Bwindi and game drives in Lake Mburo.

Price excludes:
Flights, airport and departure taxes, visas, insurance, drinks, tips, all items of a personal nature, comprehensive travel insurance. Gorilla permit USD360 (Bwindi or Mgahinga) or USD 375 (Rwanda) per trek per person, payable in advance. Nature walk in Mburo optional extra.

Activities:
Gorilla tracking
Forest trekking
Game drives
Nature walks
Visit to Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Bird watching

Best season:

Map of safari route:

Extend your stay: Tanzania

Cost of extension:
Contact us for a detailed quote for a Tanzania Safari.

Combining the Gorilla and Chimpanzee Express Safari with other areas in east Africa, such as the fascinating Tanzania or Zanzibar, offers a diverse and memorable experience.

Term and conditions: Please read our terms and conditions for more information on how to book, travel insurance, cancellation fees, baggage and other important subjects.

Book this safari: click here >>>

Back to Uganda Lodge Safari Page