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Double Gorilla Trek in Rwanda Uganda

I recently returned from the 7 Day’s Rwanda Uganda double gorilla trek tour arranged by Jackie and guided out by Emma both working with gorilla safaris tours. From the first email to Jackie to the last day with Emma, the experience was experience was excellent and exceeded my expectations and I would definitely recommend this company. Jackie responded promptly, thoroughly and professionally to all of my emails. Emma was an exceptional guide throughout the trip. He was pleasant, knowledgeable, polite, punctual and an excellent driver.

As a woman traveling alone, I never felt unsafe or awkward. He has a keen eye for wildlife including birds large and small and could spot them from incredible distance and recognizes a wide variety of bird calls and knows their identifying features. He went out of his way to find monkeys, birds and other wildlife as well as the best places for photos during our long drives which made the drive itself pleasant. In addition, he knows about Ugandan history and politics which quite interesting.

The trek in Rwanda was difficult for me due to the altitude but the ranger and porters were quite understanding and helpful with plenty of rests and helping hands. The trek in Uganda was at times steeper and muddier than Rwanda but was not as difficult. I would definitely recommend hiring porter or two which is well worth the $15 to $20 per porter which included carrying camera equipment and water and lending hand when needed. The gorillas themselves were beyond description and amazing. In Rwanda the family appeared completely relaxed on the ground and carried on with their business of interacting with each other in the most endearing ways. In Uganda most of the gorillas were in the trees but a few were on the ground and easier to observe. In both cases, some of the gorillas would pass by in close proximity, seemingly undisturbed by our presence.

We also visited Queen Elizabeth National Park famously known for its diverse wildlife species like tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, elephants, and buffaloes, herds of hippos, water bucks, and crocodiles, among others. As this park harbours 600 bird species, we saw many of them on game drives and boat cruise. Basically cruising on the Kazinga is one of the most eye catching activities in the park. The boat cruise is one of the amazing activities to enjoy in this park as we were able to enjoy watching elephants, buffaloes along the banks, crocodiles, hippos, water bucks, birds among others.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda in Kibale Forest National Park was much easier. Kibale National Park is home to 13 primate species and mostly known for chimpanzees. Nothing is amazing as having time with the chimpanzees in their natural home. It is always a thrilling and an unforgettable experience meeting chimps face to face and watching them engage in their daily activities like jumping, feeding, playing, while we were taking amazing photos and videos of them. Most of the chimpanzees were in the trees though a few did come down towards the end, we saw black and white Colobus monkeys, grey checked mangabey, L’Hoest monkeys, beautiful birds, papyrus plants and more.

I also was taken on the swamp tour towards the end of my tour which thought was also enjoyable as we met different people that stay there and also we saw different birds like Great Blue Turaco and more primates like the baboons, otters among others. With visitors are in love with primates, this is must do trip both in Rwanda and Uganda.

Best Places to Go Gorilla Trekking in Africa

Africa is one of the loved continent in the whole world due to its magnificent exhibited and hidden in its country, this loved continent offers the best gorilla trekking safaris and this is done nowhere else other that its three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the DR. Congo. These three countries host a great number of tourists who flock in to have a memorable experience of these wonderful primates in their true natural setting within the forests and mountainous areas.

Rwanda only offers a wonderful trekking experience in her Volcanoes National Park in the Northern Province bordering DR. Congo and the mighty Uganda. Rwanda is recognized as a “Land of a thousand hills” due to her extensive mountains spread all over the country. Despite of the country being a landlocked one, it has got a better and an incredible biodiversity within her Albertine Rift Eco-zone.

Kigali being the capital city of the country, is where the Kigali international airport is found, the country is one of the smallest countries in Africa and therefore there is a shorter distance from the airport to the Volcanoes National Park where the endangered mountain gorillas are tracked, therefore visitors may afford a two days gorilla tracking safari within the country since it’s a 2-hour’s drive from the capital city to the park.

This park is composed of a variety of mammals and birds to be seen in the process of gorilla tracking, tracking within this park starts at 8am after being briefed from the park rangers. Rangers escort every particular group on track and the gorillas permit here is at USD 1500, the park has got around eight Gorilla groups that are tracked including the Susa, Karisimbi Susa A, Sabyinyo, Umubano, Titus and Amahoro and Agashya, Kwitonda plus Hirwa, Bwenge and Ugenda groups providing an opportunity to accommodate a number of trekkers on one day though each group is tracked by 8people per day.

Alternatively, Uganda is best known for her largest number of gorillas, Uganda is also a land locked country and it is also known to be the “Pearl of Africa”. The country is bordered by Rwanda in the southwest, Tanzania in the south, Kenya in the east and DR. Congo to the west with a portion in the south being occupied by the largest African Lake Victoria.

The country is also located in the east African plateau with an equatorial type of climate though being different depending on the altitude, Kampala is the capital city of Uganda and Entebbe International Airport is the country’s main airport.  Gorillas in Uganda are tracked from her two different national parks including Bwindi impenetrable national park, this is located in the southwestern part of the country and it’s covered with Uganda’s biologically diverse rain forest.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park only protects over 324 mountain gorillas and this is considered to be almost half of the word’s left mountain gorillas, gorilla trekking permits are bought at USD 600 and habituation permits at USD 1500 for foreign non-residents. Members of the East African community only pay UGX 250000 for a gorilla trekking permit. Bwindi has got four sectors each with different Gorilla groups and these include the Ruhija, Oruzogo, Habinyanja, Mishaya, Nkuringo, Mubare, Nshongi and the Bitukura gorilla group.

Trekkers are only awarded one hour of gorilla enjoyments whereas those who are on habituation experience enjoy the activity throughout the day in the forest. Visitors may also do gorilla tracking from Mgahinga national park; this is also located in the south western Uganda in the tip corner of the country sharing the part with the Virunga ranges. The park sits on an altitude of about 2227m and 4127m, the park is of great significance due to its extinct volcanoes that are seen in each and every corner of the park and these includes the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhavura mountains.

This is where the Nyakagezi gorilla group is tracked and this is why the park has gained its fame at a larger extent since many visitors cannot leave the pearl of Africa minus having a tour to this park, this is where the first people to live in the forest known as the pygmies “the Batwa” can be traced and therefore, there is nothing much that can be left out while on a tour to Mgahinga National Park.

Besides the two East African countries where mountain gorillas can be tracked, another alternative can be got from a one and only central Africa country that’s DR. Congo. DR. Congo offers amazing gorilla trekking safaris since it has got both the lowland gorillas and the Mountain gorillas. Gorillas in Congo are tracked from the Virunga mountain ranges where the Virunga national park was demarcated; this was before known as Albert national park. In Virunga national park is where the endangered mountain gorillas are tracked at a fee of USD 400 per person.

Tracking from this park starts from Bukima where all trekkers meet their guides for briefing and also starting their journey to the mountain ranges for gorillas. This offers a number of chances to the trekkers also to see some crater lakes around and on top of the mountain. Also, to track are the lowland gorillas seen in the thick forest of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park but prior bookings are required in all the two national parks. All this offers a reason as to why many people from different destinations enjoy visiting Africa for the amazing gorillas.

Enjoy Uganda’s Wildlife Safari in Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is found in northern part of Uganda (Karamoja) and boarders Sudan in the north west plus Kenya in the north east. It is home to 77 mammals and almost 500 bird species.

Kidepo Valley National Park is dry, hot and isolated yet spectacular, magnificent and virgin. The shortest and most favorable route from Kampala to Kidepo Valley National Park is a 571 km journey which starts from Kampala through Gulu, Kitgum and to Kidepo. The park is transverse by large sand Rivers, dry mountain forests, open savanna and hilltops capped by rock kopjes.

To the foreigners to access to Kidepo Valley National Park they have to use the chartered air crafts to Kidepo which can be arranged from Kajjansi, or from Entebbe airport to Lomej airstrip near the park headquarters where by the flight takes two hours. But there is a plan by the civil aviation authority to make Lomej airstrip an international airport in order to enable visitors fly in direct to Kidepo from abroad.

After discovering the long journey from Kampala to Kidepo you will be directed to where you can sleep and there are many lodges near the park where the visitors can stay for the next day which they are to perform the tourism activities. The following day in the morning after cleaning and working on yourself, you will first have breakfast before going in the field, after taking a coffee of tea you will then be given park guiders which will help you in everything you will be needing to know about this park and it is much interesting when you have your own car from 4×4 car hire Uganda that offers 4×4 wheel vehicles.

They will escort you to the Narus valley which is the park’s wildlife congregates where you will view many animals at a close range and these include the zebras which always move in a group and they look very attractive to the visitors due to their good looking colour. you will also have a chance to see the giraffes which also move in a group and look very attractive too, still at Kidepo national park you will have a chance to see very many buffaloes and elephants plus many other animals which you need to go there and see.

Due to the visit of Kidepo national park, you will also have a chance to know more about the Karamojong lifestyles, cultures, dressing styles, dancing and tools used. The Karamojong are traditionally cattle raiders and hunters however through community conservation education, their lifestyle is gradually changing and most of them know the value of conservation of the park compared to the past years whereby they couldn’t even put on clothes but now days at least they have their dressing code.

Leaving alone the Karamojong cultures and whatever, the park has got very many bird species and it is one the national parks in east Africa having many bird species being next to Queen Elizabeth national park, so you will also have a big chance to view many birds in the park and one of the most enjoyable activity in the park is birding which is mostly done in the morning and in the evening.

Therefore, after your tour which requires at least 3 to 4 days to complete due to many attractive objects in the park, you will then have to go back to your homeland mostly using the short routes in order to reach in time but you will have assists from the local people and they will show you great love really.

In conclusion, I would like to encourage you and go to one of the greatest game parks in Uganda and Africa as whole which is Kidepo valley national park because it has very many attractive things as I have briefed them to you above, you will never gain boredom and stress while at Kidepo valley national park.

Gorilla Watching Safaris in Uganda

Exploring Uganda is one of the best experiences one will ever have in the memories, Uganda is known for its uniqueness in being a great tourist destination for gorilla trekking tours compared to any other country around Africa.  Gorilla watching safari can be done from these two national parks of Bwindi impenetrable and the Mgahinga national park and it involves following major trails in thick forests to the hills where these gentle primates spend their time night and day.

Gorilla permits costs USD 600 for trekkers and for habituates it costs USD 1500, the presence of mountain gorillas in Uganda gives a reason as to why too many visitors flock into the country to watch them. Visitors can acquire the permits through Nature Adventure Africa Safaris Limited a reliable tour company in Uganda. Uganda has got half of the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas and currently Uganda has got fifteen gorilla groups that are tracked with the Majority being found in Bwindi impenetrable national park.

All these two gorilla watching destinations are located in south western Uganda and it’s 8 hours drive from Kampala to Bwindi and it’s a 9-10hours drive from Kampala to Kisoro where Mgahinga national park is located. However, one may decide to use travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park by air from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip, Scheduled flights from Entebbe to either Kihihi or Kisoro take about 2 hours to get there.

Gorillas are ideal for watching throughout the year but the ideal time is from June to and December to February. Visitors for mountain gorillas trekking are encouraged to move with Walking gumboots, gloves, rain coats, long sleeved shirts and trousers, skin repellent in case of any infections and a thick trousers. The weather conditions within the parks is unpredictable since Bwindi is a tropical rain forest hence its bound to receive rain fall any time.

Trekkers are required to reach the park headquarters early in the morning for briefing and tracking starts at 8am and visitors are escorted by the park rangers one in front and the other one behind for emergency purposes. For those whose aim is to track and go, one hour is strictly allowed such that you admire, take photos, enjoy the mocks and plays of the juveniles and infant gorillas and also watch the characters of the giant silver back gorilla which is the head of the group.

For those who wish to watch and habituate the gorillas, a full day is given to them to enjoy the beauty of the park while experiencing the gorillas in their groups, visitors with flue and other diseases are not allowed to track these primates since they are too susceptible to human diseases. Gorilla’s shares almost 96% DNA genes with humans and therefore visitors are encouraged to surrender any disease before the day of tracking.

Gorilla watching safari in Uganda can take three to five days depending on what package visitors have opted for from Nature Adventure Africa Safaris Limited. These parks have got different accommodations including lodges from budget, high end and moderate. In Bwindi Safari lodges include Buhoma Lodge, Silver back Lodge, Mahogany Spring and Gorilla Forest Camp while in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Amajambere Iwacu camp at Ntebeko, Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge, Bird Nest and Bunyonyi Overland Resort are the true areas of accommodation.       

Go Gorilla Photo Safaris in Rwanda, Congo & Uganda

This tour is the intimate safari for adventure lovers taking you to Rwanda, Congo and Uganda. Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda one of the oldest forests in Africa. Trekking the Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Congo and climbing the active Nyiragongo volcano and tracking Mountain Gorilla in Virunga National Park in Congo and in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda. This tour is a unique experience to see all the highlights of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.

There are few memorable experiences traveling that can be compared to spending time with Mountain gorillas in their Natural habitat. Following a trek through the untamed jungle of the Virunga Mountains, the first sight of these close cousins is one that is likely to remain with you for the rest of all life. Watching them move about the foliage, juveniles playing under the watchful eye of the females and the giant form of the Silver back, the head of the family, can be emotional and enriching. This short 12 Day Gorilla Safari break has no set departures but can be done as an exciting long weekend or as an extension to another trip when flying to East Africa.

Your driver/guide will be at Kigali Airport to pick you up from your flight. Depending on your arrival time you may be able to do a city tour in Kigali with a visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial site, visit some of Kigali’s craft markets to browse amongst the pottery, carvings, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather and fabrics on offer. All activities and purchases today are at your own cost.

Early in the morning we shall meet a Nature Adventure Africa Safaris tour leader who speaks good English and will be with you during your entire tour. Rwanda, Congo and Uganda. We shall set off towards the famous Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. This national park is also the largest tropical afro Montane rain forest east or central Africa and a rain forest it is and receives over 2000mm of rain each year and its Rwanda’s largest water catchment area and its home to 2/3rd of all Rwanda’s water.  The forest also feeds both the river Congo and the River Nile with water.

The forest is abundant with flora and fauna including 13 primate species from Colobus monkeys, mangabey, and blue monkeys and, of course, our cousins the chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest is also a famous location for birders. With about 310 recorded bird species, 26 of which are endemic, this is one of the most important – and still little known – bird-watching destinations in Africa. In the evening, we shall settle into our room at Top View Hill Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

After a very early morning start, you will proceed to the chimpanzee tracking trail in Uwinka section at Nyungwe park headquarters. Chimpanzee tracking starts in the morning and its best to carry a day pack where you have a couple of litres of water, have long trousers, the long sleeved shirt, rain jacket, the hiking boots and the hat. There will also be a maximum of over 8 people in your group that sets out to track the chimpanzees. These chimps at Nyungwe forest have been and are being habituated which means that they are used to human beings. This exciting up-close encounter with human’s closest relative you will not soon forget.

In the afternoon you are going for a special activity to track down the Rwenzori Black Colobus and other rare monkey species that live in Nyungwe forest National Park. It is also one of the few places worldwide where you’ll see L’Hoest’s monkeys.  Another rare animal you might also run into is the owl-faced monkey, an Albertine Rift endemic that inhabits Nyungwe southern forests.

The next day we drive to Bukavu in DR Congo After a relaxed breakfast. This scenic route passes over the rolling hills of Rwanda and the shores of Lake Kivu until you reach the city of Bukavu. You Congolese driver will pick you from the border and take you to your accommodation for the night. Your English speaking tour leader will accompany you the entire trip. In the afternoon you have time to explore Bukavu with its old colonial architecture and impressive cathedral in the city centre. You can also just enjoy the lake view from your veranda.

While at Bukavu you will stay in Orchids Safari club. An hour from Bukavu, along Lake Kivu, you can discover Kahuzi Biega National Park. This park is one of the last nature reserves to home gorillas. You can approach these giants within a few metres, an unforgettable experience. Kahuzi Biega National Park is home to an exceptional diversity of fauna and flora. Situated at an altitude of between 2,100 and 2,400 m, one of the last populations of gorillas can be found here, of which you can, within a few metres, observe and watch them evolve in their own environment. A mind-blowing, extraordinary, unique experience.

Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike Tours in Congo

It is hard to say which is the best experience in Congo, to stand on a volcano’s peak at night and watch a lava lake boiling away in a crater far below like a fiery vision of Hades, or to stand yards from a mountain gorilla in lush forest and sense the almost human intelligence behind its eyes, an unmistakable feeling of distant kinship, as you size each other up. This is fun filled adventure safari that combines two of the unique offers of Congo’s Virunga National Park.

While on your safari holiday in Uganda, D.R.C Congo and Rwanda budget gorilla trekking gives you an opportunity to visit mountain gorillas that few tourists visit in Africa. You will start your adventure in Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on the border of Uganda and Rwanda. Virunga is Africa’s oldest national park and is also the continent’s most biologically diverse protected area.

The park’s 7800 km includes forests, Savannah, lava plains, swamps, erosion valleys, active volcanoes and the glaciated peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. This relatively undiscovered gem is home to about a quarter of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas. Trekking through this vast and beautiful forest to meet the gorillas or climb one of the many volcanoes will suit all of those with an unquenchable thirst for the next chapter in their African adventure.

Following your breakfast on day 1 at your place of stay in Kigali, you will be picked up by our safari guide to embark on the transfer to Gisenyi one of the largest of all Lake Kivu towns. The place offers beautiful opportunity for boat cruise with scenic views of islands and far sights of the Nyiragongo volcano. Settle for lunch and after cross the Congo border to Goma in the province of North Kivu. It takes about three hours to reach the D.R.C border near Goma, from Kigali. You can stay at your desired accommodation: Mikeno Lodge is for luxury, Bukima Tented Camp mid-range, Kibumba Tented Camp Budget, Lulimbi Tented Camp mid-range.

Once here you will have some time to relax at the lodge and prepare for the next 2 days of trekking. Mikeno Lodge is a luxurious lodge tucked into a forested hillside at Virunga National Park Headquarters. You can do as little or as much as you like here. Ideally the lodge will be your starting point for gorilla, volcano and chimp adventures with your private guide. However, if you or some members of the group wish to purely chill out, Mikeno Lodge is the perfect place to have a relaxing time-out from life in a peaceful location. A stay here is an exceptional experience for all travelers among the wildlife and beauty of Virunga National Park.

On arrival you will have time to relax and prepare for the day of trekking ahead whilst enjoying the stunning views from the camp. Bukima tented camp is one of the main starting points for Virunga mountain gorilla treks. The camp was originally built for researchers, but is now used primarily by trekkers. Overnight guests at Bukima sleep in platform tents, but by camping standards they are quite plush. Each tent is equipped with a nicely appointed bed and dresser for clothes. The views from the tent sites and communal areas are spectacular.

Rise for early morning breakfast, with your packed bags and get ready to hike one of the most active Nyiragongo on the continent with the world’s most fluid and largest lava lake. Nyiragongo volcano is located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo rises majestically to an altitude of 3470m overlooking the Virunga National Park and associated Albertine Rift.

Treks to the summit of Nyiragongo volcano begin at the Kibati patrol post, which is 30 minutes by car from Goma and less than a one hour from Mikeno Lodge. You will transfer via road from Bukima tented Camp to Mikeno Lodge. The journey takes approximately 1 hour. Park rangers lead all treks and porters are available for hire. The time required to reach the summit depends on the average fitness of each group, but typically takes 5– 6 hours depending on your fitness and speed of hiking. Dinner and overnight at the Nyiragongo tented camps at summit on top of the volcano enjoy the bubbling and sparkling lava.

After breakfast, descend the volcano and drive back to Goma where you will later transfer to Kigali for an overnight or flight back home.

After an early breakfast, depart for Bukima ranger post for briefing about the gorillas and the park formalities. After the short briefing we transfer to the starting point of your gorilla trekking experience. We embark on a once in a lifetime experience of trekking these critically endangered mountain gorillas. Follow specific tracks into the forest in search of the allocated gorilla family and you may also encounter other animals such as elephants, chimpanzees and other primates like the black and white Colobus monkeys. You will get within a 7 metre of your gorilla family and be privileged to spend an awesome 1 hour with them as you watch and observe their daily way of interaction with each and taking memorable pictures and videos of them.

After the gorilla trekking activity in Virunga, we retire from the park and cross back to Rwanda to catch up with the flight departure back home.

Uganda Reptile Safari Holidays

The first thing that strikes you when you first arrive at Uganda Reptile Village is the green colour everywhere that makes a bold statement. From the green gate, to the reptile enclosures, the flowers that dot the place, even the large donations box to the entrance is painted green; everything resonates of conservation. Uganda Reptiles Village it is a place for endangered reptiles. Their work is to rescue reptiles from danger and to educate the community how to live with reptiles safely.

Uganda Reptile Village located in Entebbe – Uganda’s main entry town, is the best recommendable sites where tourists on Uganda safari tour can pleasantly enjoy the views of various African Reptiles that are protected in the part of Uganda. Uganda Reptile Village whose main aim is to sensitize and educate the local community to protect and conserve different reptile species as well as other important environmental resources like forests as well as swamps and water bodies are playing great role of saving the unique natural resources which are under great threat from human behaviours.

Taking your Uganda safari tours to reptile village in Entebbe will offer you golden opportunity to come close to total of over 50 reptiles with twenty reptile spices which are on direct display in the site. The unique reptile’s species which are on display include the boom slangs, skinks, chameleons, cobras, monitor lizards and tortoises. Your Uganda tours and safaris to the Reptile village will offer you that unique chance to touch and spend time with Africa’s most poisonous snake – Gabon Viper.

Sparing time to take Uganda Safari Tour to the reptile’s village will allow you to explore the two famous basins in the site. The first place you will explore is an open basin which is home to the non-climbing species and the other basin is habitat for four distinctive species of tortoises.

The interesting part of the site is that it caters even for travelers on Uganda safaris and tours with their young children. They will enjoy the thrilling experience of watching these slow but fun animals when they are feeding on their vegetables. As you are walking down slowly under the guidance of an experienced guide, you will reach the current place were the colour changing chameleons are protected. At the extreme edges of the site’s compound, one can enjoy the sights of the swampy areas which are habitat to different reptiles, birds as well as monkeys.

In the swamp area, tourists on safari tour to Uganda’s Reptile Village will enjoy adventurous activities like sport fishing as well as canoe cruising in the man-made river stream which is three kilometres. In addition, one can also undertake wet land walk to explore the areas around the Reptile Village and along the way tourists enjoy sights of different bird species as well as wildlife.

Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Tours Uganda

Planning for your best holiday in Africa? We are the only operator in offering the best safaris in Uganda and other nearby East African Regions and click on our site and you will find fantastic Uganda safari packages that are designed by Eco Tours Rwanda that operates in Uganda and Rwanda. A prime tour destination in Africa. No comprehensive description can explain the natural beauty of Uganda. Meeting the eyes of a mountain gorilla on the bamboo-clumped slopes of the Virungas? Rafting grade five rapids on the Nile? Following a narrow rain forest trail a whirl with a heart-stopping pant-hoot chorusing of chimpanzees? Cruising the Kazinga Channel in the shadow of Ruwenzori is while elephants drink from the nearby shore? Watching a prehistoric shoe bill swoop down on a lungfish in the brooding reed-beds of Mabamba Swamp? The roaring, spraying sensory overload that is standing on the tall rocks above Murchison Falls? Traveling in Uganda can be done any month of the year.

In just 5 days, we are good enough to combine your interests of visiting the Gorillas in Bwindi with the best of Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park. We ensure and exclusive memorable experiences as you discover what the gorillas are, what they feed on and how they adapt to the environment.  The vast game life at Queen Elizabeth is remarkable including the Boat ride along the famous Kazinga channel for a variety of Bird life.

Day 1: Kampala – Bwindi: Our guide/driver picks you at 8:00 am from your hotel or place of residence in Kampala. Drive to Mbarara (283km from Kampala) via Masaka. Make a first stop over at Equator crossing for snacks and photography. Proceed with a visit to Igongo Cultural village this is more rewarding and amazing as you visit the Ankole museum. Lunch break is made at Agip Motel Mbarara. After lunch, drive to Bwindi. This is the lushest highland rain forest on earth, filled with primates and exotic birds, valleys, hilltops and papyrus swamps.  Overnight at your preferred lodge.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Bwindi: Begin the day with breakfast ready for trekking, which begins at 8:00a.m with a briefing from the UWA staff. Ensure to carry along with you rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, jungle boots. The guides will lead you inside the jungle to see the shy Primates for a group you have been booked for. Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare Mountain Gorilla, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. The tracking may take between 2 and 6 hours but it’s well worth the effort. The afternoon is spent on a foot safari birding around the Bamboo for the Handsome Francolin White-starred Robin, Red-throated Alethe, Dusky Crimson wing Grauer’s Warbler and many other birds around the park.  Overnight at your preferred lodge.

Day 3: Bwindi – Queen Elizabeth: After early breakfast head for Ishasha, which is the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, carry out a game drive where you may sight tree-climbing lions. Ishasha is dominated by acacia woodland and scrub land and features the meandering Ishasha River, banked by a riparian forest. After picnic lunch drive all the way to the northern sector of the park. Overnight and dinner at your preferred lodge.

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park: Early morning game drives to see more animals that habit this park, that include predators’ lion, Leopard and other game. Over 500 bird species have been identified here, making it a Mecca for bird-watchers. They include the black bee-eater, 11 different species of kingfisher and several falcons, eagles and other raptors. Queen Elizabeth National is one of the most outstanding treasures of Uganda, and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve for Humanity under UNESCO auspices. It borders on Lake George and Lake Edward as well as Kazinga Channel in the western area of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. After lunch take a 2-hour launch cruise on the Kazinga channel. This waterway joins Lakes Edward and George and it is filled with schools of hippos, buffaloes with elephants at the banks. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing.  The prolific bird life is colourful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species. Overnight and dinner at your preferred lodge.

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth-Kampala/Entebbe: With previous day’s memories, enjoy your breakfast ready for guided primate walk along Kyambura Gorge to look for habituated chimps through the gorge with birding through the gorge as you will be watching a number of beautiful birds. After primate walk, drive back to Kampala using Kasese – Fort Portal road. Enjoy the winding scenery of the foot hills of Mt. Rwenzori arriving in Fort Portal for lunch thereafter continue to Kampala/Entebbe to catch up your evening flight back home.

Affordable Kidepo Wildlife Safaris in Uganda

Kidepo Valley is off the beaten tourist path, on roads less traveled.  It is Kidepo Valley National Park. It has names like what has been called “The Long Lost Eden.”  Named by CNN – Travel – the 3rd best park in all of Africa and for 2016 naming it as a top African Safari destination. There is no other park in Africa such as Kidepo Valley National Park – rugged, remote, and undiscovered, off the tourist path, home to some of the most abundant wildlife in Uganda. Therefore if you are planning for the best Uganda safari tours do not miss to include this park offering the unforgettable undulating landscapes, wildlife and culture.

The park is home to elephant, zebra, giraffe, huge herds of buffalo, warthog, duiker, hartebeest, lion, leopard, cheetah and hundreds of bird species. A game drive around Narus valley offers visitors chance to see the highest concentration of Buffalo, and Elephants. Other animals that may be seen roaming around include: Jackal, Zebra, Roan Antelope, water buck, warthogs, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Eland, Oribi, Cheetah, Leopard, Klipspringer, and Lion etc. The park boosts of being the highest concentration of birds endemic to Uganda like: Ostrich, Kori bustard, vultures, pygmy falcon, horn bills, eagles etc.

One more interesting thing about Kidepo is the cultural experience that will bring into contact with Karamajong peoples at Karenga and Kapedo. Meet the local elders and have an opportunity to interact with them. They will show you the kraals, the grinding stones and many more interesting items. For adventurers, Kidepo is the point where you can visit the IK people who live on top of Mt .Morungole towards the Kenya border via Kawalakol village. A day hike to meet an interact with the IK is amazing and incredible!

This expedition begins from Kampala or town. Departure time from town airport is 4.00 PM and it takes one hour to succeed in the park over flying river Nile, Lake Kyoga, Lake Bisina, and Mt. Elgon, hilltops, small cities and villages. You’ll be transferred to Apoka by a 4 x 4 Truck. Relaxed around as you see animals near the Camp. Dinner and overnight at Apoka Rest Camp.

On the second day, Have an early cup of coffee, take a game drive to Narus valley; a spot which attracts the highest concentration of animals and birds due to the presence of water. Return to camp for breakfast and lunch. After lunch, excursion or a stay among the Karamajong lifestyle is rewarding. Here the guests get a unique, unforgettable experience and understanding of the Nomads lifestyle around Karenga and Kapedo. The elders will show guests the Kraals, grinding stone, local defence fence and cultural dance called ‘Edonga’. Return to the rest Camp for dinner and overnight.

Third day after breakfast, driving back to Kampala:   we will visit the abandoned Katurum Lodge. Built by Idi Amin, this impressive structure is worth a visit for the views alone. A must for birders, look out for Fox Kestrel, Eastern Chanting Goshawk, Grasshopper Buzzard, Montague’s Harrier, Fan Tailed Raven and the very rare Stone Partridge. On this day we have early morning breakfast and drive back to Kampala as mark an end towards our 3 days tour to Kidepo valley national park but this is through the park as we do game drive, giving you chance to see Elephants, Buffaloes and different kinds of antelopes as we make our exit through the Katarum gate making a brief stop at Katarum Kopje a site of the derelict lodge built in the rock but currently under renovation to have a bird eye view of the park, lunch break in Gulu town, and then Kampala marking an end to this trip.

Chimpanzee Habituation in Uganda & Congo

Habituating chimpanzees in Uganda and Congo has become a major activity to most of the tourist both on a safari and those on their research, this is considered to be the greatest and the best experiential tour since visitors are allowed to spend the all day participating in habituation activities than the normal trekking preferred by most of the visitors.

In Uganda chimpanzee habituation experience is done in only Kibale National Park and at Ngamba island where chimpanzees with different name can be found doing exercise in their rooms and around the whole island since it was gazzeted for only chimps with a mission of rescuing them from poachers. Chimp habituation in Uganda costs $220 for the foreign non residents. To experience this experience visit www.tourofuganda.com

In DR.Congo habituation is done in Virunga National parks at a cheapest fee of  $100 and visitors here start from Mikeno lodge  and the groups is restricted to only four people  who are led by rangers well armed for protection and guidance to  Tongo forest where these great amazing apes enjoy their environment in terms of habitant .

Many people lack or get half baked experience due to the limited time they give in while tracking them but with habituation, it’s a all day activity where the visitor helps to make chimpanzees get used to the humans. While in Kibale national park, if one is keen enough and has bright and well stretched eyes can enjoy the wilderness as in the process he/she will get an added advantage of watching elephants, bush pigs and buffaloes crossing.

But before going for habituation, one is advised to carry drinking water, a packed lunch which can be got from the lodge where one slept, some snacks like dried fruit or granola bars. Waterproof hiking boots, a hat, light rain jacket, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, insect repellent and binoculars for a nice experience. It’s mandatory to get up very early in the morning as it dawns; this is done in order to track them quickly since they don’t have permanent residential places therefore they keep on moving within the forest as they search for food on a daily basis.

Nature Adventure Africa Safaris limited arranges all the habituation experiences to all the visitors wishing to enjoy the chimpanzees in Uganda and DR.Congo. one doesn’t only do taking care but even some visitors move away when their cameras are full due to the high chances of taking photos for a full day but on a big note, prior preparations is recommended in all the two countries for better experience. Chimpanzees are so amazing in that they almost joke around after seeing visitors in their territories and for real, chimp habituation is not a one day activity but it can take about two years for the chimps to get used to human beings,