10 Days In the Pearl of Africa

From a safari on the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park in the “Pearl of Africa” to an intimate family meetings with our distant cousins in Kibale Forest. Wind back the clock of human evolution in Bwindi Forest to look deep in the mirror and magically see a 10 million year version of yourself staring back. You’ll end your 10 day itinerary in the Rift Valley Escarpment.

  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Price
  • Before You Go

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1

Arrival

Day 2

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Day 3

Second Gorilla trekking

Day 4

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth via Isasha sector

Day 5

Game drive and Kazinga Channel

Day 6

Transfer to Kibale National Park and bigodi wetland walk

Day 7

Chimpanzee trekking

Day 8

Transfer to Semuliki Reserve

Day 9

Hot spring and Batwa community

Day 10

Departure

Day 1

Arrival

Upon arrival, you will be met by a Luxury Africa representative at Entebbe airport and then assist with check in for your onward scenic flight to the Kihihi airstrip. Touch down you will be transferred to your permanent tented campsite in the heart of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, enjoy a leisurely evening at Gorilla Forest Camp Sanctuary.

Dinner
Day 2

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Today, trek through the park’s dense vegetation; Vehicles have never penetrated this forest. Trekking through dense forest with steep slopes means that visitors do need to be physically fit however gorilla trekking groups are assigned on fitness levels, so you can request a shorter or longer hike dependent on your preferences. In a group of 8, you will set off in the jungle and your guides use their experience, knowledge of the gorillas’ habits and information from the previous day to locate them. Once you have found the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend an hour with them. Keep your camera in silence and observe a 10 meters’ distance from the gorillas and keep your mask on at all times. It worth the slight physical discomforts, though, for the reward of a face-to-face encounter with one of the most endangered animals on the planet. Observe their subtle social interactions and remarkable behaviors closely resembling our own. After such a surreal experience , you will be driven back to the lodge for relaxation.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 3

Second Gorilla trekking

Psychologists say that experiencing an activity more than once is more memorable than a single event. With packed lunch, set off from the same trailhead this morning, but walk towards a different habituated gorilla troop. Remember each gorilla group has different behaviors so expect something unique from this group, from the number and makeup of individuals to their behavior and social structure.  After the thrilling experience, you’ll be driven back a relaxing evening at the lodge or an evening community walk.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 4

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth via Isasha sector

For the next few days, you’ll have almost 2,000km2 of pristine national park at your fingertips and barely anyone to interrupt your view. The park has a variety of wildlife species such as elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, lions, and many others. After breakfast, you will travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park passing through the Ishasha sector which is home to tree climbing lions. When you arrive, have lunch at the lodge and go for a late afternoon game drive where you will be able to see the above animals and many more together with birds. Have dinner and an Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 5

Game drive and Kazinga Channel

Wake up early, drive across the savanna and watch how it changes color with the rising sun. The morning game drive safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park are full of praises, elephants come out of silhouette, antelopes gather in staggering numbers, and huge lumbering hippos charge towards the water. You will have more interesting sightings such as leopards, warthogs, lions and buffaloes. After this adventurous game drive, you will return to your lodge for relaxation. After lunch, you will go cruise down the Kazinga Channel alongside one of Africa’s densest concentrations of hippo. The hippos are not the only icon found along the water as this channel is the park’s lifeblood, the permanent source of goodness that all animals must stay close to. You’ll see large herds of Ugandan kob taking a drink, Nile crocodiles sunbathe on the banks while elephants disappear beneath the water, poking their trunks up like snorkels. Later, have a relaxing evening at the lodge.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 6

Transfer to Kibale National Park and bigodi wetland walk

After breakfast, you will drive to Kibale National Park, check-in at the lodge and later after lunch go for a walk in the visit Bigodi Wetland sanctuary were you will view more primates like the blue monkeys, baboons, otters, Bush bucks, mongoose, bush pigs and many more. After the community walk head to the lodge for overnight stay.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 7

Chimpanzee trekking

The most famous inhabitants of Kibale National Park, undoubtedly, are the chimpanzees, with over 1,500 protected within its borders. After breakfast at your lodge, transfer to Kanyanchu Tourist Center for a briefing on Chimpanzee tracking. With guides, set out to Uganda’s Kibale natural jungle, today as you spend a number of hours tracking these impressive creatures. You will be allowed to spend one hour with our mesmerizing relatives, as you observe them swing from one tree to another, feed, play about or progress speedily on the ground right in front of you. After trekking, drive back to the lodge.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 8

Transfer to Semuliki Reserve

Drive to Semliki and head to Bundibugyo and enjoy this spectacular drive with views of Lake Albert and the legendary Mountain Rwenzori ranges. On an afternoon game drive, you will explore the park’s antelopes and primates. In the night you will have a spot-lit game drive; you will search for leopards, the apex predator who loves to hunt for monkey troops. You will also see the thin white-tailed mongoose, very small nightjars plus several cats. Just follow the sounds, because the canopy dwellers make raucous noises to warn the rest. Spend the night at Aramanga Lodge located on an escarpment overlooking the Great Rift Valley, which is considered one of the most spectacular regions on the African continent.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 9

Hot spring and Batwa community

After breakfast, you will go for an hour-long trail to the outer, “male” spring leads through a patch of forest where red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys are common. A tree house en-route provides an aerial view. Hike through palm forest from the main road to the inner, “female” spring, dominated by a boiling geyser. From here, you will proceed to visit the Batwa community. The Batwa’s hunter-gatherer lifestyle means they have always been dependent on Semuliki forest for food, shelter, medicine and tools, though this is beginning to change as a result of interaction with other local communities. Tourism offers an alternative source of income for the Batwa, and gives them the opportunity to maintain and display their rich cultural history through music and dance performances at Ntandi.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 10

Departure

After breakfast, relax at hotel. Later you will you will fly to Kajjansi Airfield and drive to Entebbe Airport for your international flight.

Breakfast

Prices are in USD, per person, based on double occupancy

USD 22,984
per person based on two people

Tour Includes

Two gorilla permits of $800 each
AMREF Flying Doctor Insurance: A Flying doctor Insurance to Air transfers you before dark from the nearest airstrip to hospital during Emergency
4X4 Custom built – Toyota Land cruiser: Pop-up Roof, Opening Sliding windows, Seat Belts, Heavy duty wheels, and Extra Fuel tanks. Refrigerator for cooling drinks, one pair of binoculars per couple, Eco-friendly Trash Bag. Wi-Fi onboard during the safari, Charging Outlets type Plug G for charging Cameras and smartphones.
Professional English-Speaking Driver guide: A Friendly, Experienced and Passionate Driver Guide expert at a wide variety of skills: Flora and Fauna, the country’s cultural and natural history.
All park entrance fees to include government taxes mentioned in the itinerary
High-end accommodations and all meals ((As specified in the day-by-day section)
Soft drinks, Coffee/tea and Water during game drives
A bottle of champagne
Daily valet laundry service.
Complimentary return airport transfers in case you desire after the trip
VIP Lounge access at the airport
Local Flights mentioned in the itinerary
Expert trip planning
24x7 support during your trip
Covid-19 whilst on the safari

Tour Excludes

Covid-19 Test upon arrival at the airport
Tips for Guides, Rangers and hotel staff
Other personal expenses like souvenirs, alcoholic drinks and cigars
All kinds of hard drinks
Activities not included in the program
Medical Insurance
Travel Insurance

Getting there

All international flights only have safe landing at Entebbe International Airport which is the only international airport in the country. Direct flights are available from London by British Airways, Brussels by Brussels Airlines, Istanbul by Turkish Airlines, and Amsterdam by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. There are direct flights from Doha by Qatar Airways, Dubai by Emirates Airlines. Inter-Africa airlines include; Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, Egypt Air, Air Tanzania, Air Uganda, Kenya Airways, Rwandair Express, Fly 540, and Precision Airlines.

Passport and Visas

To enter Uganda, a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry is required by all nationalities.  All persons intending to come to Uganda for holiday, tourism, business, study, visit, medical are required to apply and obtain a visa online. https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/apply.  You can also apply for an East African Tourist Visa. This is valid for 90 days and allows multiple entry into Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Please be aware that E-Visas are valid for 90 days after issuance. Therefore, do not apply for your E-Visa too far in advance.

NOTE: Applicants are required to upload a copy of their International Certificate of YELLOW FEVER Vaccination when applying for their Uganda tourist visa. If

Vaccinations

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/231/uganda , each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad.

A yellow fever vaccination is currently required of ALL travellers in order to enter Uganda. The vaccine must be administered at least 10 days prior to your arrival, and you must carry an International Certificate of Vaccination provided by your physician; without it, you may be denied entry.

COVID-19 requirement

All travelers entering Uganda via Entebbe International Airport must provide printed, documented proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding their flight to Uganda. Any person failing to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result will not be allowed to enter the country. • All travelers must take an additional COVID-19 RT-PCR on arrival. The testing is performed at a facility near Entebbe International Airport and guests must wait (approximately 2-4 hours) for their result. If the result is negative, guests may continue with their scheduled journey.

Note: COVID rules and regulations are subject to change from time to time. Get in touch with us for accurate new rules before travel.

Climate

It is sunny and green all year round with two distinct rainy seasons stretching from March to May and September to November. However, rain can occur at any time. The temperature average is 27C with the highest being 31C in the Karamoja and Kasese regions and the lowest being 15C in Kabale.

Money

American Express, Discover Cards and Mastercard’s are rarely accepted, except in few places. Visa Cards are readily accepted. Some large hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and shops in the urban areas accept credit cards. Traveler’s cheques are not widely accepted outside Kampala.

Time zone:  GMT +3:00

Electricity:  Uganda operates on a 240V supply voltage and 50Hz. the associated plug type is G, which is the plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern.

Telephone:  International telephone code +256

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