Quintessential Uganda

Today board your light aircraft flight bound for Murchison Falls National Park. As you come in to land take in the view of the mighty Nile River that flows through the heart of the park. Transfer to the Nile Safari Lodge for a two-night stay.

Stretching from the shores of Lake Albert, Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest National Park. The Nile River flows through the middle of the park creating the impressive Murchison Falls which is the park’s major attraction. The landscape features dense rainforest, undulating savannah and a diversity of abundant wildlife with prime game-viewing along the Buligi Circuit. The forests are home to numerous primates, including Chimpanzees, and near the river, buffalo, elephants and Rothschild-Giraffes can be seen. Other commonly spotted wildlife include: lions, antelope, waterbucks, hippos and crocodiles.

Murchison Falls is the largest National Park in Uganda covering an area of 3840 km2. The River Nile divides the park into the north and south sectors and forms the falls where it flows over the western rift valley escarpment. Here, the river is forced through a 6-metre gap in the rocks and cascades into a boiling pot 30 meters below. There are a wide array of activities available in the area including game drives or a boat cruise up-stream to the falls which provides an unforgettable experience. The park is home to a myriad of species including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion, hippo, crocodile and a wide variety of birds.

This morning you will be transferred from the Lodge to Bugungu Airstrip where you will board your light aircraft for the flight to Kasese Airstrip – the gateway to the Kibale Forest National Park.   On arrival you will be transferred to Kibale Lodge for a two-night stay.

Kibale Forest National Park, situated in Western Uganda, is famous for its high density of primates, breathtaking crater lakes, and thick, beautiful jungle. Thirteen primate species inhabit the beautiful tropical forest, including red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest's monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red colobus, and black and white colobus monkeys. There are over 300 bird species and 250 butterfly species, and buffalo, forest elephants, leopards, bushbucks, and sitatungas also live in the park but are generally shy. The area is decorated by around 50 enthralling crater lakes and numerous pristine hiking trails. Several cultural tours are on offer which delve into the rich traditions of the Batoro people, giving travellers a chance to see Batoro dancing, singing and traditional healing up close.

Today set off into the forest for your chimpanzee tracking experience. Chimpanzees are active creatures and can often be on the move or high up in the trees so be prepared with good footwear and a good pair of binoculars. Watching the chimp family you cannot fail to see how similar they are to ourselves as they interact with each other.

Set out for Queen Elizabeth National Park today with your driver/guide. Marvel as the landscape changes from rolling green hills flattening out into the savannah plains that the park is so famous for. Accommodation for two nights at Kyambura Gorge Lodge.

Surrounded by other wonderful parks in the western region of Uganda, the Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its rich biodiversity, wildlife and history. In the southern part of the park, the remote Ishaha sector is home to tree-climbing lions who spend long lazy days dozing in the pretty fig trees. The Uganda Kob, a type of antelope, are watched carefully by the tree lions while grazing the plains. Around Lake Edward, you can discover more game watching - make sure to look out for chimpanzees, elephants, crocodiles, and perennial and migratory bird species.

Today you will be transferred to Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Climb aboard your Landcruiser and head up into the mountains. The track can be slippery and bumpy depending on the weather conditions, but your driver/guide handles it with expert care. Pass through farmlands and small villages located on the steep hillsides and take in the wonderous beauty of this unique area.

Located in southwestern Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is said to be Africa’s oldest rainforest. It is world-renowned for its excellent gorilla-sighting opportunities - the forest is home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas on earth. This gorilla experience takes place among a rugged landscape of dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys, and steep ridges. The untouched forest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecological significance, and aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are other drawcards such as a network of forest walks, over 340 species of bird to spot, and a variety of brightly coloured butterflies to identify. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes, three of which are still active.

Today should prove to be both challenging and exciting. Set out early this morning to begin your trek through the park’s dense vegetation, travelling up and down its steep slopes in search of groups of endangered mountain gorillas.

The mountain gorillas in Bwindi have undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually brought them to tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day and allowed a few privileged visitors to interact with them in the wild. Once the gorillas are located, you are permitted to observe them for a maximum of an hour. See mothers keeping infants close as they knucklewalk on three limbs. Toddlers scamper around and get reined in by an attentive father, whose job is to protect his family. When you encounter a mountain gorilla in the wild, there is no mistaking the bond that exists between primate and man - they share 97.7% of our DNA - and no escaping the poignant reminder that these creatures lie on the brink of extinction. However, your presence on a gorilla trek funds conservation efforts that contribute to the gorillas’ continued survival in the wild.

Today you have the option to explore Bwindi Forest on another gorilla tracking experience (at an additional cost). Or explore the village of Buhoma on the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, visit several initiatives set up by AK Philanthropy and see what an impact it has made on the lives of the people living there.

Optional Activity: Community Walk
Bwindi is surrounded on the Buhoma side by the Bakiga community and the Batwa people community. The walk takes about two hours and begins with a stroll through a small tea farming project. Here you can stop to meet the tea pickers and perhaps even learn how to pluck tea leaves along the way. Then visit a local beer brewery and see how they mash bananas to make a fermented brew which is mixed and distilled to make banana beer - a popular local drink in the area. From here walk a short distance to the local hospital which Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp supports through various projects. Learn about how it started and the work they do for the community. Continue your walk to a nearby village and visit a traditional medicine man. The knowledge of using herbs for healing has been passed on from generation to generation and he will show you some of the herbs that grow in the forest and talk about how they are used. Later, relax and enjoy a performance by the Batwa community before returning to the camp.

This morning you will be transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Entebbe International Airport.

• Meet and assist upon arrival at each airport
• Transfers with English-speaking driver/guide
• 10-nghts' accommodation in Deluxe Class (Silver category) properties
• Meals and drinks as indicated in itinerary
• One chimpanzee track, game drives, one gorilla track and a community walk in Bwindi
• Internal shared flights: Bugungu Airstrip to Kasese Airport; Gorilla Foreset Camp to Entebbe International Airport. Baggage allowance of 15kg in soft bags inclusive of hand luggage and camera equipment
• Park fees
• 24/7 service and full local backup in Uganda
• Africa Travel Notes - issued by Innovative Travel

• International flights
• Meals and drinks not specified in itinerary
• Premium drinks including champagnes, cognacs, fine wines, premium brand spirits, cigars
• Tours/excursions not specified
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Visas (clients are responsible for obtaining their own visa where appropriate and should check entry requirements)
• Departure taxes
• All items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, curio shop purchases
• Travel and Medical Insurance
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above