Primates in Uganda – 12 Days

Day 2

After breakfast, we will depart towards Fort Portal, where we will stay prior to our chimpanzee trek tomorrow.

Ndali Lodge is perched 100m directly above a serene (although sometimes stormy) crater lake called Nyinambuga, about 30 minutes drive from Kibale National Park. The Lodge has 8 individual cottages set on the hillside: each cottage consists of an airy bedroom, en-suite facilities and private verandah. At night the dinning room is festooned with candles – the Lodge has no electricity or generators to destroy the tranquility and atmosphere. The sitting room, reception and dinning room open out on to the lake – which means there are usually cool breezes blowing into these rooms. Dinner is either served from a set menu or buffet.

The Mountains of the moon hotel is a new hotel, sitting on 15acres of hilly, green and leafy landscaped gardens. you can see the dramatic backdrop of the Rwenzori mountains in the distance.

Overnight at Ndali Lodge (FB)

Or

Mountains of the moon (FB)

Day 3 and 4

This morning after breakfast we will depart for Kibale National Park.

This incredibly diverse forest in Western Uganda is home to over 13 species of primates including chimpanzee, red colobus monkey, the rare L’Hoest, blue monkey, grey mangabey, pottos, black faced vervet monkeys, baboons and also bushbabies.  A network of shady forest trails provides much to delight botanists and butterfly lovers, while birders are in for a treat with 335 species recorded including the endemic Prirogrine’s ground thrush. The elusive forest elephant, smaller and hairier that its savannah counterpart, moves seasonally into the developed part of the park, while other terrestrial mammals include buffalo, giant forest hog and a half dozen antelope species.

We need to report to the ranger station in Kibale National Park at 8.00am to track habituated chimps – these delightful apes, more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, are tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees. A network of shady forest paths in light terrain provides much joy to nature lovers and especially botanists and birders are in for a special treat. The elusive forest elephant, a smaller version of his large savannah cousin, moves seasonally into the developed part of the park while other terrestrial mammals include buffalo, giant forest hog and half a dozen of antelope species.

NOTE:

Please listen to the instructions of the local rangers at all times. It is forbidden to approach the chimpanzees closer than 5 meters, to feed them or to use flash photography. You are allowed exactly one hour with the chimpanzees before returning to the base station.

After the trek we will have lunch before continuing to the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. A guided 4,5 km circular trail through this small sanctuary is a must for birders. The path might be muddy so again, it is advisable to wear hiking boots.

Some of the birds you might spot are the great blue touraco, papyrus gonalek, barbets, woodpeckers, blue-throated rollers, grey parrot, bronze sunbirds, grey-backed black finch, swamp flycatcher….. and so the list goes on. Needless to say that birders will definitely enjoy it but you might also encounter one of the five primate species of the area.

After the walk we will depart to Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve and the Semliki Safari Lodge this drive will take approximately three hours.

Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve, the oldest protected area in Uganda and home to a staggering array of flora and fauna.  The Reserve is situated in the basin of the Western Rift Valley. It is one of the most diverse habitats in Africa with wonderful examples of Riparian forest, gallery rain forest, borassus palm forest, and short and high grass savannas. Chimps exist next to elephant, lion and buffalo as well as the usual Western Uganda species.

Nestled on the crest of the beautiful Wasa River Valley is the small and luxurious Semliki Safari Lodge. The eight rooms are tented with large four-poster beds, Persian carpets and en-suite bathrooms.  At night through the canvas you can hear the animals moving, the lions roaring and often the leopards harsh sawing as it hunts baboons. We have a lovely swimming pool area, ideal for relaxing, while still feeling as though you are truly in the heart of Africa. The food prepared by our chefs could best be described as ‘fusion food’, and we endeavor to use as much local, fresh produce as possible.

Overnight at Semliki lodge 2 nights (FB)

There are a number of activities on offer at Semliki Safari Lodge – our motto is ‘that you can do as much or as little as you want’.

An early morning rise, tea in your tent and a good breakfast before you depart on A Boat Trip on Lake Albert to try and see the incredible and rare shoebill, visually a cross between a dodo and a dinosaur. The lake is superb: there are sand cliffs where brightly coloured colonies of red-throated bee-eaters dart in an out of their burrows, there are several fishing villages along the way, virtually untouched by the ‘western world’. Then drive back to the Lodge through the borassus palm forest and the acacia savannah reveals different species of raptors and passerines.

A spot light night game drive will give you the chance to see fantastic nocturnal species.  This is the only place in Uganda where you can do a night drive! You never know what you may see.  Sometimes the big cats (lions and leopards) are sighted as well as the diminutive genet and serval cats. Unusual nocturnal dwellers also show themselves such as forest elephants, white tailed mongoose and slender mongoose, standard and pennant winged nightjars depending on the time of year. There are always surprises on the night drives.

An early morning rise, tea in your tent, and then you will go down into the beautiful gallery rainforest to track wild chimpanzees.  Chimps are tracked by researchers in Semliki at dawn and dusk, as they tend to disappear in the middle of the day. The Semliki Chimp Project is jointly run by The Uganda Safari Chapter and the University of Indiana. The project was initiated to study bipedalism and the rare geography of Semliki makes ideal to study this important stage in man’s development. There are also a number of bird species which are found in this picturesque forest. The time of this walk is hard to predict – please seek information previous to the walk from our lodge managers and the researchers to find out more about the current location of the chimpanzee groups and the likeliness of finding them.

Guests can choose to relax, either by the pool or in the main lodge:

Day 5

Equipped with a packed lunch we head out for Queen Elizabeth National park.

 This National Park covers 1,978 sq km and lies north and south of the equator in southwestern Uganda. From open savannah to rainforest, from dense papyrus swamps and brooding crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward, it is little wonder that Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world. Almost 100 mammal species and a remarkable 606 bird species makes this superb safari territory, with elephant, a profusion of hippos, the elusive giant forest hog and handsome Uganda kob all regularly sighted around the tourist village on the Mweya Peninsula – which also boasts a marvelous waterfront setting in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains. Bird species include the martial eagle, black-rumped buttonquail, Verreaux’s eagle owl and African skimmer to name but a few.

Jacana Lodge is situated close to Lake Nyamusingiri and Kyasanduka. The self-contained log cabins built in an African way stretch from the woods up to the great views of Lake Nyamusingiri and the forest. Set on the edge of a Crater Lake, the delicate use of local rock, gum poles, wood, rope, organic furniture and rich textures blend with forest smells, a crackling fire conjuring a magical atmosphere to remember.
Seven luxury chalet with running showers and flushing toilets, enclosed veranda’s with large panoramic windows waterside bar and a swimming pool.

Or

 Mweya Safari Lodge is a large, first class lodge overlooking the famous Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth National Park.  The Lodge comprises of 49 rooms, all of which have en-suite bathrooms and mosquito nets.  They have a swimming pool sunk into the large deck, looking out over the Kazinga Channel. They have a boutique from which you can purchase clothing, local crafts, basic necessities and souvenirs. The meals are generally served as a buffet.

 Spend the afternoon at the lodge, enjoy the pool which is overlooking the Kazinga Channel and observe animals from the pool deck.

  Overnight at Jacana Lodge (FB)

Or

 Mweya Lodge (FB)

Day 6

This morning we will leave for the 8.00 am forest walk in Kyambura Gorge. You are likely to encounter primate species, sight birds and with a bit of luck find a group of chimpanzees who reside in the gorge. These delightful apes, more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, are tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees. We will return to the lodge for lunch.

 Head back to the lodge for lunch and later in the afternoon embark one of the boats for a boat trip. This will allow you to experience wildlife up close where hippos huff and spray mere feet away, buffalo linger in the shallows and a tremendous variety of birds grace the grasses on the river’s edge. Amongst those you will see are the malachite and pied kingfishers, great white and pink-backed pelicans and the open-billed stork. With some luck you will even spot elephants on the river banks coming for a drink and a bath. We return to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight at Jacana Lodge (FB)

Or

Overnight at Mweya Lodge (FB)

Day 7

 Today we exit the park via the southern sector of the park, known as Ishasha. This remote and beautiful extension of Queen Elizabeth National Park is famed for its tree-climbing lions. It is a fabulous sight to see the lions draped from the trees and nowhere in Africa do you stand a better chance of seeing this than in the large low limbed fig trees of Ishasha. We will have a bush picnic before continuing to Bwindi, home of the mountain gorillas, where we will arrive in the late afternoon.

 This rainforest is said to be 25.000 years old, making it one of Africa’s most biodiverse habitat. The altitude of this mountain park ranges from 1200 – 2600 meters. Five rivers and a high annual rainfall make it rather humid. Besides its mayor attraction, the mountain gorillas (gorilla gorilla berengeri) the National Park is also home to an amazing 120 mammal species, 350 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies and over 200 species of trees.

It is believed that about 350 gorillas remain in several stable groups in the park. The great protection over the last years has lead to a steady increase of the population.

Up early for breakfast and then we will depart for a morning game drive. We will take a bush picnic with us and stop before continuing to Bwindi, home of the mountain gorillas, where we will arrive in the late afternoon.

This rainforest is said to be 25.000 years old, making it one of Africa’s most biodiverse habitat. The altitude of this mountain park ranges from 1200 – 2600 meters. Five rivers and a high annual rainfall make it rather humid. Besides its mayor attraction, the mountain gorillas (gorilla gorilla berengeri) the National Park is also home to an amazing 120 mammal species, 350 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies and over 200 species of trees.

It is believed that about 350 gorillas remain in several stable groups in the park. The great protection over the last years has lead to a steady increase of the population.

Although best know for its mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest also attracts spectacular birds.  There are 23 of the 24 Albertine rift endemics including the African green broadbill, bar tailed trogan and other beautiful forest species.

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge high up on Nteko Ridge, on the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the views are breathtaking, In the shadow of three volcanoes, looking down into the thick treetop canopy of Bwindi and beyond to the golden grasses of the Western Rift Valley.

Ten Stone cottages with fireplaces, soft armchairs, warm duvets, excellent meals made from local produce, good wine, a lush botanical garden, a cosy library and sheltered verandas with views to the volcanoes.

Clouds, with the ultimate goal of protecting the natural habitat of the mountain gorilla, will also directly benefit the community of Nkuringo who also have a significant stake in the venture.

Guests will be able to walk from the lodge to the Gorilla tracking starting point.

Overnight Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (FB) 3nights

Day 8

Up relatively early for a hearty breakfast to give you the energy needed for your gorilla trek. Before 8 am report to the ranger station for registration and a talk by one of the rangers; the guides will then take you through the bush pushing your way through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track the gorillas. The trek can take from half an hour to 7 hours – a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes.

Once you are close to the group the guides will ask you to leave behind your bags as no food items should be carried close to the gorillas. Just take your cameras with you as you are about to meet the gentle giants! Sit in the forest amongst the gorillas, listening to them grumble to each other and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male; the silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas – sadly enough there are only about 650 of these beautiful creatures left. You are allowed exactly one hour with the gorillas before returning to the base station.

Please note:

Observe our recommendations for appropriate clothing which you will find in the information on the National Parks.

You must obey the instructions of the local rangers at all times. It is forbidden to approach the gorillas closer than 5 meters, to feed them or to use flash photography. Likewise for your and their safety! You will be accompanied by armed guards which guarantee your safety in an area where wild buffaloes are sighted. While walking, please feel free to ask guides to slow down if they are going too fast and if you need a rest. There is the additional option to hire porters on site.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority does not allow a trekking when you are sick as gorillas are very susceptible of human diseases. Should you feel sick the day of the trek we urgently advise you to abide this rule. In order to receive a 75% refund of the permit cost you MUST get a doctor’s report that day (please ask your guide to arrange this for you).

We must also stress that, while you have a very good chance of seeing gorillas, success is NOT guaranteed. They are wild creatures with no fixed routine and finding them requires the skills and experience of your tracker sand guides, as well as luck. The trackers and guides have helped to habituate the gorilla groups and know them intimately. They will take you to the area where they left the gorillas the day before. Before leaving they may be able to suggest how long the hike might be.

Day 9

 Another amazing chance to track the gorillas!

 should you want to do another forest walk in the afternoon, please speak to your guide about the various options.

Day 10

 After breakfast your safari guide will transfer you to the airstrip in Kisoro for your flight to Kajjansi, and then from there your safari guide will drive you to Kampala and your accommodation

Overnight at Emin Pasha Hotel (BB)

Day11

After breakfast you will return back to Entebbe. Your Chapter guide will transfer you in due time to the Entebbe International Airport for your outbound flight. Please note that check-in for international flights should be done 2 hours prior to departure of the flight. In the departure hall (after check-in) you will find a small restaurant, a sitting area and several duty-free shops for your convenience.

Please contact the travel agency to get more information.

The Uganda Safari Chapter