Your ultimate game safari adventure starts in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is home to a wide variety of African animals and over 600 bird species. You will take a boat safari on the fertile Kazinga channel. If you are lucky you might witness the lion preying over the Uganda Kob (similar to antelope) and you may even spot the elusive leopard. If you are a bird lover, get ready to be amazed by the different species including African Skimmers, Great white pelicans, Spoonbill and other magnificent creatures. Your next leg will be in Bwindi’s impenetrable Forest. Look our for the tree climbing lions in this region and the fascinating Gorillas. Rangers will help you track Gorillas and study their behaviour. An unclose encounter with the Gorillas will definitely be one of your most cherished experiences.

Day 01: Arrival 

On your arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by your driver/ Safaris guide who will greet you and transfer you to your guesthouse, taking between 15 minutes to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Overnight at The Boma. (B)

Day 02: Depart for Elizabeth National Park 

This morning we will departfor Fort Portal andexplore the area around the base of the Rwenzori Mountains with an (optional) visit to the world-famous Ruwenzori Mountain Sculpture Foun dation. From  here,  your  driver  will take you  via  Kasese  towards  Queen  Elizabeth  Nation al  Park,  set  on  the  floor  of the Rift  Valley,  with  the (occasionally  visible  peaks  of  the)  Rwenzori  Mountains  behind  you.  The  landscape  of northern  Queen Elizabeth  comprises  dozens  of  ancient  craters  carved  into  gentle  rolling  hills.  The  Kazinga Channel lies in central Queen Elizabeth, its banks fertile with large mammals such as hippo, elephant and buffalo and over 600 bird species, more than any other national park in Uganda.

Overnightat Katara Lodge (B,D)

Day 03: Boat Safari on the Kazinga Channel 

Start your day early with a 6 o clock coffee or tea wake-up call, ready for your early morning game drive. Make sure to ask the hotel staff for a packed breakfast that morning. A popular route for the game drive is the Kasenyi sector, well-known for its lions that prey on Queen Elizabeth’s large population of Uganda Kob (antelope). If you are very lucky, you may spot a Giant Forest Hog, Africa’s largest pig. Keep your eyes peeled to spot an elusive
leopard!

After  your  Safari,  you  will  head  back  to  the  lodge  for  a  few  hours  relaxation  by  the  pool  and  lunch.  In the afternoon, you will take a boat for a water safari on the Kazinga Channel at  Mweya thatconnects the two lakes of  Edward  and  George.  This  is  likely  to  be  a  big  highlight  of  your  trip!  The  expert  Uganda  Wildlife Authority guides  will  identify  many  of  the  Channel’s  100  bird  species  and  you’re  likely  to  see  African Skimmers,  Great White Pelicans, Spoonbill and a number of Bee-eater species. Hippos wallow at the edge of the water, huge Nile crocodiles  bask  in  the  sun  and  elephants  come  down  to  drink.  The  Kazinga  Channel  boat ride  is  a  brilliant opportunity to take some close-up wildlife shots.

Overnightat Katara Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 04: Tree Climbing Lions – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest 

Today we will depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with an ‘en route game drive’ passing through Ishasha, the remote, southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is on the expansive plains of Ishasha that you will be on  the  lookout  for  its  famous  resident:  the  tree  climbing  lion.  A  sighting  is  not  guaranteed  but  you  have a better chance of seeing them here in the large low-limbed fig trees of Ishasha than anywhere else in Africa.

Bwindi  Impenetrable  Forest  National  Park  is  a  UNESCO  Natural  World  Heritage  site  and  one  of  the richest biological and botanical regions in the world. The forest covers an area of 331 km² at the south-western edge of the western Rift Valley. Bwindi’s most-revered species are the approximately 400 wild Mountain Gorillas (2011 census) that make up half of the world population of these gentle apes.  After a few hours in the vehicle, you may enjoy an afternoon walk around the village of Buhoma (your home for two nights) and a chance to visit one of the handicraft shops or to meet the Batwa, the ancient forest-dwelling tribe.

Overnight at Mahogany Springs (B,L,D)

Day 05: Gorilla Tracking 

You  will  be  up  early  on  the  morning  of  your  Gorilla  Tracking  for  a good  breakfast  in  preparation  for  the day physical activity. You will report for registration at the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger station by 8 AM. After a briefing  by  the  rangers,  your  gorilla  trek  will  start.

The  trek  usually  takes between  three  and  six  hours  so  a reasonable degree of fitness is required, as well as a strong pair of walking boots or shoes. The  rangers  will  guide  you  through  the  village  gardens  and  into  the jungle-like  forest.  They  will  escort  you through the sometimes thick bush, occasionally hacking the dense undergrowth with a machete as you search to locate  the  gorillas.  The  mountain  gorillas  are  under  24  hour monitoring  for  their  own  safety,  so  you’re  almost guaranteed to see them. The rangers monitor each gorilla family by keeping in close radio contact.

In part due to gorilla tourism, the population of gorillas is slowly increasing but the species remains critically endangered. Gorillas and humans share almost identical genetic material and their health must not be compromised by coming into contact with human diseases (via our food, for example). To reduce transmission of disease from humans to gorillas, you will also be advised to keep a distance of 7 metres from the gorillas.

Once  you  have  located  the  gorilla  family,  you  will  be  asked  to  leave  all  your  belongings  to  one  side,  and approach  the  gentle  giants,  just  with  your  camera.  The  guides  will  interpret  the  animal’s behaviour  and advise on what you are watching. Females and their young, young males and even a dominant Silverback may be seen: feeding,  playing,  interacting  with  each  other,  or  just  sleeping!  Youwill  never  forget  your  encounter with  the gorillas.  They  will  be  quite  curious  to  see  you!  You  are  allowed  exactly  one  hour  with  the  gorillas before  returning to base.

Overnight at Mahogany Springs (B,L,D)

Day 06: A tryst with the Equator before departure 

After breakfast, we start our journey back towards Entebbe International Airport, stopping for a picnic lunch and a fun photo opportunity at the Equator. A dayroom will be organized for you to shower and change in Entebbe. After  a  farewell  dinner,  your  Around  Africa  Safaris  guide  will  transfer  you  to  Entebbe  International Airport  for your outbound flight.

Please  note  that  check-in  for  international  flights  should  be  done  two  hours  prior  to  flight  departure.  The departures area of the airport has a small restaurant, several duty-free shops and a seating area.

Dayroom at Lake Victoria Serena (B,L,D)

PRICES INCLUDE:  

• Accommodation with Breakfast
• Lunch and Dinner as indicated in Itinerary
• 1 Gorilla Permit per person
• Game Drive and walk
• Safari Vehicle and fuel
• Entrance fees to national parks
• All boat tours
• Mineral water during tour
• English speaking guide
• AMREF emergency evacuation insurance

TERMS AND CONDITIONS  

• Price is valid till October 2017
• Price is per person on sharing basis
• Confirmation of package is subject to Hotel Availability
• All rates & tour itineraries are subject to change without notice
• All activities are subject to change relative to weather conditions
• Prices do not include any additional Airport charges or other charges