Classical Uganda

    start
  08-Mar
  12-Apr
  17-May
  07-Jun
  29-Jun
  14-Jul
  19-Jul
  10-Aug
  16-Aug
  13-Sep
  21-Sep
  11-Oct
  15-Nov
  27-Dec

finish

17-Mar
21-Apr
28-May
16-Jun
08-Jul
23-Jul
28-Jul
19-Aug
25-Aug
22-Sep
30-Sep
20-Oct
24-Nov
05-Jan

Includes

• meet and greet service
• return airport transfers from / to Entebbe airport
• accommodation in top quality hotels / lodges
• all meals on safari
• services of driver / guide
• all park entry fees
• excursion to Ngamba Chimpanzee Island Sanctuary by boat
• forest walk in Bwindi or Rwanda
• game drives in Lake Mburo and either a guided walk or boating excursion,
• game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and cruise on Kazinga Channel

Day 1: On arrival in Entebbe, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe. Afternoon boat excursion across Lake Victoria to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary .Overnight at Lake Victoria Hotel, or similar, on a bed and breakfast basis.
Entebbe is a small town located on the edge of Lake Victoria. Depending on your time of arrival, you may like to spend some time exploring the town on foot, or you can take a taxi to Kampala and visit the craft and curio markets, or the Kasubi Tombs and Museum there.

Day 2: After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National Park, approximately 5 hours from Entebbe. Enjoy an afternoon game drive, a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, or a walk with a local guide. Overnight at Mantana Lake Mburo Tented Camp, or similar, on a full board basis.
Lake Mburo National Park, which is 260 square kilometres in size, was gazetted in 1982 as Uganda's fourth national park. It is composed primarily of grassland, wetland and acacia woodland habitats. At the centre of the park lies Lake Mburo which, together with 14 other lakes in the area, forms part of an extensive wetland system. The park is home to topi, eland, klipspringer, zebra, buffalo, oribi, sitatunga and leopard as well as an excellent variety of water and acacia savannah bird species like crested crane, marabou stork and bronze-tailed starling.

Day 3: Depart after breakfast and drive to the west of Uganda, along mountain roads, to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Lunch will be en-route. This journey takes you through the mountainous areas of southern Uganda, often referred to as the Little Switzerland of Africa, with great views and vistas of this lush green area. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge, or similar, on a full board basis.
Please note: Overnight may take place in Rwanda depending on gorilla permits
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in south-western Uganda, covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro and Kabale Districts. This is the richest forest in Uganda in terms of the number of plant species as the area is one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa where lowland and montane communities merge. The valley bottoms contain a dense ground cover of herbs, vines and shrubs, with only a few trees - hence its name "the Impenetrable Forest". This is also one of the richest faunal communities in East Africa where about one half of the world's population of the endangered Mountain Gorillas live. The forest is also home to several endangered species of birds.

Day 4: You will be escorted to the National Parks headquarters after breakfast to meet your guides for the day for your gorilla trekking experience. An early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers, will bring you amongst a family of Mountain Gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare, with only approximately 650 remaining. You will get within metres of the family, and be privileged to spend time with them.
Overnight at Buhoma Lodge, or similar, on a full board basis.
Please note: Trekking and overnight may take place in Rwanda.
The trekking may be fairly strenuous - up to six hours or longer is not uncommon - at relatively high altitudes. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals and, as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed. The success rate however is well over 90%.

Day 5: Today, for those who have opted for a second Gorilla Trek, set off once again into the forest in search of one of the gorilla families. Those not trekking will be able to go on a forest walk in Bwindi looking for birds and primates with a local, knowledgeable guide, go on a local community village walk, or indulge in some curio shopping. After lunch at the camp, head in a northerly direction to the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park, approximately 3 hours drive from Bwindi. Overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp, or similar, in Queen Elizabeth National Park on a full board basis.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is spread over an area of 1,978 square kilometres in the western arm of the Great East Rift Valley. It is home to a variety of wildlife including elephant, lion, hippo, buffalo, Uganda Kob, baboon and birds, all typical of riverine and savannah habitats. In the southern part of the park is the Ishasha area with tree-climbing lions and the Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda. The northern part of the park is traversed by the equator and is dominated by the scenery of crater lakes with lots of flamingos on some of them. A game viewing boat cruise from Mweya along the Kazinga channel, which joins Lake Edward and Lake George, provides one of the most memorable experiences of the park.

Day 6: Drive through to the Mweya region of Queen Elizabeth National Park and enjoy a game drive and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge, or similar, on a full board basis.

Day 7: Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge, or similar, on a full board basis.

Day 8: Early morning, head to Kibale Forest. Enjoy an afternoon forest walk. Overnight at Primate Lodge, or similar, on a full board basis.
Kibale Forest is one of Uganda's enchanted forested parks. Here you can hike in the park for hours observing the drama of life in a rain forest. The park contains pristine lowland tropical rain forest, montane forest, and mixed tropical deciduous forest. In addition to forest, you will also notice areas of grassland and swamp. The forest is rich in wildlife. It is most noted for its primate population. Some of these are red-tailed monkey, diademed monkey, olive baboon, chimpanzee, black and white colobus, and red colobus. Some of the other mammals you might see are bushbuck, Harvey's red duiker, blue duiker, bush pig and African Civet. More difficult to spot are buffalo, waterbuck, hippo, warthog and giant forest hog. The birdlife in the forest and grassland is abundant. There are almost 300 species which have been identified here.

Day 9: Today you have the opportunity for chimpanzee tracking. Alternatively, spend the day relaxing and exploring the area on foot. Overnight in a tented camp or lodge on a full board basis.

Day 10: Return to Entebbe, via the equator and Kampala, stopping en-route to shop for curios. Additional accommodation can be arranged on request. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary recommended for an optional overnight. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK A FLIGHT OUT BEFORE 20H00 THIS EVENING !!

 What our clients say about

  'escape to africa'

" the guidance and patience from escape to africa was wonderful. Nothing was too much trouble to them. And the trip really was the 'trip of a lifetime'.
Will never forget when this beautiful gorilla sat down 3 feet away from us, totally at ease in our presence. Thanks for everything". Sarah and Dave, California,USA

"We first noticed the Gorillas were above us in the trees when leaves and twigs started to rain down on us. The big silver back then descended, a huge branch bending under his weight and lowering him to the ground like a crane. He then urinated in our general direction and plonked himself down on a bush, awaiting some grooming from his adoring females. An unbelievable experience."
Neil, Escape to Africa

"Travelling alone can sometimes be a daunting experience, but Neil and Gwen put together a tailor made itinerary for me that took in all the things I really wanted to do and see and so much more. A chance email to Escape to Africa, whilst considering my travel options resulted in me embarking on a trip that was to prove to be one of the best months of my life and a major life changing experience. The guys ensured I would be traveling with people of 'like-minds' and has left me with wonderful memories of my time in Africa and many new friends from around the globe! " Dawn Cozens, Irl.