Uganda Explorer Safari
This safari is primarily about visiting and tracking the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. The gorilla experience is followed by a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale Forest.
Overview
Entebbe * Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Gorillas) * Queen Elizabeth National Park * Kyambura (Chimps) * Kibale Forest
This Uganda Explorer safari (from Entebbe ) is primarily about visiting and tracking the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda and the chimpanzees in Kyambura. There is the opportunity to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as well as taking forest walks. You spend two days here so you have the choice to buy a second gorilla permit if you want.
The gorilla experience is followed by a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Then you head onto Kyambura and Kibale Forest where you have two opportunities to track the chimpanzees.
The tour is suitable for fairly fit people as it involves walking in rugged conditions. It operates with a minimum of 2 people and maximum of 6 people in specially customized 4 x 4 safari vehicles. The safari is based on staying in good lodges and luxury tented camps.
Uganda Explorer Safari at a Glance
- 1 nights Entebbe at The Boma or similar, Bed & Breakfast
- Flight to Bwindi, 2 nights Buhoma Lodge, Full Board
- Time to do 1 or 2 Gorilla treks (additional permit fee below)
- Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for 2 nights, Ishasha Wilderness Camp Full Board & Game Activities
- Continue to Kyambura area. 2 nights Elephant Plains
- Time for chimp tracking (additional permit fee below)
- Drive to Kibale area for 2 nights Primates Lodge or similar, Full Board & Game Activities
- Bigodi swamp visit and optional chimp tracking,
- Return to Entebbe by road (with option to fly back at a supplement).
Virtually all meals, a scheduled domestic flight, guiding and transport, set safari activities and park fees are included in our price.
Scheduled Departures
The Uganda Explorer has approx one scheduled departure per month throughout the year. The main reason for picking one of these dates is that there will be gorilla tracking permits reserved for guests on these dates. This will matter even more if you would like to track the gorillas on two consecutive days. With so few permits being issued each day, you can imagine this could be a real challenge, otherwise.
However, the same itinerary may be able to be taken on a private basis on any departure date. The private safari price declines as the numbers increase so it will be a lot more expensive for 2 people, but similar to a scheduled tour for 4-5 people (and a little less for 6 people). But we will only confirm the trip price once we have obtained gorilla tracking permits. (On the private safari version the game drives and vehicle will be exclusive use. But activities such as primate tracking and boat cruises will be shared with other guests.)
Important Note on Families - Given the focus on gorilla tracking, there is a strict age restriction. So scheduled departures are only suitable for families with near adults of 16 years and above.
Gorilla Permit: Please note that the Gorilla permit is NOT included at this stage. However we will arrange it & include it in your final invoice, along with any extra activities you may wish to do (see below).
Extra Activities:
- Gorilla permit of $800 per person and $895 for a 2nd permit
- Kyambura chimpanzee walk at $50 per person
- Kibale chimpanzee trekking at $250 OR Chimpanzee habituation programme at $300 per person
- Forest walk at $75 per person
- Batwa Pygmies Community Visit at $100 per person
