Day 1: Entebbe - Lake Victoria
Arrive at Entebbe Airport where you are met.
Camping option:Transfer to Kisubi Camping site on the shores of Lake Victoria where after settling in, you receive a welcome briefing followed by a BBQ dinner.
Lodge option:Transfer to your hotel in Entebbe.
Depending on your arrival we can accommodate your program.You can choose to spend extra nights at the base camp and some activities can be organized for you such as: Ngamba Island (Chimpanzee sanctuary), Mabamba Wetlands (shoebill), Rafting the Nile, an excursion to the source and rapids of the Nile (Jinja), a visit of Entebbe (botanical gardens, Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC)) or Kampala visit. Ask us for more information!
Overnight at the camp or at the Boma Lodge/Hotel.(D)

Day 2: Kibale Forest National Park or Fort Portal
Camping option:Early wake up in a beautiful environment. The sun rises at 7 a.m. and your breakfast will be served by our staff. Full breakfast will be ready: tea, coffee, fruits, bread, eggs, etc. Your tour leader will brief you, giving you some general guidelines for your safari. Departure is foreseen at 9 a.m. This is a long trip to Western Uganda with a break for a picnic after Mubende. A stop is also foreseen at Fort Portal before heading to Kibale Forest NP. Western Uganda is the region of the famous Mountains of the moon (Rwenzori) with many impressive tea plantations where you have good chances to see the tea pluckers harvesting the crop. After some shopping at Fort Portal we will drive another hour to reach Kibale Forest and we will camp at Bigodi near Kibale Forest NP. Your Tour Leader will brief you about the next day activities with some guidelines for your chimp tracking. (BLD)

Lodge option: After breakfast we drive to Fort Portal via Mubende. This is a long trip to Western Uganda with a break for a picnic after Mubende. Before arrival at Fort Portal participants will have a guided primate forest walk at Sebitoli, located on the Eastern part of Kibale Forest NP. Different primates such as Black & White Colobus Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Red tailed Colobus Monkeys and even the Red Colobus Monkey can be spotted. Overnight at the Mountains of the Moon Hotel in Fort Portal. (BLD)

Day 3: Kibale Forest- Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today, visit Kibale Forest NP reputed to have the greatest variety and the highest concentration of primates in East Africa. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical forest in search of the wild chimpanzees. In the afternoon we travel to the northern sector of Queen Elisabeth National Park and set up camp at Mweya which overlooks the magnificent Kazinga Channel. We have a late afternoon game drive. Meals and overnight at the camp or at Mweya Lodge. (BLD)

Day 4 : Queen Elizabeth NP-Mweya sector
The best time for game-viewing is early in the morning! You will take the channel track which runs parallel with the Kazinga Channel and we drive slowly towards the Katunguru gate. The channel track is particulrly rewarding with warthog, bushbuck, waterbuck and elephants. There are some chances in the morning hours to see the spotted hyena and leopard. We will cross the Mbarara-Kassese-Fort Portal road and drive to Kasenyi an area near to Lake George which is an interesting gameviewing area. The wetlands surrounding the lake are protected by the Ramsar Convention. You visit the Uganda Kob Mating Ground which is a defined area specifically used by Uganda Kobs for challenging, enticing and mating. Adult rams defend a circle territory (30 meters diameter) and depending on the season the mating ground can have 20 and more of this small terrirories each defended by a male. Ewes enter the terrirories for mating and move freely between rams. Watch the spectacular fights as kobs defend their territories, look for lions as well because the high concentration of kobs attracts their predators. After the game drive we also visit the fishing village and the salt works at Kasenyi village near to Lake George. Both sites are part of Queen Elizaberh NP.
We continue our game drive and we take the Kasenyi track when returning to Mweya camp for lunch. In the afternoon you will take the launch trip on the Kazinga Channel which many consider as a highlight of the safari. The launch trip takes 2 hours. The Kazinga Channel is a natural channel of 36 km long between Lake George and Lake Edward. From the safe boat you can see elephants, hippo, nile crocodile and many water birds. After the launch trip we visit Mweya Safari Lodge and enjoy the splendid views of the channel. A drink at the bar lodge is an option before we return to the camp for an African dinner with Congolees and Ugandan dishes. After diner we sit arround the campfire and we identify the nature sounds coming from the channel. You can hear the hippo, hyena and sometimes lions when they visit the peninsula area.Overnight at the camp or at Mweya Lodge.(BLD)

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth NP/ Ishasha sector
After breakfast, a short drive takes us to Kyambura. We hike into the gorge of the Kyambura River for another but different experience with the chimps. It's a rewarding experience not only to see the chimpanzees but also to see the beautiful river valley home of many bird species. After a light meal, we travel along Ishaka to Ishasha, which is the southern region of Queen Elizabeth NP. We explore the banks of the Ishasha river and camp in company of the hippos! Dinner and overnight at the camp or Wilderness Permanent Camp.(BLD)

Day 6: Ishasha
You will explore Ishasha, the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth considered by some experts as one of the most alluring game viewing area of East Africa. It's an off-the-beaten-track destination that you will surely enjoy. We wake up early, of course, since this is the best time for observing nature. You start from the southern circuit in search of the elephants and we will drive over the plains of Ishasha in the open savannah. The southern circuit has usually large herds of buffalo, Uganda kob and topi. Near to the swamps of the southern circuit you might see even leopard. We continue and drive to the northern circuit which is the area near the main road known for its tree climbing lions. We look particularly at the many fig trees where lions like to stay. But we also visit the Uganda kob mating ground which is their preferred hunting area. After an initial scouting expedition, we return to the camp or lodge for a lunch. In the afternoon you will have another game drive. During the dry season we will drive you to the Edward's flats to see elephants, large herds of buffalo and different waterbids. Occasionally we might find in this area the shoebill stork and by surprise some hunting lions. Overnight at the camp or at Wilderness Permanent Tented Camp (BLD).

Day 7: Bwindi
This is your last game drive in Queen Elizabeth. If you have missed the lions the previous days it will be the last opportunity to try again. You will start again with the northern circuit and finish your game drive with the southern part.
Camping option: Upon return from the morning game drive the camp will already be cleared and a picnic will be served at the camp.
Lodge option: After a morning game drive, return to the lodge for lunch.
Afterwards, we drive to Bwindi a journey that can take a maximum of two hours. We make a stop over at Kihihi for refueling and some shopping at the local stores. The Muzungu (the white visitors) are an attraction for the children of the village! Bwindi is not far away and you will arrive at Buhoma in the afternoon. Overnight at Buhoma campsite or Bwindi Volcanoes Lodge. (BLD)

Day 8: Gorilla Trek
This morning after breakfast, we report to the Park Headquarters to commence our gorilla trek. Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It's difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas. Once you are back from trekking before 5 pm, you can be entertained by orphans of the Buhoma village, with their traditional Bakiga dances. For participants who want to contribute to the orphans, we advise them to bring some used clothes or school pencils/pens. Overnight at Buhoma Campsite or Bwindi Volcanoes Lodge.

Day 9: Lake Bunyoni
After breakfast we depart for Lake Bunyonyi, meandering along the Kigezi mountains. The Kigezi mountains offer another unique scenery. On the way you will have a picnic at an altitude above 2200m in the mountain tops. Arrival is foreseen in the afternoon. Lake Bunyonyi, a crater lake formed by volcanic eruption, is 900m deep; the the second deepest lake in Africa and third deepest in the World. Relax on the shores or go for a swim. Lake Bunyonyi is bilharzia free hence an ideal water for swimming and water sports. Overnight at Lake Bunyoni Resort. (BLD)

Day 10: Kampala
This morning after breakfast, we head back to Kampala, a journey of approximately 6 hrs. Overnight at the camp in Kisubi or the Boma Hotel. (BLD)

Day 11: Departure
The day is at leisure until you are transferred to the airport in time to catch your flight out. Depending on your departure flight, there are many optional excursions and activities on offer such as:
* Mabamba Wetlands (IBA): There is a fascinating and accessible wetland in Mpigi District on the shores of Lake Victoria, only 45 km from Kampala. Our guide will make a canoe trip (Canadian type) with you through the natural channels and lagoons of the immense papyrus swamps. Mabamba offers the best opportunity around Kampala to see the shoebill stork in its natural environment.
* Ngamba Island – Chimp Sanctuary – Jane Goodall Institute: Ngamba Island is located in Lake Victoria, 23 kms South-East of Entebbe. The island provides an ideal environment (97 acres - 45 ha) for the chimps confiscated by authorities from poachers and animal dealers. There are more than 35 orphans. They are fed four times a day and this is a spectacular moment for visitors.
* The Source and the rapids of the Nile (Jinja): In Jinja we take a look at the source of the Nile and we visit the spectacular rapids at Bujagali. We come back in the afternoon. Lunch in Jinja at the Nile Resort.
* Rafting the Nile: If you are up for a day full of adrenaline, then don’t miss rafting the Nile. The rafting trip starts at Jinja near the source of the Nile and will take you 25 km downstream, a trip which includes grade V rapids. The rafting conditions are considered as one of the best in the world comparable to the Colorado River (USA). Return to Kampala in the evening.
* Kampala Visit: A guided trip of Kampala city through the Owino market, Kasubi tombs, Uganda Museum and some shopping as well.

2009 PRICE PER PERSON SHARING:

• INCLUDES:
  Airport transfers, camping or lodge accommodation, all meals, plenty of mineral water, all camping equipment, the services of a Tour Leader with his logistic team, all park and entry fees, all activities as per program: chimp trekking at Kibale, game drives at Mweya, boat trip on the Kazinga, visit of Kasenyi fishing village and salt works, nature walk in Kyambura in search of the chimps, game drives in Ishasha, gorilla trekking in Bwindi.

• EXCLUDES:
  Any airfare, visa fees, airport taxes, travel insurance, beverages, tips and gratuities and all items of a personal nature.

• DEPARTURES:
  2009 Departure dates (camping):
  January 13; February 03 & 18; March 03; April 07; May 19; June 09; July 07 & 22
  August 04 & 18; September 8 & 22; October 06; December 08 & 22.
  
  2009 Departure dates (Lodge):
  January 13; February 03; March 03; April 07; May 19; June 09; July 07
  August 04; September 8; October 06; November 03; December 08 & 22.

• NOTES:
  This safari can also be accommodated at lodges instead of campsites. See itinerary for details.
  We guarantee the availability of gorilla permits on the scheduled departures.
  Maximum Luggage weight is 30lbs in soft bags
  The safari can be combined with day excursions and add-ons to Rwanda, Murchison Falls or Ssese islands.
  Prices are quoted in USD.
  B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner