Safari Quick Facts

Bwindi is one of the last remaining habitats of the mountain gorilla, an extensive belt of primary montane forest
with an exceptional altitudinal variation of between 1,200 metres and 2,800 metres. This environment ensures a
unique and rich area of flora and fauna. As well as the mountain gorillas, the park’s star attraction, there are more
than 300 species of birds, forest elephants, 10 species of primate (including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and
baboons) and the rarely seen giant forest hog.
Upon arrival there’s time to settle into your lodge, which commands a spectacular position with uninterrupted
views across the forest. It’s also near to the start point for one of the gorilla treks, and so is very conveniently
located. Relax on your private veranda with a drink as the sun sets, in readiness for your encounters with the
wonderful mountain gorilla tomorrow.

This morning you embark on your gorilla trekking adventure. There are now seven habituated groups of gorillas
within the park; more than 300 live here in total, making it one of the most populous areas for mountain gorillas
and one of the best places for seeing them. There is no doubt that seeing a gorilla face-toface is a life-changing experience. However, your adventures today will require patience and stamina as the terrain makes for some difficult
trekking. Sometimes the trackers find the gorillas within an hour or so, but it may take up to eight hours of tracking off-trail in thick jungle in order to find them. It may also get a little muddy, just to add to the challenge! The exhilaration of a close
encounter with these gentle giants, however, makes it all worthwhile – we believe it to be one of the greatest experiences in the wildlife world, and quite a humbling one. The chance of sighting gorillas is also excellent, which is a great
incentive to carry on trekking if you’re not lucky enough to find them quickly.
Once you’re with the gorillas, you’ll have an hour with them, to observe their behaviour, interaction and play.
During your trek and observation, your guide will be happy to tell you stories of their encounters with the gorillas,
and answer your questions about their job and the gorillas themselves, which adds to this special wildlife
encounter. Afterwards, return to your lodge to re-live your encounters with your fellow travellers.
(Note: you won’t be able to go on the trek if you’re ill. This is to protect the gorilla as they are susceptible to the
transmission of illness and disease, such as the common cold.)

This morning, you’ll take a trip to the local village where you’ll find all sorts of curios, and glimpse the colourful life
of the Ugandan people – a small insight into the fascinating culture of this African country.
This afternoon you continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park (120 kms/2-3 hrs).

Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated on the Kazinga Channel between Lake Edward and Lake George,
south of the Ruwenzori Mountains. With rolling grasslands, craters and crater lakes, tropical forests, papyrus
swamps and an extensive lake shore, the park undoubtedly offers Uganda’s best open-country birdwatching and
wildlife-viewing.
Great herds of Ugandan kob roam the grasslands, giant forest hog are bold and uncaring, and along the Kazinga
Channel you will be able to approach herds of elephant, buffalo and hippo on your included boat cruise. You
should also be able to get close to a wide variety of waterbirds, amongst them pelicans, herons, storks and
African skimmers.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is also home to the famous tree-climbing lions, which you may see on your game
drive this afternoon.

Return to Entebbe, arriving just after lunch, and continue to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The journey
takes approximately 6-7 hours, including a 45-minute boat ride across to the island itself.
The Ngamba Island sanctuary is in Lake Victoria, near to Entebbe. It’s a fantastic conservation project, which we
really wanted to build into your itinerary in order to give you a wonderful experience and insight into the valuable
work that’s happening here. The sanctuary is home to orphaned chimpanzees, rescued from poachers, who have
no hope of returning to life in the wild. Here, they can enjoy a free run of the island, safe from harm.
Although you can visit the sanctuary during the day, a nightstop is the best way to learn about the sanctuary’s
aims and spend more time with the chimps. You’ll be able to view the twice-daily feeding times and explore the
island which is home to over 120 species of birds and some 50,000 fruit bats. Forest walks with a group of infant
chimps can also be arranged, or if you’d like to stay longer you can become a Chimpanzee Caregiver for the day
and help prepare the chimps’ food and feed them (an extra cost applies).
This is a truly unique experience and one which we’re sure you’ll find exceptionally rewarding.

The boat back to Entebbe leaves at either midday or 16:00. You’ll leave on whichever allows you enough time to
connect with your evening flight