Realm of the Original African Animal Safari
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zanzibar and Mombasa
Wild, adventurous and wonderful. Immense concentrations of wildlife, amazing birdlife, rich and diverse cultures…places like no where else on earth: Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, Masai Mara, Serengeti plains, Murchison Falls - source of the great River Nile, the long, timeless white-sand beaches of Zanzibar…East Africa, the home of safari.
Learn more in our 
East Africa Safari Planner.(3.1MB)
Review our Safari Price List.(2.9MB)
Prices effective:
01 January 2010 - 03 December 2010
Package: USD $2296.00 (Per Person - sharing)
Single Supplement: USD $355.00 (Per Person - single occupancy)
Gorilla permits US$500 per trek
6 Day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Express - Lodge Safari
A six-day safari from Entebbe, visiting the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda. On this itinerary, time permits for either one or two treks, if trekking once the other day is used for a forest walk or cultural/village visit. A combination of good quality lodges and hotels or camps are used throughout, and transport is by customized 4x4 vehicle. All meals on safari are provided, with bed & breakfast only in Entebbe.
Included is an excursion to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria where orphaned chimpanzees have been relocated. Viewing of these chimpanzees is excellent, offering good photographic opportunities. By visiting Ngamba Island, you are directly assisting the funding of this worthy project.
Set departure dates - guaranteed for minimum two persons.
Day 1
On arrival in Entebbe you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Lake Victoria Hotel for overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.
Also on offer on the first day is a half-day trip to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Reserve on Lake Victoria, where over 20-orphaned chimpanzees have been relocated under the management of a group of dedicated conservationists including the Jane Goodall Institute. Ngamba island can either be done on day 1 or at the end of the itinerary depending on arrival and departure times.
Uganda is a comparative newcomer to Africa's tourist destinations. A beautiful natural environment and rich culture of traditional hospitality are the strong draw card. Here, one can experience the elemental power of a meeting with a giant mountain gorilla, marvel at the human-like antics of wild chimpanzees, or share the magic of a country fast recovering from the darkest depths of human tyranny. Perhaps the following brief description, by Sir Winston Churchill in his book "My African Journey," best describes Uganda: "For magnificence, for variety of form and colour, for profusion of brilliant life - plant, bird, insect, reptile, beast - for vast scale...Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa."
Sitting on 9 acres of well cared-for grounds and with views of magnificent Lake Victoria, the Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel in located in Entebbe in Uganda. Just 4 km. from the airport and 34 km. from Kampala city this recently refurbished property offers pleasantly appointed rooms, restaurant facilities, a swimming pool and health club. As well, the famous Entebbe Botanical Gardens and the Entebbe Wildlife Educational Centre are very near to the hotel. From the hotel you can make arrangements to travel into the bustling city of Kampala and take in such sights the Kasubi Tombs, the Namugongo Matyrs' Shrine and the Uganda Museum.
Day 2
After breakfast fly or drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or to Rwanda Parc National de Volcans. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Guest Lodge accommodation (if visiting Bwindi), all meals included. Today is a fairly long day in the vehicle, passing some interesting scenery, farmland and lush green hillsides. We strongly recommend flying. Lunch en route if driving. For those flying in, an afternoon forest walk or cultural visit may be undertaken.
Bwindi Impenetrable forest is Uganda's newest national park. The rain forest here is spectacular with the main attraction being the tracking to the mountain gorillas. Besides the gorillas there is a wide variety of primates to see including blue monkeys and red tailed monkeys. The great blue turacos are often seen and even for a non bird watcher they are a marvelous sight. The forest itself is lush and tall with lots of creepers and ol'man's beard moss. There are streams running through it and you often come across sunlit glades.
Day 3
An early morning trek, led by experienced trackers, into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes will bring you amongst a family of mountain gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare, only 600 remaining. You will get within metres of the family, and be privileged to spend time amongst them. Returning to the camp for a late lunch, we have an opportunity for forest walks with the guides, or just to relax. Dinner and overnight Bwindi/Rwanda.
The trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to six hours or longer is not uncommon - at relatively high altitude. Mountain gorillas are wild animals, as such sightings cannot be guaranteed, however the success rate is well over 90%.
Day 4
Option for second trek with prepurchased permits, or a forest walk to look for birds and other primates, or just relax in this beautiful area. Overnight Bwindi/Rwanda.
Day 5
Drive to Lake Mburo and overnight at a tented camp, this is a 5-6 hour drive. There will be game viewing and walking in the national park.
Day 6
Return to Entebbe arriving late afternoon with curio shopping en route. Today is an approximate 5 hour drive. Additional accommodation may be booked on request at an additional cost.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – GORILLA PERMITS
Uganda – Permits to view gorillas in Uganda are in high demand and should be secured as early as possible. There are currently three family groups in Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with 24 people per day (8 pax per family) being allowed to visit. A further 6 permits per day at the Nkuringo group in south-west Bwindi, and 6 more permits at Mgahinga National Park (on the border of Rwanda, Uganda & DRC).
Rwanda – there are currently four family groups for trekking in Rwanda, with a total of 30 permits per day being available. A fifth family has split off from these four main groups, and at the time of writing 6 more permits are available to trek here – however, this status could change any time.