Current as of: October 9, 2024 - 17:26
Current as of: October 9, 2024 - 17:26
2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate
Uganda is renowned for its abundant wildlife. With landscapes ranging from savannah to lush forests, the animal count is high: more than 300 mammal species and more than 1,000 bird types. This trip is a true adventure into the heart of Africa. Kibale Forest is possibly the best place in the world to track chimpanzees while Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to hippos, elephants, buffalo, leopards and elusive tree-climbing lions, plus a huge variety of birds. Continuing on our journey, we reach Bwindi where we have the option of tracking the gentle giants of the forests, mountain gorillas.
Highlights
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate) with a Wildlife Rating of Four. For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page or our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
The Moderate grade applies specifically to the gorilla and chimp treks, the rest of the itinerary is graded Easy.
Gorilla trek: Owing to the terrain and the need to explore to find gorillas, the trek doesn’t follow a path in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; instead, the guides cut a route through the undergrowth. Expect a minimum of three hours of walking on rough terrain, with the possibility of climbing up to 8,553ft (2,607m); steep ascents and descents over muddy slopes are the norm. Strong footwear is essential and we recommend hiring a local porter to help you carry your bag/camera equipment and provide a steady, supportive hand (porters are arranged and paid for locally on the day).
This is a busy and active trip with some early starts as we explore as much as we can of this wonderful country. There are some long drives, sometimes on bad roads, but we use comfortable safari vehicles and the fantastic scenery does make time on the drives go by.
Booking conditions
At the time of booking, a £732 (or equivalent in booking currency) non-refundable deposit is required to cover the cost of the gorilla permit and a £209 (or equivalent in booking currency) non-refundable deposit is required to cover the cost of the chimp permit. If for any reason we are unable to secure the permits and must cancel the trip, you receive a full refund.
If you would like a second gorilla or chimp trek, please request this at time of booking, an extra deposit is required. However, we only request the extra permits once the trip has been guaranteed as, otherwise, they must be paid in full even if the trip doesn’t run. Once the extra gorilla or chimp permits have been requested, the deposits are non-refundable.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 4
Max group size: 14
Our adventure begins in Entebbe, a city on the north shore of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. Today is all about settling in after your journey, so head to the hotel and relax for the evening.
Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Papyrus Guest House or Boma Hotel (or similar)
Our adventure begins in Entebbe, a city on the north shore of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. Today is all about settling in after your journey, so head to the hotel and relax for the evening.
Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Papyrus Guest House or Boma Hotel (or similar)
This morning, we have breakfast and your leader will run a welcome brief before we leave Entebbe. The drive time depends, in large part, on traffic in Kampala but should take approximately seven hours.
Upon arrival, we can relax at our lakeside lodge. Kibale Forest National Park is home to 13 primate species: there are nine diurnal primates, including vervet, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s, red colobus, black-and-white colobus and blue monkeys, plus grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons and, the most famous of all, chimpanzees. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the odds of encountering them are very good.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops (or similar)
Today we explore the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary in the Magombe wetland. The sanctuary is a major tourist attraction in the Kibale Forest area and is operated by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED), a local community-based organisation. We also go on a forest walk in search of primates. While trekking in the depths of the lush green forest, we are surrounded by bird song and can expect to see at least five or six types of primate, most probably grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys and, of course, chimpanzees. The walking is fairly easy with well-maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain. The order in which we do these activities may vary.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops (or similar)
There is the option of doing a second chimp trek this morning to increase the probability of seeing them (due to limited permit availability, we recommend you prebook the second chimp trek). In the afternoon, we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). The drive goes south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains, where we can see the glaciated peaks, weather permitting. We gently descend into the Great Rift Valley and QENP. The park resides in a fertile, equatorial area and has beautiful scenery. It is the most popular and accessible savannah reserve in Uganda, with a total area of 764sqmi (1,978sqkm). It is primarily associated with grassy savannah plains, but this impressive park also includes leafy rainforests, dense papyrus swamps and natural volcanic crater lakes. As a result, it has one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world, including 95 recorded mammal species and more than 610 bird species.
Accommodation: Simba Safari Camp (or similar)
This morning, we explore Queen Elizabeth National Park on a game drive in search of wildlife, including elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards, hyenas, jackals, topis, kobs and bush bucks. In the afternoon, we have a boat trip (about two hours) along the Kazinga Channel to view some of the largest concentration of hippos in the world (reported to be about 30,000) and other animals with excellent birding.
Accommodation: Simba Safari Camp (or similar)
Today we drive through the park to the Ishasha region. We game drive in search of tree-climbing lions and other wildlife. This afternoon, we head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest, a World Heritage site, passing through the scenic area known as the Switzerland of East Africa. The driving today is about 5hr 30min (not including game drives).
Accommodation: Haven Lodge Buhoma (or similar)
For many, observing a wild mountain gorilla is one of the most emotional wildlife experiences possible. Tracking these gentle giants can take anything from under an hour to more than six, depending on where the family is located. The number of permits allocated daily are limited so we recommend early booking. If the permits for gorilla families close to where we stay are unavailable, there are more permits for another area of the park, though this will mean a long drive to the trek start point. The trek itself can be along steep, slippery trails and through the bush so you should be in reasonable physical condition, but the rewards of spending an hour with our close cousins more than makes up for the effort of getting to them.
Accommodation: Haven Lodge Buhoma (or similar)
Today is a free day and there is the option of getting a second gorilla permit for this day, though due to the limited number of permits, this should be obtained at time of booking. For those who choose not to go on a second gorilla trek, there are other walks you can do nearby or you can relax at our lodge, reminiscing about the previous day’s encounters. On some departures, due to the availability of permits, we may have to swap these two days over with the free day (and optional second gorilla trek) on Day 6 and the included gorilla trek on Day 7 or we may have to split the group to trek with gorillas across both days.
Accommodation: Haven Lodge Buhoma (or similar)
Leaving the forests, we head towards Lake Mburo National Park. En route, we stop in Kabale near the Rwandan border for lunch. The drive should be about five hours (not including stops). Lake Mburo is the only place in southern Uganda where you can see zebras, giraffes and impala and is a great place to try to see leopards. It is also home to more than 300 bird species and offers the possibility of game walks and game drives.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock (or similar)
Today we go on a final game drive looking for plains wildlife. The park has a network of game tracks in the eastern part of the park passing a variety of landscapes: acacia woodland, wetlands, grassy hillsides, rocky outcrops and seasonally flooded valley floors. The early morning and late afternoon are the best times to roam the park in search of wildlife. There is also the option of tracking game on foot through the savannah and going on a boat excursion, particularly good for birdlife. You also have the option of going on an early morning game walk. Accompanied by a ranger guide, you walk to a salt lick where many animals are attracted to the salty rocks. At this time of day, you may encounter hyenas returning to their dens and hippos retreating to the lake. The lake itself is rich with a diversity of animals and plants, and these can be viewed clearly on a boat trip. These include crocodiles, hippos and birds, such as pelicans, black crakes, herons, cormorants and fish eagles, but you may also see the rare shoebill stork if you are lucky.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock (or similar)
Today is our final day and we return to Entebbe and the shores of Lake Victoria. The driving time will depend on the amount of traffic in Kampala, but we make regular stops to break up the journey. En route back to Entebbe, we visit Mabamba Swamp (Mabamba Bay Wetland System), which lies about 25mi (40km) from Entebbe. The swamp, said to support more than 190,000 birds, is the perfect spot in Uganda for watching the globally threatened shoebill stork and the papyrus yellow warbler.
We arrive into Entebbe in the early evening, if time permits, you guide will take you for dinner (own expense) before dropping you at the airport.
Today is our final day and we return to Entebbe and the shores of Lake Victoria. The driving time will depend on the amount of traffic in Kampala, but we make regular stops to break up the journey. En route back to Entebbe, we visit Mabamba Swamp (Mabamba Bay Wetland System), which lies about 25mi (40km) from Entebbe. The swamp, said to support more than 190,000 birds, is the perfect spot in Uganda for watching the globally threatened shoebill stork and the papyrus yellow warbler.
We arrive into Entebbe in the early evening, if time permits, you guide will take you for dinner (own expense) before dropping you at the airport.
The accommodation on this trip has been chosen to maximise your animal-watching opportunities and minimise travel time. Listed below are the properties we usually use.
Entebbe: 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Papyrus Guest House or Boma Hotel (night 1)
Our first night is spent at one of three hotels: 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Papyrus Guest House or Boma Hotel (above), depending on availability. All are within a 15 to 25-minute drive from the airport. The start hotel for your trip will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions or if you require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Near Kibale Forest National Park: Turaco Treetops (nights 2-3)
Within 12 acres (5ha) of rainforest bordering Kibale Forest National Park, this three-star hotel is the ideal base to explore the park and trek with chimpanzees. The lodge is powered by solar power, ensuring it operates in harmony with the surroundings. The hotel has a spacious pool, lounge and restaurant plus comfortable rooms with balconies.
Near Queen Elizabeth National Park: Simba Safari Camp (nights 4-5)
This two-star camp is on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The location is outstanding and there is a small pool that provides a perfect spot to chill in the afternoon heat. The rooms are simple but clean with private bathrooms and the hotel is renowned for having friendly staff.
Buhoma: Haven Lodge Buhoma (nights 6-8)
This community-owned lodge is perfectly located close to the meeting point for the gorilla treks. There are amazing rainforest views from the terraces, and the comfortable rooms are made with local materials to blend into the surroundings.
Near Lake Mburo National Park: Rwakobo Rock (nights 9-10)
This three-star lodge is just 0.6mi (1km) from the gate of Lake Mburo National Park and each cottage is set apart to offer privacy and uninterrupted views of the park. There is a water hole beneath the dining areas so you can watch the wildlife come to drink while you enjoy dinner.
Single supplement from £ 470
All breakfasts, 10 lunches and nine dinners included.
The service can be either à la carte or buffet, depending on the lodge. For early game drives, and to maximise the time spent in the parks, a packed breakfast or lunch may be provided in some instances. The food provided is a mix of good local and international food throughout.
It is possible to cater for vegetarians or those with special requirements; however, please make sure you advise your sales representative at time of booking.
Please note: The availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets (eg gluten-free or dairy-free) is minimal or non-existent in Uganda and we strongly recommend you bring these specialised dietary items from home.
We use comfortable 4×4 vehicles throughout the trip, normally Toyota Landcruisers or similar, with open roof hatches for optimised game viewing. Some of the drives can be quite long and some of the roads are not in the best condition, especially after the rains.
The wettest areas are concentrated along the shores of Lake Victoria and the western mountain districts. Although rains are normally more frequent during the two rainy seasons (April-May and October-November), wet spells can occur during the dry season, so please come prepared. Uganda can be visited at any time, the weather is pleasant for much of the year over most of the country and temperatures are never excessively high.
The temperatures are usually cooler at night and this depends more on the altitude than on the actual area of the country.
Our start hotel is approximately 15 minutes from Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. Please note that check in times differ between hotels but is between 12.30 – 14.00.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
The group returns to Entebbe at approximately 6pm. If your flight departs between 8pm and 10pm, you will be dropped at the airport before dinner. If you are on the later flight, you will be transferred to the airport after dinner. Please do not book flights departing before 8pm.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Entebbe
Location end: Entebbe
We encounter a range of temperatures on this trip. Most of the time, light cotton clothing is most comfortable, but bring a fleece jacket for early morning game drives and for the evening. Avoid bright colours when on safari.
You will also need:
Please use soft-sided bags rather than suitcases or bags with wheels as there is only limited luggage space on the vehicles.
Important note: Smoking is prohibited in all public places, workplaces, transport and other outdoor places within 165ft (50m) of a public place. Electronic cigarettes and shisha (water-pipe tobacco) are banned. There are penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.
Water included
Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill sites or get burnt, both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. On this trip, water will be included in large containers to try to reduce the amount of plastic produced. Whenever possible, we try to provide water in large bottles; however, at times we may need to use slightly smaller bottles instead. Please add a water bottle to your packing list!
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa to enter Uganda. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
You can apply for your visa (or find out more information) at www.visas.immigration.go.ug. The decision taken on the application will be sent electronically through the email provided by the applicant. If approved, an approval letter will be sent as an attachment to the email provided. Print it out and present it together with a valid passport/travel document at the port of entry. The cost of a standard single-entry visit visa is US$50 and can be paid online.
Please note: Currently, the single-entry visa is only valid for three months from the issue data. Please ensure your visa is valid for your travel dates.
If after visiting Uganda, you will also travel to Rwanda and Kenya, you may apply for an East African Visa, which covers all three countries. Please contact the Ugandan High Commission to obtain more information about the combined visa from Uganda.
Vaccination against yellow fever is necessary and you must bring a valid certificate of vaccination. You may also want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, polio, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, rabies and tuberculosis. Malaria prophylaxis is essential. Please seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic on the best course of action for all the above.
Additionally, bilharzia is known to occur in some of the lakes or rivers visited on this itinerary, we therefore advise all to take advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim. Zika fever, a mosquito‐borne viral disease, is also a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, we therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Malaria prophylaxis is essential on this trip, and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take.
Bilharzia is known to occur in some of the lakes or rivers visited on this itinerary, we therefore advise all to take advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim.
Dengue fever and/or Chikungunya are known risks in places visited on this trip. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Uganda's time zone: Africa/Kampala (UTC +03:00)
Uganda's electricity: Plug type G (three rectangular pins) – 240V, 50Hz
Uganda's currency: Ugandan shilling (UGX)
ATMs are fairly uncommon in Uganda, there is one at the airport and Entebbe but these are not reliable and often do not work.
We recommend you take most of your money in US dollars cash – good condition notes issued from 2006 or later with the big head design. Bring a sensible mix of denominations. Credit cards are not widely used except in Kampala.
It is then best to change money in town on arrival. Larger denomination bills receive a better exchange rate.
Shillings may not be imported or exported. There is no restriction on the import of foreign currency provided it is declared on arrival. It is difficult legally to reconvert shillings into hard currency.
As all meals are included on this trip (except dinner on the final night in Entebbe), there are few extra expenses. Water is provided on the vehicles; however, allow some extra cash for soft drinks, beer and wine.
You can hire a porter for the gorilla trek (US$20 and US$5 tip) to carry heavy camera equipment or help you on slippery trails. You may also wish to buy some souvenirs – both are good ways to support the local communities.
Optional excursions:
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work. You may feel your leader has performed well over the course of your time in Uganda and want to show your appreciation of their services. If you would like to tip your leader, we suggest a figure of approximately 19,000 shillings (US$5) per person per day.
It is also courtesy to tip any local guides, lodges, porters and/or boat staff you may have over the course of the trip, though certainly not compulsory. We suggest budgeting approximately 183,000 shillings (US$50) per person for these.
We advise clients to exchange US$150-US$200 for tipping and general expenses, any unused shillings can be exchanged at the end of the trip.
We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Important cancellation note
In line with our ‘book and travel with confidence’ promise, which allows you to cancel free of charge up to 42 days prior to departure or transfer to another trip free of charge up to 21 days prior to your trip starting in country, please be aware that this excludes ‘irrecoverable costs’. Details can be found here: www.exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions
For this trip, the irrecoverable costs related to in-country operations are outlined below, if booking flight inclusive your sales agent will confirm the terms related to your international flights at the time of booking.
Cancellation at any time prior to departure:
Costs are accurate at time of writing in September 2023
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.