The Queen Elizabeth National Park is watered by the melting ice and snow of the Rwenzori Mountains, creating a wetland ecosystem that is a haven to 1,000's of species of flora and fauna. Many are unique, but it is also home to many of the big game animals as well. On this trip you explore it by vehicle and boat.

You then transfer to Bwindi, the home to nearly half of all the worlds mountain gorillas. Here you get the chance to explore on foot, trekking with a guide to visit one of the isolated gorilla groups and witness first hand one of natures great spectacles.

This is a private tour (minimum 2). It can depart on any day you wish (subject to availability).

This tour has two accommodation options: standard and upgrade.Please let us know you preferred dates and we will forward a full tailored itinerary with confirmed quotation to you by e-mail and/or post.

Day 1
Depart the UK.

Day 2
Arrive Entebbe. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National park with a stop on the equator to take photographs. You pass through papyrus swamps, tracts of tropical rainforests and the rolling plains of Ankole before reaching it.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, together with Kyambura and Kigezi Wildlife Reserves form one of the most diverse ecosystems in Africa. The melting glacier waters of the Rwenzori Mountains create a vast wetland system comprising of two main lakes, George and Edward, as well as the connecting Kazinga Channel. Thousands of hippos populate these lake shorelines. Open savannah dotted with Acacia and Euphorbia trees provide habitat for elephants, lions, leopards, Uganda kobs and big herds of buffaloes. Ten primate species including chimpanzees are present. Among the many animals frequently seen are giant forest hog, waterbucks, topi, hyenas and crocodiles. The park boasts of more bird species than any other park in Africa.

Day 4
You will be up early for a 6.30 am morning game drive heading for the mating grounds of the Uganda Kobs, returning to the lodge in time for a late breakfast. There is time to relax and watch the birdlife before heading out for a Launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel at 15.00 hours. This channel is a natural feature that joins Lake Edward to Lake George.
A boat trip along the hippo crowded banks of Kazinga Channel gives visitors a unique unequalled wildlife experience. Eye to eye with yawning hippos and surrounded by vast numbers of migrant and resident water birds, the boat puts one right in the heart of nature. Many buffaloes rest in the water while the big herds of elephant enjoy themselves drinking and playing along the Channel banks. Crocodiles have become a common sight and occasionally leopards may be seen. You return to your lodge in time for supper.

Day 5
Have an optional short game drive this morning if you missed any particular game that you want to check out for. Return to the lodge for breakfast thereafter; continue to Bwindi Forest National park arriving in the evening. Bwindi is home to 326 gorillas, almost a half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. There are also 346 species of birds and over 200 species of butterflies. This afromontane forest has a dense under canopy folage of fern, vines and shrubs. About 324 tree species have been recorded here, 10 of which occur nowhere else in Uganda.

Day 6
Enter the forest at dawn and enjoy the beauty and freshness of the forest, home to more than half off the world’s mountain gorillas. After a short briefing by the guides, proceed through the dense bush to trek for these endangered animals.
Gorilla Tracking is the major activity in Bwindi, with several gorilla groups currently available. Mubare group (10 gorillas, 1 silverback) was opened for tourism in 1993, Habinyanja group (18 gorillas, 1 silverback) opened in July 1998, Rushegura group (10 gorillas, 1 silverback) was opened in July 2002, while Nkuringo group (19 gorillas, 2 silverbacks) was opened for tourism in April 2004. Bitukura group was opened up in 2008; it has got 13 gorillas and one silverback. The Largest group of all is called Nshongi; this was recently opened in June, 2009. It has got 34 gorillas and is believed to be the largest gorilla group in the world.
Gorilla tracking in Bwindi can be challenging, therefore a good level of fitnessis an advantage. The tracking starts at 8.30 am local time and can last from a few hours to a whole day.

Day 7
After breakfast, drive back to Kampala.

Day 8
You will be transferred to the airport in time to check-in for your onward flight to Nairobi.

Day 9
Arrive UK.
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