Great Primate Tracking Expedition
Tags:
Adventure; Sightseeing; Sightseeing tour; Excrusions; explorations; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; Murchison Falls safari; Safari along the Nile; Ngamba Island Chimp; Bbigodi Ecotourism Site; Queen Elizabeth Park; Bwindi Gorilla Tracking; Kyambura Primate Tracking;
This is quite simply the most comprehensive mountain gorilla tracking expedition. Our focus is very specific: track and spend as much time as possible with the great apes of Rwanda and Uganda in their natural habitat. We will be visiting three separate gorilla habitats where, with a bit of effort, ...
Read Full Description- Destination:
- Trip Length:
- 15 days
- Price Range:
- From $8195 ((Journeys Alumni: $7,835 per person) - pricing includes 2 gorilla permits. ) per person See what this includes and what this excludes
- Best Time to Go:
-
Jun 18, 2009 to Jul 02, 2009
- Recommended for:
-
15 - 17, 18 - 20, 25 - 30, 31 - 35, 36 - 40, 41 - 50, 51 - 55
Family Trip, Group Retreat, Trip Around the World
Detailed Trip Description
This is quite simply the most comprehensive mountain gorilla tracking expedition. Our focus is very specific: track and spend as much time as possible with the great apes of Rwanda and Uganda in their natural habitat. We will be visiting three separate gorilla habitats where, with a bit of effort, we have a very high likelihood of finding families of this largest primate. We can also expect to find chimpanzees and numerous species of other primates, as well as many species of birds, mammals and reptiles. Visitation with the Mountain Gorillas is strictly limited to one small group of humans per family per day. Demand for these permits far exceeds availability so advance reservations are imperative. We will be staying in the best available lodges and camps. While primates are the theme and object of our quest, we will also be visiting superb natural ecosystems with a spectacular complement of rare and beautiful birds, mammals and reptiles. We will be alert to all aspects of our environment, including villages and communities along the way. We will be accompanied by exceptional local guides. This will be a great trip to learn about Rwanda and Uganda’s distinctive wildlife and people. The founding Director, Will Weber, who has been traveling to Africa since 1980 will accompany the trip.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Kampala
Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda.
Hotel
On arrival at the Entebbe Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to Kampala for your overnight at the Emin Pasha Hotel, or similar, for two nights.
Day 2 - Kampala
Ngamba Island Chimp Search.
Sailing
Take a morning boat trip from Entebbe pier to Ngamba Island. Located on a beautiful forested island, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to approximately 40 chimpanzees rescued from poachers. The semi-wild environment allows for close viewing of the animals in their natural habitat and affords an opportunity to have an intimate insight into a chimpanzee community.
Adventure
Depending on the time of arrival, a range of activities will be available such as feeding or walking with the chimpanzees and bird watching.
Hotel
Return to the mainland and overnight at the Emin Pasha Hotel, or similar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 3 - Kampala
Murchison Falls Safari.
Sightseeing
Depart from Kampala in the morning. Explore the Rhino Sanctuary (with payment of supplement), then stop in Masindi for lunch. Visit the top of the dramatic Murchison Falls, as it crashes through the narrow gorge.
Safari
In the evening, you will enjoy game viewing.
Camping
Overnight at the Nile Camp or Paraa Hotel for two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4 - Uganda
Safari along the Nile.
Safari
Spend the day in the park with game viewing north of the Nile.
Sailing
Later, take a boat trip from Paraa to the bottom of the mighty and frothy falls.
Safari
You will have the opportunity to observe more game along the river, with some of the largest crocodiles that remain in Africa, as well as hippos, elephants and birds, including the rare shoebill stork, basking on the banks of the Nile.
Camping
Return to the Nile Camp or Paraa Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 5 - Kibale
Safari
Visit the Nile Safari Camp on your way to Kibale. On arrival at the lodge, either explore the crater lake nearby or relax at the lodge.
Hotel
Overnight at the Ndali or Mantana Lodge, or similar, in Kibale, for two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 6 - Kibale
Bbigodi Ecotourism Site.
Eco-Tourism
Track the noisy chimps and other primates crashing around the high canopy of the forest with colorful birds squawking nearby. Have a picnic lunch before taking a walk to the Bigodi Ecotourism Site to see the swamp birds and some of the community projects financed by tourism.
Hotel
Return to Kibale for your overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 7 - Uganda
Rwenzoris / Queen Elizabeth Park.
Sightseeing
Enjoy a day’s walk in the foothills of the Rwenzoris, one of the great mountain ranges of the world, and look out for its forbidding peaks in the distance.
National Parks
Or, you can drive straight to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The game you see will depend on the season; the Kasenyi plains are good for lions and the Mweya peninsula for a variety of animals.
Hotel
Overnight at the Mweya or Jacana Lodge, or similar, for two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 8 - Uganda
Kyambura Primate Tracking.
Safari
Take an excursion to the nearby Kyambura gorge to track the fast moving and elusive chimpanzees, one of man's closest relations. The chimp population is quite mobile and viewing is unpredictable, but the walk is enchanting. Alternatively, go for a nature walk in Maramagambo Forest to see other primates and to visit the bat cave and the Blue Lake.
River, Barge or Yacht Cruise
In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel where the wildlife and a vast array of birds come to drink.
Hotel
Return to the Mweya or Jacana Lodge, or similar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 9 - Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Private Car Service
Leave for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. If roads permit, you can drive via Ishasha, home of the tree-climbing lion, or you can take the alternative route through more cultivated expanses.
Sightseeing
Time permitting, go for a short stroll around the lodge or explore the village.
Hotel
Overnight at the Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, or similar. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 10 - Uganda
Bwindi Gorilla Tracking.
Safari
Enjoy your first day of gorilla tracking (subject to permit availability at time of booking), as you walk up steep, densely forested hills. When you finally come across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation, it is a truly inspiring moment! Tracking in Bwindi requires stamina and often takes most of the day.
Sightseeing
Alternatively, go for a leisurely nature or community walk.
Hotel
Return to the Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, or similar. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 11 - Uganda
Mgahinga / Virunga Volcanoes.
Sightseeing
Leave for Mgahinga. Make brief stops at places of interest, including Kanaba Gap, to view the dramatic Virunga volcanoes and the beautiful terraced hills.
Private Car Service
Proceed to the frontier town of Kisoro, and then up the mountain to Mgahinga at 2,300 m.
Hotel
Overnight at the Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge, or similar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 12 - Rwanda
Gorilla Tracking.
Safari
Either go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga / Nkuringo (on payment of supplement at time of booking and subject to permit availability), or climb the Muhavura or Gahinga volcanoes.
Sightseeing
Or, you can choose to go for a nature walk or visit the golden monkeys in Mgahinga.
Private Car Service
Transfer to Rwanda after lunch.
Sightseeing
Stroll around the lodge or simply take in the panoramic sunset over the volcanoes.
Hotel
Overnight at the Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, or similar, for three nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 13 - Rwanda
Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda.
Safari
Enjoy another day of gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (subject to permit availability). Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky, you can reach the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families, however, are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy.
Hotel
Enjoy a quiet evening at the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 14 - Rwanda
Gorilla Tracking.
Safari
Either spend a final day gorilla tracking, again in Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at time of booking and subject to permit availability).
Adventure
Or enjoy one of the many other activities available. Observe the golden monkeys, drive to Gisenyi, visit the Ross Carr's orphanage and Lake Kivu, or climb the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes. Other options include trekking to Diane Fossey's grave, visiting the local school, participating in community projects, or walking to Lake Bulera.
Hotel
Return to the Virunga Lodge, or similar, for your final night in Africa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 15 - Kigali
Kigali / Onward.
Sightseeing
Leave for Kigali. Time permitting, enjoy a tour of the city including a visit to the market, a pottery project, handicraft shops, the Franco-Rwandan cultural centre, and the genocide memorial.
Airport Transfer
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast.
Not the trip you were looking for?
You may also start a free trip request below and get matched with up to three travel specialists who can help you plan your travel:
Submit Inquiry to Travel Specialist
Already a member? Log in now.
Tripology is TRUSTe Certified so your information is safe.
We will only share your contact information with the travel professional who posted this trip.
Trips you may also be interested in
- Great Primate Tracking Expedition
- This is quite simply the most comprehensive mountain gorilla tracking expedition. Our focus is very specific: track and spend as much time as possible with the great apes of Rwanda and Uganda in their natural habitat. We will be visiting three separate gorilla habitats where, with a bit of effort, ...
- Gorillas in the Virungas & Bwindi
- This safari will take you to three incredible gorilla parks – Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in Rwanda, and Nkuringo and Bwindi in Uganda. It offers an opportunity to track gorillas several times, twice in PNV and once in Bwindi. Seeing some of the remaining 700 mountain gorillas in their ...
- Classic Rwanda & Uganda
- This safari traces the western Rift Valley in the very heart of Africa. On the savannah plains below the Rwenzoris, see the great game of Africa in Queen Elizabeth National Park, such as elephant, lion, buffalo, hippo, and leopard. Track the fast moving and elusive chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. In ...
- Rwenzoris, 'Mountains of the Moon' - 9 Day, 8 Night Safari
- The Rwenzori mountains, also known as the "mountains of the moon" or the "the Alps of Africa," are located in western Uganda on the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Rwenzoris is 100 Km long and about 40 Km wide.
Search for travel inspiration
Meals as noted, each night in double occupancy accommodations, land transfers between components, English speaking guides, park or site entry fees, surface transport, equipment other than personal gear, government tax, airport transfer assistance, in-country ticket reconfirmation & check-in assistance (where permitted), complete pre-departure packet, toll-free pre-departure phone assistance.
Budget Excludes:Meals not noted as included, gratuities, beverages (except tea or coffee at meals), international or domestic airfare unless specified, airport departure taxes not included with air tickets, visas, itinerary changes after confirmation, any services not included in itinerary, any costs incurred due to canceled or delayed flights, acts of nature or other happenings beyond our control, or other costs as are more fully described in Journeys Terms & Conditions.
Fill out the form below and let your friends know about Great Primate Tracking Expedition.
