- Duration 14 Days
- Difficulty 3/5
- Group Size 12
Uganda
Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Shoebills
1 – 14 February, 2025
If you think you have done Africa, think again. We have gorillas, with TWO days of gorilla trekking, amazing chimp experiences, predators and big game, fabulous exotic birds and spectacular scenery including Murchison Falls from a cruise on the River Nile.
Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, is the name that Ugandans are rightly proud of. Uganda is home to an incredible natural abundance that comes from being in the transition zone between the savanna, rainforest, swamps and lakes. It has the greatest altitudinal range of any country on the continent, spanning the 5,000 meter heights of the Rwenzori Mountains – the legendary Mountains of the Moon – to the low shores of Lake Albert at just over 600 meters.
There are over 1050 species of birds in this small country, half of those found on the African continent and about 400 species of mammals. The greatest stands of endangered mahogany in east Africa are in Uganda, as is the largest population of endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. And to top it off, Uganda is filled with some of the friendliest people in the world who are quick to greet you with a broad smile. We interact thoroughly with the locals, with a special emphasis on women’s empowerment.
The map is a visual representation of the locations included in this trip. Click over the image to zoom into the map. For more information, please refer to the itinerary for this expedition.
Trip Details
General Information
USD $9,950.00 Per person sharing.
Single Supplement: USD $600.00. (limited to Four)
Arrival: Entebbe International Airport, Uganda.
Arrival Time: February 1st, 2025. Check in 14:00.
Departure: Entebbe International Airport, Uganda.
Departure Time: February 14th, 2025. Earliest 8pm.
INCLUDED
- Land transportation as indicated in the itinerary.
- Internal flight.
- Accommodations in a standard room at hotels and lodges based on double occupancy.
- Airport arrival and departure transfers.
- Meals throughout the expedition.
- Boat cruises.
- Gorilla trekking permits for TWO days.
- Chimpanzee trekking permit.
- All park and community fees as necessary in the itinerary.
- Window seat for everyone in 4WD vehicles where used.
- Cold drinking water in the vehicles – they have fridges.
- Local English-speaking driver/guide as well as one Pete Oxford Expeditions trip leader.
NOT INCLUDED
- International airfare to Uganda.
- Personal laundry and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Travel insurance (highly recommended).
- Excess baggage charges.
- Visa obtained online for USD $50.00.
- Yellow fever certificate which is mandatory.
- Tips for local guides and lodge staff.
- Any other services not mentioned as included.
- Any COVID 19 related tests or costs.
VIEW ITINERARY
ADay 1, February 1st, 2025: Arrival Entebbe International Airport, Uganda
After arriving to Entebbe International Airport we will transfer you to the Boma Hotel for our overnight stay and dinner. The hotel is situated some 20 minutes from the airport.
BDay 2am, February 2nd, 2025: Mabamba Swamp
After an early breakfast we leave the Boma Hotel and drive west to the Mabamba swamp on the shores of Lake Victoria. Mabamba is one of the few remaining wetlands in the country protected by the local communities. An extensive papyrus swamp, classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA), it is criss-crossed with channels and lagoons and home to Uganda’s most famous avian resident – the enigmatic shoebill stork. We explore the swamp on an open boat.
CDay 2pm, February 2nd, 2025: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After lunch we continue on to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only home of Uganda’s remaining white rhinos. Our arrival time will determine the rest of the day’s activities. However even from the lodge pool we might even see rhino. Overnight Ziwa Lodge.
DDay 3, February 3rd, 2025: Rhino tracking to Murchison Falls
After breakfast we go rhino tracking on foot in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Rhinos of course are our target but while tracking them we will also see a host of other game and birdlife in the sanctuary. It is a privilege indeed to be on foot with rhinos! We continue in the afternoon to the famous Murchison Falls National Park on a tarred road, stopping enroute to enjoy the people. Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest national park, famous for its plentiful big game, spectacular scenery and the falls themselves. We stay for 3 nights in the Sambiya River Lodge, set in a savanna / woodland / grassland area. Overnight Sambiya River Lodge.
DDays 4 – 5, February 4th & 5th, 2025: Murchison Falls NP
For two full days we will explore the Murchison Falls National Park, either by boat on the Nile River or in safari vehicles morning and afternoon. There is so much that we will see here apart from the magnificent falls themselves and this includes elephant, buffalo, lion, possibly leopard, oribi, Bohar reedbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest (Kongoni), Rothschild’s giraffe, warthog, Defassa waterbuck, Nile crocodiles, Patas monkeys and a plethora of new and exotic bird species.
Overnights Sambiya River Lodge.
EDay 6, February 6th, 2025: Kibale NP for primates
After leaving Murchison Falls National Park we drive to the famous Kibale National Park. On arrival we check in to the Guereza Canopy Lodge for our 2 night stay. Our first activity is an impressive primate walk into the forest to see red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus, Uganda mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys and olive baboons. Overnight at Guereza Canopy Lodge.
EDay 7, February 7th, 2025: Kibale NP Chimpanzee time
This is a very special day. We plan to spend the morning in the forest with a group of habituated chimpanzees. We stay with these amazing creatures watching their comings and goings. Expect to get close to them! We are hoping that this will be a life-changing day! Overnight at Guereza Canopy Lodge.
FDay 8, February 8th, 2025: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth NP & boat cruise
Leaving Kibale we head to the riches of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. After checking in to our lodge we have a beautiful boat cruise looking for big game such as elephant, hippo, crocodile and buffalo on the Kazinga channel. The park is extremely diverse and boasts ecosystems ranging from savanna, to acacia woodlands, tropical rainforest, papyrus swamps and lakes.
Overnight Mweya Safari Lodge.
FDay 9, February 9th, 2025: Queen Elizabeth National Park game drives
We do two game drives in the park today, always expecting the unexpected but may pick up more lion, spotted hyena, leopard (our best chance), mongoose and again myriad birds. Overnight Mweya Safari Lodge.
GDay 10, February 10th, 2025: Ishasha and tree-climbing lions
After breakfast we leave for the Ishasha section of Queen Elizabeth National Park where we will search for the famous tree-climbing lions. Leaving them to doze we continue on to Bwindi and the Impenetrable Forest area. We check in for our three nights stay at Haven Lodge. Overnight at Haven Lodge.
GDay 11, February 11th, 2025: Bwindi NP; Gorilla trekking
Today is a big day, we spend the day trekking for the indomitable gorillas! We will be fully briefed beforehand but expect to trek the day through a rainforest. Once again we hope for another life-changing day! Of course we might also come across other forest denizens including birds and monkeys. Time permitting, this afternoon we will interact with local community members, particularly at Ride 4 A Woman to meet the women who sew and weave, making crafts to support their families.Overnight at Haven Lodge.
GDay 12, February 12th, 2025: Bwindi NP; Gorilla trekking
A second day of gorilla trekking. Overnight at Haven Lodge.
ADay 13, February 13th, 2025: Fly to Entebbe
Fly to Entebbe on a small plane from Kihihi airstrip which is close to Bwindi. Overnight at Boma Hotel for those who do not connect this evening with their international flights home.
ADay 14, February 14th, 2025: Flights home
After breakfast in the hotel, for those that did not fly out the previous evening, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your return flights home. Here the trip ends.
