11 Days Mount Kenya and Uganda Primates Safari
This 11 Days Mount Kenya and Uganda Primates Safari is tailored to offer you a grand opportunity to climb Mount Kenya, the second tallest mountain in Africa and also head to Uganda for chimpanzee and mountain gorilla trekking experiences.
Detailed itinerary of 11 Days Mount Kenya and Uganda Primates Safari
Day 1: Nairobi/Sirimon/Judmier Camp (Old Moses Camp) 3-4 hrs, 9km, 860m ascent
On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative. Proceed to Sirmon Gate, 1 hr, 2440m. From the gate follow the track as it winds uphill though the forest which becomes heath land after about 3 hours. From the gate, the track is about 31/2 hours leading to Judmier Camp, 3300m from dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Judmier Camp/Shipton Camp 6-7hrs, 14km, 900m ascent
After breakfast, follow the track uphill, forking left at the junction. After one hour from Old Moses Camp, the track crosses Ontulili River. Go right contouring through the Moorland and crossing Liki North and continue uphill to Mackinders Valley from where there are panoramic views up the valley towards the main peaks. Dinner and overnight at Shipton Camp, 4200m.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Shipton Camp/Point Lenana/Judmaier Camp (Old Moses Camp) 9-10hrs, 21km
Leave the camp at 3 am up a steep stony quarry that cuts through a cliff clearing visible part towards lower Hall Tarns arriving at Point Lenana at 6:30 am, taking about 3 hours. After the sunrise, descend down to Shipton Camp, 2 hours, for breakfast and further, 4 hours down to Old Moses Camp for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Judmaier Camp/Sirimon/Nairobi – Fly to Entebbe International Airport
After breakfast, walk down through the rainforest for 2 hours to connect with your transport vehicle back to Nairobi where you will be dropped off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight to Uganda. On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be received by our guide and transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe.
Overnight stay at Horizon Hotel
Day 5: Kampala – Kibale National Park
You will depart from Kampala after breakfast and embark on a drive to Kibale National Park with a stopover in Kayabwe for pictures at the equator and lunch in Fort Portal town which lies just under the Rwenzori Mountains.
In the afternoon, you will go for a guided walk in the Bigodi Swamp Sanctuary where you will see various bird species and primates such as chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys and olive baboons. Head to your lodge check-in, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking – Kibale Forest
Enjoy early breakfast and transfer to Kibale Headquarters for briefing before setting for a forest walk in the rainforest of Kibale in search for chimpanzees, on the forest walk you are guided by a ranger guide who will provide information on chimpanzees and other primates in the forest of Kibale.
The walk through the forest will reward with sights of other primates in the forest including olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys among others. The trek takes approximately 2 to 4 hours depending on the movement of the chimpanzees and where they nestled last night. After spending four hours with the chimpanzees watching them go on with their life in the forest, you will trek back to the park headquarters to pick your chimpanzee trekking certificates, meet your guide and return to the lodge for lunch.
In afternoon, you will go for a nature walk to the Budongo Swamp or the local community for a cultural experience.
Accommodation: Isunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Kibale National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After breakfast, checkout of your lodge and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park with a visit to the Nyakasura Falls in Fort Port. Along the way, you will have lunch and when you arrive in the park. You will go for an afternoon game drive, then head to your lodge for check in and dinner.
Accommodation: Bush Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Wake up early for breakfast and head to the park for a morning game drive, you will enjoy seeing many animals including lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffaloes, giant forest hogs and several bird species.
Return to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon, you will go for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel which connects Lake Edward and George. As you sail on the calm waters of the water stream, you will enjoy spectacular views of hippos and Nile crocodiles in the waters and several animals such as elephants and cape buffaloes along the banks. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Park View Safari Lodge or Mweya Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Enjoy breakfast, check out of the lodge and head to the Ishasha Sector for a game drive. This area is famous for tree climbing lions which you will see resting on branches of fig trees, you will also see other animals like buffaloes, zebras, elands among others.
Proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with en-route lunch, arrive in the park in the afternoon. Check in at your lodge and spend the rest of the day at relaxation or visit the local communities living around the park. Have dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Buhoma Haven Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Bwindi Gorilla Habituation Experience
Start your day with early breakfast and head to the park headquarters for briefing which begins at 8:00 am from UWA staff, ensure that you bring a rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, jungle boots and packed lunch which you will enjoy in the forest.
In groups of 8 people, you will head to the starting point looking for a gorilla family allocated to you. Then trek through the forest in search for mountain gorillas, the trek takes approximately 2 to 6 hours or more depending on the movement of gorillas and where they spent their previous night. When you locate the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend 4 hours in their presence watching the gorilla babies playing on tree branches and mothers taking care of their young under the watchful gaze of a dominant silverback.
After this magical one hour, you will return to the park headquarters to pick your gorilla certificates. Meet your guide and either return to the lodge or to the Batwa Community for a cultural visit, in the Batwa community, you will be entertained by local dances and drama, visit the medicine man among others.
Day 11: Bwindi Forest – Kampala / Entebbe
After a leisurely breakfast, you will check out of lodge and embark on a journey to Kampala with stopover at Igongo Cultural center to explore the lifestyle of the Ankole and Bahima people. There after proceed to Kampala where you will be dropped off either at the hotel or at the airport for your onward flight.
End of 11 Days Mount Kenya and Uganda Primates Safari
Inclusions
- Transfer to and from the Mountain
- Meals for the days of the climb
- Professional guide, cook and porters service
- All park entrance and camping fees
- Drinking water
- Basic rescue
- Gorilla and chimpanzee permits
- Ground transportation
- Park fees
Exclusions
- Hotels accommodation and meals out of the program
- Air rescue services
- Insurance cover
- Tipping and other gratuities.
