From Entebbe – The Ultimate-Luxury Primate Habituation Experience Safari Plus Wildlife
Exclusive 4-Hours with Gorillas – All-Day with Chimpanzees – 4 hours with Golden Monkeys
Spend 4 hours with a Gorilla Family or Golden Monkeys and all day with the Chimpanzees of Kibale Forest on this Gorilla-Chimpanzee-Golden Monkey Habituation Experience Safari in Uganda.
This is a Primate Lover’s Dream come true – Spend all-day with the Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, visit Queen Elizabeth Park with its Tree-Climbing Lions and abundant wildlife. An exclusive Lion Tracking Research Experience is part of this luxury Primate Safari.
It includes a visit to the Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for the exclusive Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari. Lastly, we add a visit to Mgahinga Gorilla Park for a Golden Monkey Habituation Experience.
This is a private, luxury Safari (adjustable to your liking) – experienced Driver-Guide with permits, lodging, food included in the Price of the Safari.
The Primate Habituation Experience Safari begins at Entebbe – Uganda and ends in Kigali – Rwanda combining both countries into one Safari. This Safari can be reversed for your convenience and started in Kigali.
This Primate Habituation Safari is one-of-a-kind, rarely offered safari for those who cannot get enough Time with Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Golden Monkeys.
Your Luxury Primate Safari Highlights
- Fly into Entebbe – Uganda – Fly out of Kigali – Rwanda
- 4-Hours with a Gorilla Family on an All-Day Trek In Rushaga – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
- All-Day with a Chimpanzee Group in Kibale Forest
- 4-Hours with the Golden Monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla Park
- Visit a Jungle Swamp – Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary
- Participate in Lion Tracking Research – Queen Elizabeth Park
- Track the Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha – Queen Elizabeth Park
- Take a Wildlife Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel
- The Scenic & Wondrous Explosion Crater Drive in Queen Elizabeth Park
- Wildlife Game Drives
- See the Rainforest through the eyes of the first people – the Batwa Pygmies.
- Land-Cruiser with Pop-Up Roof
- This is a private, luxury Safari
Your 10-Day Exclusive Luxury Primate Habituation Experience Safari in Detail
Arrival – Entebbe International Airport:
Arrival Lodging and Airport Pickup can be arranged for you. On the day that you arrive in Uganda. You can get either a Uganda Tourist Visa or East African Visa. You will need a Yellow Fever Certificate to enter Uganda. The East African Visa Option is best for this Safari and can be obtained on arrival at Entebbe, International Airport.
Day 1 – Kibale Forest:
Breakfast and we depart for Kibale Forest at 6:30 where the jungles of West and Central Africa meet Uganda – about 4 1/2 hours drive time. Check into Crater Safari Lodge where you will have lunch.
Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary – During the mid-afternoon it is a visit to Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary. This is Jungle Swamp that is filled with natural wonders.
On this guided nature walk which often using boardwalks made of planks to stay above the water.
If you are a Birding enthusiast, this is a must place for you to visit., One of the birds most see here is the large blue Turaco. During the afternoon walk, you can often see chimpanzees who come to forage here from Kibale Forest, but also other monkeys,
You can also see the rare semi-aquatic Sitatunga Antelope here which has webbed toes to help it get around swamp areas such as in Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary.
Your guide is from the local community of Bigodi who are the swamp caretakers which includes the protection of it and the wildlife found there.
Meal Plan: Lunch – Dinner
Lodging: Crater Safari Lodge
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Crater Lake Safari Lodge:
Crater Lake Safari Lodge overlooks an ancient Explosion Crater Lake. There is a swimming pool for you to enjoy. The crater Lake is below you, and you can enjoy a quiet moment at the dock where you can sit and enjoy the stillness of the lake.
You can take a boat ride around the lake and discover the abundance of colorful birds that call the lake and its surroundings their home.
You will delight in the continental meals served here with that dash of Uganda using local ingredients and the extra touches provided for you. Private meals can be arranged ahead of time.
A Family Cottage is available with two Bedrooms.
Day 2 –The All-Day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience – Kibale Forest:
Early breakfast and your Chimpanzee Habituation Experience with researchers, trackers, your guide is about to begin. This is being with the chimpanzees for the day and takes a bit of planning on your part.
You will need a daypack, a packed lunch from the lodge, two liters of water, some snacks as dried fruit that you can buy in Uganda, waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt, light rain-jacket, a hat. Such clothing is for protection and comfort from getting scratched on branches, protecting from insects, and staying comfortable in the rainforest.
The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience lasts all day, from the crack of dawn until the late afternoon. However, there is much to see as you observe the Chimpanzees, other primates, birds, and mammals that are found in Kibale Forest.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Lodge: Crater Lake Safari Lodge
Day – 3 – Queen Elizabeth Park – Mweya Area:
Breakfast and we take the 2-hour plus drive to Queen Elizabeth Park where we take the scenic Explosion Crater Drive – with its craters and Lakes, stunning views at the highest point in the park.
There 12-Explosion Craters, some are lakes, others covered by Savannah or Forests. They exploded about 3,000 years, shaping the area into what you see today.
You will also see wildlife such as Buffaloes, Antelopes, and Elephants along the drive.
We can add a visit to the Lake Katwe Saltworks where salt has been produced for over 500 years under harsh conditions.
The Explosion Crater Drive has been featured in the National Geographic Magazine.
During the late afternoon, it is a Kasenyi Plains Game Drive where you have some excellent opportunities to see Lions, Leopards, Elephant Herds, Buffaloes, Antelopes and other wildlife.
While slowly moving down a game track with a Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger on board along with your driver-guide.
Each game drive is about 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours in length, and you have a pop-up roof for best wildlife viewing while on a game drive.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Lodge: Kyambura Gorge Lodge
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Kyambura Gorge Lodge – Exclusive Luxury Lodge:
This classy lodge is located near the Kyambura Gorge, which is a giant gash in the Savannah of Queen Elizabeth Park. The lodge was created by taking an old coffee shop and giving it a new life as an exclusive luxury Lodge.
Today it is is one of the most beautiful lodges in Uganda, but still has that rustic look to it. Exquisite Bandas as the cottages are called here.
There is a swimming pool at the main lodge where you take a drink and hear the stories about today’s Safari adventures that various guests had.
Excellent service is a trademark of the Volcanoes Lodges and undoubtedly right at Kyambura Gorge Lodge, an exclusive Lodge with an out of the ordinary Touch.
Trek in the Gorge and spot a Chimpanzee in the valley of the Apes, Game drives and the boat safari on Kalinga Channel.
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Day – 4 – Queen Elizabeth Park:
Breakfast and a morning game drive with its abundant wildlife along the way.
Early Morning Lion Tracking Research with the Uganda Carnivore Project where you take part in the research of collared Lions and other Carnivores in the northern area of the park. This activity is limited as to the number of participants, and we book it for you well in Advance.
Lunch
During the afternoon is the highlight of any safari to Queen Elizabeth Park – the Kazinga Channel Boat Safari. This is a two-hour boat ride with wildlife, birds, reptiles along the way.
You can choose a smaller boat at a higher cost or use the larger Uganda Wildlife Authority boat- both will give you great views, or elephant, buffalo herds, antelopes, crocodiles, monitor lizards, hippos and countless of water birds including large schools of pelicans
Dinner
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Lodge: Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Day – 5 – Ishasha -Tree-Climbing Lions Queen Elizabeth Park:
Breakfast and depart for Ishasha, which is home to the best Tree-Climbing Lion location in East Africa. This is a 2-hour plus drive.
On arrival in Ishasha we take a Game Drive in search of the Tree Climbing Lions/ They climb into the trees after the night’s hunt. This is the best spot in East Africa for Tree Climbing Lions, known for the most consistent success in serving them.
Afternoon Game drive in search of the famed tree-climbing lions who sleep in the fig trees up to 15 hours a day. They have in recent times moved further into the park but seeing them is still one of the best probabilities in East Africa. There are about 50 of them here in various pride. You might also see some leopards, lot of elephants which have increased vastly in numbers. The elephants that you see here will be both Savannah and Forest Elephants. Most likely you will not be able to tell the difference, but forest elephants are hairier, have straight,
The elephants that you see here will be both Savannah and Forest Elephants. Most likely, you will not be able to tell the difference, but forest elephants are hairier, have straight, shorter tusks, are slightly smaller and have one less toe on each foot. You will also see large herds of buffaloes, Topi and Uganda Kob antelopes.
Note – Special Extras: At Ishasha Wilderness Camp a Sundowner can be arranged in the Bush for you hosted by Camp Staff reminiscent of the days of old in the African Bush.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch-Dinner
Lodge: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
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Day – 6 – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Rushaga Area:
Breakfast, and we depart for Rushaga, the only place for the Gorilla Habituation. This is a 5-hour drive, and we depart at 7 am to arrive in time for lunch in the Southern Area of Bwindi Forest.
Check into either the exclusive Clouds Mountain Lodge or the Upmarket Gorilla Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Lodge: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or Gorilla Safari Lodge
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Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge –Exclusive Luxury:
Ultimate Luxury on top of the World at the exclusive Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge combines its surrounding natural views and splendor, gorillas-birds-wildlife with the luxurious comfort and World-Class Service it offers to guests.
A family cottage is available with two bedrooms.
The lodge has become the favorite among our Luxury Safari clients and at a price that is considerably less than comparable lodges in Rwanda.
Gorilla Safari Lodge – Upmarket $$$:
The upmarket Gorilla Safari Lodge – quality and comfort in the Rushaga Area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest,
It is the only up-market Lodge in the Rushaga Area. It has an excellent track record with our clients who have stayed here since its opening.
The Deluxe Cottages are especially lovely with a fireplace and a sitting area where you can relax after trekking.
There is Family Cottage here that sleeps four and can be used by any group of 4 and has two bedrooms and a joined sitting area where you relax after trekking.
The Lodge had a facelift in the Spring of 2018 making it even more comfortable for guests
It is a 30-minute drive to the Habituation trailhead in Rushaga from here.
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Day – 7 – Gorilla Habituation Experience – Rushaga – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest:
Breakfast and the big day of spending four hours with the Gorillas have come. You will need a daypack, packed lunch, light rain jacket, a walking stick can be obtained and it is advised that you do so, waterproof hiking boots, good socks, long-sleeved shirt and long trousers, gardening gloves to pull yourself up on branches, hat and two liters of water.
After a brief meeting with the Gorilla Habituation Researchers, you are off for your 4-hour session with the Gentle Giants of the Forest. The permit is 1,500 USD – at four hours with the gorillas that is a real bargain compared to 2,400 used in Uganda on four treks or Rwanda at 3000 USD for four gorilla treks plus add the extra lodging.
This will undoubtedly be a most critical time for you on this one of the day’s of your life – being four hours with the Mountain Gorillas in Rushaga.
After your Gorilla habituation Experience, we take the short drive to Lake Mutanda where you can check into the upmarket Chameleon Hill Lodge or moderately price Mutanda Lake Resort.
Dinner
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Lodge: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or Gorilla Safari Lodge
Day – 8 – Mgahinga Gorilla Park:
A late Breakfast and it is a scenic 1 1/2 drive to Mount Gahinga Lodge at the edge of Mgahinga Gorilla Pare where you check-in for the next two nights.
Choice of Afternoon Activities at the Lodge: Mount Gahinga Lodge offers several activities to its guests. The Volcanic Caldera Walk is one of them. The various Batwa Cultural Encounters offered rank high, the Batwa Heritage Trail where the first people of forest demonstrate as to how they lived in harmony with nature including with the Mountain Gorillas, a village visit to the Gahinga Village built by the Lodge, the Vocational School are also popular.
Others relax at the lodge, choosing one of our Gorilla Read Books, enjoy a Uganda Waragi with a Krest Bitter Lemon, and have a relaxing afternoon in the shadow of the Brooding Volcanoes.
There is always the Complimentary Massage that you can enjoy during your stay at the lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Lodge: Mount Gahinga Lodge
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Mount Gahinga Lodge-Exclusive Luxury:
This exclusive, luxury Lodge is located just outside of Mgahinga Gorilla Park, which is an off the beaten path park when it comes to Gorilla Trekking.
The luxury lodge is your best base from which to track Gorillas, Golden Monkeys, make the Cultural Batwa Trail, Climb one of the Volcanoes or hit the hiking trails of the park.
Though Mount Gahinga Lodge is an exclusive Luxury Lodge, the daily rate compares to other upmarket lodges and represents real value for our clients who choose to stay here and we highly recommend the lodge because of the activities that they offer here and are included in the cost of your stay here.
You have the choice between luxury cottages and the deluxe cottage.
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Day – 9 – Golden Monkey Habituation Experience – Mgahinga Gorilla Park:
Breakfast and off to nearby Mgahinga Gorilla Park where it is your last Primate Habituation Experience with the endangered Golden Monkeys of the Virunga Volcanoes.
What you wear, should be similar to Gorilla Habituation Experience, including packed lunch and two liters of water. You will go with researchers on an upward climb toward the Bamboo Forests where the Golden Monkeys have their habitat.
Out of all the groups of primates, the golden monkeys are the liveliest of them, you will find the jumping over, making noise all around you, wherever you turn, there they are.
It takes about two years to habituate any primate group, and that includes the Golden Monkeys of Mgahinga Gorilla Park, The Golden Monkey habituation experience will take most of the day, but an enjoyable day it will be for you, not only surrounded by the golden monkeys but also the stunning scenery found at Mgahinga Gorilla Park and the Virunga Volcanoes.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Lodge: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Day – 10 – Kigali – Departure for home:
The Luxury Primate Habituation Experience Safari comes to an end. Breakfast and we leave for Kigali where you in visit the Genocide Museum, have lunch at Hotel des Mille Collines – Hotel Rwanda – Lunch not included in the price of the Safari.
Note: You can fly back to Entebbe, if you cannot fly out of Kigali, Rwanda.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Add a Day – Relax and Chill Out-Unwind on one of Africa’s most scenic and Photographed Lake:
In 2019 the scenery of Mgahinga Gorilla Park’s Volcanoes as seen from Lake Mutanda became the “Third in the World Must Photograph Locations.” Many of our Clients spend a day or two at the Chameleon Hill Lodge. This is Africa’s funkiest Lodge with its bright colors and Fairy Tale Castle Theme.
Chameleon Hill Lodge is an upmarket Lodge with one of the best views anywhere. It is the perfect way to end your Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda. The lodge is close to the border and just 2 1/2 hours from Kigali, Rwanda.
Lake Mutanda is a pristine Lake with emerald Isles framed by the brooding Volcanoes. One of our clients exclaimed that it was the most beautiful lake he had ever seen.
You can enjoy a Sundowner Boat ride here having Uganda’s drink of Choice, Uganda Waragi with a Krest Bitter Lemon Soda. You can try your hand paddling a dugout canoe. Birding Walk, island discovery boat rides can be done here among other things such as village walk and nature trails along Lake Mutanda.
If you are interested in this 10 day Primate Habituation Experience Safari – Fill out the Contact Form Below:
This safari should be booked 6 months in Advance
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