Uganda Gorilla Photo Safari - 10 Days

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by a company representative and transferred you to your Hotel. But depending on your time of arrival this afternoon we tour Entebbe Botanical Gardens with chances of photographing the dazzling Black-headed Gonolek as well as the striking Double-toothed Barbet are both common around Entebbe. Bat Hawk and African Hobby are sometimes seen around town. Broad-billed Roller, Palm-nut Vulture, numerous weavers, and perhaps our first Great Blue Turaco might be seen at the Entebbe Botanical Garden on the edge of Africa’s largest lake - Lake Victoria. This tour gives you the most amazing, enjoyable and memorable wildlife photography days of exploring the wilderness of Uganda that make her the pearl of Africa. It is designed to avail you with opportunity to photograph various habitats where you may encounter with the world’s rare and threatened species of birds and animals. The birds and animals you are likely to photograph in this photo safari include African elephants, hippopotamus, Rothchild’s giraffe, warthog, lions, leopards ,chimpanzees and other primates like Vervet monkeys, Red tail monkeys, Uganda Mangabey and Gorillas; different bird species like Secretary Bird, Black-breasted Snake-Eagle , Tawny and Martial Eagles, Carmine, Swallow Tailed Bee-eaters among others. This evening we have the workshop briefing session on the up-coming photography expedition, do's, dont's and share expectations. Dinner and overnight at Boma Hotel (LD).

You embark on this memorable safari by driving North West of Uganda along the Kampala Gulu High way to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and later to Murchison Falls National Park. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is endowed with over 22 White Rhinos. The Rhino photography exercise begins with briefing from a specialized site ranger and thereafter you proceed to photograph the Rhinos. This activity normally takes between 30minutes to an hour depending on where the Rhinos are located within the sanctuary. Your time at the sanctuary will offer you an opportunity to learn more about the White Rhinos and will give you memorable experience about Rhinos in Africa. On return from the tracking activity, you have your lunch and proceed to Murchison Falls National Park, where you are likely to arrive late in the afternoon. Accommodation: All meals and overnights at Paraa Lodge (BLD).

This third day of your Safari gets you to encounter with the natural establishment of Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is greatly endowed with animals, birds, the Nile River and forests that will certainly give you beautiful lasting memories about wild life. This park is Uganda’s largest and the oldest national park. It’s a home to 76 species of mammals and 451 birds. Like earlier stated, it is bisected by river Nile, has the mighty breath taking Murchison falls and spectacular views of water. It is a park that you will always wish to explore. You begin your exploration of the park with a game drive in the northern circuit of the park. There you will encounter beautiful rolling plains. While in these plains you may encounter Lions, Giraffes, Hartebeest, Buffalos, Elephants, Bushbuck, Hippopotamus, Spotted hyenas, Wild cat, lion, leopard as well as many of the other mammals of the park. For the birders, this area supports the Secretary Bird, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Tawny and Martial Eagles Carmine and Swallow-tailed Bee-Eaters among others. In the afternoon, go for a boat trip to the bottom of Murchison Falls where the Nile thunders through a small 7-meter gap down to the delta. This experience is breath taking and should not to be missed! The banks of the Nile are home to many species. You may see huge Nile Crocodiles, Hippos and other wildlife that may come down to drink from this mighty river. You may see the pre-historic Shoebill, Saddle-billed stork and many other birds. Meals and overnight at Paraa Lodge (BLD)

On this day of the safari, you will embark on the journey in the morning to Kibale Forest National Park and this is a long drive which might take several hours with enroute lunch from Hoima town. While on the journey, you may opt for occasional stopovers to photograph the views of beautiful sceneries like the Rift valley escarpment on Lake Albert. Also, this travel gives you an opportunity to have an insight about the typical African village setup in the far countryside and various plantations. On arrival, you will instantly start enjoying the natural breeze and beauty of the place and its environs. You will be able to encounter Blue monkeys and Black and White colobus monkeys which occasionally frequent the surrounding areas to your lodge. The various sounds in the forest and nearby thickets from the birds’ calls and animals will create a new tune to your ears. In the evening after dark while lounging at the lodge verandah, you will continue to see and sense various primates roaming around especially beneath the lodge’s floodlights. Kibale Forest Camp (FB)

This day’s activity aims at giving you an opportunity to physically observe chimps and get practical understanding of lives and behaviors of chimps. The activity intends to give you more insight discovery about chimpanzees. Kibale Forest National park is located in south western part of Uganda. Kibale forest national Park has tracts of tropical forests with patches of grassland and swamps. It is a home to 13 species of primates and famous for chimpanzee tracking. It’s also a good area for sighting different bird species. The day’s activities begin by driving to the briefing point to be briefed about the chimpanzee tracking. After briefing, head into the forest for Chimps tracking. While tracking chimps, you are likely to discover how chimpanzees use a variety of sophiscated tools to construct sleeping nests, no wonder they are Humans’ closest living relatives. Other primates you will likely encounter are the rare I’Hoest’s monkey ,the black and white Colobus, Blue monkey, Grey cheeked mangabey, Red tailed monkey, Olive baboon to mention but a few. On return from the tracking and photography, you will travel to Queen Elizabeth national Game Park where you will have dinner and oovernight. Ihamba Safari Lodge (FB)

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most visited park in Uganda and for a good reason. The queen of England officially opened this national park (well-known for its tree-climbing lions and boasting 100 mammal species and 600 bird species!) in 1954. One of the highlights of our stay here is getting out onto the Kazinga Channel by boat and photographing the Nile Crocodile, Hippopotamus, and a good deal of waterbirds. Start the day with a game drive which will expose you to a variety of different animal species which are habitat to this park. The Park has several spots of well-maintained game viewing tracks where there are high chances of seeing animals such as elephants, buffaloes, lions and a variety of antelopes among others. During the game drive, you will drive across the savannah and see how it changes color with the rising sun. Elephants normally come out of silhouette, antelopes gather in staggering numbers, and huge lumbering hippos charge towards the water. You will be searching for the giants and getting up close to those that dominate the landscape. In the safari vehicle, you may park a few metres from the elephant herd and admire the curled tusks of a large bull and the cheerful appearance of the younger pachyderms. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat cruise on the spectacular Kazinga Channel which connects Lake Edward to Lake George.

The boat ride along the banks will give you an opportunity to see yawning hippos in water and you will see large herds of Uganda kob drinking water with their black and white spiraled horns making it suitable for fabulous photos. You will also be in position to see Nile crocodiles sunbathe on the banks while elephants disappear beneath the water poking their trunks up like snorkels. Spending the day on a boat safari is a very relaxed introduction to a true African safari as you can just sit back and absorb all of the encounters along the water. The channel also attracts several water birds like the Pelicans and the African Fish Eagle. Taking a boat cruise will therefore avail you with a chance to get into close encounter with such animals in addition to enjoying your time. After this fun thrilling expedition, you will relax at your lodge and have dinner before retiring to your respective rooms for overnight. Naturally we also hope to encounter Common Warthog, African Buffalo, Uganda Kob and a number of other large mammals. Forest Hog usually steals the show, however but you can get epic shots through the mist! Dinner and Overnight at Ihamba Safari Lodge (FB).

You will have an early breakfast and travel to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National park. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park is a home for an estimated 400 mountain gorillas which is half of the world’s population. It is also a home for more than 120 mammals and a variety of different bird species, and more importantly about the birds, is the existence of the 23 Albertine Rift Endemics. On arrival, check in and relax at your lodge. Later, go for the community walk around the neighbouring villages to interact with the local person which gives you an insight about their lives. Dinner and Overnight at Buhoma Community Rest Camp (FB).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Gorilla Tracking activity is moderate in terms of fitness required, except for some days that are considered quite strenuous, such as the day of gorilla trekking and the day hike into Bwindi and back especially if you have heavy camera gear. You are welcome to opt out of any activities if you don’t feel you’ll manage them. There are also many days of forest birding; please wear appropriate clothing items (dark/neutral clothing and caps instead of very wide-brimmed hats) and be ready to spend good amounts of time on foot with a good chance of soaking rain, so water protection for camera gear is advised.

Early morning into the thick forest for the much-awaited gorilla trekking! This amazing activity takes you through the densely forested steep hills until you finally meet these tranquil gorillas within the green plant cover. It is such a wonderful yet memorable encounter. While entering the forest, you will first walk on a handmade trail but then you will veer off to follow tracks left by forest elephants. The canopy will envelop you completely with rare and exotic flora found on every side. This is a challenging trek since it involves hiking through steep ascents and tangled trails. Gorilla trekking groups are assigned on fitness levels, so you can request a shorter or longer hike depending on your preferences. For many, the chance to travel in such exotic forest makes a longer hike worthwhile with some troops four hours away from the trailhead. Others might prefer to meet the gorilla troop closest to the trailhead. Once gorillas are identified, you will be allowed a maximum time of one hour within their vicinity and then after walk out of the dense forest. Your time with the gorillas will certainly create a long lasting memory about your visit to Uganda. After this fun filled expedition, you will travel back to your lodge for relaxation. Also, you can opt to take a walk around the environs of the lodge. All meals and overnights at Buhoma Community Rest Camp (BLD)

Our depart from Bwindi early is in the morning and head to Lake Mburo National Game Park for yet another marvelous encounter with the wild of Uganda. Lake Mburo National Park is a habitat to more than 60 species of mammals including the Impala which only lives in this park in Uganda, the Burchell’s zebras, Buffalos, Warthogs, Hippos, Leopard, Topis, Elands and Hyenas among others. It is also home to 350 bird species which include the rare Shoe bill stork, African fin foot, Saddle-billed stork among others. Along the way to Lake Mburo national Game Park, you will enjoy Uganda’s country side which is abundantly blessed with eye catching sceneries such as the hills, vast banana plantations and herds of the indigenous Ankole cow. Surely, your journey will be filled with moments of memorable exposure to nature. On arrival at Lake Mburo national Game Park, you will go for an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo. This lake is rich with a diversity of animal and plant species, which can only be viewed clearly while on a boat trip. These include crocodiles, Hippopotami and birds like, African Finfoot, Pelicans, Black crake, Heron, Cormorant and Fish eagle. You may also see the rare Shoebill stork. This park provides the best chance of viewing a deep red sunset silhouetting the thorny acacia shrub along the extensive marshy area. This amazing natural occurrence is worthy being experienced. All meals and overnights at Mihingo Lodge (BLD)

Check out of your rooms after breakfast and enjoy a morning game drive within the park where you are likely to see Zebras in large numbers, Buffalos, Hippos, Topis, Elands, Impalas and many other savannah animals. After the game drive, you will embark on the journey back to Entebbe. We stop for lunch at Igongo cultural center in Mbarara Town. We also stop briefly at Equator Line that runs through Uganda for a quick photo session and probably grab a Curio or Souvenir to take home. Evening coffee in Kampala before you are transferred to Entebbe International Airport in time for you to check-in for your onward flight. This marks the end of your Uganda Photography Safari Adventure. Hotel rooms NOT included but are available on request (BL).

These items form the basic components of your tour / safari cost and MAY NOT be excluded / removed from the tour pacakge all-together. However, if you still like the tour without some of of the basic components, kindly request for customization of the tour. The tour cost includes;

· Free pick-up / drop-off from your Hotel / Kampala / Entebbe Airport

· Accommodation in Entebbe / Kampala before the tour

· All transportation in a custom-built safari vehicle with window seat guarantee

· 3 meals a day / Full-Board accommodation whilst on Safari Hotels, lodges or Camps

· All parks and game reserve entry gate fees including vehicle & driver fees

· Boat launch to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls

· Gorilla Tracking Permits from Uganda Widlife Authority

· Services of an English - speaking and professional birding safari driver/guide

· Unlimited Supply of Complimentary Bottled Drinking Water on safari

· All packed lunches as outlined in the itinerary

· Guaranteed Departures with a minimum of just 2 travellers!

· ALL Government taxes and levies

These items are excluded from your tour cost / package. You are therefore expected to make own arrangement for some such as your International Flight Tickets, Travel Insurance and so on. Others are available as 'add-ons' to your tour and we shall be glad to include any extras you like at a reasonable cost. The tour cost excludes;

· International Air Fares to and from Africa

· Travel Insurance Cover, Personal or Baggage (Highly Recommended)

· Cost of Tourist or Business Visa and any other associated expenses

· Optional excursions not mentioned in the inclusions and/or quoted separately

· Expenses of personal nature such as phone calls, internet, laundry etc

· All soft and hard drinks (alcoholic drinks, wines and spirits)

· Tips and gratuities to driver guides/lodge/hotel staff

· Festive days supplements such as those on Easter and Xmas dates

· All other extras not mentioned in the 'included'

When you book a tour with us, we want always want you to fee special. That is why we go the extra mile not only to make you smile but to ensure that your are taking home only the fondest of memories from our trips. Below are some of the special treatments you are unlikely to find with other tour operators;

· Special 'Welcome Package' for you upon arrival

· Assorted wildlife and birds guide books and reference materials

· Free upgrade to a 4x4 Safari Vehicle with UNLIMITED game drives on safari

· Free supply of UNLIMITED bottled mineral water whilst on safari

· Complimentary 'AfriChoice!® Authentic African Safari Sun Hat

· Free Membership to AMREF's Flying Doctors Emergency Evacuation Programme*

· Signed & Sealed 'Participation Certificate' (Gorilla Experience*)

· Special 'Farewell Dinner' at the end of your trip (Time Permitting*)

· All-year-round departures with a minimum of 2 travelers

CAUTION: This trip is moderate in terms of fitness required, except for some days that are considered quite strenuous, such as the day of gorilla trekking and the day hike into Mubwindi Swamp and back. Chimpanzee trekking and looking for Green-breasted Pitta can also involve quite a lot of walking. You are welcome to opt out of any activities if you don’t feel you’ll manage them. There are also many days of forest birding; please wear appropriate clothing items (dark/neutral clothing and caps instead of very wide-brimmed hats) and be ready to spend good amounts of time on foot with a good chance of soaking rain, so protection for camera gear is advised.