UGANDA

Days 1 – 2

We meet you in Entebbe, Uganda, on our first day at the

Entebbe Tourist Hostel and Campsite, to take the Ssesse ferry over to Ngamba Island on Day One to see the cheeky chimps on their island sanctuary. Arriving in time to view their antics during their supplementary meal, we also get treated ourselves to a traditional fish lunch, and find out a little about chimpanzee conservation during the informative talk by one of the guides.

Leaving Entebbe we drive through to the drum markets at Mpambira where you can enjoy the works of the drum makers and perhaps make a purchase of a traditional drum. We then stop at the Equator for photos on the way to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Optional excursion: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Days 3 – 4

Queen Elizabeth is primarily associated with open savannah but has at least ten crater lakes within it’s boundaries. It is particularly famous for its hippo population, with large hippo pods being seen on a daily basis as well as elephant, buffalo, waterbuck, Uganda kob and perhaps crocodile during the game cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Water birds are also plentiful, and keep an eye out for the giant water monitor lizard. A game drive through the park also might allow us to see more including giant forest hog and with a little luck some of the park’s predators including spotted hyena, leopard and lion. We camp over in the wild tonight to really enjoy nature at its best under the African stars.

Travelling to the south west region of Uganda, we head to serene Lake Bunyoni, nestled in the Mfumbiro Hills. Here we relax, take a dip in the lake and canoe, before making our way into Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills, and home of the endangered mountain gorilla.

RWANDA

Days 5 – 8

Our base for our trek to see the gorillas, the highlight of our safari, is in the Ruhengeri region.

From the count on the census in January 2004 there are 720 mountain gorillas left on the planet. We get the opportunity to trek with local rangers to spend an hour with these beautiful gentle creatures in their natural habitat, a special and magical once in a lifetime experience.  The trackers know the various gorilla families well and are expert at locating them usually within a few hours, whilst at times they can be found within an hour, and other times it can take up to 6 hours. We regularly get to spend an hour, often around mid morning, with the gorillas whilst they play, eat and relax in their forest home. Gorillas spend approximately 25% of their day eating, and usually rest during the middle of the day, whilst the young ones spend much of their time playing with each other, and even with adults.

That night we enjoy a night out in a local restaurant, and enjoy some traditional dancing. During our time in Rwanda we also stop over in Kigale and visit the Genocide Museum. There is also time to visit in a local school and orphanage.

Our safari ends early morning on the last day in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigale.

Other Options to Consider

For the option to join us three days before your safari in Jinja, at the Legendary Source of the Nile, to relax and get to know your fellow travellers with the opportunity enjoy a range of activities such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking, quad biking and horse riding please contact us.

Volunteer opportunities in local schools are also available.

Bolt On Safaris to The Mara and Beach Stays on Zanzibar Island can also be arranged.

Any queries? Call our office on +44 (0) 208 742 0226, email us at

absaf@absoluteafrica.com or skype us on skypeabsoluteafrica