PWS – 7 days: The great Primate Watch

Day 01.
Arrive EBB, transfer to Lake Victoria Hotel, meet & greet, if time permits visit the famous Entebbe Botanical Gardens, o/n Hotel. Lake Victoria Hotel is a newly renovated colonial hotel with beautiful gardens and swimming pool; it is 4 star and has 99 rooms.

Day 02.
Drive westward to Kibale forest approximately 7.5 hours on sealed and marrum roads. The route slowly ascends from the Lake Victoria Basin into the lush rolling foothills of The Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon). The road passes through villages and farmland where every imaginable fruit and vegetable of the tropics can be seen growing. Birding is excellent as the road passes through rain forest regions, agricultural land, papyrus swamps and scrubland before reaching the famous tea growing area around Fort Portal and Kyenjojo. Pass through tea plantations into Kibale Forest area, o/n Ndali Lodge.

Day 03.
Forest and swamp walks to see the rain forest and view birds and primates, including Chimps. Walking is not difficult, paths have been made in the forest and all walks are with excellent local guides, o/n Ndali Lodge.

Day 04.
Drive to Bwindi via Q.E.N.P., the drive passes through Fort Portal and then south along the eastern stretch of The Rwenzori Mountains, with the hope of seeing the glaciated peaks. The drive is a full day, once again gently descending into The Great African Rift Valley and Q.E.N.P., then continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, passing through the scenic area known as The Switzerland of East Africa approx. 7.5 hour drive, o/n African Pearl Homestead.

Day 05
Gorilla trek, o/n African Pearl Homestead.
Gorilla trekking (clothing & equipment list included in Uganda Information e-mail) After breakfast take a short drive to Park Headquarters, meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the ethics of Gorilla trekking. Then clients hike into the forest to where the Gorillas were seen the night before, and then they are tracked from that point. The trek may take 1 to 6 hours to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet over rough and at times muddy terrain.
Although the hike can be physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trek worthwhile. Once the Gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world.
Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes notice, hence waterproof clothing is a good idea, and also zip lock bags for cameras and film.
Weather changes in a matter of seconds and it may rain any time. It is advisable to carry along water proof clothing. zip lock bags for cameras and photo films.

Day 07.
Drive to EBB (approx. 5 hours), to connect with departure flight, late afternoon or evening. BL