7 DAYS QUEEN ELIZABETH NP , BWINDI NP , VOLCANOES NP AND LAKE MBURO NP.
DAY 1 TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NP .
A driver guide from AA safaris and tours Ltd will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala . He will drive you southwestwards towards Queen Elizabeth NP. Along the way , you will take a stopover at the Mpambire drum makers and then later proceed to Queen Elizabeth NP. You will take a tour around the Crater lakes region not leaving out the Katwe Salt lakes where salt is traditionally mined . In the 16th century , salt was among the most important goods that lured the attention of very many people in and to Africa .It was rendered as one of the most expensive minerals and was bartered for other goods like clothes , bullets or even gun which were given the ruler of that time of areas where salt was mined that included Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom. The salt mine and industry in Katwe crater lake area is one of Africa ’s oldest industries. Explorer H.M Stanley was the first white to write a report about the memoirs of salt Exploitation Lake Katwe t whilst in his voyage to explore Africa in 1875. He also took with him a sample of salt which was analysed in London and Alexandria in Egypt . This was the first chemical analysis of Lake Katwe salt . Scenically , Queen Elizabeth Np is everything that a nature lover will cherish ! 30 mile to the north, the Blue Rwenzori Mountains detonated from the plain an amalgamated jagged mass of Mountains , 60 miles long and 40 wide and appearing in sure lights as if you could access out and feel them. Transversely, Lake Edward to the west , the Mitumbe hills prevailed sentry on the Congo border , blue too in the long sight but in closer green , wooded , sheer, aloof and typifying darkest Africa. The beautiful scenery here is said to be as a result of the mountains beyond the park boundaries which include the Rwenzori mtns while the park lies on a rift valley floor . After the crater lakes sites tour , you will later transfer to your lodge. Dinner and over night at
Budget – Bush lodge / Simba safari camp
Moderate – Hippo Hill camp / Ihamba lodge
Upmarket – Mweya safari lodge / Jacana safari lodge / Kyambura game lodge / Katara lodge
Day2 Chimpanzee tracking and afternoon launch cruise
Wake up relatively early for breakfast and then later you will be driven to either Kalinzu protected area or Kyambura Gorge for your chimpanzee tracking . Briefing starts at 0745 . The 100M Kyambura Gorge is a home to mans closest cousins the Chimpanzee and many other primates . The Kalinzu protected area is another home that one can give a thought if the Chimpanzee permits for Kyambura gorge are fully sold out. The rangers will provide you with detailed information about the flora and fauna that you will encounter as well as primate. Return to the lodge for lunch and then later assemble at Mweya’s Kazinga channel for an afternoon launch cruise .
The shoreline of the Kazinga channel attracts quite a vast number of birds and many mammal in the park come along the banks to take water . The guides will give you details along the boat ride and then later you will return to the main land . Dinner and over night at the lodge of your budget .
Day 3- TO BWINDI NATIONAL PARK
Your AA Safaris and tours Guide will pick you up from your lodge and transfer you to Bwindi Gorilla National Park . You will have a game drive in the Ishasha sector after which you will transfer to Bwindi . Ishasha is famous for tree climbing lions . The area is made up of diverse habitats which include the Ishasha river, the marshy lake Edward as well as savannah wood lands. Later transfer to Bwindi . Note that the Ishasha sector is only possible if you are tracking gorillas in main Bwindi however, it may not be possible if you are are going to gorilla track in Nkuringo because you must use another route which is far away from Ishasha. Dinner and over nights at either ;
Budget – Buhoma Community Bandas/ Bwindi View Bandas / Virunga Hotel or Nkuringo safari centre/ Ruhija camp (Full Board)
Mid range L. Kitandara Luxury Camp/ Nkuringo Campsite/ Nkuringo safari Lodge/ Trekers Tavern
Standard Engagi lodge / Buhoma lodge / Wagtail Eco lodge / Nkuringo safari Lodge / Travelers’ rest Hotel/ Gorilla safari Lodge/ Gorilla Mist Lodge
Luxury- Gorilla Resort Camp / Gorilla Forest camp/ Clouds lodge/ Gahinga Volcanoes Lodge.
Day 4- GORILLA TRACKING IN UGANDA
Have your breakfast early enough and then your guide will pick you up from your lodge and transfer you to the UWA offices for briefing and then later . Start trekking the gorilla forest as you search for the gorillas. Note that gorilla tracking can take 2 to 7 hours. The time taken to see the gorillas is unpredictable however an encounter is a worthwhile. Stay with the gorillas for 1 hour and then later transfer back to your lodge for dinner and over night .
DAY 5- TRANSFER TO VOLCANOS NATIONAL PARK (PARC DES VOLCAN) RWANDA IS GMT+2 1HOUR BEHIND UGANDA .
You will be transferred to Park Des Volcans . Along the way , you will cross the border , clear and pay your visa fees. ( Note that you need a confirmation letter to get a Rwanda visa and therefore you are advised to contact the Rwanda consulate in your country to check for procedures of how to apply for Rwanda visas online to acquire a confirmation letter which will enable you get a visa from any Rwannda boarded). On arrival , relax as you wait for the second gorilla tracking tour . Dinner and over night at ;
Budget accommodation: Kinigi Guest Hotel, EER Guest house at Ruhengeri Musanze
Mid-range / Moderate / Standard accommodation: Gorilla Nest Lodge, Gorilla Mountain View Lodge/ Gorillas Hotel / Le Bambou Hotel
Luxury accommodation: Virunga lodge or Sabyinyo silverback lodge
Day 6 GORILLA TREKKING RWANDA
Wake up and take your breakfast early enough. Later assemble at the ORTPN Offices for briefing . The guide will transfer you to the ORTPN Offices and later to the starting point of your gorilla tracking tour with AA safaris and tours ltd. Track gorillas with the guidance of the rangers who will lead you through the trails and help you search for gorillas with an idea off where your allocated gorilla family always stays or where it was the previous day. An encounter of the gorillas is a awesome experience ! One may say that it is a worthwhile after the long and many hours gorilla trek. After some time with the gorillas, you will return to your lodge for dinner and over night . We sometimes suggest a transfer to Kabale if gorilla tracking ends early to shorten the distance between Rwanda and Kampala or a transfer to Kigali for a flight out of Kigali .
Day 7. Transfer to Kampala
Take your breakfast and then transfer to Kampala .Lunch en route .
End of your gorilla tour with AA safaris and tours Ltd.
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