Semuliki National Park is one of Uganda's most important park that is known for bird watching and chimpanzee tracking . The Park covers an area of 220km and is found Bundibugyo district in the down floor of the Semliki section of the Albertine Rift Valley. This forested park contains numerous species associated with those in central rather than eastern Africa. Thatch huts are shaded by West African oil palms, the Semliki River which is marked as an international boundary since the river branched from riverCongo .

Biodiversity
Semuliki is one of Africa's most biodiverse forests and is particularly noted for its varied bird population. This biodiversity is enhanced by its great age, for it is one of Africa's most ancient forests. During the dry conditions of the last ice age, 12-18,000 years ago, most of Africa's forests shrank and disappeared. Only a few patches like Semuliki and Bwindi survived, protecting forest species during the arid apocalypse until they could eventually emerge to recolonise a better, wetter world. Today the Semuliki valley is a hothouse for vegetation growth, with temperatures rising to a humid 30°C doused by an annual 1250mm of rain, mostly between March-May and September-December.

While Semuliki's species have been evolving for over 25,000 years, the park contains evidence of even older processes.
Hot springs bubble up from the depths beneath Sempaya to demonstrate the powerful subterranean forces that have been shaping the rift valley during the last 14 million years.
The low lying park lies on the rift's sinking floor, most of it just 670m above sea level. Large areas may flood during the wet seasons; brief reminders of the time when the entire valley lay at the bottom of a lake for 7 million years ago.

Flora and fauna

Classified as Moist Semi-Deciduous forest, Semuliki is the only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa. The centre of the forest is dominated by Cynometra but the edges are attractively varied, with river swamp forest along the Semliki River and beautiful mixed forest around Sempaya.

A spillover from the Ituri of the Congo basin, Semuliki contains 336 tree species. It also supports an exceptional variety of mammals, birds and butterflies. This is attributed to the forest's great age, its transitional location between central and eastern Africa, and to a variety of habitats, notably forest, swamp, and savannah woodland.

About 441bird species are recorded that represent 40% of Uganda's total of 1007. 216 of these are forest species - 66% of the country's forest birdlist - while the list is expanded by the riverine habitat and a fringe of grassland in the east of the park. 
The forest is home to 53 mammals, of which 27 are large mammals; duiker-sized and above, several are Central African species found nowhere else in East Africa. Hippos and crocodiles are found in the Semliki river while the forest is remarkably rich in primates. Chimpanzee, black and white colobus, central African red colobus, blue monkey, red-tailed monkey, de Brazza's monkey, vervet monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, baboon, and Dent's mona monkey are present. Nocturnal primates include potto and bush baby.

Local people
There are four ethnic groups living around the pari Bamba and Bakonjo are found in the valley and mo slopes respectively and are agriculturalists who plant cash crops such as coffee and cocoa while food crops that include bananas, rice and potatoes for their family upkeep and above there are also pastoralists inthe lower values due to the prensence of water for the animals reared.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park, with a geographical area of 966 sq km, protects the upper slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains sometimes referred to as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ – the snowy source of the Nile River referred to by early geographers. Africa’s highest range, with six distinct mountains above 4600m translates into a montane Wonderland in which misty snow peaks loom above glaciated valleys filled with fantastic giant forms of lobelias, heathers and groundsels. Rwenzori is Africa highest range. Its loftiest peaks include Margherita (5,109m) and Alexandra (5,083m) on Mt Stanley. These are exceeded in altitude by only Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya both of which are extinct volcanoes standing in isolation above the surrounding plains. The Ruwenzori ranges contain four other glacial peaks besides Mt Stanley. These include Mt Speke (4,890m), Mt Gessi (4,715m), Mt Emin (4,791m), and Mount Luigi da Savoia (4,627m).

The Ruwenzoris are not only famous for challenging hiking and climbing possibilities. They have a well-deserved reputation for being very wet at times. This was best summedd up by a comment on the wall of Bujuku hut: ‘Jesus came here to learn how to walk on water. After five days, anyone could do it.’ The ranges support a diversity of fauna including 70 mammal and 177 bird species, several of the latter being Albertine Rift Endemics. The park is the only one in East Africa where the Angola colobus has been recorded. Besides, the black-and-white colobus monkeys are widespread on the mountains. Similar to other East African mountains, the Rwenzoris can be devided into several altitude zones, each with its own distinct microclimate and flora and fauna. The forest zone which commences around 1,800m has the most varied fauna. Some of the mammals present here include Angola colobus, black-and-white colobus, blue monkey, chimpanzees, elephants, golden cat, servalline genet, yellow-backed duiker, and giant forest hog among others.

The forest zone accommodates a diversity of birds including Rwenzori Turaco, handsome francolin, white-starred forest robin, Archer’s Ground Robin, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, long-eared owl, Rwenzori Batis, bar long-tailed cuckoo, Lagden’s bush shrike, golden-winged sunbird, blue-headed sunbird, strange weaver and a variety of barbets, flycatcher, greenbul, apalis, montane sooty boubou, illadopsis, slender-billed starling and crimsonwing.

Beyond the altitude of 2,500m, true forest gives way to dense bamboo forest stands. Between the altitudes 3,000m and 4,500m, the open vegetation of heather andd Alpine zones is renowned for its otherworldly quality: forest of giant heather plants, and giant lobelias and groundsel up to 10m high. The beautiful Lobellia wollanstonii and Senacio addmiralis are most common above 3,800m. Mammals are rare above the forest zone, but there a few birds worth looking out for: the Lammergeyer (bearded vulture) and black eagle are occasionally seen soaring overhead, whereas the alpine and scarce swifts andd scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird are confined to high altitude habitats in East Africa.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is probably the best option since it contains a wide variety of wildlife and is easily accessible in the western corner of Uganda and takes about 4-5 hours driver from Kampala the capital city of Uganda. As such it is near Kibale Forest, the Virunga Volcanoes and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and thus it can be combined with gorilla and chimp tracking. 

The park is located at the base of the 'Mountains of the Moon the Rwenzori Range and the views from some of the camps are simply spectacular.
Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts an array of wildlife including lion, leopard, elephant, antelope including the native Ugandan cob and the park is home to over 600 bird species - a quarter of Africa's total birdlife! It spans an area of about 2000 sq km with rolling hills and savannah plains, lush rainforest, crater lakes and the Kazinga Channel. This 32km long body of water runs between Lake Edward and Lake George and is filled to the brim with hippos and crocodiles.
The park is expansive and most tourists choose to stay in and around the village on the Mweya Peninsula. It is set on a splendid waterfront at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains and offers great game viewing. For those wishing to get off the beaten track, the Ishasha Sector is remote, rough and ready with its tree-climbing lions. And you can head to the beautiful Lake Mburo National Park which is halfway between Queen Elizabeth and Kampala 
Flora and fauna

The park is home to 95 mammal species while the birdlist is 612 species long. This diversity is the result of an impressive range of habitats. Fifty-seven vegetation types have been identified though these can be summarised as just five: forest; grassland; bushy grassland; Acacia woodland and lakeshore/ swamp vegetation. Residents of the park's grasslands include elephant, Cape buffalo, Uganda kob, waterbuck, warthog, giant forest hog, lion, leopard and hyaena. Topi are found in Ishasha, while forest primates are found in Kyambura Gorge and Maramagambo Forest.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has an impressive birdlist exceeded only by the neighbouring (and far larger) Virunga National Park. Key bird species include martial eagle, black-rumped buttonquail, African skimmer, Chapin's flycatcher, pink-backed pelicans, white-winged warbler, papyrus gonolek, papyrus canary, corncrake, lesser and greater flamingo, and shoebill stork.

The Murchison falls National park is situated in the northern part of Albertine Rift Valley and A long day's drive from Kampala, with a possible overnight break at Masindi. There is only public means of transport from Kampala to Masindi town. A place where the massive Bunyoro escarpment joins into the enormous plains of Acholi land. it was known as a game reserve set up to protect the savannah grassland and the park covers an area of about 3,893km2 .This area is an addition  to Murchison falls thus covering an area of about 5,072km2 including Bugungu  as well as Karuma wildlife reserves.

The Albert Nile corridor is on the low plains of about 612m at delta point. The temperatures tend to be hot with a maximum of 29Oc and the affected months are December,mid February, June as well as July. The rainy season is between April and November.
Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests
Trails through Kaniyo Pabidi forest for 8 kilometer inside Kichumbar Gate, offer the opportunity to track chimpanzee and primates below Uganda’s largest left mahogany. Bird watching is excellent with the opportunity of sighting rarities while the yellow-footed flycatcher, white hornbill and shoebill, red billed weaver, red headed weavers. Nature walks are as well offered at Rabongo forest.

Flora and Fauna
The Park is covered by woodland, wetland, savannah as well as tropical forest that is well known to be a habitant for over 76 mammal species and over 450 different bird species. Among the big mammals include hippo, Rothschild’s giraffe, warthlog, Cape buffalo, Uganda kob, hartebeest and elephants. The Nile corridor of the Murchison has a big collection of water birds such as rare shoebill stork and also has a large concentration of Nile crocodile.Kaniyo Pabidi forest is a home to primates, chimpanzees and over 360 species of different birds. And the accommodations include Paara Safari Lodge, Simbiya Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Red Chili Rest Camp.

Monutain Elgon is an extinct volcano With the largest surface area of any extinct Volcano in the world (50km by 80km), the fourth highest in E.Africa .Mounatin elgon national Park is the second Uganda’s interesting National Parks for Mountain climbing or Mountaineering after mountain of the moon (Rwenzori mountain). Mountain Elgon has been a regional landmark for a long time and is one of Uganda's oldest physical features due to the fact there are more features which can't be found any where else forexample the landslid,mass wasting effect that has created more effect to the mountain which lead to the formation of more features which are recent examples to the people. The mountain is a highly important water catchment area and this is because It’s forests receives up to 3000mm of rain each year, which they store and release to support flora, fauna with in the park and to the surrounding population.

Mount Elgon in Uganda receives fewer visitors than other higher and more famous mountains in East Africa. However its now experincing an increase in the number of visitor due to the formation of new feature which can only be found on mountain elgon only due to recent landslids. 
Location
It is located in Mbale district in Uganda occuping an area of 1,154 sq. km. The Park is located on the border of Kenya and Uganda and this make the park to be shared by uganda and kenya with many rivers originating from it top due to the high rainfall recieved throught the year among these rivers include Nzoia River , Turkwel River

HIKING MOUNTAIN ELGON
This is the most tourist activity taking place in Mount Elgon National Park. Climbing Mt. Elgon is relatively easy as the mountain is not difficult to climb and there fore there are no specialized skills or equipment is required to access the peaks. Tourists are free to climb this mountain any time of the year though the dry months of June to August.
Other Tourists attraction 
The Park has other attractions such as the Elephants and buffalo which are found on the lower slopes. The park is also home to a variety of small antelope and forest monkeys, such as the Black-and-white Colobus and Blue Monkey. It also has over 300 birds which can be found in the area plus fauna and flora, the park has a variety of physical features like cliffs, caves, waterfalls, and the mountain peaks. 
LOcal people 
Bagisu and Sabin are the two ethnic tribes found around the Mountain. These practice subsistence farming and conduct circumcision ceremonies every year to prepare young men and woman for challenges of adult hood. These two communities have made agreement with the park for sustainable harvest of traditional forest product.

It is situated in kisoro district, in south western Uganda and was gazzetted in 1991 and is part of the great virunga conservation area.Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 33.7 sq. km and consists of the partly forested slopes of three extinct volcanoes. From far away, the huge cones of the virunga volcanoes dominate the landscape . Mgahinga Park has great biological importance because throughout the climatic changes of the Pleistocene ice ages, mountains such as these provided a refuge for mountain plants and animals, which moved up or down the slopes as climate became warmer or cooler. The Virungas are home to a large variety of wildlife, including about half the world's critically endangered mountain gorillas.

and due to the presence of three volcanoes other actvities have been carried out

Activities
Volcano Climbing.
Mgahinga gorilla national offers three extinct volcanoes for phyisically fit hikers although they do not require special mountaineering gear. These three volcanoes include;

Mt. Sabinyo;
This is 366 meters high and it is known as man teeth. This volcano offers 3 challenging peaks to climb. A climb up to the mountain takes one up to a ridge a long the eastern side of the mountain to the peak. 1. if you are to continue, the climb to the peak ,2 involves walking a ridge with breath taking drops into the gorges of Rwanda and Uganda. Finally the hike up to peak 3 is steep and your hands will have to get dirty en route to peak 3. Once you are on top, you will be at a point in Rwanda, democratic republic of Congo and Uganda at the same time. A round trip journey takes about 8 hours to cover the 14 km sketch.

Mt.Gahinga;
This is 3474 meters high and it is known as small pile of stones On your way to the park there is a garden field of small piles of stones.The local people refer to such a pile as a gahinga. A hike to mountain Gahinga takes a round a couple of about 6 hours going through pure bamboo forest. The crater lake that once existed on top of Gahinga has now turned into a lush swamp.

Mt Muhavura;
This is 4127 meters high and it is refered to as the guide. And is  seen from all over kisoro,hence the volcano acts as the guide. This typically cone shapped mountain provides some of the best views in the country.

Lake mburo national park is located in southern uganda along mbarara-lyantonde and formerly the park was in mbarara district but due to the creation of more new districts the park now lies in kirihura district boarding with lyantonda and mbarara however most writters say it is in mbarara but nolonger the case.Mburo lies in an area covered by extensive acacia woodland ,and has different fauna than other reserves. And is the best place in the country to see the gigantic eland antelope, as well as zebra, topi, impala, and several acacia-associated birds.The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds, while fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus mammals such as the sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek. the activaties include Game Viewing of about 68 different species of mammals. BirdingThis Park has Open water birds, Lakeshore and papyrus swamp birds, Seasonal swamp birds, Woodland birds, Grassland birds and Forest birds .Birds of the Open Water in this Park include; Pink-backed pelican, Darter, White pelican, Yellow-billed duck, Long-tailed cormorant, White winged black tern and Greater cormorant Lakeshore and papyrus swamp birds They are over 26 species of lakeshore and papyrus swamp birds recorded in this Park. So Guide walksme of them include; Fish eagle, Pied kingfisher, African fin f oot, Great white egret, Night heron., Guide walks, Boat Rides due to presence of Lake within the park.

Kidepo valley national park 1442 sq km is Uganda’s most remote and isolated protected area found in the far North east bordering Kenya and South Sudan. The sparsely populated semi arid Karamoja land with difficult roads make it one of the least visited park in Uganda yet it is one of the most alluring destination in the Country boasting a strong wilderness atmosphere, rugged mountain scenery and exceptional game viewing and bird watching.

The highest point in the park is 2797m on Mt Lutoke and the lowest point is in the Kidepo in the North east at 914m. Other higher points are at Mt. Morugole 2750m this terrain is also broken by the Narus valley in the south west of the park.

FLORA AND FAUNA:
The dominant habitat is open or lightly wooded savanah,interpersed with patches of montane forest, riparian woodland, Thick miombo woodland, Borassus palm and rocky  koppies. 77 mammals are listed and 463 birds’ species with about 60 species recorded nowhere else in Uganda. Five primates including the localized Patas monkey.
The predators are well represented with 20 species resident in the park.The black –backed Jackal, Bat eared fox,Aardwolf, Cheetah and Caracal are found in no other park in Uganda- other predators include; lions, leopard, spotted hyenas, mongoose, Genets, and small cats. Localized antelopes like greater kudu, lesser kudu, Guenther’s dik dik, mountain reed buck are some of Kidepo’ specials. Large mammals like Elephants, Buffalos, burchell’s zebra , giraffe are quite common.

AVI FAUNA:
Out of the 463 birds species listed some of the Kipedo special include; Ostric, kori bustard, fox and white eyed kestrel, carmine, little green, and red throated bee eaters, Abyssinian scimitar bill, Abyssinian roller, Karamoja apalis, White headed buffalo weaver, Northern brown bull, Golden pipit purple grenadier white bellied go away bird,black breasted barbet.

ACTIVITIES:
The park is surrounded by mountains but its area is dominated by broad valleys of Kidepo river in the North and the popular Narus river in the south. The Kidepo river valley is having fewer  animals due its proximity to the porous Sudan boarder that made poaching to thrive in there.
Narus valley that can be seen from Apoka camp is the prime game viewing area and is well serviced by three game tracking loops; the Kakine, Katurum, and Nagusokepire circuit.
Birding is excellent and given that this park is less visited with less tourist traffic.
Visit to the hot spring at Kanatorok and the Kidepo River which mostly dry with about 50 mtrs wide white sand.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE:
The north east is home to Uganda’s most singular ethnic group the Karamojong. They are Nomadic pastoralist obsess by love for cattle like the Masai of Tanzania and Kenya. The Karamojong preserve their culture and still leave like the pre colonial Africa in most part of the region. Little or no crop farming, hunting and gathering of wild fruits, stems and roots are a common means of survival.
Cattle rustling is still common and in most cases violently conducted with no respect for international boundaries of Kenya or Uganda. The raids mainly target livestock though the casualties include killing of innocent women and children that is of great concern to government in the region.
Unlike the Masai the Karamojong Culture is less explored by other people including Ugandans.
Though security has improved greatly, it is advisable to keep updated of situation when visiting this part of the country especially by road.

ACCOMONDATION:
Upmarket option is Apoka lodge.
Budget is the Apoka Rest Camp (Self Catering Service) No Food provided.

ACCESS:
By chattered flight.
By Road with an overnight stop in Soroti or Moroto.

Kibale National park covers an area of about 795km and its acknowledged to have one of Uganda’s most gorgeous tropical forest. It’s a habitat to many forest wildlife and among these includes the 23 species primates along with chimpanzees, monkeys, and  the southern Kibale connects to the heart of Queen Elizabeth National park. The Forest covering predominates the central and northern part of the park on the raised Fort Portal plateau. At the park’s northern tip, Kibale is highest and stands 1590m above sea level. 

Additionally the wettest area is Northern Kibale, receiving an average annual rainfall of equal to 1700mm, mainly during March-May and September-November. The climate is usually pleasant with an average annual temperature range of 14 to 27oC. Temperatures are at maximum (& rainfall lower) in the south where the terrain drops onto the blistering rift valley floor and forest provides way to open grassland and Kibale-Fort Portal region is one of Uganda’s most pleasing places to explore as you may continue to Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori Mountains & Semuliki National Parks  and Southern Kibale joins Queen Elizabeth National Park and together these protected areas maintain a 180km-long migration corridor for wildlife which extends from Ishasha, the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth NP, to the Sebitoli forest in the north of Kibale.

The diversity and density of primates in Kibale is the highest in Africa. The most famous of its 23 species is the chimpanzee, our closest relative. Kibale's 1450 chimpanzee represent Uganda's largest population of this endangered primate. Kibale is also home to the rare I'Hoest's monkey and East Africa's largest population of the threatened red colobus monkey. Other primates include the black and white colobus, blue monkey, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkey, olive baboon, bush baby and potto.

Foral and fauna 
Other mammals are present, though rarely seen. These include forest elephant, buffalo, leopard, bush pig and duiker. A keen observer may also spot reptiles and amphibians as well as a colourful variety of butterflies.

The park boasts 325 species of birds, including 6 that are endemic to the Albertine Rift region, namely black-capped apalis, blue-headed sunbird, collared apalis, dusky crimsonwing, purple-breasted sunbird and red-faced woodland warbler. Other Kibale specials include the African pitta, green breasted pitta, black bee-eater, yellow spotted nicator, yellow rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, black-eared ground thrush, brownchested alethe, blue-breasted kingfisher, Abyssinian groundthrush, and the crowned eagle.

Tourist Activities:

Chimpanzee tracking

Nature/Forest Walk

Bird watching

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience.

Butterfly and entomology tours.

Night walks.

Community tours in Bigodi Wetland.

Acomondation

Range from Basic Camp ground to luxury Star rated hotels and Safari lodges

The Bwindi forest was gazetted in 1942 but upgraded to national park status in 1992 and recognized as a world heritage site in 1994. The park is 327 sq km with tangled vegetation draped over a deeply fissured landscape of slippery valleys and high draughty ridges. One of Africa’s most ancient forests Bwindi is home to rare endangered mountain gorilla in Uganda and ranks among world’s premier wildlife reserve. Temperature range fro 7-20 degree Celsius with annual rainfall up to 2390mm. More rainfall is received in March-May and Sept- November. Altitude range from 1160m-2600m above sea level.

FLORA AND FAUNA:
Bwindi supports a tremendous biodiversity mainly resulting from two factors; Wide habitat range due to variation in altitude from  1160 with lowland forest to 2600m dominated by the Afromontane vegetation. It is also one of the oldest forests in Africa believed to have survived from the hard conditions of the last ice age 12000-18000 years ago.
The species list include 310 butterfly,51 reptiles,200 trees,88months and exceptional 120 types of mammals including 10 primates. Chimpanzee, L’hoest’s, red tailed, blue monkeys, Black and white Columbus, baboons and the Mountain Gorillas are the most famous in Bwindi.

AVI FAUNA:
Bwindi is a prime destination for bird watchers with 350 species; seven of which are listed on the IUCN red data and 90% of the Albertine rift endemics can be seen from here. The 23 species endemic to Albertine rift 14 are not found anywhere else in Uganda. These include; African green Broad bill, White-tailed blue flycatcher, brown necked parrot, White-bellied robin chat and fraze’s eagle owl.

GORILLA TRACKING IN BWINDI:

BUHOMA; The busiest place for tracking gorillas because it is the trail head for three groups namely Mubare(M)opened in 1993, Habinyanja (H) 1998,Rushegura (R) opened in 2002  with a wide range of accommodation facilities. Though the main activity is gorilla tracking here you can also do other walks both in the forest and community. The most popular forest walks include;

• Muyaga River trail which ideal short walk to view birds and primates along the forest edge.
• Water falls trail leads through the Forest, passing beneath tree ferns, epiphytic ferns, orchids and climax with the sparkling views of the water falls. Rushura hill walk provides expansive views across the plains of western rift valley, Lake Edward and the Ruwenzori ranges.
• Muzabajiro walk; this trail will take you to the peak of Rukubira Hill for a breathtaking view of Bwindi Forest, the Rift valley and the Virungas.
• River Ivi trail: it follows the old road through the forest ermerging near Nkuringo on the southern edge of the forest. This is the longest walk and requires adequate preparation but highly recommended for birders.

Buhoma Community walk: This village walk is organized by the local community and the proceeds from it is used for the community development projects. It brings you closer to the village life by; visiting typical homesteads, traditional healer, Banana beer brewer, and traditional dance in performed.

RUHIIJA
This is another site where you can track the Bitukura group of Gorrillas opened in 2009. Before 2009 this part of Bwindi was popular for research and Bird watching especially the Albertine rift endemics. Besides the gorilla tracking, the walk to Mubwindi swamp is challenging but rewarding especially for birders and primate trackers.
Accommodation is available with wide option from medium range to budget. This area is mostly above 1900 m above sea level and can be cold during the rainy season. Other walks include;

• Community walks through the village trail to Mburamizi.
• The bamboo zone walks which climax with a panoramic view of lake Bunyonyi.

NSONZI:
The Nsonzi group was opened in 2010 and is located in Kisoro district. The southern part of Bwindi Forest. Gorilla tracking and walk to the water falls are the most popular activities in this area. Accommodation here includes The Gorilla Safari Lodge and the cheaper option is in Rubuguri.

NKURINGO:
The trail head lies on the Isolated Nteko bridge with enjoy the grandstand view of Bwindi and the Virungas in the south. Gorilla tracking activities hear was opened in 2004 with (N. group) Visitors should be fit as the park lies in a steep area 600 m below the road.
The accommodation in this area is the Clouds lodge ( High end) other option is in Kisoro near lake Mutanda (Nkuringo safari lodge and Mutanda eco tourism centre).

Proposed Safari itinerary for Bwindi Impenetrable game Park

Gorilla trekking Safari itinerary in Uganda
DAY ONE:
Arrival at Entebbe Airport then an overnight stay at a Kampala hotel. If the flight is early morning you can take a city tour (at your own expense).
DAY TWO:
Leave Kampala in the morning and drive south. A first stop over at the Equator; a famous spot for photography. For the rest of the journey, view the long horned Ankole cattle, papyrus, acacia woodland, and terraced landscape of Kigezi highlands on your way to Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park. Lunch enroute. Dinner/overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp or Mantana tented camp or Volcanoes.
DAY THREE:
After an early breakfast and briefing from the guides, set off for the gorilla tracking in the forest sanctuary. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals, as such sightings cannot be guaranteed, and however the success rate is well over 90%. You will be led by experienced trackers on the slopes of the volcanoes. You will start from the site where the gorillas were encountered the day before and from here the tracking begins. The gorillas, whose continuous search for food requires a nomadic lifestyle, determine the duration of the hike. The trek can take between one and six hours, sometimes more, at elevations in excess of 7,500 feet and over rough terrain. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is invigorating, and the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants are fascinating. These massive primates are extremely rare, only approximately 650 remaining. When the gorillas are encountered, any fatigue is quickly forgotten. Few who have had this rare privilege would disagree. Each strictly regulated 60-minute visit passes all too quickly, and you depart leaving the gorillas to their fragile existence. Return to your lodge for a late lunch. If your trek was relatively short, you will have the opportunity for a forest walk with a guide or just to relax. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
DAY FOUR:
After breakfast, return to Kampala at leisure. Lunch enroute.
DAY FIVE:
Depending on the time of your flight, we shall conduct a Kampala city tour before your Airport transfer.
You can go souvenir hunting and get ready for the 40 minutes ride to Entebbe Airport. A View Africa Safaris company representative will see you off.