Day 1: Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by your T2U safari guide who will assist you with your luggage and transfer you to your accommodation in Kampala - Emin Pasha Hotel. The drive will take approximately 45 minutes, depending on traffic. EMIN PASHA HOTEL: As one of two boutique hotels in Kampala, Emin Pasha’s Superior rooms are located on the upper level, with French doors opening to views over the gardens or courtyard. All rooms are air-conditioned, with en-suite bathrooms, internet access, TV, and direct dial telephone. Some of the rooms have a small outside sitting area facing the courtyard. Overnight at Emin Pasha Hotel (BB) Day 2: In the morning we will leave Kampala at around 8:00 am, driving through the famous Luwero Triangle. On the way we will stop at Masindi, having lunch and then continuing to Murchison Falls National Park. On arrival at the park we will stop at the top of the falls to enjoy the fantastic view. Here the Nile, the longest river in the world, is forced through a narrow gap in the rock (only 7 meters wide), before ferociously plunging down 43 meters. From here we will continue on, taking a ferry across the river to Paraa Safari Lodge. Overnight at Paraa safari Lodge (FB) Day 3: During the early morning Game Drive in the National Park you may encounter hippos, elephants, buffalos, giraffes and many other animals. After lunch you can go for a boat trip along the Nile, and see crocodiles, hippos and lots of birds. If you are lucky you can even see the rare and prehistoric-looking Shoebill – looks like a cross between a dodo and a dinosaur! The boat will take you to the base of the Murchison Falls, where you can see up close the Nile thundering down the rock. Overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge (FB) Day 4: Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before departing for Kibale National Park. (A packed lunch in provided). The drive will take approximately 7 hours, taking you to the town of Fort Portal and your hotel Mountains of the Moon. MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON: Combining modern and traditional influences, the newly-renovated (2007) hotel has 33 well-designed rooms. There are 3 modern conference rooms with unmatched facilities to meet your business needs; or relax and enjoy a massage in the well-equipped Health Club. Overnight at Mountains of the Moon (FB) Day 5: The day will start with an early morning drive to the ranger station in Kibale National Park. The ranger will guide you through the forest to track habituated chimps. These delightful apes, more closely related to humans than any other living creature, are tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play in the fruit trees. The incredibly diverse forest is home to over 13 species of primates, including the Red Colobus monkey, the rare L'hoest, Blue monkey, Grey Nangabey, Pottos, Black-faced Vervet monkeys, baboons and also bushbabies. A network of shady forest trails provides much to delight botanists and butterfly lovers, while birdwatchers are in for a treat with 335 species recorded, including the endemic Prirogrine's Ground Thrush. The elusive forest elephant, smaller and hairier than its savannah counterpart, moves seasonally into the developed part of the park, while other terrestrial mammals, including buffalo, giant forest hog and half a dozen antelope species roam free. After this wonderful experience, we will depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. (The drive will take approximately 4 hours). MWEYA LODGE : At Mweya Lodge, located in the national park, you may choose between the following types of rooms: luxurious, deluxe, suites, triple share and double and twin accommodation. All the rooms have balconies overlooking the Kazinga Channel and Lake Edward, with private bathrooms (and electricity). Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge (FB) Day 6: With an early cup of coffee or tea in hand, see the sunrise as you exit the lodge for a game drive. Expect to see various mammals like buffalo, hippo, lions, antelopes, hyenas and others. We will return to the lodge for lunch and a chance to relax, before taking an afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. This will give you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippos huffing and puffing mere feet away from the boat; buffalo lingering in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds, including Pink-backed Pelicans, Pied and Malachite Kingfishers, Saddle billed Stork and many others. After a wonderful afternoon, a slow drive back to the lodge. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge (FB) Day 7: After breakfast we will depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. We will drive through the seasonal southern sector of Queen Elizabeth called Ishasha. We will take lunch by the Ishasha River and try to spot the famed Ishasha tree-climbing lions, before continuing to Bwindi, home to the few remaining mountain gorillas. Bird life and primate life in Bwindi is quite superb, and there is an incredible variety of flora. Bwindi is the bird watcher’s heaven!! It is the home of 348 species of birds and supports 24 of the 26 Albertine Rift Endemics to be found in Uganda, as well as seven Red Data Book species. Once part of the forests of the Virunga Volcanoes, Bwindi is now an ecological island, surrounded by abundant farms, rich from the volcanic soils. BUHOMA LODGE: Located in the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the lodge has 8 comfortable cottages, each with its own private veranda and a beautiful view of the forest. Inside the cottages you find en suite bathrooms. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge (FB) Day 8: Wake early for a hearty breakfast to give you the energy needed for gorilla trekking. Before 8:00am, report to the ranger station for registration and a talk by one of the rangers. The guides will then take you through the bush, pushing your way trough the undergrowth, to track the gorillas. (Please note this trek can take from 30 minutes to 5-6 hours). A reasonable degree of fitness is required, as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes. Sit in the forest among the gorillas, listening to them ‘talk’ to one an other, and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male, the Silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas. It's amazing to think there are only about 650 of these beautiful creatures left. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge (FB) Day 9: Wake early for breakfast, before your departure (with a packed lunch) for Kampala (a 10 hour drive). Once you arrive in Kampala, your guide will drive you to Entebbe International Airport for your outbound flight. Please note you have to be at the Airport 2 hours before your departure.
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