Guillermo Velez Travel

The Albertine Rift Valley

This is a once in a lifetime safari that brings together two must do activities, trekking the endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees of Bwindi and Kibale forest. Chimpanzee habituation experiences will be the major activities in Kibale forest national park. In addition to our primate excursions, we will be observing herds of game travel across the rolling savannahs of Western Uganda and see many other species of wildlife such as lion, leopard, elephant, and rhino. Our expedition will traverse the western edge of the Great Rift Valley, known as the Albertine Rift Valley. Our route will take you in Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park (“QENP”), and finally Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (“BINP”).

10 days trip of photography in one of the world’s top locations, the ‘Pearl of Africa’ and the Virunga volcanoes. One trek each in Uganda to meet the world’s last remaining Mountain Gorillas as well as chimpanzees face to face. Landscapes ranging from afromontane forests, equatorial savannahs, to papyrus swamps.

Day 1 – Entebbe

Arrival in Uganda.

Accommodation at The Boma Guest House in Entebbe.

Day 2- Entebbe – Mabamba

Birding to Mabamba. Early breakfast and transfer to Mabamba Swamp 25 km west of Entebbe. Move to Mabamba swamps a board a canoe as we look out for the exceptional Shoebill Stork, African Water rail, Allen’s & Purple Gallinule (swamp hen) Squacco, Goliath, Purple, Grey Herons, a variety of Egrets, ducks etc. There are also chances of encountering the elusive Sitatunga Antelope adapted to swampy habitats. Overnight stay at The BOMA Guest house.

Day 3- Day 3: Fly from Entebbe to Kibale forest national park.

Pick-up from Kasese airfield to Kibale (2 hours drive). Afternoon hike – excellent for birdlife and for seeing primates at close quarters. Our hike will feature 8 primate species, numerous water birds, over 200 bird species, many reptiles, and uncounted varieties of trees, shrubs, and vines. Overnight at Primate Lodge. Lunch and Overnight at Primate lodge.

Day 4 – Kibale National Park:

Kibale National Park: An exclusively day in Kibale forest national park which supports 13 species of primates. The 795km2 Kibale National Park contains one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. This is home to a host of forest wildlife, most famously 13 species of primate including chimpanzee. Forest cover predominates in the northern and central parts of the park on the elevated Fort Portal plateau. Kibale is highest

at the park’s northern tip which stands 1590m above sea level. Northern Kibale is also the wettest area, receiving a mean annual rainfall of up to 1700mm, mostly during March-May and September-November. The climate is generally pleasant with a mean annual temperature range of 14-27oC. Temperatures are highest (and rainfall lower) in the south where the terrain drops down onto the hot rift valley floor and forest gives way to open

grassland. Southern Kibale adjoins 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 Kibale-Fort Portal area is one of Uganda’s most rewarding areas to explore. The park lies close to the tranquil Ndali-Kasenda crater area.

One day chimpanzee habituation Experience The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) allows you to search for a community of chimpanzee which is under-going habituation. Habituation is a process whereby wild animals get used to human presence without altering their natural behaviour. This takes a whole day and early visitors may be able to see the spectacular scene of chimps de-nesting between 6:00 -6:30 am, feeding, copulating, hunting, breast feeding, resting, patrolling and displaying until they build new nests and retire for the night around 7.00 pm. The Habituation experience runs throughout the year. To enjoy this activity, you will need packed lunch, enough water and raingear. This activity is guided by the park ranger guide and where necessary one may ask for a porter who may help carry your rucksack during the experience. Overnight at Primate Lodge FB.

Day 5 – Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). QENP has a number of mammal species and a remarkable 612 species of birds. Residents of the park include elephants, cape buffalo, Uganda kob, waterbuck, warthog, giant forest hog, lion, leopard and hyena. Lunch at Mweya Safari lodge. Afternoon game drive along the crater zone to photograph the stunning crater lakes. Overnight at the fabulous Mweya Safari Lodge.

Day 6 – Queen Elizabeth national park

Early morning game drive to Kasenyi Kob mating area for lion and other game viewing. Return to the lodge for lunch Launch trip on the Kazinga channel in the afternoon for a magnificent

water safari on kazinga channel and Lake Edward. Photographic and game viewing opportunities abounds as you pass through the huge herds of hippos and watch animals coming to drink at the water edges. Bird life is colourful and abundant. Overnight stay at Mweya Safari Lodge F/B

Day 7 – Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national Park in the south.

After breakfast drive to Ishasha sector with a possibility of tracking and seeing the tree climbing lions restricted to the Ishasha sector. Ishasha sector is an ecosystem that extends to DR. Congo and animals here range freely including the Elephants. Lunch and overnight stay at the Ishasha Wilderness Camp F/B

Day 8 – Ishasha Queen Elizabeth NP– Bwindi Impenetrable NP:

After an early breakfast, half day game drive in Ishasha and then travel to Bwindi impenetrable National park in the afternoon hours. Ishasha is the home to the famous Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions. Ishasha lies 100Km south of the northern sector of QENP and provides a true wilderness experience. Lunch at the Ishasha Ishasha Wilderness Camp. Afternoon drive to Bwindi, for an overnight stay at the exclusive Engagi lodge.

Day 9 – Bwindi

This day will be spent tracking the Mountain Gorillas. As time spent with the gorillas is restricted to only one hour per visit, each primate lover will have one opportunity to visit the mountain gorillas getting breath-taking photographs with these majestic animals. Overnight at Engagi Lodge.

Day 10 – Bwindi – flight to Entebbe

Flight to Entebbe after an early morning breakfast at Engagi lodge. (A charter has been arranged for this transfer as the distance requires 10 hours drive) For those not travelling immediately, accommodation will be provided for at The Boma

included:

• Transfer from/to airport upon arrival and departure
• all acomondations
• Meals as indicated (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
• Private transportation + fuel,
• Flight Entebbe-Kigali
• Flight Bwindi-Entebbe
• Sightseeing and entrance fees according to the itinerary
• 1 Chimpazee tracking (750US$)
• 1 Mountain Gorilla tracking (750US$)
• Full-time services of your English speaking local guide
• Professional Photographic Guides Guillermo Velez
• Safari Host: Primatologist David Baluku

Not included:

• International Airfare/train ticket
• Alcohol
• Travel insurance, health insurances.
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, camera or video fees at any sites etc.
• Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary)
• Model fees
• Tips
• What is not mentioned as included
• Additional Gorilla permits per guess at $600 Authority has said that the Government of Uganda will not increase its gorilla trekking permits prices in 2018-2019,