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This Western Circuit itinerary of the famous Albertine Rift Valley offers an interesting nature-based trip with many ecotourism activities (such as trekking to see primates, chimpanzees, gorillas and other species), photo safaris, landscapes and tourist attractions such as Murchison Falls, bird watching excursions and cultural walks through villages. Therefore, this is such an active program recommended for those who wish to fully immerse themselves in nature and its beauties. But mainly, this itinerary supports the Bugoma Rainforest Conservation Project in Uganda.

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circuit details

Gorillas in Uganda, no flights itinerary

Day 1:

ENTEBBE OR KAMPALA

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. Accommodation.

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Day 2:

ENTEBBE OR KAMPALA - MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Breakfast and drive northwest via Masindi to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest national park. It offers a diverse mix of landscapes, including acacia trees and savannas in the north and tropical forests in the south. Along the way, we'll stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a nature walk and to learn about the breeding and care project for the endangered white rhinos. After lunch, we continue to the National Park, reaching the Nile River for a visit to the top of Murchison Falls, where the river flows through a narrow canyon, forming a spectacular waterfall. We arrive at the lodge at dusk after a nearly six-hour drive, part of which will be on dirt roads within the park. Dinner and overnight stay.

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Day 3:

MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Breakfast and departure for a safari, exploring the savannah in the northern region of the Nile Delta, on Lake Albert. The aim of this excursion is to see elephants, lions, buffalos, giraffes, waterbucks, oribís, leopards, as well as spotted hyenas. The park has dense vegetation and offers a spectacular view, so we recommend having your camera ready to take the best photos. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, we will go on another safari, but this time by boat along the banks of the Nile, to spot hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds such as the African hawk-eagle, common pelican, kingfisher and the Nile goose. Dinner and accommodation.

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Day 4:

MURCHISON FALLS NP - BUDONGO FOREST - BUGOMA FOREST

Breakfast and early departure to Budongo Forest, Kaniyo-Pabidi Ecotourism Site, for a trek through the rainforest and encounter the great apes, chimpanzees, in their natural habitat. The forest is also home to many other primates such as the black-and-white colobus monkey, the red-tailed monkey, the blue monkey, the vervet monkey, and baboons. Chimpanzee trekking is made possible through conservation efforts by the Jane Goodall Institute and park authorities to protect the forest and endangered chimpanzees. Lunch. In the afternoon, the journey continues to Lake Albert and Bugoma Reserve, where you will participate in a cultural activity in the Bugoma community, accompanied by local guides. You will meet the forest inhabitants, learn about their lives, and interact with them. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

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Day 5:

BUGOMA FOREST - KASESE

Breakfast and departure for a nature walk in search of the mangabeys in Bugoma Forest, which covers 410 km2 and is the habitat of this primate species. A forest conservation project is being carried out here. The association makes nature walks possible by developing ecotourism activities in Bugoma and training local guides, benefiting the surrounding communities. You can actively support the association's conservation projects: the Every 5 Acres reforestation project, the private Chimp T-RAP patrol for law enforcement against illegal logging, the public native tree nursery, and the beekeeping project with local farmers. Local community products such as tea and honey are available here. You'll also be able to participate in the planting of a native tree in the reforestation project area, helping to provide a new habitat for the chimpanzees. We then leave Bugoma Forest and head southwest along Lake Albert and the Rift Valley escarpments, enjoying stunning panoramic views as we head toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. Lunch en route at a local restaurant. The drive continues along the Rwenzori Mountains to the town of Kasese. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

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Day 6:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Breakfast and early game drive along the tracks of Queen Elizabeth National Park, in the northern sectors towards Lake George and Kasenyi village, for possible sightings of lions, elephants, buffalo, spotted hyenas, waterbuck, Uganda kob, and perhaps the leopard. Queen Elizabeth Park boasts unique landscapes and views of the crater lakes and the Albertine Rift Valley, making this area a special and unforgettable place. Mid-morning, a boat safari will depart from the Mweya Peninsula along the Kazinga Channel, one of Uganda's most popular spots for wildlife, birdlife, and photography opportunities. With the possibility of seeing many hippos, buffalo, and elephants drinking from the channel. Lunch and a short transfer to the Ishasha Sector of the park. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

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Day 7:

QUEEN ELISABETH NP - BWINDI FOREST NP

Breakfast is served, followed by a game drive through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth Park. We will set out in search of the famous "tree-climbing lions," seen during the hottest hours of the day as they rest in the fig trees. We will also observe herds of buffalo, elephants, and topi antelopes. Lunch is served. We continue our journey into the tropical rainforests, which are the natural habitat of the endangered mountain gorillas. We will reach an altitude of up to 2,300 m above sea level in Bwindi, although the choice of gorilla safari area depends on the availability and allocation of permits for this activity. Arrival at the lodge in Bwindi National Park. Today's transfer can be very long, up to 7 hours, depending on road conditions and the location of the gorilla permit allocation. Dinner and overnight stay.

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Day 8:

BWINDI FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Breakfast and departure for the Bwindi Rainforest for a gorilla-watching safari. The activity begins at 8 am and we will follow the ranger's instructions in a group of no more than 8 people, while searching for the habituated mountain gorilla families assigned according to permits. The Bwindi Rainforest in Uganda contains a population of 450 gorillas—half of the world's mountain gorillas according to the 2018 census—of which some families have become accustomed to human presence. The time until the gorillas can be found is unpredictable, once found, we have an hour to observe the primates and their behavior, while taking photographs. We must make sure to bring lunch and water with us, in addition, we can count on local porters who will not only help us with our belongings, but will also assist us along the way, sometimes with uneven ground or undergrowth (for a fee). Return to the lodge, dinner and accommodation.

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Day 9:

BWINDI FOREST NATIONAL PARK - ENTEBBE

Breakfast and transfer by road to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator to visit the local craft markets. Lunch en route and continued transfer to Entebbe International Airport.

Note: Today's transfer is approximately 9 hours (approximately 450 km), so we recommend booking late-day flights or considering the option of adding an extra night (not included) in Entebbe or Kampala.

Activities