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HIGHLIGHTS
A quick look about this trip!
DURATION
13 DAYS
COMFORT
LANGUAGE
RATING
  •  Traverse the rainforest heartland of the mountain gorilla with multiple treks in both Uganda and Rwanda
  •  Complete the primate experience in Kibale Forest National Park, observing wild chimpanzees and colobus monkeys
  •  Join NHA’s top Expedition Leaders as we search for the famed primates, as well as plains game and predators, on the savannahs of the Western Rift Valley
ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP
Primary: Gorilla Tracking
Other: Wildlife, national parks
$13895USD
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ONGOING PROMOTIONS
"Get 5% off when you book with AdventureLink before May 31st, 2012!"
SAVE 5%
Applies to Departures Between:
4/25/2012 and 1/1/2013
Promotion lasts :
From 4/25/2012 To 6/1/2012
TRIP MAP
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Ultimate African Primate Expedition

Humans have long been fascinated with gorillas and chimpanzees, our closest living relatives. To pause, sit and match a gaze with the contemplative eyes of a huge silverback, just yards away in the rainforest – during such a rare encounter, there’s something deeper occurring than simple observation.
Humans have long been fascinated with gorillas and chimpanzees, our closest living relatives. To pause, sit and match a gaze with the contemplative eyes of a huge silverback, just yards away in the rainforest – during such a rare encounter, there’s something deeper occurring than simple observation. Yet these magnificent apes are in danger, struggling to survive in the face of poaching and habitat destruction. Our travels take us to their natural habitat, a visit that may be the only hope for their future. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure will certainly change your life – it may well change theirs, too.

Perhaps the two biggest benefits of choosing NHA for your primate safari are our professional Expedition Leaders and our well-engineered itinerary - both provide for an extraordinary journey through the highlights of Uganda and Rwanda without back-tracking. Our leader understands our guests’ needs and makes special arrangements to capitalize on impromptu opportunities along the way. This trip is designed for those seeking exposure to the range of habitats of the mountain gorilla. NHA has been visiting gorillas in Africa since 1989, and this itinerary is the pinnacle of our offerings. A total of four gorilla treks - two in each of Bwindi (Uganda) and in the Virungas (Rwanda) are the highlight. In addition, we’ll visit the chimps of Kibale Forest and observe Africa’s classic wildlife at Queen Elizabeth National Park. We ask our guests to understand that the accommodations in this region are not, collectively, of the standard that may be found in other, more established safari countries. Some lodges are extremely luxurious while others are plain but clean and comfortable.
Day 1: Entebbe, Uganda
Arrive in Entebbe and transfer to the Lake Victoria Hotel. If time permits, you may option to visit the famous Entebbe Botanical Gardens. Established in 1902, the gardens house a collection of species of plants of the tropical, sub-tropical and temperate zones. Home to a wide variety of bird species, the gardens offer an excellent introduction to Uganda’s birds. Vervet and black-and-white colobus monkeys are commonly spotted here as well. Meet our Expedition Leader at a welcome dinner this evening.
Lodging Lake Victoria Hotel
Description The four-star Lake Victoria Hotel is a classic old colonial-style property. It sits among nine acres of palm gardens over-looking the lake. Conveniently located, the hotel is only a few miles from the Entebbe International Airport and within walking distance of the famous Entebbe Botanical Gardens. The hotel rooms are located on two floors, situated in a quadrant set around a ventral garden with some facing the lake. All rooms are en-suite, have air conditioning and satellite television. A restaurant is located on the first floor terrace serving many delicious international cuisine. A breakfast room and 2 bars can be found within the hotel. There is a swimming pool, health club and gym at the hotel.
Days 2 & 3: Kibale National Park
A drive across Uganda’s green highlands takes us to Kibale, the equatorial rainforest reserve that is home to more primates than any place in the world, including 500 chimpanzees. Trackers help us spot chimps and monkeys, and we may see up to 100 species of birds on a wetland sanctuary. Overnight in thatched cottages at Ndali Lodge, on the rim of a crater lake.
Lodging Ndali Lodge
Description The Ndali Lodge in Kibale Forest is one of the most exciting accommodations we use...anywhere! Ndali Lodge is perched on the rim of an extinct volcano which, since its demise, has filled with water to become the breathtaking Lake Nyinambuga – 250 acres in size and 130 metres deep. There is a main thatched lodge with spacious sitting room, reception area and dining room flanked by eight cottages providing luxurious accommodation for 16 guests. The cottages which face west offer a panoramic view of the spectacular 'Mountains of the Moon.' They are built of local stone and thatch and the interiors are imaginatively and comfortably furnished where the decorative emphasis is on the use local materials.
Days 4 & 5: Kibale / Queen Elizabeth National Park
After the morning tracking chimps, we depart by road for Queen Elizabeth National Park, skirting the Western Rift Valley. On the Kazinga Channel we take a boat ride among the world’s largest concentration of hippos as well as crocodiles, baboons and myriad birds. The park is also home to lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and antelope. We stay at Kyambura Safari Lodge, overlooking the valley below.
Lodging Kyambura Safari Lodge
Description Kyambura Lodge is nestled into the eastern edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and is graced by remarkable vistas of the park and the Rwenzori Mountains. Eight comfortable and stylish thatched cottages with en-suite bathrooms offer respite for travelers after a long day of exploration. Communal areas include a swimming pool and a restaurant where delicious cuisine is prepared from locally sourced organic vegetables. The lodge was built with the surrounding environment in mind, with local materials, utilizing local craftsmen.
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth / Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
On a morning game drive we may see the park’s famous tree-climbing lions. Continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, we visit a local school before reaching our gorilla trekking base, the deluxe tented Gorilla Forest Camp.
Lodging Gorilla Forest Camp
Description Gorilla Forest Camp is nestled deep inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwest Uganda. Bwindi is home to just over half of the world’s last surviving population of mountain gorillas. Gorilla Forest Camp is one of the most remote camps in all of Africa. The camp accommodations include eight large permanent tents luxuriously fit with wooden floors and two queen-sized beds with an en-suite bathroom including a bathtub that overlooks the forest. The bathroom contains both a shower and a bathtub as well as a hairdryer. A wooden deck, which serves as the entry to your tent, is ideal for bird watching or just relaxing and enjoying the sights and sounds of the forest. Laundry service is also available should you choose to wash your clothes after a thrilling day of gorilla trekking.
Days 7 & 8: Gorilla Trekking
Here we discover one of nature travel’s peak experiences, a visit with wild gorillas in their natural habitat. Less than 700 mountain gorillas remain in the world, half of them in this preserve. Early in the morning we depart on a trek through the dense rainforest on a quest to locate one of the habituated family groups. Our guides are expert trackers, reading signs of the gorillas’ recent presence in the undergrowth. Finally we hear and see them, and watch, rapt: They sit in the trees and chew leaves; babies cling to mothers’ backs; juveniles swing from branches; the big male silverback surveys all, including us. It’s hard to tell who is more captivated.
Lodging Gorilla Forest Camp
Description Gorilla Forest Camp is nestled deep inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwest Uganda. Bwindi is home to just over half of the world’s last surviving population of mountain gorillas. Gorilla Forest Camp is one of the most remote camps in all of Africa. The camp accommodations include eight large permanent tents luxuriously fit with wooden floors and two queen-sized beds with an en-suite bathroom including a bathtub that overlooks the forest. The bathroom contains both a shower and a bathtub as well as a hairdryer. A wooden deck, which serves as the entry to your tent, is ideal for bird watching or just relaxing and enjoying the sights and sounds of the forest. Laundry service is also available should you choose to wash your clothes after a thrilling day of gorilla trekking.
Day 9: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Leaving Bwindi, we descend to the Rift Valley floor, passing local villages and coffee plantations. Our destination is Parc National des Volcans, named for the string of volcanoes inside its borders. Gorilla Mountain View, our lodge, is situated amongst eucalyptus trees and our base for the next three nights.
Lodging Gorilla Mountain View Lodge
Description Gorilla Mountain View Lodge, built with obvious local flair and set into the dense lushness of its surroundings, is perfectly situated in proximity to the Parc National de Volcans in Northern Rwanda. This comfortable, yet simple lodge has 20 large rooms each with private baths that are interconnected via pathways. The lodge is just a short drive from park headquarters.
Days 10 & 11: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, we drive to park headquarters for a briefing from our guides. This is where Dian Fossey made her groundbreaking studies on mountain gorillas before her murder in 1985. There are several habituated gorilla families in the park, and we learn how important our ecotourism presence is to their survival before trekking in search of these famed families.
Lodging Gorilla Mountain View Lodge
Description Gorilla Mountain View Lodge, built with obvious local flair and set into the dense lushness of its surroundings, is perfectly situated in proximity to the Parc National de Volcans in Northern Rwanda. This comfortable, yet simple lodge has 20 large rooms each with private baths that are interconnected via pathways. The lodge is just a short drive from park headquarters.
Day 12: Golden Monkey Trek
Many other species also live in Parc National des Volcans, including a habituated group of endemic and highly endangered golden monkeys. On a much less strenuous hike, we look for these agile entertainers who swoop through the forest canopy and delight us with their antics. This afternoon, we depart for Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.
Lodging Gorilla Mountain View Lodge
Description Gorilla Mountain View Lodge, built with obvious local flair and set into the dense lushness of its surroundings, is perfectly situated in proximity to the Parc National de Volcans in Northern Rwanda. This comfortable, yet simple lodge has 20 large rooms each with private baths that are interconnected via pathways. The lodge is just a short drive from park headquarters.
Day 13: Kigali / Home
After breakfast, we’ll take a city tour and visit the Kigali Memorial Centre – a deeply moving tribute to the 800,000 people killed in the Rwandan genocide of 1994. This afternoon we transfer to the airport for flights home.
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M. Fine
"You’re the best! The way you did this trip is the only way to go. You have superb leaders, an incredible staff and the itinerary is set up perfectly to see the most and gain the greatest experience from Uganda. Thanks!"
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J. Garrison
“This was an incredible trip. We were so focused on gorillas before we left and they were absolutely awesome. But the other days of the trip were equally wonderful. It was just a great trip all around. Nat Hab's attention to detail is wonderful. And it's obvious from the itinerary that you take these kinds of trips. There's excellent variety and change of pace and the days are doable. Everyone is really great to work with.”
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P. Lodish
“Lloyd Camp is superb. He is one of the finest guides I have ever been involved with. He has a wonderful way about him and gets along with everyone and makes sure every guest has equal time. If I had another opportunity to go on one of his trips, I wouldn't hesitate to join his group. He is well read, very smart, full of energy and knows every single bird.”
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C. Gibson
“Gorilla Forest Camp was amazing! The lodge at Ndali was also wonderful. The staff at each location was over-the-top helpful and pampering.”
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TRIP INCLUDES
  •  Accommodations
  •  all meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on final day
  •  bottled water
  •  services of NHA Expedition Leader
  •  local guides and lodge staff
  •  gorilla trackers
  •  and one porter on gorilla treks
  •  some gratuities
  •  airport transfers on Day 1 and final day
  •  four gorilla, two chimpanzee, and one golden monkey trekking permit per person
  •  entrance fees
  •  all taxes
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE
  •  Travel to and from start and end point of trip
  •  alcoholic beverages
  •  some gratuities
  •  passport and visa fees
  •  optional activities
  •  items of a personal nature (phone calls, souvenirs, etc.)
  •  airline baggage fees
  •  airport and departure taxes
  •  optional travel insurance
  •  required medical evacuation insurance
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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