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HIGHLIGHTS
A quick look about this trip!
DURATION
10 DAYS
COMFORT
LANGUAGE
RATING
  • Multiple treks through Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Park and Forest offer close-up encounters with rare and captivating mountain gorillas
  • Observe the interactions of wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park and view traditional African game in other premier reserves
  • Outstanding Expedition Leaders, the finest lodges close to wildlife and a private flight ensure the most superb safari possible
ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP
Primary: Wildlife, Gorilla Tracking
Other: sightseeing, national parks
$9895USD
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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
See the locations you'll visit!

Great African Primate Expedition

You push aside a tangled rope of vine, pressing through the maze of foliage, when at last you see them. Ten or 12 gorillas sit in a forest clearing, two more up in a tree. They stop munching for a moment to observe you, nonchalant.
You push aside a tangled rope of vine, pressing through the maze of foliage, when at last you see them. Ten or 12 gorillas sit in a forest clearing, two more up in a tree. They stop munching for a moment to observe you, nonchalant. A few feet away you spy the big silverback. Twice the size of the young females, he sits on massive haunches, stripping leaves from branches. He’s close enough to hold your gaze with his liquid brown eyes. Something primal, inexplicable, connects the two of you in that moment, when the world exists only within this rarest of encounters.
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 Forest National Park
The drive to Kibale Forest traverses the verdant highlands of Uganda, where fertile volcanic soil supports a tapestry of tea, coffee and banana plantations. At the park entrance, we meet our local trackers. This equatorial rainforest reserve has the highest concentration of primates in the world, including 500 chimpanzees. We may also see red colobus, black-and-white colobus, red tails, gray-cheeked mangabey and other monkeys. A “swamp walk” through a wetland sanctuary reveals more than 100 species of birds. We stay at Ndali Lodge, with eight thatched cottages perched 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.
Day 4: Kibale / Queen Elizabeth National Park
After a morning forest walk, we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park along the western Rift Valley, and settle into Kyambura Lodge, graced by remarkable vistas of the park and the Rwenzori Mountains.
Lodging Kyambura 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.
Days 5-6: Queen Elizabeth National Park
On a boat trip in Kazinga Channel we find crocodiles, baboons, and the world’s largest concentration of hippos. Elsewhere in the park we may spot lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and antelope. The Ruwenzoris, “Mountains of the Moon,” provide a dramatic backdrop, rising over 16,000 feet.
Lodging Kyambura 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 7: Queen Elizabeth / Bwindi
We game drive to the Ishasha sector, home of tree-climbing lions before driving to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We’ll visit a school in town, then settle in at Gorilla Forest Camp, a luxury tented enclave on the side of a misty mountain, and our trekking base.
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 8-9: Gorilla Treks
We awaken early this morning for an adventure that will surely rank among our peak experiences, the chance to look into the face of a gorilla in the wild. The trail through the primeval rainforest is lush and challenging, as we travel into the jungle that early explorers called the “Impenetrable Forest.” This forest is home to half the world’s mountain gorillas – about 300 – a population under severe threat. Three groups are habituated to human contact, and we hope to reach one of them by midday. Tracking them to their last known location, our guide looks for signs of their presence: broken vegetation revealing a night nest, stripped bark indicating feeding and dung. Our anticipation mounts as we climb over vines and foliage to approach the group. Our guide signals for silence, then proclaims our intentions with amiable grunts. We may see a range of ages: youngsters playing in the trees, mothers carrying babies, and the mighty silverback, patriarch of the troop. No wildlife encounter will surpass the thrill of meeting these magnificent animals, so much like us, in their own habitat.
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 10: Entebbe / Home
We take a charter flight to Entebbe where we enjoy a farewell meal together before transferring to the airport for departing flights.
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A. Holley
"It is a rare opportunity to accomplish one's dream. For years I have dreamed of sitting with a family of mountain gorillas. Now I have done it. I've actually done it and the experience was much more than I could have ever imagined! Thank you Natural Habitat."
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G. W. Alexander
"We had a great trip leader -- very knowledgeable of the country, the primates and all of the wildlife. He was also very attentive to the needs of all travelers. What did we enjoy most? The gorillas of course. But also the well-planned itinerary of other activities and game viewing. We were very fortunate to have very good days of chimpanzee tracking. Natural Habitat does a great job of bringing people together with wildlife."
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P. Labay
"I enjoyed it all and think the itinerary was perfect. The combination of different types of outings was a great mix - the swamp walk, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Kazinga Channel, and Bwindi. If I had to pick on thing I liked the most, though, it would be Bwindi and the trekking to see the mountain gorillas. It was a wonderful experience that words fail to describe, and a true privilege to spend time in their world and in their presence."
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B. Seevers
"This was one of the most difficult physically trips I have ever done, but so completely worthwhile. There was a sense of accomplishment in making the treks. Seeing the gorillas for the first time is a life lasting memory. Incredible. Natural Habitat lives up to its reputation as one of the top ecotourism companies in the world. This was # 7 (or 8) for me because of the overwhelming quality in every aspect of the trip and because you practice what you preach. Being responsible citizens of the world/environment is not a catch phrase, it is a fundamental practice that permeates every aspect of every operation."
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T. Wilder
"I'm so happy I chose Natural Habitat. I could not imagine taking this trip and experiencing these wonderful moments with some of our world's most beautiful creatures without the professional assistance of your guide Chris. He handled EVERYTHING, from start to finish, in the most professional manner possible and, in short, he made the trip a resounding success. I've been on two other trips with Natural Habitat and each of them has proven to me the same thing: you have the best guides in the business!"
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F. Parks
“Uganda is a very beautiful and colorful country. I enjoyed the drives in the countryside. Children smiled and waved as we drove by and women working in the fields and carrying huge loads on their heads strolled along the roadside. We passed men pushing bikes with enormous stacks of bananas piled to dizzying heights. They are beautiful hardworking people and I will never forget them. Of the course the game drives, the chimps and the gorillas were also unforgettable! Thank you for a great trip!”
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J. Barreto & M. Blake
“The best part of the trip was the chance to see so many parts of Uganda and the gorillas were amazing. This was truly an amazing experience, everything was planned out and went smoothly. Every place we stayed was beautiful and clean with great employees. All meals were very good. Overall a once in a lifetime experience. I will be sure to tell all my friends!”
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W. Solso
“Uganda is a treasure. We really liked how unpopulated the areas were with other tourists. When we saw good game, we were the only ones there! Ugandan people are so friendly and welcoming – it was spectacular. Thank you!”
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L. Shepherd
“Uganda is the best African country I’ve visited. It is very pristine. We saw a considerably more diverse ecosystem: grassland, riverine valleys, and mountain rainforests! The people were wonderful, friendly and welcoming. It felt like the safest foreign country I’ve ever visited. I enjoyed that we saw such a diversity of wildlife and ecosystems. The gorillas were just the icing on the cake!”
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J. & L. Miller
"This was our first trip with Natural Habitat; I’m sure it won’t be our last. The trip itself is rich and rewarding – seeing the mountain gorillas up close and personal is an experience that will never be forgotten. Having a guide of Chris’ professionalism and humanity further enriched this special journey. He made each of us feel special; it was truly a pleasure and a privilege to be in his company.”
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E. Espriu
“Being with the primates brought tears to my eyes. There is nothing like that experience and trip. What I enjoyed most about the trip was spending time in the forest with chimps and gorillas."
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J. Horenstein
“Great people throughout. This includes the guides, drivers, fellow travelers, personnel at the accommodations and the people of Uganda. I did have the impression that the trip would be fairly primitive, but it was quite luxurious. This is definitely MUST DO trip.”
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TRIP INCLUDES
  •  Charter flight from Bwindi to Entebbe
  •  accommodations
  •  meals from dinner Day 1 to lunch final day
  •  bottled water
  •  services of NHA Expedition Leader
  •  local guides
  •  lodge staff
  •  gorilla trackers, and one porter on gorilla treks
  •  some gratuities
  •  airport transfers on Day 1 and final day
  •  two gorilla trekking permits and two chimp trekking permits
  •  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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