Primates and Wildlife

Known as the ‘Cradle of the Nile’, Uganda is one of Africa’s best kept secrets. Few countries can boast the infinite variety of flora and fauna and such diverse and spectacular scenery. Uganda has much to offer the first time visitor to Africa as well as veteran travelers. The Boma is situated on the outskirts of Entebbe and only 5 minutes from Entebbe International Airport so it’s an ideal stopover en route to exploring the country highlights. The Boma staff and management team ensure guests receive a personable service and enjoy hospitality standards which are in keeping with the tradition of this charming lakeshore town. The Boma consists of six bedrooms decorated along African themes, all of which have their own private bathrooms. A residents’ and diners’ bar set in a landscaped garden with lake views combine to provide a charming and relaxed “country house” experience. The main house includes a private dining veranda and living room for overnight guests. Although a pre-booked dining service is provided to non-residents, the premises retains a quiet atmosphere to guarantee a peaceful night’s rest for residents.

After breakfast, you are transferred to the Entebbe jetty for your scheduled boat transfer to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary (approx 45 minutes). Ngamba Island is home to a variety of plants and tree species, wild water and forest bird species, beautiful but unique reptile species such as snakes and lizard varieties plus beautiful lake scenery all available to make your safari a great memory. You will have a unique opportunity for close viewing of chimpanzees in their natural environment due to the pre-arranged supplementary feeding times (11.00 am and 3.00 pm each day) that bring the chimpanzees to within meters of the raised walkway designed for easy viewing and providing excellent photographic opportunities. When you visit this great island, the tour begins the moment you enter the Entebbe Uganda Wild Life Center where you are welcomed by free-lance monkeys, many tree species both natural and planted, and most impressive, the more than 20 water bird species that beautify the shores/ boarding area as you set off for your trip. At the conclusion of your tour, you are transferred back to Entebbe arriving at lunch time; the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Located in southern Uganda, Kibale Forest National Park is said to be home to the highest density of primates in Africa. Although the highlight of the park is the habituated chimpanzees, the treetops are alive with all manner of monkey including: red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red colobus and black and white colobus monkeys, they can all be spotted here. When you’re not searching for monkeys there are over 300 bird species and an incredible 250 species of butterfly to keep you busy. Visitors can look forward to chimpanzee tracking, birding tours and guided nature walks. Ndali Lodge is set amidst the Bunyaruguru crater lake region of Western Uganda, 26 kilometres south of Fort Portal; it lies at the centre of 1000 acres of privately owned fertile farmland still cultivated in a traditional style. A visit to Uganda would not be complete without experiencing the wonders Ndali has to offer.

After registration and briefing, you will enter the forest in search of the cheeky chimpanzees. This forest also hosts 12 other primate species. After a packed lunch, you can opt for a guided walk at Bigodi swamp (extra cost) or you will drive back to the lodge late afternoon to spend the remainder of the day at leisure. The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a community development enterprise located on the fringe of Kibale National Park where guided tours are conducted along a path through the wetland and at times along a boardwalk trail. Bigodi is a birder’s paradise with 138 bird species having been identified there including the crowd please Great Blue Turaco. The sanctuary is also home to 8 primate species including the black and white colobus, red colobus, mangabey, red tail, vervet, and L’Hoest.

After breakfast you will depart Ndali Lodge with packed lunches at a leisurely pace to Kasese Town, passing through fertile agricultural land and the lower slopes of one of Africa’s largest mountain ranges – namely the Rwenzori Mountains. On the way to Kasese Town you will go through the little road-side town of Hima, famed throughout Uganda for its Cement Factory. From Kasese, you will cross the equator as the road passes though the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kyambura Gorge Lodge is an eclectic contemporary safari lodge that has been converted from an old coffee store to create a breathtakingly beautiful space. The lodge is located on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park with sweeping views of the rolling savanna, the distant mountains of the moon, and the sunken Kyambura Gorge. The stylish bandas have a contemporary theme with the accent on local artifacts re-imagined in a new context. Each banda offers a unique view either across the savanna or the gorge. The lodge is the ideal location for tracking the lost chimps in the sunken forest of Kyambura Gorge nearby and seeing the amazing game in one of Africa’s most beautiful and varied parks, centered around the waterway of the Kazinga Channel where animals come to bathe. The park has six hundred amazing bird species, the highest in an African park.

Located in southwestern Uganda, the Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the county’s most popular parks. Volcanic craters, grassy plains, tropical forest and giant lakes connected by a channel inhabited by abundant hippos, are what you will see at the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park has almost 100 types of mammal and 606 different bird species, including the peculiar shoebill. The Kazinga Channel alone is said to contain the world’s largest concentration of hippos, and other wildlife includes buffalo, the rare aquatic sitatunga antelope, giant forest hog, Uganda kob, Defassa waterbuck and elephant. Don’t miss the Kyambura Gorge, which is home to habituated chimpanzees. The boat trip along the Kazinga Channel provides a memorable game viewing experience where you will see thousands of hippos, birds and other river wildlife and if you are lucky buffalo, elephant and maybe even a lion.

After an early breakfast, check out and drive across the park through the southern end of Ishasha sector. Proceed via Kihihi to Buhoma sector of the Bwindi Impenetrable. Located in southwestern Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is said to be Africa’s oldest rainforest. It is world-renowned for its excellent gorilla-sighting opportunities. The rugged landscape features dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys and steep ridges. This untouched forest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecological significance. Aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are other highlights such as a network of forest walks, over 340 species of bird to spot and a variety of butterflies. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes.
Overlooking the primeval Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and with stunning views of the forest canopy across a serene stream, Bwindi Lodge is one of Africa’s unique lodges. The property has dramatic views of the impenetrable forest and is a great place to spot the monkeys and birds hidden in the foliage. The award-winning Bwindi Bar, in the high street of the village nearby is the most stylish and colorful bar in the area! Guests also enjoy informal tapas style meals inspired by Ugandan dishes.

After breakfast take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. You then hike into the forest where the gorillas were seen the night before and track from that point. The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film is recommended. It can rain at a few minutes’ notice; hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film. Generally, you will return to the lodge my mid-afternoon

Located in southwestern Uganda, in the Kisoro District, the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area. This wilderness sanctuary was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests. The striking landscape boasts three conical volcanoes which are a part of the magnificent Virunga Range which fringes Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Aside from the main attraction which is the mountain gorillas, the park is home to buffaloes, elephants, endangered golden monkeys and many of bird species. The three extinct volcanoes offer plenty of hiking trails. Nestled at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes, Mount Gahinga Lodge is a stunning luxury adventure lodge hidden in the southern corner of Uganda. Its rustic charm is inspired by traditional design and building techniques. Mount Gahinga Lodge is the perfect base to go gorilla tracking, track the rare golden monkey, climb a volcano, walk through local villages and most of all to share the culture of the Batwa pygmies, the oldest inhabitants of the Central African rain forest. The lodge with its beautiful living room, sun room and terrace has fantastic views of the volcanoes and the Kisoro valley below. The luxury bandas reflect the magic of the aesthetic traditions of the Bufimbira people, with their distinct colours. Each Banda has an ensuite luxury shower room, fireplace and private porch.

With only a small number remaining in the world, the Golden Monkey can be found in the foothills of the volcanic mountains of Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. Characterized by its bright golden body, cheeks and tail, with contrasting black limbs, crown and tail end, these playful primates are a pleasure to watch. Whether you choose to do this on the Rwandan or Ugandan side, the walk will take you from the bamboo stands and forested gorge on the lower levels of the volcanoes, to the elevated heath and moorland higher up.