Great Apes of Uganda
7 NIGHTS & 8 DAYS
Locations
Entebbe
Masai Mara
Masai Mara, the land where iconic wildlife and fascinating cultures team up to provide every traveller with an unforgettable experience. This location offers a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest spectacles – the Great Migration. Opt for a Hot-Air Balloon Safari and watch the sunrise unfurl across the endless plains, or visit local villages for a fascinating glimpse of traditional Maasai culture. The Mara is also suitable for wildlife viewing all year around even without the migrating herds, due to the high number of other herbivores and carnivores – none of which migrate. In the low seasons you witness the landscape drenched in greenery, newborns of antelope species and a high level of predator activity. Stay at a private conservancy and enjoy superb, crowd-free game viewing, off-roading and night drives which are otherwise not permitted in the park.
Kibale National Park
Zanzibar Beach
Escape to Zanzibar Island, where Tanzania’s azure shores offer the perfect retreat after your safari. Relax on white sand beaches, explore vibrant coral reefs, and dive into the island’s rich cultural tapestry, influenced by Arabia, Persia, India, and Europea. Discover the beauty of mangrove forests teeming with monkeys and the tranquility of this enchanting island.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Zanzibar Beach
Escape to Zanzibar Island, where Tanzania’s azure shores offer the perfect retreat after your safari. Relax on white sand beaches, explore vibrant coral reefs, and dive into the island’s rich cultural tapestry, influenced by Arabia, Persia, India, and Europea. Discover the beauty of mangrove forests teeming with monkeys and the tranquility of this enchanting island.
Great Apes of Uganda
Uganda is one of Africa’s greatest great ape destinations, home to more than half of the world’s remaining wild Mountain Gorillas and one of the continent’s largest populations of Chimpanzees. Carefully curated to showcase Uganda’s extraordinary great ape diversity, this journey combines two of the world’s most remarkable wildlife encounters within the country’s ancient rainforests, offering an immersive exploration of the behaviour, ecology and conservation of our closest living relatives.
Then spend your time unwinding at a beach. Dive into Zanzibar’s crystal-blue waters, where coral reefs, sea turtles, and playful dolphins await. Immerse yourself in the island’s rich cultural blend of African, Arabic, and European influences, with the rhythmic beats of Taarab music and the history of the spice trade.
Your ultimate safari and island escape await!
AMELIYA SIGNATURE SAFARI EXPERIENCE:
- A thoughtfully curated journey combining Uganda’s two most extraordinary great ape encounters in a single seamless itinerary.
- Track habituated Chimpanzees in the lush rainforest of Kibale National Park, the Primate Capital of the World.
- Trek through the ancient forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in search of the endangered Mountain Gorilla.
- Spend a remarkable hour observing both Chimpanzees and Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitats, accompanied by expert trackers and rangers.
- Stay at carefully selected luxury safari lodges, perfectly positioned for easy access to both trekking trailheads.
- Gain a deeper appreciation of the conservation initiatives protecting Uganda’s great apes and the forests they call home.
- Exceptional opportunities for wildlife photography in two of Africa’s most biodiverse rainforest ecosystems.
- A seamless blend of luxury accommodation, expert guiding and unforgettable encounters with two of our closest living relatives.
Rates
| TIMING | MID SEASON | HIGH SEASON | FESTIVE SEASON |
| RATES PER COUPLE | $15,570 | $18,525 | $18,220 |
Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions
- All accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary.
- All meals, tea/coffee and evening snacks at the safari lodges.
- Bed & breakfast in Entebbe.
- All scheduled activities as outlined in the itinerary.
- 2x Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale National Park.
- 2x Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Services of professional guides, trackers and drivers throughout the journey.
- Internal scheduled flights from Entebbe to Kasese Airstrip, from Kasese to either Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip, and from Kihihi or Kisoro back to Entebbe.
- 5% Ameliya Conservation Commitment Levy.
Exclusions
- 5% Goods & Services Tax (GST)
- Flights, visa fees, laundry, packed beverages, and alcoholic drinks
- Camera fees, if levied by the government
- Any additional activities or personal expenses, including tips
- Any increase in National Park fees or government taxes, payable by the guest
- Anything not specifically mentioned in the inclusions
Accommodation
Entebbe
Hotel No. 5
A refined boutique hotel in the leafy suburbs of Entebbe, Hotel No. 5 offers a tranquil retreat just minutes from Entebbe International Airport. Combining contemporary elegance with warm Ugandan hospitality, it provides the perfect setting to unwind before or after a safari, with beautifully appointed rooms, personalised service and a relaxed atmosphere.
Amenities
- Spacious contemporary rooms and suites
- Outdoor swimming pool, spa and wellness treatments
- Fine dining restaurant, bar and lounge
- Complimentary airport transfers, landscaped gardens and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Kibale National Park
Turaco Tree Tops (Classic)
Set on the edge of Kibale National Park, Turaco Treetops offers a comfortable retreat surrounded by lush tropical forest and abundant birdlife. Blending contemporary comfort with warm Ugandan hospitality, the lodge provides an excellent base for exploring the Ape Capital of the World, with easy access to chimpanzee trekking and the region’s scenic crater lakes.
Amenitites:
- Spacious rooms and cottages with private verandas
- Swimming pool, restaurant serving local and international cuisine, bar and lounge
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in common areas, landscaped gardens
- Spa and massage treatments, and convenient access to the Kibale chimpanzee trekking trailhead.
Kyaninga Lodge (Premium)
Perched on the rim of the spectacular Kyaninga Crater Lake, Kyaninga Lodge is one of Uganda’s finest boutique safari lodges, combining handcrafted luxury with breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Built from hand-carved timber and surrounded by pristine countryside, the lodge offers an elegant retreat within easy reach of Kibale National Park, making it an exceptional base for chimpanzee trekking and exploring the region’s rich biodiversity.
Amenitites:
- Handcrafted luxury cottages with private verandas
- Infinity swimming pool overlooking the crater lake
- Fine dining restaurant, bar and lounge, spa and wellness treatments
- Complimentary Wi-Fi, beautifully landscaped gardens
- C rater lake activities and convenient access to the Kibale chimpanzee trekking trailhead.
Kibale Lodge (Luxury)
Overlooking the forested landscapes surrounding Kibale National Park, Kibale Lodge by Volcanoes Safaris offers an elegant blend of contemporary luxury and immersive wilderness. With sweeping views towards the Rwenzori Mountains, beautifully crafted bandas and long-standing commitment to conservation and community, the lodge provides an exceptional setting from which to experience Uganda’s renowned chimpanzee trekking and the rich biodiversity of the region.
Amenitites:
Spacious luxury bandas with private terraces
Infinity swimming pool, spa and wellness treatments
Gourmet restaurant, bar and lounge
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Beautifully landscaped gardens
Private dining experiences and convenient access to the Kibale chimpanzee trekking trailhead.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla Safari Lodge (Classic)
Nestled on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Rushaga sector, Gorilla Safari Lodge offers comfortable cottages, warm Ugandan hospitality, and exceptional access to one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife experiences. Surrounded by lush rainforest, the lodge provides an ideal base for gorilla trekking while immersing guests in the beauty of Uganda’s ancient mountain forests.
Amenitites:
- Spacious cottages with private verandas and forest views
- Restaurant serving local and international cuisine
- Bar and lounge area, spa and massage treatments
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in common areas
- Landscaped gardens and convenient access to the Rushaga gorilla trekking headquarters.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Premium)
Perched on a scenic ridge overlooking the ancient rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Virunga Volcanoes, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge offers an intimate blend of comfort, sustainability and warm Ugandan hospitality. Ideally positioned for gorilla trekking in the Nkuringo sector, the lodge provides a tranquil retreat where breathtaking scenery and exceptional service come together to create an unforgettable wilderness experience.
Amenitites:
- Elegant cottages and forest suites with private verandas
- Restaurant and bar, spa and massage treatments
- Complimentary Wi-Fi, landscaped gardens, fireplace loune
- Private dining experiences and easy access to the Nkuringo gorilla trekking trailhead.
Bwindi Lodge (Luxury)
Hidden within the lush rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Bwindi Lodge by Volcanoes Safaris offers an elegant sanctuary at the gateway to one of Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences. Set in the Buhoma sector, the lodge seamlessly blends contemporary comfort with its spectacular natural surroundings, while Volcanoes Safaris’ longstanding commitment to conservation and community creates a stay that is as meaningful as it is luxurious. It is an exceptional base for encountering Uganda’s iconic Mountain Gorillas.
Amenitites:
- Luxury forest bandas with private verandas, panoramic lounge and bar, gourmet dining
- Humula Forest Spa
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Private dining experiences, forest views, laundry service and direct access to the Buhoma gorilla trekking headquarters
Day - Wise Itinerary
Day 01 - Entebbe
Arrive in Entebbe after your international flight and settle into your hotel for a leisurely day of rest. Take the opportunity to unwind and recover from your journey before beginning your unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda.
DAY 2 - Entebbe to Kibale National Park
After an early breakfast, transfer to Entebbe Airport for your scheduled flight to Kasese Airstrip, the gateway to Kibale National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy a scenic drive through the picturesque foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains to your luxury lodge. Settle into your accommodation and spend the remainder of the day at leisure, taking in the tranquil surroundings, enjoying the lodge’s facilities, or simply unwinding in preparation for your chimpanzee trekking adventure the following morning.
Day 3&4 - Kibale National Park
Over the next two days, explore the ancient forests of Kibale National Park, one of Africa’s most important Ape habitats and home to one of the largest populations of wild Chimpanzees. After an early breakfast, set out with expert trackers and naturalist guides into the heart of the rainforest, following the calls and movements of habituated chimpanzee communities beneath the dense tropical canopy.
The experience offers an intimate glimpse into the world of our closest living relatives, observing their social interactions, intelligence and remarkable behaviour in their natural environment. Beyond chimpanzees, the forest reveals an extraordinary diversity of primates, birds and other rainforest species, making every walk a rewarding exploration of Uganda’s rich biodiversity. Return to your lodge after each excursion, carrying memories of a truly immersive encounter within one of Africa’s most fascinating wilderness areas.
Day 05 - Kibale National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, transfer to Kasese Airstrip for your scheduled flight to either Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip, depending on the location of your lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. As the journey continues from the home of the Chimpanzee to the realm of the Mountain Gorilla, enjoy a scenic transfer through Uganda’s spectacular highlands before arriving at your luxury lodge. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, taking in the serene rainforest surroundings and preparing for the unforgettable gorilla trekking experience that awaits.
Day 6&7 - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Over the next two days, after an early breakfast, make your way to the park headquarters for a briefing before setting off on unforgettable gorilla treks. Accompanied by experienced trackers and rangers, venture deep into the ancient rainforest in search of different habituated Mountain Gorilla families. Each trek follows a unique route through steep, densely forested terrain and can last anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day, depending on the gorillas’ movements. The moment you come face to face with these gentle giants, quietly observing them in their natural habitat, is both humbling and profoundly moving. You will spend up to one hour with each gorilla family before returning to the lodge, carrying memories of one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters.
Day 8 - Entebbe
After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to either Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip, depending on your lodge location, for your scheduled flight back to Entebbe. Upon arrival, connect seamlessly with your onward international flight, bringing to a close an unforgettable journey into the heart of Uganda’s ancient rainforests and one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences.
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Payment Terms & Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Payment Terms
- All tours operate on 100% advance payment.
- 50% need to be paid at the time of booking, 25% is due 120 days prior to the trip start date and 25% 90 days prior.
- The preferred mode of payment is Bank Wire. All card transactions will incur a 3.5% service fee.
- Rates are subject to change and are not applicable for Christmas/New Years. Rates are valid for 2024 only. Rates for 2025 will incur a 10% hike.
- Any changes in government taxes and park/conservancy fees have to be borne by the guests.
- We reserve the right to revise any published costs without prior notice. However, confirmed bookings will be honoured.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy
- 50% is non-refundable once the payment is done.
- The remaining amount will be refunded if cancellation is done 120 days prior to the tour start dates. Between 90-120 days, 35% is refunded.
- No refund if cancellation is done between 0 – 90 days of the trip start date. Amendment in dates within 90 days from arrival is treated as a cancellation.
- Please note that the date of written communication (e-mail) of intent to cancel will be the date considered for the calculation of the cancellation fees.
- The cancellation amount is calculated as per the total booking amount and not as per the advance deposited.
- No refunds in case of refusal to use a service/activity mentioned in the itinerary.
- All refunds are processed minus bank charges.
