Ultimate Primates

Day 1. Depart London

Depart London for Entebbe, flying via Nairobi.

Days 2 to 4. Queen Elizabeth National Park [B, L, D]

On arrival you will be met and transferred to Queen Elizabeth National Park, situated on the Kazinga Channel between Lake Edward and Lake George, and to the south of the great Ruwenzori Mountains. With rolling grasslands, craters and crater lakes, tropical forests, papyrus swamps and extensive lake shore, 'QE', as it is affectionately known, undoubtedly offers Uganda's best open country birdwatching and wildlife-viewing. Great herds of Uganda Kob roam the grasslands, Giant Forest Hog is bold and uncaring, and along the Kazinga Channel you will be able to approach herds of Elephant, Cape Buffalo and Hippo by motor launch. During your 3-night stay at Mweya, or Jacana Safari Lodge you may also be able to visit Chambura Gorge, where dense tropical forest harbours a large family of habituated Chimpanzees and a good selection of forest birds, including Black Bee-eater. Your morning and evening game drives may also lead you to the famous tree-climbing Lions of Ishasha, while at Kyambura Gorge possible sightings include Chimpanzees, Red-tailed Monkey, Black and White Colobus and many bird species.

Days 5 to 7. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest [B, L, D]

Today you head for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwestern Uganda which is one of Africa's most extensive belts of primary montane forest. Its exceptional altitudinal variation - rising and falling from deep river gorges and low hills at 1,200 metres to high forested ridges at 2,800 metres - ensures a unique range of flora and fauna, in particular birds and primates. Mountain Gorillas are undoubtedly the prime attraction. Over 300 live in the park and two of the family groups have been successfully habituated to allow human approach. Your 3-night stay at Bwindi Lodge in this outstanding area will be amply rewarded - L'Hoest's Monkey is a speciality of the lower level forest and the rare Golden Monkey is occasionally encountered at higher elevations. Spend your time here gorilla-tracking (subject to permit availability at the time of booking) or exploring the area. (Please do not forget that tracking the gorillas through the forest requires patience and stamina. It can take up to ten hours of tracking in the most arduous of terrains in order to find the gorillas, and access is then limited to an hour. But of course also bear in mind that there is no doubt that it is exceptionally rewarding, and for some seeing a gorilla face-to-face is a life-changing experience!)

Days 8 & 9. Mgahinga National Park [B, L, D]

Continue to Mgahinga National Park for a 2-night stay at Mount Gahinga Lodge. Mgahinga is part of the Virunga Conservation Area that straddles Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo and the park is dominated by three extinct volcanoes. It supports a variety of mammals which (in addition to Mountain Gorillas) includes Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Serval and some 180 species of birds. It is also now possible to track an habituated group of Golden Monkeys. You will have the option to go gorilla-tracking once more (subject to the availability of permits), to climb a volcano, or to simply enjoy some of the wonderful walks and photographic opportunities which the area provides.

Days 10 to 12. Parc National des Volcans [B, L, D]

Cross the border into Rwanda today and spend three nights at Virunga Lodge. Parc National des Volcans is best known as the place where for some twenty years Dian Fossey carried out pioneering studies of gorilla behaviour, and it is largely thanks to Dian Fossey that the gorilla poaching was greatly reduced, but it is of course here that she perished too. Your options for Day 11 vary. You may track gorillas in Parc National des Volcans, climb the Visoke Volcano, trek to the Karisoke Research Centre, visit local communities or visit a group of habituated Golden Monkeys. Alternatively, you may prefer just to relax at the camp!

Days 13 & 14. Homeward [B (Day 12 only)]

Today you depart for Kigali for the overnight flight to the UK via Nairobi, where you arrive the next day.