Amphibians And Reptiles Of Uganda & Gorilla Tracking

If you arrive early, you will go for a stroll at the Botanical Gardens where you will most likely see several Balfour's Reed Frogs (Hyperolius Balfour), Guttural Toads (Sclerophrys gutturalis), Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus), and Tropical House Geckoes (Hemidactylus mabouia), and some snakes like Pitman's Worm Snake (Leptotyphlops pitmani).

Overnight at Airport Link Guest House ( Full Board).

While on this drive, look out for a variety of birdlife, including Black Kites, Marabou Storks, and Great Blue Turacos, to name a few. After reaching the outskirts of Mityana, we will meet our guide and then head to a swampy forest bordering agricultural land.

Herping here is exceedingly hard, the vegetation is thick and the high water levels make the terrain increasingly difficult. But worry not, our knowledgeable guide knows this place well and you will see snakes like small Montane Egg Eater (Dasypeltis atra), Jackson's Tree Snake (Thrasops jacksonii),  Olive Sand Snake (Psammophis mossambicus, and many more.

Overnight at Wamala Lake View Hotel ( Full Board).

Breakfast then head to an isolated forest patch to look for the beautiful Variable Bush Viper (Atheris squamigera), Montane Egg Eater, Variable Burrowing Asp (Atractaspis irregularis), and Blue-headed Tree Agama (Acanthocercus ugandaensis).

Overnight at Wamala Lake View Hotel ( Full Board).

Today we will explore the bushes, small forest pockets, and swamps nearby for species like Emerald Snake (Hapsidophrys smaragdinus), Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica)-This species has the longest fangs, Jameson's Mamba(Dendroaspis jameson and Rough-scaled Bush Viper (Atheris hispida).

Frogs like Lake Victoria Clawed Frogs (Xenopus victorianus) will also be seen in the water,  Nutt's River Frogs (Amietia nutti) and Natal Puddle Frogs (Phrynobatrachus natalensis), Cinnamon-bellied Reed Frogs (Hyperolius cinnamomeoventris), Common Reed Frogs (Hyperolius viridiflavus), several sleeping Montane Side-striped Chameleons (Trioceros ellioti), and many Variegated Grasshoppers (Zonocerus variegatus). Also look out for Spotted-necked Otters (Hydrictis maculicollis).

Overnight at Wamala Lake View Hotel ( Full Board)

Today we will have another day walk and our first night walk with our target species being Rhinoceros Vipera and  Forest Cobra (Naja melanoleuca).

Overnight at Wamala Lake View Hotel (Full Board)

Breakfast at leisure, then drive to the Kibale Forest area, getting there in time for lunch. We will check-in, relax, walk around the gardens, have dinner, and then head out to the forest to look for more reptiles.

Species expected  to be seen include  Forest Cobras, Forest Wolf Snake (Lycophidion ornatum), Fawn-headed Snake Eater (Polemon collaris),

 Kivu Tree Frog (Leptopelis kivuensis), Christy's Tree Frog (Leptopelis christyi), Side-striped Reed Frog (Hyperolius lateralis), Kivu Reed Frog (Hyperolius kivuensis), a Grauer's Puddle Frog (Phrynobatrachus graueri), a Kisolo Toad (Sclerophrys kisoloensis) and Nile Grass Frog (Ptychadena nilotica), Montane Side-striped Chameleons, , Blue-headed Tree Agamas and Striped Skinks (Trachylepis striata)

Overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge ( Full Board).

Today we will travel from Kibale to Kasese for a trek into Rwenzori Mountain trekking through maize and banana plantations growing at an elevation of 5,109m (the highest altitude range in Uganda). You are most expected to see lots of Montane Sidestriped Chameleons and other species like Blue Monkey(Cercopithecus mitis), Black-and-White Colobus Monkey(Colobus guereza), Rwenzori Three-horned Chameleon(Trioceros johnstoni), Western Green Snake(Philothamnus angolensis), Rwenzori Helmeted Chameleon(Kinyongia capenteri), and Boulenger’s Pygmy Chameleon(Rhampholeon Boulengeri).

Hikes on both days.

Overnight at Ecotourism Campsite. Full Board.

Forest walks near the border of the park and hot springs.

Explore the breathtaking scenery of these beautiful species’ habitats through the clouded, rugged peaks. Some species to look out for: the Great Lakes Bush Viper(Atheris nitschei), Sidestriped tree frogs, Kivu Tree frogs, Jackson’s Forest Lizards(Adolfus jacksoni), Rwenzori Plate-nosed Chameleon( Kinyongia xenorhina), Three-horned Chameleon, Montane Sidestriped  Chameleon, Rwenzori River Frogs(Amietia ruwenzorica), and Boulenger’s Pygmy Chameleon.

Hikes on both days.

Overnight at Ruboni Community Camp. Full Board

Some of the customary wildlife that you will see in the park while road cruising include African Bush Elephant, African Buffalo(Syncerus caffer), Waterbuck(Kobus kob thomasi), Olive Baboon, Vervet monkey(Chlorocebus pygerythrus), Long Crested Eagle(Lophaetus occipitalis), and (probably) Hippo(Hippopotamus amphibius).

Other wildlife species( mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and avians) you will see are Grey Crowned crane(Balearica regulorum), Red-chested sunbird(Cinnyris erythrocerus), Black-headed Weaver(Ploceus melanocephalus), Pin-tailed Whydah(Vidua macroura), Sharp-nosed Frog(Ptychadena oxyrhynchus), Grass Frog(Ptychadena Phrynobatrachus natalensis, Four-lined Banana Frog (Afrixalus quadrivittatus ), Natal puddle Frog (Phrynobatrachus natalensis ), Bubbling Kanninas( Kassina senegalensis) William’s Hinged Terrapin( Pelusios williamsi) ), and Spotted Hyena(Crocuta Crocuta)

Game drive en route to the accommodation and visit the python cave.

Overnight at Bush Lodge Bandas.Full Board

Some sights when on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel include Hippos, Elephants, Buffalos, Waterbuck, bird life like Malachite Kingfishers( Corythornis cristatus), Pied Kingfisher(Ceryle rudis), African Jacana(Actophilornis africanus), Water thick-knee(Burhinus vermiculatus), Hamerkop(Scopus umbrette), African Openbill(Anastomus lamelligerus), Hadada Ibis(Bosstrychia hagedash), Palm-nut Vulture( Gypohierax angolensis), and African Fish Eagle( Haliaeetus vocifer).

If lucky, you may encounter some of Kazinga's rare main targets for tourists like Leoaprds, Nile Monitor Lizards( Varanus niloticus), and Nile Crocodiles(Crorcodylus niloticus)

We will have lunch and then a second try at the Python cave.

Overnight at Bush Lodge Bandas. Full Board

It’s a 10-minute hike from the parking lot to the lodge with a direct view of the descending valley and densely vegetated forest below.

We will go herping and attempt to see the Tolley’s Forest Chameleon( Kinyongia tolleyae), De Witte's Clawed Frog (Xenopus wittei), Cinnamon-bellied Reed Frog, Long-nosed Reed Frog (Hyperolius nasutus), and Congo Wot Wot (Phlyctimantis verrucosus) before dinner.

Overnight at Ride 4 A Woman(Full Board)

Early morning walk trudge to Buhoma for gorilla tracking. Embark on a steep mountain trek varying from about 30mins-8hrs to lay your eyes on these gorgeous, gentle giants feasting on some scrumptious leaves, roots, and shrubs.

We recommend you wear good walking boots/shoes and carry a good rain gear and enough drinking water. Trekking can be tough and challenging, so we trust you are in reasonably fit condition. You will carry a picnic lunch with you into the forest and you will be thrilled to have seen these rare primates (no guarantee). The return journey could be easier!

Overnight at Ride 4 A Woman(Full Board)

After a long, worthwhile visit to the beautiful pearl, you will drive back to Entebbe and spend a night at a comfy guest house. After dinner, you roll into bed, recapping all the fun times you spent, already planning your next visit to Uganda, Africa’s diamond in the rough.

Overnight at Airport Link Guest House. ( Full Board)

Today you will transfer to Entebbe International Airport in time for your flight.