Gorillas & Highlights of Uganda Safari
12 Days, 11 Nights | Gorillas, Wildlife Viewing, Chimps and more
Overview
The 12 Day Gorillas & Highlights of Uganda Safari showcases the top wildlife holiday destination in Uganda giving you an experience you’ll not find anywhere else in the world. You’ll be visiting the thundering Murchison Falls and it massive variety of wildlife on the shores of Victoria Nile and the Savannah plains, Kibale forest brazing with loud chimpanzee, Queen Elizabeth NP, the mighty Bwindi Impenetrable forest to meet the gentle giants and the brief but impressive Lake Mburo National Park. It also presents the beautiful Kasenda Crater Lake region and a Lake Bunyonyi with its stunning scenery.
Of course the hight of this trip is trekking through the 2000 feet high jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of mountain gorillas, but we also take you to the beautiful views of lake Bunyonyi to relax after that showdown and at the start of the journey, an extension into Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to catch a glimpse at one of the last Africa BIG Five game animal, the Rhinoceros. So buckle up and feel the African holiday excitement on this trip.
Highlights
- Rhinos in Ziwa Sanctuary
- Stunning Views of Murchison Falls
- Wildlife Viewing in Murchison & Queen Elizabeth N.Parks
- Trekking the loud chimps in Kibale Forest
- Gorilla Trekking in the misty Bwindi Forest
- Lake Bunyonyi holiday relaxing
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Kampala
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to Kampala where you will be able enjoy views of homesteads designed in an African style, serene vegetations and roadside markets. Check into your hotel for the thereafter you can decide to conduct a Kampala City tour.
Accommodation
Luxury: Kampala Serena Hotel/ Golf Course Hotel.
Mid Range: Hotel Acacia/ Emerald Hotel Kampala
Budget: Namirembe Guest house/ Mamerito Hotel
Day 2: Kampala – Murchison Falls National Park:
After an early breakfast, you will start on you your Uganda Wildlife Safari where you will be picked up by your driver-guide and head northwest to Murchison Falls National Park while traversing homesteads, serene vegetation among others. Visit the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for a nature walk to track the rare rhinos in the wild alongside an en route lunch in Masindi town.
After which you Proceed to Murchison Falls National Park where you will drive straight to the top of the falls as view the perfect beauty of the falls as they squeeze through a seven-meter canyon dropping at 43 meters creating a thunderous roar and a beautiful rainbow in the spray. Check into your hotel for a relaxed evening and heartwarming dinner.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/ Baker’s Lodge
Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge/ Murchison River Lodge
Budget: Red Chili Safari Lodge/ Parkside Safari Lodge
Day 3: Game drive and a boat cruise:
After an early breakfast, you will conduct a game drive on the Northern bank as part of your Uganda Wildlife Safari where your guide will help you spot a great number of animals like oribis, warthogs, elephants, giraffes, lions and birds like Dwarf Kingfisher, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, a Selection of Tinker birds and Barbets. Return to the lodge for relaxation at the swimming pool side and lunch.
In the afternoon, you will conduct a boat cruise on the calm Victoria Nile to the base of the falls. On your launch cruise you will see hippos, crocodiles and over the 17-kilometer stretch, you may also see elephants, water bucks and Uganda kobs among others alongside many bird species.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/ Baker’s Lodge
Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge/ Murchison River Lodge
Budget: Red Chili Safari Lodge/ Parkside Safari Lodge
Day 4: Murchison – Kibale Forest National Park:
After an early breakfast, your driver guide will transfer you to Kibale Forest National Park, driving Southwest through the Albertine Escarpment of the great Western Rift Valley. You will enjoy an en route lunch in Fort portal town after which you continue to Kibale traversing homesteads, serene vegetation among others. On arrival, you will check into the hotel for refreshment and dinner before you retire to bed early.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge,
Mid range: Isunga Lodge/ Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp/ Chimp’s Nest
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park:
After an early breakfast, your driver guide will transfer you to the starting point of Chimpanzee trekking in Kanyanchu where you will be briefed by the ranger guides before you set off into the jungle in search of the chimpanzees as part of your Uganda Wildlife Safari.
These primates are very mobile and viewing them is unpredictable but the forest walk is inspiring, the activity starts at 8.00 am in the morning and takes about 4 to 8 hours. This forest is home to large numbers of chimpanzees and other primates including phoestes, Red-colobuses, Red-tailed and grey-cheeked mangabeys, birds, butterflies. The ranger will not only provide detailed explanations on primates but also on all the forests fauna and flora.
After lunch, you will visit either the Kasenda Crater Lake region or the bigodi community initiative swamp depending on your choice and enjoy the amazing panoramic views and later retire to your hotel for an overnight.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge,
Mid-range: Isunga Lodge/ Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp/ Chimp’s Nest
Day 6: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park:
After an early breakfast, you will exit Kibale Forest National Park and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will conduct. The drive from Kibale Forest to Queen Elizabeth is very scenic with many panoramic views like the supernatural Rwenzori Mountain Range most of the journey.
You will enjoy an en-route lunch and proceed to conduct a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, this trip passes through probably the highest concentration of hippos and many animals may be seen drinking at the edge of waters. This launch cruise gives you to enjoy the Uganda Wildlife Safari which is a great chance for photography, bird watching and game viewing.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/ The Baboon Safari Resort.
Mid range: Kyambura Game Lodge/ Kasenyi Safari Lodge
Budget: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge/ Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 7: Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park:
After breakfast, you will conduct early morning game drive along Kasenyi tracks and Queen’s mile in the park.where you will see lions, elephants, cape buffalos, warthogs, spotted hyenas, mongoose, waterbucks, Kobs and, if lucky, the leopard plus a lot of small animals and birds.
Drive back to the lodge for lunch and later in the afternoon drive to the impressive Crater Lakes region for sightseeing.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/ The Baboon Safari Resort.
Mid range: Kyambura Game Lodge/ Kasenyi Safari Lodge
Budget: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge/ Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:
After breakfast with your packed lunch, you will exit Queen Elizabeth National Park and drive to the southwest to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in search for the tree climbing lions found only in this area of Uganda. Proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and check into the hotel for an overnight.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Rushaga Gorilla Camp/ Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Mid Range: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Nshongi Campsite/ Amasiko Homestay Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking:
After an early morning breakfast with packaged lunch, your driver – guide will drive you to the park headquarters which are the starting point of the gorilla tracking where you will be briefed by the Park Rangers about tracking these apes in the forest. The rain forest is dense with numerous animal trails. The excitement of spending time by observing these apes is a memorable experience and one of the most important activities of your Uganda Wildlife Safari. Gorillas are shy and peaceful animals and it is an unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they interact with one another.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Rushaga Gorilla Camp/ Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Mid Range: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Nshongi Campsite/ Amasiko Homestay Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 10: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After any early breakfast, drive to Lake Bunyonyi before driving to Kabale through the gently sloping hills and terraced landscape. Lunch at Arcadia Cottages with its unique and amazing panoramic view of Lake Bunyonyi. This area is referred to as the “Switzerland” of Africa.
In the afternoon, you will head out to conduct a canoe excursion on the lake to the various islands which offer another great opportunity for bird watching and sightseeing as part of the Uganda Wildlife Safari. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Birdnest@Bunyonyi Resort/ Bunyonyi Overland camp
Midrange: Bunyonyi Safaris Resort/ Arcadia Cottages Bunyonyi
Budget: Heritage Lodge Habuharo/ Bushara Island Camp
Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park:
After an early breakfast, you will exit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and drive to Lake Mburo National Park, the second smallest national park among other National parks.The drive from Bwindi to Lake Mburo is a scenic drive where you will see homesteads, tea plantations among others. You will enjoy lunch in Mbarara town after which you proceed to the park.
The drive to your hotel is another game drive s you will enjoy sights of many animals like the beautiful impalas, zebras, cape buffalos, elands, oribi, and topi. Later in the evening, you will go for a boat Cruise and later resign from the day for a calm relaxed night.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge/ Mantana Tented Camp
Midrange: Rwakobo Rock Lodge/Mburo safari lodge
Budget: Rwonyo Camp/ Eagle’s Nest Camp
Day 12: Lake Mburo – Entebbe:
After an early breakfast, you will exit Lake Mburo National Park where you will traverse homesteads, banana plantations, roadside markets among others with a stopover at the equator for photography and lunch and head to Entebbe outbound flight back home and end your Uganda Wildlife Safari.
End of Safari.
Includes
- Gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee permits
- Park activities
- Park entrance fees
- Ground transportation
- Fuel
- Comprehensively insured vehicle
- Driver – guide allowance
- Full board accommodation
- Meals on the way.
Excludes
- Visa
- International air fares
- Activities/ services not included in the Itinerary
- Alcoholic drinks/ wines
- Laundry and any service of personal nature.