8 DAYS GORILLAS AND WILDLIFE SAFARI IN UGANDA
The eight days gorillas and wildlife safari in Uganda gives you a chance to encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest national park; a prime home for the gorillas in Africa.
The trip also takes you to Kibale forest national park a primate capital of the world for the chimps. From here you will visit Queen Elizabeth national park; the medley of wonders and Uganda’s most visited national park for numerous sights of some of the world’s most beautiful wildlife species like the tree climbing lions, oribis, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, antelopes, bushbucks and many others.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: Arrival at the airport and hotel transfer
Day 2: Drive to Kibale forest national park
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi wetland
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
Day 5: Morning game drive and afternoon boat ride at Kazinga channel
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Day 7: Gorilla trekking and Batwa community
Day 8: Departure
DETAILS
Day 1: Arrival at the airport and hotel transfer
On arrival at Entebbe international airport, you will be received by our experienced driver guide. He will brief you about the whole trip as you travel to the hotel in Kampala where you will stay for the overnight in preparartion for the next big day.
LUXURY – Serena Lake Victoria Resort
MIDRANGE – Cassia Lodge
BUDGET – Common Lens hotel / Forest Cottages
Day 2: Drive to Kibale forest national park
On this day, you will have an early breakfast and then start the journey to Kibale forest national park in western Uganda. This five to six hour drive is full of spectacular views of different beautiful vegetation lying along the road. Drive through the huge tea estates that were commonly known to the Canadian prairies, see several people along the road, some waving to you with huge smiles, it simply an interesting journey that you will have. Arrival will be in the evening for just check in, dinner and overnight.
LUXURY – Primate Lodge (Luxury cottages)
MIDRANGE –Kibale Forest camp / Kyaninga Royal cottages
BUDGET – Rwenzori view guest house
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi wetland
After a delicious breakfast in the morning, set out to the park headquarters to be briefed about the rules and regulations of a successful chimp tracking experience by the local guide. Now walk into the forest to start the hunt for these beautiful primates in the forest, man’s nearest cousins. Kibale forest national park being the primate capital of the world, chimp tracking takes about 3 to 5 hours. Chimps are in most cases immediately heard making noise at the start of the trek.
Chimp tracking in Kibale involves walking through the forest trails as you look out for the chimps. Watch the chimps play and carry on with their daily lives, take many pictures provided the camera doesn’t have a flash. On the trek be guaranteed to meet other wildlife species like monkeys, forest elephants and buffaloes.
In the afternoon after lunch and a simple relaxation at the lodge, have a swamp walk in Bigodi wetland to also spot several primate and bird species. The nature walk gives you really upclose encounters including even the slightest insights of nature. Its worth for an evening.
LUXURY – Primate Lodge (Luxury cottages)
MIDRANGE –Kibale Forest camp / Kyaninga Royal cottages
BUDGET – Rwenzori view guest house
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
On waking at your convenience, you will have breakfast and start driving to Queen Elizabeth national park. This is Uganda’s most visited national park, it’s the medley of wonders with various craters and crater lakes rolled in the hills and valleys, as well as numerous wildlife species harboring here. The journey gives you stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains of the moon and the green savanna that lies along the highway.
LUXURY – Mweya safari Lodge
MIDRANGE –Ihamba safari Lodge
BUDGET – Simba safari camp
Day 5: Morning game drive and afternoon boat ride at Kazinga channel
After an early breakfast set out for a morning game drive through the park to spot a wide number of wildlife species like elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, hyenas, leopards, lions, waterbucks, oribis, topis and many others. Get real upclose encounters with some of the world’s most beautiful wildlife species in the jungle. The game drive also gives you spectacular views of the numerous craters and crater lakes rolled in the valleys of hills.
In the afternoon, having had a palatable lunch meal, have a relaxation with a boat ride on the Kazinga channel, probably the longest channel in the world joining Lake Edward and George, giving you striking views of the highest concentration of hippos in Africa, countless crocodiles and several sea bird species.
LUXURY – Mweya safari Lodge
MIDRANGE –Ihamba safari Lodge
BUDGET – Simba safari camp
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Very early in the morning have breakfast and start the journey to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. This is the prime home for mountain gorillas in Uganda with over 700 gorillas that is almost three quarters of the world’s total population of mountain gorillas calling it a home. The journey exposes you to the beautiful scenery and the views of Virunga mountain ranges.
LUXURY – Buhoma Lodge
MIDRANGE –The Haven Lodge
BUDGET – Buhoma campsite
Day 7: Gorilla trekking and Batwa community
After an early breakfast head to the park headquarters for briefing from the local ranger guide. Be divided into groups of eight people to trek one gorilla family. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park involves walking into the forest in search of the mighty apes in their natural setting. Trekking through the thick forest, having to hold onto tree branches for support and pave your way through the forest with your hands or a hand stick, the experience is simply thrilling.
Spend one magical hour with the great gorillas on meeting them in the forest, watch them conduct their daily lives, spot the juveniles play from one tree branch to another and also the silverbacks aggressively watch over their family members.
After lunch in the afternoon, go for an optional cultural encounter with the Batwa pygmies, the ancient people of the forest believed to be the first inhabitants of Bwindi forest. Explore the lives of the local Batwa, watch traditional performances and also the have a taste of the local cuisines.
LUXURY – Buhoma Lodge
MIDRANGE –The Haven Lodge
BUDGET – Buhoma campsite
Day 8: Departure
Early morning after breakfast, start the journey back to Kampala, a 9 to 10 hour drive. Be dropped at the hotel of your choice in Kampala or straight to the airport in Entebbe.
PRICE INCLUSIONS
Gorilla permit
Chimp permit
Park entrance fees
All activities as per the itinerary
Game viewing
Launch cruise
Accommodation
Meals
Vehicle
Fuel
Drinking water
Guiding fees
EXCLUSSIONS
Visas
Souvenirs
Air tickets
Any other activity outside the itinerary
