The 10 days Uganda Wildlife & Gorilla Safari explores the western safari circuit of Uganda. It starts at Ziwa 170km north of Kampala, for an experience with Rhinos, then to Murchison falls NP and trails down wards to Kibale forest famous for chimpanzees and Queen Elizabeth National park and Its Ishasha sector for tree climbing lions before heading further for gorillas, Lake Bunyonyi tour and walking safari at Lake Mburo National park.
Day 1- Arrival & Pick up
On your arrival at Entebbe international airport (EBB), you will be met by our staff and your designated driver guide that will brief you and transfer you to your hotel for relaxation. You can have an optional walking tour around Entebbe depending on your time of arrival.
Overnight Via Via (Budget), Karibu Guest House (Mid-range), Hotel No.5 (Luxury)
Day 2- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and to Murchison Falls
An amazing road trip to Murchison Falls National park after your breakfast at the hotel. This includes driving through various towns and with a stop at Nakitoma for a chance to walk at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking. After we have our lunch and continue to Murchison Falls NP. We shall check in at the park and visit the top of the falls before we head to our accommodation.
Overnight Red Chilli (Budget), Murchison River Lodge (Mid-range), Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Day 3- Game drive and Boat Safari
You will set off at 6:30 am cross to the northern bank of river Nile head for a sunrise game drive to see the Cape buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda kob, hartebeest and waterbucks. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, warthog and bush pig plus large carnivores including lions, leopards and spotted hyenas. Chimpanzees and olive baboons head the list of six species of primates found in the park. Crocodiles and hippos and other life will be seen in the banks of the river together with birds like herons, egrets,etc.
You will return to your lodge for a late breakfast and some relaxation before setting off in the afternoon for a Boat cruise on the placid Victoria Nile, upstream, to the base of the falls. En route you will see hippos, crocodiles, water buck and a wide variety of birds. The boat stops just tens of meters from the “Devil’s Cauldron” for pictures to be taken of the photogenic and majestic Murchison Falls. Later get back to the lodge for a relaxed evening plus dinner and overnight.
Overnight Red Chilli (Budget), Murchison River Lodge (Mid-range), Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Day 4- To Kibale National Park
Breakfast, check out and hit the road again for an amazing drive. Through the arm of the rift valley, via some of Uganda’s great lakes (L. Albert) and communities you get to Fort Portal, a tourism town near Kibale Forest. Lunch will be had along the way, various stops will be included at several viewpoints. Arrive late afternoon and check in at your lodge.
Overnight Nkuruba Camp Site (Budget), Isunga Lodge (Mid-range), Primate Lodge (Luxury)
Day 5- Chimpanzee tracking & drive to Queen Elizabeth National park
After breakfast head to Kibale Forest. The activity begins at 8.00 am with a briefing of the rule for trekking the chimpanzees after which you set off to search for them in the forest. Kibale Forest National Park, it boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including the chimpanzees. Approximately 5,000 chimpanzees live in the wild in Uganda, which makes it a perfect place to spot them! An experienced ranger will take you chimp tracking in the morning. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will spend an hour with them and then head back to the accommodation for Lunch. Post Lunch you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National park. Arrival at the park, you will drive through the crater lakes before we have an overnight at our lodge.
Overnight Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget), Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp (Mid-range), Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Luxury)
Day 6-Game drive and boat safari
After breakfast you will take packed lunch and head for a another rewarding game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park to increase your wildlife animal view counts and see Africa’s highly famed “Big 5”, Bush Bucks, Giant Hogs, Antelopes, Waterbucks and plenty of birds. In the afternoon you will take a Boat Cruise along the amazing Kazinga channel to see, at close range, the water animals to include Hippos, Buffalos, Crocodiles and elephants bathing on the channel banks. There is also a variety of bird species on the water banks especially the famous Fish eagles, pelican and Jacana. Later get back to the lodge for a relaxed evening plus dinner and overnight.
Overnight Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget), Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp (Mid-range), Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Luxury)
Day 7- To Bwindi via Ishasha Sector
Today we are off for the gorilla sanctuary-Bwindi Impenetrable National park. But before we arrived, there are some cats to look out for at Ishasha. You will drive to and through the Ishasha Sector, famous for the tree climbing lions lounging in the tree branches while keeping a close eye on herds of Uganda Kob, their favorite prey. The sector has also other lots of wildlife from elephants, buffaloes, kobs, topis, and if lucky you can spot the shoebill. From here we shall have our lunch at Topi Lodge and continue to Ruhija Sector of Bwindi National park.
Overnight Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort (Budget), Agandi Eco Lodge (Mid-range), Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Day 8 Gorilla Tracking and to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters for briefing by park ranger guides, depart with picnic lunch boxes to start Gorilla trekking – the activity can last up to 6 hours trek or more to find the Mountain Gorillas as you hike up and down the slopes with dense mist covered vegetation. Hence you will have packed lunch for this activity. This active quest will eventually bring you to the face of one of the most sought after creatures-the mountain Gorillas. Upon reaching them, you will have a full hour with them while observing and learning their behavior as you take photos. You will later transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Uganda’s deepest and second deepest lake in Africa.
Overnight Bunyonyi View Resort (Budget), Hawks Eye Lodge (Mid-range), Arcadia Cottages (Luxury)
Day 9- Boat trip and to Lake Mburo National park
After breakfast, explore the lakes islands. Lake Bunyonyi has 29 islands and famous of these are the Punishment Island where pregnant but unmarried bakiga girls would be thrown and left to die. After the trip on calm waters of the lake, you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Upon arrival, check in and go for a night game drive later in the evening. Return to the lodge for overnight stay.
Overnight Leopard Rest Camp (Budget), Rwakobo Rock Lodge (Mid-range), Mihingo Lodge (Luxury)
Day 10- Morning game walk, to Entebbe & Exit
This is the last day and best way to end it is by walking with wildlife. Today we drive to the park offices and get a ranger to lead us in a walk. Lake Mburo NP has a few predators and thus favors walking safaris. Walk with zebras, impalas, see what you miss while in the vehicles (get close to nature) but in guidance of an armed ranger. After the walk drive back to Entebbe, crossing the equator. Your guide will drop you at the airport for exit.
End of your 10 days Uganda Wildlife & Gorilla safari.
Included
- Transportation by 4×4 safari vehicle
- Fuel/gas
- Full time Driver/ guide (English speaking)
- Gorilla and chimpanzee permits
- Meals and accommodation (Full board)
- Drinking water on board
- Activities mentioned
- Park Entry fees
- Rhino tracking tour
Excluded
- Alcoholic drinks
- Laundry
- Flights
- Tips and gratuities
- Souvenirs and other expenses of personal nature