Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth national park

You will be picked by a K safaris Guide after an early morning breakfast, drive towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Stopover at the equator for simple experiment, photography and coffee, drive further towards the home to several Crater lakes and the great East African Rift valley with its sharp escarpments at Kyambura and Kichwamba.

This journey offers you an opportunity to pass through the famous Ankole the Hima culture and the Long-horned cattle in Mbarara-Masaka corridor and lunch will be served on the way.

Queen Elizabeth NP is one of the outstanding treasures of Uganda and named after Queen Elizabeth II visit in 1954. It covers an area of 1978 sq km and is situated between two big lakes, Lake George and Lake Edward as well as the 34km long Kazinga channel famous for the boat cruise which is usually the highlight of the trip. Home also to the famous tree climbing lions as well as the chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu forest.

Continue driving to the hotel arriving later in the evening for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Journey time: 6-7 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation: Mweya safari lodge (luxury), Bush lodge (Mid-range)

Meal plan: Full Board basis

Day 2: Game drives and boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel

Start this day with an early morning breakfast then setoff for the classic African safari in the Kasenyi tracks, the North Kazinga which offers virtually guaranteed Buffalos, Antelopes and Elephant sightings, along with warthogs. This is a rewarding game in the Kasenyi plains, this is the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park rich with wildlife, the game drive takes about 4-6 hours according to the season and the movement of these animals, this is a magnificent game which includes a lot to see such as Herds of Elephants, Hippos, Buffalos, Antelopes like Uganda Kobs, Dafforsa Waterbuck and much more wildlife and on lucky days see a pride of lions and the solitary Leopard. This Park is known to have the longest bird list in all East African protected National Parks, thus giving you a chance to see a lot of beautiful Savanna species.

You will then drive to Mweya Peninsular an area encircled by two water bodies that is Kazinga channel and the waters of Lake Edward leaving one way which is the entrance and the same time Exit.  This is where the majestic boat cruise on Kazinga Channel is conducted.  You will have a hot lunch before setoff for this wonderful activity which is non-other than a boat cruise on Kazinga Channel.

As the highlight of the trip, this is an oasis for many of the fascinating species that inhabit the park, and taking a boat trip along Kazinga Channel gives the visitors a chance to cruise just a few meters from hundreds of enormous hippos since Kazinga channel is well known for its big number of Hippos of over 4800, Crocodiles sun basking and Buffaloes while Elephants linger along the shoreline. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. This takes about 2hours from the starting point to coming back.

You will then transfer to your hotel and as you drive keep your eyes on the game outside you may get a chance to see herds of elephants or more. Arrive at your lodge in time for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Journey time: 6-8 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation: Mweya safari lodge (luxury), Bush lodge (Mid-range)

Meal plan: Full Board basis

Day 3:  Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National park.

After Breakfast, you will drive to Kalinzu forest reserve for the chimpanzee tracking. Arrive and you will be briefed and start the trekking usually done in groups of maximum 8 people. Time taken for the entire activity can only be determined by the members of the group, age, last sighting and time of starting but usually between 2 to 4 hours on average

The famous Kalinzu forest sits on 147 sq. Km and boasts of about 414 Species of trees, it harbors 378 Species of Birds, 262 Butterflies, 97 Moths, Reptiles, Flowers and six different Species of Primates, Blue Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys and home to the Chimpanzees. One of the major activities done is chimpanzee tracking the second-best place to track chimpanzees in Uganda with the success rate of 80%. After the briefing, start the walk-in search for the chimpanzees and once you locate them you will spend one full hour with them and then return to the starting point to continue your journey on safari. Drive further to Bwindi Impenetrable national park arriving early evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Journey Time: 5 – 8 Hours
Accommodation: Trackers safari lodge/ Buhoma lodge (luxury), Silverback lodge (Mid-range)

Meal plan: Full Board basis

Day 4: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today is the big day; prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s or Mgahinga’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorilla. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda and a dream come true for others. You will wake up very early in the morning and carry packed breakfast and packed lunch, drive to the starting point of the gorilla tracking depending on the available permits will take about 1-2 hours.

Tracking is a captivation and unforgettable experience which more than repays the efforts needed to reach Bwindi or Mgahinga and to trek through the forest. Gorilla tracking can be challenging and needs one to be reasonable fit before undertaking to venture into the activity.

Gorilla tracking starts at 8:00am and lasts from a few hours to a whole day depending on where the Gorillas where left the previous day. This means you shall have to carry you packed Lunch and enough driving water. Once the gorillas are located, you will spend one whole hour with them and then later return to the starting point for pick up. Then drive to your hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Journey time: 3-9 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)
Accommodation: Trackers safari lodge/ Buhoma lodge (luxury), Silverback lodge (Mid-range)

Meal plan: Full Board basis

Day 5: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and boat cruise

After breakfast transfer by road to Lake Mburo National park. Upon arrival, you will go for a boat cruise on the lake in the early evening either 4 or 5 pm scheduled boats.

Lake Mburo National Park is located conveniently close to the highway that connects Kampala to the parks of western Uganda giving one chance to explore at the same time reduce on the drive time. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks. It is the most under estimated yet home to about 350 bird species, only park with impalas in Uganda, Zebras, Elands the biggest antelope, Giraffes only to mention but a few. Together with 13 other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo, forms part of a 50km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. Five of these lakes lie within the park’s borders making it one of the hidden treasures and gate away. Famous for the Walking safaris and large volumes of wildlife common being the zebras and impalas. After the boat cruise, keep your eyes on the game as you drive to your hotel for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Journey Time: 5 -6 Hours
Accommodation: Mihingo lodge (luxury), Mburo safari lodge (Mid-range)

Meal plan: Full Board basis

Day 6: Walking Safari and later transfer back to Entebbe

In the morning you will go for a guided walking safari. Walking safaris mean that you walk close to the wild life in a protected area with an armed ranger. The walking safari usually starts at 7:00 am and here you get closer to the animals on foot. As the animals keep a safe distance a long curious stare, you will wish it could take longer. The photographs and the interaction with the ranger walking and adventuring would not be equated to any other experience and usually the best way to end your safari.

You will then later transfer to Entebbe with a stopover at the Equator for photography and also have an opportunity to buy some souvenirs.

You will be dropped at the airport in time for flight back home.

Journey Time: 5 -6 Hours