Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and afternoon boat cruise
The Uganda gorilla trek and Wildlife safari start early in the morning at 6:30am from your place of residence after breakfast, with the safari guide picking you up to head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, 417km about 7 hours’ drive in the southwest of Uganda.
which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes, and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for the classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees, and over 600 species of birds.
You will stop for lunch en route then proceed into the beautiful Queen Elizabeth National Park: one of Uganda’s most outstanding treasures. Time permitting, you may proceed for an evening game drive in search of the many wildlife of Queen Elizabeth. Alternatively, if you arrive early enough you can do an early evening boat ride to explore the Kazinga aquatics after which, you will check into your accommodation or else relax at your accommodation (awaiting the next day’s activities).
Day 2: Chimp trekking experience
Be up early, have breakfast, and proceed for the Chimpanzee trekking in the Kyambura gorge. The Kyambura Gorgeis found on the eastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park and it is home to habituated Chimpanzees plus other primates including Baboons, Monkeys, and also bird species. The gorge is 1 km long and 100 meters deep.
In the afternoon you will go for the launch cruise on the amazing Kazinga channel, expect to see herds of buffalos, hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species especially the kingfishers, cormorants, egrets, and others.
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi
Have an early morning breakfast then set off for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Isasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park – famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are really hard to spot (most especially when they’re down in the grassland looking for prey).
Bwindi is a big habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda; harboring an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check in your accommodation, and relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking experience
This is a special day dedicated to the impressive mountain gorillas. Undertaking the gorilla trekking experience in the impenetrable forest of Bwindi is such a lifetime endeavor that will create lasting memories.
You gather at the respective park headquarters for a briefing in the morning at 8 am where you are also allocated the respective gorilla families to track. The encounter takes 2 – 8 hours depending on the gorilla’s movements and one hour is available to you to have a direct touch with the gorillas.
Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi driving through fascinating Kigezi Highlands where locals apply a terracing method to cultivate their slopes deriving an impressive scenic landscape. Take a nice and calm boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi as you enjoy the sights and sounds around the lake.
Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala
You will have a relaxed breakfast then you may opt to enjoy a swim in the lake before you set off on the journey to Entebbe via Mbarara and settle at Igongo Cultural Center for lunch (Traditional dishes) but also you will have the option to visit the cultural museum here and embark on your drive to Kampala. You can make an en-route stopover at the Equator (if time allows) for more photos and pass through the gift shops to secure yourself memorabilia as a commemoration of your gorilla and wildlife safari in Uganda. Check in at your hotel in Kampala and relax as you await tomorrow’s adventure.
Day 6: Fly to Murchison Falls National Park
Today you will start the journey to Murchison Falls National Park as early as 6 am to be able to have ample time in the park. You will drive directly to the park with a brief stopover at the top of Murchison falls. After this experience, you proceed for lunch and later for a boat Safari on River Nile from where you shall watch different animals along the shore both those that live in the water and those coming for watering.
The boat ride takes you to about ten meters from the bottom of Murchison falls – also known as the ‘ ‘Devils cauldron” before returning to the starting point. Your driver guide will pick you up after a short evening game drive if you are staying at the northern bank of the river otherwise you transfer immediately to the southern bank because of ferry crossing times.
Day 7: Explore Murchison Falls NP
Today morning after an early breakfast, you check out of the room and leave for the morning game drive on the northern bank of River Nile. The highlight of the game drive is game viewing in our custom-made safari vehicles with a pop-up roof. Some of the animals you might be able to sight and capture on camera include the graceful Giraffes as they move through the grasslands, Hartebeest, herds of buffaloes and Elephants, Lions, Uganda Kobs, the lonely elusive leopards, etc.
After the morning game drive, we shall return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Day 8: Transfer back to Kampala
Today morning after an early breakfast, you check out of the room and leave for a short morning transfer to Ziwa rhino sanctuary before starting a transfer to Kampala. Upon arrival, your driver guide shall drop you at your favorite hotel/Entebbe international airport for your flight back home.
End of the safari.