11 Days Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari

Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari

Destinations:
Murchison Falls National Park
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Kibale Forest National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Lake Bunyonyi
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Lake Mburo National Park

Overview

Let’s take you on an unforgettable adventure to the Pearl of Africa, Uganda. The 11-Day Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari takes you to see the amazing sceneries on the beginnings of the Nile River and beyond – traversing its wonders through Murchison falls National park where you’ll catch a glimpse at Africa Big 5 game animals.

From the thundering Murchison Falls big 5 trail and taking the Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari adventure further down from MFNP, you’ll visit the amazing Chimpanzee families, our closest relatives in Kibale Forest National park, still in the western Uganda area. Primates are very common in Kibale National Forest. The forest has some of the highest abundance of species of primates in the area. There are many species of primates and these species persist in the less disturbed areas of the forest in their natural habitats. Kibale is one of the last remaining expanses to contain both lowland and montane forests. In eastern Africa, it sustains the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest.

Not to miss out on the sight of tree climbing lions, we’ll take our safari further south to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National park enjoying the beautiful savanna grasslands set against the backdrop of Rwenzori Mountains – ahh, what a sight. This Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari also take a boat cruise down the Kazinga channel for more stunning views of water animals like hippos and elephants trying to cool themselves on the river banks.

At the height of this adventurous Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari, we’ll take you to the breathtaking gentle giants of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Very early morning, we’ll set out for a gorilla trekking experience up the misty jungles guided by gorilla experts and you’ll spend about an hour hanging out with gorillas when you find them. A couple of rules will have to be followed to enjoy this adventure, look out for them.

You will also visit Lake Bunyonyi  “the Switzerland of Uganda” which is dotted with 20 islands protruding from the lake for canoe rides and to hike the steep terraced hills encircling the lake to have a scenic view of the beautiful surroundings. The birdlife around Lake Bunyonyi is prolific. The Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari does not miss out on Lake Mburo National Park for wild nature walks, the only park in Uganda where a wildlife safari can be conducted on foot.

Safari Highlights

• Track Rhinos in Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and the Big 5 Trail
• Game drives in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo National Parks
• Boat cruises in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks
• Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National park
• Nature walks in the Bigodi swamp
• Visiting the crater lake area
•  Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest
•  Boat ride in Lake Mburo National park

Travel Schedule

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and briefing on safari plan
Day 2: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 3: Game drive and Boat launch on the Nile River
Day 4: Visit the top of the fall and travel to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 5: Chimp tracking, nature walk in Kibale Forest & transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP
Day 6: Game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7: Game Drive and travel to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 8: Canoeing and hiking on Lake Bunyonyi
Day 9: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Day 10: Game drive and boat cruise on Lake Mburo
Day 11: Walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park & Travel back to Kampala

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DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our safari guide who will transfer you to the hotel of your booking and brief you on the Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari plan.

Luxury Lodge: Serena Hotel/ Imperial Hotel
Moderate:  Emin Pasha Hotel/ Speke Resort Hotel
Budget facility: Acardia Cottages/ Namirembe Guest house
Meal Plan: Half Board Basis

Day 2: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park (5-6hrs)

You will have an early breakfast and drive towards Murchison Falls National Park via the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will have the opportunity to trek the Rhinos the first item on the Murchison Falls Big 5 Trail. The sanctuary houses Uganda’s Rhino reintroduction project. There are 9 white rhinos and tracking is done on foot for 1 and half hours. You will continue to Masindi Town for lunch and later drive to Murchison Falls National Park. This part of the Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari journey takes 6-7 hours. You will have dinner and overnight at the lodge of your booking.

• Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/ Nile Safari Lodge
• Mid-range: Fort Murchison (in rooms)/ Murchison River Lodge
  
• Budget: Fort Murchison in tents/ Murchison River Lodge in tents / Red Chili
  
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Day 3: Game drive and Boat launch on the Nile

You will have an early start (6.30 am) and set off for a sunrise Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari game drive in the Nyamsika plateau to see the Cape buffaloes (member of the big 5 trail), Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda kob, hartebeest, and waterbucks. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, shy sitatunga, bush duiker, 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 will be seen along the banks of the Nile. Some of the more common birds that can be seen include goliath heron, Egyptian geese, pelican, bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbill, cormorant, saddle-bill stork, and the rare shoebill stork.

You will return to your booked Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari lodge for a late breakfast and some relaxation before you set 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, waterbuck, and a wide variety of birds like the unusual shoebill stork. The boat stops just tens of meters from the “Devil’s Cauldron” for pictures to be taken of the photogenic and majestic Murchison Falls.

• Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/ Nile Safari Lodge
• Mid-range: Fort Murchison (in rooms)/ Murchison River Lodge
  
• Budget: Fort Murchison in tents/ Murchison River Lodge in tents / Red Chili
  
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Visit the top of the fall and travel to Kibale Forest National Park

You will after your breakfast visit the “top of the thunderous Murchison falls”, where you will observe the River Nile squeezing itself into a 7-meter gorge before tumbling 40 meters down in a thunderous explosion and then flowing down into a very peaceful river whose water banks are swarmed with a profusion of water and land animals as well as birds.

You will thereafter set off on a 9-hour Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari journey to Kibale Forest National Park.  The drive is through verdant countryside inter-passing traditional homesteads and farms and via the towns of Hoima and Fort Portal which rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon. You will have dinner and overnight at the lodge of your booking

• Luxury: Ndali lodge/Primate lodge/Kibale forest/Kyaninga lodge                                                   
• Moderate: Mountains of the moon/Kibale forest camp
• Budget: Rwenzori Travelers/Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Chimp tracking and nature walk in Kibale Forest

After breakfast, you will report to the Kanyanchu Tourist Centre at 08.00 am for a briefing on the rules of chimpanzee tracking. Kibale Forest National Park has the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. The most famous of its 13 species is the Chimpanzee, a very delightful ape.

The trek takes 2-3 hours and it will provide you with the opportunity to see a variety of other primates and animals as well as birds, and a variety of butterflies.  You will return to the Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari reserved lodge for lunch and in the afternoon go for a nature walk in the Bigodi Wetland to see a variety of birds and monkey species. You will have dinner and overnight at your lodge.

• Luxury: Ndali Lodge/Primate Lodge/Kibale Forest/Kyaninga Lodge                                                   
• Moderate: Mountains of the moon/Kibale Forest Camp
• Budget: Rwenzori travelers/Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

After your morning breakfast, you will have an early morning Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari Game drive where you will see the lion, leopard, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephant, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, topi, and bushbuck among others. You will return to your lodge for lunch and in the afternoon go for a 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.

It is a 42kms channel that joins Lake Edward and Lake George. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching, and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colorful, with well over 550 resident species. Dinner and overnight will be spent at your reserved lodge.

• Luxury Lodge: Mweya Safari Lodge: Katara Lodge/ Jacana Lodge 
• Mid-range moderate: Bush Lodge (in rooms) / Simba Safari Camp in rooms/ Buffalo Safari Resort/ Enganzi Lodge/ Ihamba Safari Lodge
• Budget facility: Kazinga Channel View Lodge/ Simba Safari Camp in tents/ Bush Lodge in tents  
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 7: Game Drive and travel to Lake Bunyonyi

You will wake up early for a morning game drive in the park during which you will see Lions, Elephants, Topis, Leopards, Bush bucks, Cape Buffaloes, Defassa Waterbucks, Giant Forest Hogs, and Uganda Kobs, among others. You will return to your lodge for a late breakfast after which you will travel to Lake Bunyonyi.

The lake lies close to the border with Rwanda and is said to be one of the most beautiful places in western Uganda. It is the second deepest lake in Africa and also one of the few places in the country where it is considered safe to swim as it is bilharzia free. This part of the Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari drive journey takes 6-7 hours and you will have your lunch enroute.

Dinner and overnight will be at one of the many lodges near the lake.

• Luxury Lodge: Mweya Safari Lodge: Katara Lodge/ Jacana Lodge 
• Mid-range moderate: Bush Lodge (in rooms) / Simba Safari Camp in rooms/ Buffalo Safari Resort/ Enganzi Lodge/ Ihamba Safari Lodge
• Budget facility: Kazinga Channel View Lodge/ Simba Safari Camp in tents/ Bush Lodge in tents  
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 8: Canoeing and hiking on Lake Bunyonyi

This Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari morning you can choose to either have a canoe ride on the lake or a walk through the surrounding hills. The landscape around the lake is made up of steep slopes covered with lush green vegetation protruding from the water’s edge. Bunyonyi means “place of little birds” and as the name suggests, there is plenty of birdlife around the lake.

You can get to know the seven islands, visit the local families, and admire views of volcanoes. In the afternoon you will drive to Kisoro in the southwestern part of Uganda; close to the borders with Rwanda and Congo. You will go through a beautiful part of the country often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’.

You will see the great countryside, bamboo forests, and great views of the Virunga Mountains and if it is a Monday or Thursday you will see a large colorful market in Kisoro. You will have dinner and overnight at the lodge of your booking.

• Luxury Lodge: Mweya Safari Lodge: Katara Lodge/ Jacana Lodge 
• Mid-range moderate: Bush Lodge (in rooms) / Simba Safari Camp in rooms/ Buffalo Safari Resort/ Enganzi Lodge/ Ihamba Safari Lodge
• Budget facility: Kazinga Channel View Lodge/ Simba Safari Camp in tents/ Bush Lodge in tents  
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 9: Uganda Gorilla trekking in Bwindi

You will have an early morning breakfast and move to the Park headquarters to join other trackers in a briefing about the gorilla trekking rules at 7:45 am. You will trek through thick creepers and undergrowth with your guides to find the Gorillas, which can take you 2-8 hours.

The steeply forested landscape is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access by tourists. You will have one hour to stay with the Gorillas once sited before returning to your lodge to rest. You will have dinner and overnight at the lodge of your booking.

• Lower Budget: Buhoma community Rest camp / Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp / Travellers Rest Hotel Kisolo  / Gorilla Valley Lodge
• Moderate: Gorilla Resort Bwindi /Gorilla Safari Lodge / Silver Back Lodge / Lake Kitandara Camp / Chameleon Hill Lodge / Lake Mutanda Resort.
• Upmarket: Mahogany Springs Lodge / Buhoma Lodge / Rushanga Gorilla Satari Lodge.
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Game drive and boat cruise on Lake Mburo

You will have an early Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari breakfast and travel to Lake Mburo National Park centered on a series of swamp-fringed lakes rich in bird life while its green acacia woodland harbors wildlife like the Zebra, warthog, Elands, Impala among others. You will have lunch in Mbarara town and continue the drive to the park.

In the afternoon you will go for a 2-hour boat ride on Lake Mburo and get quite close to the water animals that include crocodiles and hippos. You will have dinner and overnight at the lodge of your booking.

• Luxury: Mihingo Lodge/ Mantana Lake Mburo Camp/ Arcadia Cottages
  
• Moderate: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge/ Rakobo Rock
  
• Budget: Eagles Nest Camp
  
• Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 11: Travel to Kampala

You will after breakfast go for a tour of the park on foot with an experienced Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari game ranger who will explain to you which animals have left behind footprints and droppings and how long ago. Mburo is one of the two parks in Uganda where it is permitted to go for a tour on foot. You will after the game walk return to the lodge for lunch and later set off on your return journey to Kampala.

You will have a stopover at the Equator where you will have an opportunity to stand in two hemispheres at the same time and take some photos. You will have another stopover at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers center where you will be able to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using traditional methods passed down through the generations. You will arrive in Kampala in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight will be at the hotel of your booking.

Accommodation in Entebbe: Anderita Beach Hotel, Papyrus Guesthouse Entebbe, Gately Inn Entebbe (mid-range)

Main plan: No meal.

End of the 11 Days Uganda Gorillas & Savannah Safari

Requirements for this Safari:

• A Visa – you can apply for a visa online or very easily get one at the point of entry into the country (airport)
• Yellow fever vaccination card.
• Uganda Chimpanzee and Gorilla trekking permits – You can apply and secure these online but experience has shown that it is better coordinated when you send money to the tour firm to handle it for you at no extra cost to the standard fee (USD600)
• Travel &Health insurance – This should be arranged by you in your home country before you travel.
• Physical fitness

This safari package includes;

• Transportation in a land cruiser/super custom with pop-up roof
• All fuel for the trips
• Chimp tracking permit in Kibale (a US $200 value)
• Gorilla permit per person (a US $700 value).
• Driver/guide.
• Guide ranger fees.
• Accommodation and meals as per itinerary.
• All activities are described in the itinerary.
• The Park fee is according to the program.
• Meals are according to the program.
• Boat cruise.

The Safari package excludes expenses of a personal nature such as:

• Other drinks.
• Laundry.
• Tips to local guides.
• Telephone expenses.
• Porter fees while trekking Gorillas and chimpanzees.
• Personal Insurance.
• Cigarettes.

Request a quote for this safari

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