5 Days Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Uganda Safari

Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Uganda Safari

Destinations

• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
• Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Overview

This 5 Days Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Uganda Safari takes you to the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to more than half the population of the World’s remaining 1004 Mountain Gorillas and former dwelling place for the Batwa, a native tribe expelled from the forest when it was gazetted as a national park.

You’ll also drive off the bitten path into Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second largest national park where leopards and other animals roam the Mweya Peninsula, chimpanzees and other primates inhabit the Kyambura Gorge, trails lead to bat caves and to huge volcanic explosion craters, boats on the Kazinga Channel cruise past hippos and crocodiles and where the Ishasha plains are home to tree-climbing lions and the elusive shoebill stork.

The highlight of the Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Uganda Safari will be trekking the Mountain Gorillas in the Bwindi Jungles and watching these giant apes as they feed, communicate, play and bond with their young. You will interact with the Batwa people to learn about their former life as gatherers, hunters, warriors, blacksmiths, and herbalists while they dwelled in the Bwindi Forest.  

Safari Highlights

• Equator experience
• Scenic landscapes
• Gorilla trek in Bwindi
• Cultural exposure
• Game drives
• Boat cruise on Kazinga channel

Activity Schedule

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda
Day 2: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Day 3: Gorilla tracking and Cultural exposure
Day 4: Travel to Queen Elizabeth, Game Drive, Boat launch
Day 5: Game drive and return to Kampala 

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by your assigned Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Uganda Safari guide who will transfer you to Kampala to a hotel booked for you. In case you have had an early flight to Uganda, you will be taken on a brief tour of the city of Kampala.

Luxury Lodge: Serena Hotel/ Imperial Hotel   

Moderate:  Emin Pasha Hotel/ Speke Resort Hotel

Budget facility: Acardia Cottages/ Namirembe Guest house

Meal Plan: Full Board Basis 

Day 2: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

After an early breakfast, you will set off on a Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Uganda Safari journey from Kampala and travel westwards to Bwindi for approximately 9-10 hours. You have a brief stop at the Equator for a chance for you to stand in two hemispheres at the same time and take some photographs. Continue the journey through the beautiful verdant rolling hills of this part of the country. You will stop in Mbarara town for lunch and then continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park where you will have the overnight.

Budget: Buhoma community Rest camp / Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp / Gorilla Valley Lodge

Moderate: Gorilla Resort Bwindi /Gorilla Safari Lodge / Lake Mutanda Resort/ Gorilla Mist Camp.

Upmarket: Mahogany Springs Lodge / Buhoma Lodge / Rushanga Gorilla Safari Lodge.

Meal plan: Full Board Basis 

Day 3: Gorilla tracking and Cultural exposure

After an early delicious Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Uganda Safari breakfast you will go to the park headquarters where you will be briefed by the guides before you begin the trek into the thick Bwindi forest jungle for the giant mountain gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is renowned for its impressive Mountain Gorillas. While the time it takes to trek the Gorillas is unpredictable, the thrill of spending time observing these gentle apes, once sited, as they feed, communicate, play and bond with the young is an awesome experience that leaves lasting memories of a lifetime.

Return to your lodge for a rest and later go for a cultural walk to interact with and learn about the lifestyles of the local people. You will participate in captivating traditional performances presented by Women’s groups or orphaned children groups.

Budget: Buhoma community Rest camp / Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp / Gorilla Valley Lodge

Moderate: Gorilla Resort Bwindi /Gorilla Safari Lodge / Lake Mutanda Resort/ Gorilla Mist Camp.

Upmarket: Mahogany Spings Lodge / Buhoma Lodge / Rushanga Gorilla Safari Lodge.

Meal plan: Full Board Basis

Day 4: Travel to Queen Elizabeth NP, Game Drive, Boat launch

Have an early breakfast and then travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park entering it through the Ishasha sector renowned for the tree climbing lions. You will have a Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Uganda Safari game drive along the way during which you will see Lions, various Antelope species, Elephants, Hyenas, Leopards, and Buffaloes. Will later in the afternoon go for a two-hour boat cruise down the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. The boat safari cruise takes you through the highest population of Hippos and you will see a profusion of water animals and birds basking on the water shores. This boat safari cruise rewards you with a great opportunity to take photos at close range.

Luxury Lodge: Mweya Safari Lodge: Katara Lodge/ Jacana Lodge 

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: Full Board Basis

Day 5: Game drive and return to Kampala

After breakfast set out for a game drive along the “Queen’s Mile” and the Kasenyi track to see leopards, mongoose, lions, Uganda kobs, elephants, hyenas, waterbucks, Cape buffaloes, Topi, Warthogs, and several small animals and birds. You will return to your lodge for lunch after which you will start the return journey to Kampala, arriving in the evening.

Dinner and overnight will be at the booked Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Uganda Safari lodge.

End of the Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Uganda Safari.

Requirements for this Safari:

• A Visa – you can apply for the visa online or very easily get one at the point of entry into the country (airport)
• Chimpanzee and Uganda 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 (USD700)
• Travel & Health insurance – This should be arranged by you in your home country before you travel.
• Physical fitness

The Safari package includes:

• Accommodation as per the itinerary
• 4WD safari vehicle with popup roof
• Bottled drinking water
• Boat cruise fee
• Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Services of an English Speaking Driver/guide.
• Game drives
• Community visit fees
• Pickup and Return airport transfers 

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

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

Request a quote for this safari