Tour overview.
This 10 days Uganda gorillas and wildlife safari takes you to Uganda’s most paradigmatic safari destinations namely Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park best for gorilla trekking in the country. Expect the best game viewing experience including tracking white rhinos on foot at Ziwa rhino sanctuary, boat cruises along the world’s longest River, Kazinga channel and Lake Bunyonyi for aquatic life as well a thrilling cultural experience on making a visit to Batwa pygmy communities.
This 10 days Uganda gorillas and wildlife safari takes you to Uganda’s most paradigmatic safari destinations namely Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park best for gorilla trekking in the country. Expect the best game viewing experience including tracking white rhinos on foot at Ziwa rhino sanctuary, boat cruises along the world’s longest River, Kazinga channel and Lake Bunyonyi for aquatic life as well a thrilling cultural experience on making a visit to Batwa pygmy communities.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to your hotel.
Meet your driver guide upon arrival and proceed to your reserved hotel within Entebbe town situated on the northern shores of Lake Victoria about 40 kilometers southwest of Kampala. You will have a briefing about your safari after which you will have a meal and unwind at you balcony. According to your time of arrival, you may choose to visit nearby sites like the Entebbe Botanical Gardens and Uganda wildlife education center to have a glimpse of birds and animals native to Uganda before you set off upcountry for your safari. This is also the perfect time for you to visit craft shops and shopping malls to get some items that you may need throughout your safari. Dinner and an overnight will be at your reserved hotel.
Meet your driver guide upon arrival and proceed to your reserved hotel within Entebbe town situated on the northern shores of Lake Victoria about 40 kilometers southwest of Kampala. You will have a briefing about your safari after which you will have a meal and unwind at you balcony. According to your time of arrival, you may choose to visit nearby sites like the Entebbe Botanical Gardens and Uganda wildlife education center to have a glimpse of birds and animals native to Uganda before you set off upcountry for your safari. This is also the perfect time for you to visit craft shops and shopping malls to get some items that you may need throughout your safari. Dinner and an overnight will be at your reserved hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls N/P with a stop at Ziwa – Hike to the top of the falls.
Arise early for your breakfast and meet your driver guide for a journey off to Murchison Falls National Park with a stopover at Ziwa rhino sanctuary for rhino tracking. You will have an opportunity to get up-close with the white rhinos in their natural habitats as they go by their daily duties. Proceed to Masindi town for your lunch after which you will make your grand entry into Uganda’s oldest and largest National Park. Upon entry you will be driven to the Falls for your hike to its top. Watching the Nile water force its way through a 7 meter wide gorge and fall off from a 43 meters high cliff into a devil’s cauldron to form a thunderous sound is so exhilarating. Retire off the magical Falls and proceed with your drive to your reserved lodge to check-in, have dinner and and overnight.
Arise early for your breakfast and meet your driver guide for a journey off to Murchison Falls National Park with a stopover at Ziwa rhino sanctuary for rhino tracking. You will have an opportunity to get up-close with the white rhinos in their natural habitats as they go by their daily duties. Proceed to Masindi town for your lunch after which you will make your grand entry into Uganda’s oldest and largest National Park. Upon entry you will be driven to the Falls for your hike to its top. Watching the Nile water force its way through a 7 meter wide gorge and fall off from a 43 meters high cliff into a devil’s cauldron to form a thunderous sound is so exhilarating. Retire off the magical Falls and proceed with your drive to your reserved lodge to check-in, have dinner and and overnight.
Day 3: Morning game drive – afternoon boat cruise.
Have your breakfast packed and meet your driver guide to hit the northern section of the Park for your morning game drive expecting to spot the early grazers and carnivores try out their trick-hunting techniques. As you are driven through the picturesque grasslands of the Park, endeavor to capture the great views of the sunrise. Animals to lookout for include large herds of buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, hyenas, hippopotamuses, waterbucks, warthogs, oribis and many more. Return to your lodge for lunch, have ample time for relaxation and later head-out for a boat cruise along the legendary Nile River. Make use of your binoculars to enjoy the aquatic life for example hippopotamuses amazingly submerge in the water, several water birds, crocodiles and giant monitor lizards busk along River banks. The cruise lasts between 2-3hours after which you will be driven back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Have your breakfast packed and meet your driver guide to hit the northern section of the Park for your morning game drive expecting to spot the early grazers and carnivores try out their trick-hunting techniques. As you are driven through the picturesque grasslands of the Park, endeavor to capture the great views of the sunrise. Animals to lookout for include large herds of buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, hyenas, hippopotamuses, waterbucks, warthogs, oribis and many more. Return to your lodge for lunch, have ample time for relaxation and later head-out for a boat cruise along the legendary Nile River. Make use of your binoculars to enjoy the aquatic life for example hippopotamuses amazingly submerge in the water, several water birds, crocodiles and giant monitor lizards busk along River banks. The cruise lasts between 2-3hours after which you will be driven back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Day 4: Depart for Kibale National Park – Bigodi wetland walk.
Arise to a hot cup of Ugandan coffee, checkout of your lodge and journey for about 4 hours to Kibale forest National Park famous for protecting the highest concentration of chimpanzees and other primates in Africa. This diverse tropical rainforest protects over 13 primate species, several other mammals and up to 370 bird species some of which will be spotted throughout your activities. Arrival will be in the perfect time for your lunch after which you will head out for a nature walk in Bigodi wetland, a jungle swamp that happened to win an award from the UNESCO Wetland Sustainable Tourism Projects. A variety of birds will be spotted ranging from forest dwellers to water birds and a variety of primates. Get back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight waiting to encounter our closest cousins in the next morning.
Arise to a hot cup of Ugandan coffee, checkout of your lodge and journey for about 4 hours to Kibale forest National Park famous for protecting the highest concentration of chimpanzees and other primates in Africa. This diverse tropical rainforest protects over 13 primate species, several other mammals and up to 370 bird species some of which will be spotted throughout your activities. Arrival will be in the perfect time for your lunch after which you will head out for a nature walk in Bigodi wetland, a jungle swamp that happened to win an award from the UNESCO Wetland Sustainable Tourism Projects. A variety of birds will be spotted ranging from forest dwellers to water birds and a variety of primates. Get back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight waiting to encounter our closest cousins in the next morning.
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking – transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Enjoy your early morning breakfast and report to Kanyanchu Park headquarters for a briefing about chimpanzee trekking etiquettes. You will later on be led by ranger guides into the jungle in search for a habituated troop of chimpanzees taking between 2 to 4 hours to locate them. These charming intelligent primates live in groups of about 15 to 150 individuals with a dominant male dictating the group’s movements and activities. Once a troop of chimpanzees is encountered, you will be limited to a magical hour as you watch them go by their routine activities. Return to your lodge for lunch after which you will checkout for your drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive lasts between 1 and a half to 2 hours arriving to check-in at your lodge, unwind and relax waiting to have dinner and an overnight.
Day 6: Morning game drive – Kazinga channel boat cruise.
Wakeup very early to a delightful breakfast and hit the Park’s savannah plains for a morning game drive hopping to spot the early risers as well as the nocturnal animals as they rush back to their hide outs. Predators like lions, hyenas and others might be spotted on a hunt or feasting on their prey after a successful kill. Other animals to lookout for include elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, leopards, waterbuck, warthogs, and many more. After a 4 hours’ wildlife experience, return to your lodge for lunch before you connect to Kazinga water channel for your boat cruise. You will enjoy a 2 hours’ scenic cruise along a 32 km long channel known for its largest concentration of hippopotamuses in Africa. This is the best spot to enjoy bird life, aquatic animals like crocodiles and many more. Get back to your lodge waiting to have dinner and an overnight.
Wakeup very early to a delightful breakfast and hit the Park’s savannah plains for a morning game drive hopping to spot the early risers as well as the nocturnal animals as they rush back to their hide outs. Predators like lions, hyenas and others might be spotted on a hunt or feasting on their prey after a successful kill. Other animals to lookout for include elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, leopards, waterbuck, warthogs, and many more. After a 4 hours’ wildlife experience, return to your lodge for lunch before you connect to Kazinga water channel for your boat cruise. You will enjoy a 2 hours’ scenic cruise along a 32 km long channel known for its largest concentration of hippopotamuses in Africa. This is the best spot to enjoy bird life, aquatic animals like crocodiles and many more. Get back to your lodge waiting to have dinner and an overnight.
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi – Batwa cultural experience.
Wakeup to a scrumptious breakfast and checkout for your scenic drive southwards through the Ishasha sector to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will undertake a game drive through the Ishasha plains in search for the mysterious tree climbing lions that will be spotted hanging up in big fig tree branches. Proceed to Bwindi arriving at the lodge in time for your lunch after which you will head off for a cultural experience in the Batwa communities. Being guided by a local Twa, you will learn about their ancient life style and how they used to co-exist with mountain gorillas in the forests. Enjoy their dramatic cultural performances before finding your way back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Day 8: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.
Arise very early for your breakfast and head out for what is known as a “life changing adventure” waiting to encounter the gentle giants go by their usual activities in their natural habitats. It starts with a briefing at the Park headquarters about what is required of you during this activity before you are led by ranger guides on the trailhead in the dense misty Bwindi forests to start on the search of the gentle giants. This thrilling adventure lasts between 2 to 6 hours depending on how far your assigned gorilla family could have moved. On encountering them, an hour is allowed for you to closely watch them play, feed and groom which is an inspiring moment worth undertaking. Return to your lodge for lunch before you transfer to Lake Bunyonyi known for its small birds and striking scenery. Arrival at your lodge will be in the evening to check-in, unwind, have dinner and an overnight.
Day 9: Whole day relaxation on Lake Bunyonyi and Island hopping.
Enjoy your early morning breakfast and report to Lake Bunyonyi for your entire day relaxation while admiring its beautiful scenery. On a tranquil boat cruise, you will explore some of the Lake’s prominent islands such as Akampane Island also known as Punishment Island, Bwama, Bucuranuka, Kyahungye and many more depending on the available time. Mysterious stories about these Islands will be told as you encounter some wild animals like monkeys, waterbucks, impalas, zebras and many others. Lunch will be served along the Lake shores after which you will interact with the local fishermen for a true African cultural insight. Get back to your lodge to have dinner and an overnight.
Wakeup to a scrumptious breakfast and checkout for your scenic drive southwards through the Ishasha sector to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will undertake a game drive through the Ishasha plains in search for the mysterious tree climbing lions that will be spotted hanging up in big fig tree branches. Proceed to Bwindi arriving at the lodge in time for your lunch after which you will head off for a cultural experience in the Batwa communities. Being guided by a local Twa, you will learn about their ancient life style and how they used to co-exist with mountain gorillas in the forests. Enjoy their dramatic cultural performances before finding your way back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Day 8: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.
Arise very early for your breakfast and head out for what is known as a “life changing adventure” waiting to encounter the gentle giants go by their usual activities in their natural habitats. It starts with a briefing at the Park headquarters about what is required of you during this activity before you are led by ranger guides on the trailhead in the dense misty Bwindi forests to start on the search of the gentle giants. This thrilling adventure lasts between 2 to 6 hours depending on how far your assigned gorilla family could have moved. On encountering them, an hour is allowed for you to closely watch them play, feed and groom which is an inspiring moment worth undertaking. Return to your lodge for lunch before you transfer to Lake Bunyonyi known for its small birds and striking scenery. Arrival at your lodge will be in the evening to check-in, unwind, have dinner and an overnight.
Day 9: Whole day relaxation on Lake Bunyonyi and Island hopping.
Enjoy your early morning breakfast and report to Lake Bunyonyi for your entire day relaxation while admiring its beautiful scenery. On a tranquil boat cruise, you will explore some of the Lake’s prominent islands such as Akampane Island also known as Punishment Island, Bwama, Bucuranuka, Kyahungye and many more depending on the available time. Mysterious stories about these Islands will be told as you encounter some wild animals like monkeys, waterbucks, impalas, zebras and many others. Lunch will be served along the Lake shores after which you will interact with the local fishermen for a true African cultural insight. Get back to your lodge to have dinner and an overnight.
Day 10: Depart for Kampala and transfer to Entebbe.
Wake up to a mouthwatering breakfast and checkout of your lodge to embark on your long drive back to Kampala with a stopover at Igongo country hotel for your hot lunch. If time allows, you will make a visit to the museum for an insight about cultures from western Uganda like the Banyankole, Batooro, Banyoro and many more. Proceed with your drive to Kampala with another stop at the equator line in Kayabwe for an experience where the earth is divided into two equal parts. You may visit a craft shop to buy some souvenirs and African coffee to take with you home. Arrival in the city center will be in the evening to either be dropped off at a hotel to relax and unwind or directly to the airport in Entebbe depending on the time of your outbound flight back home.
Wake up to a mouthwatering breakfast and checkout of your lodge to embark on your long drive back to Kampala with a stopover at Igongo country hotel for your hot lunch. If time allows, you will make a visit to the museum for an insight about cultures from western Uganda like the Banyankole, Batooro, Banyoro and many more. Proceed with your drive to Kampala with another stop at the equator line in Kayabwe for an experience where the earth is divided into two equal parts. You may visit a craft shop to buy some souvenirs and African coffee to take with you home. Arrival in the city center will be in the evening to either be dropped off at a hotel to relax and unwind or directly to the airport in Entebbe depending on the time of your outbound flight back home.