8-Day Gorillas and Wildlife Safari Experience in Uganda
Highlights
- Visit to Kibale Forest National Park
- Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park
- Transfer for a Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Early Morning Tree - Climbing Lions Game drive - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Overview
Explore the wonders of Uganda during an 8-day Gorilla and Wildlife Safari that begins and ends in Entebbe. This safari is your chance to get up close with the world's mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Bwindi Forest, creating unforgettable memories of the African jungle. You'll also have the opportunity to connect with local communities through a community walk and admire the stunning scenery of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Let Nyanja Safaris Uganda Ltd guide you on this incredible journey!
This 8 – day Gorilla and Wildlife Safari experience starts and ends in Entebbe. The safari offers the ultimate opportunity to do the chimpanzee and gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Forest, where you get more closer to the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and chimpanzees hence leaving the African jungle with lasting memories. While on this safari, you will get to know and engage with the locals during a community walk as well as breathtaking scenic sights in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Nyanja Safaris Uganda Ltd is here to take you there!
- Day 1 - Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
You will meet a representative of Nyanja Safaris Uganda Ltd at Entebbe International Airport, who will warmly welcome you and guide you through on all arrival formalities and next steps. You will then be transferred to your hotel.
Depending on your time of arrival, you are advised to have your money changed before setting off for the countryside, which we will assist you with. You may choose to have optional activities around Entebbe, such as, a visit to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre at an extra fee of $15 per person, visit the Botanical Gardens of Entebbe or you may choose to relax at your hotel.
Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House or Mid-range guest house located in or near Entebbe. - Day 2 - Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
You will have an early morning pick up from your hotel and drive to Fort Portal passing through traditional communities and farms. Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon and knows a cooler climate, which make this ideal for farming. The drive takes approximately 5 hours. You will arrive at the lodge just in time for a late lunch. You will have the afternoon free to relax or you can explore the local tea plantations or do a community walk in the afternoon.
Main Destination: Kibale Forest National Park (Chimps)
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp (Safari Tent) - Mid-range tented camp located just outside Kibale NP
Meals & Drinks: All meals included - Day 3 - Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park
After breakfast at the lodge, you will drive to the starting point of your chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest National Park. This park is known to have the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. The most famous are 13 species is the chimpanzee, man’s closest relative. Kibale NP has over 1450 chimpanzees hence representing Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primates. The primates include the black and white Colobus, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkey, olive baboon among others.
After lunch, you will for a nature walk at Bigodi Swamp. Bigodi was established by a local development organization to protect the 4sq km Magombe Swamp that is home to around 200 species of birds (highlights include papyrus gonolek, white-winged warbler and great blue turaco). It's a great way to explore the unique nature of the area.
Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps)
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp (Safari Tent)
Meals & Drinks: All meals included - Day 4 - Transfer for a Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain Ranges. As you go through the park, you will have a game drive on your way there and you might spot animals like the elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, the Uganda kobs, antelopes, warthogs, birds among others.
You will have lunch in the afternoon, after which you will enjoy a 2-hours boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a 42km channel joining Lake Edward and Lake George. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos. It offers an exciting opportunity for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The plentiful birdlife is colorful and extremely impressive, with over 500 bird species. You will also have the opportunity to spot many crocodiles, hippos and if you are lucky, there might also be elephants waiting for you to see.Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: The Bush Lodge (Banda) - Mid-range banda located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP - Day 5 - Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
You will have an early morning game drive where you will have chance to view the massive Rwenzori as the backdrop. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. You will have excellent opportunities to spot lions, leopards, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephants, waterbuck, Uganda kob, topi and bushbuck. It would be more exciting if have your camera ready for these amazing sightings!
After lunch, you will enjoy an afternoon scenic drive along the crater. Marvel through the thickets as you view the beautiful topography dominated by birds and wildlife or you may choose to relax at the lodge.
Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: The Bush Lodge (Banda) - Mid-range banda located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals & Drinks: All meals included - Day 6 - Early Morning Tree - Climbing Lions Game drive - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, you will depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with a stopover to view the famous tree-climbing lions and other mammals in the Ishasha Sector, the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is known for its great wildlife opportunities and the chances of seeing animals are relatively high. You will have lunch in Ishasha and later take a drive through the Kigezi Highlights, with its terraced hillside and winding roads. You will arrive at the lodge in Bwindi late in the afternoon, where you will have time to relax.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation; Gorilla Valley Lodge (Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi NP)
Meals & Drinks: All meals included - Day 7 - Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early morning breakfast, you will depart to the starting point for a briefing about your gorilla trekking adventure. Thereafter, you will be led by experienced gorilla trackers on the slopes of the volcanoes. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is so amazing. The beauty of the gorilla forest and its inhabitants are quite fascinating. One of Africa’s major highlights is when you encounter these gentle apes. It is a humbling experience to stand just meters from man’s distant relatives as they eat, rest, play and bond with their young ones.
Importantly, please carry your rain gear, packed lunch, plenty of water, gloves, hat, and a waterproof bag for protection of your camera, phones and any other gadgets in case of rain.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge (Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi NP)
Meals & Drinks: All meals included - Day 8 - Return to Entebbe International Airport
After early morning breakfast, you will be driven back to Entebbe to catch your late-night flight to your onward destination. You will have a lunch stop on the way at the equator where you will have an opportunity to stand in 2 hemispheres at the same time. It's also a great stop to buy unique souvenirs.
Main Destination: Entebbe (City)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
You will be dropped off at the airport.
- Chimpanzee permits, Gorilla permits, Transportation, Bottled drinking water, Full time Guide / driver, Accommodation(Full Board basis)
- International flights(Can be arranged if requested), Personal expenses i.e. tips, drinks/beverages, and laundry services, Extra accommodation other than that mentioned in the itinerary, Other items for personal use, Extra activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
Important Information
Note; The departure dates provided in the details above are only tentative. This same trip is still available on any other dates as long as the booking has been confirmed.