8-day Uganda Gorillas & Game

Searching for endangered Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, multiple game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park with its amazing selection of wildlife – including tree climbing lions, and an optional visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on the beautiful Lake Victoria are just some of the very best reasons to visit Uganda.  With luxury accommodation, professional guides and custom-made safari vehicles – this fully hosted safari through the Pearl of Africa is really something special.

Highlights

  • Entebbe
  • Northern Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Uganda
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Tour Summary

Full Day by Day Itinerary

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Day 1 : Entebbe

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by a representative and transferred to The Boma guest house. Overnight at Hotel No.5 or similar, with breakfast included.

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Day 2 : Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Transfer after breakfast to the airport for your scenic light aircraft charter flight to Kihihi airstrip. A roughly 90-minute drive through local villages and along mountain roads brings you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage site.  Overnight at Buhoma Lodge with all meals and local drinks included.

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Day 3 : Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

It’s up early today as one of the most humbling and enthralling wildlife experiences imaginable awaits your discovery. Coming face to face with an endangered mountain gorilla is something words cannot aptly describe. Please note that gorilla trekking is strenuous with treks ranging from 45 mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in hot African conditions. The thrill of the hour you spend quietly observing these gentle giants once you find them is well worth the hike to get there! Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and it should be noted that sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are well over 95%.  Head back to Buhoma Lodge for a complimentary massage after your trek or explore the surrounding Bwindi community. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge with all meals and local drinks included.

* Please note that days 3 and 4 are interchangeable depending on when we can secure gorilla permits *

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Day 4 : Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Those with additional pre-purchased permits will depart for a second gorilla tracking experience. Guests not tracking have the day free to explore the Bwindi area – optional activities include forest walks, a visit to a local school/orphanage/hospital or Batwa pygmy village, and some local curio shopping.  Overnight at Buhoma Lodge with all meals and local drinks included.

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Day 5 : Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Continue this morning onto southern Queen Elizabeth National Park (a 2-3-hour drive), with a brief stop enroute at the Ishasha Community Uplift project.  Immerse yourself in Agartha’s ‘Taste of Uganda’tour – it’s a fun, educational experience for the inquisitive visitor who wonders how a rural Ugandan lady lives. Watch how the local crops are transformed into local staples such as millet porridge and kalo bread. It’s a fascinating interactive experience.   Located in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, leopard, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds. The southern Ishasha area includes the massive Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda, and is home to the tree climbing lions typically found in the area.  Enjoy afternoon game drives, looking out for the huge herds of buffalo, elephant and Uganda kob.  Overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp including all meals and local drinks.

 

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Day 6 : Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Spend the day enjoying game drives in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, rounding things off with scenic bush sundowners including drinks and snacks. This is what memories are made of!  Overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp including all meals and local drinks.

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Day 7 : Northern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Head north toward the ‘Mweya’ sector of the park to enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometre long natural channel linking Lake Edward and Lake George. Kazinga’s shores are dotted with herds of lazy buffalo, pods of hippos wallowing without a care, and countless bird species. Drift past local fishing villages, and soak up the peaceful tranquility of this beautiful African day. (Cruise normally departs at 14h00, although this depends on availability when booking and is subject to change –no drinks/ snacks included on boat)  Overnight at Elephant Plains Lodge, or similar, located on a peninsula overlooking the Kazinga Channel on one side and the spectacular Rwenzori Mountains on the other.

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Day 8 : Departure

Early morning starts today, with the highlight being your Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge.  The forest is alive with noise! Chimpanzees can be quite active and may move quickly through the forest canopy or, if you are lucky, you may find them resting or eating near the forest floors. It’s an exhilarating walk, in beautiful scenery.  As with gorilla trekking, sightings cannot be guaranteed.  After this activity, we depart to the nearby Mweya airstrip for your return flight to Entebbe. Please do not book a flight out of Entebbe before 19h00.

Included

Meet & greet at Entebbe airport
Airport transfers throughout
1 night accommodation at Hotel No.5 or similar including breakfast
Return domestic flights from Entebbe to Kihihi/ Mweya on a scheduled flight (light aircraft)
4×4 transport with English speaking local driver/guide as above
Bottled water in safari vehicle
3 nights accommodation at Buhoma Lodge including all meals and local drinks
Community visit en route from Bwindi to Ishasha
2 nights accommodation at Ishasha Wilderness Camp including all meals and local drinks
1 night accommodation at Mweya Safari Lodge including all meals (no drinks)
All park entrance fees
Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Excluded

Gorilla Permit(s)
Kyambura chimpanzee permits US$ 50 per person, per trek
All international flights and airport taxes
Personal expenses such as porters
Drinks
Tips
Visas
Travel insurance
Services/activities/meals not included above