GORILLA TREKKING SAFARIS

Safari Overview:

The 12 Days Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari is one of the most breathtaking safari in Uganda that offers  adventure seeker on Uganda safaris an opportunity to encounter  the world endangered mountain gorillas, wild chimpanzees, as well as savanna wildlife that include elephants, tree climbing lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos etc. The 12 days Uganda Gorilla will take you to Uganda’s most awesome national park like Murchison Falls National Park in the north west of Uganda with its world’s powerful water fall and counts of giraffe, elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopard among others. Kibale National Park dubbed the primate capital of the world with largest counts of habituated chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth national park with its rare tree climbing lions, Chimpanzees, adventurous Kazinga Channel, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park-natural home of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas and the scenic Lake Bunyonyi dubbed the lake of a thousand islands. The Safari will combine Uganda’s most picturesque tourist activities with unique cultural experiences and taste of world class services from some of the best accommodation places in Uganda.

Safari Highlights:

Day 1: Kampala City Tour

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls &enroute Visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Day 3: Early morning Game drive & Afternoon Launch Cruise, Hike to the Top of the Falls.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale national park

Day 5: Do morning Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi wetland walk in the afternoon

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and does afternoon Lunch cruise

Day 7: Early Morning Game drive & afternoon Boat cruise

Day 8: Early Morning Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge &Transfer to Bwindi with enroute game drive in the Ishasha sector.

Day 9: Gorilla trekking & an evening Cultural encounter with the Batwa Communities.

Day 10:  Transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Bunyonyi & Do afternoon boat cruise

Day 11: Transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park & Afternoon boat Cruise.

Day 12: Do early morning Game drive & Transfer to Kampala with stopover at the Uganda Equator.

Description:

Day 1: Kampala City Tour

After an early morning breakfast, you will be picked up by our professional English speaking guide from your Kampala play of stay and embark on city tour. The City tour will take you through famous Kampala cultural sites like Kasubi tombs, Rubbaga Cathedral, Uganda Museum, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine -place where a number of Christians were burnt, Bahai Temple -the only one Bahai Temple in Africa, and late in the evening you will head to Ndere troop Centre -a place where you will enjoy cultural performances that will give you a glimpse of the way of living of the different tribes in Uganda. After the activity, the driver guide will drive you back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:  Sheraton hotel (Luxury /Upmarket), Humura Resort (Standard/Mid-Range Hotels), Buziga Country Resort (Budget)

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls &enroute Visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Early morning after breakfast, you will be picked from your Kampala hotel by our English speaking driver guide and embark on transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive from Kampala will take you through the flat landscapes of Nakasongora with savannah vegetation dotted with long horned Ankole cows. You will branch off from the main route and drive 7kms to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to trek the Rhinos. While at the Sanctuary, you will explore the only white Rhinos protected in this Sanctuary and thereafter have delightful Lunch at Kabalega dinner. Afterwards, advance with the drive to Murchison Falls National park for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range/Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).

Day 3: Early morning Game drive & Afternoon Launch Cruise, Hike to the Top of the Falls.

After a cup of coffee, drive to the park headquarters for an early morning game drive through the park tracks in search of the elusive wild game. The rolling savannah combretum of Murchison Falls National Park supports a span of charming wildlife such as the species elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, water buck, Jackson hartebeest, oribis, lions, leopards among others .The early morning game drive through the well-organized driving tracks of the delta area, Buligi tracks, Albert and Queen tracks will provide you possibilities of enjoying the views of elusive wild game. After rewarding drive of 3 – 4 hours, you will retire back to the lodge for relaxation, lunch while waiting for an afternoon adventurous boat cruise. After lunch, you drive to Paraa to catch-up with the afternoon adventurous Lunch Cruise that sets off at 2:30pm and takes 3-4 hours of adventure. Taking boat cruise to the bottom of the Nile will not only reward you with the views of the wild game when they are drinking on the river side, but it also takes you to an area where you can have clear glimpse of wildlife species like Hippos, Nile Crocodiles and a range of water birds such as the endangered species of the Shoebill Stork. After exploring the boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, you will take a hike through narrow path to the top of the world’s most powerful falls. Upon reaching the top, you will enjoy the roaring sounds of the Nile as it crumbles its head on the impermeable rocks that have narrowed its way to less than 8m for centuries past. Thereafter that life time experience, you will retire to your lodge for dinner, memory sharing and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range/Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale national park

Following an early breakfast, you will depart for Kibale National Park. The drive takes you through the Albertan Escarpment of the western arm of the East African Rift valley with dramatic views of Lake Albert, traditional homesteads and scenic views of the mountains of the moon. You will Arrival at Fort portal in the evening and the driver guide will take you direct to your Kibale lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Mid-range/Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 5: Do morning Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi wetland walk in the afternoon

Immediately after taking your early morning breakfast, you will be taken to Kanyanchu headquarters for early morning briefing about dos and don’ts of Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park. Thereafter, you will walk through the forest with an experienced guide who will be enlightening you about both wildlife and plants life. Once you come across the charming Chimpanzees, you will be allowed one memorable hour to interact with the primates. The Chimpanzees will lure you in a state of amazement as they swing through the branches, make pant hooting calls, play with each other, and imitate your body language along with other features that will make your one full hour with them a memorable experience of its own. Retreat from the activity which tends to take 2 – 5 hours to embark on the transfer to Bigodi wetland. The Bigodi wetland, lies in close distance to the park thus connecting there is less hectic. The Bigodi wetland walk exposes you to typical eco –tourism encounter in Uganda. The impressive flora and fauna existing along with the local community is indeed rewarding to encounter. The sights of great blue turaco and the Sitatnga may not be missed. Retreat from the activity back to lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Mid-range/Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and does afternoon Lunch cruise

After taking a relaxed breakfast, embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 3 hours’ drive excluding stops en route. You will make a stop at Rwenzori Art foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa in the shadows of Rwenzori Mountains. The process of sculpture making of which you will be free to participate in will be rewarding. The extension to visit the Ruboni community wax and craft center expose you the local traditions and the applicability of indigenous knowledge to contemporary development. Continue to the Queen Elizabeth NP, drive through the crater are with possible views of the olive baboons and elephants not forgetting magical sceneries before connecting to Mweya for an afternoon Kazinga Channel boa cruise which will offer you possibilities of encountering Hippos, Nile crocodiles , wild game drinking on the channel side and counts of water birds. Retire in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).

Day 7: Early Morning Game drive & afternoon Boat cruise

After cup of coffee, begin the day with an early morning game drive in the rolling savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive will take you through Kasenyi tracks with the chances of meeting the nocturnal wildlife species when they are retiring back to their hiding grounds and also confronting the early morning wildlife risers when they are starting their daily activities of looking for food. The different species of wild game which may be seen during the game drive include the elusive leopard, defassa waterbuck, Uganda kob, Side stripped Jackal; Oribis elephants, lions, buffaloes, Antelopes among others. The tracks are well designed to increase your possibilities of encountering wild game in their natural habitat of Queen Elizabeth National Park. After 3 -4 hour game drive covering about 200 kilometers, you will retire back to your lodge for relaxation, memory sharing and lunch. After lunch, you will connect to Mweya for an afternoon adventurous boat cruise which will offer you possibilities of encountering Hippos, Nile crocodiles, wild game drinking on the channel side and counts of water birds. Retire to your lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).

Day 8: Early Morning Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge &Transfer to Bwindi with enroute game drive in the Ishasha sector.

After an early morning breakfast, embark on an interesting early morning chimpanzee trekking in the Kyambura gorge that starts from 8:00pm .The Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee experience is more than exploring chimpanzees in their natural environment, the activity stretches an extra mile to teach you about the ecosystems of Kyambura Gorge’s atmospheric “underground” rainforest, including vegetation types; bird identification and behavior; and chimp and monkey ecology. While at the site, you stand a pretty good chance of hearing and seeing our distant cousins-Chimpanzees as they are habituated. The activity which lasts between 2-3 hours is very fascinating. After the activity, you will embark on transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park. The drive will take you through the Ishasha sector where you will have short game drive to gain views of the tree climbing lions that tend to lie on the branches of fig trees. Have stopover for lunch in the Ishasha sector and afterwards continue with the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On arrival, at the park, you will advance direct to your lodge to check-in, have dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange/Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 9: Gorilla trekking & an evening Cultural encounter with the Batwa Communities.

Following an early morning breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters with packed lunch for a vital briefing prior to trekking the gorillas in the thick impenetrable forest. Immediately after briefing, you will enter the jungle to trek through thick creepers and undergrowth with your guides to find the Gorillas. To encounter gorillas can take between 2-8hours depending on the movement of the apes and once you encounter, you will get to spend an hour with the gorillas and after the one hour retire back to lodge for late lunch and relaxation. After relaxation, you will be driven to the nearby Batwa community for memorable, refreshing cultural encounter.  Here you will be guided by a local guide who will take you to the different communities to see how people have managed to survive through farming.  You will see how local brew is processed from fresh Bananas and forest remedies to get beer and Waragi and also enjoy the performances done by the local Batwa women groups. After that interesting cultural encounter, you will drive back to your respective lodge for dinner and overnight. Thereafter the activity, you will retreat back to your lodge for dinner, memory sharing and overnight.

Day 10:  Transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Bunyonyi & Do afternoon boat cruise   

After an early morning breakfast, you will depart Bwindi driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands for an afternoon boat cruise, relaxation, dinner and overnight in Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is another major tourist stopover that is undeniably amazing. It is the second deepest lake in Africa; it contains lots of the tasty crayfish, so get set for a culinary delight. On arrival to Lake Bunyonyi, you will drive to your lodge to check-in and lunch. After lunch, proceed to catch up with the afternoon boat cruise, you may also participate in other activities such as scenery viewing, swimming in the bilharzia free waters of Bunyonyi .After exploring the different adventurous activities in Lake Bunyonyi, you will retire to your lodge to chill in the fire place while enjoying cool evening of Bunyonyi.

Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket/Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Midrange/Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget/Basic

Day 11: Transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park & Afternoon boat Cruise.

Depart Lake Bunyonyi   and head to Lake Mburo national park drive distance of 199 kilometers. The drive will take you through the rolling winding hills and terraced landscapes of western region and head to the National Park. Upon your arrival at Lake Mburo National Park, you will have your lunch and afterwards proceed to catch-up with the afternoon boat cruise which sets of 2:30pm on the magnificent waters of Lake Mburo. The boat cruise may offer you opportunities of encountering the wild game such as Hippos, Nile Crocodiles and a range of water birds such as the colorful Kingfishers, magnificent Fish Eagles, Hammerkops and their enormous nests and even the prehistoric-looking Shoebill. Retreat back from the activity to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge (Luxury), Arcadia Cottages Mburo (Mid-Range), Eagle’s Nest (Budget).

Day 12: Do early morning Game drive & Transfer to Kampala with stopover at the Uganda Equator.

After an early morning breakfast, embark on the interesting game drive through the park in search of wild game. The connection of game tracks found in the eastern part of the park passes through a variety of beautiful landscape such as acacia woodland, wetlands vegetation, savannah grassland which supports the survival of different wildlife grazers including gigantic eland antelope, zebras, waterbucks, Klipspringer and the rare Topi, impala, warthog, oribi, buffalo, Defassa reedbuck. After the activity, you will retire back to the park headquarters and then proceed with the drive to Kampala. On your way, you will by-pass Mpigi village, famous for the Royal Drums Makers and of course the Ugandan Equator, where you will have stopover for photo shot, water experiment and shop for a souvenir. Thereafter, you will advance with the drive to Kampala. On your arrival at Kampala, the guide will take you direct to your Kampala hotel or Entebbe International Airport for your scheduled flight back home.

End of Safari