Tour Overview & Safari Highlights

This 9 Days Wildlife and Gorilla tracking safari will take you to 4 national parks of Uganda with the magnificent scenic beauty. Airport on arrival will be in Kigali, Rwanda to reduce on the drive time to Queen Elizabeth National Park and fly back through Entebbe Airport. An East African visa is highly advisable for this trip or an extra night of arrival to be able to tour Kigali city and genocide memorial would also be ideal to get the best but optional. The scenic beauty and cross boarder cultural experience would be rewarding for anyone who joins this trip. all green Also to note is that this Gorilla tracking safari will only be in Uganda

Travel Highlights
Gorilla tracking
 Chimpanzee Tracking
Game drives
Boat cruises
Golden monkey tracking
Walking safari

Program Summary

Day 1: Pick up from Kigali airport in Rwanda and transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park. O/N luxury: Mweya safari lodge, Mid-range: Bush lodge on FB Basis

Day 2: You have a game drive and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. O/N luxury: Mweya safari lodge, Mid-range: Bush lodge on FB Basis

Day 3:  Go for chimpanzee tracking and later transfer to the Ishasha sector. O/N Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Lodge, Mid-range: Jungle lodge on FB basis.

Day 4: Have a game drive and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. O/N Luxury: Trackers lodge, Mid-range: Mahogany Springs on FB basis

Day 5: Gorilla tracking. O/N Luxury: Trackers lodge, Mid-range: Mahogany Springs on FB basis.

Day 6: Transfer to Mgahinga National Park. Tracking the golden monkey. O/N Mid-range: Lake Mutanda Resort on FB basis.

Day 7: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. O/N Luxury: Bird nest, Mid-range: Arcadia cottages on FB basis.

Day 8: Transfer to Lake Mburo national Park. After lunch have a boat ride. O/N Luxury: Mihingo lodge, Mid-range: Lake Mburo Safari lodge on FB basis.

Day 9: Have a walking safari and later be transferred to Entebbe in time to catch your flight back home

Best Time to Go

Best Time to Go
December to February (Easier to spot animals).

High Season
June to September (Peak time for Uganda Safaris)

Best Weather
June and July (Less rain and lower temperatures).

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Queen Elizabeth National Park

You will be met by a representative from K safaris at the Airport in Kigali, if time allows, you will then transfer to the genocide memorial for a visit and then drive further towards Uganda. After boarder clearance, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enroute you may spot Elephants, baboons Uganda kob among others.

Queen Elizabeth NP is one of the outstanding treasures of Uganda and named after Queen Elizabeth II visit in 1954. It covers an area of 1978sq.km and is situated between two big lakes, Lake George and Lake Edward as well as the 34km long Kazinga channel famous for the boat cruise which is usually the highlight of the trip. Home also to the famous tree climbing lions as well as the chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu forest.

Continue driving to the hotel arriving later in the evening for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Arrive in time for lunch and afterwards have a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel.  The launch cruise offers great chances to take pictures since the boat drifts slowly just by the shores of the channel. The Kazinga Channel supports the biggest number of Hippos. You may also spot herds of buffaloes, elephants among others. Afterwards, have an evening game drive.

Journey Time: 5-7 Hours

Accommodation: Mweya safari lodge/ Kasenyi safari lodge (luxury), Bush lodge (Mid-range)

Meal plan: Full Board basis

Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel

Start this day with an early morning breakfast then setoff for the classic African safari in the Kasenyi tracks, the North Kazinga which offers virtually guaranteed Buffalos, Antelopes and Elephant sightings, along with warthogs. This is a rewarding game in the Kasenyi plains, this is the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park rich with wildlife, the game drive takes about 4-6 hours according to the season and the movement of these animals, this is a magnificent game which includes a lot to see such as Herds of Elephants, Hippos, Buffalos, Antelopes like Uganda Kobs, Dafforsa Waterbuck and much more wildlife and on lucky days see a pride of lions and the solitary Leopard. This Park is known to have the longest bird list in all East African protected National Parks, thus giving you a chance to see a lot of beautiful Savanna species.

You will then drive to Mweya Peninsular an area encircled by two water bodies that is Kazinga channel and the waters of Lake Edward leaving one way which is the entrance and the same time Exit.  This is where the majestic boat cruise on Kazinga Channel is conducted.  You will have a hot lunch before setoff for this wonderful activity which is non-other than a boat cruise on Kazinga Channel. As the highlight of the trip, this is an oasis for many of the fascinating species that inhabit the park, and taking a boat trip along Kazinga Channel gives the visitors a chance to cruise just a few meters from hundreds of enormous hippos since Kazinga channel is well known for its big number of Hippos of over 4800, Crocodiles sun basking and Buffaloes while Elephants linger along the shoreline. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. This takes about 2hours from the starting point to coming back. You will then transfer to your hotel and as you drive keep your eyes on the game outside you may get a chance to see herds of elephants or more. Arrive at your lodge in time for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Journey Time: 5-7 Hours

Accommodation: Mweya safari lodge/ Kasenyi safari lodge (luxury), Bush lodge (Mid-range)

Meal plan: Full Board basis

Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Ishasha home of tree climbing lions.

After Breakfast, you will drive to Kalinzu forest reserve for the chimpanzee tracking. Arrive and you will be briefed and start the trekking usually done in groups of maximum 8 people. Time taken for the entire activity can only be determined by the members of the group, age, last sighting and time of starting but usually between 2 to 4 hours on average

The famous Kalinzu forest sits on 147 sq. Km and boasts of about 414 Species of trees, it harbors 378 Species of Birds, 262 Butterflies, 97 Moths, Reptiles, Flowers and six different Species of Primates, Blue Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys and home to the Chimpanzees. One of the major activities done is chimpanzee tracking the second-best place to track chimpanzees in Uganda with the success rate of 80%. After the briefing, start the walk-in search for the chimpanzees and once you locate them you will spend one full hour with them and then return to the starting point to continue your journey on safari. Drive further to the Ishasha sector home to the tree climbing lions and other species of animals in the wild. Arrive at the lodge and then go for an evening game drive and retire at the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Journey Time: 5 – 8 Hours

Accommodation: Ishasha wilderness lodge (luxury)/ Jungle lodge (Mid-range)

Meal plan: Full Board basis

Day 4: Game drive and Transfer to Bwindi National Park.

An early morning breakfast, drive out in search for the big five in the famous southern sector home to the tree climbing lions. Expect to see some herds of Buffalos, Topis, hyenas, tree climbing lions, herds of elephants and lots of bird species. Return to the Lodge for Lunch and then later drive towards Bwindi Impenetrable forest arriving early evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight. Have a morning game drive and then later the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga National parks. The scenic beauty Enroute is breathtaking.

Journey Time: 5 – 7 Hours

Accommodation: Lake Mutanda lodge (luxury), Traveler’s Rest Camp (Mid-range)

Meal plan: Full Board basis

Day 5: Gorilla tracking

Today is the big day; prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s or Mgahinga’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorilla. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda and a dream come true for others. You will wake up very early in the morning and carry packed breakfast and packed lunch, drive to the starting point of the gorilla tracking depending on the available permits will take about 1-2 hours.

Tracking is a captivation and unforgettable experience which more than repays the efforts needed to reach Bwindi or Mgahinga and to trek through the forest. Gorilla tracking can be challenging and needs one to be reasonable fit before undertaking to venture into the activity.

Gorilla tracking starts at 8:00am and lasts from a few hours to a whole day depending on where the Gorillas where left the previous day. This means you shall have to carry you packed Lunch and enough driving water. Once the gorillas are located, you will spend one whole hour with them and then later return to the starting point for pick up. Then drive to your hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Journey time: 3-9 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)

Accommodation: Lake Mutanda lodge (luxury), Traveler’s Rest Camp (Mid-range)

Meal plan: Full Board basis

Day 6: Transfer to Mgahinga National Park

Day 6: Transfer to Mgahinga National Park for Golden monkey tracking/ Hike the volcano.

You will wake up to an early breakfast, drive to the starting point and briefing area for the either golden monkey tracking or volcanoes hike depending on interest.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. It is a home to the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey hence the slogan where gold meets silver. It is part of the great volcanic mountains called the Virunga ranges or Virunga complex shared by Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. As well as being important for wildlife, the park also has a huge cultural significance, in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This tribe of hunter-gatherers was the forest’s “first people”, and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivalled. Mgahinga’s most striking features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga Range that lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. Mgahinga forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks in these countries. The volcanoes’ slopes contain various ecosystems and are biologically diverse, and their peaks provide a striking backdrop to this gorgeous scenery.

Journey Time: 4-9 Hours

Accommodation: Lake Mutanda lodge (luxury), Traveler’s Rest Camp (Mid-range)

Meal plan: Full Board basis

Day 7: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Day 7: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Breakfast at leisure, then transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Here you will be stunned by the scenic beauty and it will be a good place for relaxation.

Lake Bunyonyi which means a place of very many birds. This lake is believed to be the Africa’s second deepest Lake with about 900M. This is situated in the south-western part of Uganda and has about 29 islands amongst these include the Punishment Island. This is a beautiful place with beautiful sceneries accompanied by good historical attachments. While on this lake you will do an optional boat cruise around the lake and visit all the 29 Islands and enjoy the cool breath of the lake or swim. This relaxes you from the outside world probably one of the most beautiful places to visit in Uganda. Go for an island tour in the afternoon by boat later drive to the hotel for dinner and overnight

Journey Time: 3-4 Hours

Accommodation: Bird nest (luxury), Arcadia cottages (Mid-range)

Meal plan: Full Board basis

Day 8: transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and boat cruise

Day 8: transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and boat cruise

After breakfast drive to Lake Mburo National park the smallest savannah national park and home to the Impalas only endemic to this national park. Upon arrival you will goon to the boat ride for a soothing boat cruise.

Lake Mburo National Park is located conveniently close to the highway that connects Kampala to the parks of western Uganda giving one chance to explore at the same time reduce on the drive time. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks. It is the most under estimated yet home to about 350 bird species, only park with impalas in Uganda, Zebras, Elands the biggest antelope, Giraffes only to mention but a few. Together with 13 other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo, forms part of a 50km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. Five of these lakes lie within the park’s borders making it one of the hidden treasures and gate away. Famous for the Walking safaris and large volumes of wildlife common being the zebras and impalas. After the boat cruise, keep your eyes on the game as you drive to your hotel for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Journey Time: 5 -6 Hours

Accommodation: Mihingo lodge (luxury), Mburo safari lodge (Mid-range)

Meal plan: Full Board basis

Day 9: Walking Safari and later transfer back to Entebbe

Day 9: Walking Safari and later transfer back to Entebbe

In the morning you will go for a guided walking safari. Walking safaris mean that you walk close to the wild life in a protected area with an armed ranger. The walking safari usually starts at 7:00 am and here you get closer to the animals on foot. As the animals keep a safe distance a long curious stare, you will wish it could take longer. The photographs and the interaction with the ranger walking and adventuring would not be equated to any other experience and usually the best way to end your safari. You will then later transfer to Entebbe with a stopover at the Equator for photography and also have an opportunity to buy some souvenirs. You will be dropped at the airport in time for flight back home.

End of Tour

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