On this 7-Day Short Vacation Package – Safari & Gorilla Trekking, start from either Entebbe airport or your hotel (prior to Day 1). Transfer to the edge of Kibale Forest National Park. Expect the Bigodi wetlands excursion and then we head to Queen Elizabeth NP where you will enjoy the big game safari and a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. Proceed to Bwindi for the ultimate gorilla trekking experience. After gorilla trekking, transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Enjoy an afternoon-evening game viewing and the morning nature walk. Return to Entebbe.
Day 1: Arrival and Pick up from Entebbe International Airport – Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
The pick-up for your 7-Day Short Vacation Package – Safari & Gorilla Trekking will be from either the Hotel or the Airport upon arrival. The assigned Professional English-speaking Tour Driver-guide will pick up/receive you and we shall embark on a transfer that will see us overnight at the edge of Kibale Forest National Park. Upon arrival at the accommodation, check in and just relax. If interested and time allows, we can proceed with the crater lakes excursion. You will enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and stunning views all over. Else, just enjoy your rest at the facility.
Location: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Chimpundu Lodge
Mid-Range: Turaco Treetops
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Bigodi wetlands excursion, transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP, game drive
Have breakfast and proceed for the Bigodi wetlands excursion. The Bigodi wetland boasts of an extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primates species like the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and baboons. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. Among the major bird species within the area is the Great Blue Turaco. From Bigodi, we shall embark on a transfer (about 2hrs) to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
You will reach Queen early enough to have lunch, rest and then proceed out for game viewing. During the game drive, look out for wild animals like reedbuck, bushbuck, kob, warthogs, elephants, lions and buffaloes to mention but a few. Alternatively, you could choose to go for the Queen’s breathtaking explosion crater drive (instead). Return to the accommodation and take your rest.
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Twin Lake Safari Lodge
Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge and afternoon boat trip on Kazinga Channel
We shall have breakfast on day 3 of the 7-Day Short Vacation Package – Safari & Gorilla Trekking. And then proceed for Chimpanzee tracking experience in Kyambura gorge. The gorge is home to habituated Chimpanzees plus other primates including baboons, monkeys and also bird species. Today, you will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees here. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George to Lake Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see a variety of birds on the water shores. After the boat trip, you will return with an enroute game drive to your lodge
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Twin Lake Safari Lodge
Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Early Morning game drive and Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha sector for Tree climbing lions
Be up early and proceed for an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains. Be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants, lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the lodge and check out then head to the Ishasha sector in search of tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get to spot them, the sight is picturesque and memorable. From Ishasha, we shall continue to the accommodation at the edge of Bwindi National Park (Ruhija sector) – arriving in the evening (around 6 pm).
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Mid-Range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Bakiga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Gorilla trekking Bwindi Forest – Afternoon Relaxation
Breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from a ranger guide) on the dos and don’ts during trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure. The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular! The area offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation and have a good rest after a strenuous trek. #Optional (extra cost): If interested, you can move out to encounter the local community. Otherwise, continue with your relaxation.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Mid-Range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Bakiga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park for Evening Game drive
on day 6 of the 7-Day Short Vacation Package – Safari & Gorilla Trekking, you will have breakfast and set off to Lake Mburo National Park via Mbarara City. You will arrive at the accommodation in Lake Mburo in time and rest before moving for an afternoon-to-evening game drive. On the game drive, expect to see the gigantic eland antelopes, zebras, topi, impalas, Uganda kob, and Cape buffalos among others. Later, relax at the accommodation where you will spend the night. #Optional (extra cost): If interested, you may consider the night game drive to encounter nocturnal creatures which will be a rare sighting compared to the regular daytime sightings.
Location: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Kigambira Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Rwakobo Rock
Budget: Mburo Eagle’s Nest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Morning walking safari in the park and return to Entebbe to catch flight
On the final day of the 7-Day Short Vacation Package – Safari & Gorilla Trekking, enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo guided nature walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide. On this early morning guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter (at close range): Zebras, Giraffes and Eland, Topi and other antelope, and Cape buffaloes among others.
Take the Trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of 9 of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo National Park. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe airport to catch your flight.
Location: Entebbe
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch