Start your 8 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour from Entebbe Airport and transfer to the edge of Kibale Forest. Enjoy Bigodi Wetlands excursion and then head to Queen Elizabeth National Park and treat yourself to a big game safari, and the boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. Head to Bwindi for the ultimate gorilla trekking experience. Visit Lake Bunyonyi before connecting to Lake Mburo for more wildlife viewing/safari. Depart Mburo and return to Entebbe for your flight back home.
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Kibale National Park, 8 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour
Upon arrival, you will be picked up by our safari guide who will welcome and brief you about your safari. After you will hit the road for a transfer to the edge of Kibale National Park. Kibale National Park is home to the endangered chimpanzee primate species and a perfect destination for the chimpanzee trekking activity. You will get to the park late, check into your lodge for relaxation and overnight stay.
Location: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge
Mid-Range: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Bigodi wetland excursions and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have breakfast and proceed for the Bigodi Wetlands excursion. The Bigodi Wetland boasts of extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primate 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 2 hrs) to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will reach Queen Elizabeth National Park early enough to have lunch, rest and then proceed out for game viewing. During the game drive safari, look out for wild animals like reedbuck, bushbuck, kob, warthog, elephant, lion and buffalo to mention but a few.
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Twin Lake Safari Lodge
Budget: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking Safari in Kyambura and afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
We shall have breakfast and proceed for the chimpanzee tracking in the 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 and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds on the water shores. After the boat trip, you can proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge.
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Twin Lake Safari Lodge
Budget: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Sunrise game drive Safari 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, and leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the lodge and check out then head to 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 Impenetrable National Park (Buhoma sector). With a strenuous day ahead, we recommend that you check in and relax in preparation for tomorrow’s trek.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Mid-Range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Bakiga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Gorilla trekking and afternoon cultural community walk
Have 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 Gorilla Trekking Safari adventure. The time taken and the terrain varies 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 some rest before moving out for the late afternoon-to-evening local community and cultural encounter. This involves cultural dances from the local people of the community and also participating in some activities e.g. traditional cooking, and weaving among others. Return for dinner and your overnight stay.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Mid-Range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Bakiga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Bwindi waterfalls trail and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation
Enjoy your breakfast on day 6 of the 8 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour and then move out for the forest walking along the waterfall trail. This is the perfect way to experience the depth of this “impenetrable” forest. Starting from Buhoma, at the north gate, the Munyaga River trail gets you to some beautiful pristine waterfalls, a truly rewarding experience. Along the way, you will encounter some flora and fauna, black and white Colobus monkeys, sometimes blue monkeys among others. Return to the accommodation and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. The lake is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of (2,200 – 2,478m) but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical, you could admire them all day.
Location: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Arcadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi
Mid-Range: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Budget: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Transfer to Lake Mburo for afternoon game drive, 8 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour
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, topis, impalas, Uganda kobs and Cape buffalos among others. Later, relax at the accommodation where you will spend the night.
Location: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Mid-Range: Rwakobo Rock
Budget: Mburo Eagle’s Nest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Walking safari Tour and transfer to Entebbe for your departure flight
Enjoy your early breakfast on the final day of the 8 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour. And then proceed for the Mburo morning park (bush) 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, elands, topis and other antelopes, Cape buffalos 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 your accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe Airport to catch your flight. Hence the end of your 8 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour.
Location: Entebbe
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Inclusions in this Safari Tour:
- Gorilla and chimpanzee permits
- Accommodation on full board
- Transport in 4×4 safari vehicle
- All activities
- All park entry fees
- Government taxes
- Drinking water all through the safari
- Internet connection
Exclusions in this Safari Tour:
- International and Domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- All items of personal nature
- Accommodation before and after the safari
- Tips