17 Days Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
This 17 Days Uganda gorillas & wildlife safari: will take you to the Pearl of Africa for the best attractions and activities. Firstly, the safari will take you to Murchison Falls National Park also referred to as Kaberaga Falls. Actually, its Uganda’s largest protected area and one of the most exciting to track animals. Secondly, it will take you to Kibale Forest National Park particularly rich in primates with 13 species recorded. Thirdly, to Semuliki National Park famous for its hot springs. You will proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector.
Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is among the oldest forests and hosts the mountain gorillas. Head to Lake Bunyonyi “Place of many little birds” close to the border with Rwanda. Embark on your safari to Lake Mburo National Park that supports Uganda’s only remaining population of impalas and one of only two parks where Burchell’s zebra occurs. Your safari will conclude with the Sipi Falls Adventure where you will hike the 3 waterfalls.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival-Transfer to the Hotel
On your arrival, you will be picked by one of our representatives and thereafter, you will be transferred to your booked hotel in Entebbe/Kampala. Depending on your arrival time, you can proceed to visit some of the places around like the busy big markets, African craft shops, gardens (for the bird lovers) shopping malls around town.
Accommodation
- Innophine Hotel (Entebbe)/Prestige Hotel (Kampala)
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park-Walk to the Top of the Falls
You will have your morning breakfast, you will start off your journey to the magnificent Murchison Falls National Park. Additionally, it is Uganda’s largest national park with lots of natural wonders. As you enter the park, you will start with your first activity which is a walk to the top of the falls. Here, the Victoria Nile water makes its way through a narrow gorge making a thunderous sound pouring downstream in the Albert Nile. Since this place is good for memorable pictures, be ready to take as many photos and videos for memories. Later you will check in your lodge for lunch, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 3: Morning Game Drive-Afternoon Boat Cruise
Having your early morning breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive with your packed lunch. While here, it will be a great time as you look out for various animal species. These include; buffalos, elephants, giraffes, lions, antelopes, oribis, Jackson’s hartebeest, spotted hyenas etc. On top of that, the park has got different bird species like the hornbills, bishops, swallows and much more. After the game drive, you will be driven direct to the dock in preparation for an afternoon boat cruise.
Later you will set off for your boat adventure and while on the cruise, you will be able to view different water animals. These include; the crocodiles, hippos and some other animals at the banks of the river as they quench their thirst. Also expect to see different bird species like the red-throated bee-eaters, kingfishers, martial eagles etc. In addition, not missing out the views of Nyamsika cliffs with their interesting historical background. Feel free to take photos and videos as you enjoy the wildlife on water. However, don’t forget to pack some snacks and drinks to enjoy while on this adventurous 3 hour’s boat cruise. You will later head back to your lodge for accommodation.
Accommodation
- Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Have your breakfast, then proceed with your journey to Kibale Forest National Park via Fort portal town. While on your way, you will start experiencing the beauty of Uganda. You will see great landscapes, beautiful birds as well as the Ruwenzori Mountain ranges. Upon arrival, you will check in your lodge for lunch, dinner and overnight stay. As a matter of fact, this park harbors the highest concentration of habituated chimpanzees. However, it also gives you higher chances of coming across other primates. These include; black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys etc.
Accommodation
- Jungle Lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking-Nature walks
Enjoy your early morning breakfast, later head to the headquarters. While here, you will be briefed about the dos and don’ts before going for your chimpanzee tracking activity. Kibale forest national park generally hosts the highest number of primates in the whole of East Africa. After the briefing, you will be led into the forest by your ranger of the day. Upon locating these chimpanzees, you will be given one hour in their presence as you enjoy their daily activities. Therefore, don’t forget to take pictures and videos of these great moments for remembrance. Later after lunch, you will take a guided nature walk to Bigodi swamp sanctuary, a good site for birders. While here, you will come across different bird species as well as primates. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Accommodation
- Jungle Lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 6: Transfer to Semuliki National Park-Sempaya Hot springs visit
You will be served your breakfast, later, be transferred to Semuliki National Park where you will visit the Sempaya hot springs. As a matter of fact, these are the main attractions of this park. Additionally, these hot springs are the largest in Uganda, divided into female and male. However, they both have a geyser that shoots up from 8 meters holes with a high temperature of up to 100 degrees Celsius. Surprisingly, the strength and hotness of the springs are amazing as one can boil eggs and, in a few minutes, it is ready to eat. Later you will transfer to Fort portal town for lunch, check back into your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Kalya Courts
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park-Evening game drive
Enjoy your breakfast and afterwards, transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park. The park has a variety of wildlife species such as elephants, buffaloes, lions not to mention but a few. Upon arrival, you will have lunch at the lodge and go for an evening game drive. While here, you will be able to come across different mammal and bird species. Later will head to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Buffalo Safari Lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 8: Game drive-Boat Cruise
On this day, you will have an early morning breakfast and after, you will immediately start off the game drive. While here, you will look out for different animals and these include; lions, buffalos, kobs, elephants etc. It is such a great and exciting time as you can easily see these animals closely. Later head back to the lodge for lunch as you get ready for the afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel. In fact this is the most eye-catching activity in this park since this place is a home to various species of birds. These include; malachite kingfishers, pink backed pelicans etc. Later, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Buffalo Safari Lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Have breakfast in the morning then set off for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 80% though sometimes are hard to spot most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey.
Accommodation
- Buffalo Safari Lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 10: Gorilla trekking-Batwa Cultural Experience
After your early morning breakfast, you will be driven to the park headquarters. Before setting off to the forest, you will be briefed by the park rangers about the dos and don’ts while trekking. Later, hit the forest and start off the trekking guided by the rangers. Upon locating one of the gorilla family, you will spend 1 hour in their presence, taking photos, watching them feed etc.
Afterwards, you will head back to the park headquarters where you will be awarded with a gorilla trekking certificate. Later, return to the lodge for lunch and a power nap. In the evening you will go for the Batwa cultural experience (native culture in the forest). While here, you will get exposed to their culture & norms; dance, lifestyle as well as storytelling. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Gorilla Closeup Lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 11: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Have a hearty breakfast, then start on your journey to Lake Bunyonyi. As a matter of fact, it is the deepest Lake in Uganda as well as the second deepest in Africa. Besides, the Lake is one of the few lakes in Uganda that are Bilharzia free, making its water safe for swimming. Furthermore, it’s free from dangerous wildlife like hippos and crocodiles. You will check in direct in the lodge, have lunch. Later, you will go for a canoe ride whereby you will be able to visit some of the Islands on this Lake. The Lake basically has got 29 Islands some of which were named according to the different bird species. On the other hand, others were named after their historical backgrounds. Later head back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Paradise Eco Hub
Meals
- Full board
Day 12: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park-Boat cruise
Having breakfast, embark on your journey to Lake Mburo National Park. It is a small park but a home to a big number of antelopes, Zebras, warthogs, reed bucks and a number of bird species. On your way, you will go through the rolling terraced hills of Kabale and also have a stop in Mbarara for lunch. Afterwards, you will continue to park reaching late afternoon. After checking in your lodge, you will have a 2 hour boat cruise on the lake and later have dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation
- Hyena Hill Lodge
Meals
- Full board
Day 13: Transfer to Jinja
Enjoy an early morning breakfast, check out and exit the park. You will have a stop at the Equator line for refreshments, take photos as well as buy some souvenirs from craft shop. Enjoy lunch still at the Equator or along the way depending on the arrival time. After lunch, you will embark on your journey to Jinja famous for the source of the Nile River. You will arrive in the evening, check in your lodge, relax, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- The Mansion Hotel
Meals
- Full board
Day 14: White water rafting-Boat cruise
Very early in the morning after breakfast, you will join other rafting members and the staff for a briefing. Afterwards, start off your journey to the Nile River for white water rafting. This offers the rafters the thrill as well as the excitement. Afterwards, you will head for the Nile boat ride to the actual source of the Nile. While here, you will witness the river separating itself from the Lake. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation
- The Mansion Hotel
Meals
- Full board
Day 15: Transfer to Kapchorwa
After a heavy breakfast, start off your journey to Kapchorwa through Mbale town for lunch. Upon arrival, you will just check in your lodge. Sipi falls forms a tranquility of beautifully landscape vegetation pillowed by a series of three waterfalls in Eastern Uganda, this magical point is the main starting point for most of the Mountain Elgon hiking Safari.
Accommodation
- Sipi River Lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 16: Hiking Sipi Falls
After a good breakfast, you will head to Sipi falls for a hike. Sipi falls is encompassed of three waterfalls each flowing from a different altitude that lies on the foothills of Mount Elgon. Hiking up to the top of the falls will give you tremendous and beautiful scenic views. These include; the Karamoja plains, Coffee plantations, Lake Kyoga, Mount Elgon as well as the surrounding areas. Later, head back to your accommodation.
Accommodation
- Sipi River Lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 17: Departure Entebbe/Kampala
On this day after breakfast, depart to Entebbe/Kampala, you will have a stopover in Jinja for lunch then proceed with your journey.
End of the safari
Best time to visit
All the above places can be visited throughout the year and all the activities can be enjoyed any time of the year.
Activities
- Game drives
- Boat cruise
- Visit the hot springs
- Water rafting
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Canoeing
- Gorilla trekking
- Batwa cultural experience
- Nature walks
- Visit the top of the falls
- Hiking the 3 water falls
Number of Days
17 Days / 16 Nights
Includes
- All park entry fees
- Gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee permits
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation including fuel
- All activities (included in the itinerary)
- Meals at the lodge
- Accommodation for 16 nights
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip/Airport transfer
- Bottled drinking water
Excludes
- International flights
- Personal items
- Extra meals
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Permits
In Uganda chimpanzee and Gorilla tracking is done throughout the year. Chimpanzee permit goes for $250 per person while a Gorilla trekking permit goes for $800 per person and all these are payable through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through our Company.
Requirements for the safari
- Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking permits should be paid in advance through our Company or Uganda Wildlife Authority.
- Proof of Yellow fever vaccination.
- Good physical, fit health and mental condition.
- Uganda Visa which can be got on arrival at the Airport.
- Travelers must be at least 15 years old on the day of the trekking.
- Travel & Health insurance arranged from your home Country.
- Hiking shoes.
- Water proof Jacket.
- Long Sleeves shirt & Waterproof Pants.
- Warm Jacket.
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