Trip Overview
This 6 Days Uganda Gorilla Tracking and Wildlife safari will start and end in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Activities involved include gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, whereby to track gorillas one needs a gorilla permit that goes for USD $700 per person. Bwindi is home to over 340 mountain gorillas with four main groups of mountain gorillas to be trekked.
This national park also has many other species of primates including the chimpanzees, monkeys among others. The same tour takes you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, which was named after Queen Elizabeth II and is famous for its Kazinga Channel which connects Lakes George and Edward and is filled with many wildlife species including the hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and many bird species.
Other animal species found in the park include the elephants, tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, kobs, antelopes, water bucks, warthogs and more. This tour also includes a visit to Lake Mburo National Park where you will enjoy a game drive or boat cruise on this beautiful lake. This national park is among the smallest parks in Uganda and has a big population of zebras, impalas, giraffes, kobs, antelopes and birds.
Itinerary
Day 1: Depart for Lake Mburo National Park
Have your early morning breakfast and thereafter your guide will meet you and transfer you to Lake Mburo National Park, located in the south western part of the country. Along the way you will have several stopovers such as Mpambiire drum makers point where you will get a chance of buying yourself souvenirs, and at the equator where you will have a great time and take photos. You will arrive at the park early afternoon for lunch, then check in and prepare for the game drive within the park. During the game drive you will get a chance to see different wildlife species such as kobs, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, water hogs and impalas among others. Return in the evening for dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Have an early morning breakfast then depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. As you drive you will enjoy the great volcanic landscape with rolling hills covered with vegetation. Have your lunch en route as you travel and later approach the park, which harbors over 340 individuals of mountain gorillas. The park has four main tracked gorilla groups with 12 gorilla families which are visited daily by gorilla trackers. As you drive, you will enjoy many banana plantations and steep hills all over, arriving at the park late afternoon. If time allows, you might opt for a guided nature walk within the park in the evening or relax to prepare for gorilla tracking the next day. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
Have an early morning breakfast then proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing about what to do and not to do while trekking gorillas in the forest. The rangers will then guide you through the rainforest as you start trekking in search of mountain gorillas. It is not easy to tell how long the tracking would take since it entirely depends on the location of these gentle giants, but in most cases it takes between 2 to 8 hours. Trekkers are always advised to carry enough water, snacks, boots and raincoats since the weather is unpredictable. Also remember that tracking requires you to be physically strong. On sighting the gorillas, the ranger guides will tell you what to do and how to behave while near the gorillas, especially standing 6 meters away from them.
After the trek, head back for lunch and in the afternoon you could choose to unwind or visit the Batwa community and have a great time watching them dance and sing through cultural performances. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha Sector
Have your breakfast then start your journey through the savannah vegetation, passing via the Ishasha sector where you will get a chance of viewing the tree climbing lions and many other animal species as you approach Queen Elizabeth National Park. This national park is famous for the Kazinga Channel connecting both Lake Edward and Lake George, with a variety of wildlife species including the crocodiles, hippos, birds and buffaloes. On arrival at the park, have lunch and later go for an evening game drive where you will be able to view many animals including the elephants, kobs, antelopes, warthogs and waterbucks. Return in the evening for dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Day 5: Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
Start your morning game drive very early, where you will be able to see many animals along the Kasenyi track, including elephants, antelopes, waterbucks, buffaloes, lions and kobs among others. After the game drive, head back for breakfast, relax and later have lunch as you prepare for the afternoon boat cruise. You will have a great time cruising along the Kazinga Channel and viewing water birds such as the saddle billed stork, pink backed pelicans and malachite kingfishers, as well as animals such as crocodiles, elephants, hippos and buffaloes feeding along the channel. Return in the evening for dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Day 6: Departure back to Kampala
Have your breakfast and set off for Kampala, passing through Mubende where you will enjoy beautiful scenery along the way due to the lush vegetation. Have your lunch in Mubende and continue to Kampala, arriving late afternoon.
Price Includes
- Gorilla trekking permits
- Chimpanzee permits
- Bottled water
- English-speaking guide
- Park entrance fees
- Boat rides
- Cultural tours
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
Price Excludes
- International flight fares
- Entry visas
- Laundry services
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks
