13 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour
13 Days Uganda Safari Tour – SAFARI OVERVIEW
This 13 Days Uganda Safari Tour is an amazing 12ights/13 days wildlife safari in Uganda tour that features mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda Bwindi, game viewing in Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo National Parks, Rhino tracking in Ziwa, a Chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest, beautiful scenery and community tours.
This 13 Days Uganda safari tour begins and ends in Entebbe and takes you on an adventure journey covering exciting destinations of Kidepo valley national park offering you an opportunity to engage in unlimited game drives in the most isolated game park in Uganda with the best virgin place any wildlife viewer can visit in Uganda. It harbors various extinct wildlife that can’t be found elsewhere in Uganda and is a great park to experience some of the indigenous cultural tribes of Uganda called the Ik / Karamajong.
A fruitful game drive can provide you an opportunity to spot species like the cheetah, buffaloes leopards, roan antelopes, jackals, civets, and common duiker to mention but a few. Murchison Falls National Park in the North West to view the most powerful fall in the whole world, extensive game drive including the African Big five, and majestic Nile launch cruise – the world’s longest river.
You will as well visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for white Rhino tracking. Lake Mburo for the unique game walk experience in the wild and Queen Elizabeth National Park for an extensive game drive in the park best known for being home of tree climbing lions and majestic Kazinga Channel launch cruise. A visit to Kibale National Park in Western Uganda ensures that you will have a remarkable encounter with delightful Chimpanzees that are amazing to watch as they make acrobatic maneuvers in the tree branches!
What makes this 13 Days Uganda tour an incredible safari for anyone intending to explore Uganda is the opportunity to encounter the thrilling Mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park and come face to face with them as they play, feed, pace around through the Forest thicket, care for their babies and rest as programmed for in this safari package. You will also visit the scenic Lake Bunyonyi which is the second deepest lake in Africa surrounded by 29 Islands making the scenery breathtaking and unforgettable. The safari also features a great sightseeing experience of countryside landscapes, which you will enjoy during your road transfers from one national park to the other. We are flexible and can thus redesign this safari to suit your safari desires.
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13 Days Uganda Safari Tour – SAFARI PRIME ACTIVITIES
A rendezvous with the Chimpanzees will surely not disappoint as you will be fascinated by these lost cousins of man who are seemingly always in a jovial mood.
Expect to be amazed by the incredible giants the mountain gorillas when you get to indulge a stunning gorilla trekking adventure
The encounter with a myriad of savanna wild mammals of Queen Elizabeth, Murchison falls, Lake Mburo & Kidepo Valley National Parks will be nothing but amazing
You will surely be fascinated by the incredible wildlife diversity as you engage in epic wild boat cruises along the tranquil but turbid waters of Kazinga channel and Nile River.
Enjoy a mind-blowing cultural fusion as you get to meet the incredible Ik/ Karamajong people in Kidepo and the Batwa pygmies in Bwindi.
Be blown away by the exciting folklore stories that were advanced by our great ancestors as they tried to explain the occurrences of natural features as you visit the Amabere ga nyinamwiru caves.
13 Days Uganda Safari Tour – FEATURED PARKS / DESTINATIONS
Day 1: Kampala City & Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 2 & 3: Kidepo National Park
Day 4 &5: Murchison falls National Park
Day 6 & 7: Kibale Forest National Park
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 10: Isasha Sector & Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Day 11: Bwindi & Lake Bunyonyi
Day 12: Lake Mburo National Park
Day 13: The Uganda Equator
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13 Days Uganda Safari Tour – SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
- Day 1: Drive from Kampala to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
- Day 2: Drive to Kidepo National park and have an afternoon game drive upon arrival
- Day 3: Morning game drive and an afternoon cultural experience.
- Day 4: Transfer to Murchison falls and engage in an evening game drive
- Day 5: Morning game drive, Nile launch cruise & hike to the top of the falls
- Day 6: Transfer from Murchison Falls Park to Kibale National Park,
- Day 7: Do Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland community cultural experience.
- Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park, and do an evening game drive in the craters.
- Day 9: Morning game drive and an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga channel.
- Day 10: Do a game drive in the Ishasha sector as you transfer to Bwindi National Park.
- Day 11: Enjoy Mountain Gorilla Trekking & evening boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 12: Relaxed breakfast and transfer to Lake Mburo for an evening game drive.
- Day 13: Do a morning game walk/drive experience then transfer back to Kampala with en-route stops at the Equator point in Kayabwe.
13 Days Uganda Safari Tour – SAFARI DETAIL
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Welcome to the Pearl! We will start our day with an early breakfast in the hotel. We will then pack our bags, check out and set off on this day of the 13 Days Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour as we aim north for our first part of the trip. It is a 3-4 hours drive covering 180km in total, but we will stop en route several times for bathroom breaks and stretch our legs. There is also a surprise in store on the way!
We will drive through impressive stretches of the Nakasongora district before branching off at Nakitooma for a special stop in the late morning. We are going to enjoy a stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda to see the near-threatened (Southern) White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum in the wild.
The long-term goal of the sanctuary is to build a sustainable rhinoceros population and relocate rhinos back to their original habitat in Uganda’s protected areas. We will do a 2-hour rhino tracking activity (on foot with an expert local guide) here and of course, we hope to see one or more of the 22 or so White Rhinoceros currently in the sanctuary.
After rhino trekking, you will check-in at Amuka safari lodge which is located at the sanctuary, We will get together after a tiring day in the vehicle, stand on the beautiful deck for a while, and then enjoy some of the excellent cuisines the Amuka team always serve us. Then we are off to bed for a good night’s sleep; tomorrow we explore Kidepo!
The highlight of the day: Home to at least 40 mammals and reptilian species including monkeys, antelopes, Nile Crocodiles, and numerous bird species, we will start our mammal and bird trip lists with a bang today! The experience of seeing a rhino on foot a few meters away from you is an experience you will never forget.
Accommodation
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Amuka lodge.
- Budget/ Basic: Ziwa Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 180km or 3-4 hours
Activities & Services
- Rhino trekking at Ziwa rhino sanctuary
Day 2: You will drive to Kidepo Valley Park and engage in an afternoon game drive
Today you will wake up early at 7:00 am, have your breakfast then check out of the lodge to embark on a 6-7 hours drive to Kidepo Valley National Park.
Upon your arrival at Kidepo Valley park, you will transfer to your lodge where you will have your lunch and engage in an evening game drive after a short siesta.
This game drive will give you an insight into what makes Kidepo a favorite place for off-path Africa safari adventures as you will be welcomed by numerous wild animals that reside here including the Rothschild giraffes, the plain zebras, Cape buffaloes, African elephants, and many others on this day of the 13 Days Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour.
After our exciting drive, we will return to the lodge to freshen up. We will then get together on the viewing deck for sundowner drinks, followed by another top-class dinner. Then we are off to our tents for a good night’s rest. Remember to stand on your deck outside your tent tonight and just take in the landscape around you… Also, look up! The night sky in Southern Sudan is truly spectacular.
The highlight of the day: Once seen as a backward and hopeless piece of Ugandan territory, full of naked men and women roaming the semi-arid savannah land, then hopeless land is now full of hope, Karamojas potential is beginning to unfold, and beautiful scenic drive through the communities full unique Manyatta homesteads. Welcome to quintessential Africa!
Accommodation
- Exclusive/ Top Notch: Apoka Safari Lodge
- Luxury / Upmarket: Adere Safari Lodge
- Midrange/ Moderate: Kidepo Savanna Lodge
- Budget: Nga Moru Wilderness Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 390km or 6-7 hours
Activities and Services
- Transfer to Kidepo
- Game Drive
Day 3: Engage in a morning game drive and an evening cultural encounter
The 3rd day of this 13 Days Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour takes you on an exploration journey of the savannah plains of Kidepo Valley National Park.
You will wake up quite early at 6:30 am for a nicely crafted breakfast then begin your morning game drive experience as you explore the rolling savannah landscapes. This activity, which commences at 7 am, takes you to the haven of wild game in Kidepo Valley National park, the Narus Valley has a wide variety of wild as they usually come to the Narus River to drink and graze as this place always has fresh pasture and a permanent water source. Other animals here include the African elephants, Plain zebras, Jackson Hartebeest, Rothchild giraffes, and also top predators of this park which include Lions, Leopards, and the rare Cheetahs.
After about 2-4 hours of exploring Kidepo valley, you will return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation as you marvel at the amazing grasslands of the park. In the evening you will visit the Lorukul village and have yourself a fascinating cultural encounter with the Karamajong people. During this experience, you will have an opportunity to visit the Manyata settlements where these people live which will blow your mind away by the nature of their size which is quite small, and their entrances that can only be accessed while squatting.
You participate in the thrilling Karamajong performances and dances after which you can buy a memento from this community as a way of supporting it and then return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Enjoy a good night’s rest under the stars. Remember to listen to the sounds of the African night. We might hear hyaenas calling or even nightjars!
The highlight of the day: One of the reasons you will fall in love with Kidepo valley as we have, is that this is still “old” Africa. Little has changed since it was gazette in 1962. From Apoka in the heart of the park, a savannah landscape extends far beyond the gazetted area, towards horizons outlined by distant mountain ranges making the most magnificent Africa’s finest wildernesses.
Accommodation
- Exclusive/ Top Notch: Apoka Safari Lodge
- Luxury / Upmarket: Adere Safari Lodge
- Midrange/ Moderate: Kidepo Savanna Lodge
- Budget: Nga Moru Wilderness Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities and Services
- Cultural encounter with the Karamajong community
- Game Drive
Day 4: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park for an evening game drive en-route
On this day, you will transfer from Kidepo Valley to Murchison falls National Park. You will wake up early at 7:00 am and have your breakfast. You will commence your 7-8 hour drive to Murchison falls National Park covering about 400km.
This journey will take you through the Northern districts of Uganda such as Kitgum and Gulu which were heavily ravaged by the past war which was perpetrated by the Lord Resistance Army in the past 2 decades. In some places, you will be able to see some of the scars left by this war as some of the settlements were abandoned by their owners never returned to them.
We will arrive in Murchison falls National Park in time for a late evening game drive after which we will connect to our lodge to enjoy the African cuisine and surroundings, reminiscing about our time so far and why it took us so long to come on this trip! Then we will retire to our rooms for a good night’s rest.
The highlight of the day: A scenic drive through the flat plains of Northern Uganda will amaze you during this 13 Days Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour
Accommodation
- Top-notch / Exclusive: Bakers Lodge
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Paraa Safari Lodge/Nile Safari lodge
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Pakuba Safari Lodge/ Murchison River Lodge
- Budget/ Basic: Fort Murchison Safari Lodge/ Hornbill Safari Lodge/
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 400km or 7-8 hours
Activities & Services
- Transfer to Murchison Falls Park
- Evening game drive.
Day 5: Engage in a Morning game drive and an afternoon boat cruise
We will start the day with an early breakfast, and then we set off on our first real game drive for this day of the 13 Days Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour in the northern section of the park which contains savannah Borassus palms, acacia trees and riverine, whereas the south is dominated by woodland and forest patches.
During our drive we will look for Lion, Leopard, African Buffalo, African Elephant, the Rothschild subspecies of Giraffe, Spotted Hyaena, Oribi, Common Warthog, the taxonomically interesting Jackson’s Hartebeest, Waterbuck, Sitatunga, Hippopotamus, the Thomas subspecies of Kob, Tantalus and Patas Monkey, Olive Baboon and Uganda’s largest population of Nile Crocodiles.
After 3-4 hours of epic adventures in the Northern sector take a break and enjoy a picnic lunch. Embark on a boat cruise up the stream of the Victoria Nile and to the base of the falls. On this 17-kilometer cruise, you have possibilities of wonderful crocodiles and hippos along with elephants, waterbucks, and Uganda Kobs drinking water on the riverside. Blessed with a variety of bird species such as the pelican bee-eaters, Egyptian geese, Hornbills, goliath herons, the rare shoebill, stork kingfishers, and cormorants. As you draw close to the falls, you will be welcomed by a thunderous roar of the mighty Murchison falls, which you will watch from a safe distance as they tumble from a 43-meter fall.
Upon arriving at the bottom of the falls, you will embark on a 45-minute hike to the top of one of the world’s most phenomenal waterfalls. The Murchison falls have been described as the most spectacular thing to happen to the Nile along its entire 6,700 km length. The 50-meter wide river forces itself through a rocky gap less than 8 meters wide before falling 45 meters to what has been termed the “devil’s cauldron” below, forming a plume of spray marked by a thunderous
roar and a permanent rainbow.
It is a truly unforgettable experience! After this incredibly exciting activity, we will return to the lodge for dinner and some time to socialize and relax.
The highlight of the day: Remember to look at up the African sky when you go back to your room tonight; the night sky out here in the bush is truly amazing. Also, listen for the hippos that exit the river at night; it is an incredible experience to watch and hear them at night grazing around the lodge grounds.
Accommodation
- Top-notch / Exclusive: Bakers Lodge
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Paraa Safari Lodge/Nile Safari lodge
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Pakuba Safari Lodge/ Murchison River Lodge
- Budget/ Basic: Fort Murchison Safari Lodge/ Hornbill Safari Lodge/
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services
- Game drive in the Northern sector of the park
- Fascinating boat cruise along the Victoria Nile
- Hike to the top of Murchison falls
Other optional activities you can choose to do on this day include
- Night game drive experience in Murchison falls park
- Bush Breakfast
- Hot air balloon experience
- Fishing along the Nile delta
- Birding
- Cultural encounters
Day 6: Transfer to Kibale National Park on a whole day drive
The 6th day of this 13 Days Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour is planned for your transfer from Murchison falls park to Kibale National Park. This day begins early at 6:00 am to enable you to cross with the 7:00 am Ferry and then begin your thrilling road drive through the countryside of Uganda as you proceed to your next destination Kibale national park.
This impressive drive takes you through numerous villages giving you an insight into how ordinary Ugandans live. Still on this journey, look out for sightings of men and women engaging in several economic activities such as bricklaying, drying grains, and women carrying firewood, this drive takes about 7-8 hours covering a distance of about 320km, however, breaks will be made along the way to enjoy scenery viewing and take photos as you drive through the colorful countryside.
Upon arriving in Fort Portal Area, you settle for lunch at one of the best restaurants in town. Some people say it is the best place to eat in all of Uganda! There are myriad options to choose from, with things like a local food buffet, crocodile burgers, Guinness beef stew, and 46 different pizzas on the menu! Bon appetite!
The highlight of the day: The fantastic Scenic drive south to the Albertine Rift area, marked with incredible steep escarpments, the extensive rift valley flats and beautiful views of Lake Albert to our right, and the distant Blue Mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo even further on the horizon.
Accommodation
- Top-notch / Exclusive: Kyaninga Lodge/ Ndali Lodge
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Crater Safari Lodge/ Primate Lodge Kibale
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House- Cottages
- Budget/ Basic: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House-Main House/ Kibale Forest Camp- Tents
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 350km or 7-8 hours
Activities & Services
- Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Optional activities
- Nocturnal walk in Kibale National Park that enables you to encounter some of the nocturnal creatures such as Bushbabies, Nightjars, Tree hyrax, Ginet & Mongoose
- Visit the Amabere caves in Fort portal
- Cycling in Mpanga tea estate
Day 7: Do Chimpanzee trekking in the morning and afternoon Bigodi wetland walk
After breakfast, we will gather at the Kanyanchu Tourism Centre in Kibale to do our Chimpanzee tracking activity which begins promptly at 8 am. The encounter commences with a briefing from the excellent park rangers who will be our guides for the activity. After the briefing, we head to the forest in search of the man’s closest relative.
The activity lasts about 3 to 4 hours and over the years has had a 95% success rate of seeing some of the 1,450 individuals in Kibale. The chimps have been fully habituated and thus offer you an opportunity to draw quite close to them and take pictures. Viewing them as they munch fruit, swinging in trees, socializing, patrolling, mating, and making hooting calls is an unforgettable experience that you will treasure forever. You have a full hour to enjoy these precious creatures and you are free to take as many photos as you wish!
After our amazing Chimpanzee trek, we will return to the starting point where we will enjoy our packed picnic lunch and catch our breaths after all the excitement.
After lunch, the fun doesn’t stop, as we visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. The sanctuary is a famous successful community tourism initiative where we have a chance to walk in the swampy habitat that has become known as the “bird paradise”, as we have the chance to see some special species here and also undertake this community thriller, you will take part in the coffee-making process right from planting process, harvesting red ripe coffee berries, sun drying process, then coffee pounding and finally making your cup of coffee that is freshly brewed from the coffee that’s grown by these locals.
After our exciting day, we will head back to our camp to freshen up. Then we will have dinner together and reminisce about our wonderful day and amazing time so far in Uganda.
The highlight of the day: Drawing quite close to the chimpanzees, viewing them as they munch fruit, swinging in trees, socializing, patrolling, mating, and making hooting calls is an unforgettable experience that you will treasure forever on this day of the 13 Days Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour
Accommodation
- Top-notch / Exclusive: Kyaninga Lodge/ Ndali Lodge
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Crater Safari Lodge/ Primate Lodge Kibale
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House- Cottages
- Budget/ Basic: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House-Main House/ Kibale Forest Camp- Tents
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Cultural experience as you visit the Bigodi wetland community
Optional activities
- Afternoon birding session in the park
- Cycling in Mpanga tea estate
- Visit Amabere ga nyina mwiru
- Nocturnal walk in the forest
Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth and evening game drive in the explosion craters
After breakfast, we will say our goodbyes to the wonderful staff and head southwards. We have a bit of driving ahead of us but the journey will be very scenic driving through the volcanic craters and tranquil landscapes going through the typical African homesteads on the 8th day of the 13 Days Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour heading to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Check in at your lodge for lunch, in the afternoon we have another fantastic activity planned!
In the evening you set off for an evening game drive through the Katwe explosion craters, one of the most amazing scenic wonders of the park, the craters left behind from the explosions of about 6000yrs have some been filled with water to form crater lakes. Retreat from the activity and transfer back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
The highlight of the Day: The evening drive through the magnificent landscapes of the volcanic calderas each with its microhabitat, some are lushly forested from rim to the rim while others host circular lakes and support a practically treeless savannah.
Accommodation
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Mweya Safari Lodge / Mazike Valley Lodge / Katara Safari Lodge
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Enganzi Game Lodge/ Marafiki Safari Lodge
- Budget/ Basic: Pumba Safari Lodge / Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 157km or 2-3 hours
Activities & Services
- Transfer back to Queen Elizabeth Park
- Visit the Amabere caves
Day 9: Do morning game drive and afternoon Kazinga Channel boat ride
After breakfast, you will engage in a morning game drive experience as you explore more of the Kasenyi sector of this park which is filled with a wide variety of animals such as 4 out of the 5 big five mammals which include lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, large herds of African elephants, Topis and many other antelope species on this day of the 13 Days Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour.
In the afternoon, we have another fantastic activity planned! Settle for lunch after which you transfer to Mweya jetty for an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise which is the highlight of the day as it is considered the best boat cruise experience on the African savanna plains. Unlike any other water-based activity in Uganda, the game viewing while on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth is unsurpassed anywhere in East Africa. Elephants line the water’s edge, hippos congregate in lagoons, hundreds of antelope make their way to the water, and sightings of predators along the river banks are common.
If you are interested in birding then this boat cruise is a good place for you to be because it offers you the chance to several of the waterbird species that constitute a big part of the 600 bird species that are found in this park alone. The cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching, and game viewing. You retreat from the boat cruise and engage in an evening game drive along the Channel track to explore more wild games in their evening moments. Continue to the lodge overnight.
The highlight of the day: Queen has the most diverse habitats of any park in the country, and includes areas of sprawling grassland savannah, moist forests, fertile wetlands, and beautiful crater lakes cut into the green, rolling hills. This incredible diversity has led to a fauna and flora count of 95 mammal species, over 600 bird species, and much, much more.
Accommodation
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Mazike Valley Safari Lodge// Katara Safari Lodge /
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Enganzi Game Lodge/ Marafiki Safari Lodge
- Budget/ Basic: Pumba Safari Lodge / Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services
- Morning game drive
- Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel
Other optional activities you can choose to do on this day include
- Night game drive experience in Queen Elizabeth park
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest/ Kyambura Gorge
- Birding
- Cultural encounters
Day 10: Game drive in the Ishasha sector and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
You will wake up early at 6:30 am for breakfast then get comfortable in our 4×4 safari car and set off for the 2-3 hours journey towards the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth Park. On arrival here, you will engage in a stunning game drive in this sector searching for the tree-climbing lions that have made this park and particularly this sector a must-visit place for numerous African safari explorers who are interested in having encounters with these rather unique lions as they usually find them taking a mid-morning rest while lodging their bodies in between tree branches.
After your game drive which lasts between 3-4 hours, your Prime safaris guide will take you to a convenient lodge in this sector for a lunch break which will also help you stretch out for a while before commencing on the remaining part of your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
The highlight of the day: Encountering the Tree climbing lions of Ishasha hanging up and sleeping in the big fig and acacia trees staring at their prey is a must-do activity on this day of the 13 Days Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour
Accommodation
- Top-Notch / Exclusive: Gorilla Forest Camp/ Buhoma Lodge
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Haven Lodge Buhoma
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Budget/ Basic: Trekkers Tavern Ruhija
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: Approx. 130-220km or 4-7 hours
Activities & Services
- Scenic transfer to Bwindi
- Game drive in Ishasha in search of the tree-climbing lions
Day 11: Do Mountain Gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for a boat ride
After early morning breakfast, depart from the lodge with your packed lunch and gather at the park headquarters where you will be welcomed by the park sector warden who will take you through the history of gorilla conservation in this particular park sector Bwindi park in general. With your armed ranger in the lead, embark on a trek, searching for your allocated gorilla family. You will be granted a full hour with these magical beings to watch them as they go about their daily lives and if you’re lucky you might get to see the young gorillas break the 7-meter rule as they get closure to you to have you incorporated in their games. After the full hour of contact with these gorillas transfer back to the park center where you get awarded a Gorilla tracking certificate for your tracking efforts.
From here, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi where you get to relax from the rather a bit tedious gorilla trekking experience. On arrival to this beautiful tropical gem of the Kigezi highland, you will be fascinated by the tranquil waters of this lake and the numerous islands that are dotted all over this lake hence leading to its famous name The Lake of A Thousand Islands. You will enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on the serene waters of Lake Bunyonyi as you explore several of its 29 islands.
The highlight of the day: Sitting in silence on the cold ground of a Ugandan forest for 60 minutes might be one of life’s greatest privileges, a rare opportunity to observe the everyday interactions of these gentle, mysterious primates on this day of the 13 Days Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour
Accommodation
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Birds nest @ Bunyonyi
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
- Budget/ Basic: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 55-85 km or 1-3 hours
Activities & Services
- Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Day 12: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park & have an evening game drive.
The 12th day of the 13 Days Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour will commence early at 6:00 am as you have breakfast at the hotel then embark on an incredible 240km road trip to Lake Mburo National Park which takes about 4 hours to get there from Lake Bunyonyi, continue with your remarkable journey to Lake Mburo where you will be greeted by the undulating topography of this untamed wilderness that is fully beaming with a wide diversity of wild animals.
Check in at the lodge, enjoy lunch, relax for a while and later embark on a rewarding evening game drive in the acacia savannah landscapes of Lake Mburo National Park with likely sights of Impalas found nowhere else in Uganda, Burchell’s Zebra and Elands found only here and in far northeast (Kidepo National Park and Pian Upe), Topis, Cape Buffalos, Rothschild Giraffes and if you’re lucky you might also encounter the beautiful and elusive Leopard that might found enjoying an evening stroll or even on a hunting escapade.
The highlight of the day: A home to over 68 mammals and 350 bird species in just overly 370kms makes the game drives in this compacted gem rewarding.
Accommodation
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Mihingo Safari Lodge/ Matana Tented Camp
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Rwakobo Rock / Emburara Farm Lodge/ Arcadia Lodge Mburo
- Budget/ Basic: Eagles Nest Mburo
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 199km or 3-4 hours
Activities & Services
- Transfer to Lake Mburo
- Evening game drive in Mburo Park
Optional activities include
- Banyankole cultural safari experience
- Game walk safari
- Game drive
- Biking safari experience
- Birding
Day 13: Do morning game walking safari and transfer to Kampala.
As you close off what has been an exciting 13 Days Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour, you will have one more intriguing and exciting game drive to do in the savannah stretches of Lake Mburo National Park. This game drive will offer you chances of spotting; cape buffaloes, zebra, oribi, topi, warthog, eland, waterbuck, Rothschild giraffe, and bushbuck among others. The park also has 350 bird species.
From the activity, you will embark on a 240 km journey towards Kampala. This journey comes with interesting & exciting road stops done at the Equator where you get to have an equator experience on how to differentiate the Northern from the Southern hemispheres and also have a photo moment. Enjoy a locally inspired lunch buffet at the Equator cafeteria. Another stop is done at the Mpambire drum center and where you will have an encounter with local artists as they manufacture a wide variety of local musical instruments such as the drums, African chairs. From here proceed with the rest of your journey back to Kampala.
The highlight of the day: Notably the best way to see wildlife, you will be compelled to become an animal once again, relinquish dominance, and sample vulnerability, the walking safari is an activity hardly compared to any while in the wild.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 240km or 3-4 hours
Activities & Services
- Morning game walk
- Transfer back to Kampala
- Equator experience
End of the 13 Days Uganda Safari Tour with Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour
13 Days Uganda Safari Tour – SAFARI INCLUSIONS
Full time English professional safari driver guide
4×4 safari van/ 4×4 Safari land cruiser with poop up roof for game viewing with functional A/C
Full board accommodation
Gorilla & chimpanzee trekking permit fees
Boat cruise fees
Wi-Fi Internet on board the safari vehicle
Bottled water
13 Days Uganda Safari Tour – SAFARI EXCLUSIONS
International &domestic flight fees
Visa fees
Laundry services
Items of personal nature
Gratuities and tips
Other beverages/ drinks
Other extras not mentioned in the itinerary above