Our 6 days Uganda tour is a 5 nights 6 days tour in Uganda that offers the unforgettable face to face encounters with gentle Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a trek to see our closest living relatives (Chimpanzees) in Kibale Forest National Park, and a wonderful wildlife viewing tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Starting and ending in Kampala, this exciting, adventurous 6-day tour takes us to Kibale National Park, the best place in the world to see Chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Over 1500 chimpanzees reside in Kibale, and besides chimps, contains 12 other primate species, a total of 70 mammal species, and 325 bird species.
From Kibale, we move to the scenic Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives in search of tree-climbing Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffalos, Kobs, Waterbucks, and others, as well as a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel to view some of the highest concentration of hippos in the world. Queen has one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any nature reserve in the world, hosting over 600 bird species and 95 species of mammals across a variety of landscapes: rolling savanna plains, tropical rainforests, moist acacia woodlands, natural volcanic crater lakes, freshwater lakes, and wetlands.
Continuing our journey, we reach the great Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a designated UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site where we’ll embark on the unforgettable trek to see the gentle giants of the forests, Mountain gorillas. Bwindi is home to almost 50% of the world’s Moutain gorillas and a trek to see them is a bucket list experience that naturalists from all over the world dream of doing! Alongside gorillas, Bwindi protects 120 mammal species, 351 bird species, 200 butterfly species, and plants, many of them endemic to this part of Africa.
From Bwindi, you will transfer to beautiful Lake Bunyonyi to relax after this rather hectic gorilla trekking encounter. Lake Bunyonyi (literally the place of many little birds), is the second deepest Lake in Africa dotted by 29 amazing Islands. While here, you will engage in a fascinating canoe ride touring these Islands and the community walk.
Please contact us and have amazing wildlife viewing 6 days Uganda tour safari tailored to your budget and Uganda safari interests.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Tracking wild Chimpanzees on foot in Kibale Forest Park
Amazing safari game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Searching for the legendary tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth Park
Boat cruises on the spectacular Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth
Canoe ride on the magically beautiful Lake Bunyonyi
Culture interactions with local communities
Photo shoots and water experiments at the Uganda Equator crossing
A traditional cultural meal experience at Igongo Cultural Center
Day 1: Fort Portal − Kibale National Park
Day 2 & 3: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 5: Lake Bunyonyi
Day 6: Transfer back to Kampala/Kigali
6 Days Uganda Tour − SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: Transfer to Kibale National Park & do Chimpanzee tracking in the afternoon
Day 2: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 3: Morning game drive, afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise & evening game drive.
Day 4: Game drive in Ishasha sector in search of the tree-climbing lions as you transfer to Bwindi
Day 5: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for an evening boat cruise & relaxation
Day 6: Lake Bunyonyi community walks in the morning & transfer back to Kampala/Kigali[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-bars” add_icon=”true” title=”Safari Detail” tab_id=”day-by-day-1546064209508-b2e102be-76c1″][vc_column_text]
After breakfast at your place of stay in Kampala (at around 6.00 am), we’ll embark on a 300km (about 5 hours) drive to Kibale National Park. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the magical views of the lush green countryside, impressive physical landscape, colorful roadside markets, and towns. Apart from your bathroom stopover and those for stretching, your main stopover will be for lunch in Fort portal town – the tourism capital of Uganda because of its beautiful landscapes and attractions. After a Ugandan lunch, your driver-guide will transfer you to your lodge in Kibale National Park and check in.
We then drive to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre where you’ll meet the excellent local ranger guide who will lead you into the magnificent rainforest of Kibale on your unforgettable Chimpanzee tracking experience which starts at 8 am. In fact, beforehand you’ll be given an informative talk on tracking etiquette after which you’ll embark on a trek in search of our closest known relatives on foot.
Kibale’s chimps have been tracked since 1993 and there are over 95% chance of locating some of the 1500 Chimpanzees here. The trek to see these intelligent apes lasts between 2-5 hours. Contact time with chimpanzees is limited to one hour; group size is limited to 6 visitors and participants must be aged 12 or over.
As you track Chimpanzees, you’ll encounter a myriad of other primates and birds such as Green-breasted Pitta, African pitta, Africa grey parrot, Afep pigeon, Crowned eagle, Black-bee-eater, Cassin’s spinetail, White-naped Pigeon, Little greenbul, Purple-breasted sunbird and Blue-breasted kingfisher, to name a few.
Once the chimpanzees are located, will watch them go about their daily routine in peace. Watching them as they munch fruit, swing in trees, socialize, patrol, and make hooting calls is an unforgettable experience that you will cherish forever. You’re free to take photos but keep the flash off. After the one-hour chimpanzee encounter, retreat from the activity for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – Chimpanzees tracking in Kibale Forest National Park on foot.
Accommodation:-
Luxury/Upmarket: – Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge Kibale
Midrange/Standard: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp/Turaco Tree Tops
Budget/Basic: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: – 300km or 5 hours
Activities & services of the day:-
Optional activities you can choose to do on this day:-
We’ll have a relaxed breakfast today (at around 9.00 am) and embark on a 157km (2-3) drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. We’ll pass through the Crater lakes region (depending on road condition) and you will enjoy the spectacular views of the mystical Rwenzori Mountains dubbed the legendary Mountains of the moon by rising to 5,109m above sea level.
Because the journey from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth national park is short, we’ll arrive in time for lunch at the lodge. After lunch, we’ll have a relaxed afternoon looking forward to the next day’s activities or have a short game drive.
The highlight of the day: – The scenic drive from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation:-
Upmarket/Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/Mazike Valley Lodge/Katara Lodge
Midrange/Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge/Bush lodge/Kasenyi Safari Camp
Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages/Park View Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: – 157km or 2 – 3 hours
Activities & services of the day:-
Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-
After an early morning breakfast (at around 6.30 am), we’ll embark on a 3-4 hours game driver in the scenic savannah plains of the Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth Park in search of wildlife including Elephants, Buffalos, Lions, Leopards, Hyenas, Waterbucks, Bushbucks, Warthogs, Giant forest hogs, Uganda kobs, Hippos, and various smaller creatures.
This section, apart from the great wildlife, is also one of the prettiest in the park, especially in the golden light of the morning.
While a major attraction for us is of course the mammals, birding within the Queen Elizabeth National Park is superb with over 600 species of birds recorded. We’ll certainly spend some time ticking a good number of special species including Grey-crowned crane, Red-throated spurfowl, Yellow-throated longclaw, White-backed vulture, White-headed vulture, Palm-nut vulture, hooded vulture, Flappet lark, Long-crested Eagle, Black-bellied bustard, Sitting cisticola, Grey-backed fiscal, African Skimmer and Brown Snake Eagle, to name just a few. After our game drive, we’ll return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch.
In the afternoon, we drive to Mweya Jetty for another remarkable, unforgettable activity planned; the 2-hour boat trip on the 40 Kazinga channel which is home to the largest concentration of Hippos in the world.
You’ll also be fascinated by the large numbers of Crocodiles, Elephants, and Buffalos on the shore along with numerous waterbirds including African Open-billed, Yellow-billed, Saddle-billed, and Marabou Storks, Pink-backed pelicans, African spoonbills, Water Thick-knee, Swamp Flycatcher and Lesser Swamp Warbler as well as several species of Gulls, Terns.
Retreat from the activity and do a game drive along the channel track as you connect to the lodge overnight.
The highlight of the day: – An amazing wild boat cruise along the spectacular Kazinga Channel.
Accommodation:-
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services of the day:-
Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-
This morning we will enjoy our breakfast (at around 8.30 am) at the lodge and then set off on a 4-7 hours drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Before leaving Queen, we’ll undertake a game drive in the southern Ishasha sector, searching for the legendary tree-climbing Lions that tend to lie on giant fig tree branches of this sector overlooking their prey in the plains.
The chances of encountering them are around 70%. We’ll continue on the drive to Bwindi for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The untouched forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has been declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site because of its breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecological significance. Covering 321 km², it is an amazing piece of land that survived the last Ice Age when most other forests in Africa disappeared. The name Bwindi in the local language actually means ‘a place of full darkness’.
The rugged landscape features dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys, and steep ridges
Bwindi is world-renowned for excellent gorilla trekking opportunities, harboring nearly half of the Mountain Gorillas on Earth. Aside from the majestic Mountain Gorillas, there are other drawcards including over 120 mammal species, 10 species of primates, over 350 species of bird to spot, 1000 species of flowing plants, and a variety of colorful butterflies.
The highlight of the day: – Encountering the rare tree-climbing Lions in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth Park.
Accommodation:-
Luxury/Upmarket: – Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge/Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range/Moderate: – Gorilla Valley Lodge/ Bakiga Lodge/Silverback Lodge
Budget/Basic: – Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 130-220km or 4-7 hours
Activities & Services of the day:-
Day 7 of the 8 day Uganda safari is going to be an undoubted highlight. And I don’t mean only for this safari, but for your life. A Gorilla trek is a bucket list experience that people from all over the world dream of doing! We wake up very early in the morning (at around 6.00 am) and have a hearty breakfast. We embark on a short drive to the Buhoma park headquarters and meet with the expert local ranger guides.
At around 8.00 am, the guides will provide an informative briefing on the gorilla trekking etiquette and the experience. Top on the list; keep a distance of 10 meters from the gorillas. Not only for your own safety but also for theirs as our colds, viruses, and diseases can easily spread to them because of the shared DNA.
After the briefing, you’ll head into the forest in search of these great apes. The trek to see gorillas lasts between 2-8 hours. Contact time with gorillas is limited to one hour; group size is limited to 6 visitors and participants must be aged 15 or over. Owing to the nature of the terrain and the need to explore to find the gorillas, the trek doesn’t follow a path instead, the guides will cut a route through the undergrowth. So, strong footwear is essential for gloves.
Seeing wild Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is an experience you will never forget. An adult male can weigh up to 220kg and reach 6 feet in height. Gorillas are gentle creatures and are not known to attack unless very severely provoked. The minimum distance that we must keep when we’re with the Gorillas is 10 meters. Please note that if you’re unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you’ll not be allowed to trek Gorillas.
After your one hour with the gorillas, return to the starting point to embark on a drive to the magical Lake Bunyonyi driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands. You arrive at Bunyonyi in the afternoon and embark on the 2 hours boat trip to explore the second deepest Lake in Africa with a count of 29 Islands. Retire for relaxation, dinner, and overnight
The highlight of the day: – A face to face encounter with one of the surviving families of mountain gorillas who roam Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Accommodation:-
Luxury/ Upmarket: – Gorilla Forest Camp/Chameleon Hill Lodge/Buhoma Lodge
Mid-range/ Moderate: – Gorilla Mist Camp/Gorilla Valley Lodge/Haven Lodge Buhoma
Budget/ Basic: – Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services of the day:-
Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-
We’ll have breakfast at around 7.30 am. We’ll then undertake a 2 community tour as we visit some of the local schools here where you get to meet the local students who are striving for a better future. We’ll retire from the activity return and embark 477km (about 8 hours) drive to Entebbe.
We’ll have our first stop at Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara for lunch (Traditional dishes) and another stop at Uganda Equator crossing at Kayabwe for more photos and passing through the gift shops to secure yourself memorabilia as a commemoration of your gorilla and Uganda wildlife safari tour. We’ll continue to Entebbe for the departure flight.
Highlight of the day: – Lake Bunyonyi community tour and the equator experience.
Meal Plan: – Breakfast & Lunch
Drive distance & time: – 477km or 8 hours
Activities & Services:-
Full-time English professional safari driver-guide
4×4 safari van/ 4×4 Safari land cruiser with pop up roof for game viewing with functional A/C
Full board accommodation
Gorilla/chimpanzees trekking permit fees
Boat cruise fees
Wi-Fi Internet on board the safari vehicle
Bottled water
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
Cate
Samuel
Robert
If you're looking for exceptional safari recommendations or require professional assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to us.
