This incredible 9 days Uganda safari with double gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking & wildlife tour will give you the perfect Africa Gorilla trekking and wildlife safari memories. The 9 days in uganda safari itinerary is aimed at giving you an opportunity to explore the best of Uganda’s tourist attraction sites and national parks as you will get to visit 4 of Uganda’s tourist hot spot safari destinations namely Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the home of the gorillas where you will enjoy the gorilla expeditions twice. You will visit Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park which are some of Uganda’s stunning savanna parks to have a close encounter a myriad of Africa savanna mammals as well a tranquil wild boat ride on the famous Kazinga channel. A visit to Kibale National Park will be a purely blissful encounter with the hilarious Chimpanzees.
This 9 days Uganda safari trip starts and ends in Entebbe and we can easily arrange it for you under budget, midrange or luxury accommodation options and can be customized further to suit your safari interests.
Come and explore the Pearl of Africa with this 9 Days Uganda safari tour adventure for unforgettable Africa safari memories.
Expect to be thrilled by magical sightings of a wide variety of savanna wildlife mammals
A double one on one close encounter with the Gorillas is worth every penny spent.
A rendezvous with the Chimpanzees will surely not disappoint you while on this safari
Exploring Queen Elizabeth’s wild side while on a Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Discover the secrets of the Ankole people as you engage in their cultural fusion.
The exciting folklore stories advanced by our great ancestors about Amabere caves
Day 1: Entebbe International Airport
Day 2 & 3: Kibale National Park
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 5, 6& 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 8 & 9: Lake Mburo National Park
Welcome to Uganda! Upon your landing at Entebbe International Airport, you will be received by our company representative who will help you load your bags and get comfortable into our 4×4 safari car then lead you on a journey to your already booked hotel as he takes you through some of the sceneries that will encounter on your way to the hotel and these include the history about Entebbe airport which was the epicentre for a 90 minutes military standoff between 100 Israel defence commandos and the Ugandan army on July 4th 1976. The Israeli forces had come to Entebbe in a rescue mission code-named Operation Entebbe.
This mission was aimed to rescue Israel hostages that had been kept here on orders of the then Ugandan president Idi Amin. You will have glimpses of Lake Victoria the second biggest freshwater lake on the planet as you continue to your hotel in Entebbe. Our company representative will make sure that you have comfortably finished to fully settle into your hotel room where you get a chance to unwind from the jet lag of your flight to this Pearl of Africa as you get your body mind and soul ready to experience the best Uganda has to offer.
The highlight of the day: Sighting the serene waters of the second biggest freshwater lake in the world Lake Victoria
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast / Half board in a hotel in Entebbe
Drive distance & time: Approx. 3-5km or 10-20 hours
Other activities you can do include: –
If your flight arrives early at Entebbe airport you can opt to engage in any of the following activities
The journey to Kibale national park is an awesome adventure which is filled with lots of fascinating road sightings during this 5-6 hour journey covering about 300km. You will wake up very early in the morning for breakfast before you kick start this 300km journey. Along this adventurous journey, expect to have several stops such as one at the Mityana local market and this gives you an opportunity to take your taste buds on a culinary journey as you taste some Uganda’s purely organic tropical fruits that will tantalize your taste buds due to their absolute sweetness. Other things that may come your way is Uganda’s very own KFC version of chicken and this will be a roasted chicken skewered on sticks and if you aren’t a fussy feeder, this is your moment to have a taste of this fire-grilled finger lingering goodness. You will drive through the lush green Fort portal tea estates in the mid-morning and if you wish you can make a stop here and indulge yourself in an exciting tea exploration in which you will meet the labourers of these tea plantations as they work the fields. You will encounter the estate staff plucking tea and you are free to participate in the exercise to gain the exact touch.
The green tea plantation is spread over a beautiful undulating landscape with endless scenic views which makes it an ideal place for you to visit. Retreat from the activity and continue to Fort Portal town where you will settle for lunch after which you will connect to Fort Portal Crater Lake Area. Upon arrival, you are welcomed by the local inhabitants of the place with deep understanding and history of the place. You visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves – the breast like features believed to have belonged to Nyinamwiru the daughter of Bukuku who was a self-enthroned King of the Bachwezi. She was denied the opportunity to breastfeed her baby Ndahura as the father had been alerted that the child will take over his throne.
The milk continues to flow out of Nyinamwiru’s breasts. Retreat from this encounter and embark on the hike to the Fort Portal Crater Lake field where you traverse the challenging slopes of Kyeganywa hill surrounded by a range of crater lakes and crater hollows presenting one of the beautiful scenic sites in Uganda. The top of Kyeganywa hill offers the views of Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day. Retreat from the activity and transfer to Kibale National Park 26km from Fort Portal town for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
The highlight of the day: Enjoy the scenic drive through Uganda’s countryside
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: Approx. 300km or 6-7 hours
Optional activities: –
The morning of this day kicks off with an amazing breakfast at 6:30 am that is aimed at energizing for the chimpanzee trek that’s ahead of you. You will report to the park centre in Kanyanchu where you get to go through a short briefing about the entire chimpanzee trekking experience. From here in a company of park ranger, embark on jungle walk as you search for these great humans of the wild the chimpanzees and when you get to meet these exciting creatures you will be wowed by how much in common we do have with these great apes as they laugh, hug and kiss just like humans do and also look after the young ones. Besides the chimpanzees, you should also not miss out on the sightings of several other primates that call this forest their home and these include the black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, Grey monkeys. After the chimpanzee encounter which lasts an hour of pure enjoyment return to the park centre where your trekking efforts are rewarded with a trekking certificate.
From here, have a lunch break then transfer to Bigodi community where you get to engage in a community encounter with the locals and see how they live their daily lives, watch them or even engage in some of their days to day activities such coffee picking, local brew making and as you 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 own cup of coffee that is freshly brewed from the coffee that’s grown by these locals. Transfer to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Retreat from the encounter and embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP 157km about 2 – 3 hours’ drive with the views of the legendary Rwenzori Mountains in the distance to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
The highlight of the day: An encounter with the chimpanzees will fascinate you on this day
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 157km or 2-3 hours
Optional activities: –
You will wake up for an early morning breakfast at 6:30 am after which you get to engage in a morning game drive experience as you explore of more 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 bush elephants, Topis and many other antelope species.. Retreat from the encounter which tends to take 2 – 5 hours, settle for lunch after which you gather at Mweya jetty for an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise departing at 2 pm.
You will have an afternoon 2-hour boat cruise running along the Kazinga channel a 40 km long channel that connects Lake George to Lake Edward. This cruise offers you an opportunity to see at close range the highest concentration of water submerged Hippos, surrounded by over 550 species of migrant and resident birds plus crocodiles drinking and resting at water edges. The cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. You retreat from the boat cruise and do an evening game drive along the Channel track to explore more wild game in their evening moments. Continue to the lodge for overnight.
Today’s highlight be will the incredible boat cruise on the Kazinga channel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Other optional activities you can choose to do on this day include: –
You will wake up early in the morning at 6:30 am for breakfast then get comfortable into the safari car and begin your 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 while you search for the tree-climbing lions that have made this park and particularly this sector a must-visit place for numerous Africa safari adventurers 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, transfer to a convenient lodge in this park sector for your lunch break which also helps you stretch your body for a while before you then embark on the remaining part of your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
A sighting of the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector logged in between tree branches is the highlight of the day
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance &time: Approx. 140- 240 or 6-8 hours
This is a great day that will mark your re-union with your long lost cousins – the mountain gorillas. You will gather at the respective park headquarters for briefing in the morning at 8 am where you are also allocated the respective gorilla families to track. With your armed ranger in the lead, embark on a trek, searching for your allocated gorilla family. Along the way keep your eyes and ears on the lookout for several of the 350 bird species that are found in this park that might come your way, you will also be in a position to see some of the other primates here such as the Black and white colobus monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, different species of lizards such as the 3 horned chameleon and many more. You are treated to the impressive bird songs and beautiful flowers through the experience. The encounter tends to take 2 – 8 hours depending on the Gorilla movements and one hour is availed to you to have a direct touch with the gorillas.
Upon approaching gorillas, their reaction is not predictable as it can include them giving you a courteous welcome, minding less about you and charging against you. However, as a result of habituation, Mountain gorillas are always welcoming with the Silverback beating a little of his chest to demonstrate his might and also welcoming to you to the group. The young gorillas are very playful and are at times not aware of the 7m rule thus can try to draw closer to even touching on your body – save it by taking some steps away to observe the distance.
You are not limited in any way to ask as many questions about gorillas and their habitats along with taking pictures so long as you have the opportunity to do so. After your one hour with the gorillas, return to the starting point and connect to the lodge for relaxation. In the evening engage in a Batwa or Bakiga village walk and this allows you to have an up-close encounter with these people to have an understanding of their daily lives.
Being in close contact with wild Mountain Gorillas will be the highlight of the day.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After having breakfast, you will embark on the second gorilla trekking experience where you have the option of tracking a different gorilla family and gain a different encounter than you had on the previous day. The second gorilla trek offers the opportunity to explore the mountain gorillas in detail including their behaviour, the foraging patterns among others. After the full hour contact with these gorillas, you will transfer back to the park centre 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.
Take a relaxing boat cruise on the waters of this lake as you are taken through the history behind several of these islands such as the Akampene island which is also known as the Punishment island where young girls who had got pregnant were thrown and left to die alone, the upside-down island which legend has it that it was cursed by an old lady when the young people who lived on that island refused to give her beer, she cursed it and it turned upside down hence having them all drowned. From this boat cruise, transfer to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
You will enjoy a soothing boat cruise on the waters of Lake Bunyonyi and her community walk as the highlight of this day.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance &time: Approx. 55-85 or 1-2 hours
Optional activities
You will wake up to the sweet melodies of birds that will be singing their hearts off to the dawn of a new day and this will fairly make you understand why this Lake in called Bunyonyi which means a Lake of many small birds as you will hear interjecting voices of many birds singing together in uniformity as they welcome the day. You will begin the day with a hike to the top of the world point here which takes you 2200meters above sea level and if you manage to get to the top your efforts will be rewarded with spectacular views of the entire Bunyonyi lake which will forever be imprinted in your memory.
While at the top take time off to catch your breath and enjoy a picnic breakfast that comes with a warm cup of coffee & an assortment of snacks while you appreciate nature’s work and also re-energize before you slope down. After this hike, you will now embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, You will drive through impressive south western Uganda landscapes covering 170km or 3-4 hours’ drive before making a stop at Igongo Cultural Center 12km past Mbarara town the largest in the sub-region for a thrilling traditional lunch. After having this sumptuous lunch buffet, you will proceed and visit the 1520AD solar eclipse monument which is found in Biharwe village. If you wish you can hike up the hill on which this monument is set and enjoy spectacular views of the undulating Ankole plains which form a nice background for you to take photos. While here, the guide will take you through the intriguing history behind this solar eclipse and how it managed to greatly change the destiny of three great ancient kingdoms all at once. As you get closer to Lake Mburo Park you’re exposed to counts of long-horned Ankole cow with their beautiful physical spread, horn patterns and body colour.
Upon your arrival into this park, you will engage in a stunning game drive which puts you on a collision course with several of the wild animals that call this park their home such as the Burchell Zebras which are only found here and also in the far distant Kidepo Valley Park, sights of the Elands which are the biggest antelopes you can ever encounter on the African plains are eminent. Other animals you encounter include Giraffes, Hippos Kobs and many others.
A highly rewarding evening game drive in Lake Mburo will surely be your day’s highlight
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional activities include: –
Today you will wake up at 6 am and connect to the Enyemebwa centre to catch up with the herd’s men getting up to do the milking and their daily routine. You arrive and get the milking equipment including the tying rope and the milking pot to actively participate in the traditional hand milking of the Ankole long-horned cattle, from milking you participate in sick animal treating, caring for cows like brushing their body using the locally made fibre brush (Enkuyo) and set out to graze in the wilderness.
You will be fascinated by the whistling sounds that are made by the herdsmen as they set out to the grazing field and be mesmerized by the cows know how to align themselves forming a line headed by those that have special character of leading others. You retreat back and visit the traditional hut where you find the women churning milk in the churning gourd, from here the guide can take you to explore the crop bit of it exploring the extensive banana plantations where you learn about various banana types and their respective use participate in pruning and weeding using local methods and then participate in initial arrangements for traditional lunch.
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 Equator cafeteria. Another stop is done at the Mpambire drum centre 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.
A cultural experience with the Banyankole people from the Ankole kingdom will be the highlight of the day
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 240km or 4-5hours
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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