Our 9 Days Uganda Safari with Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Tour odyssey has been designed to give you an impressive encounter with the majestic Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and a chimpanzee trekking expedition in Kibale National Park, plus African savanna wild mammals in Ziwa Rhino sanctuary (for Rhino tracking), Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
You will have an encounter with some of the earliest inhabitants of these jungles the Batwa people who have managed to carefully choreograph the art and science of living together side by side with these wild dwellers of Bwindi in perfect harmony for over 1000 years.
This Uganda tour starts in Entebbe and ends in Entebbe or Kigali Rwanda. It can be arranged under budget, midrange or luxury accommodation options and can be customized further to suit your safari interests. Nothing showcases the beauty of the Pearl of Africa better than this 9 days Uganda safari!
A one on one close encounter with the incredible Mountain Gorillas.
Track the fast-moving chimpanzees as well as a myriad of other primate species in Kibale
Expect to be amazed by the exciting wildlife mammals in the savanna parks
The stunning wild boat cruises of Kazinga channel and the Victorian Nile are spectacular
Unwind from the hectic gorilla expedition with a soothing boat cruise on Lake Bunnyonyi
Enjoying a close-up encounter as you engage in a thrilling wild game walk in Mburo Park
Having a chance to stand in 2 different hemispheres of the world at the same point.
Day 1: Entebbe
Day 2 Murchison Falls National Park & Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 3:Murchison Falls National Park
Day 4:Kibale National Park
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National park
Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
This day is dedicated to having you arrive in Uganda via the Entebbe international airport where you will be received by our company representative who will drive in you in any of our wide range of 4×4 safari cars to your hotel where you will unwind from the jet lag caused by that long haul flight from your home country to Africa particularly Uganda for your epic Uganda Congo safari adventure. Your Africa safari adventure begins right as soon as you land at Entebbe airport since this airport is also an attraction site of its own surely not for its size or beauty but because this airport was the ground zero for a military standoff on July 4th, 1976 between an elite group of 100 commandos from Israel Defense Forces battling the Ugandan army.
These Israel Forces had come on a rescue mission code-named Operation Entebbe or Operation Thunderbolt in which 102 out of 106 Israeli citizens that had been kidnapped on an Air France flight from Tel Aviv to Paris and held hostage at Entebbe airport by the resistance group of PFLP-EO and revolutionary cells RZ organizations were rescued. This entire operation was planned for a week and lasted only 90 minutes, it left 45 Ugandan soldiers dead and scores more wounded and about 30 of Uganda’s finest military jets of MiG-17s and MiG-21s of Soviet Union make destroyed. The Israelis also lost 4 hostages and a unit commander named Yonatan Netanyahu who is the elder brother to Israel’s current prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This entire debacle was so famous that it had a movie acted out of it in 1977.
As you leave Entebbe airport you will also be able to bypass Uganda’s State House which is the home of the sitting President of Uganda. Also, make it a point to look out for sightings of Lake Victoria which is the second biggest freshwater lake on the planet beaten to the top spot by Lake Superior in North America. The drive from the airport to Kampala will take you on a journey through the suburban areas of Uganda such as Abaita abiri, Kajjansi, Nkumba and Zana and many others which will give you glimpses into the lives of ordinary Ugandans as they try to make a living to fend for themselves.
The highlight of the day will be sighting the serene waters of Lake Victoria
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 40km or 1-1.5 hours
Other activities you can do include:-
If your flight arrives early in Entebbe you can opt to engage in any of the following activities
Day 2 of this Africa safari expedition kicks off with an early morning breakfast at your hotel at 6:00 am. At 6:30 am our experienced driver-guide will pick you up using one of our comfortable 4×4 safari cars and when you get to settle in, you will begin your road transfer from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park. This road adventure to Murchison Falls Park is an 8-9 hours’ drive covering 310km, this road trip gives you a glimpse into the life of ordinary Ugandans which you meet along the way while they engage in activities such as tilling their gardens, men and women riding bicycles loaded with usual farm produce heading towards next local markets to trade.
You will also engage in exciting roadside market stops in Kasana Luwero which 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 and also a chance to interact with the locals as you engage in a spectacular Africa shopping experience where you get to a chance to haggle for the best price bargain as shop a selected few items courtesy of the company. When you make it to Nakasongola, you will engage in a rhino trekking session at Ziwa rhino sanctuary and this gives you a chance to meet one of the 5 big five Africa game which is only found in this sanctuary in Uganda. When you make it to the Rhino sanctuary of Ziwa in Nakasongola, you will engage in a rhino trekking session.
This not only gives you a chance to meet one of the 5 big five Africa game which is only found in this sanctuary in Uganda but also allows you to stretch your body after this 3-4 hour ride from Kampala. After rhino trekking, settle in for lunch at Kabalega Dinners before you make your way to Murchison falls and engage in a miniature game drive as you progress to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
The highlight of the day: Be sure to have that incredible encounter with the rhinos of Ziwa sanctuary
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance& time: Approx. 375km or 7-8 hours
Other optional activities you can choose to do on this day include: –
On this day, you have an opportunity to explore Murchison Falls park wilderness to the fullest as you engage in a thrilling game drive and a fascinating boat cruise. The day will also start very early in the morning at 6:00 am with a breakfast buffet then you will get into the safari car for a thrilling a game drive on the northern banks of the park. This park sector is gifted with a wide variety of wild animals such as the Rothschild giraffes, Cape buffaloes, large herds of Elephants, bushbucks, bohor reedbucks, oribi, waterbucks, and if lucky you might get a chance to also encounter the top predators of this park which are the mighty lions and the stocky leopards. After 3-4 hours of epic adventures in the Northern sector take a break and enjoy a picnic lunch. Right after your lunch, embark on a boat cruise up the stream of the Victoria Nile and to the base of the falls.
On this 17-kilometre cruise, you have possibilities of sighting 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 on the bottom of the falls, you will embark on the hike to the top of the world’s powerful waterfall.
The Nile River which is the longest in the world forces itself to pass through a less than 8m ravine before falling 43m below to what has been termed the devil’s cauldron forming a plume of spray marked by a thunderous roar and trademark rainbow. During the hike, you will enjoy the sounds of the Nile as it splashes its head on the impermeable rocks that have stood in its way for centuries past. Retreat from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: A boat ride on the Victorian will leave you amazed by wildlife diversity in this park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Other optional activities you can choose to do on this day include: –
This day of this trip is committed to having you transfer from Murchison falls park to Kibale National Park. This day begins early in the morning at 6:00 am in order to enable you to cross with the 7:00 am boat then begin your thrilling road drive through the countryside’s of Uganda as you proceed to your next destination Kibale National Park. This drive takes you through numerous villages giving you an insight into how ordinary Ugandan live.
Still, on this journey, look out for sightings of men and women engaging in economic activities such as gardening, you might also encounter women carrying their little one’s monkey style as they strap them behind their backs. This drive takes about 7-8 hours covering a distance of about 320km. You will have a lunch break in one of the finest restaurant in Fort portal town before you finally proceed to Kibale National park.
The highlight of the day: Enjoy the scenic drive through Uganda’s countryside
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: Approx. 340km 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 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.
Upon your arrival here, you will be undertaking your first game drive as you explore the untamed plains of Kasenyi sector that are filled with a wide variety of game such as African bush elephants, Cape buffaloes, Topis and many more. After about 2 hours of traversing these plains, you will drive 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 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
On this day, you will have an early morning breakfast served at 6:30 am comprising of a wide assortment of bites ranging from truly delicious tropical organic fruits and confectionaries to give an energy boost for the gorilla trekking in Bwindi experience ahead of you where you get to meet one of the gorilla families in this park for a full hour. Depart from the lodge with your packed lunch and gather at the park centre 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 and Bwindi park in general. While here still you get to have a miniature cultural performance from the local Batwa people who will showcase their musical skills to you. With your armed ranger in the lead, embark on a trek, searching for your allocated gorilla family, On seeing the gorillas, count yourself among the lucky people who have managed to see these endangered mountain giants in their natural habitat.
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 contact with these gorillas, you will transfer back to the park centre where you get awarded a Gorilla tracking certificate for your tracking efforts. After trekking the gorillas, you can choose to spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the lodge or you can choose to visit the local Batwa Pygmies community and have a first-hand experience of how this small community of people have managed to live side by side with these giant beasts for over 1000 years. While here you will see how these guys used to hunt and use some of the trees and leaves from these forests to treat several for their ailments.
Spending a full hour with the majestic gorillas surely made this day a one to remember for a very long time in their lifetime will be the highlights of the day
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 55-85 km or 1-3 hours
On the final day of this safari, you will wake up at 7:00 am get yourself a cup of coffee or tea and choose from any of the available wide selection of confectionaries. After having breakfast, you will embark on the transfer to Kampala 520km and Entebbe 570km or 160km journey to Kigali. If you choose to drive back to Entebbe, during this 570km return journey to Entebbe, you will drive through the rolling hills of Mirama which will fascinate you given how the locals here have managed to tame these wildlands by cultivating along these steep slopes. Along the way back you will encounter many local men carrying farm produce on their bicycles headed towards the nearest local markets. You will make an en-route stop for lunch at Igongo country hotel and just a few kilometres outside Mbarara town to enjoy a locally inspired lunch buffet and if you wish, you can try out the Ishabwe dish wish is a local delicacy in this region.
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. Another exciting road stop will be made at the Equator point in Kayabwe 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. From here proceed with the rest of your journey back to. Entebbe airport where your safari will come to an end as you catch your departure flight back home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast at the Lodge in Bunyonyi & Lunch at the Equator cafeteria
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Drive distance & time: Approx. 520km or 8-9hours
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 & chimpanzee trekking permit fees
Boat cruise fees
Wi-fi Internet on board the safari vehicle
Bottled water
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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