8 days Western Uganda Gorilla, chimps and wildlife safari

Day 1 – Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park

You will depart Entebbe or Kampala after breakfast for Lake Mburo National. The drive takes 3-4 hours with stopovers at areas of tourist attraction such as the Royal Drum makers’ center and at the Equator for an opportunity to stand in both the northern and southern hemispheres at the same time. You will continue through the savannah grasslands dotted with human homesteads, banana plantations and several herds of local long horned Ankole cattle endemic to this part of the country. You will have lunch at the lodge followed by an afternoon you will have a boat cruise in the lake followed by a game viewing drive in such for wildlife in this park.

Accommodation:

Rwakobo Rock – click here more info bout your lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Lake Mburo National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, you will have a morning guided nature walk in the park before you continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. You will later be driven in a comfortable and secure touring vehicle to the extreme South-West in which will take around 5 hours’ drive. Lunch will be provided en-route at Igongo cultural centre in Mbarara city, arriving late in the evening for an overnight and relax at the resort with stunning views of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park as you wait for the next day’s adventure.

Accommodation:

Buhoma Haven Lodge – click here for more info about your lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 3 – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorilla Trekking)

This morning you will have an early morning breakfast at 6:30 am and with packed Lunch you will move to the Park headquarters to join other trackers in a briefing about the gorilla trekking rules at 7:30 am. You will trek through thick creepers and undergrowth with your guides to find the Gorillas, which can take you 1-8 hours. The steeply forested landscape is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access by tourists.

Accommodation:

Buhoma Haven Lodge – click here for more info about your lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha Sector

After a relaxed breakfast, depart for Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha sector is notably recognized for its resident Tree climbing lions that are an exceptional attraction and one among the highlights on all safaris taken within Queen Elizabeth National park. In the southern section of this park, the Lions are now and again spotted hanging on braches of huge fig trees whereas the Uganda Kob (which are the major food to these lions) graze in the plains of the Ishasha sector. You will arrive in time for lunch and there after set for an evening game viewing drive. After the drive you will return back to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation:

Ishasha Jungle Lodge – click here for more information about your lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 5: Ishasha sector to Kasenyi Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park
After your breakfast you will be taken to Ishasha Sector, famous for the tree climbing lions lounging in the tree branches while keeping a close eye on herds of Uganda kob, their favorite prey. You could have a chance to spot some tree climbing lions after proceeding to your lodge. In the afternoon you will take a Boat Cruise along the amazing Kazinga channel to see, at close range, the water animals to include Hippos, Buffalos, Crocodiles and elephants bathing on the channel banks. There is also a variety of bird species on the water banks especially the famous Shoebill, pelican and Jacana.

Accommodation:

Marafiki Safari Lodge – click here for more info about your lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 6: Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and transfer Kibale National Park

After an early morning game drive and breakfast you will drive to Kibale National Park. Kibale National Park is in Western Uganda, protecting moist evergreen rain forest. It is 766 square kilometres in size and is located between 1,100 metres to 1,600 metres in elevation. Despite encompassing primarily moist evergreen forest, it contains a diverse array of landscapes.

Accommodation:

Isunga Lodge – click here for more information about your lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 7: Chimps trekking and depart

After breakfast, your river guide will transfer you to the briefing point and will then hand in your details and permits for registration and allocation of chimpanzee community to trek. You will then be allocated to a chimpanzee community and your ranger guide will lead you on the trek in search of this great ape. Watch the chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor, feed, play and rest. In the afternoon you will visit Bigodi Swamp, The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is an fascinating area, located in Magombe swamp. this area is recognized for a extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primates species like the red colobus monkey, baboon, black & white colobus monkey, blue monkey grey cheeked, mangabey, vervet monkey, red tailed monkey and the L’Hoest monkey. Additional Mammals such as chimpanzees, Sitatunga, mongooses, bush pigs, otters plus bush bucks, also visit this swamp coming from the adjacent Kibale National Park. Retire to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Isunga Lodge – click here for more information about your lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 8: Depart

After a relaxed breakfast, you will be transferred back to Kampala or Entebbe for your schedule flight back home or your next destination.

Accommodation: No accommodation pre booked for you on this day

Meal Plan: Breakfast only

The above itinerary includes:

  • 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person (US$ 700.00)
  • 1 Chimpanzee trekking permit (US$ 200.00)
  • Ground transport in a safari 4 x 4
  • 2 litres mineral water per day per person
  • Full board accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Service of an English-speaking driver guide
  • All mentioned activities except for the optional ones

The above itinerary excludes

  • Extras at the accommodation i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
  • Tips to porters and driver/ guide
  • Insurance
  • Items of personal nature
  • Any other item not included on the includes list

What to bring

  • Rain jacket
  • Water proof hiking shoes
  • Trousers and long sleeved shirts
  • Insect repellent
  • Sun hat