11-day Uganda safari and gorilla trekking adventure

Duration

11 Days

Tour Type

Multi-Day Tour

Group Size

Max 10 People

Languages

English

Overview

Embark on an 11-day Uganda safari and gorilla trekking adventure from March 1-11, 2025. This captivating journey takes you through Uganda’s rich landscapes, diverse wildlife, and cultural experiences. Starting in Entebbe, you will explore Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Lake Bunyonyi, and Lake Mburo. Highlights include chimpanzee and gorilla trekking, game drives, boat cruises, cultural encounters, and scenic hikes. The package costs $4,355 USD per person (double occupancy) with a $500 non-refundable deposit.

Highlights:
– Arrival and exploration of Entebbe.
– Wildlife encounters and game drives at Murchison Falls National Park.
– Boat cruises to the base of Murchison Falls and on the Kazinga Channel.
– Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi swamp walk in Kibale Forest National Park.
– Lion tracking and game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
– Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
– Cultural experience with the Batwa pygmies.
– Relaxation and canoe boat rides at Lake Bunyonyi.
– Game drives and wildlife viewing at Lake Mburo National Park.
– Visit to the Equator on the way back to Entebbe.

Deposit:

$500 USD non-refundable deposit is due upon sign up. This is sent via bank transfer (bank fees may apply) to my business partner in Uganda or paid by credit card (4% service fee added).

A payment plan can be set up to suit your needs for the remainder. We can discuss on an individual basis. Additional service fee for credit card and PayPal payments.

Cancellation Policy. In the event of cancellation:

– If you cancel your $500 deposit is non-refundable

– If you cancel within 40 days of the beginning of the trip, 75% of tour price is due.

– Please Note : Ask for pricing for single supplement

Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB) and then transfer to hotel for overnight. Uganda, uniquely known as “the Pearl of Africa” is a nation of stunning greenery, deep lakes, soaring mountains and rich biodiversity. Overnight at: Karibbu Entebbe or similar. Meal plan: Dinner and Breakfast

Day 2: Depart for Murchison Falls National Park.

After breakfast, your adventure in Uganda begins by driving northwest towards Masindi and Murchison Falls National Park, which offers beautiful sceneries of grassland acacia savannah in the north and tropical forests in the south. You will stopover for a nature walk at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, the breeding project which saw the rebirth of the endangered white rhinos in Uganda. You can see them closely while walking freely in the reserve which is their natural habitat. Lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed to the national park. Check in to your lodge for dinner and overnight. Overnight at: Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar. Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast

Day 3: Game drives and boat cruise to the base of the falls

Today, set out on a game drive along the northern banks of the Nile in the heart of Murchison Falls National Park. You may see giraffes, buffalo, elephants, warthogs, leopards, lions and antelopes. This afternoon, embark on a boat cruise to the base of the falls, watching for hippos, crocodiles, elephants and birds on the river’s banks. Overnight at: Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar. Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.

After your breakfast at the Lodge, you will visit the top of the falls then embark on a scenic drive to Kibale Forest Park, which is home to some 13 species of primates including the red colobus monkeys, chimpanzees and L’Hoest’s monkeys as well as 70 mammal species.

Optional activities: Crater Lakes Hike: Formed by ancient volcanic activity, the crater lakes of Uganda are located near Fort Portal, and are a great hiking option. Typical hikes take you through local villages and tea plantations, to the base of several of these incredibly serene and beautiful lakes. With the Rwenzori Mountains in the background, this is by far one of Uganda’s most peaceful and extraordinary sights. Overnight at: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or similar. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner

Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi swamp walk

After breakfast at the lodge, you will go for Chimpanzee tracking along the network of forest trails. Seeing habituated chimps squabbling and swinging from the trees is an exhilarating experience. Later in the day, you will have the opportunity to visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which is rich in bird species, vegetation, and wildlife. This is also a great opportunity to support local tourism initiatives which benefit social and economic development in the area. Overnight at: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or similar. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning, you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo and baboons. You will take a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, 32 Kms long followed by a game drive. This water system has the highest concentration of Hippos in the world and you will get quite close to them. See also crocodiles, buffalos and other game that drink from the channel, also marvel at the abundant ornitho-life that is supported here. Overnight at: Twinlakes Safari Lodge or similar. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Day 7: Lion Tracking and then Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today you will have breakfast then head to the park for the lion tracking experience. With this, you will learn a lot about the African lions and also get a closer look at the king of the jungle himself. If lucky, you might stop lions hunting for a day’s meal. You will then continue into the western mountains, before reaching Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and our gorilla-trekking base in the rain forest. The park, whose name references the dense forests it encompasses, is home to roughly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Though best known for its outstanding gorilla trekking, it also provides refuge to chimpanzees, monkeys, elephants and various small antelope. Bwindi is also a top Uganda birding destination, with 23 of Uganda’s 24 Albertine Rift endemics, including threatened species such as African green broadbill and Shelley’s crimson wing. Overnight at: Bweza Gorilla Lodge or similar. Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast

Day 8: Gorilla Encounters in their Natural habitat.

In the morning you enter the rain tropical forest of Bwindi for the gorilla safari. The activity starts at 8 am and you will follow the ranger guides in a group of maximum 8 people as you search for the habituated family of mountain gorillas, which was allocated according to the permits. Bwindi forest in Uganda has a population of about 420 gorillas, which is half the world population. It is not predictable the time you will spend to encounter the gorillas. You have one hour for observing the primates and their behaviours, while taking photographs. Ensure you take the packed lunch and water with you in the bag and for this, you might need the support of available porters. Dinner and overnight at your lodge. Overnight at: Bweza Gorilla Lodge or similar. Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast

If time permits, we will get to visit tea and coffee plantations, visit communities.

Day 9: Batwa (pygmies) cultural experience and transfer to Lake bunyonyi

After breakfast, you will go for a batwa (pygmies) cultural experience. You will learn of their ways of living. Then head to Lake bunyonyi for overnight. Lake Bunyonyi (“Place of many little birds”) is the perfect place to stop for a break. The serene lake is rumored to be the deepest in Africa, reaching depths of 900 meters. The lake stretches around 25 km in length and 7 meters wide, with 29 islands scattered throughout. Although it can be very tempting to just sit by the water and soak up the sun, there are many different activities available for one to engage in. Overnight at: Arcadia Lodge or similar. Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast

Day 10: Canoe boat ride and then transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After a heartily breakfast, you will go for a canoe boat ride on the Lake. You will get to visit some of the different islands including one where pregnant girls /women where taken as an isolating place for having gotten pregnant before marriage.

The adventure continues as you spend one night at Lake Mburo National Park. The 371 sq km park is an extension of the Tanzanian Plains and has distinctly different fauna compared to other Ugandan parks. It is the best place in the country to see Eland Antelope, Zebra, Topi, Impala, and Acacia. The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of water birds, while fringing swamps hide black and yellow papyrus gonalek. Have a game drive then return to the lodge. Overnight at: Mpogo lodge or similar. Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 11: Depart to Entebbe for outbound flight home

This morning you will have breakfast and then proceed to Entebbe having lunch enroute. You will stop at the Equator-where you will be able to stand in both hemispheres simultaneously. Arriving in Entebbe in the afternoon and later catch your evening flight back home.