Overview
Embark on a remarkable 10-day Uganda safari adventure, traversing through the diverse landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Explore the vast savannahs and lush forests of Queen Elizabeth, home to iconic African wildlife such as elephants, lions, and hippos. Immerse yourself in the dense jungles of Kibale Forest, where you’ll encounter our closest relatives, the chimpanzees, along with a myriad of other primate species.
The highlight of your safari awaits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you’ll embark on an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience. Trek through rugged terrain and dense vegetation to meet the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, an encounter that promises to be both exhilarating and humbling. With expert guides and comfortable accommodations throughout your journey, this 10-day safari offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the wonders of Uganda’s wildlife and landscapes up close.
Notes on Gorilla tracking
- Gorilla trekking is a strenuous activity and one should be physically fit to enjoy this tour.
- Minimum gorilla tracking age is 15 years.
- Anyone with signs of communicable diseases will NOT be allowed to track.
- While possession of a gorilla permit is a guarantee of trekking and sighting the gorillas, the quality of the gorilla trekking cannot be guaranteed.
- Maximum time allowed with the gorillas will NOT exceed ONE hour.
We strongly recommend the following:
- Rain poncho (lightweight)
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Waterproof trousers
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Leather gardening -type gloves
Day 1:
Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, drive south via Fort Portal through verdant countryside and past traditional homesteads and farms Fort-Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon.
Afternoon visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to search for smaller mammals and primates Look out for the rare red colobus monkey and the Sitatunga
The guided 4.5km circular trail through the swamp is also one of the best guided bird trails in East Africa as well as offering a realistic opportunity to see up to six different primate species in a space of a few hours.
Overnight Ndali Lodge
Day 2:
Kibale Forest
All day search of chimpanzees and 10 other primate including l’ hoestes, red colobus, blues, red tailed and gray – cheeked mangabey. The guide will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates, but on all the forest fauna and flora and will ensure that your walk is both informative and enjoyable. This walk is excellent for viewing bird life and seeing primates at close quarters.
Overnight Ndali Lodge
Day 3:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the mystical Ruwenzori Mountain range for much of the journey. A game drive en route may be rewarded with views of lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena and a variety of antelope species.
In the afternoon, enjoy the unique 2 hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and many animals may be seen drinking at the water’s edge. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colourful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species.
Overnight Katara Lodge
Day 4:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Two game drives today
Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzoris as a backdrop provides excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi and bush buck. These two game drives and the boat trip (taken prior) are a memorable method of discovering a vast array of Ugandan wildlife
Overnight Katara Lodge
Day 5:
Ishasha Sector
Early morning transfer to Ishasha Area of Queen Elizabeth national park. Game drives in Ishasha sector, home to the famous [tree-climbing lions] and the large herds of game. The scenic beauty, the size of the euphorbias and combination of riverine forest, Savannah plain and equatorial forest makes this a memorable day, only found in Africa.
Overnight Mweya Safari Lodge.
Day 6:
Ishasha Sector
Game drives in Ishasha sector, home to the famous tree-climbing lions and the large herds of game. The scenic beauty, the size of the euphorbias and combination of riverine forest, Savannah plain and equatorial forest makes this a memorable day, only found in Africa.
Overnight Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 7:
Bwindi National Park
Drive through the “Switzerland of Africa” area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi.
Overnight Engagi Lodge
Day 8:
Bwindi, Gorilla Tracking
Early morning entry into Gorilla sanctuary
This rainforest is spectacular. It offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but criss-crossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. Mammals recorded include the endangered mountain gorilla, rare golden monkey, buffalo, elephant, black-fronted duiker, bushbuck, leopard, giant forest log and others. This park is best known for the fascinating gorillas. The time taken and the terrain vary according to the movements of these marvelous primates. The thrill of spending time and observing the gorillas is a rare, moving, awesome and exciting adventure. The gorilla is a shy and peaceful animal and it is unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they interact.
Overnight Engagi Lodge
Day 9:
Lake Mburo National Park
After an early breakfast, you will and drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Enjoy the boat ride on Lake Mburo and get quite close to crocs and hippos.
Birdwatchers will enjoy the more than 250 species of birds found in Lake Mburo including Papyrus Gonolek, Brown faced Lapwing. Carruther’s Cisticola, the extraordinary White winged Warbler and Bare-Faced-Go- Away bird.
Evening game drive along the Lakeshore track. With its own system of game trails and cleared walkways the “Kigambara Loop” offers interesting guided lakeside walks. Find here herds of zebra, Cape buffalo and eland. Oribi and topi are easily approached.
Overnight Mihingo Safari Lodge
Day 10:
Kampala
After breakfast, proceed for a game drive or a safari walk under the escort of an armed ranger. The Kopjes are particularly interesting and camouflage kilpspringers and topis. Due to cattle herding in the area it is amusing to see zebra grazing alongside the long horned Ankore Cattle peaceably. Return for lunch which should be taken leisurely enjoying the view of the lakes in this park.
After lunch, drive back to Kampala stopping at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers en route where you will able to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through generations. There will also be time to stop at the equator for photographs. Arrive Kampala in the early evening.
Included
- Accommodation on full board basis
- Ground transportation in an exclusive 4×4 safari vehicle
- Services of an experienced English speaking driver / guide
- 01 Gorilla permit per person
- Park fees
- Unlimited supply of bottled, drinking water in the vehicle while on safari
- Unlimited mileage on game viewing drives.
- Flying Doctors Cover while on safari
Excluded
- Airfare to and from Uganda
- Visa to Uganda
- Airport tax
- Travel / Medical / Baggage insurance
- All beverages [both alcoholic and non-alcoholic]
- Any activity, meal or accommodation NOT mentioned in the itinerary
- Souvenirs, items of a personal nature
- Comprehensive travel insurance cover
- All personal expenses – laundry, telephones, soft & alcoholic drinks, tips to Camp Staff and gratuity to Guide/Driver
