11 Days Uganda Gorilla & Big 5 Wildlife Safari
Welcome to Uganda and welcome to your 11 Days Uganda Gorilla & Big 5 Wildlife Safari! You’ll start off from Entebbe International airport with an introduction to your guide with all the chance for you to ask any questions. Then it’s time to get out there and enjoy your safari. Because you choose Uganda, you have so much to look forward to. You will visit all these places including: Murchison Falls NP, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Kibale NP, Bigodi wetland sanctuary, Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo NP.
Safari Highlight
- Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
- Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
- Boat cruise and Game drive at Queen Elizabeth NP
- Gorilla Trekking
- Visit to a local community (The Batwa)
- Boat Cruise and Game drive at Lake Mburo NP.
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport. You will be met and assisted by our Safari guide. Transfer Entebbe for overnight at the Papyrus guest House
Day 1
Arrival in Entebbe International Airport
You will board the vehicle and drive to Murchison falls National Park. Murchison falls National Park is dominated geographically by the Nile river and 43m-high waterfall after which it is named. Here you can be confident of seeing elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hartebeest, hippo, waterbuck, oribi, Uganda kob, crocodiles and a range of aquatic birds. With a bit of luck, you can also encounter lions, leopard, patas, monkeys and the bizarre stork-like shoe bill.
En route to Murchison Falls, you go to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking, continue to a scenic spot for lunch, then drive to the lodge.
Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge
Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 2
Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park
We will drive early in the morning after breakfast to Uganda's largest National Park. Here, you will catch sight of numerous wildlife including: elephants, buffalos, giraffes, hartebeest, waterbuck, oribi and Uganda kob. You may also encounter lions, leopard, patas, monkeys, and the bizarre stork-like shoe bill although its rare to spot.
Return to the lodge for some time to rest and have lunch. After lunch, head out for a boat trip on the Nile river. While on the boat cruise, enjoy to see hippos, crocodiles and aquatic birds. Return to the accommodation and relax.
Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge
Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 3
Game drive and boat trip in the Park
Today, you will have breakfast and drive to the top of the falls as you exit Murchison Falls National Park. Kibale National Park is known for its population of around 1,000 chimpanzees, man's closest genetic relative. The park is home to a dozen other primate species, including Uganda mangabey, a type of monkey that is unique to Uganda and its hard to see else where apart from Kibale. It supports a dazzling forest birdlife, with 370 recorded bird species, ranging from the outrageously colorful great blue turaco to the secretive green-breasted pitta. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic. You will have lunch along the way to Kibale. Arrive and check in the accommodation to relax, have dinner and a good night sleep in preparation for the next day's activity.
Overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Camp
Day 4
Drive from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale National Park
After an early breakfast you will be transferred to the ranger's post for orientation on how to go about the tracking. There is something about chimpanzees that makes them one of the greatest safari prizes of all. You will go trekking through the forest to spend time with them and enjoy an encounter that you'll never forget. Go back to the lodge to have lunch.
After lunch, Move out for the bigodi wetland excursion. The bigodi area is recognised for an extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primate species including: the baboons, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys. Other mammals include bush pigs, mongooses, bush bucks and sitatunga among others. There after, you will return to the accommodation and rest. Overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Camp
Day 5
Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi wetland excursion
This day after your breakfast you will be transferred to Uganda's best all-round safari destination. In addition to being home to four of the big five (lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo) this biodiverse park is studded with wetlands that support an astonishing 5,000 hippos along with large flocks of flamingos, pelcans and other aquatic birds. Weather permitting, the views to the glacial peaks of the Rwenzori, Africa's second-highest mountain (after Kilimanjaro), are also exceptional.
When you arrive, you will check in to your accommodation, have lunch and go on a game drive. Be on the look to see lions, elephants, buffalos, warthogs among others. Alternatively, you could choose to do the explosion crater drive. You will see beautiful scenary in and around Queen and also see some wildlife like elephants and buffaloes. Return to the accommodation for a restful evening. Overnight at The Bush Lodge (Banda)
Day 6
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Wake up in the sound of the roars and the singing birds, have breakfast and drive to the park for a wildlife game drive. You get the opportunity to look for some of the wildlife you missed first time around. Have lunch at the accommodation, then be ready for the afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Boat trips on the Kazinga Channel are a wildlife-viewing highlight of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Cruise past pods of grunting hippos, watch elephants and buffalo come down to drink, enjoy flocks of pelican and other aquatic birds, catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Rwenzori peaks, and keep an eye open for the giant forest hog, a local specialty. You will have dinner and spend the night at the accommodation. Overnight at The Bush Lodge (Banda)
Day 7
Game drive and Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Enjoy breakfast and drive to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, whose celebrated tree-climbing lions tend to favor a few specific acacia and fig trees well known to our knowledgeable guides. There is chance of seeing the tree climbing lions but some times it is hard to spot them especially when they are in the grasslands looking for prey. When you find them, the sight is beautiful for you to keep the memory.
From Ishasha, you will continue on a drive to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park. Viewed as you approach the park boundary, the forested mountainsides of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park stand in magnificent contrast to the surrounding cultivated hills. Check in your room to relax as you get ready for the gorilla trekking experience the next day. Overnight: Bakiga Lodge
Day 8
Drive to Ishasha area in search of tree-climbing lions then proceed to Bwindi Forest National Park
Have breakfast early and go to the ranger's point for orientation by a game ranger on how the tracking is done. Once inside the park, expect a sensory overload of sounds, smells and sights you could only experience in a pristine African jungle. Even without any wildlife, Bwindi would be an amazing place to visit, but the presence of a diverse forest fauna – most notably the endangered mountain gorilla but also 10 other primate and 350 bird species – has made this UNESCO World Heritage Site one of Africa's undisputed top destinations.
Once you locate a gorilla group, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them. Spending time in the presence of mountain gorillas is a real privilege, so we're sure you'll enjoy trekking deep into the forest to find them. This is one of the most memorable experiences you can have while on safari. Return to accommodation, have lunch and drive to Lake Bunyonyi. Overnight: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Day 9
Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Forest NP and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After days of game drives and long road trips and of course the tiresome gorilla trekking, this is a day for you to relax. Chill out next to fresh-water Lake Bunyonyi, one of the most beautiful lakes anywhere in East Africa. Later in the afternoon you will be transferred to Lake Mburo National Park. Overnight: Rwakobo Rock
Day 10
Relax at Lake Bunyonyi then transfer to Lake Mburo
Have breakfast early in the morning and proceed on a walking safari in the park with the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger-guide. On this morning guided walk, you will encounter animals up close including: zebras, giraffes and eland, topi and other antelopes, bufalloes among others. Walk to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond. At this point, you have a nice view of 9 of the 12 lakes surronding Lake mburo National Park.
Your Ugandan safari may be coming to an end, but we believe that you will have had the most amazing time in this fascinating country. Return to the lodge and drive on a road trip back to Entebbe International Airport to get back home.
Day 11
Morning Walking safari and Drive back to Entebbe International Airport
Note:
- This itinerary is a suggested guideline and can be customized based on your preferences, availability, and any special offers or events.
- Gorilla trekking permits need to be booked well in advance, as they are limited and in high demand.
- Accommodation options range from budget to luxury lodges and tented camps.
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a protected area, and gorilla trekking is subject to strict regulations to ensure the safety of both visitors and gorillas.
Safari Inclusion
- All transportation transfers
- All Meals except for first and last day
- Bottled water and snacks during the journey
- Gorilla trekking permit.
- Chimp permit per person.
- All Park fees
- Accommodation
Safari Exclusion
- Visa fees
- Tips and gratuities.
- Travel / medical insurance
- Gratuities for Guide/driver / hotel staff
- Specialty wines, spirits and champagne throughout this itinerary