10 Day Uganda Gorillas & Murchison Safari
Overview
Using internal flights and 4×4 transport means you see more of Uganda in just 10 days; a dramatic northern park and gorillas in the southwest on this Uganda Gorillas & Murchison Safari.
Spend 10 days in Uganda on this Uganda Gorillas & Murchison Safari holiday, travelling north to beautiful Murchison Falls National Park to see chimpanzees and explore this sometimes overlooked region, before heading to the southwest of the country, for a safari and two gorilla tracking excursions.
Travelling by 4×4 vehicle and light aircraft, you’ll explore both sides of the Albertine Rift. The tour begins in Entebbe and then your private guide will take you north to Murchison Falls National Park. On the way, stop off at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and take a walking safari with a sanctuary ranger to see Uganda’s last remaining white rhinos.
You will spend three nights in Murchison Falls, enjoying a host of activities here, including boat safaris, 4×4 safaris, hiking and tracking wild chimpanzees in Budongo Forest.
Then take a light aircraft flight to the lush southwest of the country, to the remote Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Take two safaris here, looking out for the tree climbing lions the area is famous for.
Then travel on to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for two opportunities to trek in search of mountain gorillas. Fly back to Entebbe and complete your holiday with a sunset cruise on Lake Victoria in a dugout canoe.
This trip uses both 4×4 transport and light aircraft, so you can see more. It also means you don’t miss out on incredibly scenic Murchison Falls, a park that often gets left off itineraries because of its northern location, making it too far away for anyone hoping to see gorillas but short on time. Combining road transport and internal flights with a small group is also environmentally responsible, producing less carbon output than driving the same distance.
This package includes the following
- Local English speaking guide/driver
- 9 nights’ accommodation in Uganda incl. full board
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Queen Elizabeth National Park – Morning safari and boat trip
- Budongo Chimpanzee tracking incl. permit (value USD 200)
- Ishasha – Morning safari in search of the tree climbing lions
- Gorilla tracking incl. license (worth USD 700)
- Light aircraft safari transfer
- Park entrance fees
- Airport & Hotel Transfers
- Emergency hotline staffed 24/7 throughout your trip
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe transfer to Hotel
The Uganda Gorillas & Murchison Safari private guide will meet you on arrival and chat through the exciting days to come!
You’ll be staying at Papyrus Guest House – Dinner
Day 2: Entebbe – Ziwa Rhinos – Murchison Falls National Park
Depart Entebbe with your private guide and 4×4, driving north-west into the plains of Nakasongola – you’ll stop for a picnic lunch at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Ziwa is the last refuge of Uganda’s white rhino; previously hunted to extinction during more turbulent times, the sanctuary’s relocation and breeding program has successfully increased numbers to a population of 15 white rhino. You’ll track the rhino on foot with a sanctuary ranger/guide. The proceeds from your visit go directly back to further increasing numbers – the ultimate aim; to release the rhino back into our National Parks.
Following your rhino excursion you’ll continue through to the park gates of Murchison Falls. After a picnic lunch at the top of the falls, hike down the side of the falls with a wildlife ranger and at the base, meet up with the captain of your private boat. This boat will take you on safari downstream – delivering you straight to your lodge on the banks of The Nile.
You’ll be staying at Bakers Lodge – Full Board
Day 3: Morning Game dive & Boat Safari in Murchison
This morning your guide will take you in your 4×4 safari vehicle across the river on a game safari. The rolling savannah gives way to the papyrus strewn Nile Delta – where The Nile flows into Lake Albert. Keep you eye’s peeled for: Elephant, Giraffe, various Antelope Species, Buffalo, Warthog and if you are lucky: Lion, Leopard and Hyena.
You’ll have the afternoon at leisure to enjoy the swimming pool or just watching the river meander by. In the evening you’ll be picked up for a private sunset cruise on the Nile with nibbles and a cold drink as the sun sets over the river.
You’ll be staying at Bakers Lodge – Full Board
4: Explore Murchison Falls National Park
Early morning your private boat will collect you from the lodge to head downstream to the Delta, where this section of The Nile meets Lake Albert. This is an excellent place to spot water-birds, game on the banks and giant crocodiles. After returning for lunch you can either relax in the pool or take an afternoon/evening safari drive with your guide.
You’ll be staying at Bakers Lodge – Full Board
5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo Forest – Entebbe
This morning head back out of the park towards Budongo Forest (approx. 1 hour). After a safety briefing you will accompany the Wildlife rangers into the forest in search of wild Chimpanzee. Once you locate them you’ll spend an hour with these magnificent and lively creatures. Observe the way our closest cousins interact in a lively and often raucous manner. After returning for lunch you’ll depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park with your guide.
You’ll be staying at Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Day 6: Tree Lions in Ishasha
An hour or so in 4×4 and you’ll be in the remote Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. After lunch your guide will take you on safari in this wild and remote part of Uganda, famous for its tree-climbing lions.
You’ll be staying at Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Day 7: Ishasha – Buhoma – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Take another safari this morning, early if you want to try and spot some of the nights’ predators before they take refuge for the day. Afterwards you’ll drive 2 hours through picturesque village and farmland to Buhoma on the outskirts of the mythical Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You have this afternoon at leisure – you could sit back on your private veranda and watch the clouds forming off the canopy in front of your eyes; or visit one of the many community based excursions for a taste of life on the edge of the forest.
You’ll be staying at Buhoma Lodge – Full Board
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Today is dedicated entirely to the awesome Mountain Gorillas. It’s important to know that the fee paid for your permit goes directly to the conservation of the gorillas, a portion also to the local communities surrounding the forest. Following a safety briefing you’ll head into the forest in search of a certain gorilla family in a group of up to 8 people. Finding them may take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours; these creatures are 100% wild. Once you have located them you will have an hour to witness our giant but gentle relatives in their forest home. On return to the lodge we highly recommend you take advantage of the complimentary in-house massage service.
You’ll be staying at Buhoma Lodge – Full Board
Day 9: Second Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Today you have the chance to trek the gorillas a second time (please note this is an optional extra cost), if you do you’ll visit a different gorilla family than yesterday. You’ll have a better idea of what to expect, yet will experience a different part of this amazing forest.
Trekking a second time you’ll have another opportunity, not only to take fantastic photographs, but also to sit back and appreciate the majesty of these wonderful creatures.
Should you not opt to trek today, you could kick back and relax on the terrace of your chalet, visit one of our selected local community projects or take a short guided hike in the forest to visit one of the scenic waterfalls.
You’ll be staying at Buhoma Lodge – Full Board
Day 10: Fly from Kihihi – Entebbe
Returning to the airstrip you’ll fly back to Entebbe where you can either spend the afternoon reflecting on your adventures in the guest house’s tropical gardens, or take a walk around town and the historic Botanical Gardens.
This evening round off your trip with a final sunset cruise on Lake Victoria in a local dugout canoe. We will return you to the airport for your flight either tonight or tomorrow.
You’ll be staying at Papyrus Guest House
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Trip Highlights
Start/End: Entebbe – Uganda
Places Visited: Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth N.P, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Budongo Forest
Major Activities: Game Drive, Boat Safari, Lion Safari, Chimps Tracking and Gorilla Trekking