8 Day Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
Overview
Uganda is often overlooked as a destination, but it is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa, and enjoys a remarkable location on the Equator. When Winston Churchill visited Uganda, he described the country as ‘the pearl of Africa’. The countryside is rich in rainforests, lakes, rivers and idyllic savannah – and it is home to a large and varied wildlife population.
This 8 Days Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari will take you to the absolute highlights of Uganda: Lake Victoria – the second-largest freshwater lake in the world – the Equator and three national parks: Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable and Lake Mburo. Here, you can experience the extraordinary and iconic animals of Africa, including elephants, lions, leopards, hippopotamuses, crocodiles and buffalo, as well as chimpanzees and gorillas in the lush green forests.
This package includes the following
- Local English speaking guide/driver
- 7 nights’ accommodation in Uganda incl. full board
- Crossing the Equator
- Queen Elizabeth National Park – Morning safari and boat trip
- Chimpanzee tracking incl. license (value USD 200)
- Ishasha – Morning safari in search of the tree climbing lions
- Gorilla tracking incl. license (worth USD 700)
- Lake Mburo National Park – Safari after dark
- Park fees
- Airport & Hotel Transfers
- Emergency hotline staffed 24/7 throughout your trip
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: The flight to Uganda
Departure day, where you will fly to Entebbe with connecting flights along the way.
Day 2: Arrival at Entebbe, Uganda
Your 8 Day Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari guide is ready and waiting to pick you up at Entebbe airport and drive you to the hotel.
Overnight stay at 2 Friends Hotel
Day 3: Equator and Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast we drive west towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way we stop at the equator and Mbarara, where we have lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre.
At Queen Elizabeth National Park you find good opportunity for taking in the fantastic sights. Here we get a good view of the western Rift Valley, along with Lake George and Lake Edward, lunar mountains and Kyambura cliff. We pass Katwe, a saline crater lake and witness how salt is extracted by conventional methods.
Overnight stay at Kingfisher Lodge Kichwamba
Day 4: Morning game drive and afternoon sailing
We start with an early morning safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. We see the sunrise in the northern part of the park along the Kasenyi track. It’s the perfect time to see the big cats being active in their daily hunts. We drive around the crater lakes in search of leopards, lions, hyenas, antelopes and other wildlife. Then we’ll go back and enjoy breakfast and begin lounging by the pool.
In the afternoon we take a boat trip to Kazinga where we will meet crocodiles, hippos and other animals to be found cooling themselves in the watering holes. We may also experience European migratory birds that gather in large flocks.
Overnight stay at Kingfisher Lodge Kichwamba
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking
After breakfast we lace up our walking shoes and embark on a fascinating trip to Kyambura Gorge. The landscape of the gorge is breathtaking and there are several mammals and birds that make this place their home. We follow the tracks to some of our closest living animal relatives – the chimpanzee. We meet at the park headquarters, before heading out to find our stops and observe the chimpanzees in the forest.
After lunch we head south towards Ishasha, which is known for its tree climbing lions.
Overnight stay Savannah Resort Hotel
Day 6: The tree climbing lions
Today takes you on the morning game drive where we start our search for the tree climbing lions. Generally the lions climb up into the trees to get away from the flies and to seek shade from the hot sun. It is not common behavior for lions to climb trees, but this occurs in some national parks found in Tanzania and Uganda.
We drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and stop for lunch in Kihihi. We then proceed to Buhoma where we arrive by evening time.
Overnight stay Silverback Lodge
Day 7: Gorilla Tracking
Another early morning start, where we enjoy a hearty breakfast. It takes a good energy store to get the most out of your day’s adventures. With our lunch packs in the backpack, we report in at Ranger Station, where we are registered and will have a special talk by a ranger.
We walk through thick concentrations of vine and undergrowth to find the gorillas. The heavily forested landscape is incredibly dense, but is crossed by numerous animal trails that facilitate the access for us. It’s a fabulous experience to sit right next to the gorillas observing them and taking photographs, whilst hearing them grunt and grumble to each other. It is an extraordinary feeling to be with these beautiful but endangered creatures.
Overnight stay Silverback Lodge
Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Relax and windback, take a walk into the communities or recap your last Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari trip adventures.
Overnight stay Silverback Lodge
Day 9: Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast we leave Bwindi and drive east towards Lake Mburo National Park. The park is Uganda’s second smallest with a size of 260km2. The varied landscape is home to a diverse range of different animal and plant species.
In the afternoon there will be good opportunity to relax by the pool. Those who wish to do so can take a trip with the guide and visit the nearby Kabazaire Orphanage.
Late at night we take a different safari experience. A “night game drive” where we can amongst other things see zebras, impalas, warthogs, buffalo and waterbucks etc.
Overnight stay Mihingo Lodge
Day 10: Return
We leave the lodge early being driven to Entebbe International Airport where you will take the plane back home.
Enquire or Request A Quote
Trip Highlights
Start/End: Entebbe – Uganda
Places Visited: Queen Elizabeth N.P, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Lake Mburo N.P
Major Activities: Game Drive, Boat Safari, Lion Safari, Chimps Tracking and Gorilla Trekking