Overview.
Enjoy the best of 10 days Uganda Gorilla Safari where you will encounter the diverse wildlife and culture. Visit places such as Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale National Park. Go to Lake Bunyonyi, Isunga community at the edge of Kibale National Park and Batwa community for cultural tours.
Activities that will be conducted are gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives, boat cruises, nature walks and community walks. Animals that will be spotted are mountain gorillas, Chimpanzees, lions, elephants, buffalos, crocodiles, Uganda kobs, hippos and much more. The different landscapes such as the hilly areas and flat lands like in the savannahs won’t be missed.
Detailed Itinerary.
Day 1: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park with a stopover at the equator
Begin the safari with a pick-up from any point agreed on. Here, the safari guide driver will take you through a very important briefing. Start with Lake Mburo National Park the nearest national park to the capital city of Uganda that is Kampala. This park is known to have elands, impalas and zebras. While on the way, have a stopover at the Uganda equator for great photographic moments, buy some souvenirs and snacks. Proceed and find your way to the lodge which will be the end of your first day.
Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise
This day’s activities range from game drive and boat cruise in this great national park, each to take 2-3 hours. There is a lot to encounter during these activities, i.e. impalas, hippo, crocodiles, elands, Topis, warthogs and much more. The boat cruise will take place on Lake Mburo the largest lake among the over 5 lakes in this park.
Day 3. Head to Lake Bunyonyi
Leave the park premises in the morning after breakfast and transfer to lake Bunyonyi a home of small birds. This lake is known to be having 29 islands giving it a great view. Pass through the rolling hills, terraced highlands and much more. You will have surely a good time while on the shores of this lake at one of the resorts.
Take an afternoon boat cruise to discover some of the islands such as the punishment island, the Bwama Islands etc. This will take about 2 to 3 hours on the second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika of Tanzania. Therefore, you are not advised to swim in case you are interested. There is an option to hike one of the hills around and take a great view of the surroundings. Aerial views of the lakes dotted with different islands is guaranteed.
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi National Park and Batwa cultural experience
Take a drive after your breakfast to Bwindi National Park a home to rare and endangered giant apes, gorillas. This is a world heritage site with unique tourist attractions such as the Albertine endemic birds, tree species etc. Arrive and take a community walk where you will visit the Batwa pygmies. These will take you through cultural music and drama, fire making using local materials and much more. Check in the accommodation facility for your night.
Day 5: Gorilla trekking
Head for gorilla trekking to encounter different attractions but primarily mountain gorillas. Trekking will begin with a briefing by the park ranger where the dos and don’ts will be well stipulated. This encompasses don’t feed wild animals, don’t eat in front of animals, don’t use the language for the gorillas. Also, always keep a distance from the gorilla family, don’t use flashlight cameras and much more.
You will head into the jungle of Bwindi and start the search which will last for 2 to 5 hours. This actually depends on the location of these beautiful apes. An hour will be in the presence of these primates and the same time apes. There is a lot to explore such as bird species, plant species and much more. You will have a great time relaxing at the lodge and this will mark the end of the day.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Through Ishasha sector for tree climbing lions.
Start the sixth day of your 10 days Uganda gorilla safari with breakfast. Head to the most attractive national park in Uganda – Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is known for its diverse wildlife including the rare tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. It is formally called Kazinga national park before the visit of Queen Elizabeth of England. Then it got the name to commemorate her visit in 1952.
The road trip takes you through the Ishasha sector where you encounter the rare tree-climbing lions. Combine these with views of antelopes, elephants and buffaloes. Be at the lodge in the evening and you will check relax for dinner and night stay.
Day 7: Game drive and boat cruise
Begin the day with breakfast which will be at the lodge. Then later head for a game drive in either Kasenyi plains or Mweya peninsular. Encounter different wild animals such as elephants, lions, hyenas, antelopes, warthogs, leopards and much more.
The game drive lasts for 3 hours, followed by an afternoon boat cruise. This is for the great scenery of the surroundings while the hippos and crocodiles are in the waters. The game drive lasts for 2 hours while on the Kazinga channel that connects Lake Edward and Lake George.
Day 8: Transfer to Kibale National Park and visit the Isunga Community to experience culture.
Head to Kibale Forest National Park a home of 13 primates which include chimpanzees – the human close relatives. You will pass through the craters of Ndali Kasenda. Arrive at lunchtime and engage in the community experience. The Isunga community guide will take you through tea plantations, coffee and cater lakes.
If time allows, take a hike to the top of the world where you get panoramic views of 3 crater lakes. These are Nyamirima, Nyinabulitwa and Nayabikere. Head back to the booked lodge for night stay and dinner.
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking and any optional activity.
Head to Kanyanchu visitor centre where briefing takes place after enjoying breakfast at the lodge. The briefing is very important since it’s meant to guide you and keep you safe. This is while in the forest searching for these great apes. Head straight to the forest to begin your search and this will be of great reward. You will be in a position to stand next to these beautiful and humble primates.
Spend an hour with a troop of chimpanzees as you watch them feed, breastfeed and much more. The overall experience takes 2 to 5 hours while in their presence. Discover the great blue turacos, green-breasted pitta, unique flora species such as mahogany trees and much more.
Return to the lodge for lunch and take an optional visit to a local school for those who love culture. Take part in cultural entertainment from Isunga community for both Batooro and Bakiga who live near the park. End the ninth day of your 10 days Uganda gorilla safari with dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 10: Head back to Kampala via Fort Portal – Mubende highway.
Head back to Kampala via Fort Portal with views of tea estates, large swathes of forests and banana plantations. Arrive at the airport after lunch and board your flight back home or retire at your city hotel. This is the end of your 10 days Uganda gorilla safari.
