11-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari
11-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari: This safari that involves exclusive gorilla trekking starts and ends at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. This unique safari enables you to interact with the most majestic and rare wildlife, the endangered primates, and cultural experiences that create a memorable experience that is worth a return trip. The safari promises to give you a chilling experience by getting into the presence of the amazing gorillas and chimpanzees fully in their natural habitat together with encountering the wide diverse wildlife species that include; leopards, lions, elephants, antelope species and so many others that are bound to give you an experience that you will carry with you for the rest for your life. The safari involves visiting ancestral places like the Igongo cultural center, a cultural centre for the Ankole culture and traditions.
The 11-day Uganda gorilla trekking safari will also take you to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking, then a visit to the legendary Murchison Falls National Park which is among the largest national parks in Uganda and has one of the largest falls in Africa. The trip to the national park will involve wildlife sightseeing, a boat cruise on the river Nile, after crossover to Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking then a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park for sightseeing, and a boat cruise through the Kazinga channel. The trip will then carry you to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park to encounter the endangered mountain gorillas then to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation and to experience nature, lake Mburo National Park for an evening wildlife sightseeing game drive, and bush horseback riding. This safari is designed to give you an unforgettable experience filled with encounters with majestic creatures.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1; ARRIVAL AT ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, DRIVE TO YOUR BOOKED HOTEL IN ENTEBBE, VISIT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, on your 11-day Uganda gorilla trekking safari, you will be met by a company representative with your tour guide to meet and greet, and soon after you will be transferred to your booked hotel in Entebbe town and relax. Later you will meet with your assigned tour guide who will provide an overview of the 11-day tour with gorilla trekking. Soon after lunch, you will have a drive to Entebbe Botanical Gardens which are found on the shore of Lake Victoria the largest water body in Africa and the source of the longest river on the planet, for a nature walk where you will see some primate species like the vervet monkeys and several bird species later you will return to your hotel to have dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House
Meal plan: Dinner
DAY 2: VISIT ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY, DRIVE TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK, AND DESCEND TO THE BOTTOM OF THE MURCHISON FALLS
On your 11-day Uganda gorilla trekking safari, after an early morning breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and start on the road trip to the legendary Murchison Falls National Park, located in northwestern Uganda, about 320km from Kampala, on your way to the Murchison Falls National Park, you will visit the Ziwa rhino sanctuary the only place in Uganda where you can fully immerse yourself in the presence of white rhinos in the wilderness setting, during rhino tracking, you will encounter rhinos close to their feet with the help of your site guide and spend one hour with them. You will take as many photos as possible during these magical moments with these animals captured. After the experience you will have lunch at Kabalega and some relaxation time and then proceed with your drive to Murchison Falls National Park, on arrival at the park before checking into your booked lodge, visit the Murchison Falls to enjoy the breathtaking views of the whole river Nile passing through a tiny gorge of only 7 meters wide. After seeing the Murchison Falls, cross the river Nile and drive to your booked lodge to check in and have a free evening till time to be served dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Hornbill Bush Lodge/ Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner
DAY 3; MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK, MORNING DRIVE SAFARI, AFTERNOON BOAT CRUISE ALONG THE RIVER NILE, NIGHT GAME DRIVE SAFARI EXPERIENCE
You will have an early rise then grab a packed breakfast in preparation for the game drive. During the game drive you will spot several animal species such as caped buffalo, elephants, Uganda Kobs, Jackson hartebeest, and a leopard may be spotted on a lucky day. You will have a short break to enjoy your packed breakfast and later proceed with the game drive to fully explore and experience the park’s wildlife species. Later you will return to the lodge to relax and have lunch and then drive to the Paraa gathering point for an afternoon boat cruise safari on the Victoria Nile. The boat cruise leads you to the base of the Murchison Falls, stopping a few meters from the devils cauldron of the falls which will give you a magnificent view of the falls. Along the river, you will experience various water mammals and birds like the hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles, Egyptian goose, and many others. After, you will return to the lodge to relax and prepare for the night game drive. The night game drive is so adventurous and will give you a chance to see nocturnal animals and predators out on the hunt for food. Murchison Falls National Park is the best when it comes to night game drives because you get to experience the remarkable nightlife of the park and the night sounds of the jungle. Thereafter drive back to your lodge for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hornbill Bush Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal plan: breakfast/lunch/ dinner
DAY 4: DRIVE TO KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Following your 11-day Uganda gorilla trekking safari after an amazing breakfast, check at the lodge and slowly drive through the park across the river, then drive to Kibale Forest National Park. The park is popular for its high concentration of primates that vary to over 13 different primate species some of which include; the highest population of habituated chimpanzee families, the L’hoest’s monkeys, the endangered red colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and so many others. The park also inhabits over 375 bird species and other mammals such as bushbuck, blue dulkers, and bush pigs. The drive to Kibale Forest National Park will take you through the villages and small towns allowing you to enjoy the beautiful sceneries of the countryside that will make the drive more adventurous and memorable. You will have a stopover in Fort Portal City to have lunch and later drive to the lodge to check in and spend the rest of the evening resting
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5; CHIMPANZEE TRACKING EXPERIENCE SAFARI, VISIT BIGODI SANCTUARY SWAMP FOR A NATURE WALK SAFARI
After breakfast, you will meet your safari guide and transfer to the park information offices for a briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimpanzee tracking. Soon after you will embark on a guided nature walk to search for the magnificent chimpanzees. During the walk, you are bound to see other wildlife species. Once you meet the chimpanzees, you will spend an hour watching their ways of life. Soon after you will return to the starting point to have refreshments and then drive back to your lodge to have lunch relax and then prepare for the journey to Bigodi swamp for a nature walk and community experience
The Bigodi wetlands are located on the eastern edge of the forest in Magombe swamp punctuated by biodiversity and lovely sceneries, the swamp is a must-see for any bird lover entailing over 138 bird species and hosting eight species of primates such as the black and white colobus, red-tailed, grey checked mangabey among many others. The Bigodi community walk will take you through the nearby community walk will take you through the nearby community to have a chance to interact with local people learning how they harmoniously live and cohabitate with wildlife species. After the community experience, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 6; KASENDA CRATER LAKE EXPLORATION TOUR, DRIVE TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK AND VISIT LAKE KATWE SALT MINING COMMUNITY
On your 11-day Uganda gorilla trekking safari after enjoying breakfast, check out the lodge and then go for the Kasenda Crater Lakes exploration tour, the area has amazing views, beautiful small crater lakes, the best atmosphere, and a cool breeze that makes the Kasenda Crater Lakes area a nature lover’s true haven. The exploration tour will take you to visit several of the same craters and lakes on foot through the forested areas this beautiful scenery can’t be seen anywhere else, the tour will end at the Ndali-Kasenda viewpoint, also known as the top of the world with magnificent views of lake George and Kichwamba escarpment in the rift valley, Kibale national park and the Rwenzori mountain ranges .after the crater exploration you will proceed to Queen Elizabeth national park where you have lunch and some relaxation time.
Later, you will visit Lake Katwe salt mining community which gives you insights into how salt is extracted by the local people and you will have a chance to interact with the locals and learn more about the skill of salt water. Soon after you will drive back to your lodge to stay at leisure until dinner time and then overnight
Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7; QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK, CHIMPANZEE TRACKING IN KALINZU FOREST, AFTERNOON BOAT CRUISE ON KAZINGA CHANNEL
After an early morning fulfilling breakfast, you will head to the Kalinzu Forest Reserve head office to receive a briefing on dos and don’ts regarding trekking, the second chimpanzee tracking safari from different environments. Once you find a community of the habituated chimpanzees, you will have a maximum of one hour to be with them and experience them in their natural habitat, soon you will return to the starting point for refreshments and then drive back to your lodge to have lunch and then relax and prepare for the afternoon boat cruise.
The boat cruises along Kazinga Channel the main water stream that goes through the park and connects Lake George and Lake Edward. The cruise will bring you close to mammals such as hippos, Nile crocodiles, and buffalos. Later after the boat cruise safari along the Kazinga channel, you will return to your lodge to spend the evening relaxing and overnight.
Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Buffalo
Meal plan: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
DAY 8; MORNING GAME DRIVE SAFARI, DRIVE TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
After having a delicious breakfast on your 11-day Uganda gorilla trekking safari, you will be driven to the Kasenyi plains found in the northeastern parts of the park for the morning game drive safari in search of various wildlife species such as lions, leopards, hippos, and several antelopes. The national park is one of Uganda’s most popular national parks and is a habitat for a remarkable big game ie four of the big five. Soon after the game drive you will relax and then head to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park via the Ishasha sector in the southern parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive to look for the rare tree-climbing lions. After the drive, you will have lunch and then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park famous for having half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
Accommodation: Ride 4 A Woman
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9; BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK, MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREKKING EXPERIENCE, DRIVE TO LAKE BUNYONYI
The ninth day of the 11-day safari starts with waking up early in the morning to head to the information offices to get briefed about the trekking experience how to behave in the presence of mountain gorillas and the expectations. You will get a packed lunch and hiring a porter to carry items during the trek is recommended. You will start with a forest walk in search of the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Once you encounter the mountain gorilla family, in their natural habitat all the hardship endured to find them will be outweighed by the beauty these majestic creatures entail, in the time spent you will get to know about their behaviors regarding how they socialize you will spend an hour with them and will be allowed to capture the unforgettable moments. After the experience, you will receive a mountain trekking certificate in appreciation for your contribution to the conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda.
You will then have refreshments and lunch and then drive to the lake Bunyonyi to relax and stay overnight.
Accommodation: Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Meal plan: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
DAY 10; DRIVE TO LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK, EVENING GAME DRIVE SAFARI
After the delicious breakfast on your 11-day Uganda gorilla trekking safari, you will go boat canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi which takes 2 hours of exploration, and the 29 islands within the lake while learning about the area’s legends and folklore. After canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi return to the lodge to check out and start the journey to Lake Mburo National Park with a stopover at Igongo Cultural Center to have lunch and then tour the museum that entails the Ankole culture and heritage. Thereafter, proceed with the journey to the park to check in at your booked lodge and drive to the park for the evening and night game drives to spot some of the wildlife species such as the beautiful zebras, impalas, and elands, among so many others. The park has 350 recorded species, 68 mammal species, and 13 small lakes.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast/ Lunch Dinner
DAY 11; MORNING HORSEBACK RIDING, DRIVE TO ENTEBBE TOWN
On this day you will have a simple breakfast in the morning and then go for your early morning jungle horseback riding in the park while having an amazing view of wildlife on the horse. After the unique experience, on your 11-day Uganda gorilla trekking safari, you will embark on your journey back to Entebbe where you will happen to pass by the equator landmark and then head to Entebbe town for dinner at your booked hotel to prepare for travel the next day.
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch.