7 Days Gorilla & Chimpanzee and Wilderness Safari in Uganda

This safari will take you to three of Uganda’s western wilderness parks with remarkable physical features of the Great Western Rift Valley, crater lakes and savannah grassy plains that support a large population of wild life in Queen Elizabeth National …

Parks to Visit: Bwindi impenetrable forest, Queen Elizabeth and Kibale forest National Parks.

The thickly deep mature trees and foliage of the impenetrable forests of Bwindi, which is resident to half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorillas to the lowland tropical forest of Kibale with a highest concentration of primates, Butterflies and also with the largest population of forest Elephants in Uganda.

Day 1: Kampala – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After your welcome breakfast at 6:30am, we drive southwards passing through the lush green varied vegetation from savannah woodlands and plains to shrubby vegetation. After driving for approximately an hour, you will have the wonderful opportunity to visit the Equator and take photos at the north/southern hemisphere. Drive to Mbarara town, for an hour’s lunch break and continue to the beautifully terraced hills of the Kigezi Highlands and finally to the territory of the Gorillas. Have an early dinner and pre-briefing from your guide about your Gorilla Trek. Overnight at:

• Meals: Lunch | Dinner

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Arise early to the humming forest sounds of this ancient jungle for your breakfast.  With your packed lunch, we will go for the pre-trek briefing from the rangers who will tell you what to expect in the jungle.  Your trek may last anywhere from three to eight hours depending on where the gorillas are resting on any particular day. Therefore, your physical stamina is greatly required and this trek will definitely test your fitness abilities.  There are local porters that can be hired who will personally help carry your backpack and camera gear.  By hiring a porter you will be contributing directly to the surrounding community as well as receiving personalized assistance while maneuvering through the Impenetrable Forest!  All of your spent energy will be completely revived once you come within ears reach of the mighty mountain gorilla. 

Once your ranger locates the family of gorillas your group will have an entire hour to observe and photograph the incredible scenes that will take place before your eyes.  Once the hour of viewing the gorillas is completed, your rangers and entire group will begin the journey back to Lodge/camp. During your dinner, you will openly talk about your jungle experiences with other travelers. In all, Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is a memory to last your lifetime overnight at:

• Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 3: Bwindi – Queen Elizabeth National Park
The sweet melodies of the jungle creatures set the pace for our day. After breakfast, we take a voyage to Ishasha, the southern part of Queen Elizabeth NP seeking out the Tree Climbing lions found in only two places in Africa while on a game drive.

Have your afternoon meal and later in the evening we are off again for an evening drive to the Katwe area for beautiful scenery! On your way back we may be able to see nocturnal creatures not commonly seen on our morning game drives. Overnight at:

• Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park
All awake by 6:30am in time to warm up with a hot cup of tea.  After a hot breakfast hop into your vehicle and begin your day of safari adventures!  Your drive will take you through herds of buffalo, elephants, and variety of antelope species.  The search for the big cats, as they hunt down their prey, will continue throughout the day with the help of African Big Five Safari’s well trained guide.

Have your lunch at the Mweya peninsula where you’re bound to have a few warthogs as your guests. After lunch you will head to the channel track for a momentous 2- hour cruise along the 40km Kazinga channel. This natural channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George comes with an astounding population of Hippos wading in the cool waters.  There is a good chance you will also see buffalo and elephants beating off the afternoon heat along the channel banks. A striking variety and number of bird species will make your day complete.  The captain of the boat will also have his eyes peeled for the elusive monitor lizards as well!! Overnight at:

• Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kibale Forest National Park
Following your breakfast we drive out of Queen Elizabeth National Park with spectacular views of the rift valley and the “mountains of the moon” the Rwenzori Mountain.
Have a lunch break at your accommodation.  In the evening you will go for a nature walk to the “top of the world” which will allow for amazing photo opportunities and the chance to view unique scenery. Overnight at:

• Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking – Kibale Forest
A nice breakfast makes an energetic start for your search for the forest habitants.  Spend half the day in this well adorned forest with great sights of the various species of Colobus monkeys and baboons.  Walking through the flat landscape listening to the melodies of the lovely forest birds as we search for our closest family relation the endangered chimpanzees. Your senses will be all on alert as you are called to see, feel, hear and smell the forest. Not missing out on the little forest dwellers the beetles doing their thing and the beautifully patterned butterflies.

In the afternoon, go to Bigodi swamp for a community walk that makes a great day for birders and helps alleviate the locals in the conservation of their environment.  You will have fantastic photo opportunities and really get a sense for a different type of landscape in Uganda Overnight at:

• Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 7: Kibale Forest – Fortportal – Kampala
After departing the Kibale area, you will travel to the town of Fort Portal after breakfast which will give you the opportunity to view the different sceneries of large tea estates and banana plantations.  We will drive on to Nyakasura to the legendary “Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru” which literally mean ‘the breasts of Mwiru’s mother’. The known stalagmites and stalactites here come with great history and culture that defines the people of the Tooro Kingdom.
Drive back to Kampala with lunch on route and we drop you at the airport.

• Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
• Accommodation: N/A