Safari Overview
The 8 days Group Gorilla Safari will take you through Uganda’s most fascinating national parks of Lake Mburo-Uganda ‘s Compact game , Bwindi Impenetrable –home of Mountain Gorillas, Queen Elizabeth-Uganda’s finest wildlife safari park and Kibale forest national park-World’s primate Capital. You will participate in Boat ride in Lake Mburo national park to gain magnificent view of unique wild game like hippos, crocodiles and a variety of water birds, Gorilla tracking in the ancient dark forests of Bwindi and Chimpanzee tracking in Loviest Kibale Forest. The 8 days Group Gorilla Safari will start and end in Kampala.
Safari Highlights
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park & Do an Afternoon Boat Cruise
Day 2: Do morning Game drive & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Day 3: Do Gorilla trekking & afternoon Cultural encounter with the Local Batwa
Day 4: Transfer from Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park & enroute game drive in Ishasha.
Day 5: Do morning game drive & afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel
Day 6: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park with enroute visit to the Rwenzori Art Foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa & Ruboni Community craft & wax center and afternoon Bigodi wetland walk.
Day 7: Do morning Chimpanzee trekking & Transfer to Kampala
Day 8: Kampala City Tour & Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park & Do an Afternoon Boat Cruise
On the first day, you will meet our English speaking driver guide in your Kampala place of stay and depart from Kampala city heading to Lake Mburo in South western Uganda 240km about 3-4hrs drive without enroute stopovers. Drive to Lake Mburo will take you through Mpambire Drum shop in Impigi and the Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe, where you will have stopover for an interesting water experiments and amazing photo shots. Thereafter continue with the drive to Lake Mburo national park through the farmed hill sides and the wonderful rangelands of Ankole. Arrive in Lake Mburo early afternoon and have lunch in the park grounds as you marvel at the game and birds within the park. After lunch embark on Launch trip that sets of at 2:30pm on the waters of Lake Mburo. The lunch trip will offer you an opportunity of encountering the wild game such as Hippos, Nile Crocodiles and a range of water birds such as the colorful Kingfishers, magnificent Fish Eagles, Hammerkops when they are driving in the lake shores. Retire back from the activity to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge (Luxury), Arcadia Cottages Mburo (Mid-Range), Eagle’s Nest (Budget).
Day 2: Do morning Game drive & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Following an early morning breakfast, embark on magnificent game drive through the park in search of wild game. The connection of game tracks found in the eastern part of the park takes you through a variety of beautiful landscape such as acacia woodland, wetlands vegetation, savannah grassland which harbors wide-range of wildlife species such as gigantic eland antelope, Zebras, Waterbucks, Klipspringer and the rare Topi, Impala, Warthog, Oribi, Buffalo, Defassa reedbuck. The game drive which takes 2-3hours covering a distance of 150kms is very rewarding with even an extra view of different bird species. After the activity, you will embark on drive transfer of 235kms about 5-6 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive will take you through the impressive country side landscapes with rural setting and local populations. On arrival to the park, you will drive to your pre-booked lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange/Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).
Day 3: Do Gorilla trekking & afternoon Cultural encounter with the Local Batwa
After an early morning breakfast, transfer to the Park head Quarters for an early morning briefing about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Enter into the jungle for gorilla tracking in the mist after the briefing. You will need to carry a packed lunch and drinking water, wear comfortable boots or sturdy shoes, a light rain jacket as Bwindi has un-predictable weather, insect repellent, sun screen to make the activity a memorable experience. The trek may take you between 2-8 hours to encounter the mountain gorillas and once up close, you will be allowed to spend one magical hour with these stunning apes. During this one hour, you can decide to sit down listen to gorilla crumble, study how these apes go about their daily activities or you can take as photos for future Memories. Immediately after the one hour, you will retire back to the park headquarters and drive back to your lodge for late Lunch, relaxation. After relaxation, you will be transferred to the nearby Batwa community for memorable, refreshing cultural encounter. Here you will be guided by a local guide who will take you to the different communities to see how people have managed to survive through farming. You will see how local brew is processed from fresh Bananas and forest remedies to get beer and Waragi and also enjoy the performances done by the local Batwa women groups. After that interesting cultural encounter, you will drive back to your respective lodge for dinner and overnight. Thereafter the activity, you will retreat back to your lodge for dinner, memory sharing and overnight.
Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange/Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).
Day 4: Transfer from Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park & enroute game drive in Ishasha.
After a cup of Coffee early morning, transfer from Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive will take you through the rolling winding hills and terraced landscapes of south western Uganda. On arrival to Ishasha sector, you will have your lunch and participate in an afternoon game drive through the tracks of Ishasha sector. The game drive will give you the possibilities of encountering tree climbing lions that tend to lie on the branches of fig trees while keeping a close eye on herds of Uganda kob. You may also see other wildlife species like buffalos, elephants and some bird species. After game drive in Ishasha, continue with the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Mweya peninsular.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).
Day 5: Do morning game drive & afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel
Take an early morning cup of coffee before embarking on the wild game drive in the rolling savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive will take you through Kasenyi which is a dwelling place for a wide range of Wild game including the elephants, lions, buffaloes, Antelopes among others. The tracks are well designed to increase you possibilities of encountering wild game. You may enjoy the sights and views of elusive wildlife like leopard, defassa waterbuck, Uganda kob, Side stripped Jackal; Oribis among others. Return to the lodge after this 3 -4 hour game drive for refreshment and relaxation until the time for lunch. After having a thrilling lunch, embark on the rewarding boat cruise on the 45km long Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes Edward and George. The 2 hour boat cruise opens your possibilities of enjoying the calm channel waters filled with counts of Hippos no wonder the channel is called the Paradise of Hippos. The other sights of water birds and the Nile crocodiles may not be missed. Retire in the evening at 5pm to connect to the lodge for overnight. You have a mini game drive along the channel track to encounter the wild game enjoying themselves in their natural habitats.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).
Day 6: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park with enroute visit to the Rwenzori Art Foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa & Ruboni Community craft & wax center and afternoon Bigodi wetland walk.
Have an early morning breakfast and depart Queen Elizabeth National Park heading to Kibale Forest National Park 157km about 3 hours’ drive excluding stops en route. You will have your first stop at Rwenzori Art foundation which is the only bronze casting center in the whole of African Continent that is located in the shadows of Rwenzori Mountains. You may participate in the wonderful process of sculpture making of which is the common activity done in the Centre. You will also take tour to the Ruboni community wax and craft center where you will be exposed to the local traditions and the usage of local knowledge to contemporary development. Thereafter proceed to the Kibale Forest National Park and on arrival, you will drive direct to your lodge for relaxation and lunch. After lunch, embark on the transfer to Bigodi wetland. The Bigodi wetland, lies in close distance to the park thus connecting there is less hectic. The Bigodi wetland walk exposes you to typical eco –tourism encounter in Uganda. The impressive flora and fauna existing along with the local community is indeed rewarding to encounter. The sights of great blue turaco and the Sitatnga may not be missed. Retreat from the activity back to lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Upmarket), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Mid-range/Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).
Day 7: Do morning Chimpanzee trekking & Transfer to Kampala
After early morning breakfast, embark on the memorable Chimpanzee trekking encounter in the natural habitat of primate Capital of the world – the Kibale Forest National Park. The Park is proud of 13 primate species including the world endangered species of the Chimpanzees which have been fully habituated increasing the chance of encountering them to 90%. The chimp trekking encounter in the primates Capital starts at Kanyanchu tourism center at 8:00am local time in the morning and the experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority Park rangers are dedicated to lead you throughout the whole rewarding processes of trekking the Chimps in their natural Habitat. The trek exposes you to stunning flora, other primate species including black and white colobus monkey and birds before meeting face to face with the chimps. The Chimpanzees will lure you in a state of amazement as they swing through the branches, make pant hooting calls, play with each other, and imitate your body language along with other features that will make your one full hour with them a memorable experience of its own. Retreat from the activity which tends to take 2 – 5 hours to embark on the transfer to Kampala. The drive will take you through the impressive country side landscapes with rural setting and local populations. Arrive in Kampala in the evening like at 5-6pm and the driver guide will drive you to your Kampala lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Sheraton hotel (Luxury /Upmarket), Humura Resort (Standard/Mid-Range Hotels), Buziga Country Resort (Budget).
Day 8: Kampala City Tour & Departure
After an early morning breakfast, embark on an early morning city tour. The City tour will take you through impressive Kampala sites like Namugongo Martyrs Shrine -place where a number of Christians were burnt alive after failing to denounce their religion, Bahai Temple -the only mother Temple of the Bahai faith in Africa, Uganda Museum. Have your lunch in any of the Kampala Hotels and after lunch finalize with you Kampala city tour by visiting other remarkable sites like Kasubi tombs, Rubbaga Cathedral, Uganda National Museum. Thereafter, the driver guide will drive you to Entebbe International Airport for departure flight back home.
