At a GlanceItineraryDetail
The Highlights of Uganda: 14 days
Max group size is 6 persons
This safari takes place where the savannah meets the rainforest and explores the wonderful range of habitats Uganda contains. You can expect to meet the animals of the savannah such as lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo and leopard as well as rainforest primates and Great Apes including the Mountain Gorilla.
Silverback & his baby
National parks included: Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo National Parks.
Highlights of the trip:
- Game drives (safaris) on the savannahs of Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Boat trip on the Nile to Murchison Falls where the Nile is forced through a gorge and drops 60 meters
- Trek in See Kibale Forest to see wild chimpanzees and 12 other primate species
- Boat trip on the Kazinga Channel with huge hippos pods and spectacular birdlife
- Search for the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of the Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Meet the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi National Park
- Enjoy the peace and tranquility of Uganda’s most beautiful lake, Lake Bunyonyi
- Visit the local Ituri people and experience their way of living
The safari route is shown in red.
Mountain Gorilla safari Uganda, Itinerary
Day |
Place |
Activities |
| Day 1 | Entebbe – Kampala 37 km, 1 hour |
Arrival at Entebbe airport. Your guide will be there waiting for you. Pick up and proceed to your hotel. |
| Day 2 |
Kampala – Murchison Falls National Park. 376 km, 7 hours |
Drive to Murchison Falls National Park. In Murchison Falls we walk to the top of the falls with great views over one of Uganda’s most beautiful national parks. This is the place where the Nile is forced through a narrow gorge and falls 60 meters. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, lions, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and maybe leopards. Overnight in the lodge. |
| Day 3 |
Murchison Falls National Park | Early morning game drive in this beautiful national park. Afternoon boat ride on the Victoria Nile up to the foot of the falls and see the huge crocs on the banks. The boat is the perfect platform to see and photograph many bird species. Overnight in the lodge. |
| Day 4 |
Murchison to Kibale Forest 291 km, 6 hours |
After breakfast drive to Kibale Forest. You can take a guided walk through the forest around the lodge in the afternoon (optional). Kibale Forest is a spectacular jungle and home to 13 primate species, including chimps, baboons, black and white colobus, red colobus, grey cheeked mangabey and L’Hoest monkey. Overnight in charming lodge. |
BIG elephant, just wandering through the village!
Day |
Place |
Activities |
| Day 5 |
Kibale Forest | Chimpanzee tracking in the morning or in the afternoon (depending on troop location). If you’re keen on birds and primates you can join another guided walk through the community village to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. You are welcome to visit the local people en route, and/or the nearby crater lakes (all 3 activities optional). Overnight in charming lodge. |
| Day 6 |
Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park 157 km, 4 hours | Travel on to the Queen Elizabeth National Park. On the way we cross the Equator which is always a popular photo-stop! Game drive in the afternoon. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best places in Uganda to see lions. Expect to see elephants, lions, many hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and maybe leopards. Overnight in National Park lodge. |
| Day 7 |
Queen Elizabeth National Park | Game drive in the morning. Boat trip on the Kazinga Channel in the afternoon.The Kazinga Channel is one of the highlights of Uganda and has the highest concentration of hippos in the world. Overnight in National Park lodge. |
| Day 8 |
Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha97 km, 3 hours | After breakfast we drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park to the Ishasha sector in the South. Game drive in the afternoon in search of the famous tree-climbing lions. In Ishasha there are 3 prides of lions that climb trees which is unusual for lions. The other attractions of Ishasha are Topis, not found anywhere else in Uganda. Overnight in National Park lodge. |
| Day 9 |
Ishasha – Bwindi Impenetrable 65 km, 2 hours /150 km, 5 hours | Today we drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. On the way we pass through interesting villages and have some breathtaking views of the Ruwenzori Mountains. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a unique jungle with many primate species; including the Mountain Gorillas. Accommodation depends on the group of gorillas you will be tracking. |
Buffalo doing what they love most – in mudbath
Day |
Place |
Activities |
| Day 10 |
Bwindi Impenetrable | Gorilla tracking. Early morning departure with your ranger to search for one of the world’s most interesting and endangered animal, the Mountain Gorilla. You will spend one hour with one of the habituated families. A wonderful wildlife moment. Accommodation as last night. |
| Day 11 |
Bwindi Impenetrable | Day for relaxation. Optional activities: take a nature walk through the national park, go for a primate or bird watching walk, or visit the local people. It is also possible to do a second gorilla tracking on this day. Accommodation as last night. |
| Day 12 |
Bwindi Impenetrable – Lake Bunyonyi 110km, 4 hours | Travel on to Lake Bunyonyi; the deepest and most beautiful lake in Uganda. We sleep on one of the beautiful islands. Possible activities: take a nature walk, go for a birding walk, go canoeing, take a swim or visit the local community (all activities optional). Overnight in National Park lodge. |
| Day 13 |
Lake Bunyonyi – Lake Mburo National Park 202 km, 4 hours | After breakfast drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Game drive in the afternoon. Take a boat trip on the lake (optional). Lake Mburo is one of the 2 national parks with zebras and the only national park with impalas in Uganda. There are no elephants or lions, so walking safaris are possible. Overnight in National Park lodge. |
| Day 14 |
Lake Mburo National Park – Entebbe 320km, 5 hrs | Game drive in the morning or you can join a guided game walk (optional) to get face to face with the animals. On our way back to the airport we cross the Equator once more and can stop for photos. Transfer to the airport for your departure. |
Fish Eagle posing
Includes
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation with meals mentioned as described
- Local government hotel taxes.
- Bottled drinking water during the trip.
- 4×4 custom built safari vehicle with knowledgeable driver/guide and fuel
- Entrance fees to the included National Parks
- The following activities: Game drives, boat trip on the Nile at Murchison Falls and boat trip on the Kazinga Channel and one chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
Gorilla Permits
Gorilla Permits are quoted separately because they vary so much from season-to-season. They are pre-paid and added to your invoice in sterling. This means you do not need to take a large quantity of US dollars with you when you travel.
Excludes
- International flights
- Visa for Uganda
- Any optional activities
- Travel Insurance
- Meals not mentioned and beverages
- Tips and personal expenses such as laundry and communication
Accommodation
We offer two categories of accommodation on this safari. Each evening you have the choice of using the recommended accommodation, or you can upgrade either to a superior room and full board, or make use of a near-by hotel or lodge of a higher category. Here is a table of the hotels we intend to use and their meal-plan [BB = breakfast incl. HB = breakfast and lunch incl. FB = breakfast, lunch and dinner incl.]:-
| Day | Place | Medium budget | Upgrade | |
| 1 | Entebbe | Forest Cottages BB | Cassia Lodge FB | |
| 2 | Murchison Falls NP | Pakuba Safari Lodge HB | Kabelega Wilderness Lodge FB | |
| 3 | Murchison Falls NP | Pakuba Safari Lodge HB | Kabelega Wilderness Lodge FB | |
| 4 | Kibale Forest | Kibale Forest Lodge BB | Primate Lodge FB | |
| 5 | Kibale Forest | Kibale Forest Lodge BB | Primate Lodge FB | |
| 6 | QENP | Enganzi Lodge BB | Mweya Safari Lodge FB | |
| 7 | QENP | Enganzi Lodge BB | Mweya Safari Lodge FB | |
| 8 | QENP | Ishasha Jungle Lodge BB | Ishasha Wilderness Tented Camp FB | |
| 9 | Bwindi | Depends on gorilla location | Depends on gorilla location | |
| 10 | Bwindi | Depends on gorilla location | Depends on gorilla location | |
| 11 | Lake Bunyonyi | Bunyonyi Eco Resort BB | Bird Nest FB | |
| 12 | Lake Bunyonyi |
|
Bird Nest FB | |
| 13 | Lake Mburo NP | Mburo Safari Lodge HB | Mburo Safari Lodge FB | |
| 14 | Entebbe | Depart | Depart |
Optional Activity Budget.
- Gorilla Permit varies between US $630 and US$ 720 depending on season, demand and the location of the gorilla family visited on the day.
- Boat trip on the Nile to the delta in Lake Albert: USD 40 per person
- Ziwa Rhino tracking : USD 40 per person
- Jungle walk at Chimps’ Nest: USD 8 per person
- Night walk at Chimps’ Nest: USD 10 per person
- Bigodi Swamp Walk: USD 25 Per person
- Extra walk through Bwindi: USD 35 per person
- Lake Mburo Boat trip: USD 20 per person
- Lake Mburo Walk: USD 20 per person
Max group size is 6 persons
Notes: the earliest flight departure time from Entebbe Airport is 18.00 hours on day 15.
N’gamba: is an island out in Lake Victoria with a population of semi-habituated chimps that have been rescued from the pet trade. A visit requires an additional day. N’gamba chimps
Shoebills: to add an opportunity to see these remarkable birds, it’s best to extend your stay in Uganda either by arriving a day early or staying on an extra day at the end. There’s a bay on Lake Victoria called Mbamba with a Shoebill population.
Family group of Mountain Gorillas