SVAU 010: 9 Days Uganda Gorilla Tracking Safari

This gorilla tracking safari in Uganda takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 1: Kampala – Bwindi Forest

Early in the morning set off for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This Uganda safari will take a minimum of nine hours. Make a brief stop at the Equator line. The drive takes you through the grasslands of Ankole, whose common sight are the famous long horned cattle; then to the highlands of Kigezi with their beautifully terraced hills.

Break off for lunch at any hotel en route. Continue with the journey through beautiful scenery and arrive Bwindi National Park in the evening. This park is home of the rare mountain gorillas. Apart from gorillas, there are a wide variety of primates to see including the blue and red tailed monkeys. The forest itself is lush and green and there are streams running through it.

You arrive at your lodging during late afternoon. Rest and take dinner at your Bwindi lodging preparing for the Uganda mountain gorilla tracking experience the next day.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Gorilla Forest Camp/ Buhoma Lodge/ Gorilla Resort/ Kitandara Lodge/ Engagi Lodge/ Mahogany lodge/ Buhoma Community Rest Camp Bandas/ Buhoma View Bandas

Day 2: Gorilla Tracking at Bwindi Forest

Early morning entry into Gorilla sanctuary. This rainforest is spectacular. It offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but criss-crossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. Mammals recorded include the endangered mountain gorilla, rare golden monkey, buffalo, elephant, black-fronted duiker, bushbuck, leopard, giant forest log and others. This park is best known for the fascinating gorillas.

The time taken and the terrain vary according to the movements of these marvelous primates. The thrill of spending time and observing the gorillas is a rare, moving, awesome and exciting adventure. The gorilla is a shy and peaceful animal and it is unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they interact. On a clear day as you track the gorillas – you may have a spectacular view of Congo’s Parc National Des Virungas, Lake Edward and Mountain Rwenzori’s.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Gorilla Forest Camp/ Buhoma Lodge/ Gorilla Resort/ Kitandara Lodge/ Engagi Lodge/ Mahogany lodge/ Buhoma Community Rest Camp Bandas/ Buhoma View Bandas

Day 3: Bwindi Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, depart northwards to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes you through the unique western rift valley escarpment. Carry out a game drive in Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions before proceeding to the Mweya Peninsular; park headquarters.

Arrive in the evening and check in at your Lodge. The park boasts of a variety of big game like; lions, buffaloes, kobs, elephants, bushbucks, and the rare occasional leopard. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Jacana Safari Lodge/ Albertine Camp/ Simba Safari Camp/ Ihaamba Safari Lodge/ Ecology Institute Hostel

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Rise before the sun and drive to Kyambura Gorge for a thrilling Chimpanzee safari. Your guided walk may last three to five hours and in addition to seeing the chimps, the trip may yield sightings of the colobus monkeys, baboons, red tailed and velvet monkeys, and other primates. It is important to note that the chimpanzee safari is subject to availability of permits and good weather because occasional flooding can make the trails impassable.

After lunch, drive to the dock and take on an afternoon cruise along Kazinga Channel, which joins Lakes Edward and George. It is a waterway that is filled with schools of hippos, buffaloes, and elephants, which can be seen at the banks. There are also a rich variety of birds on the channel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Jacana Safari Lodge/ Albertine Camp/ Simba Safari Camp/ Ihaamba Safari Lodge/ Ecology Institute Hostel

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth – Kibale Forest

Rise up early for a morning game drive. Look out for early grazers and hunters. These include hippos, elephants, lions, spotted hyenas and leopards, bushbuck, water buck and stripped jackal, and of course the several warthogs. Visit the saline explosions for the locally mined salts, the processes and people involved. See the role of women in this activity plus the risks at hand.

Return to the lodge for lunch and then drive to Kibale Forest National Park through Fort-Portal. Drive along the scenic beauty of the Rwenzori ranges and the stretch of savanna grasslands. Admire the smoke from the Bakonzo homesteads and the glittering tiny iron sheet-roofs on the steep Rwenzori ranges.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Ndali Lodge / Primate Lodge / Kibale Safari Lodge/Chimp Nest

Day 6: Gorilla Tracking Kibale Forest

After early breakfast, report at Kanyanchu Tourist Centre where tourist activities begin and set out to track chimpanzee in the forest. Chances of viewing the chimps are over 90% but not a guarantee.

Kibale National Park is one of the beautiful and stunning forests in the Uganda. This is home of our closest living relatives the endangered Chimpanzee, the threatened Red colobus monkey and the rare L’Hoest’s monkey.

The forest also boasts of having one of the highest diversity and density of primates in Africa totaling 13 species including the Black and white colobus, Blue monkey, Grey-cheeked mangabey, Red tailed monkey and Bush babies and Pottos.

After lunch take on a nature walk to the wetlands. View a variety of butterflies, birds and other insects. Have a tour of the crater region around Ndali lodge. Visit the “natural bridge” and “top of the world”. You may also stop over at any tea plantation along the road if you wish. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Ndali Lodge / Primate Lodge / Kibale Safari Lodge/Chimp Nest

Day 7: Kibale Forest – Murchison Falls

After breakfast, drive to Murchison Falls National Park carrying packed lunch. Experience the endless stretch and beauty of savanna grassland that disappears in a mirage. On arrival at your lodge, take a rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Red Chilli Camp/ Sambiya River Lodge/ Nile River Camp/ Paraa Safari Lodge/ Chobe Safari Lodge

Day 8: Murchison Falls

Start the day with an early morning game drive on the Buligi, Albert or Queens tracks north of the river Nile. You are able to view those animals that are unique to the African Savannah like giraffe, antelope, lion, elephant, and the Uganda Kob. You might also opt to visit Nyamisika cliffs carrying picnic breakfast.

After lunch, take on a launch cruise along the Nile River. The cruise takes to the Bottom of the thundering falls where you will see huge crocodiles, schools of hippos, buffaloes, elephants and a variety of water birds like herons, cormorants, ducks, bee-eaters, kingfishers, skimmers, fish eagle and the rare shoebill. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Red Chilli Camp/ Sambiya River Lodge/ Nile River Camp/ Paraa Safari Lodge/ Chobe Safari Lodge

Day 9: Murchison Falls – Kampala

After breakfast, take a drive to the “Top of the falls” for a breathtaking sight of the raging Nile as it forces its way through a rocky gap barely six meters wide. This is the point where the Nile River explodes through a narrow gorge and cascades down to become a placid river. Proceed to Kampala with lunch en route.