8 Days Uganda Gorillas, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari

8 Day Uganda gorilla & wildlife safari to Lake Mburo, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, and Kibale Forest National Parks

Tour Overview

This 8-day safari begins from and ends in Kampala-Uganda; it will take you to the western part of the country which is gifted with various wildlife species and beautiful sceneries. The main destinations in this safari are; Lake Mburo National Park which sits on an area of 371 sq. km with a big number of Zebras and other animals such as antelopes, warthogs, buffaloes, oribis, and others seen along the lake shores like the hippos, crocodiles as well as birds (the park has over 332 bird species). Bwindi Impenetrable forest is home to mountain gorillas and over 340 individuals have made this park their home, also it harbors around 120 mammal species, 400 plant species, 346 bird species, 202 butterfly species, and many more.

Also, Queen Elizabeth national park is known for its diverse wildlife species like tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, antelopes, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, water bucks, and chimpanzees. Also over 600 bird species, many of these are seen during the game drives, nature walks, and boat cruises. Kibale National park is home to 13 species of a primate such as chimpanzees, white and black colobus, olive monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and vervet monkeys, among others, and around 300 bird species. You will have a great and memorable experience during these 8 days!

Tour highlights

Day 1: Kampala or Entebbe to Lake Mburo National Park

Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park for a gorilla safari

Day 3: Mountain Gorilla trekking & Community walk- Bwindi Impenetrable

Day 4: Travel to Queen Elizabeth via the Ishasha sector

Day 5: Game drive & a boat cruise- Kazinga Channel

Day 6: Morning game drive, visit the baboon cliff & Departure to Kibale

Day 7: Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi wetland walk

Day 8: Return to Kampala

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park-Wildlife viewing

Our driver guide will meet you in Kampala at 7:00 am and will drive west of the country to Lake Mburo National Park having a stopover at the drum makers center called Mpambire and also at the Equator to take photographs. When you reach the park have lunch at the lodge and set out for a game drive through the park where you will take a glance at different animals like the Zebras that are found almost everywhere in the park. Later in the evening head to the lodge for dinner and spend a night.

Accommodation options: Mihingo Lodge(Luxury), Lake Mburo Safari Lodge(Mid-range)

Eagle’s Nest Lodge (Budget)

Meal Plan: Lunch &Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park for a gorilla tracking

On this day at 6:30 am after your breakfast begins your journey to the Southwestern part of Bwindi Forest, passing via Mbarara town which is endowed with beautiful landscapes, also will see various rolling hills with terraces, it is such a great journey with all these sights. Upon reaching the park check in at the lodge of your choice and just relax there the whole evening as you get ready for the next door. Dine and overnight there.

Accommodation options: Buhoma Lodge(Luxury), Silverback Lodge(Midrange), Buhoma Community Camp ground(Budget).

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 3: Mountain Gorilla trekking & Community walk- Bwindi Impenetrable

Have breakfast at 6:30 am and transfer to the park headquarters with packed lunch where you will be briefed by the professional Park rangers. By 8:00 am you will be accompanied by the park rangers as you enter the mist forest to trek mountain gorillas. You might need a walking stick if you are not physically fit enough also consider using potters to carry your luggage just in case you have one and you pay them a small amount of money for labor. Trekking may take between 2 and 8 hours and the moment to you see and start interacting with the gorillas only one hour is given to you.

After trekking, return to the lodge to unwind, and later in the evening take a walk in various communities such as in Batwa community where you will interact with them and learn a lot from them before you retire at the lodge.

Accommodation options: Buhoma Lodge(Luxury), Silverback Lodge(Midrange), Buhoma Community Camp ground(Budget).

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 4: Travel to Queen Elizabeth via the Ishasha sector

Enjoy your breakfast and after transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park pass through the Ishasha sector which is home to tree-climbing lions. The park has a variety of wildlife species such as elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, lions, and many others. When you arrive have lunch at the lodge and go for a late afternoon game drive where you will be able to see the above animals and many more together with birds. Have dinner and an Overnight.

Accommodation Options; Mweya safari lodge(Luxury), Kyambura Gorge (Mid-range), Bush Lodge (Budget)

Meal Plan; Lunch &Dinner

Day 5: Game drive & a boat cruise- Kazinga Channel

Today you will be very early as you will have breakfast at 6:00 am after which you will immediately start the game drive, why you have to be early because you will be able to see the morning risers like the lions, solitary buffaloes, kobs, elephants, etc. It is such a great and exciting time as you can easily see these animals closely. Later head back to the lodge for lunch and get ready for the afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel which is home to various species like birds such as malachite kingfishers, pink-backed pelicans, and animals like crocodiles, elephants, hippos, and many more. Cruising on the Kazinga is one of the most eye-catching activities in the park. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation Options; Mweya safari lodge(Luxury), Kyambura Gorge (Mid-range), Bush Lodge (Budget)

Meal Plan; Lunch &Dinner

Day 6: Morning game drive, visit the baboon cliff & Departure to Kibale

Have a tasty breakfast and have a morning game drive and also visit the baboon cliffs where you will be introduced to amazing and beautiful sceneries. Have lunch at the lodge and embark on your journey to Kibale forest national park which is home to Chimpanzees; it is approximately a 2 to 3 hours drive. Arrive in the evening and have dinner and spend an overnight.

Accommodation Options; Ndali Lodge(Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guest(Mid-range), Kibale Forest camp(Budget)

Meal Plan; Dinner

Day 7: Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi wetland walk

The amazing day is this; have breakfast early enough, leave the lodge for the park headquarters with enough bottled drinking water, where you will be briefed about chimpanzee trekking. After the briefing, embark on trekking through the forest at around 8:00 am guided by an armed park ranger. Nothing is as amazing as having time with chimpanzees in their natural habitat. You will also see other primates like golden monkeys, grey-checked Mangabeys, LHoests monkeys, and bush babies, among others; you will also spot several birds.

After trekking, return and have lunch at the lodge and go for a walk in the Bigodi wetland in the afternoon. You will meet different people that stay there and also will see different birds like the Great Blue Turaco and more primates like the bush pigs, otters, and baboons among others.

Accommodation Options; Ndali Lodge(Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guest(Mid-range), Kibale Forest camp(Budget)

Meal Plan; Dinner

Day 8: Return to Kampala

After your hefty breakfast, leave the park and drive to Kampala via Mubende, where you will be in line to see beautiful scenic views found in this area. You will enjoy lunch still in Mubende and thereafter continue to Kampala. Your driver guide will either leave you at your accommodation facility in Kampala or take you to the Airport in Entebbe just in case you are having your flight back home.

END OF SAFARI