This 5 days gorilla and wildlife tour in Uganda is conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and the Uganda safari destination of Queen Elizabeth National Park in the Southwest. Bwindi National Park is credited for its amazing rare mountain gorillas and it inhabits about half of the world population that still thrives on earth.
It is composed of thick forest undergrowth with mature trees that make up the canopy while standing on the rugged landscape with deep saddles that combine to justify it as an “Impenetrable forest.” This natural setting is ideal for the mountain gorilla tracking as well as birding. The five day mountain gorilla and wildlife tour in Uganda also comes with the Uganda Safari destination of Queen Elizabeth National Park which stretches over the western arm if the Great East African Rift Valley and covers about 1978 square kilometers overlooking the mystical Rwenzori Mountains.
This protected area offers refuge to more than 620 birdlife, the 95 species of mammals, the stunning 45 kilometers long Kazinga linking Lake George and Edward, Ishasha area with its rare tree climbing lions, the Kyambura gorge which offers refuge to wild chimpanzees and the spectacular scenic Katwe explosion crater as well as the Lake Bunyonyi Island. This five day African gorilla safari in Uganda starts and ends in Kampala.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 2: Game drive in the morning and afternoon launch cruise along the Kazinga channel and evening wildlife viewing along the channel tracks
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park through Ishasha Sector south of Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives to look out for the rare tree climbing lions and other wildlife species.
Day 4: Gorilla tracking the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and drive to Lake Bunyonyi Island for an evening boat cruise.
Day 5: Return from Lake Bunyonyi Island back to Kampala.
DETAILED ITINERARY.
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Following breakfast, you will set off from the hotel with our experienced driver guide and drive southwest of Uganda to Queen Elizabeth National Park approximately 417 kilometers which about seven hours’ drive from Kampala. You will stop over Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe after driving 77 kilometers from Kampala and have time to learn more about this important geographical spot, the sun’s way and the point of separation between the northern and southern hemisphere.
There will be a well interpreted water experiment to show the separation of these 2 poles. The place also gives you opportunity to take as many photos as you can. After, you will proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will have another stopover at Igongo cultural center for astonishing traditional lunch where you will enjoy the local dish organically produced and freshly served. You can also take an optional tour to the Erijukiro museum that features a range of artifacts of the tribes of southwestern Uganda. Thereafter set off passed Mbarara town and enjoy the views of the Bunyaruguru crater and the stunning Kalinzu forest. Another stopover can be made at the crater field for sight seeing and photography. Arrive in Queen Elizabeth National Park in the evening for rest dinner and overnight stay at:
Luxury Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge.
Midrange Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge Enganzi Game Lodge, Queen’s Bush Lodge.
Budget Accommodation: Pumba Safari Cottages, Simba Safari Camp.
Meal Plan: HB
Day 2: Game drive in the morning and afternoon launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel and an evening game drive along the channel track
Get up early in the morning for breakfast as you view the stunning savanna prior setting off for wildlife viewing at 7:00am. After you will embark on a game drive in the Kasenyi tracks and the Queen’s mile in the vast savanna plains of Queen Elizabeth National Pak that lies flat on the Albertine Rift floor. This Uganda tour offers you a chance to view the African elephants, Cape buffaloes, topi, leopards, warthogs, hyena, lions, water bucks, side striped jackals and many more and not to leave out several birdlife including the martial eagle, African skimmer, Chapin’s flycatcher, black rumped buttonquail, pink backed pelican, white tailed lark, black bee eater, white wing warbler, verreaux’s eagle owl and many more.
After you will return to the lodge for rest and lunch and later set off for Mweya jetty for an afternoon Kazinga channel boat cruise at 2:00pm. This will take you about 2 hours along the Kazinga channel that stretches from Lake George to Lake Edward covering about 45 kilometers. The boat cruise along this channel gives you a chance to view several hippos, about 550 resident and migrant birdlife, as well as crocodiles. After you will return as you enjoy the wildlife sighting along the channel track and then connect to the lodge for rest, dinner and overnight stay in the previous lodge.
Meal Plan: FB
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, game drive in Ishasha area in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Following breakfast at the lodge of your choice, you will set off for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park either Ruhija or Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo sector based on where you wish to trek the mountain gorillas. The drive takes you via the Ishasha area in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you spend some time driving in its rolling plains marked by several fig trees as you look out for the spectacular tree climbing lions and other wildlife as well view the coffee plantations en route.The short trees with overlying branches in the Ishasha offer the perfect site for viewing he tree climbing lions compared to any other area in the world. After proceed to local communities of Kanungu for coffee plantation tour to learn more on the traditional coffee cultivation practices its cultural attachment to the local residents and its value to the local community and later continue to Bwindi and check in the lodge for rest dinner and overnight stay at:
Luxury Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge,
Midrange Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Gorilla Resort
Budget Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp.
Meal Plan: FB.
Day 4: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for an evening boat Ride.
Following breakfast, you will set off for an early morning briefing at the park headquarters where the park official will be explaining to you the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. The trek can be 2 to eight hours but this depends on your speed, location of gorilla group assigned to you and nature of the terrain. You will have an hour of face to face encounter with these apes and after drive back to the starting area and transfer to the beginning point where you will set off for Lake Bunyonyi as you enjoy the stunning scenic landscape. Arrive at Lake Bunyonyi in the afternoon for dinner and overnight stay at
Luxury Accommodation: Bird nest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort.
Midrange Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort.
Budget Accommodation: Byoona Amagara Island.
Meal Plan: FB
Day 5: Return from Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala
Following breakfast, you will set off for Kampala about 437 kilometers approximately seven hours’ drive. You will drive via the magical highlands of Kigezi that comes with mist in the morning prior proceeding through the stunning southwest Uganda landscapes of Ntungamo with extensive banana plantation and cattle farms. You will have a lunch stopover at Igongo cultural Centre and another can be at the Equator crossing Kayabwe where you get a memorabilia to take with you.
END OF TOUR
What is Included.