2 Wild & Gratifying Weeks The Savannah Big-5, Chimpanzees, Gorillas & More
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Gallery
- Similar Safaris
- Notes & Packing
What's included
- 1 Chimp tracking permit per person
- 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person
- Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Ground transportation in 4WD safari car
- Meals indicated in the itinerary
- Park / Activity Fees
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Personal travel insurance
- Services not specifically stated in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Visa fees
14 Days Best of Uganda Wildlife Gorilla Safari
Quick Overview
This Uganda Wildlife Gorilla Safari takes you on a 2 week adventure in Uganda to see the big-5 (elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffaloes), as well as our close animal cousins – chimps and gorillas.
The safari starts in Kampala and goes to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a walking safari with Rhinos, and then continues to Murchison Falls for more wildlife and the Nile. We shall then go to Kibale National Park – the primate capital of the world – for a chance to see chimpanzees and other primates in the forest.
We continue on to Queen Elizabeth N.P for more Savannah wildlife and another epic boat cruise to see schools of hippos, before going to Bwindi. In Bwindi, you will track gorillas and spend 1 hour with them deep in the forest.
You will then go to Mgahinga for one more time to see the gorillas, after which you rest on the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi. After Bunyonyi, you will go to Lake Mburo National park for some more wildlife in the Savannah – especially the zebras and giraffes – and then return to Kampala where your safari will end.
Join us on this safari for a fun-filled discovery trip in the wild, where you will have the opportunity to see a wide variety of Uganda’s game animals. By the end of the trip, you will have encountered so many of these fascinating creatures that they will become a common sight to you.
Highlights
Destinations: Kampala, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo National Park.
Activities: Game drives, Boat cruises, Chimpanzee tracking, Gorilla trekking, Nature Walks, Community visits.
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Drive to Murchison Falls NP
Meet and greet at 7 am in Kampala or Entebbe, and then transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Driving to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary will take around 3 hours, and this is where you will enjoy a walking safari with rhinos. The sanctuary was established to reintroduce rhinos in Uganda's wild areas - and give them a truly wild ecosystem where they roam free.
After seeing the rhinos, you will continue to the nearby Masindi town for lunch, and then continue to Murchison Falls National Park.
You will reach Murchison Falls with enough time to visit the top of the falls and enjoy the golden hour. Here you will get to see the waters of the Nile as they squeeze through a narrow 7-metre gap to produce the world's strongest falls. You will be feeling the strength of the falls from under your feet.
After your first moment with the falls and some photography, you will go to your lodge for relaxation and an overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Budget: Heritage Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Kabalega Wilderness Lodge
- Luxury: Bakers’ Lodge
Game drive, Afternoon Boatride to the falls
You will start the day early with breakfast and the go for your wildlife game drive. During the game drive, you will see many animals, such as giraffes, antelopes, lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, hippos and hundreds of bird species.
The game drive takes a couple of hours, after which you return to the lodge for a break and lunch.
After lunch, you will go for a boat safari upstream of the calm Victoria Nile. En route, marvel at the toothsome hippos and crocodiles and over this 17 km stretch where you may also see elephants, waterbuck and Uganda Kob besides the Nile.
This is also a zone of many bird species like the Goliath heron, Egyptian goose, pelican bee-eater, kingfisher, hornbill, cormorant and the rare shoebill stork. The boat will stop just a few metres from the sinister, frothing and bubbling base of the falls.
You will then return to the starting point, and this time the water's direction will make the cruise take half the time. Your guide will be waiting to take you back to the lodge.
Accommodation
- Budget: Heritage Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Kabalega Wilderness Lodge
- Luxury: Bakers’ Lodge
Drive to Kibale National Park via Hoima
After your breakfast, you will leave Murchison Falls and drive south to Fort Portal Town. This drive will take you around 5 hours through lush countryside, farms and small towns.
You will reach Fort Portal in time for lunch after which you will proceed for 30 minutes to your lodge near Kibale National Park.
Accommodation
- Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
- Midrange: Primate Lodge
- Luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale NP
After breakfast, you will go for a chimp tracking briefing by the park officials and then proceed to start your search for chimpanzees in the forest.
The tracking is led by an experienced ranger who will provide detailed information about the chimps, other primates and the entire ecosystem of the forests - making your walk enjoyable and insightful.
Upon meeting the chimpanzees, you will spend about 1 hour with them before heading back to the starting point of your hike. The whole experience takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on the pace of the group and the movement of the chimps.
In the afternoon you will visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to see smaller mammals and primates - such as the rare red colobus monkey and the sitatunga. The guide circular trail offers great opportunities to see up to 6 primate species and many birds in a short period.
Accommodation
- Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
- Midrange: Primate Lodge
- Luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge
Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP, Afternoon Boatcruise
In the morning, you will leave Kibale and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, 2 hours away.
You will reach Queen Elizabeth in time for a game drive in the park and lunch.
Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain range for much of the journey. A game drive en-route may be rewarded with views of lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena, and a variety of antelope species.
In the evening, you will go for a relaxing 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel - and into Lake Edward. This will take you through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and many animals will be seen drinking at the water's edge. The launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing.
Accommodation
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp
- Midrange: Marafiki Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Lodge
Morning & Afternoon safari game drives
Today, you will get to explore the park's expanse by enjoying two game drives. Queen Elizabeth National Park's diverse eco-systems of grassy plains, tropical forests, rivers, swamps, lakes, and volcanic craters, home to an incredible abundance of wildlife.
Game drives in this park provide an excellent opportunity to see lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, buffalo, elephants, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, hyenas, and hippos.
These two game drives are a great of discovering the abundant wildlife, birds and stunning landscapes in Uganda's most popular safari park.
Accommodation
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp
- Midrange: Marafiki Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Lodge
Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Today, you will leave Queen Elizabeth and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Driving from the hot rift valley floor to the high altitude Kigezi highlands is quite the experience. From the steep (and yet cultivated) hills with winding roads, you will attest to why many people refer to Kigezi as the 'Switzerland of Africa'.
In Bwindi, the temperatures will be much cooler (even cold) and you will check into your accommodation. You can relax around the lodge or take a leisurely visit to the nearby communities to meet the locals and interact.
You will rest for the night as you have to wake up early the next day for gorilla tracking.
Accommodation
- Budget: Buhoma Rest Camp
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the park offices for a briefing about gorilla trekking. After the briefing, you will be assigned the gorilla family and experienced ranger guide to lead your gorilla tracking experience.
The rangers are experienced and know the forest very well and will lead your hike to see the gorillas. Your hike goes through dense untamed rain forest, steep slopes and simple trails and it can take 2-8 hours depending on how the gorillas move around.
During your gorilla trek, the rangers will share a lot of information and insights about the gorillas and the forest. You can ask any questions you have and they will answer you.
Upon meeting the gorillas, you will spend 1 hour with them, watching them play, eat, groom and go about their day. You will ask more questions, get to take pictures and take in the moment of peace among the gorillas.
After your time with gorillas, you will hike back to the starting point for your gorilla trekking certificate.
You will go back to the lodge to refresh and relax for the rest of the day.
Accommodation
- Budget: Buhoma Rest Camp
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge
Drive from Bwindi To Mgahinga Gorilla N.P
After breakfast, you will leave Bwindi and transfer to the nearby Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mgahinga is nearby and you will have a lovely drive to enjoy the stunning views on your way. You will reach the lodge in time for lunch and an afternoon of rest and relaxation.
Accommodation
Travellers Rest Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga NP
Today is another day for you to see gorillas in the wild, but this time in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
While the briefing and trekking procedures are similar to those of Bwindi which you have already experienced, the terrain is different and the gorillas are totally different too.
The terrain in Mgahinga is a bit easier than that of Bwindi, and the bamboo forests give even better opportunities for photography.
After spending 1 hour with the gorillas, you will come down the mountain and back to your lodge for some time to relax and rest.
Accommodation
- Budget: Travellers Rest Hotel
- Midrange: Mutanda Lake Resort
- Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Lake Bunyonyi, Relax
After breakfast, you will leave Mgahinga to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale - some 2 hours away.
Lake Bunyonyi is a popular destination for relaxing and you will reach in time for lunch - the rest of the day being free for relaxation.
Accommodation
- Budget: Bunyonyi Overland Camp
- Midrange: Arcadia Cottages
- Luxury: Birdnest Resort
Drive to Lake Mburo N.P, Boat Cruise
After breakfast, you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park. You will drive through the countryside, descending from the highlands of Kabale to the lower areas Ntungamo and Mbarara.
You will stop for lunch in Mbarara and then continue to Lake Mburo National park, reaching in time for a boat cruise around the lake for a view of hippos, crocodiles and other animals and birds around the shores.
From the boat, you will have a short game drive as you head to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Budget: Mpogo Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Marafiki Lodge
- Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Morning Game drive & guided walk, Ankole
After breakfast, proceed for a game drive and a safari walk under the escort of an armed ranger.
Among the animals you will see in Lake Mburo are zebras, giraffes, antelopes, elands, buffaloes, hippos, hyenas and over 100 species of birds.
The leisurely pace of a walking safari also provides excellent opportunities for the keen photographer.
Due to cattle herding in the area, it is amusing to see zebra grazing alongside the long-horned Ankole Cattle.
In the evening, we shall take you to visit the Bahima and their Ankole cattle for first-hand experience in their traditional ways of keeping cattle. From details like naming the cows, milking, grazing and utilizing the animal products, you will learn about the special place these cows hold, and get some hands-on experience from the locals.
After your cattle-keeping experience, you will go to the lodge for overnight and relaxation.
Accommodation
- Budget: Mpogo Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Marafiki Lodge
- Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Guided walking safari, Drive back to Kampala
For the final day, you will have an early start with a guided nature walk under the escort of an armed ranger. Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, with many animals to see and even close encounters with the zebras and giraffes of the park.
You will return to the lodge for breakfast and then transfer to Entebbe for your flight. On the way to Entebbe, you will have enough time to stop for some photography at the equator.
Accommodation
- (X) - Last day
Notes of Chimp & Gorilla Trekking
Here are some important things to know about tracking gorillas or chimps in Uganda and Rwanda.
- Minimum age allowed to track chimps is 12 years old.
- Minimum age allowed to track gorillas is 15 years old.
- Tracking gorillas is quite strenuous and one should be physically fit to best enjoy the experience.
- Anyone with signs of communicable diseases will not be allowed to track chimps or gorillas.
- Maximum time allowed with the gorillas or chimps is 1 hour.
Packing Recommendation
Here are some general safari packing recommendations to consider. Your agreed itinerary will have recommendations based on your trip and schedule.
- Lightweight rain poncho
- Long sleeve shirt
- Sturdy hiking shoes
- Waterproof trousers
- gardening-type gloves
- Sunscreen
- Wide brim hat
- Insect repellent
- Camera with extra batteries and cards
- Your regular medication
- Phone/gadget chargers
Visas for Uganda or Rwanda
Both Rwanda and Uganda have simple to use online visa self-service portals where you can apply and get your visa in a few days. Here are the full articles to guide you about visas.
- Uganda visa requirements and processes for tourist
- Rwanda visa requirements and processes for tourist
Best time to visit Uganda or Rwanda
For most people, it is more pleasant and enjoyable to visit Uganda or Rwanda during the dry season months (June to September and December to February). The general climate is warm and sunny all year round, and you can visit at any time of the year.
If you don't enjoy crowds, the shoulder seasons are ideal since the tourist numbers are lower and the attractions are more intimate to explore.
Safety. Is its safe to visit?
Both Uganda and Rwanda are very safe countries to visit and live in. They are some of Africa's most visited countries and hailed for the friendly locals and warm welcoming smiles.
If you have any safety concerns or specifics your are worried about, simply reach out to us and we'll do everything to help you.
Why Choose Exclusive African Safaris
We are a full service Destination Management Company started and operating in Uganda since 2008. In more than 15 years, we have served guests from all parts of the world and helped them to enjoy wonderful experiences of the wild places, cultures and people in Uganda and Rwanda.
Choosing Exclusive African Safaris, is choosing to go with a trusted company whose wide network, experienced guides and staff will make sure that your safari experience is all that you wanted - and more.
Customizing your safari experience
All our safari packages can be customized and personalized to fit your budget, preferences and schedule. You can start the process through an already existing safari which is speaking to you - but not quite fully, and we shall tailor that trip to your wishes.
You can also directly reach out for us and request for a custom safari, and we shall work closely with you, start from scratch and build a safari that is 100% you.
