See chimps, savannah wildlife & gorillas on a budget
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Gallery
- Similar Safaris
- Notes & Packing
What's included
- 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
5 Days Budget Game and Gorilla Tour
Quick Overview
Embark on this 5 day budget game and gorilla tour of Uganda to visit 2 of Uganda’s most popular tourist attractions and see Savannah wildlife, chimps and gorillas.
Starting in Entebbe, you will go to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will see chimpanzees in Kyambura, go on game drives and a boat cruise to see elephants, hippos, buffaloes, lions, leopards, antelopes, crocodiles and hundreds of colorful birds.
You will pass through the Ishasha sector for some tree climbing lions, and then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National where you will do gorilla trekking the next day. From the gorillas you visit Lake Bunyonyi for some relaxation and then drive back to Entebbe – ending this epic 5 day adventure tour of Uganda.
Highlights
- Destinations: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Activities: Chimpanzee tracking, Game drives, Boat Cruise, Gorilla trekking, Nature walk.
- Day 1:
- Day 2:
- Day 3:
- Day 4:
- Day 5:
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today you will arrive at Entebbe International Airport in the morning and your safari guide will be ready to welcome you to Uganda. After finalizing with the emigration formalities, you will start on your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda.
Along the way, you will stop briefly at the equator for photo opportunities and then continue on your way. You will arrive late in the evening, and check in at the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chimpanzee Tracking, Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
We shall start the day early by going to the Kyambura Gorge of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will hike through a tropical forest looking for chimpanzees and other primates. Spend around 1 hour with the chimps and then go back to the lodge for lunch.
After lunch, you will enjoy the relaxing 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel- and into Lake Edward. This takes 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: Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable NP via Ishasha
After an early breakfast, you will start your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - home of Mountain Gorillas. You will pass through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth N.P where you will have a game drive in search of tree climbing lions.
From Ishasha, you will drive through the terraced Kigezi highlands and arrive at your accommodation in Bwindi in the evening. After check-in, have dinner and rest early as you prepare gorillas the next day.
- Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable N.P, Drive to Lake Bunyonyi
Begin your gorilla trek in the early morning, and set off into the tangled and mist-shr
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 rainforest, 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 then transfer from Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi where you will spend the night. Depending on the time when you are done with the gorilla trek, you might have time for an optional community visit before leaving Bwindi.
- Accommodation: Arcadia Cottages
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Return to Entebbe, Departure
Leaving Bunyonyi in the morning, you will drive back to Kampala/Entebbe with stops along the way for lunch and photography. Expect to reach Kampala/Entebbe in the evening.
Your safari guide will take you to the airport for your flight back home. He/she can also drop you at your accommodation should you be staying in Uganda bit longer.
This will mark the end of your safari trip.
- Accommodation: None - Last Day
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, -
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.
