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5 days Gorilla Tracking and Wildlife Safari in Uganda
Quick Overview
This 5 day Gorilla tracking and wildlife safari takes you to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi, as well as zebras and other wildlife in Lake Mburo National Park.
Starting off in Entebbe, you will have a little time to explore Entebbe or Kampala for your grounding of Uganda, and the you will do to Bwindi for your gorilla trekking experience. You will go into the forest to look for gorillas, and then spend 1 hour with them before returning to your lodge.
From Bwindi, you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park where you will enjoy wildlife viewing on a game drive, a boat cruise and a guided walking safari. Here you will see many animals, especially the zebras, giraffes and elands which this park is known for – and then head back to Kampala.
This safari is designed to suit the traveler who has limited time, but wants to see gorillas and Savannah wildlife in Uganda. This, and all our safaris can be customized to better suit your wishes and schedule.
Highlights
Destinations: Entebbe, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Mburo National Park
Activities: City Tour, Gorilla Trekking, Cultural Encounter, Wildlife safari game drive, boat safari
- Day 1:
- Day 2:
- Day 3:
- Day 4:
- Day 5:
Arrival in Uganda. Sightseeing in Entebbe
Today you will arrive at Entebbe airport in the morning. After completion of your emigrations formalities, you will be welcomed by your safari guide who will drive you to your accommodation only 10 minutes from the airport. Later in the afternoon, you may have an optional city tour of Entebbe town. Entebbe was the colonialists’ administrative center and has many buildings that date over half a century ago. You may opt to visit Entebbe botanical gardens, Uganda Wildlife Education centre (Entebbe Zoo) or take a biking tour to visit the landmarks of the city. You may also choose a boat ride to Ngamba islands sanctuary to visit rescued chimpanzees in the afternoon. These activities can be booked be upon arrival in Entebbe.
Accommodation: The Boma
Meal plan: Breakfast, -, -
Drive (fly) to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Early in the morning you will be transferred to Entebbe airport where you will take a flight to Kisoro airstrip where you shall be received by your safari guide. The flight departs Entebbe at 07:00hr and lands in Kisoro at 08:15hr. You will drive through the beautiful Ugandan countryside to the ancient rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. On the way to the mountainous south-western region of Uganda, you will drive through terraced hillsides dotted with traditional settlements. Expect to arrive at our picturesque accommodation on the edge of the forest before lunch.
Clients travelling by road from Entebbe will set off at exactly 7am and will take a lunch stop along the way. They shall arrive in Bwindi in the evening. The road journey takes 8-9 hours. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a magnificent green swathe of dense rainforest and is one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth. It is a habitat for nearly 350 birds’ species, 120 mammals and other insect species. The park is home to the endangered mountain Gorillas. In the evening you may take an optional guided tour of the Batwa communities in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable N.P
Begin your gorilla trek in the early morning, and set off into the tangled and mist-shrouded forests with guides and trackers who are very experienced at locating the gorillas by finding the nest the family had used the previous night. Watching gorillas in their natural habitat is a memory that will last a lifetime. The experienced ranger guides will willingly share with you a lot of information about history and lifestyle of the Gorillas. After spending an hour with the gorillas we head back to the lodge and relax.
Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Lake Mburo National Park, game drive and evening boat ride
After an early breakfast, you will and drive to Lake Mburo National Park. You will have lunch along the way and also enjoy more photography stops. Enjoy an evening game drive on your way into the park. Drive along the Lake and stand chance to see herds of zebra, Cape buffalo and eland. Birdwatchers will enjoy some of the 250 species of birds found in Lake Mburo including Papyrus Gonolek, Brown faced Lapwing, Carruther's Cisticola and White winged Warbler. You will drive to Lake Mburo where you will take a boat ride before retiring to your lodge.
Lake Mburo National Park is a compact gem, located conveniently close to the highway that connects Kampala to the parks of western Uganda. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks and underlain by ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks which date back more than 500 million years. It is home to 350 bird species as well as zebra, impala, eland, buffalo, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, leopard, hippo, hyena, topi and reedbuck. Together with 13 other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo forms part of a 50km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. Five of these lakes lie within the park’s borders.
Accommodation: Kigambira Safari Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning nature walk, return to Entebbe and departure
Early in the morning you will proceed for a morning nature walk under the escort of an armed ranger. Enjoy the sights of animals including close encounters with herds of Zebra and antelopes. You will return to the lodge for breakfast and later depart for Entebbe where you will take your flight to your next destination. There will also be time to stop at the equator for photographs and lunch.
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.
