A Fun-filled Week To See
See The Best of Uganda
- 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
- Park / Activity Fees
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Personal travel insurance
- Services not specifically stated in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Visa fees
7 Days Uganda At Glance Safari Adventure
Quick Overview
This Uganda at glance safari will take you to Kibale Forest National Park for enlightening encounters with Chimps and other primates. You will then go to Queen Elizabeth National Park for some classic wildlife sightings of elephants, buffaloes, and lions among many others.
After you explore Queen Elizabeth, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where you will track mountain gorillas in their thick and forested natural habitat. From Bwindi, you will go to Lake Mburo National Park for animals like zebra, Eland, and some special bird species.
The rich and diverse wildlife and natural beauty of all these places will offer you some outstanding photographic opportunities.
Highlights
Destinations: Entebbe, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Mburo National Park
Activities: Chimpanzee tracking, Game drives, Boat Cruise, Gorilla trekking, Nature walk.
- Day 1
- Day 2:
- Day 3:
- Day 4:
- Day 5:
- Day 6:
- Day 7:
Arrival in Uganda, Drive to Kibale 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 Kibale National Park through Fort Portal town.
Along the way, you will pass many small towns, farms and tea plantations that define this beautiful part of Uganda. You will pass through Fort Portal Town to the nearby Kibale National Park where you will stay for the night.
Accommodation
- Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
- Midrange: Primate Lodge
- Luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale, Drive to Queen Elizabeth N.P
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.
After your chimpanzee experience, you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will enjoy a unique 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and many animals may be seen drinking at the water’s edge. This launch cruise offers an excellent opportunity for photography, bird watching, and game viewing.
Accommodation
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp
- Midrange: Marafiki Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Lodge
Morning Game drive, Drive to Ishasha & evening game drive
Early in the morning, you will set out for a game drive. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife.
Safari game drives in this park, with the Rwenzori Mountains as a backdrop, provide excellent opportunities to see lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, buffalos, elephants, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, and hippos among others.
In the afternoon you will drive to the Ishasha sector of the park where you will look for tree-climbing lions. You will then check in at the lodge for the night.
Accommodation
- Budget: At the River Ishasha
- Mid-range: Enjojo Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Game drive in Ishasha, Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early morning game drive in Ishasha, you will set out for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Drive through the “Switzerland of Africa” area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi.
You will proceed to your accommodation located just outside of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – The home of Mountain Gorillas.
Accommodation
- Budget: Gorilla Valley Lodge
- Mid-range: Ichumbi Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi, Drive to Lake Bunyonyi
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
- Budget: Bunyonyi Overland Camp
- Midrange: Arcadia Cottages
- Luxury: Birdnest Resort
Drive to Lake Mburo N.P, Evening Game drive
After an breakfast, you will leave Lake Bunyonyi and drive to Lake Mburo National Park. You will have lunch in Mbarara town and continue to the park - reaching just in time for an evening game drive.
The park is well known for zebras but you will also see elands, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes and many species antelopes. Birders will enjoy some of the 250 species of birds found in Lake Mburo National Park.
After the game drive, you will go to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
- Budget: Arcadia Cottages – Lake Mburo
- Mid-range: Rwakobo Rock
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning Nature Walk, Drive to Entebbe - departure
For the last day of this Uganda at a glance safari, 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.
