The overview of the safari
This 8-day Uganda wildlife and Gorilla trekking safari tour begins and ends in Kampala and takes you to explore the great Murchison falls national park Uganda’s biggest national park doing rhino tracking on your way to the park, game drives, boat cruise on the Nile, explore the nature walks in Kibale national park, Queen Elizabeth national to see tree climbing lions, a boat ride along Kazinga channel a transfer to Bwindi forest national park for yet another thrilling activity Gorilla trekking and conclude with a lake Bunyonyi visit to see some of the iconic and traditional Islands there
The highlights of 8 Days Gorilla Trekking and wildlife safari
- Scenic drive to the Northeast of Uganda
- White Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Unlimited game drives
- Boat ride at the bottom of Murchison Falls
- Nature walk in Bigodi village
- A visit to Amabere caves
- Boat ride along Kazinga channel
- Gorilla trekking
- Exploration of famous Islands in Lake Bunyonyi
The detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup from Pre hotel and transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with end-route Rhino tracking
On this day, you will be picked up by our driver guide from your lodge or residential area in the morning, briefed about the safari, and then proceed on a 5-6 hour journey of around 285 kilometers. You will stop at Ziwa rhino sanctuary to do white rhino tracking, have lunch at the sanctuary’s restaurant, and take a short rest before continuing the journey to Murchison Falls National Park. Upon arrival, you will enter the national park via Kichumbanyobo gate in Masindi town, check into your lodge to freshen up, have dinner, and sleep the night away.
Meal Plan: All meals are included
Day 2: Morning game drive at Murchison Park and afternoon boat cruise at the bottom of the falls
After an early breakfast, set out with the park’s rangers for an early morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, exploring the scenic savannah grasslands on the park’s northern section while watching the beautiful sunrise and strolling around in search of Lions, Elephants, Buffalos, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Uganda Kob, Oribi, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Leopard, Hyena, Giraffe, and Hippos. Pel’s Diving Owl, saddle-billed Stork, Goliath Heron, Ground Hornbill, Great Blue Turaco, and a unique prehistoric-looking shoebill Stork are all possible sightings. After many hours of superb wildlife viewing, return to the lodge for rest and lunch.
After lunch, take a three-hour boat ride down the Nile, where you’ll see massive crocodiles slide beneath the waves as hippo pods grunt and jostle. Numerous water birds can be observed before coming to recuperate a little distance from the falls’ bottom. The Nile squeezes through a 7-meter-wide gap before bursting into one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls. After a thrilling boat ride, return to your accommodation for dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Day 3: Leave Murchison National Park and transfer to Kibale National Park
On this day, you will get up early for breakfast and then embark on a journey of 305 km that will take approximately 6 -7 hours to complete via the Kyenjojo to Hoima route to Fort Portal to Kibale National Park. Make a lunch stop in Fort Portal. Arrive late at night in Kibale National Park and settle into the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Day 4: A visit to Amabere Caves, a nature walk, and a transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
After having an early breakfast go on a visit to explore the Amabere caves, the name AmabereGa Nyina Mwiru translates as “Breasts of Nyinamwiru,” with Nyinamwiru being the daughter of a local usurper monarch who allegedly had her breasts removed in order to make her less desirable to men. The monarch, Bukuku of Toro, then hid her in the cave after this very dramatic scheme failed. With her allure still intact, she fell pregnant by the Batembuzi King Isaza and gave birth to their son, Ndahura. She utilized what appeared to be milk pouring from the stalactites, which appeared milky due to its calcium content because she was unable to breastfeed the infant herself, you will hear these stories from the locals, and in the afternoon you will go for a guided cultural walk in Bigodi village. Following the village path and visiting a primary school, traditional homesteads, and listening to the story-telling of mzees (elderly men).
After the Bigodi walks, you will travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a 3-hour drive from Fort Portal, with an opportunity to take pictures at the equator. You will arrive at the park in the evening to check into the lodge for dinner and a night’s stay.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Day 5: Morning game drive and afternoon Boat cruise along Kazinga channel
After a cup of coffee, you leave for an early game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. An early start increases the likelihood of catching those tricky nocturnal predators before they retire to their hideouts. Lions, Leopards, Hyenas, Buffaloes, Elephants, Uganda Kob, Warthogs, Baboons, Jackals, Waterbucks, Bushbucks, and grazing Hippos can all be seen. The game viewing will last approximately four hours before returning to your accommodation for leisure and lunch.
After lunch, do a 2 to 3-hour boat tour on the Kazinga channel, a 32km long natural channel between Lake Edward and George that is home to Hippos, Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, and Buffalos. Elephants and antelopes frequently come down to cool off, drink, and eat the fresh grass beside the channel. The Channel is a veritable bird magnet! Among the most frequent and visible species are Pied and Malachite Kingfishers, African Fish Eagles, Cormorants, Skimmers, Saddle-billed Storks, and Pelicans. Return to your lodge for dinner, leisure, and the night after the boat ride.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable National park via Ishasha sector to watch tree-climbing lions
After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park’s southern sector (ishasha sector) for a wildlife drive in quest of rare tree-climbing lions who spend long leisurely days dozing on the lovely fig trees. After a short game drive, continue a drive of about 3 to 4 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, where you arrive to check in at the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and afternoon transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Get an early breakfast as you will be transferred to park headquarters by 7:30 am. You’ll meet up with the rest of the trekkers for a gorilla family assignment and receive guidance from the rangers on safe gorilla trekking laws and regulations. Eight trekkers can be assigned to one gorilla family. Around 8 a.m., the trek begins through the deep jungle, which is home to endangered monkeys, strange birds, and butterflies. The gorilla trekking in this park can take 2 to 8 hours depending on where the gorillas are located; it can be extremely tough due to the steep trails, humid air, and dense vegetation. But it’s all worth it when you finally come across a family of rare and endangered mountain gorillas eating, playing, grooming, and napping; their mannerisms are so familiar that you feel like you’ve known them your entire life. Seeing the world’s largest living primates in their native habitat is an astonishing and exciting experience. You will spend one hour interacting and observing the gorillas.
After this exciting experience, you will head back to the lodge for some rest, in the evening you will be driven to Lake Bunyonyi which is about 2 hours away from Bwindi national park, and check-in at the hotel for dinner and overnight rest.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Day 8: Morning boat ride in Lake Bunyonyi and transfer back to Kampala
After an early cup of tea, set out for a canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi the beautiful tropical gem of Kigezi Highland where you will be blown away by the beauty and scenery of the lake, you will enjoy a relaxing boat cruise as you explore some of its famous 29 Islands like the Kyahugye island like the kyahugye island where you will find some wildlife including the Zebras, waterbucks, impalas, and Kobs. Visit Akampeine Island a punishment Island where the pregnant unmarried girls were dumped to die and finally, the Bwama and Njuyeera Island-where missionary Dr.Leonard Sharp founded a leper colony, and other Islands. After the boat ride return to the lodge for lunch, then embark on the drive back to Kampala where you will check in the lodge for dinner and a night stay which will bring this safari to a close
Meal plan: All meals are included