Gorilla trek, chimpanzee trek, Queen Elizabeth National Park, game drives, Ishasha, boat cruise on Kazinga Channel, Lake Bunyoni, dug out canoe trip, Lake Mburo, guided wild animal walk, and the Equator.
Uganda, the "Pearl of Africa", is home to the highest mountain range in Africa, the Rwenzoris, home to half the gorilla population in the world, diverse wildlife, and over 1000 species of birds.
Safari includes accommodations, meals as indicated, Mountain Gorilla permits ($500 US), park entry fees, game drives, boat cruise, chimpanzee permits, dug out canoe trip, ranger fees, guided wild animal walk, return ground transport, and services of driver/guide. Not included are tips, souvenirs, all beverages and items of a personal nature. Note that at times during high season, gorilla permits may not be available in Uganda and we may need to take you into Rwanda, in which case the itinerary and price will change.
This trip can start and finish in Jinja, Kampala or Entebbe (Uganda).
Safari Grading: Moderate to Difficult – mountain gorilla trekking conditions can be hard and the length of trek can be anything from 3 to 10 hours. You will need a good level of fitness and mobility.
Safari Itinerary
Day 1
After and early start, we pause for supplies in Kampala before heading west towards the town of Mbarara where we stop for lunch. From here we take the road to Kasese which runs straight through the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Driving down the plateau we are given breathtaking views which sweep before us, of not only the park, but the Rwenzori Mountains which loom in the background. Before the afternoon light fades we make the most of the game driving opportunities before heading to our accommodation.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: LD
Day 2
This morning we drive to Kyambura Gorge for your chimp trekking where you head off for a guided trek through the densely covered and beautiful gorge in search of man's closest relative, the chimpanzee. The sounds of the chimps carry through the forest very clearly, so approaching and watching these creatures in their natural habitat is a fantastic wildlife viewing experience. After lunch we take the boat launch on the Kazinga Channel where hippos, crocodiles, elephants and buffalo will be in great abundance either at the water's edege, or alongside your boat! We return to our accommodation in time for a well deserved sundowner.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: BLD
Day 3
The next morning we are up with the sun to make the most of the early dawn game viewing. Here you can hope to spot all of the game which Africa is famous for - lions, elephants, leopard, buffalo and many different species of antelope and birdlife. Queen Elizabeth has the most recorded species of bird (over 650) of any national park within East Africa. In the afternoon we drive south into the remote, but fascinating area of the park known as Ishasha, where we search the vast fig trees for the infamous tree climbing lions. For those on our lodge safari we will spend the night at Ishasha's Wilderness Camp. For those of you on our budget safari, we return to our accommodation on the rim of the park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: BLD
Day 4
Today we continue our drive south west where winding roads lead through tiered agricultural lands and take us to the misty mountains of the gorillas. We will spend the night on the edge of the Mountain Gorillas natural habitat.
Mountain Gorillas - accommodation depends on where you trek
Meals: BLD
Day 5
Rise with the sun in order to eat a good breakfast, followed by a meeting with a ranger guide before setting off into the gorilla sanctuary. The rain forest landscape is steep and densely forested, but criss-crossed with animal trails allowing access to tourists. The trek to find the earth's greatest primate can take up to a full day, but the thrill of discovering this gentle giant in it's own habitat is rated as one of Africa's best wildlife watching opportunities. By the time you return to camp your memories will be embedded in your mind forever.
Mountain Gorillas - accommodation depends on where you trek
Meals: BLD
Day 6
Today we leave the mountains behind and drive through the twisted and winding roads before emerging onto the lower thorn and savannah scrub lands of Lake Mburo National Park. Zebra, buffalo, Ugandan Kob and plenty of other species abound in this beautiful park, where you either stay in the stunning lodge built atop a kopje with incredible views across the park, or in the National Park bandas, down by the lake, where hippos usually come and graze close by.
Lake Mburo NP
Meals: BLD
Day 7
This morning we are going to take a walking safari, complete with a ranger, so we can get up close and personal on ground level to the many animals that roam within the park. Later we stop for lunch and a cappuccino at the Equator, giving you plenty of time to shop for crafts and watch the local water demonstration of the different gravitational pulls! Afterwards we continue our drive arriving at your destination by late afternoon or early evening.
Meals: BL
Pricing based on double occupancy per person rate in USD.
