On the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Wildlife Safari, you will transfer to Murchison Falls National Park by road via Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to track rhinos, and then proceed to Murchison Falls National Park. You will enjoy a game drive and a boat safari to the base of the falls plus a hike to the top of the falls. Transfer to Kibale for chimpanzee tracking. Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive and a boat ride on the Kazinga channel. Visit Bwindi for gorilla trekking. Return to Kampala.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport,
We begin the African adventure to Uganda!!!
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by our Nyumbu Beyond Journeys and transferred to your hotel. Day at leisure, contact us should you have time for an optional guided day tour. Set on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe is a small town that is easy to explore on foot or local boda bodas. Explore the markets, hunt for souvenirs or crafts, meander through the Botanical Gardens or relax with a boat cruise on Lake Victoria. You’ll find a wide variety of restaurants, bars and clubs where you can sample the local beer, catch a game of football and meet the friendly locals.
Day 2: Rhino tracking & transfer to Murchison falls National Park
Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
After breakfast we will leave for the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, in Nakitoma, located about 4 hours north of the country. Created with the aim of reintroducing the rhino to Uganda, it is the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be observed in their natural habitat.
We will walk with a local English-speaking guide in search of rhinos and, after the visit, we will head towards Masindi where we will have lunch. Once we enter Murchison Falls we will drive to the upper part of Murchison Falls, we will continue our trip to our lodge, within the Murchison Falls National Park, where we will have the rest of the day free.
Day 3: Guided Game drive & Nile Delta Cruise
Murchison Falls National Park is an ode to the senses. An orchard where we can see a large number of mammals and families of predators, as well as aquatic birds of all kinds.
First thing in the morning we will head towards the Nile River to reach the north bank of the park, where we will go on a safari (if we are staying on the south bank, we will have to take a ferry to cross the river).
The landscape is of extraordinary beauty and is full of fauna. Among the most significant species are the large herds of elephants and Rothschild giraffes, lions, buffaloes, Jackson’s hartebeests, oribis, bush antelopes, spotted hyenas and leopards.
We will have lunch at the lodge and, in the afternoon, we will go up the Nile River by boat to the base of Murchison Falls. During the route we will be able to observe hippos, large crocodiles and elephants, as well as a large number of bird species such as the goliath crane, pelicans, bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbills, cormorants and, if we are lucky, the elusive and curious “Pico de shoe” or Shoebill. On this journey we will be accompanied by a local English-speaking guide.
The boat will stop a few meters from the so-called “Devil’s Caldera”, where the Nile falls from a height of 40 meters. If the flow of the river allows it, at this point we will leave the boat and begin a guided walk of approximately one hour to the upper part of the Murchison Falls. In case it is not possible to climb on foot due to the excessive flow of the Nile River, we will have already visited the upper part of the waterfall by car the day before.
We will be able to observe from much closer the spectacular beauty of one of the most powerful natural water flows on earth. If you can make the ascent on foot, our vehicle will be waiting for us at this point to take us back to the lodge (approximately 25 minutes en route).
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park & Visit the Bigodi community
After breakfast we will head towards Kibale Forest National Park, via Hoima (about 8 hours on the road; 329 km). We will cross the beautiful landscape that forms the western arm of the Rift Valley, in the vicinity of Lake Albert. Elongated in shape, about 160 km long and 35 km at its widest part, this lake constitutes one of the sources of the Nile River.
After lunch and a relaxed afternoon we can visit the Sanctuary of the Bigodi swamp area, baptized with the same name. The Sanctuary has 8 species of primates, among which the black and white colobus, red colobus, Mangabey, red tail, vervet, and the L’Hoest’s stand out. In addition, we will be able to see a large number of mammals, more than 200 species of birds, among which the great blue turaco stands out, countless reptiles and a countless variety of trees and bushes. We will be accompanied by a local English-speaking guide.
Day 5: Crater lakes and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have breakfast and head to the rangers’ post where you will receive a briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimp trekking. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the chimps in the Kibale Forest. An experienced ranger guide will take you chimp tracking and you will be left amazed by the presence of primates here. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have a full hour in their presence. You will return to the lodge for lunch and thereafter, you will head out for Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will arrive in the evening and overnight at your booked accommodation.
We will continue our journey towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way we will stop to take photographs at the Ndali Kasenda craters. This area originated during volcanic activity in the great Rift Valley. The landscape is dotted with lakes with turquoise waters.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most popular destinations in the country. Its ecosystems (which include savanna and humid forest) and its diverse fauna are partly to blame.
After checking at your lodge, we will go on a short safari of one or two hours maximum in the Kasenyi area or the Mweya peninsula, as long as it is possible and we have enough time. During this journey we will be able to observe elephants, water bucks, lions, buffaloes, kobs as well as countless birds.
Day 6: Boat Safari & Game Drives in QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
After a sunrise breakfast, embark on a morning game drive, followed by an early lunch at the lodge.
In the afternoon, explore the Kazinga Channel by boat for an opportunity to see the stunning variety of wildlife at the water, including hippos, elephant, and crocodiles. Birdlife in the park includes the African fin foot, Broad-billed roller, Red-chested sunbird, and Yellow-throated cuckoo, among others. Before returning to the lodge for dinner, embark on an evening game drive.
Day 7: The Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha
Drive to the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. A game drive in Ishasha covers a search of the large cats as they lounge in the park’s trees; this is only possible in Uganda & Tanzania. Other species in this area of the park include buffalo, topi, Uganda Kob, baboons, and leopards.
Accommodation: Topi lodge Ishasha
Day 8: Transfer game drive in the Ishasha plains to the Impenetrable Forest
Embark on one last game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to the approximately half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. This ancient forest unfolds over the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, providing breathtaking views and extraordinary viewing opportunities.
In the afternoon, visit with the local Batwa tribe, Uganda’s ancient hunter-gatherer tribe. Later, relax at the Lodge or take a sunset stroll through the area.
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
The hike of a lifetime begins today. After breakfast we will meet the park rangers who will be our guides for the day, and then we will start the trek in search of the exquisite mountain gorillas of Uganda. Trekking can last between three and eight hours total, but once you discover the gorillas, you will be able to spend one unforgettable hour with them. Gorilla trekking begins where the gorillas were last seen the previous day. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the midst of the Impenetrable Forest.
After a successful gorilla trek and being awarded with certificates you travel to lake Bunyonyi to cool off the adventure and relax on the lake, dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 10: Drive to Kampala or Entebbe.
Enjoy a boat ride on the lake Bunyonyi in the morning. Canoe riding is possible since the waters are calm in the morning and bird sighting is magical. On our leisurely drive back, we can have another stopover at the Equator. Transfer to the airport for your flight.