11 Days Luxury Small group Uganda Gorillas & Beyond Journey
Explore the “Pearl of Africa” from the banks of the Nile to the deepest reaches of the rainforest, blazing a trail through the mists of Uganda’s waterfalls and evergreen rainforests, and tracking chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions and endangered mountain gorillas along the way.
Detailed itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Karibu Uganda !
As you arrive at Entebbe Airport, a warm welcome awaits from a Nyumbu Beyond Journeys safari guide. Your journey begins as they transfer you away to the tranquil oasis of Hotel in Entebbe. This elegant retreat is the perfect place to rest and rejuvenate, with its serene atmosphere and understated luxury, offering a prelude to the wonders that lie ahead. Overnight at the hotel, where the sounds of nature and a delicious breakfast prepare you for the adventure of a lifetime.
DAY 2: Transfer to Murchison falls & Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After breakfast, embark on the ultimate rhino tracking on a walking safari at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Here you will track the endangered white rhinos that have been reintroduced to the country after an absence of about 20 years. Continue to Murchison Falls Park, the largest well-protected wildlife area in Uganda, covering 3,840 km2 and home to an abundance of wildlife. Excursion to the top of the falls, a point that marks one of the wonders of the Nile. You will see the Nile snaking through a narrow gorge 7 meters long and over a kilometers wide and falling below with a thunderous roar, forming a spray of water flanked by a breathtaking rainbow.
DAY 3: Guided game drives & Nile Delta Cruise
Have your breakfast, then depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest national park. Be on the lookout for wildlife including lions and leopards (though hard to spot) among others. For any birder, there are quite a number of birds to sight during the drive. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. If interested, you may opt for an optional hot-air balloon safari at an extra cost.
After lunch, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls where you will also be able to catch sight of more animals including hippos, crocodiles and several water birds. Continue with a hike (if you like) to the top of the falls. The hike may be a strenuous one but the thrill of reaching the top is unforgettable. Miss it only if you must. Return to your accommodation and have a relaxed evening.
DAY 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park
After breakfast at your accommodation, depart right away for Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic. You’ll pass through villages, lush green countryside and hills dotted with tea plantations that characterize this part of Uganda. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way.
Kibale National Park is popular for its primates like chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and Uganda mangabey (Lophocebus ugandae). While on your chimpanzee trails, you will see them swinging in the forest trees and others feeding on the wild fruits. You will reach your accommodation and do little but check in, have dinner, and an overnight rest
DAY 5: Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi Community walk
After breakfast ,drive early for an exhilarating trek into the Kibale Forest, the world-renowned primate capital. The air is thick with anticipation as you venture deep into the forest, where the chorus of hooting chimpanzees fills the canopy above. Suddenly, there they are, swinging gracefully between the trees, their energy palpable. Watching these intelligent creatures in their natural habitat is a moment that will stay with you forever.
In the afternoon, wander through the Bigodi Wetland, a paradise for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts. With luck, you’ll spot the elusive red colobus monkeys or the sitatunga antelope, as well as stunning birds like the great blue turaco. You will overnight at the Lodge, where the magic of the forest lingers.
Kibale Forest is home to 11 species of primates, including chimpanzee and mangabey, and 300 types of birds. Rise early for the start of your chimpanzee trek, listening to the forest’s silence as you go. Return to your lodge for the rest of the evening at leisure.
DAY 6: Crater drive & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
A tasty breakfast will be served before departing from the lodge to drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive will be short but very scenic with captivating scenery: the crater lakes, lush green hills, waterways and the Rwenzori mountain ranges. You will take a short introductory drive through the park to your lodge.
DAY 7: Guided game drives and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Wake up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive to the Kasenyi plains and be on the lookout for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus the big cats like lions and leopards (though hard to spot), among others. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch.
After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds on the water shores. You will have dinner and overnight at your accommodation.
Keep exploring, watching for tree-climbing lions, a sight seldom seen elsewhere in Africa. Then, toast your safari with a Scenic Sundowner.
DAY 8: Transfer game drive in Ishasha to Bwindi impenetrable Forest
Set out for a morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Make your way out of the Rift Valley through the Kigezi Highlands and on to the mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70%, though sometimes they are hard to spot, especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey. Hoping you get the chance to spot them, the sight will be spectacular!
Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is a big habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda, harboring an estimated 400 mountain gorillas (roughly half of the world’s population). It includes several habituated groups which you will trek. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check in at your accommodation, and relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla-trekking experience the following day.
DAY 9: Mountain Gorilla trekking & Visit the Batwa Cultural Community
This morning we will set out in anticipation for the most challenging and rewarding journey so far Gorilla tracking may mean a brief hike or hours of burrowing into thick forests behind a seasoned tracker. But the difficulty of the hike fades into awe when we finally enter the presence of these indomitable primates as they hug, tussle, and play in the intimacy of their home. See mothers keeping infants close as they knucklewalk on three limbs. Watch scampering toddlers reined in by an attentive father.
Return from this incredible adventure and set out for another with the Pygmies of Ituri Forest called the Batwa people. Get a close encounter with this unique group of people.
DAY 10: Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience & Relaxing at the lodge
This day is dedicated to the habituation experience of the endangered mountain gorillas. Wake up very early for breakfast and get ready for the habituation trek which will last for about 4 hours after spotting the gorilla group. With your packed lunch, rain gear and drinking water, proceed to the park headquarters for the general briefing conducted by the chief ranger. Choose walking poles, hire a porter (not mandatory) and head up into the forest following your guide and the rangers who will lead you to the place where the gorillas were last seen the previous evening so that you can start observing them. This can take from 1 to several hours of walking through physically demanding terrain. Follow and photograph the gorillas for an hour after finding them. Depart the forest and transfer to the Kisoro – Lake Mutanda area where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Check in at the lodge and relax in the rest of the day.
DAY 11: Fly from Kisoro into Entebbe & Depart back home
Fly to Entebbe and return to your hotel, where a dayroom awaits until your international flight home.
End of 11 Days Luxury Small group Uganda Gorillas & Beyond Journey