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10-day-uganda-vacation-big-5-gorilla-safari

Experience two of Uganda's most remarkable primate encounters on this 5-day adventure. Track playful chimpanzees in the lush Kalinzu Forest, search for the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and enjoy scenic drives through western Uganda's rolling hills, tea plantations, and picturesque countryside. This safari offers the perfect combination of wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable memories.

Day by DayItinerary.

The Pearl of Africa

Uganda

Day 1

Arrival and Transfer

staying at the hotel.

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, a Jounerny Craft Ugndada assigned English-speaking Professional Tour Driver-guide will receive and welcome you to Uganda – the Pearl of Africa. Thereafter, you will transfer to the booked accommodation. You will check in and take your rest – recovering from jet lag, adjusting to time difference. #Optional (Additional costs):  Just in case you reached early and interested in some activity, you may consider; a). excursion to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens to sight a few primates and birds, b). excursion to Mabamba wetland in search of the prehistoric shoebill stork. Otherwise, check in and just take your rest.

Day 2

Travel to Zziwa for an hour of rhino tracking

Proceed to Murchison NP.

There will be breakfast and then we embark on a transfer to Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary – a successful conservation effort that was set to save the near-extinct rhino population in Uganda. Today, visitors to Uganda have a chance to encounter rhinos thanks to this effort. Once in Zziwa, we will proceed for an hour of on-foot rhino tracking. After the rhino tracking, we can enjoy a hot lunch while still in Zziwa and thereafter, hit the road to Murchison Falls NP. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants among others. *Detour to visit the top of the falls and thereafter, we head to the accommodation. *InfoA shallow game drive en route the accommodation is possible.

 

Uganda

Uganda

Day 3

Exploring Murchison NP

Morning and Afternoon game drives

Today you will have a full packed game viewing opportunity in the park. Murchison Falls NP is a home to different wildlife species such as; Buffalos, Jackson hartebeests, elephants, Lions, Giraffes, leopards, Hyenas, among others. They are widely spread all over the Savannah grasslands, grazing or hunting for prey. These make the park’s landscape so amazing for game viewing/game driving. *To avoid the long drive back to the lodge, we can proceed to Red Chilli and enjoy hot lunch there. After the lunch, we can move back for the second leg of our game viewing. After a satisfying day’s encounter, we shall head back to the lodge to freshen up – awaiting dinner and the overnight stay. #Optional (extra cost 35$ pp): If interested, you may consider the 11am boat trip upstream towards the falls. Common sightings along the banks are: Hippos, crocodiles and a few bird species

 

 

Day 4

One more game drive

transfer to the edge of Kibale Forest NP

Enjoy breakfast, check out of the facility and head to explore Murchison in yet another game drive. Be on the look for Murchison’s inhabitants such as; Buffalos, Jackson hartebeests, elephants, Lions, Giraffes, leopards, Hyenas, among others. After a satisfying sighting, we shall embark on a transfer that will see us overnight at edge of Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic – passing 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. Upon arrival at the accommodation, check in and just relax. #Optional: As a way of stretching legs, you may consider a stop in Hoima and possibly, get into the market to catch a glimpse of life there. You may buy some fresh fruits and enjoy along in the next leg of the journey.

 

Uganda

Uganda

Day 5

Bigodi wetlands excursion

Followed by transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP.

The Bigodi excursion is a 2-3 hours guided tour of a remarkable conservation area, situated right at edge of the well-known Kibale National Park. The walk here offers an intimate, immersive community-led experience spotting primates such as Red-tailed Monkeys, Black-and-white Colobus, and L’Hoest’s monkey, along with birds like the Great-blue Turaco and Papyrus Gonolek to mention but a few. The day begins with a nice breakfast until about 7:30am and then we move out to start this unique experience where you find yourself simply immersed in nature and enjoying every moment. From the Bigodi, we shall return to the facility to clean up, enjoy early lunch and then, embark on a transfer (2hrs) to Queen Elizabeth National Park.  You will reach with some time available for a game drive in search of wildlife like; lions, the elusive leopard, herd of elephants, buffaloes to mention but a few*Optional (Additional $285 per person): If interested, then consider chimpanzee tracking instead of the Bigodi excursion. Please, note that permit for chimp tracking needs to be purchased prior to the actual date and always sold on first come first serve basis with limited slots per day.

 

Uganda

Day 6

Morning game drive

Afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel.

Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains – a vast savannah space in the Queen Elizabeth National Park known for high wildlife densities including lions, herds of elephants, buffalos, and Uganda kobs. The area offers exceptional game drives, birding, and scenic photography, with opportunities to see leopards too. After a satisfactory sighting, 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 cruise, you get to enjoy an up-close view of large Hippo pods, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and numerous bird species, including the African Skimmer. From the boat ride, we shall return to the facility to freshen up and stay at leisure, enjoying the facility’s service.

 

Uganda

Day 7

One more game drive

along the Kasenyi plains. Continue to Ishasha.

Today we shall grab a quick breakfast pack and then, proceed for another morning game drive – along the Kasenyi plains. Be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. From Kasenyi, continue to the Ishasha sector – famously known for its tree-climbing lion population. The chance of spotting these lions stands at about 60-70% but sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get the chance to spot the lions up in the tree, the sight is picturesque and unforgettable. Beyond lions, you can easily spot some elephants, buffaloes, topis, and Uganda kobs. From Ishasha, you will continue to the accommodation at the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check in your accommodation, relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience tomorrow.

 

Uganda

Day 8

Gorilla trekking Bwindi Forest

Return, stay at leisure - recovering.

Have breakfast, pick up the lunch box and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from the Park Authority) on the dos and don’ts during gorilla trekking, including assigning participants to a group. The actual trek into the forest begins at 8am in the company of your ranger-guide(s) and other participants assigned. The high altitude here combined with steep, rugged (sometimes muddy) terrain makes gorilla trekking physically demanding but rewarding. One moment you’re descending, and the next, you are ascending to a higher elevation. The time taken (3-8 hours) vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. At the end of the trek, you will be awarded a certificate of completion that you can keep as a reminder of this lifetime experience. Return to the accommodation, and rest after a strenuous trek. #Optional (extra cost): In case you finished early and the body is willing to go out again; you can discuss with your guide and see what possibilities are there then make a choice.

 

Uganda

Day 9

Transfer to Lake Mburo NP

enjoy afternoon (evening) game drive.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then, set off to Lake Mburo NP. Mburo is a compact gem, located conveniently close to the highway that connects Entebbe/Kampala to the parks of western Uganda. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah National Parks but home to so many bird species as well as animals such as: Giraffes, Zebra, impala, eland, buffalo, and the elusive leopard among others. We shall arrive and check in for some rest before heading out for a late afternoon-to-evening game drive that will bring us up close with the Mburo inhabitants. Finally, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. #Optional (Additional $30 per person): If interested, you may consider the night game drive to encounter nocturnal creatures which will be a rare sighting compared to the regular daytime sightings.

 

Uganda

Day 10

Morning walking safari in the park

Return to Entebbe to catch flight.

As usual, we start the day with a quick breakfast and immediately, move to the Visitors’ Center where will receive the ranger-guide(s) to lead the excursion. The Walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park offers a fulfilling, intimate and immersive way to explore Uganda’s wildlife area on foot, producing moments that you seldom get while moving in a safari car. Accompanied by an armed ranger, walks often start at 7:00am, bringing you up-close to zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and antelopes in a 2 to 3-hour unforgettable experience in the wild. This is a unique opportunity to notice smaller details often missed in a vehicle, such as bird species, butterflies, insects, and animal tracks etc. After this up-close experience, return to the accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe airport to catch flight (1900hrs or later). Expect a stop at the Equator crossing mark (in Kayabwe) where you will have hot lunch and also (if interested) buy some souvenirs

 

Included

  • Meals specified and accommodation with en suite facilities(But not at Kidepo Savannah-Tent)
  • Transportation in a comfortable safari land-cruiser.
  • Applicable park entrance, activity fees.
  • [1] Professional English-speaking Tour Driver-guide.
  • [1] Gorilla trekking permit per person participating.
  • Rhino tracking fees at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
  • Bottled water while on safari.
  • [1] Complimentary airport/hotel pick-up and drop off.
  • Activities as stipulated(except those stated as optional)

Excluded

  • Phone calls and bar bills.
  • Personal/travel insurance.
  • Driver guide’s gratuity(recommended)
  • All other Services of a personal nature(e.g. LAUNDRY, Flight ticket(s), souvenir.)
  • Entry visa into Uganda(Click Here)
  • Extra meals, all kinds of drinks(soft & alcoholic).
  • Any activity stated as “OPTIONAL”.
  • Gov’t imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees.