13 DAYS Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari

Welcome to Uganda! Arriving at Entebbe airport, a representative of Umubano Tours will be present at Entebbe Airport to meet you, greetings – short briefing and immediate transfer you to your Hotel in Entebbe. The journey takes around 15 – 20 Minutes from airport to your Hotel.

Upon arrival to your Hotel, you will check to your room and the reminder of your evening is at leisure, relax and get ready to start your adventure on the following day.

Overnight: 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Room (BB) (Mid-Range) – http://2friendsbeachhotel.com

Meals Plan: Breakfast

After an early morning breakfast at around 7 am you will be transferred from Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park – the biggest national park in Uganda. It is separated into two parts by the River Nile.

The northern part of Murchison Falls NP is mainly covered with savannah grassland, the typical habitat of Africa’s classic wildlife: lions, buffalos, giraffes, elephants and many more, while the southern and eastern part is dominated by bush land and forests.

On about 3 Hours of drive you will visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary before you proceed to Murchison.

You will be able to seeing rhinos in their natural environment, up close and in person are an unforgettable experience. You will walk by foot to find the rhinos.

The Rhino Sanctuary is the only place to do this in Uganda, so if you’re looking to complete your ‘Big Five’ game checklist we have to stop here. Today, we have the change to track the endangered rhino on foot. After a short briefing, your rangers will guide you to the Rhinos where you will observe these fantastic animals from a distance of only 30 meters. Watching these huge animals while tracking them on foot is truly an intimidating but a unique experience.

Later you will proceed to Murchison Falls National Park which is another 3 Hours and have a Stopover at the Top of the falls then be transferred to our accommodation in Murchison Falls NP.

Overnight: Murchison River Lodge, Cottage (FB) High Mid Range – www.murchisonriverlodge.com/

Meals Plan: Full Board

This morning we will head out for an early game drive and observe Uganda’s diverse wildlife. The morning is the best time to spot the big cats, so get your camera out for the ultimate shot. We return to the Lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, you have the next opportunity to explore the rich fauna of this national park. The boat will take you along the shoreline of the Nile where you have the chance to spot crocodiles sunbathing on the shore, huge schools of hippos, elephants and buffalo cooling down from the afternoon’s heat as well as plenty of birds on our way up to the impressive Murchison waterfall.

As we approach the waterfall, we will get an amazing sight of the pure strength of river Nile when the water rushes down the waterfall. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Optional Activity: Hike to the Top of the falls

Reaching the bottom of the Murchison Falls, we have the chance to leave the boat and set out for a 45-minute hike rocks adjacent the Murchison falls thereby accessing great views of the falls at different spots along the trail. On reaching the top you will find the tour guide waiting to drive you back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Murchison River Lodge, Cottage (FB)

Meals Plan: Full Board

After an early morning breakfast at around 7 am, you will depart from Murchison Falls National Park to

Kibale Forest NP, known as Africa’s capital of primates.

Kibale National Park is a national park in southern Uganda, protecting moist evergreen rain forest. It is 766 square kilometers (296 sq mi) in size and is located between 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) to 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) in elevation. Despite encompassing primarily most evergreen forest, it contains a diverse array of landscapes.  Kibale is one of the last remaining expanses to contain both lowland and montane forests. In eastern Africa, it sustains the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest and this is a home for primates including the close relatives “Chimpanzees”.

The whole journey will take you around 8 Hours and probably stopover a bit in fort Portal town for a cup of coffee or tea (on your own account); This is famously known for mount Rwanzori with its crater valley also called “The Best in the West”.

Arriving at your Lodge in the early evening, check in and the reminder of your day at leisure.

Overnight: Isunga Lodge, Cottage (FB) Mid Range – https://isungalodge.com/

Meals Plan: Full Board

After early breakfast, we will head off to the park offices at 7am to meet the ranger guides for pre-trek briefing before setting off into Kibale Forest to find our closes relatives – the chimpanzees.

Up to 3 large communities of Chimpanzees have been habituated for the tracking adventure. We will locate the Chimps without so much straining since the territory of each Chimp community is known before hand by advance trackers and communicated to our guides.

After a while of hiking through the beautiful rain forest, the loud screams of the Chimps can be heard from a distance and will lead us directly to their location. As soon as we reach them, we will spend one hour observing and following in the forest. The Chimps which will be swinging through trees with so much speed, pant hooting, slapping the tree barks and screaming to locate each other – a truly adrenaline giving atmosphere and a memorable experience.

After Chimpanzee Tracking, we will return to the lodge to have lunch. Afternoon at Leisure or optional activities to visit the Bigodi Swamp.

Overnight: Isunga Lodge, Cottage (FB)

Meals Plan: Full Board

Wake up in the morning for breakfast, and by around 9 am set off for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive passes through Fort Portal southwards along the Easter length of Rwenzori Mountains. On a clear day you may see the glaciated peaks as you gently descend into the Great Rift Valley to the park. The Rwenzori Peaks provide a magnificent backdrop to antelope –filled plains.

Continue your way to the queen Elizabeth National park and the drive takes around 3 Hours from Kibale. Upon arrival check in to your Lodge and have Lunch.

The Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most-visited National Park. The national park is located in western Uganda, spanning the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Bushenyi and Rukungiri. Its location is approximately 376 kilometres, by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda’s capital and largest city. The park has a variety of Flora and Fauna and it’s acknowledged to be a habitat for over 95 mammal species with about 612 species of birds. The various species in this park, has made it a unique park most liked by tourists. Geographers will say that the park has around 57 vegetation but in actual sense, it has five levels of vegetation. Namely bushy grassland, Acacia woodland, Lakeshore or swamp vegetation along with forest grassland.

In the Afternoon we will go for the 3pm boat ride on Kazinga Channel. Kazinga channel found in Queen Elizabeth National Park is a 40 km water channel that joins Lakes George and Edward. Any tourist to this park cannot fail to be overwhelmed by the Channel’s amazing animal diversity and this is the highlight of this park.

It’s where many buffalos rest in the water while big herds of elephants and different bird species can be seen enjoying themselves along the channel shores. A good number of visitors who take part in the 2 hour launch cruise along the channel regard it as the highlight of their African safari. There are also concentrations of hippos, crocodiles and birds. In short, this water cruise offers an admirable stage for clear photography, extensive bird-watching and an all-embracing game viewing. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Buffalo Savanna Lodge, Mid-Range Facility – www.buffalolodge.com

Meals Plan: Full Board

Be up for breakfast at 7am and start the morning game drive at 7:30am, you will go for game drive to catch up with early risers before returning to their hiding places. It is a good opportunity for great wildlife sightings. Drive along the Kasenyi game trails.

You will encounter game as lions, hyenas, bush bucks, elephants among others. After more than three hours of great wildlife sightings return to the lodge to relax and have lunch.

In the afternoon you will go back in the park for visiting the crater lakes and Lake Katwe Salt Lake.

Lake Katwe is found in south western part of Uganda in Kasese district and is surrounded by Queen Elizabeth National Park and is mainly dominated by geographical features which consist of ancient hard volcanic rocks and gentle slopes with explosive crater lakes and a rift valley.

We shall continue to visit the Fishing village and Katwe is among.

The fisheries resource base for the district is dependent on three major water bodies George (area 230Km²⁾ , Edward and the Kazinga channel. Fishing constitutes the major economic livelihood and a source of food security for majority of the people in the rift valley part of Kasese district. Over 20,000 people depend on the fishery of Lake George and the Kazinga channel while an estimated 15,000 (Uganda part) depend on Lake Edward for their livelihood.

Later you will return to your Hotel and the reminder of your afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Buffalo Savanna Lodge

Meals Plan: Full Board

After a leisure morning breakfast at around 8 am, you will head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

In about 2 Hours of drive we will be in the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Getting there you will first enjoy a morning short game drive to look for tree climbing lions and later we proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The Ishasha sector is notably recognized for its resident Tree climbing lions that are an exceptional attraction and one among the highlights on all safaris taken within Queen Elizabeth National park. In the southern section of this park, the Lions are now and again spotted hanging on braches of huge fig trees whereas the Uganda Kob (which are the major food to these lions) graze in the plains of the Ishasha sector. The Ishasha sector is located near the fur most south-western rim of Queen Elizabeth National Park which is not only the most well liked park but also the most traveled to national park within Uganda. The landscape in this section of the magnificent park is considerably different from that found in other parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Ishasha Sector within QENP is habitat to the internationally renowned tree-climbing lions which are actually unique to this very place. The males of these exceptional lions have black manes.

Later we Proceed to Bwindi journey goes through Kihihi town in the East western Uganda and it takes around 4 Hours to get to Rushaga which is the Southern sector of Bwindi impenetrable National park and this is the Home for around 6 Family of the habituated mountain Gorillas found in this sector of Bwindi.

Upon arrival to your lodge you will check in, have lunch and after lunch you will take a short walk to enjoy the nature and surroundings of which you will be able to also visit the Buhoma community primary school.

Overnight: Icyumbi Gorilla Lodge (High Mid-Range Facility) – www.icyumbilodge.com

Meals Plan: Full Board

Wake up for an early morning breakfast and at around 7AM, we head to the Bwindi National Park Head quarter. Assemble at the park headquarter for your Gorilla Trek experience, briefing from the park rangers about the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas. Today, your gorilla trek is sure to be the highlight of your tour. We will be at the ranger station by around 8:00am, where we are allocated guides and briefed before heading into the forest. We will track one of the seven habituated Gorilla groups in Uganda and the rest of the other 6 groups remain in Bwindi National Park. Move in a company of experienced ranger guides through the forest while searching for mountain gorillas. Only eight people are able to track each habituated group. Time taken while searching for these great apes, rangers between 2 to 6 hours depending on the movement of the gorilla groups as their territory can range up to 40km. The park rangers and guides will clear the way and assist you through the forest. Once the gorilla group is located you will spend an hour with them as they feed, rest and play.

Sitting with the mountain gorilla is one of the most amazing wildlife experiences you will ever have. A dominant male silverback can weigh over 200 kilos and is the largest living primate. He will control our meeting as well as deciding when his group will eat, sleep and move on. His females care for their young with affection and playfulness but also with discipline. They are very curious, and are capable of making over 25 different vocalizations, including chuckling and purring. Communication also includes posturing, chest beating and if all else fails – the charge! The privilege of spending an hour with this family group is an experience that will never leave you. After your hour is up, you wind your way slowly out of the forest and back to the camp to swap stories about your amazing experience.

After the Gorilla trekking, return to your lodge, refresh a bit and the reminder of your day is at leisure.

Overnight: Icyumbi Gorilla Lodge

Meals Plan: Full Board

After a leisure morning breakfast transfer to the most beautiful area of the south western Uganda surrounded by the chain of the Volcanoes forming up the natural boundary between the 3 Countries (Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo) and the only another Home to the Mountain Gorillas.

The Journey takes around 2 Hours and arriving in the town of Kisoro you may be curious of shortly drive to this beautiful chain of the Virungas to look at the Uganda – DR Congo Boarder and wind up to your Hotel for check in, have lunch and later at 3 pm you will go to visit the pygmies ( Batwa ) around the area of Mgahinga National Park.

 The Batwa Trail in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. In 1991 these ancient forests and mountains became Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the Batwa Pygmy People were without a home in the forest.  Since that time they have lived as marginalized people – Ugandans but disdained by other Ugandans as primitive.

 “The Batwa Forest Trail” is part of a project to restore dignity and hope by keeping the Batwa Culture and Traditions alive to the Batwa People, give employment to those who are in involved in the day-to-day project of the “Batwa Trail” from the dancers to the guides, pay for school fees for the children, books and beyond that buy land for the community.

Overnight: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Kisoro.

Meals Plan: Full Board

Today you will decide on whether you can do an optional Golden Monkey Trekking or depending on your fitness you may decide to go for the Hike to Mount Sabyinyo to be on the top of the three countries at the same time.

Mgahinga National Park offers the chance to track the golden monkeys (Ceropithecus Kandti) sometimes referred to as a distinctive race of the more widespread blue monkey C. mitis), a little known bamboo-associated taxa primate listed as ‘endangered’ by the World Conservation Union. Endemic to the Albertine Rift, the golden monkey is characterized as a bright orange-gold body, cheeks and tail, contrasting with its black limbs, crown and tail end.

It also offers another chance to hike one of the five picks of the Volcanoes that makes up the Virunga Massif.

Overnight: Ichumbi Gorilla Hotel/Kisoro

Meals Plan: Full Board

After an early morning breakfast at around 8, you set off for Lake Mbulo National Park the smallest of the country.

You will drive through the Kigezi Highland and enjoy the one of the beautiful views of the Lake Bunyoni the crater lakes that makes up higher elevation and located close to the Virunga Volcanoes.

We will make our scenic journey through the beautiful terrain of the rolling hills of Kabale and Kisoro with terraced landscape; an area referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa” heading to Lake Mbulo National Park.

Lake Mburo National park is amazingly the closest national park to Kampala , it also doubles as the smallest national park. Situated between Masaka and Mbarara district   taking approximately 4 hours’ drive time to arrive. The park covers an area of 370km² including the lakes ( 5 lakes).  Lake Mburo  is endowed  with several  wildlife species  to mention  recently translocated giraffes,  buffaloes, elands, waters bucks, antelopes, zebras, oribis, topis , warthogs as you take a boat cruise on lake Mburo you will be in position to observe ,  hippos and crocodiles.  In addition, the park also is home a wide a ray of birds amounting to 350 species some which include water birds, forest and savanna birds.

 Lake Mburo national park has got thrilling activities that keep its visitors always on the desire for more.  Some of the most common tourism activities at Lake Mburo include; Game drive in the park, boat cruise on Lake Mburo, birding/ bird watching, Nature walks, the unique horse riding to view wildlife, fishing , cultural tours and cycling among others.  

You will have lunch in Mbarara City and proceed for the sun set boat cruise around Lake Mbulo and possibly a short game drive to find some species including the giraffes, check in to your Lodge and Overnight.

Overnight: Rwakobo Lodge

Meals Plan: Full Board

Today is your day for packing your staff, and possibly some last shopping on the way and heading to Entebbe airport for your out bound flight.

This Journey from Lake Mburo takes around 4 – 5 Hours though Kampala the Capital city of Uganda.

You will enjoy the scenic drive with a stopover at the Equator, and proceed to Entebbe International for your out bound flight.

Meals Plan: Breakfast.

End of the Tour – Welcome back