8 Days Gorilla Trekking and African Big 5 Safari

The safari will begin with a transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive will take you through Nakasongola in the Luwero Triangle, a long stretch to Masindi town. This safari includes the roaring falls of Murchison, a boat trip to the bottom of the falls, through the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest national park. Expect a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a short walk with a ranger escort to see the white rhinos for about an hour. Have lunch at Kabalega Dinners, and thereafter, proceed to Murchison Falls National Park. Check in at your accommodation and relax ahead of tomorrow's activities.

Main Destination:
Murchison Falls National Park
Best Time To Visit: December to February (Easier to spot animals)
High Season: June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best Weather: June and July (Less rain and lower temperatures)

Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP

• Chimpanzee: Occasional
• Elephant: Common
• Giraffe: Common
• Buffalo: Common
• Hippo: Abundant
• Lion: Occasional
• Leopard: Rare
• White Rhino: None
• Black Rhino: None
• Cheetah: None
• Zebra: None
• Wildebeest: None
• Wild Dog: None

Accommodation: Mid-range lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP
Meals &Drinks:
• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

The day begins with an early morning breakfast. You will then head out on a morning game drive toward the Albert and Victoria Nile to experience a great deal of wildlife and bird species. Search for big cats, herds of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes and various bird species like the shoebill and saddle-billed stork, goliath heron, egret, and Abyssinian ground hornbill. Return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, go on a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile to the bottom of the falls. Game viewing is excellent; hippos in the hundreds, some of the largest crocodiles in Africa, small herds of buffalo, waterbucks and Uganda kobs. Elephants are frequently seen playing in the water, often within a few meters. From the main viewpoint, go on a hike of about 30 min on a footpath, leading to a viewpoint of not only the Murchison Falls, but also some waterfalls a few 100 meters north. The view at the top of the falls is spectacular and good for close-up photography. Drive back to the lodge.

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP
Meals & Drinks:
• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After breakfast, the safari will continue with a transfer to Kibale National Park. This park is highly alluring to nature lovers for its excellent chimpanzee trekking and bird watching. It boasts the highest numbers of primates such as the velvet, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s and blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red Colobus, olive baboon and the chimpanzee. Upon arrival, you will check into your room and have a relaxed evening.

Main Destination:
Kibale National Park (Chimps)
Best Time to Visit: December to February and June to July
High Season: June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best Weather: June to July and December to February (Least rain)

Wildlife in Kibale NP

• Chimpanzee: Common
• Elephant: Occasional
• Buffalo: Occasional
• Leopard: Very Rare
• Hippo: Rare
• Lion: Rare to None
• Giraffe: None
• White Rhino: None
• Black Rhino: None
• Cheetah: None
• Zebra: None
• Wildebeest: None
Accommodation: Mid-range cottage located just outside Kibale NP
Meals & Drinks:
• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After breakfast, proceed to the park office for a briefing. The highlight of Kibale Forest will be the chimpanzee trekking excursion. While in the forest, expect to see at least 2-3 other types of primates, especially the grey-cheeked mangabey and red-tailed monkey. You will hear plenty of birdsong. The guides are knowledgeable and will identify various medicinal plants, bird calls and animal spoors. Once you allocate the chimpanzees, you will be allowed an hour with them. You'll return to the lodge for lunch, thereafter, you will head out to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in the evening for dinner and your overnight stay.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Best Time to Visit: January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)
High Season: June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best Weather: June to July and January to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP
• Chimpanzee: Occasional
• Elephant: Common
• Lion: Common
• Buffalo: Common
• Hippo: Abundant
• Leopard: Occasional
• Giraffe: None
• White Rhino: None
• Black Rhino: None
• Cheetah: None
• Zebra: None
• Wildebeest: None
• Wild Dog: None

Accommodation: Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals & Drinks:
• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After a healthy breakfast, go on an early morning game drive through the park. Look out for members of the Big Five including lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards, as well as other mammals such as giant forest hogs and antelopes. You will return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, go for a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. It’s a great trip with elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, large hippo pods and giant forest hogs that can be observed from time to time. Keep an eye open for crocodiles, as well as the enormous monitor lizard which is common in the riverine scrub. Water birds are plentiful, such as yellow-billed storks, pelicans, fish eagles and crowned eagles. You will return to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals & Drinks:
• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Ishasha sector which is well-known for its tree-climbing lion population. The Ishasha sector also harbors decent concentrations of hippos, elephants, buffaloes and antelopes. You will have lunch in Ishasha and continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is home to the endangered mountain gorillas. You will arrive in the evening for dinner and your overnight stay.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Best Time to Visit: June to August and December to February
High Season: June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)
Best Weather: June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi NP

• Gorilla: Common
• Chimpanzee: Rare
• Elephant: Rare
• White Rhino: None
• Black Rhino: None
• Lion: None
• Giraffe: None
• Leopard: None
• Cheetah: None
• Buffalo: None
• Zebra: None
• Wildebeest: None
• Hippo: None

Accommodation: Budget lodge located just outside Bwindi NP
Meals &Drinks:
• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After an early breakfast, you will drive to the park offices for a briefing. Gorilla trekking is the highlight of your safari. We'll trek through the rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes. You will love trekking in the ecosystem of the park. Depending on the nature of the activity, take your lunch box along, as well as all the necessary gear which will be advised by the company. The trekking will take 3-5 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. Return to the lodge for lunch. Later, you will drive through the terraced hills to Lake Bunyonyi. Check in at your lodge for a relaxed evening with a stunning view of the lake. You can have an optional canoe ride on the lake to discover its scattered islands.
Main Destination: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation: Mid-range resort located in or near Lake Bunyonyi
Meals &drinks:
• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Have a delicious breakfast before you start on your journey to Kampala / Entebbe. Expect stopovers for lunch along the way and beautiful pictures at the Equator line. Proceed with the journey to Entebbe. You will arrive in the late afternoon or evening and be dropped off at the hotel or airport. Enriched with the memory of the rare apes and savannah wildlife, you will say goodbye to the pearl of Africa.
Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)
• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.