Trip Info
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Suitable for solo travelers and groups
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This tour is available in two formats: One way and round trip, both of which begin and end in Entebbe.
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Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle & boat
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Can start any day
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Pre and post-tour accommodation can also be arranged at a reasonable fee.
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Mid-range, private tour
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All meals included
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English
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15
Overview
Discover 5-Day Uganda Gorillas with thrilling gorilla trekking, exciting chimpanzee tracking, and rare sightings of tree-climbing lions in this unforgettable African safari.
Experience two of the most famous national parks in the Pearl of Africa on this trip. Queen Elizabeth is a wonderful park for game viewing and the chimpanzees in the Kalinzu Forest. Bird watching in the park including observing Rwenzori turacos, crowned eagles and various other bird species that cannot be seen easily in other regions in Uganda. This could be followed by some relaxation at the awesome Lake Bunyonyi before proceeding to Entebbe.
Highlights
- A transfer from and back to the airport is included
- Can start any day
- Private tour
- Mid-range tour
- Can be customized
- Suitable for solo travelers
- Minimum age of 15 years
Itinerary
After breakfast, a professional safari guide will be available to pick you up and drive you to Queen Elizabeth National Park. We will take some pictures at the equator line then proceed to Mbarara town for lunch. Queen Elizabeth National Park is 1,978sq.km and located in the southwestern Uganda, stretching across the geographical divide of the equator line.
Some of the vegetation cover includes open grassland, riverine forest, rainy tropical forest, papyrus marsh, the numerous crater like lakes and the enormous Lake George.
Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Best Time To VisitJanuary to February and June to July (Dry seasons)
High SeasonJune to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best WeatherJune to July and January to February (Less rainfall)
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP
Chimpanzee, Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Hippo, Leopard, Giraffe, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Cheetah, Zebra, Wildebeest, Wild Dog
Accommodation:
Twin Lakes Safari Lodge
- This mid-range lodge is situated about ten kilometers south of the southern boundary of QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK.
Meals & Drinks:
- Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Arise early and have breakfast in preparation for the chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge which takes up to 4hours with a guide and a tracker. The animals are in their natural habitat with more than 30 chimpanzees living in the Myaingmabin reserve.
In the afternoon, take a boat riding. This enables you to observe wildlife with such features as hippos snorting and spitting, buffaloes wading in the water and thousands of bird species feeding on the seeds of the grasses along the riverbank. You will even find elephants coming to the river banks to take water and bath.
We go back to the lodge for this meal. End the day early evening by swimming in the pool that is situated at the lodge and has a view of the Kazinga Channel where you will be able to see animals from the pool.
Main Destination:
Kyambura Gorge (Chimps)
Accommodation:
Twin Lakes Safari Lodge
- This mid-range lodge is situated about ten kilometers south of the southern boundary of QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
In the morning, take an early game drive to the Ishasha sector in the Southwestern Uganda with the aim of viewing tree climbing lions as well as other wildlife such as foraging Uganda kobs and topis. You are likely to come across many animals during your lifetime. Take your packed lunch and enjoy your picnic alongside the river where you will see hundreds of hippos outside the water to warm up.
Leave the park at about 3pm then transfer by road to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Southwestern of Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest stands at 331 sq km of jungle with montane and lowland forests that can only be accessed on foot. It has 120 species of mammals, and the most well known is the mountain gorillas. There are trails for hiking whereby tourists enjoy the view of birds and different types of primates.
Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Recommended SeasonJune to August and December to February (This is the best time to trek mountain gorillas)
High season is during June to September, though the permits for visiting the gorillas are limited.
Best WeatherJune to July and December to February (Less rainfall)
Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Elephant, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Lion, Giraffe, Leopard, Cheetah, Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hippo
Accommodation:
Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
- A moderately priced lodge to suit all tourists, situated in the Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast you will be accompanied by other trackers to park headquarters for briefing on the gorilla trekking exercise at 7.45 a.m. This can take between 1-4 hours, by cutting through different layers of vegetation such as creepers and undergrowth, using the help of the guides who will lead you to the gorillas. The terrain is steep and heavily wooded, but the wildlife paths are fairly interconnected providing an access point entrance for tourists. The time spent with the gorillas should not exceed 1 hour after they have been spotted.
Subsequently, head to Lake Bunyonyi passing through a region that has been nicknamed the “Switzerland of Africa” due to the cool climate it experiences despite its geographical location at the heart of Africa. For tourists who wish to do other activities in the evening, they can either take a boat ride around the lake to visit some of the islands or just chill at the lodge. Then, you will return to the lodge for lunch and a break from the boat operations.
Main Destination:
Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation:
BirdNest Resort
- Located at Lake Bunyonyi it’s a mid-range resort with luxurious facilities.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Take your breakfast on the terrace of the lodge with stunning views of the islands in the lake, and the hills as you make preparations to proceed back to Kampala. This trip will include a lunch break in Mbarara town and naturally made organic coffee. You will also have a chance to take pictures at the Uganda Equator and have some time for shopping. Make your way to Kampala so that you arrive in the evening or at night to be dropped at your hotel or residence or at the airport.
Main Destination:
Entebbe (City)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
End of tour
- Any extra accommodation that you may require can be arranged for at an extra cost.
- You will be directly taken to the airport.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- • Park fees (For non-residents)
- • Gorilla permits (One per person, non-resident)
- • Chimp permits (One per person, non-resident)
- • All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- • A professional driver/guide
- • All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All Taxes/VAT
- • Roundtrip airport transfer
- • Food (According to the day-to-day breakdown)
- • Drinking water (On all days)
Cost Excludes
- • International flights (From/to home)
- • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- • Accommodation Arrangements (Tours, souvenirs, insurance, visa, etc.)
- • Raises in taxes and/or park fees due to government decisions
FAQs
This particular safari can be a great chance to see some of the well-known big five animal species of Africa. You will have a nature walk through the Kyambura Gorge to view chimpanzees in their natural habitat, foraging, socializing and even using tools. Here in the lush Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will be able to witness up close mountain gorillas and observe them go about their daily activities such as feeding and even grooming and playing within their various social groups. During your visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park, especially the Ishasha sector, you will find lions climbing trees to rest on the branches that offer support from the large fig trees.
This safari is best done in the dry seasons which are from June to September and December to February. These months also offer better accessibility of mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kyambura Gorge. Wildlife on the other hand is easier to view in Queen Elizabeth National Park during the dry season especially because tree-climbing lions and other wildlife are usually in close proximity to water sources. However, the safari can be done any time of the year since surprisingly Uganda has quite a favorable, equatorial climate to support wildlife viewing all year-round.
This safari entails some physical activities especially the tracking of the Mountain Gorillas and the Chimpanzees. Observing gorillas is a tiresome activity that lasts between 2- 6 hours with steep slopes, dense forests and in most cases, muddy trails. There is also steep path movement while on the through chimpanzee trekking in the Kyambura Gorge. However there are porters to help with the luggage and the ordeal is worth the experience. Safari outings such as the one to view the tree-climbing lions take place in a vehicle, not on foot in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
For this safari, you require two permits; a Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorilla trekking permit and a chimp trekking permit for Kyambura Gorge. These permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority and the best thing to do is to book in advance since they are high in demand. Queen Elizabeth National Park a new park and you need to pay an entrance fee with a tour guide to be able to view tree climbing lions. In some cases, your tour operator will be the one to secure all the necessary permits, and this is usually included in the tour price.
It is important to pack adequately for this safari in terms of both comfort and efficiency. Hiking boots are essential while trekking gorillas and chimpanzees in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Kyambura Gorge. Long-sleeved loose-fitting outfits also help prevent bites from insects and to block the strong sun. For viewers who plan on visiting the forests, it is advised that they wear a rain jacket since rain may occur at any time. Binoculars are useful when it comes to observing wildlife such as the tree climbing lions within the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Other necessities include a backpack, insect repellent, sunscreen, as well as a camera with SP batteries in case of a power failure.
When tracking gorillas and chimpanzees visitors are allowed to approach within comfortable distance of seven meters which is roughly twenty three feet in a bid to avoid close contact that may transmit diseases and also to minimize on the stress levels of the animals. This rule is strictly observed by Rangers during the trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kyambura Gorge. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, tree-climbing lions can be observed from the comfort of a car with out enlarging distance from them in consideration to the safety of the lions as well as the visitors. Tourism entails the use of rangers and guides to give information on the behavior of the wildlife thereby preserving the conservation values of the wildlife.
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