THE MAGICAL 6-DAY UGANDA SAFARI.

On this 6-day Uganda Safari, you will have a chance to visit 3 of the most outstanding Uganda National Parks. These include Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This makes it a combination of Chimpanzee tracking, Wildlife safari, and the breathtaking Gorilla trekking. All within these few 6 days, not forgetting the Community cultural experiences.

Safari highlights.

• Transfer to Kibale National Park.
• Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Morning Game drive and afternoon boat cruise.
• Gorilla tracking and community walk.

Detailed itinerary.

Day 1: Kampala-Kibale National Park.

Start your 6-day Uganda safari with breakfast and embark on a fascinating drive through the countryside along the Mityana-Mubende road. Drive past roadside markets, schools, country homes, and panoramic views of tea gardens, among other activities. There are different ecosystems along the way, like papyrus swamps, patchy forested areas, and grasslands. The drive takes you through several towns, including Mityana, Mubende, Kyenjojo, and a stopover for hot lunch in Fort Portal. It is within this district that Kibale Forest National Park breathes.

After the day’s drive, check in to your preferred accommodation. Beat off the tiredness and embark on an afternoon guided walk in Bigodi swamps. This is your chance to interact with the community and learn about the people there.  During the swamp walk, you may encounter other wildlife, like the Black and white Colobus, L’Hoest monkey, Vervet monkey, Red-tailed monkey, and the Mangabey. The forest also harbors some Baboons, Bush pigs, and Antelopes. If time allows, take a short drive to the dramatic Crater Lake and the stunning hills covered with tea plantations.

Accommodation.

Exclusive Upgrade Lodges: Volcano Safari Lodge.

Luxury: Primate Lodge, Tabebuia Spa and Safari  Resort, Chimpundu Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge.

Mid-range: Isunga Lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Turaco Treetops, Kibale Guest Cottages.

Budget: Kibale Forest Camp.

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Wake up to a sumptuous breakfast and prepare for a transfer to the Kanyanku visitor center for a briefing. This is the first activity before the chimpanzee trekking, equipping with the dos and don’ts while in the forest.  After the brief, join the allocated group of 8 people, and start your adventure in search of the chimpanzees. The forest walk is guided to provide information not only on chimpanzees and primates, but also on the entire park and surrounding communities. This is what makes it an interesting adventure. When you locate the chimpanzees, take your time to observe the way they live, as some are already well-habituated.  During the trekking, you will see other primates like black and white monkeys, baboons, Colobus monkeys, Red-tailed.

After chimpanzee tracking, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in the evening. Check into your already booked accommodation for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.

Accommodation (full board)

Exclusive Upgrade Lodges: Honey Bear Lodge, Volcano Safari Lodge.

Luxury: Mweya safari lodge, Elephant Plains lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp.

Mid-range: Acacia Wilderness Safari Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Twin Lakes Lodge, Elephant Hab Lodge.

Budget: Simba Safari Camp, Bush Lodge.

Day 3: Game drive and afternoon Boat cruise.

Wake up to the sounds of the wild, park breakfast, and smile as you brave the early morning game drive along Kasenyi and Queens Mile tracks. Are you ready for the big hunts?! It’s along these trails that visitors encounter buffalo, elephants, waterbucks, antelopes, warthogs, leopards, lions, etc. Look out for the wild cats as they go hunting for the day’s meal. For the birders, don’t miss looking out for the Little Egrets, Goliath Heron, African Jacanas, among other 600+ birds.

After the morning game drive, head back to the lodge for lunch and a brief rest, if needed.  The afternoon is for the boat cruise along Kazinga Channel, a 32km long and wide freshwater channel linking Lakes George and Edward. While cruising, look out for buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, elephants, and other wildlife along the banks. Don’t forget the plentiful bird species, as Queen Elizabeth has the highest number of bird species in Uganda’s national game parks. Retire to back to your booked lodge and enjoy the beautiful sunset as you wait for your dinner.

Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 

On this beautiful morning, begin the day with breakfast, and prepare to drive to Bwindi for the Gorillas. Drive through the Ishasha Sector, a region part of Queen Elizabeth National Park known for the unique tree-climbing lions. This calls for your patience, as these lions wander in this vast sector. After the game drive, embark on your way to Bwindi.  You will have a stopover for Lunch,  or have it at your already booked lodge in Bwindi if in time. Thereafter, go through the winding hills as you climb to higher altitudes of Bwindi, home to the mountain gorillas.

The journey is approximately four hours, depending on the weather. Check into your accommodation late in the evening and freshen up as you wait for your dinner to be served.

Accommodation (full board)

Exclusive Upgrade Lodges: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Safari Lodge.

Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge.

Moderate: Haven Lodge Buhoma, Bakiga Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp.

Budget: Ride for a Woman, Trackers Tavern Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge.

Day 5: Bwindi Gorilla Trekking /community walk.

Have an early breakfast by 6:30 am, and proceed to the park headquarters by 7.30 am for a briefing from the Park Wardens. Ensure to carry along a rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, and ankle-high jungle boots or gaiters.

The park wardens will allocate you different gorilla families, which you will track. Besides seeing Gorillas other animals such as antelopes, bush pigs, chimpanzees, baboons, elephants, and over 350 bird species are a common sighting in this park.

Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare Mountain Gorilla, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth.

When you finally get to meet the gentle giants, you are allowed a maximum of one hour with them; photos are allowed, but no flash photography. A minimum 5-meter distance must be observed. Avoid contact with the gorillas as you can spread diseases, but also coming close may mean invading their space. Dominate males may not take this lightly, hence charging at you. Also, avoid running away in case of charging by the gorillas.

The tracking may take between 2 and 8 hours, but it’s well worth the effort. The afternoon is spent on a village cultural walk, which gives you a great opportunity to see how the people surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest live. It is also a great way to support the local community directly.

The walk begins at your accommodation- visit the local Doctor as he performs his trade- visit the pygmies locally known as the Batwa, who originally lived in the rain forest before it was gazette in to a national park in 1991, they will show case songs, dances- different skills – fire making, hunting and storytelling-you will also visit a school run by community NGO thus by visiting the school you will be the supporting the these dis-advantaged kids.

You will get to see the local homesteads, and local people will show you and learn their ways. The cultural excursion will showcase art and craft, dance and culture, as well as way of life. If you have time, you can learn a few skills yourself.

You will see several souvenir shops, schools, churches,s and drinking joints. Other options include taking the trails to see the stunning waterfalls. You can also choose to have a birding expedition in the forest addition to various primates.

Day 6: Bwindi-Kampala/Entebbe.

Early morning breakfast at 7 am as you begin the journey back to Kampala/ Entebbe. Have a lunch stopover in Mbarara and visit some of the areas that may catch your eye. You will also have a stopover at the Equator before you continue your journey to Kampala. END OF SAFARI.

For visitors who cannot hold 9 hours’ drive from Bwindi back to Kampala or Entebbe, we have a flying option for only 2 hours, you will be at Entebbe International Airport. We can fly you from either Kisoro airstrip or Kihihi Airstrip to Entebbe. Let us know your choice option, and we will book your return flight from the Gorilla land.

Tour inclusions:

-Transportation by a 4 x 4 Safari Land Cruiser.
-Fuel
-One Gorilla permit per person.
-One Chimpanzee permit in Kibale National Park.
-Community walks.
-Accommodation and meals as per the Itinerary.
-Game drives.
-Bigodi Wetland walk.
-Two-hour boat cruise long Kazinga channel.
-Park entrance fees.
-Driver/guide.

Safari Exclusions.

– Drinks,
– laundry, tips,
– telephone, 
– cigars.