12 Days Uganda Gorilla Classic Safari
When: This Safari can start any day.
Duration: 8 Days, 7 Nights
Tour Type: Gorillas, Game & Chimps Safari
Group Size: Minimum 2 Pax - Maximum 12
Language: The tour is originally in English.
Our 12 Days African Big Five and Gorillas Safari into the Pearl of Africa reveals the hidden experiences and takes you mainly to the five major National Parks of the country, including Murchison Falls National Park, you will be able to see the rhinos on the way, while in the park you have an opportunity to the see the world’s most powerful falls as the wide River Nile water squeezes in 8 meter wide gorge, the park is a home to 76 mammal species and 451 bird spices.
We drive to Kibale forest National Park – the park arguably to be the capital of primates and so famous for chimpanzee tracking, the park is a home to 70 mammal species, 13 species of primates, we engage in chimp trek and a nature walk in Bigodi wetland before proceeding to queen Elizabeth National park Uganda’s most popular national park, there are several outstanding tourist attractions including the 95 species of mammals and 600 bird species, the game drive in the Kasenyi plains, boat cruise on the beautiful Kazinga channel and the tree climbing lions.
The trip continues to Bwindi Forest National Park for the major highlight of the trip – Gorilla trek, tracking can be done at 4 designated locations including Nkuringo, Rushaga, Ruhijja and Buhoma with a total of 18 Gorilla habituated families that can be tracked every single day. On your day of tracking visitors are allocated different families in the groups of 8 people and are allowed to view the Gorillas maximum of one hour per day. Trekking time depends on the group allocated to, ranging from 3 to 8 hours.
After this unforgettable adventure, it will be time to head to Lake Mburo National Park, the smallest savannah national parks, and the only park where you can have a safari walk, while on the walk or on the game drive, several animals can be seen including big herds of zebras, Buffalo, Impala, Giraffes, Warthog and Waterbuck other wildlife can also be seen while on the 2 hour boat cruise including the crocodiles, hippos different birds including the colorful Kingfishers and the magnificent Fish Eagles.
NOTE:
Depending on the availability of gorilla permits at the time of your confirmation, you may trek gorillas in Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi or at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Safari Highlights:
- Only 1063 Gorillas remain in the world and half of them are found at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Bwindi National Park offer some of the best montane-forest bird watching in Africa with about 350 recorded different bird species including rare ones
- You will spend up to an hour (60 minutes) in the company of mountain gorillas and Chimpanzees in their tropical natural habitat
- Visit local communities and enjoy local dances, and more local culture
- Enjoy tracking playful chimpanzee through the dense Kibale Forest, the park with 13 different primate species is one of the best in Africa
- Enjoy a walking safari at Lake Mburo National Park
- In Kibale forest, marvel at the various forest, woodland birds including the green breasted pitta
- Embarking on early morning game drives in hopes of spotting big game in Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.
Itinerary at a Glance:
| Day | Location | Accommodation | Meal Plan | Activity |
| 1 | Entebbe | K Hotels | Bed and Breakfast | Arrival, Trsf |
| 2 | Murchison Falls National Park | Twiga Safari Lodge | Full Board | Trsf, WS, EGD |
| 3 | Murchison Falls National Park | Twiga Safari Lodge | Full Board | MGD, BT, SND |
| 4 | Kibale National Park | Chimpanzee Forest Lodge | Full Board | Trsf |
| 5 | Kibale National Park | Chimpanzee Forest Lodge | Full Board | CT, CVT |
| 6 | Queen Elizabeth National Park | Buffalo Safari Lodge | Full Board | Trsf, OE |
| 7 | Queen Elizabeth National Park | Buffalo Safari Lodge | Full Board | MGD, BT, SND |
| 8 | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | Four Gorillas Lodge | Full Board | MGD, Trsf |
| 9 | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | Four Gorillas Lodge | Full Board | GT, OE |
| 10 | Lake Mburo National Park | Mihingo Lodge | Full Board | Trsf, SND |
| 11 | Lake Mburo National Park | Mihingo Lodge | Full Board | MGD, WS, CVT |
| 12 | Entebbe | Half Board | Departure |
Glossary
Full Board: Breakfast - Lunch- Dinner, Half Board: Breakfast & Lunch/Dinner, Trsf – Transfer, CVT – Community Visit, GT – Gorilla Tracking, OE – Optional Evening, CT – Chimp Trekking, EGD - Evening Game Drive, MGD - Morning Game Drive, BT - Boat Trip, WS - Walking Safari, SND - Sundowner Safari
The Package Includes:
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The Package Excludes:
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WHAT TO PACK FOR TRACKING
GENERAL PACKING:
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Detailed Safari Itinerary
DAY 1: ENTEBBE |
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| Entebbe International Airport
You will arrive at Entebbe International Airport and will be met by our representative who will transfer you to your booked hotel at Entebbe. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. |
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| Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast | Overnight: K Hotels | |
DAY 2: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK |
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| Today, you shall wake up early for your morning breakfast, prepare to check out and start your transfer journey to Murchison Falls National Park. En-route, you shall have a stopover at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a walking safari to see the endangered White Rhinos. At the sanctuary, look out for other animals like the bush back, Uganda kobs and several birds.
From here you shall set off for Murchison Falls with en-route lunch at Kabalega Dinners, reaching the park in the early evenings with a visit to the top of Murchison Falls for aerial views and a short game drive en-route to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Murchison Falls lies on the northern end of the albertine rift valley and is Uganda’s largest national park. The park is home to 76 mammals, 451 bird species and is bisected by the Victoria Nile which plunges down 15 meters through an 8 meter wide gorge to form the world’s most powerful water falls that is Murchison Falls, the main attraction of the park. |
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| Meal Plan: Breakfast: Nile Front Cottages Lunch: Kabalega Dinners Dinner: Twiga Safari Lodge |
Overnight: Twiga Safari Lodge | |
DAY 3: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK |
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| You shall wake up early and head out to the plains for your morning game drive carrying with you packed breakfast. Early mornings are superb times to catch up with the predators on their hunt for prey, a time to see the wild unfold its natural beauty to you. As the sun raises, the lions roar, birds sing, hippos gulp in the Nile, all these unfold in your eyes. Look out for animals like lions, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, jackals among others.
You shall have lunch at your lodge and there after transfer to Paraa for your launch cruise to the bottom of the falls. This 3 hours boat cruise on the Nile is prime for views of wildlife on the banks including elephants, antelopes, buffalos that come to the river to quench on the waters of the Nile. The Nile crocodile can as well be sighted, don’t mind it if you aren’t fan of reptiles. On lucky days, the big boys including the Lions, Leopards and Hyenas can as well be sighted along the river. The cruise ends at the point where you have a full view of the waterfalls, seeing thousands of tons of water squeeze through a 7 meter wide gorge to plunge 30 meters down forming the world’s strongest waterfall.
Later on, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight. |
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| Meal Plan: Full Board at Twiga Safari Lodge | Overnight: Twiga Safari Lodge | |
DAY 4: KIBALE NATIONAL PARK |
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| You shall wake up for your morning breakfast, checkout of the lodge and start your transfer journey to Kibale National Park driving towards Kibale with en-route picnic before extending to Fort Portal; Uganda’s Tourism City, the only city with an English name in Uganda. Fort Portal is set on the foothills of the Rwenzori, the tallest block of mountains in Uganda and third tallest in Africa. The jagged hills give the city an amazing wallpaper look that will leave you wondering about its creation story.
After lunch, drive to Kibale Forest, checking in at your lodge that is set on the boundary with the forest. Enjoy the natural views as you settle in for dinner and overnight. Prepare for another ultimate adventure tomorrow. |
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| Meal Plan: Breakfast: Twiga Safari Lodge Lunch: Picnics from Twiga Safari Lodge Dinner: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge |
Overnight: | |
DAY 5: KIBALE NATIONAL PARK |
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| You shall wake up early in the morning for your breakfast and thereafter set off for the transfer to Kanyanchu Visitor Information center at Kibale National Park. You will be briefed about the chimp tracking experience by the rangers and thereafter head out into the forest in small groups led by a ranger. The tracking experience can take between 1 to 3 hours depending on the location of the chimp community. You will be allowed to spend up to an hour in the company of the chimps, take photos and videos as much as you can.
You shall return to the lodge for your lunch and relax.
Later in the evening, you shall go for your community experience at Bigodi Village. The community experience takes you through the daily life of the local people; you will meet local herbs men, blacksmith and local crafts women. The wetland Bigodi is a project being run by local communities and is much known for its rich diversity of bird species and other primates. It also provides employment and job opportunities to the local youth through tour guiding.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. |
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| Meal Plan: Full Board at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge |
Overnight: | |
DAY 6: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK |
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| After your morning breakfast, visit the Kasenda craters. Take a short hike to the ‘Top of the World’ view point where you are able to see a lot of the small crater lakes within this region. Proceed and also visit the spectacular Lake Nyinambuga from which the lake shown on the 20.000 Uganda shilling note was depicted.
Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is one of country’s best wildlife National parks with over 600 bird species, mammals like Lions, Leopards, elephants, buffaloes and so many others. Dinner and Overnight at your Lodge. |
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| Meal Plan: Breakfast: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge Lunch & Dinner: Buffalo Safari Lodge |
Overnight: | |
DAY 7: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK |
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| After an early morning breakfast, depart for your morning game drive in Kasenyi areas. Look out for wildlife animals such as Lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Elephants, Antelopes, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Bushbucks and so on. Lunch and in the afternoon set out for the launch cruise along the Kazinga channel.
The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel is a home to one of Africa’s largest hippo populations and bird species. This 3hrs boat cruise will enrich you with views of the water loving animals such as Hippos, Elephants, Buffalos, Crocodiles and other antelopes as we as bird species.
Return to your Lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay. |
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| Meal Plan: Full Board at Buffalo Safari Lodge |
Overnight: | |
DAY 8: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK |
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| After breakfast leave the northern side of the park and transfer to the southern sector of Ishasha. Game drive in the mid-morning hours searching for the rare tree climbing lions. Afternoon embark on your journey to the famous Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park.
The park is well known for being a habit to the endangered species of Mountain Gorillas. Check in at your Lodge for dinner and overnight. |
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| Meal Plan: Breakfast at Buffalo Safari Lodge, Lunch at Numba Cafe Kabale, Dinner at Four Gorillas Lodge. | Overnight:Four Gorillas Lodge | |
DAY 9: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK |
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| Wake up early to prepare for this once in a lifetime experience, the remarkable meet with the Gentle Giants- the Mountain Gorillas. After breakfast, your guide will drive you to the park offices- you will be briefed about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking and then you will be off for the venture of your life. Trekking through the steep, densely forested hills and then finally coming across the gorillas cloaked in the foliage is a rousing moment.
Do not leave these items behind; sunscreen, insect repellent, your passport, camera, hiking boots, long safari pants and long sleeved shirts or T-shirts plus a light rain jacket. Please avoid very bright and hot colored clothes- These not only attract insects to you but also can be offensive to the residents of the jungle. These items will come in handy as you go through the thick forest and encounter the unpredictable weather of Bwindi: Expect rain or sunshine anytime. |
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| Meal Plan: Full Board at Four Gorillas Lodge | Overnight: Four Gorillas Lodge | |
DAY 10: LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK |
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| After your morning early breakfast, you will be driven to Lake Mburo National Park which is Uganda’s smallest National Park. The journey will take you through stunning sceneries and views of the Ankole Kingdom with animal farms and different crop plantations. Arrive in time for Lunch at your Lodge in Lake Mburo.
Afternoon set out for the boat cruise on Lake Mburo. Look out for Hippos, Buffalos and others. The park is famously known for harboring the largest number of Zebras in Uganda. Other animals that can be seen also include Impalas, Oribis, Giraffes (just recently relocated from Murchison falls) and a lot of bird species. Overnight at your Lodge. |
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| Meal Plan: Breakfast at Four Gorillas Lodge, Lunch at Igongo Country Hotel, Dinner at Mihingo Lodge | Overnight: Mihingo Lodge | |
DAY 11: LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK tTO ENTEBBE |
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| Morning breakfast and have a game drive as you exit the park. Look out for animals which are habitat in the park such as Impalas, Zebras, Oribi, Topi, Elands and so on. Lake Mburo also is one of the few parks where one can do a guided nature walk and still most of the animals as if you are on the game drive. The park also is a habitat to more than 300 bird species and also very famous for birders.
Later, drive back to Entebbe having Lunch en route. Stop over at the Equator for the water experience as well as Photography. |
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| Meal Plan: Breakfast at Mihingo Lodge, Lunch at Flamingo Point at The Equator, Dinner at K Hotels | Overnight: | |
DAY 12: ENTEBBE - DEPARTURE |
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| Today, wake up lazy for your breakfast. Depending on your flight time, you can choose to spend the day at the zoo, do some shopping and thereafter be dropped off at the airport for your departure flight. It's been a great adventure. | ||
| Meal Plan: Breakfast at K Hotels | Overnight:
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Book This Tour
This Safari is available for booking for both Private and Group Travelers. Both Gorilla and Chimp Tracking Permits are highly competitive and thus advance booking is always highly recommended. A one time Gorilla Permit costs $700 and a Chimp Tracking Permit at $200 per person and its only valid for the particular dates booked for and as indicated in the itinerary, there is no refund for any of the Permit fees should there be any Cancellations of the tour after booking. Please note that you will be grouped with other trackers while on the tracking experience, exclusive tracking experiences call for extra charges.
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