Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Safari

The second day of this adventurous All-inclusive Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari will get onto the muddy and dusty game tracks of Murchison Falls National Park in the back of a 4×4 safari truck by sunrise. You’ll have an early breakfast and pack some or bring your energy bites; we have to catch the big cats at their most impressive games. And most savannah game are very active in the early morning hours, avoiding the late morning heat.

Our safari trucks are customized to give you an expansive experience over the savannah plains, with a large adjustable glass window, enough legroom, and a wide pop-up rooftop to allow far-wide viewing. Bring your 600mm lens or pair of binoculars to zoom in on the action as it unfolds. Murchison has a healthy population of lions alongside an abundance of Ugandan Kob herds; you’ll luckily catch some early morning action.

Herds of Buffalos and elephants are particularly a common sight on the game drive. You’ll drive close to large herds of the localized Rothschild’s giraffe and an occasional leopard, though far from numerous on morning drives. The park has multiple antelope species, but the oribi, defassa waterbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest, grey duiker, and bushbuck will be common sightings. The cheeky Patas monkey troops can be spotted on the grassy plains, paranoid of suspicious movements.

The drive can extend into the late morning hours or even seven hours into the day; make sure you’re prepared for long stake-outs, wilderness drives with nothing but vast open plains, and long quiet stillness. Carry an energy snack and dress appropriately to shield you from the heat and sun.

You’ll drive back to your camp for a lunch break before you head to the jetty for another adventurous experience close to Murchison’s animals on the banks of the Nile River.

In the afternoon, after your lunch, you’ll catch the 3-hour scheduled boat launch upstream to the base of the thunderous Murchison Falls. This part of the All-inclusive Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari is the most revered experience in the savannah parks because it brings you the closest you can get to massively tasked elephants, pods of hippos, sun-busking Nile crocodiles, and many more riverbank dwellers.

The Nile stretch from the Paraa jetty to the falls is a magnet to park animals because of the permanent availability of water. The best time to take this boat safari adventure is during the dry seasons when the waterholes in the park ar dry and animals don’t have much choice but to trek downriver for a cold dip and drink. The boat will spend a few minutes near the base of the Falls, allowing you to capture the awesomeness of the mighty falls from its belly.

The boat then turns around for another hour of animal watching downstream back to the Paraa jetty. You can choose to stick with the boat or jump off for a challenging hike up the mighty falls. You have to pre-plan the trek with a guide for 20 bucks and have our driver meet you up the falls. Otherwise, stick with the boat and find your driver at Paraa jetty ready to drive you back to the lodge.

Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge (mid-range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer From Murchison To Kibale National Park, Evening Nature Walk in Bigodi Trail (a 5-7-hr drive)

You’ll be up early on this third day to hit the game tracks by 7:00 am and be in Kibale by 2:00 pm. Your safari driver will drive slowly through the park for the first few hours to allow you to catch sight of the early risers on the plains. Expect elephant, buffalo, antelope, and maybe lion sightings before you exit the Murchison protected area onto the Fort Portal drive.

It’s no secret that Fort Portal is home to some truly spectacular landscapes – and many come to this region just for its beauty. When thinking of this part of Uganda, most will picture rolling hills, endless countryside, and pine trees, but you’re likely to find that it has plenty more to offer. It is after all the primate capital of Africa, a country of the most beautiful women, wide verdant hills dotted with more than 100 crater lakes and vibrant colors are all things that make this region so incredible!

Get lost in this addictive beauty as we gracefully drive into the rainforest jungle and check-in at Primate Lodge just before lunch. Have your meal and relax for an hour or two; you’ll join your guide on a nature walk at the Bigodi trail if you’re up to it.

Bigodi Wetland is a community sustainability success with some of the best birding experts in the country. The 2-4-hr trail offers incredible birds and primate sightings, bringing visitors to close encounters with over 190 rare bird species, black and white colobus monkeys, red colobus monkeys, blue-tailed monkeys, and sometimes wild chimps.

This All-inclusive Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari day ends with a light-hearted mood ready for the walk with the mischievous chimpanzee troops the following morning. Your lodgings are just a 5-minute walk from the visitor center and you’ll have to be there by 7:30 am for the briefing before the experience.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Mid-range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Chimpanzee Trekking (Regular $200) or Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (Full-day $250)

Your jungle breakfast will be ready by 6:00 am, and your trip manager will make sure you’re at the Kanyanchu visitor center by 7:30 am for the trekking briefing. Suppose you’re joining researchers on the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience. In that case, you’ll have to be at the visitor’s center by 5:00 am to catch the chimps as they wake from their nightly nests and follow them on their foraging expeditions.

There’s no doubt that the All-inclusive Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari brings you to the most endowed rainforest with the highest concentration of primates in Africa. You definitely will be magically swept away in the jungle’s freshness like a Disney character. With over 1,500 chimpanzees in this jungle, chimp sightings in Kibale are guaranteed 98% of the time.

All you have to worry about is if you can keep up with their swift movements. Unlike gorilla trekking, where you sit and observe nonchalant dark giants in silence, chimpanzee bands are hyper-active and will keep you on your toes, only stopping for a few minutes to hoot, eat, fornicate, fart, groom each other. You’ll be amazed at how similar they are to our very own race.

On this jungle adventure, it’s typical for other primates to cross your paths, like the red colobus monkey and the rare L’Hoest’s monkey. Even though your primary goal is to find the chimps, you’re most like to see the black & white colobus, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, olive baboon, and grey-cheeked mangabey swinging under the forest canopy. Forest mammals like elephants and duikers may cross your path but are most unlikely because they usually shy away from aliens.

For those with an eye for colorful birds, carry your binoculars and look out for the great blue turaco, yellow-spotted nicator, green breasted pitta, the crowned eagle, rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, and black bee-eater. Although, your spiked adrenaline to meet your primitive cousins may overshadow your concentration to other sightings.

Your security within these untamed jungles will be high on UWA’s watchlist. So you’ll have a bunch of armed rangers flanking your trekking group and an expert guide to lead and feed you with relevant information. Pay much attention to the guide; there’s so much you’ll learn from his jungle stories.

After that jungle experience, you need not do anything to disrupt your memory bank but jungle quietness, birdsong, and a meditational evening at your forest lodge. A good conversation with your mates about the day’s experience will bring home the revered experiences. The next day you’ll take a ride to your next All-inclusive Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari attraction through stunning countryside.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (mid-range)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Transfer from Kibale, Explore Ndali-Kasenda, to Queen Elizabeth National Park (drivetime 4-5 hrs)

You’re in no hurry to wake up early for today. But the earlier, the better to avoid driving under the scorching sun to East Africa’s most famous National Parks, Queen Elizabeth National Park. As we exit the Kibale’s rainforest jungle, you’ll explore the Ndali-Kasenda Craters west of the park.

The west of Kibale Forest steams in the shadows of the Rwenzori Mountains and is sprinkled with one of the world’s densest concentrations of volcanic craters. Over 50 crater lakes pockmark the Ndali-Kasenda region, making for a dreamy drive-through on your way to QENP. If you’re moving at an agreeable time, your driver will organize a walk in the shadows of the Rwenzoris for an intimate experience.

As you make your way into the savannah park, you’ll explore the spectacular field of explosion craters a few miles north of Mweya. Highspots are Lake Nyamunuka, a stronghold of buffalo and elephant herds, Lake Kitagata, fed by salty hot-springs, and Kyemengo Crater en route to the Baboon Cliffs view. The magnificent Rift Valley views like the imposing Rwenzori range, Lakes Kirongo, George and Edward, the hippo-infested Kazinga Chanel, and the Rift Valley escarpments will capture your gaze as you drive through this area.

The 764-sq-mi (1,978-sq-km) Queen Elizabeth National Park is justifiably Uganda’s most famous safari park. It is effortless to reach and enjoys a spectacular location on the Rift Valley floor between Lakes George and Edward. Varied habitats embody the rift valley vegetation that lured our hominid ancestors to migrate from forest to savannah and made home to impressive mammals and bird species.

Here, you’ll spend two nights and explore the savannah plains’ big and small animals.

Accommodation:  Katara Lodge (Mid-range)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Launch on Kazinga Channel

This sixth day of the All-inclusive Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari is all bout the savannah wild game viewing experience in QENP. You start early with a break of dawn game drive north of Kazinga Channel on the Kasenyi Game Tracks.

Kasenyi Plains are quite famous for their many lions that prey on the abundant Uganda Kobs, especially around the Kob breeding grounds. Of course, the best time to catch the lions’ hunting expeditions on the plains is at sunrise. Come with some extra batteries for your camera to capture wildlife photography action.

Expect the catch sight of the Elephant, Buffalo, Waterbuck, and Warthog. You may also sight the Giant Forest Hog, Hyena, and perhaps even a Leopard with luck. Your driver will take you back to the lodge in time for lunch and a short break before you embark on another wildlife safari adventure on Kazinga Channel.

At the Mweya jetty, you’ll board the Kazinga Channel boat launch that will bring you the closest to the park’s famous game while floating in the comfort of the viewing deck. Hippos huff and spray a few feet away, elephant dip and buffalo linger in the elephant shallows. The channel’s shores are spotted with riparian birds like pink-backed pelicans, yellow-billed stork, malachite kingfisher, pied kingfisher, saddle-billed stork, fish eagle, martial eagle, and many others.

The 25-mile long Kazinga Channel linking lakes Gorge and Edward bisects the park, feeding the grasslands and forests and creating an oasis in the Great Rift Valley stretching almost 1978 sq km (763 sq mi). The boat launch highlight on this All-inclusive Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari, and you’ll have ticked this off your African adventure bucket list.

Head back to the camp for a cool shower, hot meal, and hearty talk about the day’s experiences.

Accommodation:  Katara Lodge (Mid-range)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Nature Walk in Maramagambo Forest & Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha

Start another adventurous day with a nature walk in the dark Maramagambo Forest that sprawls across central Queen Elizabeth National Park from the bottom of the Kichwamba escarpment to Lake Edward shores. Shady forest trails are a different tranquil environment from the sunny park plains, harbor primates, and rare forest birds. Gaze away at the diversity of colorful butterflies that decorate the forest air.

On the pinnacle of this nature walk, those with the guts for it will enter the dark, spooky volcanic caves, home to thousands of bats. Watch out for the pythons frequently observed preying on the bats in the crevices of dark caves. The walking trail will also lead you to the swimming pool-blue Lake Kimeranjojo for a gorgeous view.

You’ll have your packed lunch en-route through Ishasha Sector, driving along the deep and wide dry craters now covered with savanna grasses and acacia. Stare at the extraordinary Rift Valley escarpment landscapes as you go into Ishasha Sector, where you will take on yet another adventure searching for famous tree-climbing lions in the late afternoon hours.

You’ll observe these obliging felines draped over the branches of acacia trees and looking incredibly comfortable watching the dying golden sun. Ishasha is exceptionally endowed with a superb variety of animals. You’ll effortlessly spot hippos lounging in the Ishasha River while Buffalo, Kob, and Topi roam the plains.

You’ll check in at your camp as the sun dies down for a long shower, hot meal, and fluffy warm linen.

Accommodation:  Enjojo Lodge (Mid-range)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Ishasha to Bwindi, Nature Trail Crossing Bwindi From Buhoma To Nkuringo

Check-out of your camp for another All-inclusive Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari 2-3-hr road transfer through Ishasha Sector to Buhoma, the northern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. At Buhoma visitor center, you’ll join one of our local walking safari guides, who will guide you on another walking adventure across the misty impenetrable jungle to the southern sector. This part of the adventure will immerse you in the majestic enchantments of the ancient wilderness, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For 4-5 hours, your local expert will furnish you with ancient tales of the forest’s inhabitants, bringing you close to being one with woods. With luck on your side, some of the backwood dwellers like chimps, forest elephants, duikers, forest buffalo, and various primates will cross your path. Otherwise, look out for the unique overgrown plant species and dazzling colorful butterflies of over 300 species. Birds such as African green broadbill, great blue turaco, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Turner’s Eremomela, Shelley’s crimson wing, and Chapin’s flycatcher flying under the canopy will definitely capture your eye.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is very famous for being a sanctuary to almost half of the last mountain gorillas. You’ll be pretty lucky to bump into these great apes on the walking trail. But if you do, they could be wild and unwelcoming. So, stay calm composed, and follow your guide’s recommendations. Besides, a pair of armed rangers will be flanking your party to ensure security on the trail.

You’ll cross rivers, streams, shaky bridges, climb fallen stumps and walk through damp forest floors connecting you to sapiens’ origins. However, at the other end, your driver will be ready to whisk you off, driving you through dreamy landscapes and delivering you to your luxury forest cottage hagging above the impenetrable jungle you just conquered.

You’ll be heading back into the same jungle to find the mystic mountain gorillas the following morning. End this All-inclusive Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari day with a good rest for the night.

Accommodation:  Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

The Gorilla Trekking Adventure Experience

First, you must consider whether you will be doing the regular gorilla trekking excursion that could last for half the day and allow you only 60 minutes with the gorillas. The more extensive Gorilla Habituation Experience enables visitors four hours with the mighty gorillas. You have to decide your planning process months before this trekking day. Otherwise, UWA does not make last-minute changes.

Eat an early energy-giving breakfast, preferably fruits and cereal; you’ll need the energy during your trek. You’ll get a lunch pack at the lodge, and your driver will have you at the Nkuringo visitor center by 7:30 am for the briefing session. After the briefing, the warden selects travelers in groups of eight people and assigns a gorilla group based on their physical ability. He’ll also offer you a walking stick and advise you to take a porter. For 20 bucks, please take one of the locals; you may need them to pull you muddy slopes or carry your backpack—besides, it’s a great way to support the surrounding communities.

You will then join two armed rangers and an expert guide on the trekking trail till you disappear under the unmarked forest canopy. The trek can be quite challenging and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours to locate the habituated gorillas. Duration depends on the location of gorillas, how fast trekkers are moving, and the ability of the lead guide to locate the bearing rangers on-site are sending; it’s not cutout! Nevertheless, almost all trekkers manage the challenge to find the gorillas and back.

You’ll be allowed to spend 60 minutes with the gorillas when you find them. That is for the regular gorilla trekking permit of $700. But to spend more time of up to 4 hours with the gorillas, you’ll pay $1500 on Gorilla Habituation Experience Permit and start the trek a little earlier.

The thrill of locking eyes with a wild beast with similar facials and observing their incredible social behaviors will wash away all the trekking pain that burns your muscles, and you’ll lean-in. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an exhilarating and renewing adventure.

Depending on your gorilla permit reservation, the tracking can occur at Nkuringo Sector or Rushaga, an hour’s drive from Nkuringo. The habituation experience occurs only in Rushaga.

Back at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, you’ll have the rest of the evening to cool off the demanding jungle adventure as the night cools down. The lodge has incredible views over the rugged landscape, with the Virunga Mountains chain in the backdrop. You’ll have locals sing over a roaring campfire and a deep massage, perfect for soothing any aching muscles after a day of hiking.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi & a Relaxing Evening

Nothing compares to pushing off in a canoe and experiencing the backcountry from the water. Lake Bunyonyi has a unique character and spirit, with a charming adventurer for a relaxing getaway.

After your breakfast, you’ll meet your driver and set off on a short drive over beautifully terraced landscapes and stunningly rugged landscapes to Lake Bunyonyi. Your driver will deliver your luggage at the lake resort, and you’ll set off in a canoe on the clear freshwaters. You’ll be doing much more than just paddling a canoe but relax, explore, and spend quality time viewing nature’s creation. Keep an eye out for eagles, rare bird species, and unbelievable plants.

Dock off at the Kyabahinga peninsula, where local folk will gladly welcome you with song, dance, and brew. Ascend the Kyabahinga slopes to enjoy the exquisite views over the gorgeous Lake, meet a local herbalist, and listen to historical tales about the Lake’s many islands.

Hope back onto the boat and head to your Lake Resort for a relaxing evening.

Accommodation:  Bird’s Nest (mid-range)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Transfer to Lake Mburo, Walking or Horseback Safari

After a relaxed night at Lake Bunyonyi, you’ll drive east through Kisoro, Kabale, and Mbarara to break your Entebbe-bound journey at Uganda’s smallest game park, Lake Mburo National Park.

This tiny park throws a serious game-viewing punch for its size with exclusive animal species like Zebra, impalas, giant bush rats, and slender mongoose. Apart from the northern parks, it’s only here that you’ll find giraffes. The Lake dominates the park’s landscape, but the forest-fringed shores hemmed by rugged green hills scenically stand out.

Due to the absence of dangerous predators and big game like elephants, Lake Mburo National Park is excellent for walking safari experiences horseback rides among ungulates. You’ll take one of these activities as soon as you check into your lodge and are ready for an evening stroll in the wilderness.

Accommodation Rwakobo Rock Lodge (mid-range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Take your last game viewing drive as you exit the park to Entebbe

Wake up early for your last game-viewing experience on the All-inclusive Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari expedition. You might catch sight of the elusive leopard, side-striped jackal, and other small predators like the white-tailed mongoose, who mostly show up at dusk or dawn.

Casual sightings may include topi, bushbuck, common duiker, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, and Bohor reedbuck. At the same time, the lake and lush fringing vegetation support healthy populations of buffalo, warthog, bushpig, and hippopotamus.

You could have checked-out of the camp, and we head straight for Entebbe to end the adventure-filled All-inclusive Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari.

If you expect to spend another night in Entebbe, make sure your trip planner knows so we can book you a night at our very own Papyrus Guesthouse.

Accommodation: Relative
Meal Plan: Breakfast, and Lunch