Gorilla Tracking Safari Highlights:
- Excellent Game Viewing
- The Volcanoes of Rwanda
- Tracking the mighty Gorilla
- Chimpanzee trek
Please Note: This is a suggested example itinerary, which can be amended to create a special unique safari just for you.
Day 2: Lake Mburo National Park
You will be picked up from the hotel by your guide and driven through Uganda's rolling green hills to Lake Mburo National Park. This is a geographical extension of the Tanzanian plains and is home to a vast population of zebra, is the only park in Uganda with an impala population, and is the best place to spot the African finfoot.
On the way we will stop at Katereke, one of the Kabakas' Trail Heritage Sites. Upon arrival in the park, spend the afternoon recovering from jet-lag or paddle on the lake in a dug out canoe listening to the wallowing hippos. There are opportunities for an evening game drive. You stay overnight at the privately tented Mantana Camp (Full Board).
Day 1: Kampala, Uganda
On your arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by your safari guide who will transfer you to your hotel in Kampala. The Emin Pasha Hotel is a luxurious boutique hotel situated in two acres of landscaped gardens. Facilities include an A La Carte restaurant and quality fine wine bar, swimming pool and masseuse.
You will soon be revived after your flight and ready to embark on an amazing Gorilla tracking safari. Overnight at Emin Pasha Hotel.
Day 3: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
After breakfast you will continue on your journey south towards the highlands of Uganda, also known as the Switzerland of Africa, which yields fantastic views of the Virunga Volcanoes of Rwanda and the Congo. You will stop off for lunch in one of the towns you pass through before making your final descent into the valley, to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park which is home to the Mountain Gorilla. You stay overnight in Gorilla Forest Camp (Full Board).Day 4: Gorilla Tracking, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. An early start with a hearty breakfast will have you prepared for one of the most unique wildlife experiences in the world, gorilla tracking. You will meet your guides at the ranger station at 8.00am who will then lead you deep into the forest. It can take anything from two to eight hours to locate the gorillas and therefore requires a reasonable degree of fitness as well as a sturdy pair of shoes.
Once you find them in this mysterious world, you will sit listening to them grumble at each other and cannot help but marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male, the silver back. You once again stay overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp (Full Board).
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast you will leave the park heading north towards Queen Elizabeth National Park passing through Ishasha en-route, famed for its tree climbing lions. Keep your eyes trained on the fig trees whose low lying branches are favoured by the lions for providing a welcome rest-bite from the midday sun.
You stay overnight at Mweya Lodge (Full Board), a large first class lodge overlooking the Kazinga Channel and the resident hippo population. You will have the opportunity to go an afternoon game drive. Animals you may spot include Elephants, waterbucks, warthogs, hippos and more. You can visit the Kasenyi area of the park where lions are often spotted.
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trek, Kyambura Gorge
This morning you will leave for a chimp trek in Kyambura Gorge. These adorable apes, more closely related to humans than to any living creature, are incredibly fun to watch as they play in fruiting trees. After spending time with the chimps you will return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon you have the opportunity to view wildlife in close proximity on a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. Hippo's wade and spray a few feet away from the boat, while buffalo linger in the shallow water. This area is home to many species of birds for the birding enthusiast. After this spectacular afternoon, take a slow drive back to Lodge.
Day 7: Ndali Lodge
Start the day early on a morning sunrise game drive before returning to enjoy a delcious breakfast at the Lodge. Animals you may see include elephant, water hog, lion, hyena, waterbuck and bushbuck. Depart Queen Elizabeth National Park for Ndali Lodge near the town of Fort Portal.
The lodge is perched atop a hill with the most stunning views down to a private lake on the one side and waving green banana plantations on the other. In the afternoon you will have a chance to relax and tour a tea plantation where you will be able to see the process from start to finish as well as sample the fresh tea and if impressed, buy some for yourselves. You stay overnight at Ndali Lodge (Full Board).
Day 8: Chimp Tracking, Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve
Wake up early to track the amazing habituated chimps. The forest is home to over 13 species of primates including the rare L'Hoest, red colobus monkey, blue monkey, pottos, grey mangabey, black faced vervet monkeys, bushbabies and also baboons. Birders are in for a treat with 335 recorded species. The elusive forest elephant moves seasonally into the more developed part of the park Return to the Lodge and spend the afternoon relaxing at the estate.
Before leaving Fort Portal you can go on a short hike with a local Ugandan guide who will take you up into the hills to visit a Ugandan village. Here you will be able to watch them weaving their baskets and making the dyes from various roots and berries as well as witnessing the culture of the Ugandan people. Nestled on the crest of the Wasa River Valley is the small and luxurious Semliki Safari Lodge, each tented room has large four-poster beds, Persian rugs and en-suite bathrooms.
As the only place in Uganda that offers night game drives you have a good chance of seeing leopard as well as the odd surprise or two, such as genets, cervals, white-tailed and slender mongoose. Other activities include tracking wild chimpanzees, fishing trips, boat trips, guided forest walks and game drives. You stay overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge (Full Board).
Day 9: Chimp tracking, Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve
Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve. Accompanied by guides and our resident chimpanzee researcher, you will have an early morning start to track the wild chimps. They are more active than gorillas and tend to be seen at dawn and dusk. If lucky, you will catch the chimps in their night nests and observe them come to life.
Return to the lodge for brunch and a chance to lounge by the pool. Before sunset, go out in the open topped vehicle for sundowners and watch the sun drop over the blue tinged Mountains of the Moon. You stay overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge (Full Board).
Day 10: Murchison Falls National Park
This morning, you will drive with a packed lunch to Murchison Falls National Park. This scenic drive will take approximately 9 hours. You can view the Ugandan Villages along the route and the views of Lake Albert. Murchison Falls National Park is known for the best wildlife viewing.
Before checking in at the Paraa Safari Lodge, you will stop at the top of the falls which is a stunning sight. See the Nile, the longest river in the world plunging into a waterfall. You stay overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge which is a luxurious lodge with stunning views over the Nile. (Full Board)
Day 11: Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park. After breakfast you will go for a morning game drive across Borassus Forest and Savannah, retuning to the lodge for lunch before heading out in the afternoon. Here you will climb aboard a boat and head off to the bottom of Murchison Falls. En-route you will come across large pods of hippo with crocodiles looming in the reeds. Elephants, Giraffe, Buffalo as well as countless water birds are also regularly seen.
The falls are not renowned so much for their height, but for the sheer force of the Nile, the longest river in the world, being squeezed through a seven meter gap in the rift escarpment before thundering down 43 meters into a deep pool. The result is a mass of white water and an extremely dramatic sight. Return to the lodge with the option of going on a evening game drive or having sundowners on the verandah. You stay overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge (Full Board).
Day 12: Kidepo National Park
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Pakuba Airstrip for your private charter plane flight to Kidepo National Park, which is Uganda's second biggest National Park. Apoka Lodge is the only lodge in the entire area. Kidepo is one of Africa's last great wilderness areas. Perennial running water in the Narus River makes Kidepo an amazing oasis in the semi desert. Apoka Lodge has astounding views of the plains and the jagged mountains in the distance.
A special feature is the outdoor bathtubs, which are carved out of the rock face. While the game viewing is fantastic, it is exclusivity of the lodge which is the main attraction. In the afternoon you can either take a game drive around the lodge area or enjoy a refreshing dip in the refreshing swimming pool. The pool has fantastic views down the Narus valley and over a waterhole frequented by many animals including Bullbull the friendly local elephant! Overnight at Apoka Lodge (Full Board)
Day 13: Murchison Falls National Park
This morning you will enjoy a leisurely breakfast before setting out for a full day safari in the park. Slowely look for animals movements and stop at any point to investigate further. You may take a walk to track the lions and cheetah. There is an abundance of Zebra, Waterbuck, Jackson's Hartebeest, Warthogs, Patas monkeys and huge herds of Buffalo. Relax with a picnic lunch under the shade of a sausage tree - indulge in an afternoon siesta as you wait near the waterhole for the Elephants and Giraffes to drink. Return to the lodge after sunset drinks.Overnight at Apoka Lodge (FB)Day 14: Kampala
This last day will give you a chance to relax as well as explore parts of Kampala. You will be taken on an 'urban safari' to the bustling fruit and craft markets and on to some of the best cafes, galleries and boutiques in town. Tasteful souvenirs can be found here. You will transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your outbound flight.Included
- Cost of the gorilla trek, 2 gorilla permits
- All accommodation
- All ground transportation in private 4 x 4 Safari Land Cruiser, airport transfers and fuel
- Full- time experienced safari guide (English speaking) and his associated expenses
- All meals (except where B&B is denoted)
- Water, snacks, tea and coffee in the vehicle
- Fees in National Parks for rangers, park entrances and activities as indicated in the itinerary
- All applicable taxes, administration and banking fees
Not Included
- International flights
- Any items of personal nature i.e. drinks, laundry, telephone, souvenirs, porters at the gorilla trek
- Travel / medical insurance
- Gratuities for Guide/driver / hotel staff
- Any extras not mentioned in the itinerary
Reservations and Enquiries
Female Gorilla with Baby
