Gorilla Safari Highlights:
- A staggering array of flora and fauna
- Track the wild chimps
- See the wealth of wild game
- Track Gorillas
Please Note: This is a suggested example itinerary, which can be amended to create a special unique safari just for you
Day 1: Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve, Uganda
You will be picked up from the airport by your guide and driven to Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve, the oldest protected area in Uganda and home to a staggering array of flora and fauna. 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. Overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge (Full Breakfast).
Male Gorilla
Day 2: Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve, Uganda
Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve. Accompanied by guides and the 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 a late breakfast and the chance to lounge by the pool. After lunch you will hop aboard a boat and take a trip on Lake Albert.Here you will not only be stunned by the scenery, with the escarpment plunging down from dizzying heights and the Mountains of the Moon shimmering in the distance, but also by the extensive wildlife all around. The lake is home to numerous species of bird, not least of which is the rare and prehistoric looking shoebill. You will make a slow return back to the lodge sipping on a cold drink whilst watching the sun drop down behind the mountains and the expanse of the Congo beyond. Overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge (Full Breakfast).
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
After breakfast you will leave Semliki and head south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This stunning drive takes you through the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, passed a beautiful necklace-like string of crater lakes. Overnight at either Mweya Lodge (Full Breakfast), a large first class lodge overlooking the Kazinga Channel and the resident hippo population, or the smaller and more intimate Jacana Lodge (Full Breakfast) situated in the Maramagambo forest, on a beautiful crater lake. If there is time you may want to go on an evening game drive.Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Queen Elizabeth National Park. An early morning game drive will provide the best opportunity to see a wealth of animals such as elephant, warthog, lion, hyena, Uganda kob, waterbuck and bushbuck. Later, a boat trip will allow you to experience wildlife up close where hippos huff and spray mere feet away, buffalo linger in the shallows and a tremendous variety of birds grace the grasses on the river's edge. Amongst those you will see are the malachite and pied kingfishers, great white and pink-backed pelicans and the open-billed stork.Day 5: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda
After breakfast you will leave the park heading south via Ishasha, 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 from the midday sun.
Moving on from here you head for 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 make a final descent into the valley, to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park which is home to the mountain gorilla.
Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda
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. Overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp (Full Breakfast).
Day 7: Kampala, Uganda
Depart Bwindi after an early breakfast and drive back through some of Uganda's finest scenery to Kampala, in time for dinner. Emin Pasha is a luxury boutique hotel nestled in 2 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.With an 'A La Carte' restaurant, top quality wine bar, full leisure facilities (including swimming pool and masseuse) at your disposal you will soon recover from your flight and be ready to investigate the sights and sounds of Kampala should you so desire. Overnight at Emin Pasha Hotel, Kampala. (Bed and breakfast)
Day 8: Entebbe, Uganda
After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe airport for the flight home.Includes
- Cost of the gorilla trek, 4 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
