Gorillas and wildlife Safaris in Bwindi & Lake Mburo-8 Days

8 Days Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris in Bwindi and Lake Mburo National Parks Uganda.

Start on an unforgettable 8-day adventure combining gorillas in Bwindi forest national park with thrilling wildlife safaris. Explore Uganda’s untamed wilderness, where you’ll encounter the rare mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. But that’s just the beginning – experience the majestic Big 5 in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the diverse wildlife of Lake Mburo National Park, including lions, leopards, elephants (predominantly in Queen Elizabeth National Park), hippos, sitatunga antelopes, kobs, and zebras (predominantly in Lake Mburo National Park). Continue your journey into the verdant forests of Kibale National Park for an exhilarating chimpanzee tracking adventure. This safari promises an ultimate wildlife experience for enthusiasts seeking the wonders of Uganda’s natural habitats

Tour Highlights 

• Arrive at Entebbe airport and embark on a thrilling journey to Lake Mburo National Park
• Safari Road Drive in Lake Mburo National Park
• Gorilla Trekking in bwindi Jungles
• Wildlife Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth checkout the tree climbing Lions at the Ishasha sector
• Nature Treks and Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
• Kibale forest Chimpanzee Tracking
• Depart from Kibale Chimpanzee National park and drive to Kampala then over to Entebbe for your end of trip

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport and Journey to Lake Mburo National Park for Wildlife Safaris and Boat Cruise.

Welcome to Entebbe, where you’ll be treated to a hearty breakfast(optional) and a briefing on the exciting safari adventure ahead by our expert tour guide. Then, embark on a scenic journey to the stunning Lake Mburo National Park in southwestern Uganda, where you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to stop at a local community renowned for their traditional drum-making and crafts, as well as a vibrant fruit market where you can browse and purchase unique souvenirs to remember your trip by. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in Uganda’s vibrant culture and take home a piece of its rich heritage.

Journey onwards towards the iconic Equator line, considered one of the most stunning sights in all of Africa. As you travel along the Equator, bask in the warm glow of the sun’s rays and capture the moment with stunning photographs to cherish for years to come. As the day wears on, arrive at Lake Mburo National Park, where you’ll be treated to a delicious lunch in the midst of the park’s incredible natural surroundings, with an abundance of wildlife and birds all around you. Then, set off on an exhilarating game drive through the park’s rugged terrain, where you’ll have the opportunity to spot a variety of fascinating creatures such as zebras, topis, elephants, water hogs, and waterbucks, among others. In the evening go for a boat cruise on the scenic lake Mburo with its scenic and lovely wildlife views. With so much to see and do, Lake Mburo National Park promises to be an unforgettable adventure.

Dinner and overnight at your accommodation

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Up-market: Mihingo Lodge

Moderate: Arcadia Cottages Lake Mburo / Mantana Tented Camp /Rwakobo Safari Lodge

Budget Tourist: Rwonyo Campsite Day/Eagles nest safari lodge

Wake up early to enjoy a delicious breakfast before setting off on an unforgettable journey through Uganda’s stunning volcanic landscape. Marvel at the steep hills and terraced banana and tea plantations adorning the mountainsides, gradually giving way to thick montane forests. As you wind your way toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, be captivated by the natural beauty that surrounds you. This fertile, mountainous region, known as the “Banana Republic,” features lush banana plantations, small rivers, and breathtaking scenery. Arrive at the park late in the afternoon, check in to your comfortable accommodation, and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Up-market: Gorilla Forest Camp

Moderate: Engagi Lodge

Budget Tourist: Buhoma Community Campground (self-contained cottages)

Day 3: Go for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Indulge in an early morning breakfast before heading out for the morning briefing by the park rangers, then go for the highlight of your trip – Gorilla trekking. This thrilling adventure may last the entire day as we trek through the rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes, accompanied by expert guides and trackers, in search of mountain gorilla family groups. These majestic creatures can be found in either the Buhoma sector or Ruhija, and the journey to find them can be tough and long. However, the moment you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomfort will be quickly forgotten. If you’re lucky enough to spot them, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters of the gorillas and spend a whole hour sitting around them while gazing into their big round eyes. Be aware that gorilla trekking as mentioned before is tough and unpredictable, and it’s difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The excursion can take anywhere from 2 up to 8 hours, and you should expect to walk long distances in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes in the rain. It’s recommended to be in good physical condition for this adventure. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour, and a ranger will brief you on how to behave when you are around the gorillas.

Note: While most forests today are no more than 12,000 years old, Bwindi’s vegetation has been weaving itself into tangles for at least 25,000 years, accumulating a lengthy species list over time. This includes 310 species of butterflies, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths, and an exceptional 120 types of mammals, including 10 primates. The latter includes chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s, red-tailed and blue monkeys, black and white colobus, baboons, and Bwindi’s most famous resident, the mountain gorilla. Bwindi is also a prime destination for birdwatchers, with over 350 species, including seven that are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift endemics. These are species that are difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa. So, keep your eyes peeled and your binoculars at the ready for an unforgettable experience. Lunch will be hard en-route the trip.

Dinner and overnight at your accommodation

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Up-market: Gorilla Forest Camp

Moderate: Engagi Lodge

Budget Tourist: Buhoma Community Campground (self-contained cottages).

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha for Tree-Climbing Lions and Wildlife Safari.

After a delicious breakfast, we embark on an adventurous drive through breathtaking savannah grasslands towards the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Our journey takes us to Ishasha, an isolated and less-explored area of the park that exudes a sense of exclusivity and remoteness. The game concentration in this region is exceptionally high, and it boasts some of the largest elephant herds in Uganda as it serves as their primary migration corridor between Uganda and the DRC. As we enter the park, we embark on a thrilling game drive in search of the majestic wildlife that roams freely in the area. Later, we make our way to the northern circuit, located close to the main road, famous for its tree-climbing lions. We keep an eye out for the lions in the many fig trees that they love to frequent, as well as visit the Uganda kob mating ground, their preferred hunting area. Lunch will be hard en-route. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Up-market: Mweya Safari Lodge (In Deluxe Rooms)

Moderate: Mweya Safari Lodge (In Standard Rooms) Or Jacana Lodge

Budget Tourist: Mweya Albertine Hostels

Day 5: Detailed Wildlife Game Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

We set out early in the morning for a game drive in the northern part of the park on the Kasenyi Track in search of lions, elephants, solitary buffaloes. This is the best time for opportunities of viewing the cats in action owing to the vast population of Uganda Kobs. We have an excellent chance to view just about every animal here at very close range. In the afternoon we will go for a launch trip along the Kazinga Channel. This gives you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippo’s huff and spray at a mere feet away from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle billed stork and many others. Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Up-market: Mweya Safari Lodge (In Deluxe Rooms)

Moderate: Mweya Safari Lodge (In Standard Rooms) Or Jacana Lodge

Budget Tourist: Mweya Albertine Hostels

Day 6: Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park and Head to Kibale for Chimpanzee Tracking.

Indulge in a hearty breakfast early in the morning before embarking on a scenic drive to Fort Portal and Kibale Forest National Park. Along the way, we’ll traverse the northern region of the park and take in the stunning vistas of Baboon Cliff, which boasts breathtaking views of the majestic Rwenzori Mountains. Arrive at Kibale Forest National park in the evening and check-in at your lodge for your dinner and overnight

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Up-market: Ndali Lodge or Primate Lodge Kibale

Moderate: Mountains Of The Moon Hotel

Budget Tourist: Kibale Forest Camp

Following breakfast early in the morning, we embark on a 45-minute scenic drive to Kibale National Park, where we spend the day exploring the lush Kibale Forest in search of primates, especially chimpanzees and colobus monkeys. With an average elevation of approximately 3,300 feet, Kibale National Park is an extension of the magnificent rainforests of central Africa. The park is home to three significant chimpanzee communities, each with over 100 members, exhibiting complex social structures. The dominant male chimps protect the group from male outsiders, while female chimps move around in small family groups. Chimps typically forage in small groups or individually, primarily in trees due to their fruit-based diet. However, they assemble into more significant groups when they find plentiful of food sources, such as a fruiting fig trees. We listen for their pant-hooting calls to locate the chimps and observe their social behaviors such as feeding, lounging, socializing, and occasionally, hunting. In the afternoon, we explore a nearby forest swamp, renowned for viewing primates and other forest animals. At the park’s eastern edge, we visit the Bigodi Wetland sanctuary, managed by the local community. Expect to spot various bird species, including the impressive Blue Turaco, blue monkeys, baboons, otters, mongoose, bush bucks, and bush pigs, among others. Lunch will be hard en-route and dinner and overnight at your lodge

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Up-market: Ndali Lodge or Primate Lodge Kibale

Moderate: Isunga game Lodge/Kibale guest cottages.

Budget Tourist: Kibale Forest Camp

Day 8: From Kibale to Kampala or Entebbe – End of 8 day Gorillas and wildlife Safaris and Wildlife tour.

After Breakfast in the morning, head for Kampala (about 5 hours driving) via Mubende. This route travels through breathtaking scenery and delightfully rolling plantations, some of the best you will ever see in Uganda. Depending on how much time you have, you can tour around Kampala’s crafts and souvenirs markets at Buganda Road before transfer to Entebbe airport for your departure home.