7 Day Gorilla Safari and wildlife adventure in Uganda.

Discover the Ultimate 7-Day Gorilla Safari and Wildlife Adventure in Uganda.

Embark on an unforgettable 7 day gorilla safari and wildlife adventure through the wilds of Uganda, where you’ll witness the natural wonders and magnificent wildlife that call this beautiful country home.

Your journey begins with a trek through the rugged terrain of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you’ll have the chance to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitant and start your gorilla safaris. This intimate experience will leave you in awe of these majestic creatures and their fragile ecosystem.

Next, you’ll venture to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you’ll embark on a thrilling wildlife safari tour to see some of Africa’s most iconic animals, including tree-climbing lions, elephants, leopards, hippos, and a rich diversity of birdlife. Take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel to observe the animals up close and in their natural habitat.

In Kyambura Gorge and Kibale Forest National Park, you’ll have the opportunity to spot primates, including chimpanzees colobus monkeys, and other fascinating wildlife. The lush forests and varied ecosystems of these parks provide a rich tapestry of sights and sounds that will leave you feeling awe-struck.

Throughout your journey, you’ll stay in comfortable lodges and enjoy delicious meals, all while surrounded by the stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife of Uganda. This is an adventure of a lifetime that’s not to be missed!

Tour Highlights:

• Arrive in Entebbe and transfer to the lush jungles of Kibale National Park for an exhilarating Chimpanzee safari.
• Experience Chimpanzee tracking and take in the scenic wildlife views at the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
• Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for an unforgettable wildlife game drive safari.
• Embark on a wildlife safari and enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Journey to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a thrilling Gorilla safari adventure.
• Immerse yourself in a Gorilla Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Gorilla Safari, chimps trek briefing and Transfer to Kibale National Park.

Arrive at Entebbe airport, where our Gorilla Safari Uganda travel agent will greet and brief you about your trip. Then, embark on a westward drive towards Fort Portal to reach Kibale Forest National Park, a journey of about 5.5 hours. As you travel on both asphalt and unpaved roads, you’ll pass through traditional Ugandan villages, witnessing locals tending to their crops of millet, sorghum, beans, and maize. The lush rolling hills offer excellent photo opportunities. Approaching Fort Portal in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, you’ll enter Uganda’s renowned tea plantation region

A carpet of green spreads before you, as far as the eye can see, and seems an unusual contrast to the countryside through which you have just passed. You arrive at Fort Portal, then, continue toward Kibale Forest, one of the great African rain forest research reserves. Years of study by scientists (who have cut a grid through the forest) have habituated many of its animals to human observers. This forest is famed for the variety of primates with the famous ones being Chimpanzees and black and white Colobus monkeys which you will track in the morning. The forest is a terrific area for birds and for birding enthusiasts. This rural Ugandan town (Fort Portal) is locally famous for its weaving and basketry, and we can spend some time briefly to examine some of this local art.

Fort Portal is a small and attractive city. The fort was built between 1891 and 1893 and named after Sir Gerald Portal, the British Consul General of Zanzibar who arrived in Uganda in 1892 to formalize the protectorate of Uganda. He died of malaria a few months after the fort was completed.

During the afternoon we have time to visit the scenic crater lakes region, checking out the superbly terraced tea estates. In the south of Fort Portal is Kasenda Crater Lakes region. It sits on the rim of Lake Nyinambuga the back of the main building looks down over the lake, while the other side of the lodge looks out over another lake in the distance and, further off, the Rwenzori Mountains, which were perpetually shrouded in the clouds, except early in the morning. There’s plenty to do in this area and we can also take an hours walk around Lake Nyinambuga.

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

Day 2: Go for Chimps Track and scenic wild life views of the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Have early morning breakfast and assemble at Kanyankyu river camp at 0800 hours in the morning to go for the most popular activity in this park which is Chimpanzee tracking. Chimpanzees are mans closet cousins though they are one of the most threatened primates species. More primates like Black and white Columbus monkeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, Grey cheeked Mangabey, Red tailed monkeys, bush babies, pottos and many bird species like the spotted nicator, rumped tinkerbird, Little greenbul, green breasted pitta, the crowned eagle, black bee eater and mammals like Elephants can be seen in this walk.

Kibale National park, which averages about 3,300 feet in elevation, is an extension of the great rainforests of central Africa. It is inhabited by three large communities of chimps, each numbering more than 100 individuals. Each community has a complicated social structure. The big adult males dominate the group and defend the community territory against incursions by male outsiders; the females usually wander in small family groups.
Typically, we locate the chimps by listening for their pant-hooting calls, then hustle to the area from which they are calling. We get to observe them as they feed in fruiting trees, lounge, and socialize with each other, or even, occasionally hunt.

In the afternoon we visit a nearby forest swamp that is excellent for viewing primates and other forest animals. At the Eastern edge of Kibale forest is Bigodi Wetland sanctuary which is maintained by the local community. You will expect birds like the great Blue turaco, blue monkeys, baboons, otters, mongoose, bush bucks, bush pigs and among others. Lunch will be had en route and dinner and overnight at your accommodation
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Ndali Lodge or Primate Lodge Kibale
Moderate: Mountains Of The Moon Hotel
Budget Tourist: Rwenzori View Travellers Hotel

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a wildlife Game drive Safari

Have early morning breakfast and embark on your journey through the foothills of the magnificent Rwenzori’s, keeping a watchful eye on the imposing peaks looming in the distance or opt for a more direct route and drive straight to Queen Elizabeth. Depending on the season, the wildlife sightings will vary. The Kasenyi plains boast an impressive lion population, while the Mweya peninsula is home to a diverse array of animals.

Reach Fort Portal and head south arriving at the park early in the afternoon. The northern border of the 767-square-mile conservation area is dominated by the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” which soar to a height of 16,000 feet. The park is flanked by Lake George to the northeast and Lake Edward to the southwest, with the western border adjoining the DRC Parc Du Virunga.

Prepare to encounter countless herds of Uganda Kob, which resemble impalas, as well as topi, elephants, lions, Cape buffalo, and giant forest hogs. Additionally, there are several soda lakes nestled within ancient volcanic calderas, where flamingos congregate during certain times of the year.

In the afternoon, embark on a game drive through the park’s northern region, making a stop at Baboon Cliff, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and excellent views of the shadows cast by the Mountains of the Moon, the Rwenzori’s. As you make your way to the lodge, you will traverse vast expanses of savannah grasslands, where you are sure to encounter a plethora of wild game. Lunch will be had en route and dinner and overnight at your lodge.

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 or Katara Lodge
Budget Tourist: Mweya Albertine Hostels

Day 4: Embark on your Wildlife Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel.

Rise early and savor a hearty breakfast before embarking on a game drive in the northern sector of the park, specifically the Kasenyi, in search of lion prides , as well as elephants and lone buffalo. This time of day offers the best chance to witness the feline predators in action, due to the abundant population of Uganda Kobs. The proximity to the wildlife is astounding, providing excellent opportunities for up-close encounters with just about every animal.

In the afternoon, we will take a leisurely launch trip along the Kazinga Channel, affording you the chance to observe the wildlife from an entirely different perspective. Hippos will huff and spray just feet away from the boat, and buffalo will linger in the shallows. The channel’s banks are teeming with a diverse array of birds, including pink-backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle-billed storks, and countless others.

Lunch will be enjoyed en route, and return to your lodge for 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: Drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a Gorilla Safari experience

Indulge in an early morning breakfast before setting off on a mesmerizing drive through the awe-inspiring savannah grasslands of Queen Elizabeth National Park, en route to the enchanting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. If the roads permit, we may pass through the remote and stunning southern sector of the park, Ishasha, which boasts a vast array and quantity of wildlife. The large, low-limbed fig tree of Ishasha is particularly notable for providing an exceptional vantage point to witness the majestic lions draped across its branches. Nowhere else in Africa offers a better chance to observe this remarkable sight.

Alternatively, we may opt to traverse the cultivated expanses and take an alternative route. We will eventually arrive in Bwindi, where we will enjoy a delectable dinner and spend the night in our comfortable lodge.

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 6: Immerse yourself on a Gorilla Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National park Uganda.

Start your day with an early breakfast before heading out for an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure. After a briefing, we will set off through the dense rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes, guided by experienced trackers and a knowledgeable guide, in search of a family of magnificent mountain gorillas. The trek may last the entire day, and while the journey can be challenging and muddy, the reward of encountering these incredible creatures makes any discomfort worthwhile. Visitors may spend up to an hour with the gorillas, sitting just six meters away and gazing into their big, round eyes. However, the duration of the trek is unpredictable, ranging from 2 to 8 hours. A good level of fitness is recommended, as the terrain can be steep and demanding.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park boasts impressive biodiversity, with vegetation that has been weaving itself into tangles for over 25,000 years. The forest is home to a staggering variety of species, including 120 types of mammal, 51 reptiles, 310 butterfly species, 88 moths, and 200 trees. Primates, such as chimpanzees, baboons, black and white colobus, L’Hoest’s, red-tailed and blue monkeys, and the iconic mountain gorilla, are among the many animals that call this forest home. Birdwatchers will be enthralled by the park’s 350 species of birds, including seven that are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift endemics, making Bwindi a prime destination for birdwatching.

Conservation efforts are critical to protect these endangered animals, and visitors will receive a briefing on how to behave around the gorillas to ensure their safety. After an unforgettable day of gorilla trekking, we will have lunch along the way and return to our lodge for dinner and overnight.

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 7: Return to Kampala or Entebbe – End of 7 day Gorilla Safari and Wildlife Adventure Tour

Enjoy an early breakfast as we prepare for our journey back to Entebbe or Kampala. We’ll drive through the stunning vistas of southwestern Uganda, admiring the rolling, terraced hills and fertile landscapes. Look out for the majestic long-horned Ankole cattle as we pass through Mbarara. A highlight of the trip is crossing the Equator, where we’ll stop for a unique photo opportunity. We then continue to Entebbe via Kampala, soaking in the final sights and sounds of Uganda before departure.

Apart from 7 day Gorilla safari and Wildlife adventure Uganda below are other itineraries.

• 3 Day Uganda Gorilla Safari: Drive
• 3 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
• 3 Day Murchison Falls Safari
• 3 Day Queen Elizabeth Safari
• 6 Day Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
• 6 Day Rwanda Adventure Safari
• 12 Day Best of Uganda Holiday Safari
• 11 Day Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
• 14 Day Uganda and Rwanda Highlights
• 13 Day Gorillas & Masia Mara Safari