Our 4 days Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari will give you a once in a lifetime opportunity to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and wildlife safari in Lake Mburo National Park, both situated in the western part of Uganda. Lake Mburo is one of Uganda’s smallest parks and while you will get to discover a number of wildlife species that include herds of zebras, elands, topis, buffaloes, bush buck, warthog, leopard, hyena, jackal among others.
On a boat cruise, you will be able to spot species like the Nile crocodile, hippos, a number of bird species – African finfoot, the elusive shoebill stock, African fish eagle – and a lot other species.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is arguably the best place in the world where you can see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Situated in the south western part of Uganda, Bwindi is home to half of the world’s population of these endangered species and to track them with the help of a guide and ranger you will require a gorilla trekking permit that is purchased from the Uganda Wildlife Authority at only $700 for foreign non residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX250,000/= for East African residents.
Individuals above 15 years will be allowed to enter the dense jungles in search of mans closest relative. Its an absolutely rewarding safari that you definitely have to include on your travel bucket list.
Highlight of the safari
Gorilla trekking
Game drive
Boat cruise
Detailed 4 days Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari
Day 1: Pickup and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Our driver/guide will pick you from the airport or hotel within Kampala to embark on a journey to the south west part of the country. Before the trip starts you will be briefed about the whole itinerary and what to look forward to. Here you can ask as many questions so that you’re well versed and satisfied with the information here.
From here, the journey will begin at exactly 7am in the morning in order to beat the morning traffic jam and you will use the Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara – Kisoro route. Along the way, you will be stunned by the beautiful scenic views of the countryside made up of different terrains, towns, plantations and more.
Upon reaching Mbarara, you will stop by Igongo cultural centre for lunch and from here you will proceed to Bwindi still catching a glimpse of what that part of the country holds. You may get a chance to have a look at the famous Ankole long horned cows grazing in the farms. You will arrive in Bwindi in the evening and here you will check in to your lodge, have dinner and then rest.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Buhoma lodge
Midrange: Gorilla mist lodge
Budget: Buhoma rest camp
Meal plan
Lunch and dinner
Travel time
9-10hrs
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Batwa experience
Youb will wakeup early in the morning, have breakfast and our guide/driver will be ready to transfer you to the headquarters for briefing on the guidelines to following during gorilla trekking and on spotting the endangered species in their natural habitat. Before you’re led into the forest, trackers first have to notify the guides on the headquarters on the specific location where a particular gorilla group is situated.
Once a gorilla group is found, you will be led into the forest in a group of 8 people following trails until you reach the exact location where they are situated. The activity takes about 2 – 6hrs and that depends on the location of gorillas. During the search, you will also get to spot some other species that live within the boundaries of Bwindi and these include; a number of bird species, butterflies, forest elephants, black and white columbus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys among other species.
Once you spot the gorillas, you will be given time of upto 1hr to observe, and analyze their behavior plus also take as many pictures of these species as you can. After the 1hr has elapsed, you will be led back to the headquarters where you will be awarded a certificate indicating that you did take part in gorilla trekking in Uganda. Our driver/guide will then pick you and transfer you back to the lodge for lunch and then rest. In the evening you can decide to go visit the Batwa community of people.
The Batwa initially inhabited the forest. These were hunters and fruit gatherers but following the establishment of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and being regarded as the conservation centre for gorillas, they were resettled in areas surrounding the park and are being sensitized on farming practices and the good in it. After this brief trip to the community, you will head back to your lodge for dinner and then rest.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Buhoma lodge
Midrange: Gorilla mist lodge
Budget: Buhoma rest camp
Meal plan
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and game drive
You will wake up early in the morning, take breakfast, check out of your lodge and thereafter our driver/guide will drive out to embark on a journey to Lake Mburo National Park situated along Mbarara – Kampala highway. You will have lunch at agip motel in Mbarara then arrive in the park in the evening.
You’ll check in to your lodge and then head for an evening game drive. You will be able to spot hyenas, zebras, elands, topis, bushbucks and more others. After the game drive, you will head back to your lodge and rest.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Mihingo lodge
Midrange: Rwakobo rock
Budget: Mburo eagle’s nest
Meal plan
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Boat cruise and transfer to Kampala
Wake up, take breakfast and then later you will be led for a boat cruise on Lake Mburo. Here you will discover other lakes surrounding the park like Lake Kazamu and Lake Bwa. On a boat cruise you will see species like the Nile crocodile, hippos, bird species among other species.
You will then be led back to your lodge for lunch, some few hours of relaxing by the swimming pool or any other place within the boundaries of the lodge. You will then check out of your lodge and head a journey to Kampala. You will stop at the equator in Kayabwe for pictures and then proceed to Kampala. Upon reaching, you will be dropped at the airport in Entebbe or a lodge in Kampala. This will mark the end of your 4 days Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari.
What to pack for the 4 days Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari
Sunglasses
A hat
Long sleeved shirts and long trousers
A camera
Rain jacket
Water proof hiking shoes
Insect repellents
Gardening gloves
A pair of gaiters
Toiletries
Torch
What the 4 days Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari package includes
Gorilla trekking permit
Park entrance fees
An English-speaking driver
Bottled drinking water
Accommodation for 3 nights
Full board meals
Airport transfers
A 4×4 safari car
All activities mentioned in the package
4 days Bwindi and Lake Mburo safari exclusions
Visas
International flights fares
Luxury drinks
Tips to local guides
Laundry services
Activities not mentioned in the package