7 Days Uganda Gorillas And Wildlife Safari
Our 7 days Uganda gorillas and wildlife package gives you a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore Uganda’s top tourist destinations making it a package worth adding onto your budget. Our package gives you a chance to take part in various activities like chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, game viewing and boat cruises in Queen Elizabeth National Park, gorilla trekking, birding and cultural tours especially the Batwa community found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
This 7 days Uganda safari will start from Kampala and you will embark on a journey to Kibale National Park which is home to 13 primate species making it one of the most visited areas in Africa. Primate species that you will in this place include; chimpanzee, olive baboon, blue monkey, velvet monkey, L’Hoests monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkey, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Uganda Red Colobus, Demidoff Galago, potto, Patas monkey, Uganda mangabey.
Bigodi wetland sanctuary found within the boundaries of Kibale National Park offers travelers a chance to explore some of the rare bird species. Over 200 bird species call this place home and they include the great blue turaco bird species, the Papyrus Gonolek, Kingfishers, Waxbills, Cuckoos, Weavers, Hornbills and many others.
From here you will proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park one of the most visited areas in Uganda given the fact that its home to various species of wild animals that can be seen roaming around the park in open savanna grassland. This is the perfect spot for game viewing. The park is also home to the 5 big game aanimals that is Elephants, Leopards, Lions, Buffaloes and Rhinos.
A boat cruise along the Kazinga channel – which connects Lake Edward to Lake George is very satisfying as you will be able to see hippos, crocodiles, water birds and other wildlife species on the shores of the lakes like buffaloes, Elephants and more.
Your safari would be incomplete if you don’t go to the Ishasha province of the park to have a look at the popular tree climbing lions. The experience is memorable and you can choose to capture the memories onto the lenses of your camera. From here you will continue your 7 days Uganda gorillas and wildlife safari to Bwindi Impenetrable national Park.
Bwindi is known to be home to half of the world’s population of the great mountain gorillas. The park is inhabited by about 459 individual mountain gorillas as per the last 2019 Gorilla Census which are grouped into 18 gorilla families found in the four gorilla trekking sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These sectors include Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo.
There other species you will be able to see while here and they include; forest elephants, monkeys, several species of birds, duikers, leopards and more. While in Bwindi, you will also have an opportunity to get entertained by a dancing group which is Batwa community who initially settled within the national park.
In a space of just 7 days, you will have explored Uganda’s top sites known to attract a bigger number of tourists. At Vizuri Africa Safaris, our team is always more than ready to receive your inquiries. Reach out to us.
Highlights of the trip
The trip starts and ends in Kampala
Chimpanzee tracking and swamp walk
Game viewing
Boat cruise
Gorilla trekking
Cultural tour and Batwa experience
Airport transfers
Arranging your accommodation prior and after the tour will come at an extra cost.
Detailed 7 Days Uganda gorillas and wildlife safari
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Kibale National Park
You will be picked by our well-trained guide and transferred to the primate capital – Kibale National Park via the Mubende route. Along the way, you will get to see the different vegetation types, and the beautiful scenery of the western part of the country made up of wetlands, lakes, rivers, towns and more.
Upon reaching Fort portal, you will have stop over for lunch and right after lunch, you will get a chance to explore Fort Portal which also happens to be the tourist city of Uganda.
Within this small city, is Toro kingdom palace where the king of this kingdom resides. You will get a chance to tour this place plus be told the significance it holds to the people of Toro. You will later head back to the lodge of your choice to have dinner and rest from the long day.
Accommodation options
Kyaninga lodge
Kibale primate lodge
Chimpanzee guest house
Meal plan
Lunch and dinner
Travel time
4 – 5hrs
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi wetland sanctuary walk
Wake up excited because this will be your first primate experience. You will wake up early in the morning hours, get your breakfast and right after breakfast you will be led to Kibale National Park headquarters to be briefed on the guidelines to follow and while with the chimpanzees.
After the briefing, you will be led into the forest in search of chimpanzee species by well trained rangers. Unlike gorilla trekking where you will find a particular gorilla confined in a particular place feeding, chimpanzees spend most of their time on tree branches and you can easily hear them while approaching areas where they’re gathered. On spotting these species you’re allowed to spend time of about 1hr observing their behaviors as you are taking photos too.
While here, you might also get a chance to have a look at other primate species like the , L’Hoests monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkey and others.
After the trek, you will be led back to the park headquarters where you will be picked to your lodge for lunch. Right after lunch another exciting activity awaits you and this is a walk-through Bigodi wetland sanctuary where you will come across several bird species, plant, butterflies and other primates.
You will head back to your hotel where you will have dinner and then rest.
Accommodation options
Kyaninga lodge
Kibale primate lodge
Chimpanzee guest
Meal plan
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – game drive – Kyambura gorge
After breakfast, our driver/guide will pick you up from the lodge and drive you to Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Ishasha sector popularly known to be home to the tree climbing lions. Its uncommon for lions to have such a skill however this can be seen in lions of a particular age. Most older lions afraid to climb trees because of their size but they do so when they feel attacked. It’s also believed these species climb trees to escape bites by bugs and also have a clear view of their prey as they roam in the park.
You will later be driven to your lodge of your choice where you will have lunch, relax for a few hours and then later in the afternoon you will be led to the underground Kyambura gorge forest that is home to chimpanzees, baboons, monkeys, bird species and many more others. You will later head back to your lodge for dinner and resting.
Accommodation options
Mweya safari lodge
Samba safari camp
Park view safari
Simba safari camp
Meal plan
Lunch and dinner
Day 4: Game Drive and boat cruise along the Kazinga channel
You will wake up early in the morning and have breakfast, right after breakfast you will go for a second game drive in the Kasenyi plains. Early morning game drives give a traveler an opportunity to see nocturnals as they head back to their dens while others rise up to start their day.
Wildlife species you can expect to see include Buffalo, elephants, kobs, warthogs, several bird species and many others. After the game drive, you will head back to your lodge for lunch and have a few minutes to relax while you prepare for a boat cruise.
You will later be led to the Kazinga channel for a boat cruise where you will discover a number of species mainly migratory and resident bird species, animal species like the hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, elephants, lions, leopards and many more others as they drink water and cool off in the waters. After this memorable boat cruise, you will be led back to your lodge for dinner and then rest.
Accommodation options
Mweya safari lodge
Samba safari camp
Park view safari
Simba safari camp
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Lake Katwe – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Wake up early in the morning excited because another exciting activity awaits. You will be led to Lake Katwe, a Salt Lake and while here, you get a chance to see how salt is mined traditionally by the locals and the significance of this mineral to the community. From here, you will proceed to the Maramagambo Forest for a natural walk.
The experience is breathe taking as you get to enjoy the sights and sounds from within the forests and also you will be able to discover the secrets this forest holds like the bat caves, the pythons that prey on them, chimpanzees, several bird species and many more other species. After this, you will be departing for Bwindi Impenetrable national park
Upon arrival, you will check in to your lodge, have dinner and rest, preparing for a early morning gorilla tours in Uganda briefing.
Accommodation options
Buhoma lodge
Chameleone hill lodge
Haven lodge
Bakiga lodge
Day 6: Gorilla trekking – Batwa experience
Your safari to Uganda would definitely be incomplete if you don’t go into the wild to see man’s closest relative – the great mountain gorillas. You will wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and then our guide/driver will take you to the park headquarters for briefing on the guidelines while in the jungle in search of these endangered species and when you’re close to them.
Once briefing is done you will be led into the jungle to find the species. Gorilla trekking between 3hrs – 6hrs depending on the location of a particular gorilla family or group. You will also get the opportunity to see other species in the forest like several species of birds, butterflies, insects and very many others.
On spotting gorillas, you will be given time of up-to 1hr to observe their behavior, how they interact with each other and you can take as many photos you want within the set time frame as long your camera’s flash is off. You’re expected to keep silent and to avoid finger pointing to the gorillas while close to them. If a baby gorilla approaches you, you’re expected to stay calm as excitement or screaming may call for the silverback’s attention and might turn violent.
After an hour elapsing, you will be led back to the park headquarters where you will be awarded a certificate indicating that you did participate in gorilla trekking in Uganda. From here you will be led back to your lodge for lunch and relax.
Later that evening you can engage in a guided community walk especially around the Batwa community where you will get to see how they live and associate with each other. The Batwa community initially settled in the forest but after it being declared as a national park specifically to protect the population of gorillas, they were resettled in areas around the park. You will also get an opportunity to see the Batwa traditional dancers as they entertain you.
You will later return to your lodge for dinner and then rest.
Accommodation options
Buhoma lodge
Chameleone hill lodge
Haven lodge
Bakiga lodge
Meal plan
Breakfast, Lunch and dinner.
Day 7: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe
You will wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and then check out of your lodge and then depart for Kampala. Along the way you will get to see the beautiful rolling hills and valleys of the Kigezi region, different vegetations, plantations and towns.
You will later stop over at Agip Motel/Igongo cultural center in Mbarara for lunch and proceed to Kampala. you can also stop over at the equator in Kayabwe to have a look at the hand made items always on display for sale. These items include: drums, traditional necklaces, sandals, stools and many more items. proceed to Kampala/Entebbe and its here that your 7 days Uganda gorillas and wildlife safari will end.
7 Days Uganda gorillas and wildlife safari includes
- Ground transport with fuel inclusive
- English-Speaking driver
- Gorilla habituation permit
- Drinking water within the Vehicle
- Accommodation
- All meals
Exclusions
- Alcoholic drinks
- Laundry
- Personal purchases
- Air fares
- Telephone calls
- Tips
What to pack for this 7 days Uganda gorillas and wildlife safari
- Drinking water
- Gardening gloves
- Long sleeved shirts
- Waterproof backpack
- water proof hiking shoes
- long trousers and stockings
- waterproof camera