Uganda Safaris > Gorilla Safaris

13-Day Uganda Safari

ITINERARY

Day 1
Arrive at Entebbe International airport, meet and greet and transfer to Lake Victoria Hotel. If time permits we can visit the famous Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

Overnight at Lake Victoria Hotel (on accommodation and breakfast basis).

Lake Victoria HotelLake Victoria Hotel: Located in Entebbe, the gateway to Uganda, the 99-room Lake Victoria Hotel is set within beautiful grounds, adjacent to the golf course. Built in 1945, the hotel is of the old colonial style with manicured gardens, a shady veranda and breezy upstairs terrace offering a good view of Lake Victoria across the golf course. All rooms have satellite television, air conditioning and an en suite bathroom. The hotel's a la carte menu offers European, Indian and Chinese cuisine in the upstairs Equator Restaurant or the ground floor Palm terrace and a snack menu is also available. Hotel amenities include a swimming pool, gym and health club, two conference rooms and small shopping arcade.

Day 2
This morning we start our journey in Uganda and drive to Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest national park, with an area of 3840km². It lies in the core of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. This impressive park protects a chunk of untamed African savannah bisected by the mighty river Nile. The dramatic Murchison Falls, where the world's longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below strikes an exhilarating impression on all 5 senses. Murchison Falls is occupied mainly by lush grasslands. The highest diversity of wildlife is found on the open plains north of the Nile, where elephant, buffalo, giraffe and a huge variety of antelope are regularly encountered. The Nile itself boasts one of Africa's densest hippo and crocodile populations, and a dazzling variety of water birds including the world's most accessible wild population of the rare shoebill.

Your accommodation for the next three nights is Nile Safari Lodge.

Overnight at Nile Safari Lodge (BLD)

Nile Safari Lodge is nestled on the Southern bank of the River Nile and offers exclusive accommodation adjacent to one of the most romantic locations in Africa, Murchison Falls National Park. Six log chalets and six luxury tents have been cleverly positioned to maximize privacy and the stunning view across the River Nile to Uganda's largest game reserve. All rooms have en suite showers, flush WC, electrical lighting and private veranda. Accompanying facilities include a central dinning room, the 'Tamarind Bar,' shaded by a giant tree after which it is named and a superb, suspended veranda which takes in the mass expanse of this magical wilderness. No camp would be complete without an open fire, strategically positioned and perfect for gazing at Africa's starlit hemisphere. The crystal clear swimming pool offers the best reprieve after a hot game drive.

Day 3
Today we get to explore the wonders of this magnificent park, by safari vehicle and private boat. The launch trip takes you along the Nile to the bottom of the falls. Murchison Falls National Park is said to be the best game park in Uganda. During a typical game drive you can be expected to see a large number of antelope species, including the bush buck, the water buck, Thomson's gazelle and the dik dik to name but a few. Larger herbivores, such as giraffe and elephant are present in the park in great numbers and often the lumbering giraffe will cross the roads right in front of you. MFNP is the most accessible park in Uganda to see the giraffe. Huge groups of buffalo are a common sight whilst exploring the park on a game drive. Primates, such as the baboon and the patas monkey, stare at you as you pass by and if you are a bird lover then Murchison Falls National Park will not disappoint.

Overnight at Nile Safari Lodge (BLD)

Day 4
Drive and take a ferry across the Nile to game drive in the northern sector of the park, most of the game is to be found in the area north of the Victoria Nile River and East of the Albert Nile and Lake Albert. This is where part of the movie The African Queen was filmed. Game is now returning quite rapidly and game drives can be very exciting. Game often seen includes elephant, oribi, giraffe, waterbuck, hartebeest, topi, buffalo, sitatunga, bushbuck, warthog, bush pig, lion, leopard, mongoose, genet, hyena, jackal and bat eared fox.

Overnight at Nile Safari Camp (BLD)

Day 5
Drive to Kibale Forest area, the drive is a full day of approximately eight hours. After leaving the Rift Valley pass through beautiful agricultural countryside where every type of fruit and vegetable imaginable is grown. Upon reaching Kyanjojo, in the lower foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains {Mountains of the Moon}, we drive through beautiful tea plantations and into Kibale tropical rain forest. Beautiful Ndali Lodge is situated on a high saddle between two crater lakes. The breathtaking views and cooler climate at Ndali are just some of its best features.

Overnight at Ndali Lodge or Kyaninga Lodge (BLD)

Ndali LodgeNdali Lodge is in the heart of Uganda's volcanic crater lake region, 23km (14 miles) south of Fort Portal and overlooked by the Rwenzori Mountains to the west. The lodge is perched 100m (328ft) directly above Nyinambuga crater lake and has eight individual cottages set on the hillside. Designed to blend with the landscape, the lodge was built using all local materials such as traditional mud render and thatching, providing the lodge with its key qualities of light, space, simplicity and openness to nature. Each cottage consists of an airy bedroom with en suite bathroom (containing bathtubs and showers, plenty of hot water and flushing WC) and private veranda. At night the dining room is festooned with candles – the lodge only has electricity in the cottages so as to not destroy the tranquility and atmosphere of a night in the African bush. The sitting room, reception and dining room open out onto the lake and a full English breakfast is served every morning on the veranda with wonderful views of the lake.

Kyaninga LodgeKyaninga LodgeKyaninga Lodge: Set against a stunning backdrop of Lake Kyaninga and the legendary Mountains of the Moon beyond, Kyaninga Lodge is the spectacular result of one man's vision and unwavering commitment to creating an experience of Africa's beauty unlike anything else. Kyaninga Lodge is located 15 minutes outside Fort Portal town. Perched atop a hill overlooking a stunning blue crater lake, the lodge enjoys spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, set against a magnificent backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance. The lodge accommodates twenty guests in eight raised log cabins. Kyaninga Lodge's eight cottages are built on platforms and set apart to offer privacy and tranquility. Access to the cottages from the main lodge is via a raised wooden walkway. Each spacious cottage is beautifully appointed with a choice of twin or double beds made up with Egyptian cotton bed linen and soft feather pillows. Two family cottages feature a mezzanine level with extra sleeping space for children. Once inside, an indoor sitting area leads out to a private deck where one can enjoy morning tea or a sundowner and views over the lake and the Mountains of the Moon beyond. The en suite bathrooms boast marble countertop basins set atop beautifully crafted Elgon Olive pedestals, claw footed freestanding baths and glass walled showers. Hot water and lighting in the cottages are solar powered, providing the comforts of home in an extraordinary setting.

Day 6
This morning we get the opportunity to explore Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale Forest is home to 13 primate species and a guided forest trek can be taken in search of one of the most popular primate species in the world – the chimpanzee. There are 9 diurnal primates, these include, vervet, red-tailed, L'Hoest's, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked manabey, red colobus, black and white colobus, olive baboon and the most famous of all, the chimpanzee. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the odds are good with the chance of encountering them standing at higher then 90%. This morning you will go on a forest walk in search of primates. Whilst trekking in the depths of the lush green forest, you will be surrounded by bird song and can expect to see at least 5 or 6 other types of primate, most probably the grey-cheeked managebey and the red-tailed monkey and of course the chimpanzee. The walking is fairly easy due to the well-maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain. This afternoon we have a swamp walk.

Overnight at Ndali Lodge or Kyaninga Lodge (BLD)

Day 7
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive passes through Fort Portal and then south along the eastern length of The Rwenzori Mountains, with the hope of viewing the glaciated peaks. We again gently descend into The Great African Rift Valley and Queen Elizabeth National Park and Mweya Lodge, situated on a peninsula overlooking Lake Edward and Kazinga Channel, offering beautiful views of the park with the Rwenzori Mountains in the background.

Overnight at Mweya Lodge or Kyambura Lodge (BLD)

Mweya LodgeMweya Lodge is situated on a peninsula overlooking Lake Edward and Kasinga Channel, offering beautiful views of the park with the Rwenzori Mountains in the background. The lodge has been completely renovated to a high standard with excellent rooms, en suite facilities, restaurant, bar area, outside dining and a swimming pool.



Kyambura Game Lodge is a new luxury lodge situated on the eastern edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park with stunning views over the park and Kyambura Gorge. The lodge has been built using environmentally friendly local materials. Accommodation is provided in 8 spacious and tastefully decorated self-contained grass-thatched cottages, with bath tubs/showers with views to the park, running hot and cold water and equipped with 220v electricity. Each cottage is privately located and has a lovely wooden balcony from which the diversity of wildlife in the park can be viewed and enjoyed. The lodge also has a beautiful swimming pool and camp fire around which local traditional dancers will entertain you as you relax after the day's activities. The restaurant and lounge area open towards a sundowner deck overlooking the park - the perfect place to enjoy the sunset with the drink of your choice. The kitchen features both international and local cuisine and meals are prepared using organic vegetables from our own gardens and served by friendly and professionally trained staff. From the lodge you can immerse yourself in wildlife, with game viewing from your private balcony or by going on a bird walk from the lodge down into the valley. There are also community walks and walks around the crater lakes available from the lodge.

Kyambura Game LodgeKyambura Game LodgeKyambura Game Lodge

Day 8
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park in the morning and after lunch, we will drive down to the Kazinga Channel and take a boat ride along the river. The launch trip along the Kazinga Channel is one of the most popular activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It provides an amazing chance to sit back, relax and enjoy the fresh river breeze whilst observing a large selection of animals. Those species commonly seen along the riverbank are elephants, buffalo, waterbuck and Ugandan Kob. Large breeding pods of hippos are also seen on a daily basis. On occasion visitors will also see giant forest hog, leopard and lion. The waterbirds in the area are plentiful; in particular, water thick knee, yellow-billed stork, various plovers, white pink-backed Pelicans and white-bellied cormorants.

Overnight at Mweya Lodge or Kyambura Lodge (BLD)

Day 9
Today we drive through the park to the Ishasha region. Game drive in search of tree climbing lion (75% success rate) and other game. Afternoon drive to Bwindi Impenetrable (a World Heritage Sight) passing through the scenic area known as The Switzerland of East Africa. The driving today is about 5 1/2 hours (not including game drives).

Overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp (BLD)

Gorilla Forest Camp is exclusively located within the lush rainforest of Bwindi. Designed to blend seamlessly into the fragile environment, accommodation is offered in eight, large tents, raised on wooden platforms, each with an en suite bathroom comprising a shower, flushing WC, and the unique feature of a bath tub looking out onto the forest. Each tent has a large wooden deck where guests can relax or experience private dining. The tents are exceptionally spacious inside with two queen-sized beds with headboards craved by Ugandan artisans. The Gorilla Forest Camp offers a central bar and dining cottage overlooking the rain forest, as well as a raised natural platform for open air dining. At night, a traditional African campfire is lit from where guests may sit and reflect on their day's activities or simply admire the brilliance of the clear night sky.

Gorilla Forest CampGorilla Forest Camp

Day 10
Gorilla tracking day.

After breakfast take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. We then hike into the forest where the gorillas were seen the night before and track from that point. The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes notice; hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film.

Overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp (BLD)

Day 11
Second gorilla tracking day.

Overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp (BLD)

Day 12
Drive to Mbarara passing through the Switzerland of East Africa area and eventually into Ankole Cattle country around Mbarara. These cattle are incredible with horns larger than one can imagine. Continue to Lake Mburo National Park, game drive. The drive today is 6 to 7 hours. Lake Mburo National Park is a small park, excellent for birding, antelope and other grazers, one of the only places to easily see Impala and zebra in Uganda. Game drives offer particularly picturesque game viewing with the Park's mixture of savannah, acacia woodlands, grassy valleys, rocky outcrops, swamps, lakes and rolling hills. Herds of impala (found nowhere else in Uganda), buffalo and zebra, plus waterbuck and eland are amongst the variety of wildlife to be seen. Birders will enjoy the Park's 310 recorded water and dry land species. In this valley we can operate night drives and walks. This is the only park where we will see Impala and Burchell's Zebra. It is an excellent place for walking and exploring a nearby Khopji to perhaps see Klipspringer. Game drive to the lodge.

Overnight at Mihingo Lodge (BLD)

Mihingo Lodge is a peaceful and exclusive retreat adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park. There are 10 private and comfortable tents on wooden platforms under thatch roofs, all with en suite bathrooms with hot and cold running water, showers and flushing toilets. The main dining area is a large thatched structure built of rocks, the wood of dead weathered olive trees found on the land and native grasses. Below the dining area, an infinity swimming pool stretches out from the rocks and seems to disappear into the vast landscape beyond. From the dining and pool area, guests can enjoy the view of a westward oriented valley and its stunning evening sunsets over Lake Mburo National Park.

Mihingo Lodge

Day 13
This morning we have an early morning game drive before heading back to Entebbe, this takes approximately 5 hours – road and weather dependent. If time permits it is possible to stop in Kampala for shopping and lunch and a visit to the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers. You are then transferred to Entebbe International airport to connect with your departure flight. Please note the departure flight must be in the late afternoon or evening, alternatively we can arrange another overnight in Entebbe. (BL)

2012 rates 13-Day Uganda Safari
Year Round Prices 2 guests $6,985 per person in dbl. accommodation
4 guests travelling together $5,640 per person in dbl. accommodation
Single Supp: $1245

Plus Gorilla permits: $1,000 per person for 2 treks (likely to increase)
Plus chimp trekking permits: $90 per person for 1 trek (likely to increase)

Please note: if local prices increase beyond our control then the above rates may be affected.

All of our safaris include:

  • Airport transfers
  • Meet and Greet upon arrival
  • Departure services
  • Additional guides as needed
  • Comfortable, modern, 4X4 vehicles, customized for maximum viewing with open roof hatches. These are usually Toyota Land Cruisers, or comparable vehicles
  • Professional, experienced drivers, and guides who are knowledgeable in all aspects of Uganda and Rwanda Safaris
  • All accommodations and meals as stated in your chosen itinerary
  • All excursions as stated in your chosen itinerary, which includes any park fees and taxes
  • Emergency International communications available
  • Books available in the vehicles to help identify the flora and fauna
  • Umbrellas, bean bags, blankets, in the vehicles
  • Courtesy bag which includes tea, coffee, biscuits, and paper napkins
  • Coolers in our vehicles
  • Bottled water in vehicles ONLY
  • Map of Uganda

What is NOT included in our safaris:

  • Insurance
  • Gratuities
  • Beverages (however, bottled water is included in the vehicles only)
  • Items of Personal nature

*** Custom Tailor Made Safaris are our specialty, if you do not see a Safari that makes you happy, let us know and we can design the perfect fit for you!***

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