7 Days Safari

Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Morning:
  • Early departure from Kampala or Entebbe (approx. 8-9 hours drive) to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Travel through the beautiful western Uganda countryside, passing through towns and scenic rolling hills.
  • Stop at the Equator for photos and a short break.
• Afternoon:
  • Arrive in Bwindi in the late afternoon and check into your lodge. Relax after the long journey.
  • Optional: Enjoy a nature walk or village visit to explore the surrounding areas.
• Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs, or Bwindi Lodge.
• Meals: Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Morning:
  • After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a pre-trekking briefing. Begin your gorilla trekking adventure through the thick rainforest, led by experienced guides. The trek may take 2-6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location.
  • Spend one magical hour with the mountain gorillas, observing and photographing them in their natural habitat.
• Afternoon:
  • Return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation.
  • Optional: Visit the Batwa Pygmy community to learn about their traditional way of life or explore the forest on a guided nature walk.
• Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs, or Bwindi Lodge.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 3: Transfer from Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park (via Ishasha)

• Morning:
  • After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing through the Ishasha sector (approx. 3-4 hours). This region is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which are often seen resting in fig trees.
• Afternoon:
  • Enjoy a game drive in Ishasha before continuing to your lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Arrive at your lodge in the Mweya or Kasenyi area, where you can unwind and enjoy the sunset.
• Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, or Enganzi Lodge.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drive & Boat Safari

• Morning:
  • Start your day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, a great spot for wildlife viewing. You’re likely to see elephants, lions, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, and a variety of bird species.
• Afternoon:
  • After lunch, take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a waterway that connects Lake George and Lake Edward. This cruise is excellent for spotting hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and numerous waterbirds, including African fish eagles and kingfishers.
• Evening:
  • Optional evening game drive or relaxation at your lodge.
• Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, or Enganzi Lodge.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 5: Transfer to Kibale National Park

• Morning:
  • After breakfast, depart for Kibale National Park (approx. 3 hours drive), passing through Fort Portal and the stunning crater lake region.
• Afternoon:
  • Arrive at Kibale National Park and check into your lodge.
  • Spend the afternoon on a crater lake walk or visit the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru caves for a cultural and natural history tour.
• Accommodation: Primate Lodge Kibale, Kyaninga Lodge, or Kibale Forest Camp.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park

• Morning:
  • After an early breakfast, head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking. Led by experienced guides, you’ll trek through the forest to track a troop of wild chimpanzees. Spend one hour observing and photographing these playful primates.
  • Kibale is home to over 12 primate species, so you might also see red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
• Afternoon:
  • After lunch, visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. The sanctuary is rich in birdlife, primates, and plant species, offering great birdwatching opportunities and a peaceful experience in nature.
• Accommodation: Primate Lodge Kibale, Kyaninga Lodge, or Kibale Forest Camp.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 7: Transfer Back to Kampala

• Morning:
  • After breakfast, depart for the return journey to Kampala (approx. 5-6 hours drive), passing through the scenic tea plantations and the towns of Fort Portal and Mubende.
  • Stop for lunch en route.
• Afternoon:
  • Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe in the late afternoon, marking the end of your safari.
• Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

Inclusions:

• Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle.
• Accommodation (full-board basis).
• Gorilla trekking permit.
• Chimpanzee trekking permit.
• Game drives and park entry fees.
• Boat safari on Kazinga Channel.
• Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary nature walk.
• Bottled water in the vehicle.
• Professional English-speaking guide.

Exclusions:

• Travel insurance, visas, and international flights.
• Domestic flights (optional).
• Tips and alcoholic beverages.
• Optional activities (e.g., crater lake walk, Batwa community visit).

This 7-day itinerary provides a well-rounded safari experience, combining the best of Uganda’s primate trekking with classic savannah wildlife viewing and the scenic beauty of Uganda’s national parks. It’s ideal for travelers seeking a deep dive into Uganda’s diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes.