Compare 7 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Savannah Wildlife Safari by Scenic Trails Safaris vs Uganda in 8 days - Land of the Primates - CHARM by Exoticca

Day 1:

You will be picked up at 8:00am from your Kampala location by your guide. Make your journey through the papyrus swamps and thick jungle of the Nile delta and arrive at Kibale national park. Head out for an afternoon guided walk in the Crater Lake areas of the park. Dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge.

Day 2:

Embark on an exciting early morning trek for chimpanzees in the thick jungle of Kibale forest. Then drive southwards to Queen Elizabeth national park in the afternoon, sightseeing and game viewing enroute. Dinner and overnight at Simba safari camp.

Day 3:

Depart at 6:00am for a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park aiming to catch the lions hunting in the morning. Lions usually hunt as the day dawns since the temperatures are cooler. We also expect to see the Uganda kob, elephants, buffalo, warthog, leopard and waterbuck. After the game drive, have lunch then enjoy a boat cruise on Kazinga channel which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. Expect to see large numbers of buffalo and hippo. After the boat cruise, we drive southwards to Lake Mburo National park. Dinner and overnight at Mihingo Lodge.

Day 4:

We begin the day with breakfast then go for a game drive in the park. Lake Mburo National park is home to several savannah wildlife such as the gigantic eland, topi, warthog, impala, zebras, leopards and several savannah bird species some of which include lapwings, hornbills, and cocqui francolin. The park boasts of a beautiful acacia savannah terrain and woodlands. Dinner and overnight at Mihingo Lodge.

Day 5:

Begin the day with breakfast, and then embark on a drive to Kyambura Gorge for a primate walk expecting to see chimpanzees, vervet monkey, olive baboon and black & white Columbus monkey. Continue south on a game drive to Ishasha and proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Ishasha is mostly famous for its tree-climbing lions. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma lodge.

Day 6:

After breakfast, prepare for the gorilla tracking adventure which begins at 8:00am with a briefing at the information center by the Uganda Wildlife Authority staff. We will then be guided into the jungle to track the shy primates. Gorilla tracking may take 3 to 7 hours but it is well worth the effort. It’s advisable to bring along a rain jacket, and hiking boots. At the end of this long and exciting adventure, return to our lodge for a well-deserved shower, dinner and rest. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma lodge.

Day 7:

After breakfast transfer back to Kampala making a lunch stop enroute at Mbarara. Proceed making another stop at the equator in Masaka; see where this imaginary line divides our planet into two equal hemispheres. Snacks, souvenirs and photographs may be taken here. Arrive in Kampala later that evening and transferred to Entebbe for your departure flight.

Day 1: US - Night on board

Arrive at your departure airport ready to check-in for a flight * to Entebbe. Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Entebbe

Arrive in Entebbe, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. A charming town, Entebbe is situated on the shore of Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure, relaxing or exploring the town for a chance to experience the local culture. Overnight stay in Entebbe.

Day 3: Entebbe - Kibale Forest

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off to Kibale Forest National Park, enjoying the changing landscapes as you leave the town behind. Arrive in the afternoon and check in at your lodge. Kibale is a huge protected rainforest, known for being the home of a large number of primates such as chimpanzees red-tailed monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabey. Overnight stay in Kibale.

Day 4: Kibale Forest - Queen Elizabeth National Park

Breakfast at the lodge. In the morning register at the Park Offices and begin an exciting Chimpanzee Tracking Excursion. Go in search of man's most genetically similar animal, and begin with a trek through the rainforest until you make the first sightings of the Chimpanzees. Watch as the group go about their daily activities such as feeding, climbing, raising their young and noisily interacting with each other, while enjoying informative insights from your expert guide. Return to the lodge and in the afternoon head to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Overnight stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Set off early for a sunrise game drive in Uganda's most popular national park for the best chance of spotting the abundant wildlife of the region including lions, buffalo, elephants and nocturnal animals such as hyenas and leopards, with the beautiful soundtrack of morning bird song to accompany you. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and relax at your leisure. Later, set off for an afternoon Launch Cruise on the Kanziga Channel, famous for its hippos, Nile crocodiles and buffalo. Overnight stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Breakfast at the lodge. Drive south through the Ishasha area, famed for its tree-climbing lions, towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Spend the journey admiring the spectacular natural landscape. Continue to the southern sector of Bwindi, the iconic national park home to the elusive and endangered mountain gorillas. Arrive at the lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing at your leisure. Overnight stay in Bwindi.

Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Early breakfast at the lodge and set off to the Park Offices to register for your exciting Gorilla Tracking Excursion. Be assigned a particular family of Gorillas and head into the magical rainforest, abundant with colourful birds, butterfly and animals species, until you finally reach the group of Gorillas. Watch in awe as these majestic animals go about their daily lives, grooming, feeding and interacting with each other. It is an unforgettable experience to see Gorillas in the wild. Trek back to base and return to the lodge. Overnight stay in Bwindi.

Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Lake Mburo National Park

Breakfast at the lodge. Leave Bwindi and drive towards Lake Mburo National Park, situated on the border of Tanzania and home to various species of savannah animals including lions, hyenas, zebras and giraffes, as well as water-loving animals such as hippos and crocodiles who can be found by the lake. Enjoy fantastic game-viewing as you make your way towards the lodge. Arrive and overnight stay in Lake Mburo.

Day 9: Lake Mburo – Entebbe - Night on board

Breakfast at the lodge. This morning enjoy either a game drive or a fascinating guided forest walk to get up close to the local wildlife. Afterwards, head back to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator, where you can stand in both hemispheres at once, and visit the Royal Drum Makers of Mpambire, masters of making hand-made drums. Arrive in Entebbe and transfer to the airport for your flight back to the US. Night on board.

Day 10: US

Arrive in the US and end your trip.