Safari Overview
This 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari offers the best of Uganda wildlife and cultural experience with gorilla trekking as the major highlight of the tour. The safari leads you to Uganda’s most outstanding destinations such as Bwindi impenetrable national park for gorilla trekking, Kibale national park for chimpanzee tracking, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls national park, Jinja, and Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth national park, among others.
The Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Pick up from Entebbe Airport
Day 2: Entebbe –the lush Murchison Falls National Park, enjoy a trek with rhinos in Ziwa
Day 3: Game drive & Victoria Nile boat excursion
Day 4: From Murchison to Kibale by road (7-8 hours)
Day 5: Enjoy treks with Kibale chimpanzees & explore wonders in Bigodi wetland
Day 6: Leave Kibale for Queen Elizabeth with an en route visit to the Kikorongo Equator Monument
Day 7: Enjoy lion trekking/game drive & Kazinga launch tour
Day 8: Depart for Bwindi, en route wildlife tour at Ishasha
Day 9: Enjoy the trek with rare mountain gorillas in Buhoma –Bwindi Forest
Day 10: Batwa experience & visit to Lake Bunyonyi for a memorable boat ride
Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo –home to zebras
Day 12: Game drive & Lake Mburo boat cruise
Day 13: Lake Mburo Game Park to Jinja
Day 14: A full-day white water rafting excursion & relax in the resort
Day 15: Return from Jinja to Entebbe city
The Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Pick up from Entebbe Airport
You will have a warm welcome into Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, on arrival at the Entebbe Airport. This will be done by a representative from Rivo Safaris Ltd. After, expect to exit Entebbe Airport for Kampala, for you to relax at the safari lodge.
Accommodation Options
- Budget/Silver: Cassia Lodge/Emerald Hotel
- Midrange: Protea Hotel/Sheraton Hotel/Fairway Hotel
- Luxury: Kampala Serena Hotel/4 Points by Sheraton
Day 2: Entebbe –the lush Murchison Falls National Park, enjoy a trek with rhinos in Ziwa
Pick up early morning after your breakfast, and today, you will drive to Murchison Falls National Park, which lies in the Northwestern part of Uganda. The 6-7 hour journey on the Kampala-Gulu highway includes a stopover at the Ziwa–Nakasongola district. Enjoy a guided rhino trekking session at Ziwa and later, have lunch offered to you in Masindi or Kabalega Dinners. Continue safely to Murchison Falls National Park for relaxation the entire evening.
Accommodation Options
- Budget/Silver: Heritage Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Sambiya River Lodge/Fort Murchison/Murchison River Lodge
- Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge
Day 3: Game drive & Victoria Nile boat excursion
This is the special day when you will embark on a guided game drive and expect to start it early, around 6:00 am. You will be accompanied by an experienced guide for you to enjoy 2-3 hours game viewing session. The game drive along the plains of Murchison comes with sightings like spotted hyenas, oribis, lions, Uganda Kobs, giraffes, buffaloes, buffaloes, elephants, serval cats, waterbucks, hartebeests, topis, birds, and bush bucks.
Have a short break from your game drive, and this will include enjoying lunch before you go for a boat cruise. A guided boat cruise will take around 2-3 hours, and you will focus on aquatic species –hippos, crocodiles, and water birds.
Accommodation Options
- Budget/Silver: Heritage Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Sambiya River Lodge/Fort Murchison/Murchison River Lodge
- Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge
Day 4: From Murchison to Kibale by road (7-8 hours)
After an early morning breakfast, you will have a safe drive to Kibale National Park via Hoima city. You will have a photography tour at the top of the falls and continue to Kibale, 7-8 hours’ drive. En route to Kibale Forest, expect a lunch break in Fort Portal city and breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. Proceed to Kibale with magnificent views of the Crater Lake and tea farms.
Accommodation Options
- Budget/Silver: Isunga Lodge/Chimpanzee Guesthouse
- Midrange: Treetop turaco/Kibale Primates Lodge
- Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge/Ndali/Kibale Lodge
Day 5: Enjoy treks with Kibale chimpanzees & explore wonders in Bigodi wetland
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale will be done starting from Kanyanchu Visitor Centre, but this is after you have been briefed. The briefing will be meant to let you know the chimpanzee trekking rules, and also for you to have a park ranger guide. The standard trek with Kibale chimpanzees takes 2-4 hours, including one hour for photography and watching these apes in their natural surrounding. Kibale also has several other primates and birds to be spotted during the chimp trek.
After returning from the trek, expect to enjoy lunch, and you will have the last session for the day in Bigodi Wetland. At Bigodi, your focus will be nature walking, which allows you to observe more primates and birds.
Accommodation Options
- Budget/Silver: Isunga Lodge/Chimpanzee Guesthouse
- Midrange: Treetop turaco/Kibale Primates Lodge
- Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge/Ndali/Kibale Lodge
Day 6: Leave Kibale for Queen Elizabeth with an en route visit to Kikorongo Equator Monument
Today, you will depart from Kibale for Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is about 2-3 hours’ drive. The key area of interest en route will be photography at the Kikorongo Equator site.
Accommodation Options
- Budget/Silver: Kazinga Channel View Resort/Bush Lodge Tents
- Midrange: Buffalo Safari Lodge/Queen Elizabeth Bush Camp
- Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge/Kyambura Lodge
Day 7: Enjoy lion trekking/game drive & Kazinga launch tour
Early in the morning, you will embark on lion trekking, an unusual experience that allows you to observe lions and other wildlife. During the lion trek, you will have a chance to go off the game track, which increases your chances of finding more lions and other animals. After lion tracking, you will be served lunch and in the afternoon, go to Kazinga for a boat tour.
Accommodation Options
- Budget/Silver: Kazinga Channel View Resort/Bush Lodge Tents
- Midrange: Buffalo Safari Lodge/Queen Elizabeth Bush Camp
- Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge/Kyambura Lodge
Day 8: Depart for Bwindi, en route wildlife tour at Ishasha
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and after, you will depart for Bwindi National Park (Buhoma). In a 4×4 safari car with a pop-up roof, expect to have a magical time in the Ishasha sector on a short game drive. After the Ishasha sector wildlife excursion, continue up to Buhoma to relax the entire evening.
Accommodation Options
- Budget/Basic: Ride 4 a Woman
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge or Haven Lodge/Silverback Lodge
- Luxury: Bwindi Lodge/Mahogany Springs
Day 9: Enjoy the trek with rare mountain gorillas in Buhoma –Bwindi Forest
After a hefty breakfast, leave your gorilla accommodation for you to attend briefing in person. Learn more about the rules and regulations for gorilla trekking then the official will also assign the ranger guides and gorilla groups. Today’s gorilla trek will involve walking in the forest and the likely time to be take will be 2-6 hours. To observe a family of gorillas as they display their natural behaviors, you will be allowed an hour. After the gorilla trek, return to get a certificate and continue to the accommodation for your relaxation.
Accommodation Options
- Budget/Basic: Ride 4 a Woman
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge or Haven Lodge/Silverback Lodge
- Luxury: Bwindi Lodge/Mahogany Springs
Day 10: Batwa experience & visit to Lake Bunyonyi for a memorable boat ride
Have an early morning breakfast, and afterwards, you will visit the Batwa community. Learn more about the ancient traditions and cultures of the Batwa pygmies then you will be transferred to Lake Bunyonyi, which contains 29 islands. You will have a lunch break and after, embark on a boat/canoe ride which may take you towards some islands like the Punishment Island.
Accommodation Options
- Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo –home to zebras
Leave Lake Bunyonyi for Lake Mburo National Park (in Kiruhura). Expect to take around 6 hours to reach Lake Mburo NP for you to check into your pre-booked lodge. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat tour on the charming Lake Mburo, where you will see hippos, crocodiles, and birds.
Accommodation Options
- Silver/Basic: Mburo Eagle Nest/Rwonyo Rest Camp
- Midrange: Arcadia Cottages/Mpogo Safari Lodge/Rwakobo Rock Lodge
- Luxury: Kigambira Safari Lodge/Mburo Safari Lodge/Mihingo Lodge
Day 12: Game drive & Lake Mburo boat cruise
Wake up early for you to take breakfast and after, embark on a game drive. Explore Lake Mburo National Park’s animals including topis, leopards, elands, zebras, buffaloes, and birds. After a complete 2-3 hours of game drive, you will return for lunch session at the lodge. In the afternoon, continue to explore Lake Mburo’s abundant aquatic species such as hippos, crocodiles, and water birds.
Accommodation Options
- Silver/Basic: Mburo Eagle Nest/Rwonyo Rest Camp
- Midrange: Arcadia Cottages/Mpogo Safari Lodge/Rwakobo Rock Lodge
- Luxury: Kigambira Safari Lodge/Mburo Safari Lodge/Mihingo Lodge
Day 13: Lake Mburo Game Park to Jinja
Enjoy a hefty breakfast early and after, you will be picked up from your lodge. Drive to Jinja in Eastern Uganda. Arrive early for you to check in the lodge or resort hotel for relaxation.
Accommodation Options
- Kingfisher Safaris Resort Hotel
- Jinja Nile Resort
Day 14: A full-day white water rafting excursion & relax in the resort
After breakfast, join the rafting team for a briefing on the safety measures. Later, expect a full day white water rafting session on the Source of the Nile. You will conquer the tough rapids and grades with the company of experienced experts. After the intense rafting experience, you will have leisurely time in your respective resort.
Accommodation Options
- Kingfisher Safaris Resort Hotel
- Jinja Nile Resort
Day 15: Return from Jinja to Entebbe city
Have an early morning breakfast and then check out of the resort. Leave Jinja for Entebbe city, and today marks the end of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari.
End of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari
Safari Inclusions
- Permits for chimps & gorilla trek
- Rhino trekking fees
- Park entrance fees for all park guides on this trip plan
- 14 nights & meals
- Cultural tours
- Game drives & boat excursions
- All safari activities on 15 days gorilla safari
Safari Exclusions
- Tips
- Telephone calls/bills
- Porter expenses
- Visas/passports
- Insurance