9 Days Uganda Gorillas and Wildlife Tour

Our 9 days Uganda Gorillas and wildlife tour takes you to see some of the best that Uganda has to offer in terms of wildlife. You will have encounters with the big five mammals, chimpanzee, gorillas, smaller primates and amazing scenery/landscape. The safari starts with a visit to the beautiful lake Bunyonyi for relaxation, canoeing, island hopping and a community visit. The safari includes a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This park is home to half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi may be the most popular activity but visitors also get a chance to observe other smaller primates and forest creatures. The safari also includes a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth is the most visited national park in Uganda and is home to tree climbing lions, crater lakes and other amazing landscape. While on a tour of the Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth, tourists are rewarded with one of the most amazing collection of wildlife in Africa.

Our 9 days Uganda Gorillas and wildlife tour also includes a stop at Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking. Kibale National Park is also home to hippos, buffaloes, forest elephants and spotted hyena among other forest creatures. A safari in Uganda is incomplete without visiting the Murchison falls National Park. The Murchison falls is arguably the best national park to go for a safari in Uganda. It has chimpanzees and most of large mammals of Africa. The Murchison Falls also has one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Uganda. While visiting Murchison Falls National Park, you also have an opportunity to visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an opportunity to learn about what the government and other wildlife conservation organization are doing to protect Uganda’s last remaining Rhinos

Day 1: Kampala or Entebbe Pick-up – Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Start your day with an early breakfast as you wait for your driver who will brief you about your tour and advise you on any necessary equipment or currency exchange. The journey to Lake Bunyonyi is long, but it is a delightful experience, providing a chance to witness the rural African lifestyle. The southwestern part of Uganda is blessed with stunning scenery that includes lakes, mountains, national parks, forests, rolling hills, tea plantations, and changing vegetation. If you are a nature lover, you can enjoy observing the surroundings and the daily lives of the local people. The drive will make several stopovers along the way, including at the equator crossing for an opportunity to take photos. You will have lunch before proceeding to Lake Bunyonyi.

Upon arrival at the lake, you will be taken to your lodge for check-in, shower, and refreshments. Afterward, you can take a nature walk along the lake shores and relax as you watch the sunset. Lake Bunyonyi, which means “place of little birds,” is Africa’s second-deepest lake. It is relatively small but incredibly beautiful and romantic, with stunning natural surroundings. The lake is surrounded by terraced hills and forests along the shores, and it is home to 29 small islands. Some of these islands have interesting history, such as the punishment island and the quarantine center for lepers. The lake is free from bilharzia and crocodiles, making it safe for swimming for those who can swim in deep waters. Bird watchers will have a treat as the lake is a habitat to over 200 recorded species.

Day 2: Canoeing, Island hopping and swimming – Transfer to Bwindi – Visit the Batwa Pygmies

Wake up early and take a walk along the shores of the lake to enjoy the morning sun as you wait for your breakfast. After breakfast, you will be taken for canoeing and a visit to the different islands on the lake. The birdlife within and around the lake is amazing. Some of the islands are breeding grounds for several species. While on the islands, you will be taken to visit the fishing villages, schools and medical centers. You can interact with the local people and learn about how they survive on the islands.

After 3 to 4 hours of enjoying the beautiful lake, the driver will start the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which takes only 2 hours of driving. Once you reach the park, you will be taken to your hotel for check-in and refreshment.

In the late afternoon, the driver will take you to visit the local Batwa community. The Batwa pygmies originally lived in Bwindi forest as hunters and gatherers for thousands of years. When Bwindi became a national park, the government decided to evict them from the forest. Unfortunately, their resettlement was not wholly successful. They have never fully adapted to life outside the forest. They were forced to adapt to new and unfamiliar neighbors, way of life and economic activities. Poverty is the order of the day and their young men have resorted to alcoholism.

During your visit, you will hear from them about the kind of life they lived in while in the forest compared to the reality of today. Some of the Batwa have moved on and are now farmers or cattle keepers.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early morning breakfast, you will head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park headquarters for a briefing about the gorilla trekking experience. You will be assigned to a gorilla family and trek through the dense forest with a guide in search of these gentle giants. The trekking can take between 2 to 8 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family you are assigned to. Once you find the gorillas, you will spend an hour with them, taking photos and observing their behavior in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking is an unforgettable experience and worth the effort. After the trek, you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an evening game drive en route to your hotel.

Day 4: Game Drive and Boat Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you will head out for an early morning game drive in the park, where you will have a chance to see a variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, hyenas, waterbucks, warthogs, and several bird species. The game drive takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on the location of the animals. In the afternoon, you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, which is home to the highest concentration of hippos in Africa. You will also see other wildlife like crocodiles, elephants, buffalos, and various bird species. The boat safari takes about 2 hours and offers a great opportunity for wildlife photography.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge – Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, you will head to Kyambura Gorge for a chimpanzee trekking experience. The gorge is a home to a habituated chimpanzee family that is accustomed to human presence, and you will spend about 2 to 3 hours with them in their natural habitat. The trekking experience also offers a chance to see other primates like the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and vervet monkeys. After the trek, you will transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, which is known for having the highest concentration of primates in Africa. You will arrive in the evening and check into your hotel.

Day 6: Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, you will head out for a chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale Forest National Park. The habituation experience involves spending the entire day with the chimpanzees as they go about their daily activities, and it offers a deeper understanding of their behavior and way of life. You will have a chance to see them feeding, nesting, and playing in their natural habitat. The habituation experience takes about 8 hours and is a great opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts and researchers.

Day 7: Game Drive and Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

You will start with an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is the best time to see the park’s wildlife as they are most active during the early hours of the day. Expect to see lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, and several antelope species. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for breakfast and then proceed for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. The channel is a 32-kilometer long natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The boat cruise offers a chance to see numerous water birds and several animals such as hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, and elephants as they come to drink from the channel.

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This is the most awaited day of your 9-day Uganda Gorillas and Wildlife Tour. You will wake up very early and drive to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and seeing them in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas. Once you find them, you will spend one hour observing and taking photos before returning to the park headquarters. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you should not miss.

Day 9: Return to Kampala or Entebbe

On the final day of your Tour, you will have breakfast at the lodge and then start the journey back to Kampala or Entebbe. You will make a few stopovers along the way, including at the equator crossing for an opportunity to take photos and buy souvenirs. You will also stop for lunch before continuing the journey. You will arrive in Kampala or Entebbe in the late afternoon and be dropped off at your preferred location. This marks the end of your unforgettable 9-days Uganda Gorillas and Wildlife Tour.