Gorilla Safari Uganda

This 10-day small group African safari gives you the opportunity to track Uganda’s endangered mountain gorillas twice (on payment of supplement at time of booking). The trip begins in Bwindi, where you go in search of three habituated family groups of gorillas, lead by experienced trackers. From here, travel to see the savannah game of Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to incredible tree-climbing lions. Finally, visit the forests of Kibale to track and see chimpanzees.

Throughout the safari there are opportunities for a number of nature and community walks in the areas that you visit and you’ll stay in great properties, including lodges and camps. This is a year round trip. There are short rains from October to November and mid March to end of May, but rain usually only falls for an hour or so and the rest of the day is pleasant. Weather conditions do not affect your chances of coming across gorillas and whenever you track these beautiful animals, there is a 95% chance of encountering them.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY:-Gorilla Safari Uganda, Gorilla trekking Uganda, Gorilla tours

Day 1 of African Safari:         On your arrival into Entebbe you will be met and transferred to the hotel. This afternoon you have a trip across to Ngamba Island. This is a project of the Chimpanzees Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT), established in 1997 by the Born Free Foundation (UK), International Fund for Animal Welfare (USA), the Jane Goodall Institute (Germany and Uganda), The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Trust (UWECT) and the Zoological Board of New South Wales (Australia) and it provides these orphaned chimpanzees with a secure home to live out their lives, since a return to their natural habitat is not possible, while educating visitors and local communities about their remarkable species and the importance of conserving their fragile forest habitat. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 2 of African Safari:         From Entebbe you will head back to the airport for your onward flight to Bwindi. When you land you will be met and transferred to Buhoma Lodge with the rest of the afternoon free for you to explore the local area.

Day 3 of African Safari:         Today will be your first opportunity to track one of three habituated family groups of mountain gorillas. The gorillas are not tame in the slightest but have been through an extremely sensitive process which has brought them to tolerate the presence of humans for brief periods. After this incredible experience you will return to Buhoma Lodge where you are able to reflect on your experience and share stories with the other guests.

Day 4 of African Safari:         Today you have the opportunity of a second gorilla trek where an early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers will bring you amongst a family of Mountain Gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare with only, approximately, 720 remaining. Hopefully you will get within metres of the family, and be privileged to spend an hour amongst them. Returning to the camp for a late lunch, we have an opportunity for forest walks with the guides, or just to relax. The gorilla trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to six hours or longer is not uncommon – at relatively high altitude. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals; as such sightings cannot be guaranteed however the success rate is well over 90%. If you do not decide to do the second trek you will be able to explore the stunning Bwindi National Park, returning once again to Buhoma Lodge.

Day 5 of African Safari:         In the morning we will drive in a northerly direction to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Passing through farmlands, small towns and villages, you will have the opportunity to see rural Uganda and the vivid green beauty of the countr. If weather and road conditions allow, we may enter QENP from the Ishasha side of the park where excellent game viewing can be conducted en route. Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp [B/L/D].

Day 6 of African Safari:         You will explore Ishasha today, the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth considered by some experts as one of the most alluring game viewing area of East Africa. It’s an off-the-beaten-track destination that you will surely enjoy. We wake up early, of course, since this is the best time for observing nature. You start from the southern circuit in search of the elephants and we will drive over the plains of Ishasha in the open savannah. The southern circuit usually has large herds of buffalo, Uganda kob and topi. Near to the swamps of the southern circuit you might see even leopard. We continue and drive to the northern circuit which is the area near the main road known for its tree climbing lions, keep a close eye on the fig trees! After an initial scouting expedition, we return to the camp for a lunch, we relax, observe the hippos and we take time for a shower or siesta in the shadow of the woods. In the afternoon you will have another game drive and during the dry season we will drive you to the Edward’s flats to see elephants, large herds of buffalo and different water birds. Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp [B/L/D].

Day 7 of African Safari:         From Ishasha you head north to the Mweya Section where you enjoy a cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This is a great wildlife trip as the elephants, buffalo, topi, Kob, hippos and crocodiles all come down to the water to relax in the shallows or quench their thirst during the heat of the day. From the Queen Elizabeth National Park you continue north along the Rwenzori Mountains to the Kibale Forest National Park, home to the largest number of primate species in East Africa. Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge [B/L/D].

Days 8,9 of African Safari:     After breakfast you leave for Kibale Forest, renowned for the greatest variety and the highest concentration of primates in East-Africa. At the visitors centre the rangers will brief you before heading into the forest to track the chimpanzees. Like the gorilla tracking the amount of time spend with the chimps is limited to 1 hour. This is to prevent the spread of disease and allow them chimps to have a normal life in the forest. This afternoon is at leisure. Overnight: Primate Lodge/Camp [B/L/D].

Day 10 of African Safari:       Today you head back to Entebbe, stopping for a picnic lunch en-route. You will be taken to the airport for a late afternoon / early evening flight back home. We can arrange accommodation in Entebbe for tonight if you require [B/L].