10-Day Uganda Safari/Tour with Gorillas

This 10-day safari ideal for family takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – the highlight of your safari for a date with the gentle giants. Before and after your amazing encounter with the endangered gorillas, you visit two of Uganda’s Savannah parks. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, you go on a boat safari along the Kazinga channel and then you can chose a nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park. Not to forget the extra day you relax at the beautiful and scenic Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 1 of Tour in Uganda

Arrival in Uganda

You arrive at Entebbe international airport, located on a peninsula that juts out into the largest fresh-water lake in Africa (Lake Victoria), where a representative/guide from Alpha Uganda Safaris will welcome you and transfer to Your hotel.

Main Destination:

Kampala

Accommodation:

Mid-Range

Meals & Drinks:

        Meals at own expense

        Drinks not included

Day 2 of Tour in Uganda

Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

You are up at 6.00 am. Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and be ready to commence your transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP. The drive takes you through Uganda’s leafy central plains, before heading down into the rift valley, with the Rwenzori Mountain ranges in the distance. On arrival, check-in at the Bush Lodge and enjoy lunch. After, head to the Katwe Crater Lake where locals have mined salt through the ages. This lake – situated just north of the impressive Mweya peninsula, is far too salty to support any wildlife. Since the 16th Century, lake Katwe it has ensured the survival of residents who spend their days harvesting salt from its milky waters. Enjoy the spectacular drive to Katwe as you look out for wildlife including buffalloes and elephants. Marvel at the network of paths and huts that are built across the lake to support hundreds of workers. The salt is sold to traders from across Uganda, and as far as Congo and Rwanda. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Main Destination:

    Queen Elizabeth National Park

Best Time to Visit

January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)

High Season

June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather

June to July and January to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP – See all animals below

• Chimpanzee Occasional
• Elephant Common
• Hippo Abundant
• Buffalo Common
• Lion Common
• Leopard Occasional

Accommodation:

Mid-Range

Meals & Drinks:

        All meals included

        Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3 of Tour in Uganda

Game drive & boat safari along Kazinga channel

After your breakfast at 6.30am, your game drive will take you to the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Kasenyi track in search for lions, hyenas, buffaloes, leopard, water buck, bush bucks, Uganda Kob plus many bird species including ibis, fish eagles and vultures. Later, return to the lodge and relax. After your lunch, at 3.00pm, embark on a boat safari along Kazinga channel – a major highlight of the safari to Queen. On the boat cruise, you will have the opportunity to view great numbers of wildlife including elephants, crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes and large numbers of birds like eagles, kingfishers etc converging at the channel to enjoy a sip of the natural waters. On the cruise perhaps the highest concentration of hippos in Africa is sighted – there are 1500 hippos found along the channel. Elephant herds that can number 50 in the dry season, buffaloes, and crocodiles can all be seen during the boat cruise. Dinner and overnight at the Bush Lodge.

Main Destination:

    Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation:

Mid-Range

Meals & Drinks:

        All meals included

        Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4 of Tour in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura & transfer to Ishasha

After breakfast, head to Kyambura to embark on your Chimpanzee trek in the so-called ‘Valley of the Apes’. Most visitors come to the ‘hanging rainforest’ for chimp trekking. However, its beauty makes you feel that you are exploring another world. Trek along its paths, cross its creeks and rivers. After your visit to Kyambura, head south to the Ishasha sector. The drive, which will serve as our morning game drive will last between 2-3 hours. Have your eyes peeled for more game. On arrival in the Ishasha area, we search for the famous and unique tree-climbing lions. There are about 4 Prides of lions in the area numbering more than 40 in total. Look out for the males with their black mane, which is a notable attribute. Also, there are about 1000+ elephants present in the area and you normally see large numbers. There are Topi and Uganda Kob antelopes in large numbers. The drive is a fantastic opportunity to take lots of pictures. Overnight at Ishasha Jungle Lodge.

Main Destination:

    Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP)

Accommodation:

    Mid-Range

Meals & Drinks:

        All meals included

        Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5 of Tour in Uganda

Explore Ishasha sector

Today, you rest a bit but also explore the area. On the drive, have your eyes peeled for more game. Today, we search for the famous and unique tree-climbing lions. If it is a hot day, be sure to find them atop the sycamore fig trees or the acacia trees that dominate this part of the park. There are about 4 Prides of lions in the area numbering more than 40 in total. Look out for the males with their black mane, which is a notable attribute. Also, there are about 1000+ elephants present in the area and you normally see large numbers. There are Topi and Uganda Kob antelopes in large numbers. The drive is a fantastic opportunity to take lots of pictures. Dinner and overnight at Ishasha Jungle Lodge.

Main Destination:

    Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP)

Accommodation:

    Mid-Range

Meals & Drinks:

        All meals included

        Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6 of Tour in Uganda

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

You later exit the park at the Ishasha gate and continue to Buhoma, which is the northern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You arrive and check-in at Safari Lodge where you will enjoy a hot lunch. After lunch, you have the rest of the day to yourself as you prepare for the gorilla trek tomorrow.

Afternoon (Optional): After lunch, you can choose to go on a guided nature walk ($25 per person) to meet the Ugandans who neighbour the park. You get to learn a thing or two about the culture of the people, so depending on which nature trail you take, you will have a chance to meet the traditional healer and learn how the Bwindi forest (a UNESCO heritage site) is used as a pharmacy where herbs and tree back is used to treat people for various ailments. You could also visit a local school if the school term is in session.

Main Destination:

    Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Best Time to Visit

June to August and December to February

High Season

June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)

Best Weather

June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP – See all animals below

• Gorilla Common
• Chimpanzee Rare
• White RhinoNone
• Black Rhino None
• Lion None
• Leopard None

Accommodation:

    Mid-Range

Meals & Drinks:

        All meals included

        Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7 of Tour in Uganda

Gorilla tracking & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Up relatively early, enjoy breakfast to give you the energy you will need to track the famed Mountain Gorilla in the Bwindi mists. With your packed lunch in your rucksack, your guide will take you to the ranger station before 8:00 am for registration and a briefing. Once the formalities are finished, you commence your gorilla trek through the bush, pushing your way through the undergrowth, to track the gorillas. Once you encounter the Mountain Gorillas, sit in the forest among the gorillas, listening to them grumble, and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male; the Silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining Mountain Gorillas. It’s important to note that there are only about 800 of these beautiful creatures left in the wild. Once back at the starting point, your guide will be waiting to transfer you the scenic Lake Bunyonyi. Overnight at Birdnest Bunyonyi Resort.

Main Destination:

    Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Accommodation:

 Mid-Range

Meals & Drinks:

        All meals included

        Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8 of Tour in Uganda

All day in picturesque Lake Bunyonyi

Wake up at leisure and enjoy your breakfast. Lake Bunyonyi is a good place to chill out, relax after the eventful safari you have been on up to this point. You can either relax at the lodge and read a book or go out on a canoe or motorized boat tour of some of the 29 islets that create the scenic appeal of the lake. One such island is the so-called “Punishment Island” where the local Bakiga people exiled teenage girls who were unlucky to conceive outside marriage. Options of things to do include: canoeing/boating, swimming (this is recommended for strong swimmers), birding, nature walks & hikes and cultural visits. For those who prefer to give back to the community, there is a nearby orphaned Girl’s charity where you can volunteer for a day. You will enjoy lunch and have the rest of the day to yourself.

Main Destination:

    Lake Bunyonyi

Accommodation:

    Mid-Range

Meals & Drinks:

        All meals included

        Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 9 of Tour in Uganda

Drive to Lake Mburo National Park

Visitors can choose two optional activities including a mountain-bike safari ($15 p.p) or a horseback safari ($60 p.p) for 2 hours. Otherwise, you can choose to go on a game walk – accompanied with an armed ranger while you spot buffalo, zebra, gazelles etc. Should you choose to ride on horseback or cycle, you will equally enjoy the wonderful scenery along the way. After this morning’s activity, you will return to the lodge for lunch. For those who love to see birds, you can choose to go for a boat ride on the lake to see some of the major birds of the park. Otherwise, relax and have the rest of the day to yourself or you can head out in the vehicle for an evening game drive. Return later for dinner and overnight stay.

Main Destination:

    Lake Mburo National Park

Best Time to Visit

June to August and December to February

High Season

June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather

June, July and January to February (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Mburo NP – See all animals below

• Giraffe Occasional
• Hippo Common
• Buffalo Common
• Zebra Common
• Leopard Occasional
• Hyena Occasional

Accommodation:

 Mid-Range

Meals & Drinks:

        All meals included

        Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 10 of Tour in Uganda

Drive to Entebbe & Departure

This morning, wake up at leisure and enjoy your breakfast. Check-out of the lodge at 10.00am and commence your transfer to Entebbe with a stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe along the Kampala-Masaka road. You can take fun pictures at the Equator crossing, buy a souvenir for your Uganda safari and have a hot lunch. After your lunch, you will continue onto Entebbe – arriving in the afternoon. In case you have time before your check-in, you can visit one of the beaches in Entebbe for some fried tilapia fish. Later, you will be dropped off at the airport in time for you to check-in for your flight back home.

Main Destination:

    Entebbe International Airport

Accommodation:

    No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

        Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)

        Drinking water (Other drinks not included)