7 Days Gorillas and Wildlife Safari
The 7 Days Gorillas and Wildlife Safari leads you to Queen Elizabeth National park where you will have chance to see a number of savannah fauna and flora. This park has 10 primate species including man’s closest cousin (the Chimpanzee) and over 600 birds have been recorded. You then continue to southwest of Uganda to track the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Relax at Lake Bunyonyi and participate in a number of optional activities there before your transfer back to Entebbe airport.
Day 1. Arrival
On your arrival at Entebbe Airport, you will be welcomed/picked up by your guide for transfer to your hotel in Kampala. On this day you will be briefed about your whole tour.
Accommodation – Acactus Hotel/Malakai Eco Lodge
Meal Plan – Lunch and Supper
Day 2. Travel to Queen Elizabeth National park
Having had breakfast at leisure, you travel to Queen Elizabeth National park. We are to have a stop at the equator village(Kayabwe) to take pictures if interested. Equator is the imaginary line on the world map that runs east to west and divides the earth into the southern and northern hemispheres.
You will further pass through Ankole region where you may be able to see the long-horned/Ankole Cattle. On arrival, you will have a boat trip on the Kazinga channel. This is the water stream that joins lakes Edward and George and is said to have the largest concentration of hippos in the world. It is also known as the “center of ecology” due to many animals and bird species recorded on its banks. Other animals to see include; crocodiles, monitor lizards. This boat trip is one of the things you will not forget on your 7 days gorillas and wildlife safari. We then check into our lodge for evening accommodation.
Travel Time-Approx. 6 hrs.
Accommodation – Pumba Safari Cottages/Parkview Safari Lodge
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch and supper.
Day 3. Full day Game drive and visit a Salt Lake
We wake up early for a morning game drive to search for the early risers. This is the best time to spot predators such as lions, leopards and the spotted hyena. Other mammals to see include; buffaloes, waterbucks, elephants, kobs, warthogs and so on. We then later visit Lake Munyanyange to see flamingos.
Having had lunch, we proceed to the Katwe Salt Lake. This Lake has been in existence since the 16th century and is responsible for the survival of people in Katwe village. You will see/get to know how local salt is extracted and made ready for consumption and sale in this area.We end our day with an evening game drive in the Kabatoro sector which is famous for large herds of elephants and is also a feeding ground for hippos. This evening, be ready to take a picture of a feeding hippo.
Meal plan –Breakfast, lunch and supper.
Accommodation-Pumba Safari Cottages/Parkview Safari Lodge
Meal Plan- Breakfast, lunch and supper.
Day 4 Chimpanzee tracking
After breakfast, we prepare ourselves for the once in a life time experience (chimpanzee tracking). You may track the chimps in the Kyambura Gorge or Imaramagambo Forest or Kalinzu Forest; the choice is yours. This activity is a bit challenging but very rewarding, so expect to walk for one to four hours depending on where the chimps will be on this day. Having encountered them, you will have a full hour with them. The chimpanzees’ behavior can provide a clue to that of our early ancestors.
Meal plan –Breakfast, lunch and supper.
Accommodation-Pumba Safari Cottages/Parkview Safari Lodge
Meal Plan- Breakfast, lunch and supper.
Day 5. Transfer to Bwindi
Today, you will have an early morning breakfast a game drive around this section of the park and then travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We pass through the southern section of Queen Elizabeth National park (Ishasha) which is famous for the tree climbing lions. If lucky, you will be able to take a picture of the tree climbing lions. These cats tend to climb trees in the mid-day sun for reasons will be able to find out.
Bwindi Impenetrable forest is home to more than half of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas, many other primates and over 380 bird species. Arrival will be in the late afternoon and then check in your lodge to relax.
Travel Time-Approx. 3Hrs
Accommodation – Ruhija Community Rest Camp/Bakiga Lodge
Meal Plan-Breakfast, lunch and supper.
Day 6. Gorilla tracking.
After a mighty breakfast prepared by your accommodation, we report at the gorilla tracking starting point for a short briefing. You then enter the Impenetrable forest with your packed lunch to search for the endangered mountain gorillas. Be ready to walk for 45 minutes to 5 hours depending on where you will find the gorillas that day. Having encountered them, you will be given a full hour to interact with gorillas and then return to your accommodation. This has always been the highlight of this 7 days gorillas and wildlife safari.
In case you return early, you will enjoy cultural dances from the local community before relaxing at your lodge. You may also opt to spend this last night at one of the Resorts at the most beautiful and deepest lake in Uganda; Lake Bunyonyi.
Meal Plan-Breakfast, lunch and supper.
Travel Time-Approx. 3Hrs
Accommodation – Ruhija Community Rest Camp/Bakiga Lodge/Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Meal Plan-Breakfast, lunch and supper.
Day 7 Transfer to Entebbe
After having breakfast, we embark on the long journey back to Entebbe so as to catch your flight back home. You will be transferred to the airport or hotel of your choice in Entebbe or Kampala hence end of the 7 days gorillas and wildlife safari.
Travel time – approx. 4 hrs.
Meal plan – breakfast and lunch
Accommodation – Not included.
Highlights
Gorilla tracking
Chimpanzee tracking
Sight seeing
boat trips
Nature walks
Salt lake visit
Game drives
COST
Budget Accommodation – USD 2160 per person
Mid-range Accommodation – USD 2580 per person
Included in the 7 day Gorillas and Wildlife Safari
1 gorilla permit per person
1 chimpanzee permit per person
All park entrance fees
Game drives
All meals as the itinerary states
6 Nights’ accommodation
4WD customised safari vehicle
English speaking guide/driver
Bottled drinking water
Canoeing at Lake Bunyonyi
Not included in the 7 days Gorillas and Wildlife Safari
Porter for gorilla trekking (if you need one)
Activities marked optional in the itinerary.
Drinks besides water
Packing list
A pair of water proof trousers and jacket.
A hat
Insect repellent
A pair of sun glasses
Personal camera
A pair of binoculars
Note that weather at Bwindi is un predictable, it can rain at any time.
A flying Air Balloon Safari in Queen Elizabeth can be arranged on request. (US Dollars 380 per person)
While on site, we accept payment in only US Dollars, GB Pound, Euro and UG Shillings.
You can remove the bits you do not want and add the ones that you want to meet your budget and interest.
Enjoy your 7 Days Gorillas and Wildlife Safari!
