Gorilla Adventures in Uganda, Gorilla Safaris in Bwindi Uganda

Uganda is a land rich in cultural background, political history and natural resources.  We are pleased to offer a "closer look safaris" which are designed to give you an in-depth understanding about what you see and experience as you travel through Uganda.  These safari are customised to focus on your particular areas of interest whether these are cultural, historical, political, environmental, primatological or art-oriented.  When you book, state your group's special focus or interest, and we can then select the appropriate resource personnel to make your safari especially rewarding and informative.  A minimum of six people is required. 

The Best of Uganda Wildlife and Gorilla Safari                        7 DAYS

(MURCHISON, QUEEN ELIZABETH, KIBALE AND GORILLA TREKKING)

DAY    1:       From Kampala, head north through the districts of Luwero and Masindi with their traditional farms and villages.  Reach the Murchison Falls N. P. after lunch enroute and tour the top of the falls with amazing scenic viewpoints.  Dinner and overnight at Sambiya River Lodge

DAY    2:       Cross the Nile by ferry and set off on an early morning game drive.  Look for elephant from the Nyamsika Plateau viewpoint.  Your guide helps spot elephant, giraffe, water buffalo, Ugandan kob and lion.  Butterflies are abundant.  After a packed lunch you take a launch trip to the base of the majestic Murchison Falls.  There is abundant bird life and you will most likely see numerous wild animals on the banks.  Return to the excellent service and comfort of Sambiya River Lodge

DAY    3:       Depart early to the Fort Portal area.  This area, nestled in the Rwenzori Mountains, is the seat of the Toro kingdom.  Lunch enroute to Kibale Forest.  Dinner and overnight at Ndali lodge or Ruwenzori View Guesthouse.

DAY    4:       Early morning forest walk in search of chimpanzee.  See other primates, forest birds and butterflies, too.  Arrive at Mweya Safari Lodge in QENP after lunch.  Relax on a launch cruise up the Kizinga Channel between lakes Edward and George.  Enjoy seeing wild animals on the banks and a wonderful variety of water birds.  Lion, hippo, Cape buffalo, Uganda kob and warthogs are usually seen. Overnight at the beautifully situated Mweya Safari Lodge.

DAY    5:       Awake early for a sun rise game drive to see elephant and lion.  After breakfast depart for the gorilla sanctuary.  Packed lunch enroute.  Transit through the Kigezi highlands with terraced banana plantations on the steep slopes.  Dinner and overnight in Bwindi impenetrable or Mgahinga at a Lodge or Luxury Tented Camp.

DAY    6:       Rise early for gorilla trekking.  The experienced ranger guides will brief you before the trek.  Spend the day moving through dense in an exciting search for rare majestic mountain gorillas.  Return to accommodation for dinner and overnight.

DAY    7:       Return to Kampala through the Kigezi highlands, the "Switzerland of Africa". Lunch in Mbarara, with the many herds of long-horned Ankole cattle.  Arrive in Kampala early evening.

Choose the parks mentioned above, or design your own tour.  Feel free to contact us if you need additional information when designing your trip to Uganda.

Uganda Wildersun Safari                             10 DAYS

(L MBURO, GORILLA TREKKING, QUEEN ELIZABETH AND MURCHISON)

DAY    1:       We pick you up from your Kampala hotel and drive to Entebbe (which means "the seat" in Luganda).  A tour of the extensive Botanical Gardens on the shores of Lake Victoria introduces you to a variety of the vegetation found across Uganda from huge trees and tropical shrubs to many types of grasses.  At the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, experts in wildlife rehabilitation will discuss conservation efforts in Uganda especially with regard to chimpanzee.  After lunch, visit the Uganda Museum in Kampala for further introductions to the cultural and natural history of the country.  Then visit other significant sites in Kampala including the Kasubi Tombs and Nommo Gallery.  Dinner and overnight in Kampala at your hotel.

DAY    2:       Early morning depart Kampala for Lake Mburo N.P. stopping for a photograph opportunity at the equator.  You pass papyrus swamps and scatter pockets of tropical forest and have an opportunity to leave your vehicle for a closer look at these natural habitats.  Learn more about the settlements you pass, and the changes these have wrought on the environment.  Enter Lake Mburo N. P. for a game drive and boat trip.  See zebra and other grazers as well as a plenitude of birdlife.  Packed lunch provided.  In the afternoon visit the Parks nature study centre.  Dinner and overnight at Rwonyo Rest Camp or Mantana Camp.

DAY    3:       After breakfast, head for the Kigezi highlands in the south-western corner of Uganda.  The scenery is spectacular with steep hillsides terraced for growing matoke, the Buganda staple food.  You proceed to the dense tropical forest of the appropriately named Bwindi Impenetrable N. P.  in time for lunch at the camp.  After lunch, take a nature walk along the forest edge or relax at the camp.  Park rangers discuss various aspects of conservation and gorilla behaviour.  Dinner and overnight at a Buhoma Homestead.

DAY    4:       After an early breakfast you guides will briefs you before you head into the dense forest.  Set out on your journey for a more intimate interaction with the gentle yet endangered gorillas.  The forest is rich with tropical vegetation, a host of butterflies, many species of birds and variety of lesser primates.  Boxed lunch provided.  Return to the homestead for dinner and overnight.

DAY    5:       Morning visit to Ruhija sector of the rainforest commences after breakfast.  At the Forest Centre for Ecology, guides a thorough lecture on the ecology and "web life" of the areas.  Walk in the rain forest with the knowledgeable research personnel who are able to add to your appreciation and understanding of your exotic surroundings.  Enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest.  Arrive back at the Buhoma Homestead for dinner and overnight.

DAY    6:       Depart the rainforest for a visit to Ishasha, a beautiful sector of the Queen Elizabeth National Park.  This is wide-open savannah country dotted with flat-topped acacia tree, an incredible contrast in vegetation after the dense equatorial forest.  In this quiet wilderness you can see nature at its best as well as the tree-climbing lion for which this area is most famous.  After a packed lunch you drive northwards heading to Mweya Safari Lodge in QENP.  Arrive at the Lodge in time for dinner and overnight.

DAY    7:       Your day begins with the excitement of a sunrise game drive.  After breakfast you visit the Institute of Ecology to get a professional explanation on the ecology of the Park with its different animals.  After lunch, enjoy a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, which joins Lakes Edward and George.  See wild game in their natural habitat including hippopotamus and water birds.  Depart the park in the early evening and drive through Kasese town to Fort Portal.  See the sunset over Rwenzori Mountains enroute.  Dinner and overnight at the Ndali Lodge or Ruwenzori View Guesthouse.

DAY    8:       Breakfast is followed by drive through the rural, rolling countryside of the Toro Kingdom heading for Murchison Falls N.P. Stop for lunch in Hoima.  Arrive to the comfort of Sambiya River Lodge, which is beautifully situated, on a tributary of the Nile within MFNP.  This will be your base for the final two nights of your safari.

DAY    9:       Visit the top of the magnificent Murchison Falls after breakfast.  If it appeals to you, cool off in an intimate pool above the Falls, although there is a swimming pool at the lodge.  Rangers will discuss the unique flora and fauna in the park, the encroachment of man and the current conservation efforts.  Return to the Lodge for lunch.  The afternoon's activities include a boat cruise up the River Nile, offering a chance to see crocodiles, hippopotamus, giraffe and more, plus the many birds living along the river.  Upon return to Sambiya River Lodge, enjoy a guide walk through the forest and grasslands accompanied by an experienced ranger.

DAY    10:     After breakfast, proceed to the cool and dense Papidi Forest for a final walk the animals of the forest, the final chance to see chimpanzee and experience the exotic calls of tropical birds.  Return to Kampala via the districts of Masindi, where you will stop for lunch and Luwero, rich in political and cultural history.  Arrive Kampala early evening.

Note:  This safari can be shortened by deleting days 3/5 or days 8-10, or extend you visit by adding a few days in any area.

GORILLA THRILLER/EXPRESS                              5 DAYS

DAY    1:       An early morning start from Kampala takes you south-west and across the Equator. The drive takes you through savannah grasslands seeing banana plantations and herds of Ankole cattle with their incredible long curving horns.  Then you ascend into the Kigezi highlands, known as the "Switzerland of Africa", with terraced farming and mountain scenery and drive through to Buhoma.  Overnight at excellent accommodation.

DAY    2:       Enter the sanctuary at dawn and enjoy the beauty and freshness of the forest, home of the mountain gorillas.  After a short briefing by the guides, proceed through dense bush to trek for these endangered animals.  Other primates also live in the forest including the black-and-white colobus monkey, red tail monkey and chimpanzee.  Return to the accommodation for dinner and overnight.

DAY    3:       Re-enter the forest for a second exciting day of gorilla tracking.  Return to the accommodation for dinner and overnight.

DAY    4:       Depart from the forest for Lake Bunyonyi, the lake of little birds, renowned for its variety and abundance of avian.  Enjoy a canoe ride on this beautiful narrow lake surrounded by green hills.  Dinner and overnight at the lodge.                                             

DAY    5:       Return to Kampala after breakfast.

A note for Trekkers:  Remember to bring heavy leather gloves, stout hiking boots, long sleeves shirts, long pants, a light back-pack, and water-bottle.

NB.  Reduce this package to our 3 day Gorilla Express (CTSU : 17) by eliminating Days 3 and 4 above.  A similar itinerary applies for trekking in Djomba or Mgahinga, which may be substituted based on permit availability and client approval.  Book 4-12 months in advance to avoid disappointment.