18 Days Uganda Gorillas and Wildlife Safari

18 Days Uganda Gorillas and Wildlife Safari

Uganda’s dense forests are home to over half the world’s 1004 or so mountain gorillas (as of May 2018) – the rest live in the neighbouring Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As they do not survive in captivity, preservation of these fragile habitats is essential for their survival. And gorilla trekking for years has been on top of travelers bucket list while planning a safari to Uganda, Our 18 Days Uganda gorillas and wildlife is a top holiday vacation for those that have time to explore the country in detail, this trip will give you an opportunity to see the big five, Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

Safari highlights

• Shoebill tracking in Mabamba
• Rhino tracking in Ziwa
• Game drives in Kidepo valley national park
• Boat cruise and game drives in Murchison falls
• Visit to Lake Albert
• Chimpanzee trekking
• Hike in Rwenzori Mountains

Detailed safari itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe international airport and transfer to your hotel for overnight

After a long flight to Entebbe our guide will be ready waiting for you, upon arrival you will be received and transferred to the lodge for relaxation and overnight in Entebbe.

Day 2: Early morning drive to Mabamba swamp and later drive to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for evening Rhino trekking

After early morning breakfast you will drive to Mabamba swamp for a 3-4 hour boat cruise in search of the iconic shoebill stork in the marshes using a motorised canoe and later you will drive to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary arriving in time for your Rhino tracking experience on foot, after you will check in to your lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Day 3: Drive to Kidepo valley national park

After morning breakfast you will start your drive to Kidepo valley national park via Gulu and Kitgum, upon arrival you will check in to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Day 4: Full day game drives in Kidepo valley national park

After morning breakfast you head in to the park in search of lions that like to climb on the rock kopjes and cheetahs that traverse the plains a long side thousands of buffalos and elephants, after you will return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation and after you will do another evening game drive in search of more wildlife and birds and later return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Full day game drives in Kidepo valley national park

On this day you will continue with game drives in the morning and in the evening, you will also have a sundowner after your drive just before darkness in the park and later return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Day 6: Drive to Murchison falls national park

After morning breakfast you will drive to Murchison falls national park, this beautiful drive will take you through incredible African landscape, you will see round huts and farmland enroute, upon arrival in you will check in to the lodge for relaxation and later drive to the park for a short game drive in search of wildlife and birds.

Day 7: Full day game drives in the park

After an early morning breakfast with packed lunch you will head to the open plains of the Nile delta where wildlife tent to concentrate and you may have chances of seeing wildlife like Giraffes, Elephants, Buffalo, Uganda Kob, Lions, Leopard, Hyenas, jackals and may other species including beautiful birds.

Day 8: Game drive in the morning and afternoon boat cruise

Yet another spectacular day will start with morning game drive in the park in search of more wildlife and birds after you will drive to the banks of River Nile where you will take a scheduled boat cruise to the bottom of falls on this cruise you will expect to see hippos, crocodiles, Elephants and lots of water birds and later you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Visit top of falls and transfer to Lake Albert

After Lazily morning breakfast you will drive to the top of the falls for a short hike to see the falls up close and after you will then continue to Lake Albert where you will have some breath taking views of Lake Albert and the Great Albertine rift valley with the fishermen lighting up incredible lights to catch small silverfish at night.

Day 10: Drive to Kibale forest national park

After morning breakfast you will start your drive to Kibale forest national park, this is the primate capital of the world with stunning 13 species of primates chimpanzees being the most dominant species, upon arrival you will check in to your lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Day 11: Chimpanzee trekking in the morning and drive to mount Rwenzori

After morning breakfast at the lodge you will check out and transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing about chimpanzee trekking by the rangers, after you will then start your trek on foot to locate the chimpanzees, after locating the chimpanzees you will then view them for 1 hour after you will return to the park, have lunch and then drive to Rwenzori mountains national park arriving in time for dinner and relaxation.

Day 12: Half day hiking in Mount Rwenzori and afternoon transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park

After early morning breakfast you will transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing and after you will start your half trek in to Africa’s snow-capped mountain on the Equator, after the hike you will return to the for refreshment and later drive to Queen Elizabeth national park for dinner and overnight.

Day 13: Game drive and boat cruise in the park

After morning breakfast with packed lunch you will head in to the park for a morning game drive in search wildlife like lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffalos, Uganda Kob and abundant birdlife, after you will continue to Kazinga channel for a boat cruise where you will expect to encounter hippos, Crocodiles, elephants and a lot of water birds and later return to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Day 14: Drive to Northern Bwindi via southern sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park

After morning breakfast you will drive through southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park, this park is popular for tree climbing lions, you will have a short game drive in the park in search of tree lions and other wildlife like Leopards, elephants, topi, Buffalo, Hippos ,Uganda Kob and abundant birdlife in the park.

Day 15: Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi forest

There are only about 1004 mountain gorillas left on Earth and trekking into Bwindi forests is the only way to see these critically endangered Mountain gorillas, as they cannot survive in captivity. Trekking for gorillas in Africa’s emerald rainforests and observing the everyday interactions of these vulnerable primates is arguably one of life’s greatest wildlife encounters. After morning breakfast with packed lunch fully dressed in your trekking gear you will transfer to the park headquarters for  a briefing by the expert park rangers, after you will start your trek in to the forest in search of this gentle giants, after locating them you will spend 1 hour with them and later return to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Day 16: Drive to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation

After lazily morning breakfast you will drive to Lake Bunyonyi Uganda’s deepest lake with one of the most spectacular views, upon arrival you will check in to your lodge for relaxation and later in the evening you may do an optional boat cruise or relax at the lodge.

Day 17: Drive to Lake Mburo national park

After morning breakfast you will start your drive to Lake Mburo national park, this is one of the top places for walking safari in Uganda, upon arrival you will check in to your lodge for relaxation and later transfer to the park for a walking safari on foot with an armed ranger guide, after you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 18: Drive to Entebbe for your departure flight

Depending on your flight, you will enjoy morning breakfast at the lodge after you will depart for Entebbe via the Equator line, where you will stop for shopping, coffee and pictures, after you will continue to Entebbe upon arrival you will be transferred to the airport for your flight.

Trip includes

• Accommodation
• Vehicle, Guide and fuel
• All park entrance fees
• Gorilla permits and chimpanzee permits
• Boat cruises in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison falls
• Rhino tracking fees and Mabamba shoebill boat fees
• Enroute meals and drinking water
• Airport transfers
• Mount Rwenzori hike
• Lake Mburo waking safari fees

Trip Excludes

• Uganda tourist visa
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Tips for guides and hotels
• Alcoholic drinks
• Boat cruise in Lake Bunyonyi
• Personal expenses like Donations and shopping

When to book safari package

We recommend booking this safari 9 months to 1 year to allow us secure gorilla and chimpanzee permits in advance as they are sold on first come and first serve basis.

Best time to trek Mountain gorillas in Uganda

Uganda is an all year round travel destination but the best to trek mountain gorillas and see wildlife is actually at the end of the rainy season that’s from May to October and from December to February.