6-Day Gorilla, Chimpanzee, and Wildlife Safari

The pickup will be from either the hotel or the airport upon arrival. The assigned professional English-speaking tour driver-guide will pick you up/receive you, and we shall embark on a transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park—one of Uganda’s most frequented tourist destinations. The park features diverse ecosystems called home by a variety of wildlife species—ten primate species (including chimpanzees), more than 600 bird species, and classic big game. You will stop for lunch en route and then proceed into the beautiful Queen Elizabeth NP, arriving late afternoon (evening), and do little but just check into the accommodation and relax. Note: If you arrive with some time still available, we can proceed for a late afternoon-to-evening game drive. Transfer Time: Approx. 7 hrs.

Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and be on the lookout for Cape buffaloes, herds of elephants, and lions and leopards (though hard to spot), among others. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife, including giant hippos, elephants, and crocodiles, among others, will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. After the boat trip, you can decide either to return to the lodge to rest or first proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then travel to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP—famously known for tree-climbing lions frequently seen in the area. The chance of spotting these lions stands at about 60-70%, but sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get to spot them up in the tree, the sight is picturesque and memorable. From Ishasha, you will continue to the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check in to your accommodation and relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience tomorrow. *Optional (extra cost $100): If interested, you can consider chimp tracking (Kyambura Gorge) before driving off to Ishasha. Please, take note that a permit for chimp tracking needs to be secured prior to the actual date.

Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular! The area offers a dramatic, steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails, allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The time with these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Thereafter, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of 2,200–2,478 m, but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical—you could admire them all day.

Your adventure begins with a warm welcome at Entebbe International Airport. After a short briefing, you head to Mabamba Swamp, a birding paradise on Lake Victoria. Glide silently in a canoe through papyrus channels as your guide helps you spot the elusive shoebill stork, kingfishers, and herons. This serene introduction to Uganda’s biodiversity sets the tone for the trip. Later, drive to Kampala, check into your lodge, and enjoy a restful evening.

Have a relaxed breakfast at the accommodation with spectacular view of the Bunyonyi little islands just right in front of you and thereafter embark on your return journey to Entebbe Airport. Expect en route lunch and a stop at the Uganda Equator line mark in Kayabwe for some memorable photos and maybe buying some art pieces of interest. Proceed with the journey arriving late afternoon/evening for drop off at the airport to catch your flight back home (recommended for 18:00 onwards).