30
May

11 Days Gorilla Tracking Safari

11 Days Gorilla Tracking Safari

11 Days Gorilla Tracking Safari.

11 Days Gorilla Tracking Safari takes you to some of the popular National Parks in Uganda, including Lake Mburo National Park for game drives and boat cruises, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for gorillas, Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking and a Bigodi wetland walk, before you drive to Murchison Falls National Park for game drives and a boat cruise to the bottom of the magnificent Murchison Falls.

Arrival:

Upon your arrival in Uganda, you will be met by a guide who will transfer you to your guest house or hotel for an overnight stay. Depending on your arrival time, you might choose to explore some nearby attractions in Entebbe, such as:

  • Ngamba Island: A boat excursion to Ngamba Island can be an exciting start to your safari. This sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees is located on Lake Victoria and offers a unique opportunity to learn about chimpanzee conservation efforts.
  • Entebbe Botanic Gardens: These gardens provide a serene environment to explore various plant species, bird watching, and a chance to see some wildlife.
  • Uganda Wildlife Education Center: A visit to this center can be educational and fun, giving you insights into Uganda’s diverse wildlife and conservation efforts.
  • Drive time: Approximately 15 minutes.
  • Lodge: Secrets Guest House.
  • Meal Plan: Bed and breakfast.

DAY 1: Arrival and Transfer to Entebbe

On your first day, you will be welcomed at the airport by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at the hotel or choose one of the optional activities mentioned above. This will be a day to recover from your flight and get ready for the adventure ahead.

  • Drive time: Approximately 15 minutes.
  • Lodge: Secrets Guest House.
  • Meal Plan: Bed and breakfast.

DAY 2: Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Lake Mburo National Park. The drive will take you through beautiful landscapes and local villages, with a stopover at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe. Here, you can take some memorable photos and conduct simple experiments to demonstrate the Coriolis effect. Once you arrive at Lake Mburo National Park, you will go on an en route game drive and later enjoy a boat cruise on the lake.

  • Drive time: Approximately 5-6 hours.
  • Lodge: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge or Rwakobo Rock.
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, you will enjoy another game drive as you exit Lake Mburo National Park and head towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This drive will offer you scenic views of Uganda’s rolling hills, lush greenery, and numerous plantations. You will have lunch en route and arrive in Bwindi by evening.

  • Drive time: 6-7 hours.
  • Lodge: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge or Trekkers Tavern Lodge.
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 4: Gorilla Trekking

Today is one of the most anticipated days of your safari. After an early breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters for a briefing on the rules and guidelines of gorilla trekking. With your packed lunch in hand, you will join other trekkers and begin your journey into the dense forest. The trek can take anywhere from half an hour to several hours, depending on the location of the gorillas. Once you find them, you will spend an hour observing and photographing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. This experience is both exhilarating and humbling, as you witness the behavior and social interactions of one of our closest relatives.

  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
  • Lodge: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge or Trekkers Tavern Lodge.

DAY 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you will leave Bwindi and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey will take you through picturesque landscapes and local communities. Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge, have lunch, and then embark on an evening game drive. The park is known for its diverse wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and various bird species. If you’re lucky, you might also spot predators like lions and leopards.

  • Drive time: 4-5 hours.
  • Lodge: Elephant Hab or Pumba Safari Lodge.
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 6: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

You will start your day with a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains, which are rich in wildlife. This is a great opportunity to see animals that you may have missed the previous day. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward and is a magnet for wildlife. During the cruise, you will see numerous hippos, crocodiles, and water birds. The shores of the channel are also frequented by elephants, buffaloes, and other animals coming to drink water.

  • Lodge: Elephant Hab or Pumba Safari Lodge.
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 7: Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Kibale National Park

After an early breakfast, you will embark on another game drive in the Kasenyi area. This region is known for its high concentration of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and various bird species. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch and then drive to Kibale National Park. The journey will take you through lush countryside and small towns, giving you a glimpse of rural Ugandan life. You will arrive at your lodge in the evening, ready for the next day’s chimpanzee trekking.

  • Drive time: 3-4 hours.
  • Lodge: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House or Isunga Lodge.
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 8: Chimpanzee Tracking

Today, you will have an exciting day of chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park. After breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters for a briefing and then venture into the forest with your guide. Kibale is home to a large population of chimpanzees, as well as other primates such as red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. Your guide will help you locate a habituated group of chimpanzees, and you will spend an hour observing their behavior and interactions. After the trek, you will have lunch and then visit the Bigodi Wetland for a nature walk. The wetland is rich in biodiversity and is managed by the local community. During the walk, you will see various bird species, primates, and plants.

  • Lodge: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House or Isunga Lodge.
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 9: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, you will embark on a long drive to Murchison Falls National Park. The journey will take you through several small towns and villages, offering a glimpse of the local culture and way of life. You will also enjoy scenic views of the landscape, including the escarpment. You will arrive at your lodge in the evening, just in time for dinner.

  • Drive time: Approximately 8-9 hours.
  • Lodge: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge.
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 10: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls

Today, you will start with an early morning game drive in the northern section of Murchison Falls National Park. This area, known as Paraa, is a hotspot for wildlife viewing. You will have the chance to see giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, hippos, and possibly even lions and leopards. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will take a boat cruise on the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls. This cruise offers stunning views of the falls and allows you to see various aquatic animals and birds. At the base of the falls, you will witness the powerful force of the Nile as it squeezes through a narrow gorge and plunges into the river below.

  • Lodge: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge.
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 11: Drive to Entebbe International Airport

After breakfast, you will drive back to Entebbe International Airport. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have the option to visit the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way. This sanctuary is home to Uganda’s only wild rhinos and offers a chance to see these magnificent animals up close. The visit to the sanctuary is optional and not included in the standard tour package.

  • Drive time: 5-6 hours.
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast.

End of the 11 Days Gorilla Tracking Safari.

This detailed itinerary provides a comprehensive overview of your 11-day adventure in Uganda. From gorilla trekking in Bwindi to chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, and exploring the diverse wildlife in various national parks, this safari promises an unforgettable experience. Each day is packed with exciting activities, breathtaking scenery, and opportunities to connect with nature and local cultures. Whether you are a solo traveler or part of a small group, this safari offers a unique and immersive experience in the heart of Africa.