12 Days Gorilla Tour in Uganda
Uganda
Safari summary:
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route
Day 2: Do morning game drive and afternoon Nile launch cruise
Day 3: Transfer to Hoima. Visit Kibiro Salt Gardens en route
Day 4: Transfer to Fort Portal and do Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling
Day 5: Do morning chimpanzee trekking in Kibale NP and afternoon Bigodi wetland walk
Day 6: Transfer to Semuliki. Visit Sempaya Hot Springs and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7: Do morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise along the Paradise of Hippos – the 45km long Kazinga Channel
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do game drive in Ishasha in search of tree-climbing lions
Day 9: Gorilla trekking in the impenetrable Bwindi and relax at the lodge
Day 10: Travel to Lake Bunyonyi for a boat cruise and relaxation
Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park & do evening game drive
Day 12: Morning game walking safari and transfer to Kampala
This 12 days gorilla tour in Uganda involves several adventure activities. These include; rhino tracking, boat cruises along the Nile River and Kazinga channel, and game viewing. You will also take part in the gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee tracking experiences. The safari will take you to Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park. You will also visit Semuliki National Park as well as Lake Bunyonyi.
Additionally, the 12 days gorilla tour in Uganda will come with en-route visits to spectacular stopovers. These include; Kibiro Salt Gardens, Mpanga Tea Estate, and the Uganda Equator.
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route
Upon arrival at the Airport or after breakfast at your lodge in Kampala. You will meet our professional driver guide. He or she will brief you about the 12 days gorilla safari in Uganda.
You will then drive to Murchison Falls National Park. There is a distance of 305km from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park on the drive. It also takes a duration of about 4-6 hours to arrive in the park. The spark is found in North West of Uganda in the Kiryandongo, Masindi, and Buliisa districts. The park is well known for the Murchison Falls – the world’s strongest waterfall. Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park include; the big 4 animals, the Budongo forest, birds, wildlife, Murchison Falls, and the River Nile.
On the way, you will have a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola district to see the rhinos. You will also have your lunch on the way to a hotel in Masindi town.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Do morning game drive and afternoon Nile launch cruise
After getting a heavy breakfast, you will have a morning game drive to view the biggest animals like elephants, hippos, buffaloes, and many others. You will relax for some time after the drive.
You will have an afternoon launch cruise on the Nile River to the bottom of the falls. You will see aquatic species including hippos and crocodiles. Later on, hike to the top of the falls for great views of the roaring waters. You will later go back to your accommodation area for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Hoima. Visit Kibiro Salt Gardens en route
After a delicious morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and embark on the drive to Hoima. This is an exceptional adventure that will take you through rolling hills, trading centers, and plantations.
You will visit the Kibiro Salt Gardens along the way and enjoy the extraction and cycling of salt at this ancient site. You have lunch en route and continue to your earlier booked lodge.
Upon arrival, check in to your lodge, have dinner, and spend the night over.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and Dinner.
Day 4: Transfer to Fort Portal and do Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling
After a relaxed morning breakfast, you will visit Fort Portal – Uganda’s tourism city. You will explore Mpanga Tea Estate and do the cycling. Here you will interact with the local members of the community and learn more about their day-to-day life. You will have lunch within Fort Portal.
In the later hours of the day, you will retreat to your lodge and enjoy an extraordinary sleep in the comfort of your bed.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 5: Do morning chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and afternoon Bigodi wetland walk
After a morning breakfast, you will go to the visitor’s center for a briefing about chimpanzee trekking. From there, you will enter the forests of Kibale and start on the search for these human-like chimps. Upon encountering them, you will have an hour in their presence whilst taking pictures.
Return to your lodge for lunch before visiting the Bigodi wetland swamp for birding. This is one of the best birding areas with several bird species. Some of the birds here are Rift Valley endemics.
You will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Semuliki. Visit Sempaya Hot Springs and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After your morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and drive to Semuliki National Park. This is home to the Sempaya Hot Springs. The park is also a prime destination for bird lovers. You will have lunch en route.
Later on, you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese. Upon arrival, check in to your earlier booked lodge for dinner, relaxation, and overnight.
Meals; Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7: Do a morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise along the Paradise of Hippos – the 45km long Kazinga Channel
In the morning, you will have breakfast and embark on a morning game drive in the Kasenyi. In Kasenyi, you will encounter elephants, bushbucks, zebras, buffaloes, etc. Return to your lodge for lunch and go for an amazing afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel. The cruise will introduce you to aquatic animals and birds of different kinds.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do a game drive in Ishasha in search of tree-climbing lions
After breakfast, you will have a morning game drive in the Ishasha sector to see the famous tree-climbing lions. You will also watch many other animal species roaming the park.
You will then continue to the magical Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – the home to the endangered Mountain gorillas. You will have lunch en route and enjoy spectacular views of the Kigezi region.
Upon arrival, check in to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 9: Gorilla trekking in the impenetrable Bwindi and relax at the lodge
This is an amazing day on your 12 days gorilla trekking tour in Uganda. After an early morning breakfast, meet your diver and go to the park headquarters for a briefing about gorilla trekking. You will be grouped into not more than 8 people and the trekking starts.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is one of the most adventurous tourism activities Uganda has ever had. It involves walking the trails of the forest in search of these apes. Upon encountering the gorillas, you will be given a full hour to spend in their presence.
Later on, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. You May go for an optional Batwa community tour in the evening. Have dinner and spend the night over.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 10: Travel to Lake Bunyonyi for a boat cruise and relaxation
After a morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Upon arrival, have lunch and go for a boat ride. The lake is home to birds of different species, some of which are restricted to the area. Remember, you are now on the second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika of Tanzania.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park & and do an evening game drive
After a morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and embark on the journey to Lake Mburo National Park. You will have a lunch stopover in Mbarara city and continue to the park. Enter via the Sanga Gate and start your en-route evening game drive. Here you will encounter antelopes, gazelles, warthogs, zebras, hartebeests, and multiple bird species.
Check in to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 12: Morning game walking safari and transfer to Kampala
In the morning, you will have breakfast and do morning nature walks along the lake. This is an opportunity for you to see what you might have missed the previous day. Continue and exit via the Nshara Gate and embark on the drive back to Kampala. You will have a lunch stopover and experience at the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe. Buy some items from the souvenir shop. Such items will remind you of your 12 days gorilla trekking tour in Uganda.
The driver will drop you at any hotel of your choice in Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for your outbound flight.
This marks the end of your 12 days gorilla trekking tour in Uganda.
Includes
- Bottled water for drinking
- Full-time English-speaking tour driver-guide
- 4×4 safari vehicle
- Wi-Fi on the safari vehicle
- Park entry fees
- Airport transfers
- Sightseeing
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Boat cruise and game drive fees
Excludes
- Laundry services
- Personal medical insurance
- Cigarettes
- Extra accommodation
- Alcoholic drinks
- Any other activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Uganda Wildlife Authority(UWA) Penalty fees after violating national park rules and regulations
Special Note: Optional activities can be available at an additional cost
Safari Activities
- Gorilla trekking
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Boat cruises
- Cycling
- Wildlife game drives
- Community tours
- Rhino tracking
Safari Destinations
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Kibale National Park
- Hoima
- Fort Portal
- Semuliki National Park
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Lake Bunyonyi
- Lake Mburo National Park