Uganda Gorilla Safaris
Gorilla in Bwindi Forest Uganda
BWINDI, QUEEN ELIZABETH AND
LAKE MBURO PARK
This safari starts and ends in
Entebbe. [The gorilla permit in
Bwindi is included in the safari
cost.]
The tour takes you to see wildlife
and birds in Queen Elizabeth
National Park - elephant, lion,
buffalo, hippo, leopard. Antelopes
and birds are everywhere! Look out
for the rare shoebill stork! Track
chimpanzees in the nearby Kyambura
Gorge. Visit Ishasha - an area with
the highest concentration of
wildlife in the park. With luck, you
may see a particular attraction of
this area - the famous tree-climbing
lions, which lounge nonchalantly in
the upper branches of high trees!
The magnificent Queen Elizabeth
National Park, in the western arm of
the Great East African Rift Valley,
is centred around Lake Edward and
Lake George. The two lakes are
linked by the Kazinga channel, a
waterway rich in wildlife and birds.
The Rwenzori Mountains act as a
majestic backdrop to the park’s
variety of habitats - tropical
forest, green meadows, savannah,
crater lakes and swamps. Continue
further West to track one of the
three habituated gorilla families in
the dense, impenetrable forest of
Bwindi, also rich in other primates,
birds and butterflies. Return via
Lake Mburo Park in Mbarara for
unusual wildlife. This overnight
stop is also necessary to break the
long journey from Bwindi.
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrive at Entebbe International
airport. Meet, greet and transfer to
Imperial Resort Beach Hotel for
overnight (BB)
DAY 2
Drive on the southbound road;
past captivating attractions en
route: look at royal drum makers,
brief stop at the Equator and be in
both hemispheres at once, drive past
the roadside markets aerated with
fruit and vegetables. Continue to
the Queen Elizabeth National Park,
arriving very late in the afternoon,
keeping an eye out for the game.
[Approximate driving time: 6 hours]
O/N: Mweya Safari Lodge/Jacana Lodge
(FB)
DAY 3
Visit Kyambura gorge to track
chimpanzees, man’s closest relation.
A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
is a rewarding experience. Evening
game drive. O/N: Mweya Safari
Lodge/Jacana Lodge (FB)
DAY 4
Today we go for an early morning
game drive. Afterwards, start for
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We may
drive via Ishasha, weather
conditions permitting – where you
may see tree-climbing lion - or
drive through farmland to Buhoma.
Time permitting; go for a guided
nature walk in the forest to help
you acclimatise. [Approximate
driving time: 4 hours] O/N: Bwindi
Tented Camp or Buhoma Homestead (FB)
DAY 5
Go gorilla tracking (subject to
availability of gorilla permits at
time of booking), carrying a packed
lunch. You will be accompanied by a
guide and porters who will carry
your shoulder pack for you. You will
then set off to the thick forest in
search of gorillas. The terrain can
be difficult, with steep slopes
covered in dense vegetation that
gives the park its name. In
addition, the altitude of 5200 feet
and more means participants do need
to be physically fit. The time taken
to track the gorillas varies
enormously, from as little as half
an hour to as much as 8 hours before
one returns to camp. Difficulty,
however, is not impossibility and
coming face to face with the great
primates is well worth it! O/N:
Bwindi Tented Camp or Buhoma
Homestead (FB)
DAY 6
Start for Mbarara, enjoying
natural and other arresting
attractions en route. Excursion to
Lake Mburo National Park for some
unusual game. [Approximate driving
time: 6 hours] O/N: Mburo Tented
Camp (FB)
DAY 7
Drive to Kampala. Arrive in the
City early afternoon and transfer to
Entebbe airport for your flight
(HB). [Approximate driving time: 4
hours]
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