5 Days uganda gorilla and wildlife safari
This 5 Days uganda gorilla and wildlife safari takes you to two of the most visited national parks in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Highlights of this 5 Days Uganda Safari include; wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth and gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This tour beings and ends in Kampala, Uganda.
Detailed 5 Days Queen Wildlife & Bwindi Gorillas Itinerary.
Day 1: Pick up from Kampala and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Begin your day with an early morning breakfast in your hotel in Kampala city. Your guide will pick you from your hotel and then embark on a 6 hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Mbarara- Masaka Highway. You will have a stopover at the equator monuments in Kayabwe, Mpigi district. These two equator monuments mark the point where the equator runs through Uganda. You will then proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Upon your arrival in the park, you will embark on an afternoon game drive in the park. On your first game drive, you will get to see wildlife animals like; antelopes, impala, topi, zebras, elephants, buffalo, giraffe and so many more.
Later check into your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Pumba Safari Cottages/Park View Safari Lodge/ Mweya Safari Lodge.
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Evening Boat Cruise.
Have an early morning breakfast and proceed on a morning game drive in the park which begins at 6am. This morning game drive will give you a great chance to view nocturnal animals like leopards, serval cats and other wildlife such as African savannah elephants, hyenas, Uganda Kobs, heart beasts, giraffes, zebras and many more. Queen Elizabeth National Park is blessed with over 612 bird species thus making it a great destination for birding activities. While on your game drive, you may spot birds like the African skimmer, Chapin’s flycatcher, Shoebill stock, the great flamingos and Pink- backed pelicans.
Return back to your lodge for lunch and in the afternoon, head out for an evening boat cruise along the Kazinga channel. The boat cruise starts at exactly 1pm and can take approximately 2 hours. During your boat cruise, you may sight lots of wildlife such as hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants and some species of birds like the great flamingos, Shoebill stock, Ibis and so many others. After your boat cruise, you can opt to do a cultural tour where you can visit the nearby Bakonjo local communities. On your visit, get to see the day to day activities of the local people and be entertained by the traditional dance groups.
Later return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Lion Tracking Experience and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Have your breakfast early in the morning and head out for a lion tracking experience in the national park. You will get to see the famous tree climbing lions of Ishasha and other animals as well like; hippos, savanna elephants, topi and buffaloes among others. Head back to your lodge for lunch and later proceed with your transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Upon your arrival in Bwindi, you will embark on a community visit to the neighboring Batwa communities near the national park. Get to mingle with the local Batwa people and learn more about their daily lifestyles and culture; from traditional dance performances to storytelling and so much more.
Later retire to your lodge for dinner and an overnight at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/ Buhoma Haven Lodge/ Silverback Lodge.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest.
This is the day you have been anxiously waiting for. Have breakfast very early at you lodge as your guide will pick you up at 6am. You will embark on a short journey to the Parks headquarters in Buhoma. You are supposed to be at Buhoma at exactly 7am for a briefing by the park’s head ranger which will begin at 8am and then you will be put in groups of 8 individuals per group depending on the gorilla group you are going to track. Tracking begins at exactly 8:30 am hence endeavor to always keep time.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a total of 15 habituated gorilla groups that are tracked from four trailheads. Of these 15 habituated gorilla groups, 3 are found in Buhoma area in the northwest part of the park; while 4 gorilla groups are situated in Ruhija in the eastern part of Bwindi and 8 gorilla groups in Nkuringo and Rushaga respectively, located south of Bwindi.
Each tracking group consists of strictly eight individuals with each group having a park guide and ranger. Tracking can take about 1- 6 hours depending how easily and quick the gorillas are spotted. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be give exactly an hour with them.
After your gorilla trekking activity, you can proceed to do the Batwa Trail Experience in Bwindi Forest. You will be guided by local Batwa guides, who will take you on an experiential journey in the forest. Get to learn the Batwa traditional hunting techniques, making of traditional herbal medicines and so much more.
Return back to your Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Transfer Back to Kampala.
After having a relaxed breakfast, check out of your lodge and embark on a return journey to Kampala city. Basing on your arrival time in Kampala, you can have an optional half day tour of Kampala city or head straight to your hotel. End of tour.
