7 Days - Gorilla and Wildlife Safari

Arrival:

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• Complimentary pick-up from the Airport/Hotel.
• Accommodation arrangements can be made before or at the end of the trip at an additional cost.

Day 1: Transfer to Kibale Forest and Bigodi Nature Walk

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Begin your Gorillas and Savannah Safari by heading west through tea plantations and rolling hills to reach Fort Portal town. En route, enjoy lunch before continuing to Kibale National Park. After checking in at the lodge, embark on a guided nature walk through the dense papyrus of Magombe Swamp, part of the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary on the edge of Kibale Forest National Park. During your walk, you have the opportunity to spot up to 138 bird species.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury Primates Lodge
Midrange Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

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Transfer to the Uganda Wildlife Authority park headquarters for a briefing before embarking on an exciting chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest. Spend one hour with these fascinating creatures, observing their humorous gestures, facial expressions, ear-piercing squeals, and impressive leaps through the trees. After trekking, leave the rainforest and drive south along the Rwenzori Mountain chain to reach the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy an evening game drive through the explosion crater-lake fields, where you may spot African elephants, African buffalos, Uganda kob, topis, bushbucks, and troops of baboons.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury Elephant Plains Lodge
Midrange The Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 3: Game Drive and Boat Safari on the Kazinga Channel

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Start your day with a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, where you can spot lions hunting in the morning. Kasenyi Plains are an excellent location to track prides of lions that hunt the game herds found here. Expect to spot elephants, buffalos, warthogs, bushbucks, waterbucks, and vast herds of Uganda kobs. You’ll be joined on this game drive by a guide from Uganda Wildlife Authority who is an expert in tracking lions. After lunch, explore the Kazinga Channel on a water safari as it flows through the heart of the park, connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. During the boat cruise, expect to spot elephants, buffalos, warthogs, and waterbucks cooling off along the riverbanks during the heat of the day.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury Elephant Plains Lodge
Midrange The Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Forest via Ishasha

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You will exit Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Ishasha Plains in the southern sector for another epic game drive. Ishasha is famous for its iconic tree-climbing lions that climb trees to catch the cool breezes. After your game drive, you will leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury Mahogany Springs Lodge
Midrange Buhoma Gorilla Camp/Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 5: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

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With an early breakfast and a packed lunch, you will be transferred to the Uganda Wildlife Authority park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla tracking, which begins at 8:00 am. Guided into the jungle, track the shy primates. The trek’s length varies depending on where the gorillas spent the night, ranging from 30 minutes to 7 hours. Once you find the gorilla family, spend one hour with them, observing their feeding, socializing, and displays of prowess.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury Mahogany Springs Lodge
Midrange Buhoma Gorilla Camp/Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 6: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

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Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, driving through winding roads, farmlands, and forests. Lake Mburo National Park boasts a beautiful acacia Savannah terrain and woodlands. This park is also home to the eland, Africa’s largest antelope species, only found here and in Kidepo Valley National Park. After dinner, set out to explore this park on a nocturnal game drive guided by a ranger, scanning the savannah with a spotlight to search for various species, including the genet cat, warthog, hippos, spotted hyena, and the elusive leopard.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury Kigambira Safari Lodge
Midrange Mburo Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 7: Transfer to Entebbe, Visit Mabamba Swamp & Departure

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Transfer from Lake Mburo to Mabamba Swamp on the shores of Lake Victoria, driving through Mbarara town and crossing the equator at Mbarara. At Mabamba Swamp, embark on the water in a local canoe guided by an expert birder. Explore the swamp in search of the infamous Shoebill Stork, the Grey Crowned Crane (Uganda’s National Bird), Saddle-billed Stork, African Fish Eagle, and Malachite Kingfisher. Your guide will then drive you across town to Entebbe International Airport in time for you to check in and catch your outbound flight back home.