19-Day Uganda gorilla trekking & primates Safari
Highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park
- Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale forest
- Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga forest
- Spot the Big 5 & Big Cats
- Unlimited game drives
- Boat ride on kazinga Channel
- Boat cruise on the Nile River
- Visit Murchison Falls National Park
- Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Search for tree-climbing lions
- Visit Kidepo National park
- Hike Sipi Falls
- Elgon Hike
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe, Uganda – Transfer to your hotel
Arrive in Uganda following the flight from your respective country of origin. You land at Entebbe International Airport which is the main gateway to Uganda where you will find a representative of your booked hotel and will offer you a courteous welcome.
The amazing weather and brightening atmosphere on the shores of Lake Victoria give you a remarkable first impression of Uganda. Connect to the respective hotel for overnight stay.
Lodge: Airport Guesthouse
Day 2: Sezibwa Falls, Mabira Forest & Jinja Source of River Nile
After breakfast, an early morning drive on Jinja road with our first visit being at the historical Sezibwa Waterfall for 1 hour.
The falls are about seven meters high and with the sweet hissing sound created by the falling water forms beautiful scenery. This is complemented by the natural vegetation cover and the undulating and steep rocks over which the waters fall. The site has several bird species which present a wonderful opportunity for bird watching.
We continue to the Mabira Forest for 2 hours where we have a forest walk. The Mabira Forest is a rainforest area covering about 300 square kilometres (120 sq mi) in Uganda, located in Buikwe District, between Lugazi and Jinja. Mabira forest is home to over 300 bird species, and many Ugandan primates.
We continue to Jinja, to view the source of the River Nile.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: The Kipling Lodge
Day 3: Transfer from Jinja to Sipi Area and hike the Sipi falls
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Sipi falls in the east of Uganda. The drive takes you through the beautiful eastern Uganda landscapes featuring lovely wetlands and swamps before approaching the extensive rice plantations that have made this region the hub of Uganda’s rice. You drive through Mbale area and proceed to Sipi for lunch. In the afternoon, you embark on the Sipi falls hike for sight-seeing experience. Enjoy the impressive scenery as you hike to the falls including the sights of Elgon Mountain and the plains of Karamoja. The Sipi falls present a lovely flow of water and a good site for photography. Return from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Rafiki Lodge Sipi
Day 4: One Day Hike Mt Elgon:
We will leave the Lodge for Mount Elgon very early in the morning with packed lunch. Mt Elgon is the largest extinct volcano in the World and it borders with Kenya. You will be able to take one of the many trails by the help of your guide and see amazing scenery plus numerous species of birds. Return to the lodge in the evening.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Rafiki Lodge Sipi
Day 5: Karamojong tribe and visit the traditional “Kraal”
After and early breakfast you will continue your journey to Moroto town where you have an exclusive cultural interactive experience with the Karimajong tribesmen. Karamoja is an area in North-Eastern Uganda where the Karamajong people live. They are related to the Maasai in Kenya and live and dress similar. The main difference is that not any other tourist is going here. Only few years ago, tourism in Karamoja would not have been possible due to armed inter-tribal conflict but nowadays it’s safe.
The Karamajong live in a Kraal, better known as Manyatta or Boma in Swahili. A Kraal is basically a village made out of huts surrounded by fences made of wood and thorns to keep the cattle in and to protect them against rivaling tribes and wild animals. Some of Kraals are permanent and others are temporarily as the karamajong follow the fresh grass to feed their cattle. The Karamajong are related to the Maasai in Kenya and live a similar lifestyle. The main difference is that the Karamajong is completely unknown and you are therefore sure to experience a very authentic and unique visit. In the afternoon you will visit one of the impressive Kraal or Manyatta of this community.
Tourist infrastructure does not exist in Kotido. Please be patient and do not expect the services from hotels and restaurants that you would expect in other parts of Uganda. You will spend the night at Lia Springs Hotel in Moroto with stunning views overlooking the hills.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Kara-Tunga’s Karamoja Safari Camp
Day 6: Transfer to Kidepo National Park
After breakfast leave Moroto to Kidepo Valley arrive in time for the afternoon or evening activities depending on the conditions of the roads this afternoon you can either take a game drive around the lodge area or refreshing dip in stunning swimming pool. Carved out of a granite kopje the pool affords fantastic views down the Narus valley and over a waterhole frequented by many animals including Bullbull- our friendly elephant and unofficial head gardener, Overnight.
If you can plan today on a Tuesday you’ll have the chance to experience an authentic Karamajong cattle market on Wednesday (that is today in this tour). Some herders walk for 5 hours to be able to buy or sell their goats, cows or chicken here. It’s a colorful and stunning sight and one of the few remaining authentic experiences. Don’t miss this!
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Day 7: Safari in Kidepo valley National Park
After an early breakfast, go for a morning game drive to Kanangorok hot spring. A variety of animals can be seen roaming around including Ostrich. In the afternoon have a cultural experience that will bring into contact with Karamojong peoples at Karenna and Kapedo.
Meet the local elders and have an opportunity to interact with them. They will show you the kraals, the grinding stones and many more interesting items.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Day 8: Kidepo Valley National Park – Murchison Falls NP
Exit Kidepo Valley to Murchison Falls National Park. Early in the morning after breakfast, you will transfer to Murchison falls national park the northern sector with lunch along the way.
The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centerpiece of the park and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river’s energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert.
There are a lot of animals to see on your way to the hotel through the park such as elephants, giraffes and buffaloes; while hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds are permanent residents. We reach Fort Murchison just outside the park boundaries later in the afternoon. Here we will stay and with a cool drink and a fabulous view over the river Nile, the evening will come with all the noise of an African night.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Fort Murchison
Day 9: Murchison Falls National Park – Game drive & Boat Cruise
Arise very early in the morning for your game drive on the northern bank of the River Nile in your open-roof vehicle which will give you an excellent opportunity to view and photograph the diverse wildlife. Your guide will help you spot elephant,lion, cape buffalo, Roth child’s giraffe, hartebeest, waterbuck, oribi, bushbuck, bohor reed buck, hyena and if you are lucky, the leopard.
After lunch, go for a boat cruise upstream the calm Victoria Nile to the base of the falls stopping just few of meters from the ‘Devil’s Cauldron’, marvel at the schools of hippos, crocodiles and over the 17km stretch you may see elephant, waterbuck and Uganda Kob.
This is also the zone of many birds, species like goliath heron, Egyptian goose, pelicanbee-eater, kingfisher, hornbill, cormorant and the rare shoebill stork. After taking shorts of the photogenic Murchison Falls, you may choose to continue to the top of the falls, where you will have the amazing view of the falls!
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Fort Murchison
Day 10: Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park
After your morning breakfast, begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park. Drive south via Hoima to Fort Portal through verdant countryside passing through traditional homesteads, farms and Tea Estates. You will have a stopover for lunch en-route. You will arrive at you lodge in the late afternoon. Check in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Day 11: Chimpanzee trekking – Cultural Village Walk in Bigodi
This morning go in search of chimpanzee near Kanyanchu. Chimps live in communities of about 100 individuals; learn about the physical and behavioral aspects we share in common. Check out more primates such the golden monkey, olive baboons, red Colobus, white and black Colobus monkeys, grey checked mangabey and blue monkeys.
Later explore the atmospheric village of Bigodi accompanied by one of our professional English-speaking field-guides.
The walk will take up to 3 to 4 hours depending on the pace of the group. According to your interests, you will first visit a traditional healer who will happily share his knowledge about spirits, herbs, plants and local medicines.
Secondly, the visitors will visit the homes of elderly men and women who tell interesting stories about birth, marriage, ceremonies, clans and their traditional life. Learn more about the history and issues that they face as a developing community of rural Uganda. Along the way, you will also be given the chance to experience the Ugandan school system, visit a local church and Bigodi’s trading centre, a hub of rural life and activity. The field-guides are ready to answer any questions during the walk.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Day 12: Kibale Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast at your lodge before you proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain Range. Your expert driver guide will take you through the game park where you might spot some animals.
Upon arriving at your lodge, you will enjoy a hot lunch and later in the afternoon take a unique 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channe l into Lake Edward.
This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and this launch/cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colorful and tremendous, with well over 550 resident.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Irungu Forest Lodge
Day 13: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game drive and Boat cruise
After a cup of coffee, begin the day with a game drive in the Kasenyi plains that may lead you to see bush buck, Uganda Kob, topi, Defassa waterbuck, and Cape buffaloes, Lions, elephants and many more.
You will later return at the lodge for a late breakfast, relax as you wait for lunch. In the afternoon, you will enjoy an afternoon boat ride along the Kazinga Channel for a wide view of yawning hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, various bird species such as red chest, papyrus Gonolek, pink backed pelicans, malachite kingfishers, yellow crown, water thick-knee, yellow-billed stork, shoe bill stock among others. Return at the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at your booked lodge.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Irungu Forest Lodge
Day 14: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi impenetrable Forest
Have breakfast then set off for Bwindi NP through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park – famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are really hard to spot (most especially when they’re down in the grassland looking for prey).
Hoping you get the chance to spot them, the sight will be spectacular! Continue to Bwindi National Park. Bwindi is a big habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda; harboring an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked on 9 days Uganda gorilla trekking safari & primates.
Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check in your accommodation, relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Travelers Rest hotel
Day 15: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Forest
After an early breakfast depart to the starting point for a briefing about your gorilla trekking Uganda adventure after which you will be led by experienced gorilla trackers on the slopes of the volcanoes. You will start from the site where the gorillas were encountered the day before and from here the gorilla tracking begins. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is amazing, and the beauty of the gorilla forest and its inhabitants are fascinating. It is a humbling experience to stand just meters from man’s distant cousins as they eat rest, play and bond with their young ones.
Follow the mountain gorillas in the impenetrable forest, and discover their natural habitual and the many species they share it with. You are allowed an hour with the gorillas before sloping down back to your lodge.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Travelers Rest hotel
Day 16: Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga National Park
Although not well known by most travelers, golden monkeys are yet the second, most interesting attraction in Mgahinga after the mountain gorillas. The species are also known as (Cercopithecus Kandti) and exploring them is what makes a full tourism package in Mgahinga gorilla national park. The activity starts with a briefing by the ranger guide and thereafter you continue to trek this awesome but endangered species of monkeys.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Travelers Rest hotel
Day 17: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and enjoy a canoe ride.
Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and undertake a canoe trek on Lake Bunyonyi which will introduce you to the major islands and their rich history but also there will be some great time spent in the traditional dugout canoe.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Day 18: Transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast transfer to Lake Mburo, the ‘Zebra magnet’. Leave Lake Bunyonyi and continue driving through the hilly areas. Arrive in the park and have lunch at the lodge before heading for an afternoon game drive for view of Zebras, Topis, Warthogs, cape buffaloes and impalas.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodge: Eagle’s Nest
Day 19: Lake Mburo National Park to Entebbe
After morning breakfast, park your bags and you will be driven back to Entebbe for your flight back home with a stopover at the Equator where you will have an opportunity to stand in 2 hemispheres at the same time and take some photos, then another stops over at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers where you will be able to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using traditional methods passed down through the generations.
Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Tour price: USD 4809 per person (two travelers) |USD 6779 (solo traveler)
Included:
- Gorilla permit
- Chimps permit
- Golden monkey tracking permit
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Bottled water throughout the trip
Image by Mark Jordahl from Pixabay
