7-Day Short Vacation Package – Safari & Gorilla Trekking

The Bigodi excursion is a 2-3 hours guided tour of a remarkable conservation area, situated right at edge of the well-known Kibale National Park. The walk here offers an intimate, immersive community-led experience spotting primates such as Red-tailed Monkeys, Black-and-white Colobus, and L’Hoest’s monkey, along with birds like the Great-blue Turaco and Papyrus Gonolek to mention but a few. The day begins with a nice breakfast until about 7:30am and then we move out to start this unique experience where you find yourself simply immersed in nature and enjoying every moment. From the Bigodi, we shall return to the facility to clean up, enjoy early lunch and then, embark on a transfer (2hrs) to Queen Elizabeth National Park.  You will reach with some time available for a game drive in search of wildlife like; lions, the elusive leopard, herd of elephants, buffaloes to mention but a few. *Optional (Additional $285 per person): If interested, then consider chimpanzee tracking instead of the Bigodi excursion. Please, note that permit for chimp tracking needs to be purchased prior to the actual date and always sold on first come first serve basis with limited slots per day.

Accommodation: (Enshama Game Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: 2 hours.

Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains – a vast savannah space in the Queen Elizabeth National Park known for high wildlife densities including lions, herds of elephants, buffalos, and Uganda kobs. The area offers exceptional game drives, birding, and scenic photography, with opportunities to see leopards too. After a satisfactory sighting, return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the cruise, you get to enjoy an up-close view of large Hippo pods, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and numerous bird species, including the African Skimmer. From the boat ride, we shall return to the facility to freshen up and stay at leisure, enjoying the facility’s service.

Accommodation: (Enshama Game Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: n/a

Today we shall grab a quick breakfast pack and then, proceed for another morning game drive – along the Kasenyi plains. Be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. From Kasenyi, continue to the Ishasha sector – famously known for its tree-climbing lion population. The chance of spotting these lions stands at about 60-70% but sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get the chance to spot the lions up in the tree, the sight is picturesque and unforgettable. Beyond lions, you can easily spot some elephants, buffaloes, topis, and Uganda kobs. From Ishasha, you will continue to the accommodation at the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 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 tomorrow.

Accommodation: (Buhoma Community Rest Camp-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: 5-6 hours.

Have breakfast, pick up the lunch box and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from the Park Authority) on the dos and don’ts during gorilla trekking, including assigning participants to a group. The actual trek into the forest begins at 8am in the company of your ranger-guide(s) and other participants assigned. The high altitude here combined with steep, rugged (sometimes muddy) terrain makes gorilla trekking physically demanding but rewarding. One moment you’re descending, and the next, you are ascending to a higher elevation. The time taken (3-8 hours) vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. At the end of the trek, you will be awarded a certificate of completion that you can keep as a reminder of this lifetime experience. Return to the accommodation, and rest after a strenuous trek. #Optional (extra cost): In case you finished early and the body is willing to go out again; you can discuss with your guide and see what possibilities are there then make a choice.

Accommodation: (Buhoma Community Rest Camp-Budget level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: N/a

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then, set off to Lake Mburo NP. Mburo is a compact gem, located conveniently close to the highway that connects Entebbe/Kampala to the parks of western Uganda. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah National Parks but home to so many bird species as well as animals such as: Giraffes, Zebra, impala, eland, buffalo, and the elusive leopard among others. We shall arrive and check in for some rest before heading out for a late afternoon-to-evening game drive that will bring us up close with the Mburo inhabitants. Finally, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. #Optional (Additional $30 per person): If interested, you may consider the night game drive to encounter nocturnal creatures which will be a rare sighting compared to the regular daytime sightings.

Accommodation: (Eagles’ Nest Mburo-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 5 hrs.

As usual, we start the day with a quick breakfast and immediately, move to the Visitors’ Center where will receive the ranger-guide(s) to lead the excursion. The Walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park offers a fulfilling, intimate and immersive way to explore Uganda’s wildlife area on foot, producing moments that you seldom get while moving in a safari car. Accompanied by an armed ranger, walks often start at 7:00am, bringing you up-close to zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and antelopes in a 2 to 3-hour unforgettable experience in the wild. This is a unique opportunity to notice smaller details often missed in a vehicle, such as bird species, butterflies, insects, and animal tracks etc. After this up-close experience, return to the accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe airport to catch flight (1900hrs or later). Expect a stop at the Equator crossing mark (in Kayabwe) where you will have hot lunch and also (if interested) buy some souvenirs.

Accommodation: Recommended on request | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Transfer Time: Approx. 4 hours.