9-Day Uganda Vacation – Big 5 Safari and Gorilla Trekking

Our day will start with breakfast until about 7:30am. From breakfast, we shall move to the Rangers’ Point where we will receive the briefing plus the ranger-guide. Then in the company of the assigned armed ranger-guide(s), we will proceed for this up-close experience with this member of the African big 5 family. Besides wildlife sighting, you simply get to breathe in the pristine fresh air and soak in wonderful scenery. Just being close to nature. After the rhino tracking, we will drive off to Masindi where you will have a lunch stop. After lunch, embark on the transfer to Murchison Falls NP. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison Falls, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalos, and elephants etc. *Detour to visit the top of the falls and thereafter, we head to the facility. *Info: A shallow game drive en route the accommodation is possible.

Accommodation: (Ikorom Safari Lodge-Budget level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 3-4 hours.

Today you will have a full packed game viewing opportunity in the park. Murchison Falls NP is a home to different wildlife species such as; Buffalos, Jackson hartebeests, elephants, Lions, Giraffes, leopards, Hyenas, among others. They are widely spread all over the Savannah grasslands, grazing or hunting for prey. These make the park’s landscape so amazing for game viewing/game driving. *To avoid the long drive back to the lodge, we can proceed to Red Chilli and enjoy hot lunch there. After the lunch, we can move back for the second leg of our game viewing. After a satisfying day’s encounter, we shall head back to the lodge to freshen up – awaiting dinner and the overnight stay. #Optional (extra cost 35$ pp): If interested, you may consider the 11am boat trip upstream towards the falls. Common sightings along the banks are: Hippos, crocodiles and a few bird species.

Accommodation: (Ikorom Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 25-30 minutes to/from the gate.

Enjoy breakfast, check out of the facility and head to explore Murchison in yet another game drive. Be on the look for Murchison’s inhabitants such as; Buffalos, Jackson hartebeests, elephants, Lions, Giraffes, leopards, Hyenas, among others. After a satisfying sighting, we shall embark on a transfer that will see us overnight at edge of Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic – passing through villages, lush green countryside and hills dotted with tea plantations that characterize this part of Uganda. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way. Upon arrival at the accommodation, check in and just relax. #Optional: As a way of stretching legs, you may consider a stop in Hoima and possibly, get into the market to catch a glimpse of life there. You may buy some fresh fruits and enjoy along in the next leg of the journey. 

Accommodation: (Chimpanzee Capital Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer time: Approx. 7 hours.

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: (Gorilla Mist Camp-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: 6-7 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 from the forest, board the car and embark on transfer that will see you have an overnight stay close to Lake Mburo.

Accommodation: (Hyena Hill Lodge-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.