9-Day Best of Uganda Safari with Gorillas

After an early breakfast in the morning, you will straightaway be picked up by a JM Jungle safari guide/driver to start your journey to the world’s strongest waterfall in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park. You will have a stopover at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track some of the surviving white Rhino population. After this rewarding experience, you will then have lunch and embark on your journey to the largest national park in the pearl of Africa. Upon arrival at the park, you will specifically drive to the top of the falls and hike down and up the falls. This is a strenuous activity however rewarding as you embrace the adventurous spirit in you. Finally, after the hike, you will head to your lodge and check in.

Firstly, you'll have an early morning breakfast and set off for the morning game drive. Here, you will also have a chance to see some of the interesting wildlife species that call the park home including elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, waterbucks, elands, giraffes, and warthogs among others. This rewarding experience of seeing the animals in the wild can go as far as 3 hours which after you will then return to the lodge for lunch and freshening up.

In the afternoon after lunch, you will set off for the main highlight of the park-the Nile boat cruise to spot the Nile crocodiles, hippos as well as unique bird species that will take your breath away. Also, the phenomenal appearance of the waterfalls will blow your mind and make you wish to spend more time in the park. After the cruise, you will then head back to the lodge and relax as you enjoy the lodge facilities.

After your breakfast, you will check out of the safari lodge to embark on your drive to KFNP. Your journey will certainly involve trans-versing through the magnificent Albertine Escarpments and enjoying the views of the cool countryside. Eventually, you'll have lunch in Hoima and arrive at Kibale National Park in the evening.

After your breakfast in the morning, you will be transferred to the park headquarters at Kanyanchu Visitor Center at 7:00 am for a pre-tracking briefing before entering the jungles of Kibale Forest to search for mankind’s closest relatives. After 2-5 hours of tracking, you will hear them hooting or see them feeding, playing and grooming and that’s when your cameras start rolling. Besides the chimpanzees, expect to see several primate species including the red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and olive baboons among others as well as birds, butterflies, and tree species of interest.

You will then return to the lodge for lunch and shortly check out before starting your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon. Meanwhile, you will be able to view the glamorous ranges of the mountains of the moon. Furthermore, you'll pass through Kaseese town and enjoy the smiles from the residents of the town.

You will wake up to an early morning breakfast before heading for a game drive through the Kasenyi Plains where you are likely to spot the African tree-climbing lions and the elusive leopards, Uganda kobs, Elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, Defassa waterbucks and warthogs in addition to at least 200 bird species. Lastly, after this amazing 2-3 hours activity, you'll head back to the lodge for lunch and relaxation as you prepare to go for the boat cruise

In the afternoon, you will go for the famous launch trip on the Kazinga Channel where hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and Uganda Kobs, as well as bird species like Kingfishers and shoebill storks, can be spotted.

You'll have breakfast at leisure then check out of the lodge before heading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda’s mountain gorillas’ capital) through the spectacular savannah grasslands of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will pass through the Ishasha sector to see the tree-climbing lions as well as the buffaloes, elephants, and Uganda kobs. Then, you will have a lunch stop at Savannah Resort Hotel (Kihihi) and arrive at the park in the evening and check in.

Firstly, due to the physical demands of gorilla trekking, you will need a hefty breakfast before proceeding to the park headquarters for a pre-tracking briefing at 7:00 am. Secondly, you'll continue to the jungles at 8:00 am to track the adorable mountain gorillas in their natural habitat characterized by thick forests covered by mist. Trekking lasts 2-6 hours. Once sighted, you will be required to spend only one hour with the allocated gorilla family while studying their behavior and taking photos then proceed to the lodge to relax. Suppose time allows or in case you are still energetic you will continue for a cultural walk to Batwa villages to be immersed in their ancient lifestyles and be entertained by their traditional dances.

On this day, you will have your breakfast and then transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. While at Igongo Cultural Centre, you will have a lunch stopover in the land of milk and honey to have a taste of their signature traditional dishes. After lunch, you will shortly embark on your journey to the park.

In the afternoon, you will head out for the sunset launch trip to spot the hippos, Nile crocodiles as well as aquatic bird species. Take as many photos to make your adventure specifically remarkable.

You will wake up to a cup of coffee or tea and embark on the game drive conducted through varying landscapes (rocky outcrops, acacia woodland, and hillsides among others). Here you will get the chance to see a variety of wildlife species including the zebras, giraffes, impalas, topis, elands, waterbucks, bushbucks in addition to the bird species that call the park home. After the drive, you will return to the lodge, freshen up and checkout then depart for Kampala/ Entebbe.