Experience the incredible wildlife and primates of Uganda on this 11 Days Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Uganda Safari with Verdant Safaris. This carefully planned adventure combines thrilling game drives, boat cruises, chimpanzee tracking and the unforgettable experience of trekking mountain gorillas in the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You will explore some of Uganda’s most remarkable destinations, including Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. Along the way, you will have opportunities to encounter elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, Uganda kobs, zebras, chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. The safari also takes you through Uganda’s beautiful countryside, where you can experience scenic landscapes, local communities and the rich natural heritage that has earned Uganda its reputation as the Pearl of Africa.
Day 1: Kampala or Entebbe to Kibale National Park
Your Uganda safari begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe as you start your journey towards Kibale National Park. You will travel through the beautiful countryside of central and western Uganda, passing local communities, farms, plantations and rolling green hills. The journey offers an excellent introduction to Uganda’s rural landscapes and provides opportunities to make scenic stops along the way. You will have lunch en route before continuing towards the Kibale Forest region, famous for its exceptional concentration of primates. As you approach the park, the landscape becomes increasingly lush and forested, creating a beautiful setting for your stay. You will arrive at your lodge in the evening, check in, relax and prepare for the chimpanzee tracking experience planned for the following day.
Accommodation options: Turaco Treetops, Kibale Forest Camp, Primate Lodge Kibale
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
After breakfast, you will head to the Kibale National Park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your exciting chimpanzee tracking experience. You will enter the forest with experienced guides and trackers who will help you search for habituated chimpanzee communities. The walk takes you through a beautiful tropical forest filled with towering trees, vines, colourful birds and a variety of other wildlife. Besides chimpanzees, you may encounter red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys. After completing the chimpanzee experience, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some time to rest. In the afternoon, you will visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk, where you can explore the wetland ecosystem, observe birdlife and encounter additional primate species while learning about the communities that live around the sanctuary.
Accommodation options: Turaco Treetops, Kibale Forest Camp, Primate Lodge Kibale
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you will leave Kibale National Park and travel towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most famous wildlife destinations. The journey takes you through the scenic landscapes of western Uganda, with tea plantations, crater lakes, green hills and rural communities providing beautiful views along the way. You will have lunch en route before continuing towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short game drive as you enter the park, giving you an early opportunity to see animals such as elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs and warthogs. The park is also home to lions and leopards, although sightings of predators are never guaranteed. You will continue to your lodge, check in and enjoy a relaxing evening surrounded by the sounds and scenery of the African wilderness.
Accommodation options: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Cruise
You will wake up early and enjoy breakfast before heading out for a morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. The cooler morning temperatures and active wildlife provide excellent conditions for exploring the park’s savannah plains and woodland habitats. Your guide will search for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs and different species of antelope. You will also explore areas where lions and leopards are sometimes seen, with your experienced guide helping you understand animal behaviour and the park’s ecosystem. After the game drive, you will return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation. In the afternoon, you will embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a spectacular waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, where you can observe hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and many water birds along the shoreline.
Accommodation options: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, you will leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and begin your journey towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. The journey takes you through some of the country’s most scenic highland landscapes, characterised by rolling hills, terraced farms, tea plantations and rural communities. You will have lunch en route while continuing towards the Bwindi region. As you approach the forest, the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous and lush, creating a dramatic introduction to the home of Uganda’s mountain gorillas. Depending on your route, you may enjoy beautiful views of the Virunga volcanic ranges in the distance. On arrival, you will check into your lodge and have time to rest after the journey. Your guide will also provide information about the following day’s gorilla trekking activity, including preparations, appropriate clothing and what to expect during your forest experience.
Accommodation options: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bakiga Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today is the highlight of your safari as you embark on an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early breakfast, you will report to the relevant park headquarters for a briefing before entering the ancient rainforest with experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority guides and trackers. Your trek will take you through dense vegetation, forest trails and sometimes challenging terrain as you search for a habituated gorilla family. The duration of the trek varies because the gorillas move freely through their natural habitat, but the journey itself offers an opportunity to appreciate Bwindi’s remarkable biodiversity. Once you find the gorillas, you will spend the permitted time observing their natural behaviour while maintaining the required distance and following your ranger’s instructions. After the trekking experience, you will return to your lodge for lunch, rest and an opportunity to reflect on one of Uganda’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters.
Accommodation options: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bakiga Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, you will leave the Bwindi region and begin your journey towards Lake Mburo National Park. The drive takes you through the scenic countryside of southwestern Uganda, where you will see rolling hills, farms, villages and local communities along the way. You will have lunch en route before continuing towards Lake Mburo, a compact but wildlife-rich national park famous for its beautiful savannah landscapes. Upon arrival, you may enjoy a game drive depending on your arrival time, with opportunities to see zebras, impalas, topi, buffaloes, warthogs and other antelope species. Lake Mburo is also known for its wetlands, acacia woodland and picturesque hills, providing a different landscape from the forests of Bwindi. You will continue to your lodge for check-in and dinner, followed by a relaxing evening as you prepare for the following day’s wildlife activities.
Accommodation options: Rwakobo Rock, Mburo Safari Lodge, Eagles Nest Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Lake Mburo Game Drive and Nature Walk
You will start the day with an early morning game drive through Lake Mburo National Park, exploring its open grasslands, woodland and wetland habitats. The park is one of Uganda’s best places to see zebras and impalas, which can often be found grazing across the savannah. You may also encounter buffaloes, elands, topi, warthogs, Uganda kobs and other wildlife as you explore the park with your guide. After the game drive, you will return to your accommodation for breakfast and some relaxation before enjoying lunch. In the afternoon, you will take part in a guided nature walk accompanied by a trained ranger, allowing you to explore the wilderness on foot. Walking through the park provides a different perspective and allows you to appreciate animal tracks, plants, insects, birds and smaller wildlife that you might overlook from a safari vehicle.
Accommodation options: Rwakobo Rock, Mburo Safari Lodge, Eagles Nest Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Lake Mburo to Kampala or Entebbe via the Equator
After breakfast, you will leave Lake Mburo National Park and begin your journey towards Kampala or Entebbe. Depending on your schedule, you may enjoy a final short game drive as you leave the park, offering another opportunity to see zebras, impalas, buffaloes and other wildlife. You will then continue through the countryside, passing farms, villages and roadside markets as you make your way towards the Equator. One of the day’s highlights will be a stop at the Uganda Equator crossing, where you can take photographs, explore local craft shops and purchase souvenirs. You will have lunch around the Equator before continuing towards Kampala or Entebbe. After arriving at your accommodation, you will have time to relax and enjoy the evening at leisure following several days of wildlife and primate experiences.
Accommodation options: Papyrus Guest House, Airport View Hotel, Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Kampala or Entebbe Leisure and Cultural Experience
Today offers a more relaxed experience following your gorilla trekking and wildlife adventures. After breakfast, you can enjoy a guided cultural experience around Kampala or Entebbe, depending on your interests and departure arrangements. You may visit a local craft centre, explore a cultural site or enjoy a city sightseeing experience while learning more about Uganda’s history and contemporary life. You can also use the day to purchase locally made crafts and souvenirs to take home as memories of your safari. Your guide will help organise the day’s activities according to your schedule while ensuring you have sufficient time to relax. Lunch will be enjoyed at a suitable local restaurant or your accommodation, giving you an opportunity to sample some Ugandan cuisine. In the evening, you will return to your accommodation for dinner and your final night before departure the following day.
Accommodation options: Papyrus Guest House, Airport View Hotel, Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11: Departure
After breakfast, you will have a relaxed morning depending on the timing of your international flight. If your flight is scheduled for later in the day, you can spend your remaining time relaxing at your accommodation or enjoying a final short exploration of Entebbe. You may also use this opportunity to purchase any final souvenirs or gifts before leaving Uganda. Your Verdant Safaris guide will arrange your airport transfer and ensure that you arrive at Entebbe International Airport in good time for check-in and departure procedures. As your safari comes to an end, you can reflect on the incredible experiences you have enjoyed, from chimpanzee tracking in Kibale to wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo. The highlight for many is the unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Your 11 Days Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Uganda Safari ends at Entebbe International Airport, marking the conclusion of your journey through the Pearl of Africa.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch)
End of the 11 Days Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Uganda Safari.
The 11 Days Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Uganda Safari includes;
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Uganda.
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle throughout the safari.
- Services of an experienced English-speaking safari driver-guide.
- Fuel and transportation as specified in the itinerary.
- Accommodation as outlined in the itinerary.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- All applicable national park entrance fees.
- Chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale National Park.
- Guided Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park game drives.
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
- Mountain gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Lake Mburo National Park game drives.
- Guided nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park.
- Uganda Equator crossing visit.
- Bottled drinking water during safari journeys and game drives.
- All applicable government taxes and service charges.
Safari Exclusions
- International flights to and from Uganda.
- Uganda entry visa.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and telephone charges.
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages.
- Tips and gratuities for your safari guide, lodge staff and other service providers.
- Porter fees during gorilla trekking.
- Souvenirs, crafts and personal shopping.
- Optional activities not specifically included in the itinerary.
- Additional accommodation before Day 1 or after Day 11.
- Any services not specifically listed under the inclusions.
- Expenses resulting from changes to the itinerary caused by circumstances beyond the control of Verdant Safaris.