The 6 day gorilla trekking and game safari in Uganda includes a tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. For gorilla trekking safari you must book a permit as the confirmation document to attending this tour.
While on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, can choose to do a game drive, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura, launch trip, crater lakes area visit, guided nature walks and more.
Highlights of 6 Day Gorilla trekking And Game safari in Uganda
Day 1 Drive Bwindi impenetrable National Park
Day 2 Gorilla Trekking
Day 3 Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 4 Game Drive and launch trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 5 Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge
Day 6 Departure
Key Information Of the 6 day gorilla and Game Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda
Book gorilla Permit: Each day just 8 gorilla trekking permits are open to the public in Bwindi forest and these are reserved according to the four areas under which the park is subdivided that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga.
Pay Park entrance: for every 24 hours in Queen Elizabeth National Park, one is required to pay Park entrance fees.
Elevation: Bwindi forest altitude is between 1160 meters above sea level and 2670 meters above sea level so plan in advance incase you are affected by changes in altitude.
Eligibility: for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda 12 years and beyond is the age limit. A visit to Queen Elizabeth national Park is open for all ages especially when taking a game drive.
Best time to Visit: the dry season is best preferred season for a gorilla trekking and game safaris in Uganda that is June to September and December to February when the vegetation in wilderness is thinner.
Packing list for Uganda safari: Safari boots, flip flops, garden gloves, lighter wear, warmers, long sleeved shirt, safari hat, foldable drinking water bottle and more.
Detailed Itinerary for 6 day Gorilla Trekking And Game safari in Uganda
Day 1 Drive Bwindi impenetrable National Park
Early morning, start the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park taking breaks along the way. Enjoy the rolling hills of Kigezi subregion formed by volcanic effects that swept through this area.
Even though the drive to Bwindi forest is quite long, it is amazing with strategically positioned spots where you can step out of your car for a photography moment with a backdrop of natural features.
Bwindi forest is a pristine forest in southwestern Uganda hosting some of the ancient animals, birds, rare plant species and more. As you draw closer to the park, enjoy the scenic view of endless Bwindi forest canopy.
Check into your lodge
Bwindi Accommodation: Clouds lodge, Mahogany Springs, Engage Lodge, Trekker’s Tarvern, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge
Day 2 Gorilla Trekking
Wake up for breakfast, take your back pack without forgetting packed lunch then proceed to the ranger station for briefing. Ensure to attend gorilla trekking briefing at the ranger station where your gorilla permit is booked to avoid getting inconvenienced.
While at the ranger station, each tourist is allocated a gorilla family randomly then the ranger guide leads the way following the trails head towards the location where the gorilla trekking family was last seen.
Time of finding the mountain gorillas changes with factors prevailing in the forest like weather condition, mood of the gorilla family, character of the dominant silverback and more. Tourists are encouraged to maintain some level of patience and also focus on other forest inhabitants too.
Finally, when you locate the mountain gorillas maximize the one hour accepted around the gorilla trekking family to the best of your interests while abiding by the rules of gorilla safaris.
As you get a way from the presence of the mountain gorillas, do this without causing alarm.
Day 3 Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park using the most accessible routes like passing via Kihihi to Ishasha sector which is at a distance of 64 kilometers from Bwindi. There are alternative routes from Bwindi forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park too. Time to take from Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park is about 4 to 5 hours drive
Enjoy a game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park which is famous for the tree climbing lions, visit the Edward flats one of the ever-wet spots of this area with chances of finding Topis, shoebill stork and more.
Check into your lodge
Accommodation Queen Elizabeth National Park: Mweya safari Lodge, Bush Lodge, Jacana lodge, Simba Safari Camp
Day 4 Game Drive and launch trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Early morning, rise up for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kasenyi grassland area which is a common congregation spot for Uganda kobs is regularly visited by lions who sneak to prey on them.
The north Kazinga area is wild game rich area so while driving in Queen Elizabeth National Park in this area, you may come across herds of elephants, water bucks, bush bucks, leopards, cape buffaloes and more.
After lunch get on a launch cruise from the pier and sail looking over to the banks from the comfort of your boat to enjoy wildlife spectacle. Several wild animals move to the banks of the Kazinga channel to quench thirst, take a bath, wallow and much more. Kazinga channel has a magnetic pull for birds with several species flocking its banks daily from destinations far beyond Africa.
Get back to the lodge and relax
Day 5 Chimpanzee Trekking In Kyambura Gorge
Take breakfast and head to Kyambura gorge for chimpanzee trekking adventure which you can do early morning or afternoon. The kyambura gorge results from erosion of River Kyambura as it paved its way towards Kazinga channel digging deep over 100 meters.
Hike to the forested area of the canyon where a community of chimpanzees is living with other primates, birds, different natura plant species, wonderful sceneries and more.
Only one hour around the chimpanzees is allowed so that they can be left free to carry on with their day activities. Human presence interferes with the chimpanzee programs for the day.
Get back to the lodge to relax or can organize an optional
- Visit to Lake Katwe the ancient salt mining location of Uganda
- Crater lakes tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Guided nature walk in Maramagambo forest
- Visit the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Stalactites and stalagmites
- Visit to Kibale National Park the prime chimpanzee habitat of Africa
Day 6 Departure
Get up, take break fast and depart to catch up with your flight back home. Along the way, you may decide to take an optional detour to Lake Mburo National Park the herbivore haven of Uganda with chances of spotting zebras, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, reedbucks, giraffes, Uganda kobs and more.
What Are The Reasons For Choosing A Gorilla Trekking And Game Safari In Uganda
Uganda is one of the only three destinations in the world where mountain gorillas are living. The population of mountain gorillas world over is about 1062 however Uganda hosts almost half this population in Bwindi and Mgahinga forests.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a biosphere reserve with animals such as lions, leopards, topis, mongoose, waterbucks, hyenas and more. Over 602 bird species are registered residents of Queen Elizabeth National Park
For a nature inspired photo shoot or filming while on an African safari, the choice of Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi forest provide some of the best locations. Queen Elizabeth National Park seats on the rift valley floor yet with a backdrop of the Rwenzori ranges and more.
Beyond gorilla trekking and game safari in Uganda, you can choose to engage in other safari activities in the country such as visit to the source of river Nile, birding in Uganda