How To Plan Uganda Safari To Queen Elizabeth National And Gorilla Trekking Uganda

The plan to do a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Starts with booking a gorilla trekking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority which needs to be done in advance.

Book the accommodation to use during the safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Waking up early to start the gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and game drive in Queen National Park requires spending the night within or closer to the place. Accommodations to use during this gorilla and game safari in Uganda vary with category that is luxury, mid-range and budget

Choose the means of transport to get to for Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable national Park. You can travel by road or air transport and both experiences are exciting adventures.  Donot forget to hire a transfer vehicle from the airstrip to your destination when planning for the air transport to these Uganda safari destinations.

Engage in some exercises before traveling for gorilla trekking as the terrain of the Bwindi forest is ragged with several highlands where the mountain gorillas often spend time. You may be required to hike in order to get to the location where the gorillas may be spending the day.

When Is The Best Time To Book Gorilla And Game Safari In Uganda

Gorilla safari and game tours in Uganda are open all year however, the dry season that is June, July, August, September opens better chances to a more exciting experience. The safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park is best viewed during the dry season when most activities in the park are most active. The dry season grass is lower allowing better visibility of activities happening in the wilderness.

On top of that, the amenities that sup Uganda safari like accommodations, transport also sell out in the peak season whether heading for gorilla trekking or game safaris

There are more people in visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park so expect to share the same space with other tourists.

The wet season which is March, April , May and November may be referred to as the low tourism season of Uganda because of the less demand for safaris in the country however, those interested in not sharing there gorillas trekking safari may make us of this opportunity. Even when you are budget conscious, the low tourism season opens more chances to discounted costs on some logistics that support both gorilla trekking and game safaris in Uganda.

For both gorilla trekking experience and game safaris in Uganda, you can plan these adventures anytime of the year but you need advance preparations. Contact us at info@archsafarisandtours.com

The task of booking gorilla trekking permits in Uganda gets tougher in the pea season but to be on the safest side, most tourists secure the permits as early as 6 months to a year in advance. Even the availability of space in facilities such as accommodations becomes slim as season opens.

How much is the cost of Uganda gorilla trekking and game tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The cost of the safari to do gorilla trekking and game tour in Uganda varies with category that is luxury, mid-range and basic.  The cost of the gorilla trekking permit cuts across all budgets  and the moment the cost of the Uganda gorilla permit is $ 800 for international nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents, 300, 000 shs for residents of East Africa

Park fees for Queen Elizabeth National Park must be paid as this is one of the ways to contribute to the fund that supports the existence of this park. Park fees for Queen Elizabeth National Park are paid per person and there duration is 24 hours from the time you enter the par.

Some of the other items that may be considered in the cost of the Uganda gorilla trekking and game safari package may be number of days on safari, safari activities to be part of, number of people travelling with, time of booking the Uganda safaris and others.

Donot forget to plan for extra cash to travel with just in case you have to do some on ground purchases like souvenirs, tipping, purchase some important safari items and much more, Credit cards are not a common means of exchange in Africa because of the lengthy process of collecting money from them.

To get a safari quotation for a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, contact our safari consultant at info@archsafarisandtours.com

How To Get To Queen Elizabeth National Park And Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

By road to Queen Elizabeth National Park

From Kampala or Entebbe Airport, Queen Elizabeth National Park can be reached from two routes

Masaka  to Mbarara to Bushenyi to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a distance of about 420 kilometers. While taking this route, you can take a detour to lake Mburo National Park

Mubende to Fortportal to Kasese to Queen Elizabeth National Park covering a distance of about 410 kilometers. This route also has a detour to Kibale National Park one of the best chimpanzee trekking destinations in Africa.

By Air

Scheduled daily flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi airstrip depart for Kasese or Mweya airstrip each day twice that is morning and evening fights. You need to hire a transfer vehicle to your lodge

Charter fight services can also be arranged from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Kasese or Mweya. It is best to make advance booking because during the peak season logistic that support Uganda safaris sell out. You need to get transfer vehicles because there is quite a distance from the airstrip to the lodge and yet there no airport taxis.

By Road To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Several routed from Kampala or Entebbe Airport lead or Entebbe Airport lead to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park some of which include

Kampala to Kabae to Kanungu to Buhoma at a distance of about 530 Kilometers

Kampala to Kabale to Ruhija at a distance of about 461 Kilometers but the road is rough

Kampala to Kabale to Nkuringo at a distance of about 519 Kilometers

Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covering a distance of about 160 Kilometers from Mweya and 64 Kilometers from Ishasha sector.

By Air To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Daily domestic flights from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip then catch a transfer vehicle to your lodge.

Charter flight arrangements can also be made but must be planned in advance so that all necessary clearances can be made prior.

Which accommodation to book in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The accommodations to book in both Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic.

Accommodations of Queen Elizabeth National Park Mweya Safari lodge, Bush lodge, Elephant plain lodge, jakana lodge, Simba Safari Camp

Accommodations of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Bwindi View Bandas. Clouds lodge, Mahogany springs, Trekkers Tarven, Nkuringo Gorilla lodge, Nshongi Camp, Bwindi Backpacker’s Camp

How long is gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Time taken during gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is influenced by a number of factors including food location, mood of the mountain gorillas, weather conditions of the day and others.

From the start of the search for the mountain gorillas, you need to abide by the rules of the gorilla tour. The mountain gorillas are very sensitive primates especially to behavior that are unfamiliar to them. Once they get suspicious about you, they may retreat into the deeper ends of the forest. During the gorilla trek, keep your voice low and in order not to disturb the peace of the forest. Follow the guidelines of the ranger guides in order not to agitate the mountain gorillas.

How Safe Is Queen Elizabeth National Park And Bwindi Impenetrable National Park For A Safari?

Both Bwindi Impenetrable and Queen Elizabeth National Park are safe for safaris as on ground are well trained ranger guides from Uganda Wildlife Authority. The ranger guides often carry out routine supervision to maintain the sustainable existence of the mountain gorillas and game.

As tourists, you must be in company of a ranger guide before waking into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is because even though the mountain gorillas family you are allocated to is habituated, the forest hosts other inhabitants that may harm you.

While in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you must never get out of your vehicle during the game drive without the permission of a range guide because you may not know what is watching.

Try to follow the tracks constructed by the park authorities and use the speed permitted during the game drives to avoid landing on the wild animals or the unsafe points in the park.

Why Book Gorilla Trekking and Game safari in Uganda

If you are looking for an African safari destination with less crowds but fun, taking a gorilla trekking and game safari in Uganda is the answer. These African safari destinations posses untamed beauties in the wilderness and in entire world, a few of such places are existing.

Uganda is one of the trials that hosts the mountain gorillas in the entire world together with Rwanda and D.R.Congo. By booking a permit to do gorilla trekking in Uganda, you are one of the Lucky few visitors for the day to have a moment with these endangered primates.

Driving through Queen Elizabeth National Park to be part of the game drives through the park , you have the opportunity to see some of the wild animals living in this biosphere reserve. The stunning beauty of crater lakes dotted on the floor of the rift valley is picturesque.

Uganda has some of the cheapest gorilla permits so in case you wish to extend your safari to other destinations, there are opportunities in Uganda. You can also engage in chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, birding in Uganda, deal in water activities and much more.

Is Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda difficult

Generally, the terrain of Bwindi forest influences how quick or hard you can maneuver to locate the mountain gorillas. The nature of the topography of this area is rugged resulting from volcanic action in  the Virunga area.

Sometimes the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes so you are required to hike in order to find them. The slopes are at times slippery from the regular rains and decomposing matter making it difficult to move fast. The vegetation of Bwindi forest is thick and over time it has tangled making it challenging to go through it.

What To Pack For A Safari In Queen Elizabeth National Park And Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

Safari clothing in colors that are wilderness friendly like tan, khaki which donot attract stinging insects.

Safari waterproof boots

Garden gloves to protect your palms from rough surfaces in the jungle

Warmers as it gets so cold in the morning and afternoon

Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects.

A pair of stockings to tack in the clothes and prevent creepers from getting in.

Camera to keep memories

Safari large brim foldable hat for protecting your head and hair from buzzing insects

Raincoat or poncho as it falls any time without warning

Treats to keep reenergizing because breakfast is taken too early to last the entire day.

First aid kit with emergency medication

Toiletries

Extra fully charged batteries in case on runs power low.

Backpack to pack in your belongings.

Extra clothes to change into after the day’s activities

Packing bag to keep in your shoes so that they donot stain other items

Travel adapter and charger

Some hard cash in case you have to do on ground purchases like porter hiring

A torch as solar is the main source of power in most destination and when the sun doesnt shine, the batteries may run out of power.

A pair of binoculars for closer look at far ranging features.

Foldable water bottle

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