16 days Uganda Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and wildlife safari
16 days Uganda Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and wildlife safari
Welcome to the amazing 16 days Uganda gorilla trekking, and chimpanzee tracking wildlife safari. An opportunity to explore Uganda – The Pearl of Africa. Uganda is a landlocked country located in Central Eastern Africa neighboring Tanzania and Kenya. Dubbed the Pearl of Africa, Uganda has lived up to its name while blessing travelers with stunning views of wildlife, diving into Africa’s diverse culture, and a clear understanding of the country’s history.
During this journey, you will visit some of Uganda’s best national parks; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, Semuliki National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park. You will also visit Uganda’s deepest lake – Lake Bunyonyi, the Amabere Ga’nyinamwiru caves in Fort Portal, and the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola. Visiting these amazing Uganda safari destinations will present you stunning views of multiple wildlife species such as the rare tree-climbing lion, African Cape buffalo, chimpanzee, and endangered and highly protected mountain gorilla. Meet several species of birds some of which are rift valley endemics including the rare shoebill stock, African Grey Parrot, Great Blue Turaco, Abyssinian ground hornbill, go-away-bird, and grey-crowned crested crane, to mention but a few.
You will also engage in water activities such as boat cruises, swimming, canoeing, etc. The journey is not complete until you ride on the back of a horse in Lake Mburo National Park. Without any further do, let us dive into the summary of the 16 days of Uganda Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and wildlife safari
Itinerary highlights
- Day 1:Arrival in Uganda via Entebbe International Airport and check in to your lodge in Kampala
- Day 2:Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and an evening guided nature walk
- Day 3:Horseback riding safari and afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo
- Day 4:Morning game drive and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Igongo Cultural Center and Biharwe Eclipse Monument
- Day 5:Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 6:Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and afternoon boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 7:Lake Bunyonyi community tour and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 8:Morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector and afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel
- Day 9:Morning game drive in the Ishasha sector and transfer to Kibale National Park
- Day 10:Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi wetland tour
- Day 11:Transfer to Semuliki National Park via Top of the World and Amabere Ga’nyinamwiru Cave. Fort Portal City tour
- Day 12:Full day at Semuliki National Park
- Day 13:Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 14:Morning Game drive and afternoon boat cruise and hike to the top of the falls
- Day 15:Morning relaxation at your lodge, afternoon game drive, and night game drive in Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 16:Transfer to Kampala via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:Arrive in Uganda via Entebbe International Airport and check in to your lodge in Kampala.
Upon arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, you will meet our professional driver-guide. He or she will brief you about your 16 days in Uganda for Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and wildlife safari. You will then transfer to your earlier-booked lodge or hotel in Kampala for relaxation and overnight.
Depending on your arrival time, you may have a short Kampala city tour (optional). The tour will take you to places like Kasubi tombs, Buganda Kingdom palace, Uganda Museum, Bahai temple, and many other places within the city.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2:Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and an evening guided nature walk
After a delicious morning breakfast, check out of the lodge, and meet your driver-guide for a drive to Lake Mburo National Park. At Kayabwe, just a few kilometers from Kampala, you will stop over for an experience at the Uganda Equator. This is where the earth is divided into the northern and the southern hemispheres. Here you will do water balance and weight loss experiments.
You will continue driving the rolling hills, savannah plains, trading centers, and Masaka city up to Lake Mburo National Park along the Mbarara-Masaka highway. You will enter the park via Nshara gate and have spectacular views of the animals, birds, and plants. Continue and check in to your earlier-booked lodge for lunch and some relaxation.
In the evening, you will go for a nature walk. This will introduce you to awesome views of grazers of Lake Mburo National Park. This is the best way to cool and relax. You get a glimpse of what the park has to offer while enjoying the sunset. Return to your lodge for dinner and spend the night over.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3:Horseback riding safari and afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo
After morning breakfast, you will embark on the amazing Horseback riding safari accompanied by a professional guide. This is one of the unique services offered at Lake Mburo National Park. This will introduce you to many zebras, antelopes, warthogs, giraffes, several bird species, etc. During the horseback safari, you will enjoy an amazing breakfast in the bush which is a moment turned into a memory. Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation at your lodge.
In the afternoon, you will go to Lake Mburo for a spectacular boat cruise. This is one of the most amazing activities here. It comes with views of the water dwellers of the park such as the Nile crocodile and hippopotamuses. It is also a chance for you to interact with the local members of the community as they do fishing on the lake. In the later hours of the day, return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4:Morning game drive, and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Igongo Cultural Center and Biharwe Eclipse Monument
After a morning breakfast at your lodge, check out and meet your driver-guide for a morning game drive. You will enjoy spectacular views of animal species roaming the park. This is an opportunity for you to see what you might have missed on the previous day. You will exit the park through Sanga gate and embark on the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
You will make a stopover at Igongo Cultural Center which is a few kilometers from Lake Mburo National Park. Here, you will have an insight into the Banyankole culture and visit the museum. You can also hike to the Eclipse monument which lies opposite the center. At the monument, you will have amazing and clear views of the neighboring areas including Mbarara city. This comes alongside learning the story behind this beautiful monument. You will then continue with lunch en route to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Upon arrival, check in to your earlier booked lodge, relax, have dinner, and spend the night over.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5:Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
For many tourists who come to Uganda, this is their long-awaited day. The day belongs to the primates of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It starts with an early morning breakfast followed by a transfer to the park headquarters. Remember to carry all the gorilla trekking equipment including a lunch box since the activity may take longer than the anticipated time. You will be briefed about gorilla trekking rules and regulations and then grouped into 8 groups per gorilla family.
At 8:00 am the trekking begins, you enter the forests of Bwindi which are Impenetrable as the name of the park suggests. Following the gorilla trails and their markings will make the walk easy and challenging at some point. The experienced safari guides and park rangers know the movements of gorillas and can tell where they spent the previous night. Upon meeting the gorillas, trekkers are given a full hour to spend in their presence. It is here that you will take as many pictures as you wish as long as you do not use flashlight cameras. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes between 2 and 8 hours including the one hour spent in the presence of the gorillas upon meeting them. Overnight at your lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6:Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and afternoon boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi
Upon finishing your breakfast, check out of your lodge and meet your driver-guide. You will then embark on the drive to Uganda’s deepest lake – Lake Bunyonyi. You will enjoy spectacular views of the rolling hills and coffee plantations. Upon arrival, check in to your earlier booked lodge, have a delicious lunch, and embark on the amazing afternoon boat cruise. The cruise comes with views of the 27 islands on Lake Bunyonyi alongside the rolling hills around the area. You will see local fishermen catching different types of fish. Needless to mention are the multiple species of birds that are found on the lake. In the later hours of the day, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7:Lake Bunyonyi community tour and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After morning breakfast, you will embark on the amazing Batwa Community tour. You will be impressed by their performances, fire-making, hunting skills, and social life, to mention but a few. You will then drive to Queen Elizabeth with lunch en route. Upon arrival, check in to your earlier booked lodge, have dinner, and spend the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8:Morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector and afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel
After morning breakfast, meet your driver-guide and embark on an amazing game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will meet multiple elephants that are dominant within the Kasenyi plains. You will see other species such as buffaloes, warthogs, oribis, Thomson’s gazelles, etc. Return to your lodge for lunch and some bit of relaxation.
In the afternoon, you will go to the Kazinga channel for an amazing boat cruise experience. The boat cruise will introduce you to water species such as the Nile Crocodiles and hippopotamuses. You will watch many animals as they visit the channel to drink some water while others use it as a hunting spot. Kazinga Channel is the water body that connects Lake Edward to Lake George.
Return to your lodge for dinner and spend the night over.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 9:Morning game drive in the Ishasha sector and transfer to Kibale National Park
After a delicious morning breakfast, check out of the Lodge and embark on a morning game drive in the Ishasha sector. Here you will encounter the rare tree-climbing lions which can only be seen in this park in Uganda. Continue with lunch en route to Kibale National Park – the home to Chimpanzees. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 10:Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Wetland tour
After morning breakfast, drive to the Visitors’ Center for a briefing about chimpanzee trekking. You will start on the trek in the forests of Kibale and get to interact with these apes. Spend an hour in their presence and get to create those everlasting memories. The trek comes with spectacular views of different plants, birds, and animal species. Return to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, you go for a tour of Bigodi wetland which comes with spectacular views of birds which include; White-spotted Fluff tail, White-breasted Negro finch, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Black Bishop, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Boscage’s Bush-shrike, the Black-crowned Waxbill, Black & white Shrike-flycatcher, Superb Sunbird and Yellow-billed Barbet. You will experience views of other animal species in Kibale Forest National Park such as monkeys and other primate species. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 11:Fort Portal city tour and visiting the top of the World and Amabere Ga’nyinamwiru Caves. Transfer to Semuliki National Park
After morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and embark on the drive to Fort Portal for an amazing city tour. You will pass by Amabere caves in Fort Portal as well as hike to the top of the world. You will visit the Toro Kingdom Palace and the Karambi Royal tombs. Continue to the lodge for lunch and an amazing afternoon relaxation while enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding areas including the Rwenzori Mountains. Relax, have dinner, and spend the night in the comfort of your bed.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and Dinner
Day 12:Full day at Semuliki National Park
The day belongs to this amazing national park. It will come with bird watching, nature walks, a Batwa experience, and visiting the remarkable Sempaya Hot Springs. You will have all meals at your lodge and enjoy swimming in the pool as well as relaxing in the gardens.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and Dinner
Day 13:Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and drive to Uganda’s oldest and largest national park – Murchison Falls National Park. This is the home to the world’s strongest waterfalls. You will drive the rolling hills, savannah plains, trading centers, and towns. With a lip-smirking lunch en route. Upon arrival, check in to the lodge, relax, have dinner, and spend the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 14:Morning Game drive and afternoon boat cruise and hike to the top of the falls
After a lovely morning breakfast, meet your guide and go for an amazing morning game drive. The drive takes you through the savannah plains of the park and introduces you to several flora and fauna species. It is here that you stand a high chance of seeing all the big 4 animals which cannot be easily found elsewhere in Uganda. Return to your lodge for relaxation and lunch.
In the afternoon, you will go on an afternoon boat cruise on the Nile River. This is a chance for you to see water birds, crocodiles, and hippopotamuses. The boat will also take you to the bottom of the falls from where you will start your hike to the top of the falls. At the top of the falls, you will realize that indeed, Murchison Falls are the strongest waterfalls in the world. Meet your driver and get back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 15:Morning relaxation at your lodge, afternoon game drive, and night game drive in Murchison Falls National Park
After morning breakfast, you will enjoy sunbathing in the swimming pool at your lodge. This an experience worth your attention, here you will enjoy spectacular views as the sun rises and gets hotter. After lunch, you will go for a game drive which will take you to the deeper parts of the park. The park is vast in size but this game drive will help you see what you might have missed the previous day. Return to your lodge for relaxation.
In the night, you will go for a night game drive. This will give you scenic views of the night hunters of the park. On a good day, you may land on a pride of lions hunting down a buffalo or gazelle. Other night hunters include hyenas, leopards, and other small species.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 16:Transfer to Kampala via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Departure
Even good things come to an end, look, this is the last day of your amazing 16-day Uganda gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and wildlife safari. The day starts with a delicious morning breakfast at your lodge. Then check out and embark on the drive back to Kampala. You will stop over at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola from where you will track rhinoceros. Continue with lunch en route. The driver will drop you at a hotel of your choice in Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for your outbound flight. This marks the end of your 16 days in Uganda for Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and wildlife safari.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Tour inclusions
- All activities and services as per the itinerary
- 4WD Vehicle – with a pop–up roof for scenic viewing
- A professional driver-guide
- Site entrance fees
- All ground transportation and fuel
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
Tour exclusions
- Visas
- International airfares
- Activities or services not included in the itinerary
- Alcoholic drinks or wines
- Laundry and any service of a personal nature
- Travel insurance cover
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for Ugandan natives. We specialize in life-changing experiences, sustainable tours, and holidays for all East African countries. Also, we are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We are making booking your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari easy. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
