8 Days Uganda Gorilla and Big 5 Safari

June 5, 2024

8 Days Uganda Gorilla and Big 5 Safari

The 8 Days Uganda Gorilla and Big 5 Safari Safari takes you to Murchison Falls National Park. Here, you go for a game drive and Launch cruise on the Victoria Nile. Then, you head to Kibale Forest National Park for a chimpanzee tracking experience. Later, you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive along the Kasenyi track for game viewing. Wildlife to view here includes Buffalos, Elephants, Warthogs, and Lions, among others.

Also, you embark on a 2 hours launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Your Uganda Gorilla and Big 5 safari will further take you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This is home to the mountain gorillas and you’ll thus go for a great gorilla trekking experience.

Your 8-Day Uganda Gorilla and Big 5 Safari Summary

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 2: Game drive and Launch cruise
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi Swamp walk
Day 4: Chimp trek and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 5: Game drive and launch cruise
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Day 8: Transfer back to Kampala

Detailed Itinerary for the 8 Days Uganda Gorilla and Big 5 Safari

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After an early breakfast at your Hotel in Kampala or Entebbe, your driver from Safari Vacations and Travel Services. You will then transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Luwero and Nakasongola towns. Thereafter, you will have lunch in one of the two towns. Proceed to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking. Then, proceed to Murchison Falls National Park, the Park is popular for the spectacular Murchison Falls. Here, the world’s longest river detonates fervently through a tapered crevice in the Rift Valley escarpment to thrust into a foaming pool 43m below.

While there, you will see the magnificent top of the falls where it is believed to be raining all day throughout the year and also forming the Rainbow. Thereafter, retire to your place of accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Dinner and Overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/Parkside Safari Lodge.

Day 2: Game drive and Launch cruise

Early in the morning after breakfast, you’ll set out for the game drive on the Northern sector of the Park. Expect to encounter animals like Giraffes, Lions, Elephants, baboons, and many antelopes. Return to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon. Then, set out for the launch cruise on the Albert Nile to the Bottom of the falls. Expect to see animals like Hippos, crocodiles, Waterbucks, and a wide variety of bird species.

You will also reach the “Devil’s Cauldron” where you will be able to see the majestic Murchison Falls. Return for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Dinner and Overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/Parkside Safari Lodge.

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi Swamp walk

After breakfast, you will travel to Kibale Forest National Park. The journey will take almost 7-8 hours drive. This journey will take you through the verdant countryside of the Albertine Escarpment. Also, you will pass by Hoima homesteads for a clear view of the true African culture.

You will have lunch en route in Hoima town. Proceed with the journey to Fort Portal and later reach Kibale in the late afternoon and check in at your lodge. Then, embark on a Bigodi swamp walk. This activity will allow you to see how local people engage in conservation. You’ll also see other primates and birds like the great blue turaco. Then, return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Dinner and overnight: Primate Lodge/Turaco Treetops/Kibale Forest Camp

Day 4: Chimp trek and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you will set out for the morning briefing of the Chimpanzee tracking activity at Kanyanchu the Park Headquarters. Then, you will enter the forest to search for the man’s closest friend, the chimps. Note that all trackers must be above 18 years of age. Additionally, the experience you will get when you are with these chimps will enable you to figure out the similarities between the Chimps and Man.

Besides the chimps, you will also be able to see other primate species for instance the grey-cheeked mangabeys, baboons, and vervet monkeys. Thereafter, return to the Lodge for Lunch. Then, in the afternoon, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This journey will take you through Fort Portal and Kasese towns. You will also have en-route views of tea plantations before reaching Kasese.

En route visit the crater regions for scenic viewing.

Dinner and overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge/Buffalo Safari Lodge/Engiri Game Lodge

Day 5: Game drive and launch cruise

Early morning after breakfast, you will set out for the game drive along the Kasenyi track. You’ll go for game viewing including the Buffalo, Elephant, Warthog, and Lions. After this, return to the lodge for lunch and later depart for the 2 hours launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Here you will encounter a close look at the Hippos, crocodiles, and other bird species. Then, later retard to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Dinner and overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge/Buffalo Safari Lodge/Engiri Game Lodge

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

After breakfast, you will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha sector. Ishasha is an area commonly popular for the rare tree-climbing lions. After the game drive to Ishasha, have lunch, and later proceed with your journey to Bwindi reaching in the evening.

Dinner and overnight: Mahogany Springs Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Rushaga Havens Lodge

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

After an early morning breakfast, gather at the Park headquarters for a briefing from the Ranger Guide of Uganda Wildlife Authority. You will be briefed about the Gorilla tracking protocol and once this is done, you will set out with your packed lunch. Then, penetrate the Jungle forest to search for the rare Mountain Gorillas.

The time it takes you to track gorillas is unpredictable and it can take 2- 8 hours. After finding them, spend an hour in their presence. Remember to take pictures, monitor their behavior, and watch them play. After, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Dinner and overnight: Mahogany Springs Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Rushaga Havens Lodge

Day 8: Transfer back to Kampala

After breakfast, you will transfer back to Kampala with lunch en route to Mbarara town. Reach Kampala in the afternoon. Drop-off will be at your Hotel or airport in Entebbe depending on your flight schedule. Alternatively, we can drop you off in Kigali for your flight out, as the tour can also start from there. This thus marks the end of your 8 days Uganda gorilla and Big 5 Safari.

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Tour costs include the following