5 Days Gorilla Tours, Chimpanzee Trek and Wildlife Safari
This 5 Days safari will take you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to trek gorillas as well as Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife to view various wild animals.
Day 1: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
After your morning breakfast you will head out for Bwindi Impenetrable forest. You are accompanied by a driver fluent in speaking English in a 4WD vehicle. You will have a lunch stop in Mbarara town and then continue through the verdant countryside to Bwindi arriving late in the afternoon. You will check into your lodge where you will dine and spend the night. Sounds of birds plus echoes of other forest residents will peacefully put you to sleep. Accommodation options include:
Day 2: Gorillas Trekking Adventure
After an early quick breakfast you will go to the park headquarters for a briefing by the park ranger and there you are given tracking groups depending on what your permit says. After which you are to head for the Impenetrable forest where you will come to see a variety of primates, colored butterflies, birds and in addition, a range of plant species.
Gorilla trekking requires physical fitness since there is a lot of hiking and long walks involved before you get to the moment you meet the gorillas. It is quite exhausting but all the same memorable when you come to see these very peaceful giant Mountain Gorillas. Porters that can help lift your luggage are also available. You can get to see these gorillas at a 5 meter distance as they feed and the little juveniles playing. The walk is likely to take about 2 to 8 hours considering the distance these gorillas have covered. Take a drive to the stunning Lake Bunyonyi which is found in Kabale and then unwind at the Arcadia Cottages or Heritage Lodge.
Depending on how energetic you will be and also putting into consideration the time factor, you may carry on to the village on foot where you will see the Batwa. These are a group of pygmies that stay in the Bwindi forest. You will also stopover the women handcraft store, traditional healers and their community educational center and also get to see how they prepare the local brew. If you have any time left, they will tell you tales and continue to entertain you with the cultural dances and songs as a way of appreciation of your friendly visit. This will bring to a close your exploratory day in the Bwindi Forest. Thereafter, head back to your hotel for rest and dinner.
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast you will leave for Queen Elizabeth National Park and drive via the stunning Ishasha area to view the tree climbing lions and your vehicle will make several stops to ensure that you take good photographs. You will then check into your lodge where you will dine and spend the night accommodation options include: Ishasha Wilderness Tented Camp – luxury or Katara Lodge, Enganzi lodge, or Kyambura Game lodge, or Kingfisher Lodge or Bush Lodge. Occasionally the animals roam the vicinity of your lodge.This park has a diversity of wildlife such buffaloes, hyenas, monkeys, Leopards among others. It is among the finest destinations to watch Uganda’s wildlife. When you visit the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains will offer you an opportunity to marvel at the various bird species. You will have an opportunity to watch a great deal of these wild animals together with different bird classes. The day’s end is placed for you to see many of these and you will be guided by a ranger. Thereafter, head back to your hotel for rest and dinner.
Day 4: Game drive & Launch Cruise
After having your breakfast you will leave for another game drive in the park to see the early risers as well as see the nocturnal animals return from their hunt. You will be able to see warthogs running about in the park, various raptors soaring in the sky looking for food, Elephants with young solitary buffaloes, kobs, antelopes, lions, Impalas plus birds among many others.
After Lunch you will have a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Remember to carry your camera capture great concentration of wild animals here such as hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and several water birds. It is very breathtaking scenery! You will return to the lodge for a rest, diner and slumber.
Day 5 Kyambura Gorge – Kampala
After breakfast head to the Kyambura Gorge to trek chimpanzees. You will see various primates plus birds. If time allows, you will also visit the Maramagambo forest to see the ancient bat caves. You will then head back to the hotel for lunch and then drive back to the capital Kampala stopping by the Equator to take photos and purchase souvenirs. In Kampala you are then transferred to the airport so you could catch your flight back. If you can spend some more time here then you can choose to enjoy the pulsating nightlife in the capital, Kampala as you visit the various bars and night clubs, after which the driver will take you to your hotel for the overnight.