An opportunity to track the rare Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth and sighting the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
TOUR DESCRIPTION
This Queen & Gorillas Safari starts with an exciting journey to Bwindi’s Impenetrable forests to track the rare species of the mountain gorillas passing through Uganda’s lush green scenery & winding roads in the Kigezi highlands. With a few stop-overs to visit the Ankole Museum at Igongo Cultural Center where you will learn more about the history of the Ankole people. Bwindi’s impenetrable forests offer visitors with the utmost satisfaction with the best wildlife experience, standing just meters away from these gentle giants is worth a try.
This trip also takes you to see the Legendary Tree climbing lions found in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Launch trips, game drives and Crater Lake hikes through the park will reward you with an excellent game viewing experience. The Kyambura gorge also found in this park offers an option for you to track the chimpanzees and other primate species. With a beautiful scenery of the Rwenzori Mountains, your journey back to Kampala through Kasese – fort portal road is a refreshing one.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Kampala / Entebbe International Airport
- The Equator
- Igongo Cultural Village
- Bwindi Impenetrable forest
- Buhoma Village
- Ishasha sector (Tree Climbing lions)
- Kazinga Channel
- Queen Elizabeth national park
- Kyambura Gorge
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable forest park
Our company representative will meet you at 7:00 am from your hotel or place of residence in Kampala then drive to Mbarara (283 km from Kampala) via Masaka. Make a first stop over at Equator crossing for snacks and photography. Proceed with a visit to Igongo Cultural village this is more rewarding and amazing as you visit the Ankole museum. Lunch break is made at Agip Motel Mbarara. After lunch, drive to Bwindi for the gorillas safari. This is the lushest highland rain forest on earth, filled with primates and exotic birds, valleys, hilltops and papyrus swamps.
Accommodation at Bunyonyi Overland resort (Standard), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Comfort) Silver back lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi forest
Begin the day with breakfast ready for gorilla trekking, which begins at 8:00 am with a briefing from the UWA staff. Ensure to carry along with you rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, jungle boots etc The guides will lead you inside the jungle to see the shy Primates for a group you have been booked for. Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare Mountain Gorilla, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. The Gorillas safari may take between 2 and 6 hours but its well worth the effort. The afternoon is spent on a village walk. The Buhoma Village Walk gives you a great opportunity to see how the people surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It also is a great way to support the local community in a direct way. The Walk begins with your guide at Buhoma Community Rest Camp and is most informative, rewarding to the average visitor. It will amaze you how resourceful the local people are as you see and learn their ways.
Accommodation at Bunyonyi Overland resort (Standard), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Comfort) Silver back lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After early breakfast head for Ishasha, which is the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth Park, carry out a game drive where you may sight tree-climbing lions. Ishasha is dominated by acacia woodland and scrub-land and features the meandering Ishasha River, banked by a riparian forest. After picnic lunch drive all the way to the northern sector of the park.
Accommodation at Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury) or Kasenyi Safari Camp (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park Tour
Begin your day with a cup of coffee. Early morning game drive along Kasenyi and Queens Mile makes visitors encounter elephants, buffalo, water bucks, warthogs, lions, Uganda Kobs lakes and a variety of birds. Return to the lodge for breakfast and lunch. After lunch, a two hour boat trip along the famous Kazinga channel is worthwhile an opportunity to see Hippo, Buffalo, Kobs, Elephants, warthogs etc. This trip also enables visitor chance to see spectacular birds.
Accommodation at Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury) or Kasenyi Safari Camp (Standard)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth to Kampala/Entebbe
With previous day’s memories, enjoy your breakfast ready for guided primate walk along Kyambura Gorge to look for habituated chimps through the gorge with birding through the gorge as you will be watching a number of beautiful birds. After primate walk, drive back to Kampala using Kasese-Fort Portal road. Enjoy the winding scenery of the foot hills of Mt. Rwenzori arriving in Fort Portal for lunch thereafter continue to Kampala/Entebbe to catch up your evening flight back home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast &Lunch.
End of Tour
INCLUDED
- Transport in a 4WD vehicle with pop-up roof.
- All fuel for the tour
- English speaking Ugandan driver/guide.
- Accommodation and Meals on Full Board (Breakfast Lunch and Dinner)
- Park-entrance fees for all National parks
- 1 gorilla permit per person
- 1 chimp permit per person
- All activities described in the itinerary
- Drinking water throughout the safari.
NOT INCLUDED
- International air fares
- Entry visa Uganda
- Meals that are not part of your accommodation.
- A porter for during the gorilla tracking’s (someone who carries your daypack).
- Personal (medical/travel) insurance
- Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc.
- All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs etc.)