Best of Wild Uganda (Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife)

Embark on a budget safari that perfectly combines thrilling primate trekking with classic safari encounters, all designed to offer an exceptional and immersive experience. This tour introduces you to the diverse beauty of Uganda, from the majestic Big Five of Africa to the rare great apes, vibrant local communities, and abundant birdlife. You’ll explore breathtaking landscapes, including tropical rainforests and vast savannahs, while enjoying ultra-wild road trips through the heart of the Pearl of Africa.

Throughout this journey, we’ll visit some of Uganda’s most iconic national parks: Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale Forest, Lake Mburo, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Each stop offers unique wildlife experiences, from gorilla trekking in Bwindi to game drives in Murchison Falls, and scenic landscapes at Lake Mburo. With opportunities for rare bird sightings and unforgettable moments, this safari is a dream for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Highlights:

  • Scenic road trips
  • Unforgettable Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
  • Trek Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park.
  • Community encounters in Bwindi and Kibale rain forest
  • The ultimate jungle treks.
  • Wildlife based boat cruises on Kazinga and the mighty Nile

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day One: Entebbe International Airport

Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will proceed through the immigration process, which typically takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the time of day and airport traffic. After clearing customs and exiting the arrivals area, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative from Hooves of Africa Safaris for a brief meet and greet. Following the introduction, you’ll be transferred to your guest house in Entebbe, where you can unwind and relax after your journey. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure before settling in for a comfortable overnight stay.

Accommodation: Via Via Hotel

Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast

Day Two: Track Southern white rhinos on foot

You’ll be picked up from your guesthouse and transferred to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you’ll embark on a thrilling rhino tracking experience. Accompanied by armed rangers, you’ll track these incredible animals on foot, gaining a deeper understanding of their conservation and the vital role they play in the ecosystem. Afterward, you’ll enjoy a hot lunch at the sanctuary before continuing your journey to the park gate for clearance. From there, you’ll proceed through the lush Budongo Forest and make your way to the Top of the Falls, where you’ll have the chance to capture stunning photographs of the waterfall and the surrounding landscapes.

In the late afternoon, you’ll drive to your lodge located just outside the park, where you can relax and enjoy the wildlife around you. This scenic drive will offer additional opportunities to spot animals along the way, giving you a taste of the area’s rich biodiversity. Upon arriving at the lodge, unwind in comfort and reflect on a day filled with memorable wildlife encounters and natural beauty.

Accommodation: Nile Treatz Beach Hotel/Nkundwa Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Three: Full day Murchison Falls

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the lodge (we suggest 06:00am), fueling up for an exciting day of wildlife exploration. After breakfast, we set off on an early morning game drive, heading out in search of elusive predators, including cats still busy with their kills or perhaps hiding from the wet grass. Keep your eyes peeled for leopards, lions, hyenas among others as we drive through the lush landscape, you may also encounter herds of elephants, Cape buffalo, towering giraffes, playful baboons, and curious monkeys. The early hours provide the best chance to spot wildlife before the heat of the day sets in.

Mid-morning – we embark on a shared boat cruise along the mighty Nile River, making our way toward the base of the falls. As we glide along the river, you’ll have a chance to observe a variety of animals that come to the riverbanks to drink and cool off. Watch for large herds of elephants, graceful waterbucks, and massive buffaloes. Nile crocodiles bask on the shores, while monitor lizards dart across the rocks. Hippos will likely be spotted lounging in the river, and the area is a birdwatcher’s paradise with a variety of species flitting about. After the boat cruise, we head back to the vehicle for another thrilling game drive as we head to our lodge for a hot lunch. Relaxed afternoon and evening game drive where we’ll continue our search for more wildlife and the opportunity to capture stunning photos on our evening game drive. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Accommodation: Nile Treatz Beach Hotel/Nkundwa Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Four: Scenic Road trip and evening Bigodi community Walk.

After breakfast, we embark on a short morning game drive as we exit the park, soaking in any last wildlife sightings before we continue our journey. We drive south, with a scenic stop for a hot lunch en route to Kibale Forest. Upon arrival and check-in, we head out for a relaxing walk through the renowned Bigodi Wetlands, a community-managed conservation project focused on improving the lives of the local people. As we explore, keep an eye out for olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys, along with a variety of bird species. You’ll also have the opportunity for a cultural encounter with the local communities, offering insights into their way of life. After a day full of wildlife and cultural experiences, we return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodations: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Five: Am chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the lodge, fueling up for an exciting day ahead. After breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic drive to Kanyanchu in Kibale Forest. Upon arrival, you’ll join fellow adventurers for a comprehensive briefing by the park rangers, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience in the wild.

Together with the rangers, you’ll head into the lush forest in search of chimpanzees, following their calls and tracks as you journey deeper into the wilderness. Once the chimps are located, you’ll spend an incredible one hour observing their fascinating behavior and learning about their social structure, habits, and interactions. It’s an intimate and enriching experience that will leave you in awe of these intelligent creatures. After your thrilling chimpanzee trek, enjoy a delicious hot lunch at the lodge, providing the perfect opportunity to relax and refresh.

In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you’ll check into your lodge and take some time to settle in. Later, prepare for an exciting boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, famous for its high density of hippos. As you glide along the waters, you’ll encounter an abundance of wildlife – from hippos lounging in the shallows to a variety of bird species and perhaps even elephants and buffaloes drinking from the water’s edge. This cruise offers a fantastic opportunity to discover the diverse aquatic life and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the channel. Return to your lodge for a well-deserved evening at leisure, with the memory of a day spent immersed in the wonders of Uganda’s nature.

Accommodations: Enshama Game Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Six: Morning game drive and afternoon community boat tour

This park is a wildlife haven, home to over 90 species of mammals and 600 bird species, making it an ideal destination for big game enthusiasts. To maximize our chances of encountering wildlife, we begin our morning game drive at 06:30 AM, when the animals are most active. On this exciting adventure, we hope to spot iconic species like lions, leopards, elephants, and Cape buffaloes, as well as a variety of other animals in their natural habitat. The early start provides the perfect opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures at their best, offering a truly immersive experience in the wild.

In the afternoon, we’ll embark on a scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, renowned for its high density of hippos. This tranquil boat ride will allow us to explore the vibrant water ecosystem, offering a chance to observe a variety of aquatic species and animals that gather along the shore to drink or relax. As we glide along the channel, you’ll have the opportunity to discover more about the area’s unique wildlife and enjoy a peaceful yet captivating encounter with nature.

Accommodations: Enshama Game Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Seven: Optional carnivore monitoring and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After breakfast, we’ll depart from Queen Elizabeth National Park and embark on a scenic drive towards the southernmost parts of Uganda. The journey is both picturesque and adventurous as we wind our way through the rural villages of the Kigezi region, offering a glimpse of local life and breathtaking landscapes. Depending on where your gorilla permits have been booked, we’ll stop for lunch along the way before continuing our drive towards the edge of the forest, where we will overnight. The road trip is filled with stunning views, making every mile a memorable part of the journey.

As we make our way south, we’ll pass through the famous Ishasha sector, known for its resident tree-climbing lions and diverse wildlife. This unique region will offer additional opportunities to spot wildlife before we proceed to our lodge, nestled at the edge of the forest. Here, you’ll unwind and relax, surrounded by the sounds and sights of the wild, as we prepare for the exciting adventures that await in the heart of gorilla country.

Accommodation: Ride For a woman/Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Meal plan: Full board

Day Eight: Iconic Gorilla Tracking and transfer Bunyonyi

Start your day with an energizing breakfast, preparing you for an unforgettable experience. Afterward, we’ll take a short drive to the UWA Briefing Center, where you’ll receive a detailed briefing on the dos and don’ts of gorilla tracking. This informative session ensures you are well-equipped with the knowledge to safely interact with these magnificent creatures, helping you make the most of the adventure ahead.

Once the briefing is complete, you’ll be assigned to one of the gorilla families and join a small group of no more than 8 people. Accompanied by experienced ranger guides, you’ll venture into the dense, mist-covered forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Your guides will lead you as you track down the gorillas, following their fresh tracks and calls through the lush undergrowth.

Upon locating the gorillas, you’ll be granted a full one-hour encounter with them, observing them from a respectful distance of 7-10 meters. Watch in awe as they go about their daily activities—feeding, grooming, and interacting with one another in their natural habitat. The peace and wonder of these gentle giants will leave a lasting impression.

After the thrilling gorilla experience, you’ll be transferred to the serene and picturesque Lake Bunyonyi, where you’ll spend the evening in tranquility. Surrounded by lush hills and the calming waters, this is the perfect place to unwind and reflect on the incredible day you’ve just

Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort or Similar  

Meal Plan Full board

Day Nine: Transfer from Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park

After a refreshing breakfast, you can choose to enjoy some optional lake activities offered at your lodge, including boat rides or birdwatching, for a peaceful start to the day. Then, we’ll begin our transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, making a fun stop in Mbarara Town along the way.

The Rolex Stop: Uganda is famous for its delicious local dishes, and the Rolex (a tasty snack made of eggs and vegetables wrapped in a chapati) is a must-try! We’ll make a brief stop at a popular Rolex vendor, so you can savor this iconic Ugandan treat.

After this local indulgence, we’ll continue our journey into Lake Mburo National Park. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy a game drive through the park, where you might spot zebras, giraffes, and other wildlife. Finally, we’ll head to your lodge just outside the park, where you can unwind with dinner and a restful overnight stay.

Accommodation: Eagles Nest

Meal: Full Board

Day Ten: Walking Safari and transfer to Entebbe for your international flight.

After breakfast, we embark on a thrilling walking safari, exploring Lake Mburo National Park on foot. Known for its herds of antelopes and zebras, the park also boasts over 340 bird species, all of which you may encounter during your walk.

Following the safari, we begin our drive back to Entebbe, with a scenic stop at the Equator for some memorable photos. This marks the end of our incredible journey.

Accommodation: None (a day room use can be booked on request – Not part of the cost)

Meal Plan: Lunch en route

 Included in the above quote:

  • All accommodations listed in the itinerary.
  • Drinking water in the vehicle
  • All the excursions and activities indicated in the itinerary
  • 1 Gorilla permits per person
  • 1 Chimpanzee tracking per person
  • Support of a private 4×4 vehicle with experienced English-speaking driver-guide,
  • All transfers
  • Government taxes

Excluded from the above quote:

  • Uganda Entry Visa fee
  • Lion Monitoring (200$) per person
  • International air flights
  • Any optional activity not indicated in above program
  • Laundry Services
  • Gratuities and Tips