Overview
Combining the magnificent gorillas with Africa’s most diverse national park is the best way to enjoy this 6 days Uganda Gorillas and wildlife in Uganda without missing out on either primates, birds and or wildlife. Bwindi Impenetrable forest, Lake Bunyonyi and Queen Elizabeth National Park are the spots that make this very possible for memories to be created and an experience to be enjoyed. The safari will give you a chance to see four of the big five; lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards and other animals like hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, bushbucks, giant forest hogs; primates like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys; birds like hornbills, shoebill storks, king fishers, stranger weavers, regal sunbirds, fly catchers, green pigeons, robin chats, warblers; the beautiful scenery with the impenetrable forest, crater lakes and the vegetation. Expect a game drive, boat cruise, primate trekking and community tours. The trip will start from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Lake Bunyonyi and back to Kampala.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Upon arrival to your agreed point you will be met by a driver guide from Omangwa Safaris who will brief you on how the next 6 days will be handled, after which you will set off for Queen Elizabeth which will take about 6-7hours. You will have a stopover at the Equator for picture moments, and another stopover in Mbarara for lunch at the Igongo Cultural center which also offers insights into the culture and history of the Ankole region. The center features a museum showcasing artifacts, traditional homesteads, and cultural performances. You’ll pass through a region dotted with crater lakes, remnants of volcanic activity. These scenic lakes offer picturesque views and opportunities for photography. Then proceed to Queen Elizabeth where you will arrive in the evening, you will check in then have dinner. Once dinner is done, you will retire at will.
Day 2: Morning game drive and boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
You will have breakfast and then head out for the morning drive through Queen Elizabeth with a guide and expect to see 4 of Africa’s Big 5: elephants, buffaloes, lions, bush backs, kobs, leopards, hyenas, antelopes, giant forest hogs giraffes, colobus monkeys as well as several bird species, then return to your lodging to relax as you wait for lunch. After lunch you will head to Kazinga Channel and launch, the cruise will tale 2-3hours with a guide to avail answers for any questions you might have during the boat cruise and during the cruise you will see water animals like the hippopotamus, buffaloes, elephants, water bucks, crocodiles and bird species including the African skimmer. You will head back to the hotel in time for dinner and after dinner you can enjoy the evening by the fire as you relive the experiences of the days and retire at will.
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Forest
After breakfast you will check out of your lodging and find your way out of Queen Elizabeth national park for Bwindi forest which will take 6-7hours. As you exit the park for the forest you will enjoy a diverse and picturesque landscape, showcasing the beauty of southwestern Uganda with a lunch stop in Kabale town before you proceed to Bwindi forest. As you get to Bwindi forest, you’ll be greeted by the dense canopy of the forest, the towering trees, tangled vines, and lush vegetation which create a sense of awe and anticipation as you prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural tour
You will wake up early in the morning, greet your intestines with a scrumptious breakfast and head to the briefing spot by 7:30am where you shall be given the guidelines and safety precautions to be followed by a guide to ensure a smooth trek before you head into the forest to experience it. Depending on the targeted Gorilla families given to you to trek, gorilla trekking in Bwindi will take between 30 minutes-6hours, it’s in this time that you shall get to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, how they live, care for each other, care for their young, how and when they eat, all this will be done with a guide and armed ranger on route with you. During the trek you will be given water and a snack for when you need it. When done with the trekking, you will go back to your lodge and freshen up then have lunch. There after you will visit the Batwa people for a community tour. With the help of a local guide, you will be involved in different community activities like music, dance and drama, crafting and honey harvesting. Story telling will also be key as a way to learn the Batwa people’s history and what makes them an interesting group people. You will the return to the lodge, have dinner and end the day.
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
You will wake up in time for breakfast and checkout, after which you will exit the park for Lake Bunyonyi which will take about 3-4hours. During this time you will enjoy the green scenic views and also have some picture moments as beautiful views must be captured for memories. You will get to your lodge at Lake Bunyonyi in time for lunch, after which you will check and rest before you set out for some canoeing and relaxation by the lake. You will head out for canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi with 29 islands to be visited, you will not miss out on the most popular island which is ‘Punishment Island’ and you will also get to see some birds like the grey shrikes, king fishers, herons, sunbirds, raptors, bee-eaters, widow birds and weavers and after you will relax by the lake and enjoy the sunset and this is breathtaking for a view. You will return to the lodge in time for dinner, after which you can relax and retire at will.
Day 6: Checkout and departure
You will wake up to a beautiful breakfast, and then check out of the lodge and prepare for your departure for Kampala and this will take about 9hours. You will have two stop overs; with one in Mbarara for lunch and another at the equator, for picture taking moments and exploring the craft village after which you will continue to Kampala and will be dropped off at the agreed upon point which will mark the end of the 6 days Uganda Gorillas and wildlife trip.
