UGANDA RWANDA GORILLA SAFARI - 13 DAYS GORILLA TRACKING SAFARI IN UGANDA AND RWANDA

DAY 1 Murchison falls National park

Depart very early in the morning and drive North West on the Uganda-Sudan Highway. The drive will take you through the famous Luweero Triangle to Masindi town. Proceed to Murchison falls National park passing through the Budongo forest in the Western Arm of the East African Rift valley. If you are lucky, you will see the black and white colobus monkeys and many other primates crossing and playing around this forest. Drive to the Top of the falls where the White Nile is plunged into a 7 metre wide rock gorge from a 50 metres wide gorge on its way to the Albert Nile. From there you will proceed to your lodge or camp for lunch after crossing the ferry if you will be staying at the Northern bank of the park.. Murchison falls national park is the largest park in Uganda with an area of 3840 km and it protects a large chunk of untamed African savannah bisected by the mighty river Nile.  Relax at your lodge as you wait for dinner and overnight at

Luxury -Paraa Safari Lodge/ Nile safari camp
Mid range- Sambiya River lodge.
Basic -Red Chillis Camp/ Sambiya River Lodge bandas

DAY 2:  Launch Cruise to The bottom of the falls

Very early in the morning after a cup of tea, if you had your overnight at the southern part of the park, you will drive and cross the ferry to the Northern bank. Get on an early morning game drive on the northern bank where your guide will help you spot Rothschild’s giraffes, elephants, cape buffalo, hartebeests, lions, waterbucks, hyenas, oribi, bohor reed bucks, bushbucks, and if you are lucky, leopards and lions. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Relax at the swimming pool side if your lodge has it. After lunch, you will safari by boat to the calm Victoria Nile. The launch will take you to the bottom of the falls just tens of meters from the "Devil's Cauldron." There you can marvel at mammals and reptiles like the  toothsome hippos, crocodiles and many other animals on the River banks. You will also see bird species like the goliath herons, Egyptian geese, pelican bee-eaters, kingfishers, Hornbills, cormorants and the rare shoebill stork. You will reach the bottom of the falls and then after if you are interested, you will have to hike to the top of the fall. The hike is strenuous but rewarding and it takes around 45 minuites-2 hours depending on your speed.  Return to your lodge for dinner and over night an overnight stay at;

Luxury -Paraa Safari Lodge/ Nile Safari camp
Mid range- Sambiya River lodge.
Basic -Red Chillis Camp/ Sambiya river lodge bandas

DAY 3: 10th November

Take breakfast and drive through the Albertine Escarpment of the western Rift valley on the Masindi-Hoima-Fort portal road. This will be a long drive south via Hoima to Fort Portal, passing though verdant countryside and traditional homesteads and farms. Fort Portal rests in the dusk of the Enchanted "Mountains of the Moon". Dinner and overnight at

Luxury -     Ndali safariLodge /Mantana luxury tented camp
Mid range -Rwenzori View Guest House in Fort portal or Rujuna Guest House
Basic -        Kanyankyu ecological site preferably in a Sky Tree House.

DAY 4: Chimpanzee tracking

After Break fast, we assemble at Kanyankyu tourist centre for a briefing to prepare you for the next activity which is Chimpanzee tracking. The activity begins at 8.00 a.m. in the morning. Spend half of this day tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat. In this trek, you will find other primates like the black and white colobus monkeys, phoestes, Red-Colobus monkeys, Red-tailed and grey cheeked Mangabeys irresolute through the dense forest. On this walk still, you can find  birds, butterflies and many small insects .The guide will provide detailed explanations on not only also the other  forest's fauna and flora will make your walk is both informative and pleasant. This walk is outstanding for screening bird life and primates in nearby quarters. Return to your lodge for lunch and after visit Bigodi swamp for another enjoyable walk that exposes you to the beautiful flora and fauna this time in the swamp. Return to your lodge for dinner and over night.

Luxury -Ndali safari Lodge / Mantana tented camp
Mid range -Rwenzori View Guest House in Fort portal or
Basic -Kanyankyu ecological site preferably in a Sky Tree House.

DAY 5: Queen Elizabeth national park.

After early Break fast, drive following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain Range to Queen Elizabeth National Park. A game drive En route may be a worthwhile with sights of antelopes, Buffaloes, waterbucks, Leopards, Elephants, Hyenas and a variety of Antelope species. This park spills over an area of 1978km2 in the Western arm of the great East African rift Valley and it is the second largest park in Uganda. Arrive earl for lunch at Mweya Safari Lodge.. Take lunch and after take pleasure in the unique launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of Hippos and many animals may be seen drinking at the water's edge. This launch cruise gives an brilliant dais for taking pictures, bird watching and game viewing. The inexhaustible bird life along the banks of the channel is vibrant and astonishing with well over 600 resident species. Like the white winged fluff-tail, the African skimmer, African Fish Eagle, the shoebill stork if you re lucky and many other bird species.

Dinner and overnight at
 Luxury -Mweya Uganda Safari Lodge/Jacana safari lodge/ Hippo camp
 Basic -Institute of Ecology.

DAY 6: The Launch cruise along the Chimpanzee tracking

Take break fast and drive to Kyambura gorge for a forest walk to look for the habituated chimpanzees and other primates. The rangers will provide you with a walking stick if you need one.  In this walk you will see animals like the hyena, giant forest hog, and if you are lucky, you will see the lion. Go back to the lodge for a buffet lunch. After you will go sight seeing around the creator lakes region set deep into the volcanic creators and Baboon cliff is a superb brilliant encounter. Visit Lake Katwe to see how salt here in Uganda is locally made and mined. Return to the lodge Dinner and overnight at

Luxury -Mweya safari Lodge/ Hippo camp/ Jacana safari lodge
Basic -Institute of Ecology.

DAY 7: Bwindi Impenetrable national park

Very early in the morning before the sunrise, you will take a cup of coffee and  then go for an early morning game drive along Kasenyi track and Queens mile in the park  This drive will reward you with encounters like mangoose, warthogs, Lions, cape buffalo, Warthogs, leopard, bushbucks waterbucks, the Uganda Kob, Elephants, hyena, and lots many other animals and birds like the martial eagle, African jacana among others. After the game drive, proceed to Bwindi via Maramagambo and Ishasha sector.  As you drive along the road via Ishasha sector, animals such as the antelopes, elephant, waterbucks, Kobs, buffalo can be seen along the road. Have lunch en route. On arrival relax around the lodge or if you are not tired, go site seeing to tour the local community-Batwa and enjoy the local traditional dance. Dinner and overnight at

Luxury -Gorilla resort camp / Buhoma Homestead
Mid range -Lake Kitandara tented Camp
Basic  -Buhoma Rest Camp

DAY 8: Gorilla Tracking

This is one of the awaited for day with one of the highlight activities of this tour. Well prepared with you packed lunch, cameras, water, rain jackets, long pair of trouser and jungle boots on, you will assemble for briefing from the rangers about gorilla tracking the great adventure and experience!  The time taken to encounter these peaceful primates is unpredictable for it may take1-10 hours. Nevertheless, on encounter, one may be forced to say, it is stunning!!!! After the adventure a certificate awaits the successful tracker. The day is not easy at times but appealing. Return to your lodge for dinner and over night.
Luxury      -Gorilla resort camp / Buhoma Homestead
Mid range -Lake Kitandara tented Camp
Basic         - Buhoma community bandas.

DAY 9: Rwanda Perc Des Volcans

Take breakfast before making a lovely journey to Rwanda through the gorgeous landscape of the undulating hills with a patio scenery. Drive through the snaky road and terraced landscape and reach have lunch en route  and then drive to Uganda/Rwanda border and cross to Rwanda. Proceed to Ruhengeri then Kinigi for dinner and over night at

Luxury Gorilla nest camp 
Moderate Kinigi guest house

 

DAY 10: Gorilla Tracking

Go gorilla tracking Volcans Gorilla tracking through the forest, hills and swamps can be strenuous, exhausting and the time taken to track gorillas is unpredictable. However, an en counter of these gentle Giants face to face may be exhilarating!!
If the gorilla tracking ends early enough, you will trek to Karisoke Research Centre of Dian Fossey, the famous primatologist, or visit local communities. Alternatively for those who are not up to it, modestly relax at the Camp.

DAY 11: L. Mburo national park

Take breakfast and drive to Lake Mburo National Park Lunch en route and enter the Park. Candlelit dinner and first class service at the Mantana Tented Camp if you choose the luxury package or Rwonyo Rest Camp for those on a tight budget all under work of art and in the heart of the African Bush underneath the starlit African sky/ drive to Mbarara for Agip Motel, or basic at Rwonyo rest camp.

DAY 12: Boat ride and Back to Kampala

The morning game drive will take you along the lakeshore track, and with its own system of game trails and cleared walkways, the "Kigambara Loop" provides fascinating guided lakeside walks. Here you can encounter herds of zebra, cape buffalo and eland, and oribi and topi are easy verge on.  Get back to the lodge for mid morning breakfast and then after go for boat trip on Lake Mburo . Birders will have a chance of viewing over 250 species of birds found in Lake Mburo including Brown-faced Lapwings, Carruther's Cisticolas, Bare-Faced Go-away bird Papyrus Gonoleks, the extraordinary White winged Warbler and many others. After lunch, then drive back to Kampala stopping at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers. Here you will be able to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through generations. Time permitting, you will have a stop at the equator for photographs and you will arrive in Kampala by early evening. Dinner and over night at

 

High end    Hotel Africana / Speke Hotel in Kampala
Mid range Holiday Express/ Tourist hotel

 

DAY 13: Jinja

After break fast, drive to Jinja where River Nile starts its journey to Mediterranean Sea. You would be able to enjoy the Bujagali Falls. After early lunch, a strenuous but tremendous, unforgettable, terrific, remarkable and life time safari in Uganda, you  be transferred to Entebbe airport for your flight back home.

 

RATES PER PERSON IN USD

No. of clients

1 Person

2 PAX

3 PAX

4 PAX

5 PAX

6PAX

LUXURY

5780

4570

4160

3830

3760

3640

MIDRANGE

5360

3832

3413

3090

2985

2900

BASIC

4710

3372

3013.3

2635

2532

2440

Single supplement: USD 480

The Price includes;

  • Park entrance
  • Full board accommodation
  • Visits to the Top of the falls
  • Game drives
  • Launch cruise in Murchison falls national park
  • Ferry Crossing
  • Ferry crossing per person
  • Chimp tracking
  • Nature walk
  • Launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth national park
  • Nature walk
  • Chimp tracking Kyambura
  • Gorilla tracking in two National parks
  • Nature walk Mburo
  • Crater Lakes Region visits
  • Meals
  • Jinja city tour
  • Ground transportation in a 4x4 vehicle ideal for game drives with a pop up roof each of you with a window seat.
  • Services of a full time driver guide

The price excludes; Visa fees, tips, flights, telephone calls, and any other personal expenses.