Uganda Safari in Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi
This 6 Days Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Safari in Uganda is a memorable journey to Uganda’s top tourist destinations in the southwestern region. During this tour, you will see the Big Four African wild animals, the lion, elephant, buffalo, and leopard in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the elusive mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Uganda was named “the pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill in 1908 because of its outstanding natural beauty. Uganda is blessed with natural forests and beautiful national parks filled with 20 primate species, including the chimpanzees, more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and over 1,086 species of birds. Boosted by a tropical climate, Uganda’s national parks are not overcrowded and have a lot to offer. Kibale National Park is Africa’s primate capital with 13 species of primates waiting to be encountered, while Murchison Falls NationalPark hosts the world’s most powerful waterfalls, where the force of the Nile plunges through a narrow gorge falling almost 50 meters below before flowing to Lake Albert. At Queen Elizabeth National Park herds of elephant match through their territories majestically while to the south-west, mountain gorilla tracking through the thick forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park redefines the true meaning of being on a safari. Fresh and rejuvenating, Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa.
Tour Highlights:
- Gorilla trekking
- Boat cruise
- Search for tree-climbing lions
- Meet the local people
Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda, which earns its nickname, the “Pearl of Africa,” from its scenery. Transfer to your hotel for resting and leisure.
Optional: Visit the stunning Entebbe Botanical Gardens
Accommodation: Medium Budget: Papyrus Guest House (BB) High Budget: Hotel No.5
Rise to a hefty breakfast and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Medley of Wonders. Stop over at the Equator for a coffee break and photo moment. Proceed to Mbarara, also referred to as the “land of milk and honey” because of its higher populations of cattle. Expect to see large herds of cattle grazing.
After having lunch in Mbarara, embark on the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park with beautiful sceneries and landscapes available to gaze at.
Check in the booked accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Medium Budget: Kasenyi Safari Camp (FB) High Budget: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Deluxe (FB)
Embark on a morning game drive through the vast landscape, observing the timeless circle of life in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your explorations may reveal buffalo, elephant, lion, Uganda kob, leopard and far more. Return to the lodge for lunch.
This afternoon, embark on a 2-hour boat safari along the Kazinga Channel which is known for it high concentration of hippos in the whole world. Expect to see several water birds, crocodiles, buffalos, warthogs, elephants, kob, and far more. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Included: Game drive, Boat cruise
Accommodation: Medium Budget: Kasenyi Safari Camp (FB) High Budget: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Deluxe (FB)
After breakfast, set out for a morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Make your way out of the Rift Valley through the Kigezi Highlands to the mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Proceed with game viewing to the Ishasha sector, searching for the tree-climbing lions, a species of lions seldom seen elsewhere in Africa. Check-in your accommodation and have the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Included: Search for the tree-climbing lions
Optional: Community Walk
After breakfast, you will be taken to the park headquarters for a short but important briefing from the park rangers and guides after which you will be allocated the gorilla family to visit. Enter the forest and start your trek (please note that a drive to the starting point of your trekking may be required).
Coming up close to endangered Mountain Gorillas in the forests of Uganda is a thrilling lifetime experience that surely ranks on most people’s travel bucket lists. Trekking at a high altitude through dense forests and up steep terrain can be challenging, especially in the African heat, but the hour you get to spend with these gentle giants is worth every step.
Only 8 guests may visit one gorilla family, at a time. One trek per day/ family.
Gorilla Tracking – is managed fully by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, with a head ranger, security personnel (who are armed as a precaution against wildlife among others), and trackers, with optional porters – who walk with the guests until a family is located. Once the gorillas are found, the rangers only take the guests closer to the gorillas – and your viewing time commences – which is one hour.
Porters – they are from the local communities, rotated for revenue sharing which goes directly to them. Recommended at least 1 per person trekking. Fees are usually additional to your tour and paid directly.
Included: Gorilla Tracking
After breakfast, depart Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and drive to Entebbe. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your outbound flight back home.
