For someone interested in a short safari, 5days of gorillas and wildlife is the way to go. Looking at the beautiful magnificent mountain gorillas, monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, elephants, water bucks, forest hogs, about 620 bird species, old biologically rich Bwindi forest, volcanic features and beautiful landscapes, one has more than enough to feed their eyes and memory. With Bwindi housing more than half of the world’s gorilla population and Queen Elizabeth the most diverse park, be ready to feast your eyes on the best that the countryside has to offer through game drives, boat cruises, gorilla habituation, and community tours with relaxation as the best aim. The trip will start from Kampala to Bwindi via Mbarara, then Queen Elizabeth and back to Kampala. However this trip can be tailor made and extended to 15 days Uganda safari or 25 days East African Safari.
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Bwindi
You will meet at an agreed point with our representative from Glory Summit Hotel Tours and once all of you are settled in you will be briefed about the journey and what is expected after which you will set off for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and the journey will be about 8-9hours. You will have two stopovers, with the first one at the Equator mark for picture moments, and the second one will be in Mbarara for lunch. After lunch, you will then continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and will reach in the evening. In time for dinner and then you will check into your lodging for the night and retire for the day so you can rest enough in preparation for the next day.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Batwa community tour
The day meant to trek our gorillas will be the second. We shall wake up early and have breakfast and have the lunch packed then head to the briefing spot by 7:30am where we shall be given the guidelines and safety precautions to be followed by a guide to ensure a smooth trek before we head into the forest to experience it. Depending on the targeted Gorilla families given to you to trek, the trekking will take between 30minutes-6hours, it’s in this time that we 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 will be observed by you with a guide and armed ranger on route with you. After the trek, you will return to the lodge, refresh and have lunch. You will then head out to visit the Batwa people for a community cultural tour. With the help of a local guide, you will be engaged 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 hotel, have dinner and end the day with fire to exchange stories and wind down the day.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
You will checkout of your lodge and have breakfast then exit Bwindi for Queen Elizabeth National Park which will take about 5hours. With beautiful views, you will have picture moment stops as you enjoy the scenery available, you will get to the lodge in Queen Elizabeth in time for lunch. After lunch you will head out for an evening game drive and you can expect to see animals like lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, warthogs, kobs, buffaloes and hyenas in one of the most popular and diverse conservation area. You will return to the lodge for dinner, then take your rest for the day.
Day 4: Morning game drive and boat cruise at 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 the big five: 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 5: Check-out and departure for Kampala
With breakfast done, you will check out of the hotel and exit the park for Kampala. On your way to Kampala you will enjoy the beautiful scenic views of the countryside and also have a chance to take some pictures while at it. A stopover in Mbarara for lunch and another at the Equator for more pictures and exploring the craft world will be done. Then proceed to Kampala as agreed to your drop off point, this will mark the end of the 5day safari.
