7 days Uganda gorillas and wildlife safari will avail you with the opportunity to discover the beauty and the best parts about the ‘Pearl of Africa’ and confirm why it is so. The safari will give you a chance to see the big five; lions, rhinos, 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, world’s most powerful falls, lakes, crater lakes and the vegetation. Expect game drives, boat cruises, hikes, primate trekking and community tours. The trip will start from Kampala through Luweero to Murchison, all the way to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and back to Kampala however changes can happen with reason.
Day 1: Drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park
Upon arrival to your agreed point you will be met by a driver guide from Glory Summit Tours who will brief you on how you will move for the next 7days, after which you will set off for Murchison Falls National Park at 7:30am through Luweero and your first stop will be at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track some black and white Rhinos with a guide which takes about 2-3hours depending on their location. Then you will have lunch and exit the sanctuary and continue to Murchison Falls National Park where you spend the night. You will check into a lodge in time for dinner after which you will rest and reset for the next day.
Day 2: Morning game drive and Boat cruise
An early breakfast will be enjoyed, then you will be driven to the park by the guide to enjoy a game drive where you expect to see animals like leopards, hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, kobs, bushbucks, oribis, grey duikers and many more and pictures will be taken for memories. After the game drive you will head back to your hotel for lunch and relaxation before the boat cruise. With lunch out of the way, you will head to out onto the Nile to enjoy the afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the falls which takes about 2-3hours to see water animals like crocodiles, waterbucks, hippos, warthogs, and bird species like the rare shoebill stork, hornbills, fly catchers, herons and king fishers with a guide to answer any questions you might have. After the cruise you will hike to the top of the Falls, where you will experience the pressure of the falls, with a view to die for, a rainbow and perfect spot for pictures. When done you will head back to the hotel in time for dinner after which you will retire for the night.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you will check out of your lodging and also find your way out of Murchison Falls National Park and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park and the drive will take 6-7hours as you enjoy the scenic views and beautiful landscapes with a lunch stop in Fort Portal then proceed to Queen Elizabeth. As you approach Queen Elizabeth National Park, you’ll likely witness the transition from the surrounding communities to the park’s diverse ecosystems. On arrival to Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will check in to your lodge and rest before you can have dinner. Once dinner is done you will rest for the night in preparation for the next 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: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
You will have breakfast and checkout the lodge and exit Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and this will take 6hours with a lunch break in Kabale then proceed to Bwindi impenetrable forest. This drive will provide impressive views of the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the Mountains of the Moon and also offer a transition from the savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth to the lush, mountainous terrain of Bwindi especially as you approach Bwindi. When you get to Bwindi, it will be evening and you will check into the lodge, you will have dinner after which you can rest for.
Day 6: Gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural tour
You will wake up early and have 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, the trekking will take between 30minutes-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 then you will checkout of your hotel, then you will head out into the community for a tour of the Batwa people. 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 relax by the fire and retire at will for the day.
Day 7: Checkout and departure
A beautiful breakfast will start the day, after which you will check out and start on your journey back to Kampala. You will have a stopover at a hotel in Mbarara for lunch and the equator for some more pictures and check out the crafting village in the area. Then proceed to Kampala and will be dropped off at the agreed point and this will mark the end of your 7 days safari.
