Our 12 Days African Big Five and Gorillas Safari into the Pearl of Africa reveals the hidden experiences and takes you mainly to the five major National Parks of the country, including Murchison Falls National Park, you will be able to see the rhinos on the way, while in the park you have an opportunity to the see the world’s most powerful falls as the wide River Nile water squeezes in an 8-meter wide gorge, the park is home to 76 mammal species and 451 bird spices.

We drive to Kibale Forest National Park – the park arguably to be the capital of primates and so famous for chimpanzee tracking, the park is home to 70 mammal species, and 13 species of primates, you engage in a chimpanzee trek and a nature walk in Bigodi wetland before proceeding to Queen Elizabeth National park Uganda’s most popular national park, there are several outstanding tourist attractions including the 95 species of mammals and 600 bird species, the game drive in the Kasenyi plains, boat cruise on the beautiful Kazinga channel and the tree climbing lions.

The trip continues to Bwindi Forest National Park for the major highlight of the trip – Gorilla trekking. Tracking can be done at 4 designated locations including Nkuringo, Rushaga, Ruhija and Buhoma with a total of 18 Gorilla habituated families that can be tracked every single day. On your day of tracking visitors are allocated different families in groups of 8 people and are allowed to view the Gorillas maximum of one hour per day.  Trekking time depends on the group allocated but it ranging from 2 to 8 hours.

After this unforgettable adventure, it will be time to head to Lake Mburo National Park, the smallest savannah national park, and the only park where you can have a safari walk, while on the walk or on the game drive, several animals can be seen including big herds of zebras, Buffalo, Impala, Giraffes, Warthogs, and Waterbuck other wildlife can also be  seen while on 2-hour boat cruise including the crocodiles, hippos  different birds including the colorful Kingfishers and the magnificent Fish Eagles

 Safari Highlights:

Ziwa Rhino Tracking at the Rhino Sanctuary

Visiting the top of the falls

Launch cruises in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth

Private Game drives in Murchison, Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth

Gorilla Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking

Bigodi Swamp walk

Crater Lake Tour

Community activities in Bwindi

Walking Safari in Lake Mburo

Day 01: Arrive at Entebbe Airport

On your arrival at Entebbe Airport, you will be met and welcomed by our representative. He will be your tour and driver guide for the rest of the days you will be in the country. After the interaction and briefing about your 12 Days African Big Five and Gorillas Safari, you will be transferred to your Hotel in Entebbe for an Overnight stay at Casa Solada Hotel

Day 02: Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast at the hotel, your driver’s guide will pick you up for a transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. This journey will take you through the famous Luwero Triangle and a stopover at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, enjoy a 1-2hrs walk as you track the Rhinos. This is the only place where one is able to see these in the wild. Have Lunch and later proceed with your journey to Murchison falls National Park via Masindi town. You will have another stop over the Top of the falls for a clear and magnificent view of the water forcing itself through a 7-meter gorge and dropping to over 43 meters below with a thunderous roar hence forming a beautiful rainbow. Reach at your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options: Pakuba Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge.

Day 03: Game drive and Launch cruise to the bottom of the falls

Rise very early in the morning and set out for the game drive before sunrise. Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest park, you will enjoy a variety of wildlife it has to offer including Lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Elephants, large numbers of Giraffes, Warthogs, Antelopes, Waterbucks and Bushbucks as well as the so many different bird species. After like 3-4hrs of the game drive, return to the Lodge for a late breakfast and relaxation. After Lunch, set out for the afternoon launch cruise to the bottom of the falls along the Victoria Nile. This 3hrs boat cruise will enable you to have a glance at a number of water-loving animals such as Hippos, Crocodiles, Buffalos and so many bird species like kingfishers, Cormorants, Hornbills, Goliath herons, Egyptian geese, pelicans, and bee-eaters. After the cruise, return to your Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options: Pakuba Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge

Day 04: Depart for Kibale Forest National Park

Early morning, have your breakfast at the lodge and depart for Kibale National Park. The Journey will take you through the Western Rift Valley’s Albertine Escarpment as well as the green countryside and traditional homesteads of the local people within the Bunyoro and Toro Kingdoms. Upon arriving in Fort Portal, clear days will give you a glimpse of the legendary snow-capped Mountain also famously known as the “Mountains of the Moon” (Mt Rwenzori). Kibale Forest National Park is a home to 13 primate species including the common Mans’ closest Cousins (Chimpanzees). The Forest is also home to over 325 bird species including the rare Green Breasted Pitta.  Arrive at your Lodge in the evening.

Accommodation Options: Ndali Lodge, Primates Lodge.

Day 05: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp walk

Continue with your 11 Days Uganda Safari Adventure by taking morning breakfast at your lodge and set out for a half day Chimpanzee tracking experience. You will be transferred to the park headquarters of Kanyanchu for a 30-40mins briefing and get to know more about the chimpanzees and their ways of living within the forest. After this, you will then embark on your journey to search for these primates through the forest. On spotting the chimps, you are only given one Hour to be with them as you take videos and pictures. Along the way other primate species can be spotted such as the L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Vervet Monkeys, and Black & White colobus Monkeys among others.

Other animals that can be seen are Forest Elephants, Buffalos and a lot of bird species. After the tracking, return to your Lodge for Lunch and afternoon set out for a nature and bird walk within the Bigodi Swamp. The wetland is a project being run by local communities and is very known for its rich diversity of bird species and other primates. It also provides employment and job opportunities to the local youth through tour guides . Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options: Ndali Lodge, Primates Lodge

Day 06: Visit Crater Lakes and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park  

After your morning breakfast, visit the Kasenda craters. Take a short hike to the ‘Top of the World’ viewpoint where you are able to see a lot of the small crater lakes within this region. Proceed and also visit the spectacular Lake Nyinambuga from which the lake shown on the 20.000 Uganda shilling note was depicted. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is one of the country’s best wildlife National parks with over 600 bird species, mammals like Lions, Leopards, elephants, buffaloes and so many others. Dinner and Overnight at your Lodge.

Accommodation Options: Park View Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge.

Day 07: Game drive and Boat ride along the Kazinga channel

After early morning breakfast, depart for your morning game drive in the Kasenyi area. Look out for wildlife animals such as Lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Elephants, Antelopes, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Bushbucks, and so on. Lunch and in the afternoon set out for the launch cruise along the Kazinga channel. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel is home to one of Africa’s largest hippo populations and bird species. This 3hrs boat cruise will enrich you with views of water-loving animals such as Hippos, Elephants, Buffalos, Crocodiles, and other antelopes as wel as bird species. Return to your Lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options: Park View Safari Lodge / Buffalo safari lodge

After breakfast, leave the northern side of the park and transfer to the southern sector of Ishasha. Game drive in the mid-morning hours searching for the rare tree-climbing lions. Afternoon embark on your journey to the famous Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park. The park is well known for being a habit to the endangered species of Mountain Gorillas. Check in at your Lodge.

Accommodation Options: Engagi Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

Day 09: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Wake up very early to prepare for the supposed most significant highlight of your safari, the remarkable meet with the Gentle Giants! After breakfast, we take a drive to the park offices where you will be briefed about the dos and don’ts of the jungle and then you will be off for a forever-memorable adventure of your life. Trekking through the steep, densely forested hills of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and then finally coming across the gorillas cloaked in the foliage is an amazing experience, and indescribable because of the difficulty to paint a verbal picture of the vegetation, terrain, smells, color, and the animated entertainment from the gorillas and other residents of the jungle. After tracking and lunch, we shall drive back to your lodge.

Do not leave these items behind; sunscreen, insect repellent, your passport, camera, hiking boots, long safari pants and long-sleeved shirts or T-shirts plus a light rain jacket. Please avoid very bright and hot colored clothes- These not only attract insects to you but also can be offensive to the residents of the jungle. These items will come in handy as you go through the thick forest and encounter the unpredictable weather of Bwindi: Expect rain or sunshine anytime.

Accommodation Options: Four Gorillas Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

Day 10: Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park

After your morning early breakfast, you will be driven to Lake Mburo National Park which is Uganda’s smallest National Park. The journey will take you through stunning sceneries and views of the Ankole Kingdom with animal farms and different crop plantations. Arrive in time for Lunch at your Lodge in Lake Mburo. Afternoon set out for the boat cruise on Lake Mburo. Look out for Hippos, Buffalos, and others. The park is famously known for harboring the largest number of Zebras in Uganda. Other animals that can be seen also include Impalas, Oribis, Giraffes, and a lot of bird species.

Accommodation Options: Kigambira Safari Lodge, Mihingo Lodge.

Day 11: Lake Mburo to Entebbe

Morning breakfast and have a game drive as you exit the park. Look out for animals that are habitat in the park such as Impalas, Zebras, Oribi, Topi, Elands, and so on. Lake Mburo also is one of the few parks where one can do a guided nature walk and still most of the animals as if you are on the game drive. The park also is a habitat to more than 300 bird species and also very famous for birders. Later, drive back to Entebbe having Lunch en route. Stop over at the Equator for refreshment as well as Photography.

Accommodation Options: Protea Hotel by Mariotte

Day 12: Departure.

Today, wake up lazy for your breakfast. Depending on your flight time, you can choose to spend the day at the zoo, do some shopping, and thereafter be dropped off at the airport for your departure flight. It’s been a great adventure experience for the whole 12 days of the   African big six and gorilla safari.