Description
Uganda Gorilla Safari tour
Day one: Kampala/Entebbe – Top of the Murchison falls
The Gorilla safari of Uganda starts with a morning pick up from your overnight accommodation in Kampala. Our safari guide will then start a four to five hour drive to the Murchison falls National Park. At Masindi, we will stop for lunch, then proceeding to the top of the spectacular Murchison Falls. Here, roaring cascades of white water are sent crashing through seven Metre crack in the African Rift Valley to drop some 45 metres below. These may be viewed from different angles towards the Baker’s Summit. Thereafter, proceed to the overnight accommodations for overnight. Lodge options Murchison River Lodge/Nile Camp or other.
Meal Plan – Lunch and Dinner
TRANSIT TIME 5 HOURS
Day Two: Morning safari – Afternoon cruise on the Nile
Morning breakfast at the Safari Lodge before meeting the Murchison Falls Safari guide. We will start our game viewing along the tracks from the lodge across the Nile. Our armed ranger guide escort will let us get as close to the wildlife by either safari vehicle or on a walking safari as he or she explains the wildlife ecosystems of the national park. The graceful giraffes with their young are usually feeding on the acacia trees, while the elephants are seen grazing on the Borassus palm fruits.
Wildlife on the banks of the Nile
Other wildlife to encounter on this safari include: Jackson’s Hartebeest, Lion Prides, Herds of Uganda Kob, Secretary bird, Piac piacs as well as a host of others. The morning safari ends as we transfer to the Paraa Area for Lunch before taking an afternoon boat cruise on the River Nile. The boat safari guide will be pointing out names of birds as well as giving more information about the animals that come to the River banks for feeding. Expect to see Hippos, Crocodiles, Elephants, baboon, Migrant Birds from the comfort of the boat cruise. Meals and overnight at Murchison River Lodge/Nile Camp or other
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Three: Long drive to Kibale forest National park
After breakfast early, we then transfer through the scenic region of the Lake Albert driving through Hoima on the way to the Kibale national Park. We have a picnic lunch along the way before proceeding with our safari along the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. The evening gets us at Camp in time for dinner and overnight at the Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Guest House or other.
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
TRANSIT TIME 6-8 HOURS
Day four: Wild Chimpanzees Trekking with ranger guide.
After breakfast, start the morning chimpanzee safari trekking through the thick Kibale Forest. The chimpanzee safari guides will be on the lookout for signs of the Chimpanzee troop which may be feeding amongst the fig trees, playing around, hunting or simply relaxing. You may also spot Black and white colobus monkey, Grey cheeked mangabeys, Red tailed monkey, Baboon or the endemic and very rare red colubus monkey. Afterwards, lunch then transfer to the Queen Elizabeth National Park arriving for a sunset safari. Tracks along the Craters and the Leopard Loop at times surprise with Giant forest hog or Leopard. Thereafter, have dinner and overnight at Katara or Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge.
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
TRANSIT TIME 3 HOURS.
Day five: Queen Elizabeth National tour and Kazinga channel Hippos
Breakfast early then start a morning safari looking for the Lions starting with the Kob Mating grounds. Along the way, you may spot Leopard, Hyena, Elephant, Giant Forest Hog and Bush buck. The lions tend to be active during the mornings as well as at dusk. Strangely enough, It may be possible to find them hunting. In the afternoon, the safari guide at Kazinga will take us for another boat ride on the Kazinga channel where Cape Buffalo, Crocodile, Migrant Birds, Hippos and other animals are found. In the evening, have another brief leopard safari for more chances of catching the elusive leopard at the loop before heading for dinner and overnight at Katara Lodge or Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge.
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day six: Ishasha tree climbing lions transit game drive
After a relaxed breakfast, depart through the Ishasha plains viewing Lions enroute. Elephant bulls may cross the main road near Kazinga Village. In addition, Uganda Kob bachelor herds and females peek up from the bushes. Topi Antelope herds with their dark flank markings are a sight to behold. If in luck, the famous tree climbing Lions on the fig tree would be a bonus. On the way to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, L’hoest and Red-tailed monkeys are a possibility. Arrive in the early afternoon, then head for dinner and overnight at The Gorilla Resort Bwindi.
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
TRANSIT TIME 4-5 HOURS
Day seven: Mountain gorilla trekking experience
Morning wake up call and after breakfast, your gorilla safari guide will then transfer to the nearby briefing point to start the gorilla trek . Thereafter, with picnic lunch boxes and water, the gorilla guide, gorilla trackers, porters and the other visitors will start a 2 minutes to an 8 hours walk in the Bwindi Forest following one of the families of Mountain Gorilla groups. Meanwhile, the gorilla safari lasts around one hour from the time you first see them. After a picnic lunch in the Jungle, we trek back to camp or drive to our base arriving for a cold drink. Eventually, a camp fire followed by dinner and overnight at The Gorilla Resort Bwindi.
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
TRANSIT TIME 4-5 HOURS.
Day eight:
We finally end our Uganda gorilla safari after breakfast and drive through the little Switzerland of Kigezi. The trip winds through the mountainous farmlands before heading to Mbarara for a picnic lunch. Along the way to Kampala, you could stop for some picture opportunities before arriving late in the evening to be dropped off at your place of residence.
Meal Plan – Breakfast and Lunch.
TOUR PRICES BASED ON PER PERSON IN A DOUBLE OR TWIN ROOM
Per person sharing price at Deluxe accommodations USD2,890
Price per person sharing at Semi deluxe accommodations USD2,400
Tour cost er person sharing at Affordable accommodations USD1,980
Gorilla safari to Uganda Includes:
- Airport transfers,
- accommodation,
- Meals,
- Park entry fees,
- Game drives,
- cruises on the Nile and Kazinga Channel,
- primate/chimpanzee permits, and
- private 4×4 ground transportation with an English speaking driver guide.
The gorilla safari price excludes:
- Beverages,
- personal expenses
- gorilla permit payable separately at USD600
- tips, and personal expenses.
Other Mountain gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda:
- 3 Day Budget Gorilla trip. The gorilla trek includes a long transit day out of Kampala. A full day at Bwindi finding the Mountain gorillas. The last day involves another all day drive back to Kampala or Entebbe.
- Gorilla trek with white water rafting
- Mountain Gorillas Air Safari from Entebbe. Based on scheduled flights into the gorilla sanctuary at Bwindi or Mgahinga National park.
- Uganda honeymoon safari, 12 Days trip, encompassing all the best sites on the gorilla trail.
- Gorilla tour with Lake Victoria. Tropical Islands retreat after trekking
- Rare Primates of Africa safari. All the monkeys and apes of Uganda
- Gorilla and tree climbing lions safari – flying option
- Great Apes of Africa
- Rwenzori Mountains and gorilla trekking at bwindi. In addition to hiking to the glaciers along the equator on a 9 day experience.
- Soft Adventure Luxury safari
- Uganda safari holiday tour with gorilla watching, 15 days
- Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking , 7 days tour
- Uganda and Rwanda combined gorilla hike
- 2 days with the Mountain gorillas trek
- Queen Elizabeth and Mountain gorillas 5 day safari
Mountain gorilla sanctuaries sample accommodations:
- Clouds Lodge Nkuringo.
- The Gorilla Resort Bwindi
- Sanctuary lodge Bwindi
- Buhoma Lodge
- Silver back lodge
Frequently asked Questions on gorilla safari tours:
Being a first timer on a gorilla trekking tour in East Africa, a set of questions, as well as answers have been included to enhance tour planning. This being a one day gorilla trekking experience, the following questions have been answered in detail:
- Gorilla trekking safety:- Mountain gorillas are wild animals and the trek to see them includes some level of risk. However, a gorilla family being visited has undergone years of exposure to humans. They have been habituated to a group of tourists for safe viewing to a distance of a couple of feet. In case of agitation or charge by the dominant silver back, the gorilla guides are always on hand to avert the risk.
- Viewing the Mountain gorillas:- Gorillas are always on the move in the tropical rain forest. It is based on this scenario that we cant guarantee of seeing the gorillas in plain sight for the hour spent trekking the gorillas. The guides will however hack away at vegetation at different times to provide better views for photography should the need arise.
- Elevation or Altitude during gorilla trekking:- The mountain gorillas live at higher elevations in the Impenetrable forests in Africa. Hikes to find the Mountain gorillas have involve scaling mountains up to 7,000-8,000feet above sea level. Altitude sickness mostly affects people from low lying areas. In which cases, it is advisable to drink a lot of water on the gorilla trek. Hikers are also advised to take as many stops to catch breaths and acclimatize to the elevation.
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Gorilla trekking difficulty:-
Gorilla trekking is an arduous activity and could take a couple of Not so comfortable walking through thick jungle. Sometimes scaling very steep slopes in wet and muddy conditions. This is the opposite of seeing African wildlife in a zoo and a level of fitness is recommended for anyone trekking the gorillas in Africa.
- Recommended age for gorilla trekking:- Trekkers as old as 80 have managed to do the gorilla trek on two consecutive visits. However, this still depends on fitness levels and the will. Children under the age of 15 are not allowed to take part on a gorilla safari. Their higher levels for disease transmittal may be a risk to the Mountain gorilla family.
- Disabled persons gorilla trekking:- A stretcher service is available for anyone who wishes to be hoisted through the thick jungles to the gorilla viewing point. At an extra fee, porters carry the visitor ahead of the main trekking team and then back to the camp or vehicle after seeing the Mountain gorillas.
- Best seasons for Gorilla Viewing:- The best months for viewing the Mountain gorillas are January, February, June, July, August and December. This is the dry season in East Africa, as well as having less rain during the safari. In the other months, the gorilla trekking price is reduced by about USD150 to compensate for the rainy season and low visitor numbers.
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Gorilla accommodations:- lodges at Bwindi
The options for gorilla accommodations range from single guest houses with a mosquitoes net and solar lighting to more luxurious accommodations with bath tubs and WiFi. The properties are close to the gorilla trekking sites. Access to the gorillas from the overnight accommodations is either a short walk or driving to the park boundary. Gorillas are sometimes attracted to specific trees at camps in the feeding range.
- Packing list for the gorilla safari:- Visitors are expected to pack lightweight clothing for the gorilla trek. A sweat shirt worn under cotton long sleeved shirt. Gardening gloves for protection against stinging nettles. Heavy duty socks with liner, in addition to gators to keep the crawling safari ants on the forest floor.A good pair of trail shoes, as well as a good walking staff or stick. A sun hut or cap, or else a bandana will shield from the sun or rain and also minimize dehydration on the walk.
- Guides and security personnel:- Guides conduct the briefing, as well as lead visitors through the forest to the gorillas. The automatic riffles carried on the gorilla trek are meant to protect the trekking party in case of an attack by forest elephants or buffalo.