Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport
The 7-day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari starts at Entebbe Airport, where you will be met by a company representative/guide who will transfer you to your place of overnight stay. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Center for a brief introduction to the Uganda Wildlife on the serene shores of Lake Victoria.
The Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) has evolved from a simple animal orphanage to a leading center for wildlife education, conservation, and research.
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 2: Entebbe- Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, you’ll head west by road to Kibale National Park. You will have lunch en route before proceeding to Kibale, home to a population of over 1,400 chimpanzees and home to an astounding 13 species of primates. This stunning rainforest, often referred to as the “Primate Capital of the World,” offers a unique and unforgettable experience for primate adventurers.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Turaco Treetops | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 3: Chimp Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Today, the forest opens its doors for sensational chimp tracking. Kibale Forest is renowned for having the greatest variety and the highest concentration of primates in East Africa. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, and many others.
After lunch, head to the Bigodi Swamp for a 2-hour nature walk- a home of 200 bird species, including the Papyrus Gonolek and the Great Blue Turaco. The Walk is an initiative of the local community and is known for its rich diversity of birds and primates. Community trails will give you a glimpse into the indigenous way of life.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Turaco Treetops | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 4: Kibale – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
After breakfast, head out to Bwindi Forest National Park, the home of the mountain gorillas, arriving in the late evening for relaxation on this day of the 7-day Gorilla and Wildlife Safari. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity. This ancient rainforest, one of the oldest in Africa, spans over 321 square kilometers and is home to an array of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic to the region.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Mwebesa Guest House | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park
In the early morning, you will be briefed on gorilla tracking at the park headquarters and assigned to groups of 8 people per group. Accompanied by a guide and your packed lunch, you will go in search of the gorillas in a small group. You walk through the forest, sometimes you descend again, and then climb up a slope again. The duration of gorilla tracking is unpredictable.
The walk can be quite strenuous due to the muddy trails and mountainous areas, and can take up to 8 hours depending on how far the gorillas have moved in search of food. It is worth it, and what awaits you, in the end, is indescribable.
For an hour, you can admire these peaceful ‘Gentle Giants’ as they go about their daily activities of grooming, feeding, and playing. It is a once-in-a-lifetime, memorable experience.
Alternative: Gorilla Habituation Experience.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience gives you the chance to spend 4 hours in the company of the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You’ll trek into the forest alongside park rangers, blazing a trail through the wilder sides of the forest, in search of gorilla families.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Mwebesa Guest House | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 6: Bwindi National Park – Cycling Session
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Lake Mburo National Park, arriving in time for a late lunch or enjoy lunch en route. As Uganda's smallest savannah national park, Lake Mburo is part of a 50 km-long wetland system connected by swamps and includes 13 other lakes in the area. Once at the park, embark on a cycling safari, where you can spot wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, impalas, and elands, among many others.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Mpogo Safari Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 8: Nature walk in Lake Mburo – Entebbe - Departure
Early start of the day, head for a nature walk with a guide heading to the salt lick area, which attracts a variety of wildlife, offering unique opportunities to observe animals such as zebras, antelopes, elands, giraffes, and buffalo, among others. Thereafter, you will have lunch en route at Igongo Cultural Center and a stop at the equator for photos or shopping. Later, proceed to Entebbe.
Depending on your flight time, a day room is available for freshening up before heading to the airport.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch