8-Day Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Big Five Safari

USD 3,050.00pp

Day 1

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park

The moment you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived: this is when your Ugandan safari begins. After a few brief formalities and an introduction to your guide, we’ll start this journey together and begin to discover all of the amazing animals Uganda has to offer.

Described as the most exciting thing to happen to the Nile along its 6,000km journey from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean, the 43m-high Murchison Falls is also the centerpiece of Uganda’s largest and oldest national park. Here you might encounter four of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo), along with the world’s largest population of the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, and several types of antelope and monkey. Particularly noteworthy among 550- odd recorded bird species are the hulking great shoebill and Abyssinian ground hornbill, and the beautifully marked and very localized whitecrested turaco and red-headed lovebird.

Rhino tracking, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife

After about 4 hours of drive, you arrive at Ziwa rhino sanctuary. White rhinos are intimidating creatures, as you’ll see for yourself when you track them in Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. This admirable rhino breeding project is home to plenty of other wildlife too, but Uganda’s only population of rhinos does tend to steal the show, and it is a real thrill to encounter these peaceful grass-cropping giants on foot.

Accommodation

Pakuba Safari Lodge

Our base in Murchison Falls is Pakuba Safari Lodge, which stands out for its isolated setting on the east bank of the Nile, 20km downstream from where it flows out of Lake Albert. No other lodge has a more convenient location for enjoying the wildlife action along the park’s legendary Delta Circuit.

Accommodation

Pakuba Safari Lodge

Activities Day 1

Morning

  • Rhino tracking, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch

Afternoon

  • We break our game drive this afternoon

    with a stop at the famous Top of the Falls, a stunning viewpoint from where you can truly appreciate the primal power of Murchison Falls.

Day 2

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park

We once again find ourselves in the lovely surrounds of Murchison Falls National Park.

Early Morning Game Drive, Murchison Falls National Park
Imagine being out in the soft, early morning light, wrapped in a blanket, just as the animals emerge from their night’s rest or from the shadows of their nighttime adventures. The world feels fresh and new on an early morning game drive, the sun has yet to beat down upon the earth, and it may end up being your favorite time to be out on safari. 

Evening Game Drive, Murchison Falls National Park

Going on an evening game drive is one of the highlights of any safari. This is when temperatures cool, the light becomes softer and the wildlife begins to get active. Not only will you be out when the light is best for taking photos, but it’s also one of the best times of day for seeing the animals. 

Accommodation 

Pakuba Safari Lodge

We return to the northern plains of Murchison Falls National Park and Pakuba Safari Lodge.

Activities Day 2

Early Morning

  • Early Morning Game Drive, Murchison Falls National Park

Afternoon

  • You’re sure to see plenty of hippos, crocodiles, aquatic birds and other wildlife on our boat trip upriver to the base of the  explosive Murchison Falls this afternoon

Evening

  • Evening Game Drive, Murchison Falls 
    National Park

Day 3

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is best known for its population of around 1,000 chimpanzees, man’s closest genetic relative. The park is home to a dozen other primate species, including Uganda mangabey, a type of monkey that is unique to Uganda and difficult to see anywhere other than Kibale. It supports a dazzling forest birdlife, with 370 species recorded, ranging from the outrageously colorful great blue turaco to the secretive green-breasted pitta.

Accommodation
Bweza Gorilla Lodge
When you stay at Bweza Gorilla Lodge, you’re in a good location to enjoy this leg of your trip.

Activities Day 3

Evening

  • Swamp walk in bigodi, Bigodi Wetland
    Sanctuary

Day 4

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Chimpanzee Trekking

After breakfast head to Kibale .There is something about chimpanzees that makes them one of the greatest safari prizes of all. We’ll take you trekking through the forest to spend time with them and enjoy an encounter that you’ll never forget.

Head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a savannah-dominated reserve known for its conspicuous populations of lion, elephant, buffalo and other iconic African creatures. There are also hippos on the pretty Kazinga Channel, a flat and narrow waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George within eyeshot of the snowcapped Rwenzori Mountains, as well as rainforests alive with chimps and monkeys, and crater lakes tinged pink by flocks of flamingo. Indeed, this is possibly the most biodiverse national park anywhere in East Africa.

Evening Game Drive, Queen Elizabeth National Park

You’ll love the warm light and cooler temperatures as we take you out to explore on your evening game drive. This time of day is when both predators and prey are most active and it can feel as though anything could happen at any moment. This is when you’ll most enjoy being on safari.

Accommodation 
The Bush Lodge (Banda)
Situated in dense scrub alive with birdsong on the bank of the Kazinga Channel, the Bush Lodge is the perfect base for exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park. The canvas-dominated bandas, set on stilted wooden platforms, combine good amenities with a back-to-nature feel. You can expect to see plenty of wildlife, including hippos, elephants and waterbuck.

Activities Day 4

Morning

  • Chimp Trekking, Kibale National Park

Evening

  • We’ll take you out on an evening game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s when temperatures cool, the light is golden and predators set out to hunt.

Day 5

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Back in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you get the opportunity to look for some of the wildlife you missed first time around.

Early Morning Game Drive, Queen Elizabeth National Park

Put on some warm clothes and enjoy an early morning game drive. This is the perfect time to experience the wildlife and the landscapes they inhabit. The light is soft and warm – perfect for photography – and most animals are out and about, and active. If you’re not an early riser, you’ll definitely want to make an exception here.

Boat Trip, Kazinga Channel

We join a boat trip following the Kazinga Channel to its confluence with Lake Edward. Hemmed in by steep walls and set below the glacial Rwenzori peaks, Kazinga is home to large numbers of hippo, as well as elephant, buffalo, waterbuck and Uganda kob. Lion, leopard and giant forest hog are more occasional. The birdlife is reliably fabulous.

Accommodation 

The Bush Lodge (Banda)

We return to the Bush Lodge, with its marvelous setting on the south bank of the Kazinga Channel opposite Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Activities Day 4

Morning

  • In Queen Elizabeth National Park, your

    early morning game drive gets you close to the wildlife when they’re most active, and the landscapes are at their most beautiful

Afternoon

  • Boat Trip, Kazinga Channel

Evening

  • Come with us on an evening game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The light is ideal for photos, temperatures are cooler and the animals are beginning to stir

Day 6

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Prepare to be blown away by Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Not only is this mountainous rainforest utterly gorgeous, but it has also been recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site on account of its rich biodiversity and wealth of unique plants and animals. Bwindi is best known for supporting roughly 45% of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, but other wildlife includes the attractive L’Hoest’s monkey, a small population of forest elephants, and a seriously impressive checklist of 350 bird species.

Accommodation

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

We love the rooms at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge for their airy ambience, earthy color schemes offset by bright African fabrics, and tall windows and wide balconies looking out across the rolling green hills of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This little lodge only lies 1km from the Rushaga gorilla-tracking trailhead, making it a most convenient base for activities in the national park.

Optional for Day 6

Evening

  • Visit the Batwa, Bwindi Impenetrable

Day 7

Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi

Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Spending time (1 hour) in the presence of mountain gorillas is a real privilege, so we’re sure you’ll enjoy trekking deep into the forest to find them. This is one of the most memorable experiences you can have while on safari.

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Kick back and relax on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, hike on the steep hills that hem it in, or take a boat out to some of the 29 islands that protrude from its surface. Bunyonyi means ‘Place of Small Birds’, and the birdlife here is indeed plentiful. There’s also no better place in Africa to see otters swim past as you enjoy a lakeside drink or meal.

Accommodation

Bunyonyi Safaris Resort

You have been booked into the Bunyonyi Safaris Resort, which is one of the best hotels on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi. The three-story main building incorporates a quality restaurant, fitness center and sauna while the attractively laid out gardens include a large swimming pool, a children’s playground, and an umbrella-shaded deck stilted above the lake water.

Activities Day 7

Evening

  • Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi

    Impenetrable National Park

Evening

  • On our boat trip on Lake Bunyonyi this

    afternoon, you can expect to see traditional fishers sail past, plenty of birds and pssibly an otter.

Day 8

The end of your safari with us

The end of your safari with us

We have no doubt that you have enjoyed an incredible safari in Uganda, but sadly it now comes to an end. We wish you a safe onward journey and look forward to seeing you again next time you go on safari..

 

Activities Day 8

Early Morning

  • Transfer by Road, Lake Bunyonyi via Equator point Uganda to Entebbe International Airport

Tour Length
8 Days / 7 Nights

Included
All activities, unless indicated as optional, Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section), Taxes /VAT

Excluded
International flights, Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.), Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day), Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

Breakdown of Costs

1x Adult.

$3,050.00

Payment Terms

A 30–50% deposit of the total safari cost is required to confirm a booking.
The balance must be paid at least 30 days before the start of the safari.

Bookings made within 30 days of departure must be paid in full at the time of confirmation. 

Payments can be made via bank transfer, credit/debit card, or mobile money, as communicated by Kaije Safaris.

The route for our tour