Uganda Gorilla Safaris

Safari outline:

• Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe
  Day 2: Entebbe transfer to Murchison
• Day 3: Game drive and Launch cruise
• Day 4: Murchison drive to Kibale National Park
• Day 5: Half Day Chimpanzee trekking (Kanyanchu) continuing to Queen Elizabeth
• Day 6: Kasenyi Game drive – Ishasha Sector
• Day 7: Ishasha Sector – Buhoma Sector
• Day 8: Buhoma Sector – Nkuringo / Rushaga Sector
• Day 9: Gorilla Tracking
• Day 10: Nombe & Buniga Forests (encounter with the Batwa)
  
• Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
• Day 12: Lake Mburo- Entebbe

Especially for:

• Primates lovers
• Adventurers

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe
Depending on the time of your flight, Escape To Africa representative will pick you up at the Airport with a placard and transfer you to the Hotel.

• Travel time: 10 Minutes
• Accommodation: Protea Marriot Hotel/ Boma Guest House
• Meal Plan: Breakfast Only

Day 2: Entebbe transfer to Murchison
With an early breakfast, drive with the guide to Murchison Falls is known for the Victoria Nile that plunges 45m over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the theatrical Falls. This centre piece is finalized in an event of an 80km stretch of rapids with a display of the rainbow. This spring of river provides the most extraordinary wildlife spectacles with regular visitors including; giraffes, elephants and buffaloes, while Nile crocodiles, school of hippos and aquatic birds are permanent residents. Enjoy an evening game drive as you continue to the Lodge.

• Travel time: 7 Hours
• Accommodation: Bakers Lodge / Murchison River Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Game drive and Launch cruise
With an early wake up call, transfer to the park for a morning game drive. Enjoy viewing different wildlife; Elephants, Buffalos, Uganda Kobs, Lions, Antelopes and if very lucky Hyenas. Drive back to the Lodge for a leisurely breakfast and a hot lunch. And in the afternoon transfer to the Nile pier for an afternoon Launch cruise on the Nile. Remember to carry sunscreen as the afternoon sun is very brutal on the Lake. Be on the lookout for a school of Hippos, herds of Buffalos, Elephants, crocodiles on the shores of the Nile. Drive back to the Lodge with an evening game drive.

• Accommodation: Bakers Lodge / Murchison River Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Murchison drive to Kibale National Park
With an early wakeup call from the Lodge staff, along with packed lunches transfer to Kibale Forest. This park is famous for its population of habituated chimpanzees and 12 other species of primates. Kibale forest is one of the loveliest forests in Uganda with so much to offer from different bird species, 13 species of primates, other species of mammals, numerous indigenous and exotic tree species. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Rwenzori ranges.

• Travel time: 7 ½ Hours
• Accommodation: Primates Lodge Kibale / Crater Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Half Day Chimpanzee trekking (Kanyanchu) continuing to Queen Elizabeth
With the tracking permit transfer to the park headquarters at Kanyanchu for Morning Chimpanzee tracking. This activity starts at 8am and lasts an average of three hours accordingly. After a hot meal at the Lodge, continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the craters. With a view of the Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s splendid panoramas cover dozens of breath-taking craters imprinted theatrically into rolling green hills, beautiful views of the Kazinga Channel and its outstanding main attraction are the big five. Enjoy an evening game drive to the Lodge.

• Travel time: 3 Hours
• Accommodation: Katara Safari Lodge / Kyamburo Gorge  / Kasenyi Safari Camp
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Kasenyi Game drive – Ishasha Sector
Enjoy yet again another game drive in the Kasenyi sectors and be on the lookout for; Rothschild giraffes, buffalos, elephants and different bird species as you head out for Ishasha Sector. The Ishasha sector is famously known as a haven for the tree climbing lions and its located in the Southern part of the park. It is the only other place in the entire world where you will find tree climbing lions apart from Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania.

• Accommodation: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Ishasha Sector – Buhoma Sector 
After an early breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in the Ishasha sector and if you weren’t lucky the previous night with sighting the tree climbing lions, now is your chance. Spend as much time as possible on the game drive and with packed lunch continue to Buhoma sector in Impenetrable forest National Park. This vast reserve offers arguably the most productive montane forest birding in Africa and supports 23 of Uganda’s 24 Albertine Rift endemic bird species. Once part of a much larger forest that included the Virunga Volcanoes in neighboring Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is now an ecological island within a sea of human cultivation and is of immense conservation importance.

• Travel time: 4 Hours
• Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Bwindi Lodge / Mahogany Springs
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Buhoma Sector – Nkuringo / Rushaga Sector  
With packed lunch report to the park quarters where you will be accompanied by park rangers. This walk links the southern side to the Northern side using marked trails on foot, using any of the 2 trails –long or short trail. With any of these trails, since there are no roads inside the park, the guide and the vehicle has to drive around the forest – this drive is 7 hours. Enjoy the walk with the Uganda wildlife armed rangers, walking guide and a rack sack with some change of clothes and snacks. The Ivy River Trail; at 14km, taking about 4 – 5 hours with Vehicle support needed to the lodge or Kashasha trail at 19km, taking about 7 – 8 hours through the forest from the Northern side to the Southern side. Then depending on your accommodation either continue to Rushaga sector or overnight in Nkuringo.

• Travel time: 7 Hours
• Accommodation in Nkuringo: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
• Accommodation in Rushaga: Gorilla Safari Lodge / Rushaga Gorilla Camp
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Gorilla Tracking
With an early breakfast transfer from the lodge with packed lunches. After gorilla briefing, continue to the forest for gorilla tracking. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular offering a dramatic, steeply forested landscape, incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous walk trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary as per the movements of the gorillas. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored, many find it to be a rare and moving. Tracking can take place at Nkuringo or at Rushaga (1hour drive from Nkuringo), as per the gorilla permits obtained. Upon return, relax at the lodge or opt for a stroll through the community center or drive up to the “Top of the World” – the name given to the football field, high up in Nkuringo which offers amazing views over the peaks and forest. A great way to stretch your legs after the gorilla tracking and to enjoy a sundowner.

• Accommodation in Nkuringo: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
• Accommodation in Rushaga: Gorilla Safari Lodge / Rushaga Gorilla Camp
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Nombe & Buniga Forests (encounter with the Batwa)   
With a leisurely breakfast, transfer to Nombe Pocket Forest for a walk and a picnic. Depending on ones location, its 1 hour drive from Rushaga and 30 minutes’ drive from Nkuringo. This forest used to be part of Bwindi but was later given to the local community. It’s a beautiful forest for birding, as it hosts many different bird species. Later after relaxation at the Lodge, visit the Batwa trail that takes you through that part of Bwindi forest that used to be home to the Pygmies the Batwa; also known as “people of the forest”. This trail is run by the local community and it involves the Batwa acting out their pervious life in the forest inform of traditional dance and drama.

• Accommodation in Nkuringo: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
• Accommodation in Rushaga: Gorilla Safari Lodge / Rushaga Gorilla Camp
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
After an early breakfast proceed to Lake Mburo National Park. This Whispers of the world is home to over 350 bird species and numerous wildlife including; eland, buffalo, hippo, hyena, topi, zebra, impala, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, leopard, and reedbuck. This park is unique from all the other parks, as best for viewing the Gigantic elands, Impalas, Zebra. Enjoy the land scape which is full of curves and colors, giving an impression of an oil painting. Have lunch in Mbarara and continue to the park for an evening game drive before continuing to the Lodge.

• Travel time: 6 Hours
• Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge  / Rwakobo Rock Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12: Lake Mburo- Entebbe
Enjoy an early morning game drive and later proceed to Entebbe for your flight back home with a stopover at the equator.

• Travel time: 4 ½ Hours
• Meal Plan: Breakfast only

END OF ESCAPE TO AFRICA SERVICES

Included in the above quote:

• Our Quotes offered in USD
• Full Board meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) with Accommodation as listed in the itinerary.
• Gorilla and Chimpanzee Permit
• Drinking water in the vehicle (1 litre per person per day)
• Private 4×4 vehicle with experienced English-speaking driver-guide, from the morning of day 1 to the evening of day 12
• All the excursions and activities indicated in the itinerary under the supervision of an experienced English-speaking guide
• Wi-Fi (in main areas of all Lodges and Hotel)
• Government taxes

Excluded from the above quote:

• All drinks
• Lunch & Dinner on (Day 1 & Day 12)
• Uganda Entry Visa fee
• International air flights
• Any optional activity not indicated in above program
• Laundry Services
• Gratuities and Tips

Tsavo is an authentic, fascinating, endless and untouched wilderness that join the Tsavo West and East National Parks into one largest protected area in Kenya. This park offers an opportunity of viewing the Big 5 in a single day. Its famously known for its man-eating lions and humongous elephant populations to the outside world, which makes it one of the must visit parks in Kenya. Between the 2 parts, Tsavo East is much more accessible, though Tsavo West provides a unique added advantage point to get closer to hippos and crocodiles lazing around in the waters.

At nearly 22,000km2, this makes Tsavo the biggest National Park in Kenya. Both of these parks where once one single park but where later separated. Though among the two Tsavo west is considered the best park for photography, birding and game viewing.

Tsavo East is at 13,747 sq.KM and is generally flat, with dry plains across where are River flows.

And the Tsavo West covers an area of 9,065 sq.KM and is generally mountainous with swamps, a Lake and Springs. It is known for bird life and large game; elephants, leopards, hippos, black rhinos, Cape buffalos and Masai lions.

Activities in Tsavo National Park

There is so much that you can do in Tsavo National park from the primarily; game drives involving viewing of elephants, African lions, hippos, cheetahs, hartebeest and buffalo, birdwatching, hill hiking, to caving and boating.

Best Time to Visit Tsavo West

At Escape To Africa, we recommend visiting the park in the months of January and February as well as June through September. And we try as much as possible to avoid the March to May and sometimes November to December as the park roads tend to be muddy and inaccessible. For all birdwatchers, the must months of visit to see migratory birds are October to January.

Recommended Number of Days

We normally advise 2 days to enjoy Tsavo west National park and a day more for all photographers to capture as much as possible.

Accommodation in the Tsavo West

As big as the park is, it has numerous accommodation to choose from for all kinds of budgets. At Escape To Africa we offer the best from comfort to services.