14 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari

Enjoy this 14-day best of Uganda gorilla tour that takes you to visit parks for gorillas, chimpanzees, and other wildlife places in Uganda. Expect to participate in activities like chimpanzee tracking, gorilla trekking, safari game drive, Boat ride, and nature walks. This is the perfect 14 days Uganda gorilla safari for those who have two weeks to spare.

Safari Highlights

• 14 days Uganda gorilla and wildlife safari
• Kampala city tour on arrival
• White water rafting in Jinja
• Game drives and Nile boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park
• Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
• Bigodi Wetland nature walk
• Wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Horse riding in Lake Mburo National Park
• Kampala or Entebbe finish before departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Arrival in Entebbe, transfer to Kampala, city tour

Our Uganda safari driver will be ready to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Kampala. You will then go for a Kampala city tour, visiting the Nagalabi coronation site, Mengo Palace of Buganda, and religious landmarks such as Rubaga Cathedral for Catholics, Gaddafi Mosque for Muslims, Namirembe Cathedral for Protestants, and the Bahá’í Temple. Return to your accommodation for your welcome dinner and overnight stay at: Luxury Serena Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, or Imperial Royale Hotel, Mid-range Cassia Lodge, 2 Friends Hotel, or Protea Hotel, Budget Namirembe Guest House or Holiday Express Hotel

Day 2, White water rafting in Jinja

In the morning after breakfast, you will be picked up to join the rafting team and drive to Jinja. The drive from Kampala to Jinja takes about 1.5 hours. Spend the whole day rafting, with lunch provided, before later returning to Kampala in the evening. Overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 3, Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Rise up early in the morning and head to Murchison Falls National Park. You will pass through the Luwero Triangle, where reminders of the 1980s NRM war still remain. On the way, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to rhinos that have been reintroduced in Uganda. Continue to Murchison Falls and visit the top of the falls, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge and bursts out with a thunderous sound. Check in and wait for dinner and overnight stay at: Luxury Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Camp, or Chobe Safari Lodge, Mid-range Sambiya River Lodge, Budget Red Chilli Lodge, Kaniyo Pabidi Camp, or Sambiya Lodge Bandas

Day 4, Game drive and Nile boat cruise in Murchison Falls

Get up early for a morning game drive, where you may have the chance to see elephants, giraffes, oribi, warthogs, hippos, buffaloes, hartebeest, and birds of many kinds. The park is also home to predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas, which you may spot during your drive. Return to the lodge for a mid-morning breakfast and later lunch. After lunch, go for a launch cruise on the Nile. You may see birds such as the yellow-footed flycatcher, Ituri batis, and white-thighed hornbill, as well as elephants, buffaloes, and giraffes at closer range. Take  photographs before returning to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay

Day 5, Transfer from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale Forest National Park

After the memorable trip to Murchison Falls, head to Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is quite long and may take 6 to 8 hours. Check in at your booked accommodation: Luxury Ndali Lodge or Primate Lodge, Mid-range Rwenzori View Guest House, Mountains of the Moon Hotel Fort Portal, or Chimps Nest Lodge, Budget Kanyanchu Ecological Bandas

Day 6, Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, Bigodi Wetland walk

Early in the morning, carry your tracking gear and move to the ranger station. You will be briefed about your next expedition before entering the forest in search of the great apes. Along the way, you will hear birds calling through the forest, while monkeys and baboons move from tree to tree. When you meet the chimpanzees, watch them feed their young while others play from the branches. Return to the lodge for lunch and, if you are not too tired, take a walk to the Bigodi community area. Later, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. For those interested in the chimpanzee habituation experience, this can be organised at an extra cost of USD 70 per person.

Day 7, Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After the chimpanzee walk, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will have a game drive on arrival, with the chance to see warthogs, elephants, families of kobs in their mating grounds, bushbucks, waterbucks, and many other animals. Check in at your booked accommodation: Luxury Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Lodge, Mid-range Ihamba Safari Lodge or Marafiki Safari Lodge, Budget, Simba Safari Camp or Elephant Lodge

 Day 8, Game drive, crater lakes and salt mines visit

Wake up early in the morning and drive through the park. You may see early risers returning to their hideouts and others emerging from where they spent the night. You may also spot elephants, families of kobs in their mating grounds, bushbucks, waterbucks, herds of buffaloes, giant forest hogs, and predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas if you are lucky enough. After lunch, visit the craters and salt mines to learn more about salt mining before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9, Transfer through Ishasha to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Following that interesting adventure, wake up and prepare to move to the land of the great gorillas. You will pass through the Ishasha sector, which is famous for harbouring tree-climbing lions. If you missed them earlier, this may be another chance to spot at least one. Continue until you reach Bwindi. Check in and have dinner and overnight stay at: Luxury Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Lodge, Bwindi Safari Lodge,  Mid-range Silverback Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Budget Buhoma Community Bandas, Bwindi View Bandas, Virunga Hotel, Gorilla Valley Lodge.

Day 10, Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Early in the morning, have breakfast to give you energy for the day’s expedition. Move to the ranger station with your tracking gear and packed food. After the briefing, you will be led into the thick, luxuriant rainforest. Along the way, you may encounter monkeys, baboons, birds of different species, and several other natural creatures in their habitat. You are advised to wear hiking boots and long trousers because the forest is always damp and there are insects that may sting you. Carry on with the search, but it is unpredictable when you will meet the gorillas because they are always in motion as they look for food. The trek may take 2 to 8 hours. When you finally meet them, the joy of finding them overshadows the fatigue. Spend 1 hour with them taking their photographs and watching them feed their little ones. Return to the lodge and relax, or go for a community walk in the Batwa community area before dinner and overnight stay at the lodge of your choice.

Day 11, Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

In the morning right after breakfast, you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park. On arrival in the afternoon, check into your hotel and relax. Overnight stay at: Luxury Mihingo Lodge, Mid-range Lake Mburo Safari Lodge, Budget Eagles Nest Hotel

Day 12, Horse riding and night game drive in Lake Mburo

Have breakfast, then go horse riding in the park in search of wildlife. The ride takes about 4 hours before you return to your hotel for the rest of the afternoon. In the evening before dinner, go for a spotlight game drive in the park in search of nocturnal wildlife. Watch out for leopards and more. Overnight at your previous hotel.

Day 13, Transfer from Lake Mburo to Kampala or Entebbe

In the morning right after breakfast, drive to Kampala. You will have a free afternoon to explore on your own, or if you need a guide, this can be organised at an extra fee. Overnight stay at: Luxury Kampala Serena Hotel or Kampala Sheraton Hotel, Mid-range Cassia Lodge or Munyonyo Speke Resort Hotel, Budget Holiday Express Hotel or Central Inn Entebbe

Day 14, Departure

Depending on your flight departure time, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your onward flight back home. This marks the end of your 14-day Uganda gorilla tour.

Inclusions and exclusions

Inclusions

• Airport pick-up and drop-off
• Private transport in a safari vehicle
• English-speaking driver guide
• Accommodation for 13 nights
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• White water rafting
• Chimpanzee tracking permit
• Gorilla trekking permit
• Bottled drinking water during transfers

Exclusions

• International flights
• Uganda visa
• Personal travel insurance
• Porter fees during gorilla trekking
• Tips and gratuities
• Alcoholic drinks and extra beverages
• Optional activities not listed as included