Uganda Suggested Itinerary - A six-day safari from Entebbe, visiting the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi and tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, Uganda.
Uganda has a wealth of primates, over 1000 bird species with 27 endemics. Good game viewing includes Uganda Kob, Giant Forest Hog, Forest & Cape Buffalo, as well as a healthy population of lion, leopard, elephant, and antelope. There exists about one-half of the world's population of endangered mountain gorillas.On this itinerary, time permits for either one or two treks, if you only want to trek once, the other day can be used for a forest walk or cultural/village visit.
A combination of good quality lodges and hotels or camps are used throughout, and transport is by customized 4x4 vehicle & light aircraft. All meals on safari are provided except only bed & breakfast in Entebbe.
Package: Gorillas and Chimpanzee Express Lodge Safari
Visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda (with arrival night in Entebbe).
Package: Gorillas and Chimpanzee Express Lodge Safari
Visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda (with arrival night in Entebbe).
2023 6-day package rate (per person sharing)*:
April, May & November 2023: USD 2840 (minimum 2 persons) per person sharing
Rest of the year: USD 3325 (minimum 2 persons) per person sharing
*Excluding Xmas and Easter supplements plus flight price fluctuations.
Includes: Meet & greet services, airport transfers to/from Entebbe airport, domestic flights from EBB-KIHIHI return, accommodation in top quality hotels / lodges, park fees Queen Elizabeth National Park, meals on safari, as shown above, and bottled water. Ishasha Community visit included.
THE TOTAL BAGGAGE WEIGHT LIMIT is 15kg in soft bags. XL seats may be organized, but there is a surcharge.
Excludes visas, drinks, tips, personal travel insurance and items of a personal nature. Gorilla permits. Optional excursions as listed.
*Please note: The flight EBB-KIHIHI-EBB has been included in the above price. Please check at the time of booking whether the flight price has increased which will be beyond our control, and a small surcharge may be applicable.
Add $700 for a gorilla permit
Optional activities:
Guided Forest walk & Park Fee Bwindi: USD 70
Community Visit: USD 30
Community Visit: USD 30
Batwa (Pygmies) Community Visit: USD 85
2nd Gorilla permit incl trek transfer & purchase fee for the extra permit: USD 770
2nd Gorilla permit incl trek transfer & purchase fee for the extra permit: USD 770
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Day 01 - Hotel (BB)
On arrival in Entebbe, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe.
Overnight at Hotel No. 5 or Boma Lodge, or similar, on a bed and breakfast basis.
Entebbe is a small town located on the edge of Lake Victoria. Depending on your time of arrival, you may like to spend some time exploring the town on foot, or you can take a taxi to Kampala and visit the craft and curio markets, or the Kasubi Tombs and Museum there. In Entebbe, there is the Wildlife Education Centre where you can see close-up the large slow-moving Shoebill Stork, or you can try your hand at golf on the local 9-hole golf course.
Day 2:
After breakfast, transfer to the local airport for your flight to Bwindi - overnight at Buhoma Lodge or similar. Afternoon optional forest walk or cultural visit may be done.
Buhoma Lodge, one of only two located inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, is on the edge of the forest offering spectacular views of the forest and is only a short walk to the starting point for gorilla tracking. Its peaceful location means you may truly relax after your tracking experience while you listen to the birds and primates in the forest. Each cottage has its own private veranda and is self-contained with a shower, flush toilet and basin. There is a cosy central lounge area for you to unwind around the evening fire, and meals are served in a separate dining room.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro and Kabale Districts. This is the richest forest in Uganda in terms of the number of plant species as the area is one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa where lowland and montane communities merge. The valley bottoms contain a dense ground cover of herbs, vines and shrubs, with only a few trees - hence its name "the Impenetrable Forest". This is also one of the richest faunal communities in East Africa where about one-half of the world's population of endangered Mountain Gorillas live. The forest is also home to several endangered species of birds.
Day 3:
You will be escorted to the National Parks Headquarters after breakfast to meet your guides for the day for your gorilla trekking experience. An early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers, will bring you among a family of Mountain Gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare, with only approximately 650 remaining. You will get within metres of the family, and be privileged to spend time with them. Time permitting, return to camp for a late lunch with the opportunity for a forest walk with the guides, or just to relax. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge, or similar, on a full board basis.
The trekking may be fairly strenuous - up to six hours or longer is not uncommon - at relatively high altitudes. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals and, as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed. The success rate however is well over 90%.
Day 4:
Today, those who have opted for a second Gorilla Trek, set off once again into the forest in search of one of the gorilla families. Those not trekking will be able to go on a forest walk in Bwindi looking for birds and primates with a local, knowledgeable guide, or go on a local community village walk. Relax for the afternoon at your camp, or possibly go and do some curio shopping along the road, or visit a local village where you may be treated to some dancing. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge, or similar, on a full board basis.
Day 5:
Today we travel to Ishasha, allowing time to stop off at the local Ishasha Community project en route. Time this afternoon for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, hoping to spot tree-climbing lions, plus a myriad of other species in this beautiful park.
Day 6:
Morning departure to the airstrip for flight to Entebbe (this is usually in the afternoon so do not book an international flight till after 7 pm). On arrival met and transferred to town or to the airport.
Please note Gorilla permit prices are subject to change.
On arrival in Entebbe, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe.
Overnight at Hotel No. 5 or Boma Lodge, or similar, on a bed and breakfast basis.
Entebbe is a small town located on the edge of Lake Victoria. Depending on your time of arrival, you may like to spend some time exploring the town on foot, or you can take a taxi to Kampala and visit the craft and curio markets, or the Kasubi Tombs and Museum there. In Entebbe, there is the Wildlife Education Centre where you can see close-up the large slow-moving Shoebill Stork, or you can try your hand at golf on the local 9-hole golf course.
Day 2:
After breakfast, transfer to the local airport for your flight to Bwindi - overnight at Buhoma Lodge or similar. Afternoon optional forest walk or cultural visit may be done.Buhoma Lodge, one of only two located inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, is on the edge of the forest offering spectacular views of the forest and is only a short walk to the starting point for gorilla tracking. Its peaceful location means you may truly relax after your tracking experience while you listen to the birds and primates in the forest. Each cottage has its own private veranda and is self-contained with a shower, flush toilet and basin. There is a cosy central lounge area for you to unwind around the evening fire, and meals are served in a separate dining room.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro and Kabale Districts. This is the richest forest in Uganda in terms of the number of plant species as the area is one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa where lowland and montane communities merge. The valley bottoms contain a dense ground cover of herbs, vines and shrubs, with only a few trees - hence its name "the Impenetrable Forest". This is also one of the richest faunal communities in East Africa where about one-half of the world's population of endangered Mountain Gorillas live. The forest is also home to several endangered species of birds.
Day 3:
You will be escorted to the National Parks Headquarters after breakfast to meet your guides for the day for your gorilla trekking experience. An early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers, will bring you among a family of Mountain Gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare, with only approximately 650 remaining. You will get within metres of the family, and be privileged to spend time with them. Time permitting, return to camp for a late lunch with the opportunity for a forest walk with the guides, or just to relax. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge, or similar, on a full board basis.
The trekking may be fairly strenuous - up to six hours or longer is not uncommon - at relatively high altitudes. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals and, as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed. The success rate however is well over 90%.
Day 4:
Today, those who have opted for a second Gorilla Trek, set off once again into the forest in search of one of the gorilla families. Those not trekking will be able to go on a forest walk in Bwindi looking for birds and primates with a local, knowledgeable guide, or go on a local community village walk. Relax for the afternoon at your camp, or possibly go and do some curio shopping along the road, or visit a local village where you may be treated to some dancing. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge, or similar, on a full board basis.
Day 5:
Today we travel to Ishasha, allowing time to stop off at the local Ishasha Community project en route. Time this afternoon for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, hoping to spot tree-climbing lions, plus a myriad of other species in this beautiful park.
Day 6:
Morning departure to the airstrip for flight to Entebbe (this is usually in the afternoon so do not book an international flight till after 7 pm). On arrival met and transferred to town or to the airport.
Please note Gorilla permit prices are subject to change.
Uganda - Permits to view gorillas in Uganda are in high demand, with only 18 people per day being allowed to view at Bwindi, 6 at Mgahinga, plus a further 6 at Nkuringo. A percentage of the permits at Bwindi are sold up to 48 months in advance, and only members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators are allowed to pre-purchase permits. The balance is sold three months prior to trekking. At Mgahinga & Nkuringo, the permits are on sale three months prior to the trekking date - this is due to the fact that the gorilla family at Mgahinga sometimes crosses the border to Rwanda, and so cannot be viewed.
For those guests on private or tailor-made tours outside the scheduled dates for which we have limited permits, we will purchase permits after we have secured payment for these from you. Should we be unable to secure permits, we will refund guests immediately.
Health requirements: Yellow Fever (this must be done no later than 10 days prior to departure - if you have had any previous liver disorders you must consult your physician first). Anti-malaria tablets.
Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend you take out sufficient medical cover for the duration of your holiday. Please ask for our assistance in this regard.
Please note:
This itinerary may be altered slightly depending on gorilla permits and flight bookings.
Guaranteed departure with a minimum of two persons (subject to permit availability).
All prices are subject to change due to any unforeseen price increase.
For those guests on private or tailor-made tours outside the scheduled dates for which we have limited permits, we will purchase permits after we have secured payment for these from you. Should we be unable to secure permits, we will refund guests immediately.
Health requirements: Yellow Fever (this must be done no later than 10 days prior to departure - if you have had any previous liver disorders you must consult your physician first). Anti-malaria tablets.
Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend you take out sufficient medical cover for the duration of your holiday. Please ask for our assistance in this regard.
Please note:
This itinerary may be altered slightly depending on gorilla permits and flight bookings.
Guaranteed departure with a minimum of two persons (subject to permit availability).
All prices are subject to change due to any unforeseen price increase.
Email us now for more information on this This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.