7 days gorilla trekking and wildlife safari
The 7 days gorilla trekking and wildlife safari offers a remarkable opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of Uganda. This 7 days gorilla trekking and wildlife safari itinerary encompasses visits to three national parks: Bwindi Forest National Park for an immersive gorilla tracking experience, Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife observation and a boat safari on the Kazinga channel, and Kibale Forest National Park for an unforgettable Chimpanzee tracking experience. During this expedition, you will have the opportunity to observe a diverse range of primate species as well as encounter the Big 4 creatures. This 7-days gorilla trekking and wildlife safari in Uganda is a comprehensive tour that commences and concludes in Kampala/Entebbe. It encompasses round-trip airport transfers and may be tailored to accommodate your preferred starting and ending locations.
Tour Highlights of 7 days gorilla trekking and wildlife safari
- Day 1: Pick up from Kampala/Entebbe and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- Day 2: Gorilla tracking experience
- Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an evening game drive
- Day 4: Morning game drive and afternoon Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel.
- Day 5: Morning game drive and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi wetland walk
- Day 7: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe to end your 7 Days gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris in uganda
Day 1: Pick up from Kampala/Entebbe and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
On the first of 7 days gorilla trekking and wildlife safari, we will get you from either Kampala or Entebbe and transport you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
On the designated day, your driver guide will collect you from your accommodation in either Kampala, Entebbe, or Entebbe Airport. From there, you will embark on a lengthy journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Despite the duration, the drive is highly rewarding as it offers breathtaking landscapes and opportunities to interact with local communities. During the trip, there will be a scheduled stop at the Equator for taking photographs. Additionally, lunch will be provided along the way. Furthermore, there may be additional pauses based on your specific requests and available time. Estimated travel time: 8-9 hours by car
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Expedition
Day 2 of 7 days gorilla trekking and wildlife safari, Following breakfast at the resort, you will proceed to the park headquarters where you will receive a comprehensive briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides. They will assign you to a specific gorilla family group that you will be trekking with for the day. After confirming a party of 8 individuals, two ranger escorts will lead you into the dense and impassable forest to begin your quest for the critically endangered and uncommon species of Mountain Gorillas. Gorillas always resume their search from the location where they were last observed the day before. Upon arriving at the location where these renowned animals reside, visitors are granted a limited one-hour period to engage with them. It is imperative to maintain absolute silence in the presence of these Gorillas. You are permitted to capture pictures and other similar visual representations.
Gorilla tracking can be physically demanding, depending on the difficulty of the journey, which is typically influenced by weather conditions and the gorillas’ movements in the forest. However, due to the highly structured nature of this activity, there is a 99% possibility of meeting gorillas during your walk. The expedition is led by proficient trackers who diligently observe the activities of the mountain gorillas during the day in the jungle. By doing so, they are able to determine the location where the gorillas nested the previous night, which serves as the starting point for the search. The two ranger guides will guide you during the journey by cleaning existing paths, establishing new trails, and providing you with knowledge about the mountain gorillas and Bwindi forest. Upon completing the journey, you will return to the starting site in order to collect your certificates, which serve as proof of your successful tracking of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Estimated travel time: 8-9 hours by car
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an evening game drive
On the third day of 7 days gorilla trekking and wildlife safari, we will embark on a journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park by car.
Following breakfast, you will go to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you are expected to arrive in the afternoon. During the journey, there will be opportunities for sightseeing and scheduled pauses along the road. Upon your arrival at the hotel, you will receive a warm greeting and proceed to check-in for a relaxed stay. Later, you will go on an evening game drive to observe late grazers. Afterwards, you will return to the Lodge for an overnight stay.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a highly renowned and diverse conservation area that encompasses a wide array of habitats, including grassland, acacia woodland, forests, wetlands, and open water. These habitats support a rich diversity of mammals, with a particular focus on the “Big 4” animals. Additionally, the park boasts an impressive count of over 604 bird species, further enhancing its ecological significance.
Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise in the Kazinga Channel
Day 4 of 7 days gorilla trekking and wildlife safari. Following your breakfast, you will proceed to Kasenyi plains for a morning game drive in order to observe wildlife that is active throughout the early hours of the day. Animals that can be observed include elephants, extensive groups of buffalos, leopards, lions, bushbucks, kobs, antelopes, and more.
The morning game drive will last for approximately 2-3 hours. Afterward, you will proceed to Mweya peninsula for a hot lunch and some relaxation. Following this, you will embark on an afternoon boat cruise safari on Kazinga Channel. This boat ride is highly regarded and considered a highlight of your safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. During the cruise, you will have the opportunity to observe a diverse range of wildlife along the channel’s shores, including hippos swimming and various bird species. Upon concluding the trip, guests will proceed back to the lodge to unwind, enjoy a delectable meal, and spend the night.
Day 5: Morning game drive and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
On the fifth dayo of 7 days gorilla trekking and wildlife safari, we will start the morning by driving to Katwe Salt Lakes and then proceed to Kibale Forest National Park.
Embark on a morning excursion to the Mweya Peninsula while ensuring that all of your possessions are securely stored in the vehicle. Following the three-hour game drive, you proceed with the journey back to Kigali. If you are not going on a game drive, you can visit the Katwe Salt Lakes. Afterward, you will drive to Kibale National Park, making a break for lunch along the road before reaching the National Park. During your visit to Influx, you will have the opportunity to take a nature walk in the Bigodi Swamp, where you can observe the local monkeys and birds, providing you with an amazing sightseeing experience.
Kibale Forest National Park harbors a diverse array of wildlife, including 13 monkey species and more than 335 bird species, which attracts avid bird watchers and primate enthusiasts.
Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi wetland walk
Afterwards, you will have an early breakfast and then be directed to the Kanyanchu head offices for a briefing on the trail that you will be embarking on in a few hours. Afterwards, you will commence the Chimpanzee tracking activity. However, it is worth noting that this is not the sole species you will encounter today. In fact, you will have the opportunity to observe a total of 12 distinct primate species, including vervet monkeys, gray cheeked mangabeys, and baboons.
Day 7: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe to end your 7 Days gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris in uganda
DAY 07: Return to Kampala/Entebbe to conclude your 7-day Gorilla Trip in Uganda.
After breakfast, return to Kampala/Entebbe to conclude the journey in the early morning.