5 Days Uganda Gorillas, Chimpanzees and wildlife safari

Meet and greet with our local guide over breakfast, and then after drive heading to Queen Elizabeth national park. We drive to Kasenyi plains for a short game drive to see some of the animals. Then proceed to Kyambura gorge for briefing and then a chimpanzee walk in the gorge.

Budget: Twinlakes safari lodge, Bush lodge and simba safari lodge

Moderate: Ihamba lakeside lodge, Elephant plains, and Ishasha wilderness camp

Upmarket: Mweya safari lodge and kaatara lodge

We set out early in the morning for a game drive in the northern part of the park on the Kasenyi Track in search of lions, elephants, solitary buffaloes. This is the best time for opportunities of viewing the cats in action owing to the vast population of Uganda kobs. We have an excellent chance to view just about every animal here at very close range.

In the afternoon we will go for a launch trip along the Kazinga Channel. This gives you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippo’s huff and spray at a mere feet away from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle billed stork and many others.

Later after the boat cruise, while heading back to the lodge proceed with the evening game drive that might spot you to some of the wildlife species that you might have not seen during the morning game drive.

Budget: Twinlakes safari lodge, Bush lodge and simba safari lodge

Moderate: Ihamba lakeside lodge, Elephant plains, and Ishasha wilderness camp

Upmarket: Mweya safari lodge and kaatara lodge

Early Morning set off to the southern sector of queen Elizabeth National park and have lunch at your lodge and in the afternoon you will proceed to Ishasha Sector. Drive along the deep and wide dry craters that are occupied by savanna grasses and acacia. The drive takes you through the unique western rift valley escarpment and the (southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park) Ishasha sector where you will search of tree climbing lions in the afternoon and evening. And late in the afternoon head to Bwindi Impenetrable national park.

Budget: Rushaga gorilla camp and Nshongi Gorilla camp

Moderate: Engagi lodge and Gorilla sanctuary lodge

Luxury: Gorilla mist lodge and Mahogany spring

After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip; gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day. We trek the gorillas through the rain-forest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family.

When the gorillas are sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.

Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas.

After gorilla tracking, expect an afternoon or evening Batwa community experience.

Budget: Rushaga gorilla camp and Nshongi Gorilla camp

Moderate: Engagi lodge and Gorilla sanctuary lodge

Luxury: Gorilla mist lodge and Mahogany spring

Early breakfast before embarking on our return to Kampala, driving down the grassed and terraced escarpments of southwestern Uganda while taking in the breathtaking sights of the hills of the region dubbed ‘the little Switzerland of Africa’.