GORILLA TOUR FOR GROUPS IN UGANDA - GORILLAS TOUR (IN UGANDA): CODE-UGT008
Bwindi, Mgahinga, Nkuringo, Ishongi . Visit Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth Park, Lake Bunyonyi (11 Days)
This is a scheduled safari, departing twice a month every first Sunday and third Wednesday, but it can also be done privately. This tour visits 8 of Uganda's 10 National Parks. Five of these Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi are in the Western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley! Your trip starts with Murchison Falls Conservation Area, the largest in the country, with chimps, birds, crocodile, and game. Visit the dramatic Falls from which the park derives its name. Drive the long journey westwards to Fort Portal for the crater lakes. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. The launch trip along the Kazinga Channel in QE is especially good for viewing hippo, buffalo, elephant and a large host of birds. Further south in Bwindi , go gorilla tracking and see other primates, birds and butterflies. Have an opportunity to track gorillas again or climb a volcano, go birding or take in the breathtaking landscape. Return to Kampala via Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda's most conspicuous lakes and the deepest lake in Uganda!
ITINERARY FOR GORILLAS IN UGANDA TOUR
DAY 1, Arrival and Jinja Source of the Nile Arrive Entebbe airport. Meet, greet and transfer to Kampala. Start for Jinja, via Mukono and through Mabira Forest, the largest in Central Uganda. Proceed to Jinja past the Owen Falls Dam, Uganda's main Hydro Electricity dam. Visit the Source of the Mighty River Nile. Your trip ends with Bujagali Falls on the other end of the Nile. Return to Kampala late afternoon.
DAY 2, Kampala to Masindi Briefing from your guide before taking a gentle drive for Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Drive through Luwero. Lunch en route and continue to Nakasongora. Evening in Masindi.
DAY 3, To Murchison Park and return to Masindi An early start and enter Murchison Falls. An early morning game viewing north of the Nile. Launch trip to the bottom of the mighty exciting Falls, with crocodiles, and a vast array of birds including the rare shoebill stork, lounging on the banks of the Nile. Hippos are everywhere! Evening game drive. Visit the top of the stimulating Murchison Falls, crashing through a narrow gorge. Return to Masindi. [Approximate driving time: 2 hours]
DAY 4, Murchison to Budongo to Hoima Drive to Kaniyo-Pabidi in Budongo Forest. Go for a guided nature walk to track chimpanzees. Budongo is also known for its many plant and bird species. On return drive to Hoima via the mesmerising Lake Albert, view fishing villages, local communities and local fishermen. . [Approximate driving time: 5 hours].
DAY 5, Hoima to Fort Portal Drive south to Fort Portal, past big tea plantations, lunch en route. Proceed to your lodging in Kibale. Either explore a crater lake nearby or relax at your lodging. [Approximate driving time: 5 hour(s)
DAY 6, Fort Portal to Queen Elizabeth Park Visit the crater lakes in Kibale and Fort Portal. Lunch and drive to Queen Elizabeth Park.
DAY 7, In Queen Elizabeth Park An early morning game drive in the park. A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a rewarding experience.
DAY 8, To Kisoro for gorilla tracking in Uganda Drive to Kisoro, stop at Kanaba Gap to view the dramatic virunga volcanoes, visit Lake Mutanda, and other lakes in Kisoro. Arrive late afternoon. Finalise boarder arrangements for the tracking to Congo the next day.
DAY 9, Gorilla tracking! Go gorilla tracking in Uganda (subject to availability of gorilla permits at time of booking. . You will be accompanied by a guide and porters who will carry your shoulder pack for you. You will then set off to the thick forest in search of gorillas. The terrain can be difficult, with steep slopes covered in dense vegetation that gives the park its name. In addition, the altitude of 5200 feet and more means participants do need to be physically fit. The time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 8-9 hours before one returns to camp. Difficulty, however, is not impossibility and coming face to face with the great primates is well worth it!
DAY 10, Kisoro to Lake Bunyonyi After breakfast, a gentle drive to Lake Bunyonyi for mesmerising views of the lake, relax at the sandy beaches, explore nearby local communities.
DAY 11, Return and fly out Return to Kampala via Masaka, and on to Kampala arriving late afternoon, lunch en route (HB). [Approximate driving time: 6 hours]
Tour is designed for groups, but individuals can also do it, subject to availability and payment of supplement. See the gorillas of Bwindi South or Mgahinga and track in Mgahinga, Nkuringo, Ishongi or even in Congo nearby. Visit to the Source of the River Nile in Jinja, see game and birds in Murchison Falls, do launch cruises in Murchison, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo and Lake Bunyonyi and visit crater lakes in Fort Portal.
