Countries: Uganda
Destinations: Entebbe , Bwindi Impenetrable Forest , Queen Elizabeth National Park
Group Size: 7
Duration (days): 8
Number of Adults: 7
Number of Children: 0
Searching for endangered Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, and multiple game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park with its amazing selection of wildlife - including tree climbing lions - are just some of the very best reasons to visit Uganda. With professional guides and custom made safari vehicles – this fully hosted eight day safari through the Pearl of Africa is really something special.
Itinerary Outline
Day 1 : Entebbe
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by a Wild Frontiers representative and transferred to your hotel.
Rest of day at leisure to explore the town of Entebbe. Additional activities and transfers arranged upon request.
Overnight Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe, or similar.
Uganda - The "Pearl of Africa." Uganda offers a vastly different experience from the standard safari itinerary, with lush jungles, volcanic mountains, plenty of primates, and the Nile River all creating a fabulous adventure.
Uganda has earned the well-deserved reputation of being the friendliest country in Africa, and you will be delighted by the local hospitality. While having quite a turbulent history, the people of Uganda have remained warm and welcoming.
With wonderful birdlife, a vast array of plains game, and the most extensive species list of primates, a wildlife safari in Uganda offers something special.
As asked on Uganda's Tourism website, "where else but in this uniquely lush destination can one observe lions prowling the open plains in the morning and track chimpanzees through the rainforest undergrowth the same afternoon, then the next day navigate tropical channels teeming with hippos and crocodiles before setting off into the misty mountains to enjoy viewing the unique mountain gorillas?"
Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe
The Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe is conveniently located just a few minutes away from the Entebbe Airport on the Kampala-Entebbe Highway. The hotel is adjacent to the Victoria Shopping Mall, giving guests direct access to the mall and all its facilities. The UN Base, Entebbe Golf Club, the Botanical Gardens and the lake are right next to the hotel. The hotel offers 51 full-service rooms, equipped with all amenities for the demanding business traveler.
Day 2 : Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
This morning’s flight on a light aircraft to Kihihi airstrip takes just over an hour. Transfer through local villages and along mountain roads to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage site (a drive of +- 90 mins).
Considered the most diverse forest in Uganda, Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa and home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and 160 species of trees. The park contains an estimated one half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site.
Overnight Buhoma Lodge.
Located in the south-western corner of Uganda, in the Virunga Mountains along the border with the DRC, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a thick, lush, green jungle, housing heaps of wildlife and half of the world's remaining mountain gorilla population.
This pocket of huge primeval forest is one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth. It has
an eco-system that defines the very essence of the continent and has therefore been designated as a World Heritage Site.
Buhoma Lodge, an intimate and charming property that commands spectacular and uninterrupted views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to the rare and elusive Mountain Gorilla. One of only two lodges situated within the National Park, within a short walking distance from the meeting point for gorilla tracking and other activities in the Buhoma area. An elevated central area, complete with lounge, bar and dining area, offers a cosy, comfortable environment to discuss the day’s activities around the fireplaces which add atmosphere and warmth in the cool evenings.
Day 3 : Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Gorilla Trekking - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a rare and exhilarating wildlife encounter that is hard to capture in words. Experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek into the dense rain forest on the steep mountain slopes.
Please note that gorilla trekking can be strenuous, with treks ranging from 45 mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in often hot conditions. We do recommend hiring a local porter to assist you on your trek. Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are over 95%.
Once you have located your gorilla family, spend an hour quietly observing them. The time passes so quickly; be sure to enjoy this experience fully and not just through your camera lens.
On our scheduled departures, we typically buy permits for Buhoma & Ruhija, which are accessible from Buhoma area. One of the Buhoma families, and the Ruhija families, require a road transfer to the start point. This does not deviate from the enjoyment of the trek (and could be considered as enhancing your trip as you are seeing a different part of the region). Your permit may be organised for day 3 or 4 - depending on availability at the time of purchase.
Head back to Buhoma Lodge for a complimentary massage after your trek, or explore the surrounding Bwindi community.
Overnight Buhoma Lodge.
Day 4 : Queen Elizabeth National Park
This morning you have the opportunity for a 2nd Gorilla trek.
Depart Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park this morning and travel to Ishasha in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park (a 2-3 hour drive), with a brief stop en route at a community project near Ishasha Village.
Time permitting, enjoy an late afternoon game drive in the Ishasha area, looking for the huge herds of buffalo, elephant, Uganda kob and of course the famous tree-climbing lion typically found in the area.
Overnight Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
Stretching from the crater-dotted foothills of the Rwenzori ranges in the north, along the shores of Lake Edward to the remote Ishasha River in the South, Queen Elizabeth National Park incorporates a wide of variety of habitats that range from savanna and wetlands to lowland forest.
Besides fantastic wildlife sightings, the park is also famous for its volcanic features, comprising volcanic cones and deep craters.
Combining with Kibale National Park in the north, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the south to form one of the most remarkable safari regions in Africa.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp is situated within the Southern Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park on the Ntungwe river, an idyllic retreat for people who truly enjoy the wild. This exclusive camp blends the magic of a wilderness tented camp with superb service in this unspoilt and remote region of the National Park. The Ishasha savannahs are famous for its population of tree climbing lions that can sometimes be spotted resting in the branches of the large fig trees. Being within the park the wildlife is free to also pass through the camp and elephants can be seen bathing in the river, buffalo enjoy grazing and resident troops of Black-and-White Colobus and vervet monkeys are frequently viewed.
Day 5 : Queen Elizabeth National Park
Early this morning as the African sun breaks out over the wilderness, venture out in your customised safari vehicle for a game drive to look for big cats, elephant, buffalo and many antelope species.
Spend the rest of the morning in search of the rich with wildlife including warthog, water buck, bush buck, leopard, Ugandan kob, elephants, countless bird species and even the rare giant forest hog. The Ishasha sector of the park is known for its famous tree climbing lions sometimes found lying about in the branches of the native fig trees. You will also have a game drive and a Sundowner in the late afternoon as the sun sets over the savannahs.
The Sundowner drinks & snacks are a fantastic way to round your day off! At the end of your afternoon game drive, you will be taken to a prearranged location inside the national park, where you will find a small buffet with freshly-made snacks and ice-cold drinks. This is set up with comfortable chairs, overlooking the beautiful African savannah plains. The Sundowners are held in an area where you have a combination of the beautiful African sunset, as well as having a quiet location from which to enjoy viewing the wildlife. The Sundowners last as long as you choose, so there is no pressure to return to Camp before watching the sun set fully. The selection of drinks on offer include: water, sodas, beers, house wines, as well as local gin.
Highly recommended to book in advance is a unique bush breakfast (optional extra).
Overnight Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
Day 6 : Queen Elizabeth National Park
Head north toward the ‘Mweya’ sector of the park which is rich with wildlife, visitors will find vast numbers of Uganda’s unique and strange Euphorbia, or “candelabra” tree. The many nearby crater lakes and mountain ranges provide a beautiful backdrop for your journey.
In the afternoon enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometre long natural channel linking Lake Edward and Lake George. Kazinga’s shores are dotted with herds of lazy buffalo, pods of hippos wallowing without a care, and countless bird species. Drift past local fishing villages and soak up the peaceful tranquillity of this beautiful African day. (Cruise normally departs at 14h00, although this depends on availability when booking and is subject to change – no drinks/ snacks included on boat).
You may encounter herds of elephant, buffalos and antelopes, families of warthogs, large groups of hippos, and crocodiles basking on the shore. Kazinga’s shores are a haven for numerous birds, including many migratory species as they make their way south to warmer climates. The cruise also provides a spectacular view of the beautiful Mweya Peninsula and life in local fishing villages set along the banks.
Overnight at Elephant Plains Lodge, or similar.
Elephant Plains is a brand new luxury lodge located on the most spectacular view point in the whole of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Perched 941 metres above sea level, high upon the western escarpment of the Albertine rift in the north east of the park, the lodge offers panoramic views stretching for miles over the huge open grasslands to lake George.
Set in 80 acres of pristine wilderness, a short drive to the park gate, nowhere else here can you sleep closer to the equator. Nestled next to beautiful lake Kikorongo this is where the open plains merge into the crystal waters and seeing large numbers of Elephants coming to drink from the water, hence the lodges name.
A short drive to the Kasenyi plains offers open savannah filled with various wild animals. This area has fantastic game viewing, a huge number of grassland birds and is a major breeding ground for the Ugandan Kob which readily attract lions and other big cats to the area. The open plains and large number of wildlife mean photographic safaris are extremely rewarding.
