Our 15 Days Best of the Best Gorilla Safari in Uganda is now the most popular Uganda Safari. Spend two (2 weeks) doing the best of Uganda. Visit Murchison Falls National Park, Visit Kibale National Park, Visit Queen Elizabeth national Park, Visit Ishasha Sector, Visit Bwindi Forest National Park for Gorilla trekking in Uganda and take on the opportunity to discover Lake Mburo National park. These are Uganda’s Spectacular Park in Uganda. BOOK NOW
Day 1: Arrival Entebbe- Lake Victoria Serena Hotel
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport; and after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met by an African Pearl Safari representative. Transfer to Hotel in Kampala for overnight. Overnight: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, Meals: Dinner
About Lake Victoria Serena hotel,
A world away from the city. Styled to replicate the lines of a classically rustic Roman villa, which might just as easily stand amid the sunflowers of the Tuscan Hills, as on the shores of Africa’s largest lake. Lake Victoria Serena Hotel is the latest addition to the Serena East Africa Portfolio. Opened in October 2009, it will be complemented by the addition of a golf course, marina and luxury residential complex. On the shores of Lake Victoria in the Kigo District (equidistant between Kampala and Entebbe), the resort is twenty minutes’ drive (30 km) from Entebbe International Airport and twenty minutes’ drive to the centre of Kampala (15 km). The resort will feature its own helipad offering link services to the flagship 5-star Serena Kampala Hotel. Refined elegance is the theme at the Lake Victoria Serena. Reminiscent of a terracotta and cream palace, the central citadel is encircled by café and cocktail terraces while a Roman fountain bubbles near the marble reception beneath a soaring glass atrium. The pool area is equally dramatic, with views of the lake and the green Lweza Hills framed by colonnades of white arches. Accommodations are in pastel-painted villas, set among the rose gardens. A choice of rooms and suites is available, all with balconies and lake views. Rooms have a queen-size or two twin beds, dressing table, seating area and lavish marble bathroom with walk-in shower. The Citadel brasserie, decorated with mosaic frescoes, is open all day long for dining, and guests may enjoy casual fare on the Lake View Pool Terrace and drinks at Kigo Bar. The Maisha Mind Body Spirit Spa offers a range of soothing treatments for tired travelers.
Day 2: Kampala-Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
This morning, transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a two-hour drive from Kampala. Drive north-west through the famous Luwero Triangle and travel to Masindi via Ziwa Rhino Project. While you track the rhinos, visit the information centre and craft shop, look out for bush buck, leopard, Uganda kob, oribi, crocodiles, hippo and other wildlife present on the ranch. The bird life is abundant, with even the rare shoebill stork present in the Lugogo Swamps. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers peace and tranquillity in beautiful surroundings. Afternoon relaxation canoe rides in search for the rare Shoebill stock. Overnight: Ziwa Sanctuary Guest House (Budget rooms), Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
About Ziwa Sanctuary Guest House
Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch located in Nakasongola district is the proud home of the only wild rhinos in Uganda. The Rhino re-introduction project is a project of Rhino Fund Uganda and Uganda Wildlife Authority. The guest house conveniently located 176km (100 miles) north of Kampala on the Gulu highway towards Murchison Falls (branch off at Nakitoma trading centre). Ziwa is the only place where you will be able to see rhinos in the wild. Presently the sanctuary is home to thirteen (13) southern white rhinos – six (6) Adults, three (3) adolescents and four (4) babies. Two of the adult females are also expected to give birth next year. The sanctuary has become increasingly popular with tourists; for rhino trekking, bird watching, nature walks and relaxation.
Day 3: Ziwa Sanctuary –Murchison Falls
After your morning breakfast, visit to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Trekking is a must. In the afternoon we will visit the “top of the falls” for your chance to view the magnificence of the Nile. The park is cut into half by the famous River Nile where it has to squeeze itself through the legendary Murchison Falls, an impossibly narrow 7 m gap in a cleft rock creating a powerful explosion of white water. The Falls are believed to be the most powerful natural flow of water anywhere on earth. Superlatives like “awesome” “stupendous” “fantastic” and “wow” have been used to describe this amazing spectacle. Return to the lodge for your overnight and dinner. Overnight: Murchison River Lodge (Mid Lodge facility), Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
About Murchison River Lodge
Family run Murchison River Lodge offers comfortable mid-range accommodation for families, couples, groups and individuals. The lodge has been thoughtfully created to give every guest, no matter their budget or itinerary, a place on the River Nile where they can relax and enjoy the wonderful highlights this special part of Uganda has to offer.Murchison River Lodge sits on the southern bank of the River Nile overlooking Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park. In beautiful surroundings we offer comfortable and relaxing mid-range accommodation to suit all budgets in attractive thatched cottages, thatched safari tents and simple camping tents in our shaded and well positioned campsite.Our 4 thatched cottages are spacious and comfortable with attractive furnishing making each one unique. They are open plan with a double bed upstairs on a mezzanine floor and two single beds, including en-suite, downstairs. Their wide verandas overlook the bush and have a sofa and hammock allowing you to sit back, lie back and enjoy the view – especially the birdlife.
Day 4: Ziwa Sanctuary –Murchison Falls
Begin the day with a cup of African Coffee, proceed for a game drive. Elephant, Cape buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, Uganda kob, hartebeest and waterbuck are commonly seen. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, bush duiker, warthog and bushpig. Large carnivores include lion, leopard and spotted hyena.
After lunch, go for a boat safari upstream the calm Victoria Nile. En-route, marvel at the toothsome hippos, crocodiles and over this 17 km stretch you may see elephant, waterbuck and Uganda Kob. This is also a zone of many bird species like Goliath heron, Egyptian goose, pelican bee-eater, kingfisher, hornbill, cormorant and the rare shoebill stork. The boat will stop just tens of metres from the sinister, frothing and bubbling base of the falls. See where the world’s longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below. Your driver/guide will be waiting for you to bring you back to the lodge. Overnight and dinner at the Lodge.
The Murchison Falls National Park is stamped at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley.The Park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which throws itself 44m over the remnant rift Valley wall, making the famous Murchison Falls which attract many people to that Northern Part of The Country. Notable Visitors to the Park Include Sir Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt and other British Royals.
Here, there is and ever will be a raging war between water and rocks! The bulky water squeezes through a narrow gorge, displaying a misty appearance along their stir over 50-meter radius. This creates a permanent rainbow over the gorge and an everlasting thunderous roar. Overnight: Murchison River Lodge (Mid Lodge facility), Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Murchison Falls-Fort Portal
After breakfast, head on an all day drive south via Hoima to Fort Portal through verdant countryside and past traditional homesteads and farms along Albertine Rift escarpments. Fort-Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon Meals and overnight at Mountains of the Moon Hotel. A stunning location overlooking the fabled “Mountains of the Moon”.
Fort Portal is a town in Western Uganda. It is the seat of both Kabarole District and Toro Kingdom. Fort Portal is located approximately 320 kilometres (200 mi) by road, west of Kampala, Uganda’s capital and largest city, on an all-tarmac two-lane highway. Overnight: Mountains of the moon hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
About Mountains of the moon hotel. The Mountains of the Moon hotel is ideally located for visitors to this dynamic area of Western Uganda. There are several vibrant National Parks within one to two hours’ drive of the hotel for you to experience a wonderful Uganda safari that includes: The Kibale forests, Chimpanzee tracking, birding, and butterflies, just to name a few.The hotel sits on 15 acres of landscaped gardens with wonderful views of the Rwenzori Mountains from where the hotel takes its name. The hotel is a unique blend of oriental and French chic styles where guests instantly feel at home.
The 33 fully appointed rooms are homely and inviting with many distinguishing features characterized with sleek hand curved furniture in natural woods. This simplistic yet charming décor is both practical and cozy, making it the perfect choice for the traveller, tourist and families. Other amenities include a well-designed wellness centre and swimming pool, restaurants featuring fusion cuisine and an exclusive bar offering only world class wines and award winning beers. Our rooms are all equipped with unlimited Internet access. Eating at the Mountains of the Moon Hotel restaurant is fine dining redefined. The main restaurant and classic dining room looks out onto our lush green gardens and is over looked from the gallery lounge area. An open fireplace is the focal point featuring a traditional tiled brick chimney and hearth with wood fire. Relax by our swimming pool bar and enjoy a drink from the outside bar or engage into a conversation with other family members of visitors.
Day 6: Kibale Chimpanzee trekking –Queen Elizabeth National Park
Early morning trek for chimpanzees and 10 other primate including l’ hoestes, red colobus, blues, red tailed and grey – cheeked mangabey. The guide will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates, but on all the forest fauna and flora and will ensure that your walk is both informative and enjoyable. This walk is excellent for viewing bird life and seeing primates at close quarters. Kibale is the best reserve in Africa to view chimps, a thick jungle with a towering canopy. After lunch proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the mystical Ruwenzori Mountain range for much of the journey. A game drive en route may be rewarded with views of lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena and a variety of antelope species. Dinner and overnight stay at the spectecular Katara Safari Lodge, right on the edge of the Kyambura Gorge. Overnight: Katara Safari Lodge, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
About Katara Safari Lodge
Situated on the Great Rift Valley escarpment with uninterrupted views of the savannah, Lake Edward and the Virunga and Rwenzori mountain ranges beyond, Katara Lodge is a 20 minute drive away from the main entrance of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s premier safari destination and one of the most bio diverse reserves in the world. The park’s varied habitats, which include open savannah, dense papyrus swamps, crater lakes, the extensive Maramagambo Forest and the forested Kyambura Gorge, are home to almost 100 mammal species and over 600 bird species.
The lodge offers accommodation in seven luxurious thatched cottages on a beautiful stretch of hills overlooking the open savannah in a serene and relaxing atmosphere. Each spacious cottage was hand crafted using locally available materials and carved into the hillside by the Katara village community. The cottages combine wooden floors, grass thatched roofs and canvas that can be folded away for uninterrupted views of the park stretching out below. Our water is heated using solar thermal energy. We currently have 6 regular cottages and one family cottage. Katara Lodge is the ideal base from which to explore the park and the many activities it offers, including game drives, bird watching, the famous launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura Gorge, and forest walks in the Kalinzu or Maramagambo forests, all of which provide truly memorable wildlife experiences and incredible opportunities for nature photography. On a lucky day, you might be woken up by the trumpeting sound of the elephants in the savannah below.
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Early morning game drive in Uganda’s best park, where all big game can been seen in abundance. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzoris as a backdrop provides excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi and bush buck. These two game drives and the boat trip (taken prior) are a memorable method of discovering a vast array of Uganda wildlife.
In the afternoon enjoy the unique 2 hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and many animals may be seen drinking at the water’s edge. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colourful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species. Overnight: Katara Safari Lodge, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Parl-Ishasha Sector
With previous day’s memories, enjoy your breakfast and be ready to visit a bat Cave in Maramagambo forest for a guided nauture walk to the blue lake and the Bat cave for an amazing view of the living million bats. Thereafter you drive to Ishasha sector. Ishasha lies close to the southwestern tip of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the most visited national park in Uganda. The topography in this area of the national park is significantly different from the other areas of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to the tree-climbing lions, unique to this area. The males of these lions sport manes that are black, another unique feature. Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
About Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
The Camp is situated inside the Southern Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park on the Ntungwe River, and is an idyllic retreat for people who truly enjoy the wilderness. This exclusive camp offers quality accommodation and services in this unspoilt remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for its tree climbing lions that can sometimes be spotted resting in the branches of the large fig trees in the area. Each of the ten spacious framed canvas rooms, situated in the wooded area besides the river, is comfortably furnished and with large mosquito netted beds, its own private en suite bathroom and dressing area providing running water, hot water ‘bush’ showers and a flushing eco-friendly toilet. A central lounge and dining area, under a cool thatched roof, provides a comfortable environment for meals and relaxing during the day. A shaded area beside the river offers al fresco dining and an evening ‘fireplace’ for guests to relax with sundowners and share their day’s experience.
As the camp is within the National Park, we have designed it to be as low impact as possible with low usage of water, power and other resources. Solar power is used for lighting with power points limited to a central area allocated for recharging cameras and videos. Meals are freshly prepared with many local ingredients, offering a balance of international and locally flavoured cuisine with all meals being of several delicious courses. Our bar has a selection of local and imported beverages and our friendly local staff will attend to your needs.
Hot beverages are available throughout the day on a self-service basis, and are delivered to your tent with early morning wake up calls as required, allowing you to savour the early morning sounds of the ‘bush’ awakening.
Day 9: Ishasha Sector
Early morning guided bush walk for a closer interaction with nature. The mid-morning will be spent on a game drive for the tree climbing lions. Lunch at the Camp and relaxation, sightseeing in the afternoon. Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Ishasha Sector-Bwindi Gorilla Park
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and then transfer to Bwindi. Drive through the “Switzerland of Africa” area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi. A Gorilla Trek within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a highlight of all visits done in Uganda and certainly mountain gorillas are the major reason as to why very many people visit Uganda. On the other hand, Uganda is recognized as a very safe and more so secure country in which you can see these Gorillas in serene surroundings. There’s also a substantial chimpanzee population and research shows that Bwindi is the only forest in Africa in which these two apes live together. Overnight: Buhoma Lodge, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
About Buhoma Lodge
Buhoma Lodge commands spectacular and uninterrupted views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park home to the rare and elusive Mountain Gorilla. We offer a top quality, intimate lodge for our guests’ enjoyment in this area. Situated within the National Park, Buhoma Lodge is a short distance from the meeting point for gorilla tracking and other activities in the area.
Ten comfortable cottages have been carefully built, each with its own private verandah, allowing wonderful views of the forest canopy of the National Park. Inside the spacious cottages you will find comfortable beds, a well-appointed en suite bathroom with flushing toilet and a hot shower and also some rooms with bath tubs. An elevated lounge area, complete with bar and dining facilities, offers a cosy, comfortable environment, to discuss the day’s activities around the fireplaces which add atmosphere and warmth in the cool evenings.
As part of our commitment as an organization with a responsible tourism policy we have designed the lodge using sustainable local materials where possible, with the emphasis being on natural products, which has in turn given support to the local communities and businesses. Supplies are obtained from as nearby as possible from local sources and staff are also generally recruited locally and trained on site. Our water supply is gravity fed and solar power is used for lighting with power points limited to a central area allocated for recharging cameras and videos. Meals are freshly prepared with many local ingredients, offering a balance of international and locally flavoured cuisine with meals being of several courses. Our bar has a selection of local and imported beverages and our friendly local staff will attend to your needs. Hot beverages are available throughout the day on a self-service basis, but, are delivered to your cottage with early morning wake up calls as required, allowing you to awake gently and savour the early morning sounds
Day 11: Bwindi Gorilla Trekking
Early morning entry into Gorilla sanctuary. This rainforest is spectacular. It offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but criss-crossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. Mammals recorded include the endangered mountain gorilla, rare golden monkey, buffalo, elephant, black-fronted duiker, bushbuck, leopard, giant forest log and others. This park is best known for the fascinating gorillas.A reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes. The time taken and the terrain varies according to the movements of this marvellous primates. The thrill of spending time and observing the gorillas is a rare, moving, awesome and exciting adventure. The gorilla is a shy and peaceful animal and it is unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they interact.
A gorilla visit can entail from half an hour to 5-hour trek through the forest, led by experienced trackers who have spent their entire lives living in or close to the forest. Your trek will be enchanting as you weave through overhanging vines, moss-covered Hagenia trees and giant Lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate. You may spot golden monkeys or see buffalo, bush duiker and a wide variety of bird life. But the high point, of course, one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth, will be spending an hour with the gentle giant gorillas as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting, and raising their young. Descend for lunch at the lodge and in the afternoon spend the day is at leisure. Enjoy your dinner at the lodge. Overnight: Buhoma Lodge, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Second Gorilla trekking
After breakfast, you will go for the second gorilla track but in another group returning in the afternoon. The thrill of your encounter will erase the difficulties of the potentially strenuous trek. Spend time in awe watching the gorillas go about their activities. Each encounter is different and has its own rewards, but you are likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in a delightfully playful display. Return to camp exhilarated to relieve the encounter with friends over a drink. Have dinner and overnight at Buhoma Homestead. Overnight: Buhoma Lodge, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Bwindi Forest- Lake Mburo National park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National park for a game drive with a visit to Igongo Cultural village visit. The park is renowned for zebras, impalas, buffaloes, hippos, topi and elands including the rare shoebill, crested crane, pelicans, fish eagle, heron and many water birds. With the view of Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s fourth national park, the only one to contain an entire rich diversity Lake of animal and plant species (Lake Mburo) together with other four lakes within the park attracts hippos, crocodiles different fish species and a variety of water birds like Pelicans, Fish Eagle, and Heron.Afternoon is spent on a sun set game drive for wildlife photography. Overnight: Mburo Safari Lodge, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
About Mburo Safaris Lodge
Mburo Safari Lodge is the best place in the country to see markedly different faunal species which cannot be easily found elsewhere in Uganda. The attractive158 square miles acacia-dotted savanna of Olea and Boscia is home to a variety of animals, that is to say 68 mammal species, including a large number of impalas (the antelope from which “Kampala” is named after), Uganda kobs, zebras, Ankole cattle, buffaloes, topis, leopards, elands, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, warthogs, oribi, bushbucks, duikers, Bohor reedbuck, side-striped Jackal, white-tailed mongoose; Staying with us at Mburo Safari lodge gives you a unique opportunity to see Klipspringers that are occasionally observed in rocky areas, the sitatunga antelopes which always confined to the swamp interiors and two diurnal primates the Vervet monkey and olive baboon.
Situated in Lake Mburo national park in Kiruhura District, it is said to be one of the most enchanting places in Uganda, the location of this lodge is better than any other in the Lake Mburo national park area; the views are simply breathtaking. This Park covers 260 sq km with an altitude range of 1220m to 1828m above sea level, and is the only National Park to contain an entire lake thus named after the lake which lies in this territory; it has the largest number of impala and is only one of two parks that have zebra. It is about 3.5 hours’ drive making it the closest national park to Kampala. Therefore Mburo Safari lodge is strategically located for all the attractions in southwestern Uganda.
Your stay is in the most luxurious thatched cottages set in private environment each with its own sundown veranda looking out over the park below. The rooms are stunning with handcrafted huge beds, showers and vast sunken baths. During safari drives you will have the opportunity of taking exceptional photographs of the fascinating creatures that live in this park
Day 13: Lake Mburo National Park
After early breakfast, ready for a morning bush walk in the Park which is an is an extension of the Tanzanian Plains with big herds of Zebra, Impala, Eland , Warthogs ,buffalo and other savannah species. For birders, this is one of the best place to find African Fin foot, Papyrus, Bush Shrike, etc. The evening is spent on an evening boat cruise amidst the Hippos is amazing and relaxing at the Lodge observing game moving in the park. Overnight: Mburo Safari Lodge, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 15: Lake Mburo National Park
After an early morning breakfast and check out of the hotel. You will take an interesting safari bush walk, this park boosts of the best Nature walks in all parks and it’s only this park that you can see Game/wild life on a walk, after lunch transfer to Kampala witha stopover at Equator Uganda crossing for a brief photo opportunity and to shop souvenirs. Later transfer to Entebbe Airport to catch your flight back home. Meals: Breakfast& Lunch End of Service
The Included in the 15 Days Best Gorilla Safari cost:
- Airport transfers and assistance.
- Accommodation as mentioned
- 1 night at Lake Victoria Serena Hotel and dinner
- 1 night at Ziwa Sanctuary Guest house with all meals –(Budget rooms)
- 2 nights at Murchison River Lodge with all meals – (Mid Lodge facility)
- 1 night at Mountains of the Moon Hotel with all meals
- 2 nights at Katara Safari Lodge with all meals
- 2 nights at Ishasha Wildness Camp with all meals
- 3 nights at Buhoma Lodge with all meals
- 2 nights Mburo Safari Lodge with meals as per itinerary
- 2 Gorilla permits per person
- Ziwa Rhino Trekking
- Canoe ride in Ziwa
- Hike to the Top of the Falls
- Ferry crossings
- Igongo cultural village visit
- Boat Trips
- Park Fees
- Kibale Chimpanzee chimps Permits
- Bat Cave visit
- Guided nature walks
- Bush walk
- Enroute lunches
- Game drives
- Private transport in a 4×4 tourist converted jeep
- Services of an English speaking driver-guide
- Bottled drinking water while trekking and in vehicle
- All taxes on the services quoted above