Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo
0 / Person
This 7 day Uganda Safari strikes a perfect balance between wildlife and nature. The wildlife safari and chimpanzee trekking take you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second-largest park with plenty of wildlife, birds, and primates. It also takes you to the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is home to more than half the population of Mountain Gorillas. Later to Lake Bunyonyi for some relaxation, which is said to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Uganda. En route to Entebbe, you will visit Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo National Park is known for wildlife viewing, bird watching, boat ride, and guided nature walk.
Day 1 - Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
You will be picked up around 7:00 am from Kampala (or Entebbe) by our Guide who will brief you about your tour and travel westwards through Uganda’s beautiful green countryside to the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey will take 6-7 hours with a stopover at the Equator for an opportunity to stand in two hemispheres at the same time. Lunch will be done en-route to Queen Elizabeth, You will continue through the savanna grasslands with lots of banana plantations and several herds of local long-horned Ankole cattle endemic to this part of the country. You will get to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the evening.
Day 2 - Game Drives and Boat Cruise at Kazinga Channel
You will set off early about 6:30 am for a morning game drive, an awesome experience to spot the animals in natural habitats. Expect to see the famous Big Five; Elephant, Buffalos, Lions, Bushbucks, Kobs, Giant forest hog, Hyenas leopards, antelopes, and Waterbucks as well as birds. You will return for breakfast and relax till lunch.
In the afternoon you will take a boat cruise along the amazing Kazinga channel to see, at close range, the water animals to include Hippos, Buffalos, Crocodiles, and elephants bathing on the channel banks. There is also a variety of bird species on the water banks especially the famous Shoebill, pelican, and Jacana.
Day 3 - Kalinzu Forest (Chimp Tracking) to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After your breakfast early morning, head to the forest for chimp trekking around 6:30 am, and chimp tracking takes 3-4 hours. Once you spot the Chimpanzees you get to spend around 1 hour with them and then head back. From here you will be transferred to Kagamba then Ntungamo town where you will have your lunch en- routes and then proceed to Bwindi NP.
Day 4 - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorilla Trekking)
After early morning breakfast, around 6:30 am you will be driven to the park headquarters for a briefing on the do's and don’ts during gorilla tracking and thereafter you will proceed to the gorilla trail. Gorilla tracking normally lasts between 2 to 8 hours or even a day to encounter the gorillas. However, you will be allowed to stay in the presence of these awesome apes for at least an hour.
It is advisable that you carry packed lunch, which will be provided, as one cannot determine how long it may take to encounter the mountain gorillas. If time and energy allow, you may take the Batwa Cultural visit after the gorilla tracking or just have a relaxed afternoon. Enjoy your evening, dinner, and overnight at the accommodation.
Day 5 - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Bunyonyi
After having breakfast around 8 am, you will set off to Lake Bunyonyi. This lake is said to be one of the most beautiful places in western Uganda. It is the second deepest lake in Africa [900 meters deep] and also one of the few places in the country where it is considered safe to swim as it is bizarre free. The journey takes 3-5 hours depending on which sector of Bwindi you are departing from. The landscape around the lake is made up of terraced hills protruding from the water’s edge. Bunyonyi means “place of little birds' ' as the name suggests, there is plenty of birdlife around the lake.
You will check in to the accommodation and have Lunch. Later in the evening reaching Lake Bunyonyi you can pay the extra amount for the activity (Community Walk, Canoe Ride, Boat Ride, Bicycle Ride, Bird Watching and Cray Fishing...) directly at the accommodation and do the activity of your choice.
Day 6 - Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park (Boat Ride and Nature Walk)
After early morning breakfast at 6:30 am, you will depart to Lake Mburo National Park. The drive takes 3-4 hours, and you will have lunch at the lodge reserved for you, after which you will go for an afternoon Boat Ride on the lake rich with a variety of animals such as hippos and crocodiles, and bird species. In the evening take a Nature walk before you retire for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 - Lake Mburo National Park to Kampala
After breakfast, you will have an early morning game drive through the park in searches of animals like zebra, hippos, crocodiles, eland, antelope, impala, and a variety of birds.
Post Lunch you will depart from Lake Mburo and head to Kampala (or Entebbe) for the drop-off.
MEALS:
Day 1 - Lunch & Dinner
Day 2 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 - Breakfast & Lunch
DRIVING TIMES:
Day 1 - Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park (North) takes about 6.5 to 7 hours (389 km)
Day 3 - Queen Elizabeth National Park (North) to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes about 2.5 to 6.5 hours (152 to 279 km)
Day 5 - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Bunyonyi to 1.5 to 3 hours (65 to 100 km)
Day 6 - Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo takes about 4.5 to 5 hours (243 km)
Day 7 - Lake Mburo to Kampala takes about 4.5 to 5 hours (244 km)
Note 1: These are estimated drive times. Because of the traffic, location of the accommodations, and several other factors, actual drive times may vary. Driving distances are approximate and do not account for exact places.
Note 2: Driving distance and drive time to and from Bwindi will vary depending upon the sector and location of the accommodation.
Park Fees (for Non-Residents).
Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi.
Chimp tracking permit in Kalinzu.
All accommodations while on Safari.
Game drive as mentioned in the itinerary.
A professional driver/guide.
4x4 Land Cruiser or Safari Van.
All Taxes and VAT.
Meals as per itinerary.
Drinking water while on safari (2 liters per person per day).
Activities mentioned in the itinerary.
International flights.
Airport Transfers (Unless mentioned otherwise).
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (Unless mentioned otherwise).
Tips.
Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.).
The government imposed an increase in Taxes, Gorilla trekking permits, Chimp tracking permits, and or Park Fees.
Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
Our team is always here to help