A Silverback Gorilla Trek:13 Day Uganda Gorilla Safari

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife Safaris

Explore Uganda’s beautiful destinations such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will experience fantastic safaris, including spotting the gorilla in its natural habitat.

Overview
Itinerary
Cost Info
FAQ
Map
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Overview

This 13-day safari will take you on a circuit of National Parks and forests where you will experience game drives, walking safaris, track gorillas and chimpanzees, and experience the beauty of Uganda. After almost a fortnight of being in the wilderness, you will leave with many photos and amazing memories. Just like other unique wildlife safari activities, gorilla trekking is indeed one that needs to be on every safari enthusiast's bucket list.

Itinerary

Day 1
Your safari begins the moment you arrive in Uganda. With almost two weeks of an African holiday ahead of you, there is so much to look forward to on this intensive 13-day safari. Our driver will pick you up from Entebbe Airport and transfer you to Kampala. You can relax in your hotel as you await the start of your journey into the wilderness or you can explore Kampala town, taking note of the diversity and the different experiences. At the end of the evening, you will need to get some much-needed rest as we kick off your safari in the morning.
Day 2
With the sun peeking over the horizon, excitement is in the air as you gear up for the road trip to Murchison Falls National Park. By road, the drive will take almost 5 hours and will begin after breakfast. Check out and bid Kampala goodbye – the wilderness calls and it’s time to heed that call. Along the way, you will stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Enjoy a short walk around the sanctuary and listen to the knowledgeable ranger explain the history of the sanctuary and its efforts in conservation. Enjoy the walk with minimal noise as the animals get startled. This will be followed by lunch and then the drive to Murchison Lodge, located on the Southern Bank of the River Nile.
Arrive at the beautiful lodge overlooking hippo pools and papyrus Islands. You can now relax and enjoy the breathtaking view of the River Nile, from the comfort of your tent terrace or as you enjoy a nice cold drink at the bar. Once ready, retire to bed as you await your adventure at the Murchison National Park.
Day 3
Awake at dawn for your first game drive at the Murchison National Park. Amidst the savannah vegetation and riverine forest, you can spot abundant wildlife including lions, elephants, the Ugandan Kob, hartebeest, giraffes, elephants, and oribis. After lunch, enjoy a boating safari on the river Nile, weather permitting, and having previously arranged the trip, you can walk to the top of the falls. Along the river, you will see a lot of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and many colourful birds. Afterwards, you will return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Day 4
Enjoy your breakfast followed by checkout. It is time to reluctantly bid goodbye to the beautiful Murchison Park and continue your holiday adventure. Lake Albert is the next stop on your safari. You will enjoy a beautiful scenic drive with a magnificent view of Lake Albert and the Kongo region with a stop at Fort Portal where you will have an opportunity to stroll around the market and visit one of the cafes. Late in the afternoon, you will arrive at Kibale Forest, the starting point of the chimpanzee excursion. Enjoy a delicious dinner before retiring to bed. Tomorrow will be a day to track one of man’s closest cousins – the chimpanzee.
Day 5
Wake up at dawn for breakfast followed by an exciting morning out in Kibale Forest. Today, you will follow the chimpanzee footprints! Spot them reaching for the treetops just like the liana vines they swing from. While here, you will see the chimpanzees play, argue, and mate in their natural habitat. Later in the afternoon, you will slowly walk through the Bigodi Moors followed by a possible visit to the local Bigodi community. After a day well spent, return to the lodge for dinner, and rest.
Day 6
Your time at Kibale Forest has now come to an end and it is now time to depart for the Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park’s diverse ecosystem with sparkling lakes, fertile wetlands, and sprawling savannah makes it an ideal travel destination. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to chimpanzees, and big game and with over 600 species of birds, it is a bird watcher's paradise. En route, you will see the exact spot where the equator crosses at the latitude of 00. This scenic drive also offers a picturesque view of Ruwenzori Mountain and more than 50 crater lakes. Arrive at the lodge later in the day to a welcoming view of the vast plains stretching out as far as the eye can see. Relax and unwind at this beautiful lodge on the Great Rift Valley escarpment with magnificent views of Lake Edward and Virunga.
Day 7
Equipped with your camera, it is time to pay a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park lies at the foothill of the majestic Ruwenzori Mountain and overlooks Lake Edward and Lake George which are both connected by the Kazinga channel. With the abundant and diverse wildlife, you will see the best that this park has to offer. The wildlife species at this park include lions, Ugandan kob, buffalos, and hyenas. The photos against the beautiful backdrop will tell tales for an entire lifetime. Return to camp for rest. There is still more to come on this 13-day African safari.
Day 8
Wake up at dawn for an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is a fantastic time for a game drive safari. Spot the elephant herds gently walking across the vast plains. With about 3,000 elephants in the park, you have a high chance of seeing an elephant family led by the matriarchal gentle jumbo. Return to the lodge for breakfast and checkout, your next destination is the Ishasha region where you will see the Big Cats including leopards and tree-climbing lions. From the comfort of your lodge, you will watch the wildlife interaction at a small natural waterhole.
Day 9
Today’s drive will bring you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Though quite a drive, this is something to look forward to as you will be at the forest that is home to 50 per cent of the world’s gorilla population and one of the last places in the world where gorillas can live in the world. Gorillas are unique just like humans and recently the numbers have started to recover considerably. Your visit helps protect and conserve this endangered species.
Day 10
Today is the absolute highlight of your Uganda journey! In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, there are gorillas and chimpanzees and this forest is the only one in Africa where you can see both. As you walk along the wooded hillsides, tangled vines, and bamboo plants in the dense jungle, you learn a lot about these fascinating giants. Your experienced guides will show you traces of the previous activities of gorillas including nests, dung, and nibbled bamboo shoots. As you walk, you will suddenly come face to face with the strong, almost human-acting mountain gorilla! You can observe how the animals have their daily activities, eating, walking, playing, and sometimes fighting. You will need to be particularly quiet and avoid jerky movements as you watch the gorillas. Enjoy these unforgettable moments with the gorilla group and help preserve the nature of the mountain gorillas.
Day 11
Your fun and exciting African adventure is about to come to an end. The drive today leads to Lake Mburo National Park, the second-smallest National Park in Uganda. Despite its size, Lake Mburo has a lot to offer. The wild savannah with hills and valleys is a haven for wildlife species including buffalos, waterbucks, zebras, giraffes, and impalas.
Day 12
An African holiday safari would not be complete without a guided walking safari. Lake Mburo is one of two National Parks in Uganda that allow guests to experience this safari activity. With an experienced ranger, you will explore Lake Mburo on foot tracking wildlife footprints and experiencing the intricate details of the savannah that you would otherwise not experience while in a safari vehicle. You will listen to the bird songs and wildlife sounds, touch the soil and dung and just be one with nature. At noon, your drive back to Kampala begins with a stopover at the equator. Have your camera at hand and add to the already amazing memories that you have amassed so far.
Day 13
After a relaxing night in Kampala town, it is time to bid Uganda goodbye. It has been an exciting two weeks but the time has come to move on to your next adventure. As you depart, treasure the moments you spent in the wild and as you say goodbye, remember there are many more fantastic moments awaiting you on the horizon.

Cost Info

Price includes

Accommodation in 10 Lodges / Hotels
Meals on a full board basis
All transfers according to the itinerary
Transfers in a 4 wheel drive safari vehicle
All park entrance fees
1x chimpanzees Permit
Professional, English speaking guide
Guided hike to Lake Mburo
Boat safari on the Nile
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Does not include

Single room supplement
Other international fares and visa fees
Travel insurance
Massage & Spa
Laundry and other additional costs
Other meals and drinks
Porter fees,
Tip and Gratuities
Personal items such as souvenirs, travel insurance, covid-19 tests
Gorilla Permit (700 USD)
Gratuities (USD 20 per vehicle)

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from $4,316

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