5 Days Gorilla Trekking & Lion tracking
The 5 Days Uganda gorilla trekking & Lion tracking experience is tailored to offer you memorable primates and game viewing experience. The 5 Days safari takes you to explore two of Uganda’s popular destinations for mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and the experimental lion tracking experience. The trip also entail game viewing to see four of the big five in Queen Elizabeth National park plus a boat cruise at Kazinga channel. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in south western Uganda shred by Kabale and Rubanda districts. The impenetrable forest is home to the highest population of endangered gorillas in the world. Over 600 gorillas live in this jungle forest and they have been habituated into 17 gorilla families. Eight people per day visit one gorilla group for an hour. On average, each day, 136 gorilla permits are available each day issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority. On the other hand, Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s second largest and popular National Park. Located in western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth is a center for the experimental lion tracking experience not done anywhere else in the whole country. The Park has shelters for of the big five game along other wild animals which are seen during game drives. The Park also harbors various crater lakes such as Lake Katwe for salt mining, Lake Munyanyange hole for the beautiful flamingoes, Lake Nyamunuka whose waters heal injured wild animals and Lake Bunyampaka among others. A boat cruise at Kazinga channel is a not miss on your Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park. A combination of mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park is a lifetime experience you will live to remember. The 5 Days Uganda safari starts and ends in Kampala/Entebbe
Trip summary
Day 1: Pick up & transfer to Bwindi Forest
Day 2: Gorilla trekking & community tour
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 4: Lion Tracking & Launch cruise
Day 5: Game Viewing & Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & transfer to Bwindi Forest
The forest day of the 5 Days safari begins with an early pick up from the airport or your hotel in Kampala/Entebbe. You will have beliefs guide on what to do and what to expect on the safari and then setoff headed to southwestern Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The drive is long lasting for between 8-10 hours but worth it. Enjoy scenic views of beautiful Uganda, rolling hills, hospitable people along the way, cattle farms, tea plantations and homesteads on your way to gorilla home. You will have a stop over at the Equator for photography and refreshment then proceed for lunch in Mbarara city. Your driver guide will stop at different local markets and food stalls for you to buy and taste the delicious rolex, muchomo, fresh fruits, and roasted maize among others. This full day of driving gives you the best pre gorilla trekking experience. You will trek gorillas in any of the four sectors that make up Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking & community tour
The day starts with early breakfast and transfer to the park head quarters for pre gorilla trekking briefing. Also register with park head management, present your credentials and get ready for the magical encounter. You will be assigned two armed rangers and a porter if you like and transfer to the trekking starting point. The trek into the impenetrable forest starts at 8:00am. However the actual time to spend trekking before meeting gorillas is not predictable but ranges between 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family allocated to you. Spend an hour with a gorilla family, embrace their unique characters, take pictures and have fun with these gentle giants. Be ready to meet other wild animals such as forest elephants, buffalos, colobus monkeys, birds, butterflies, snakes, chameleons and lizards which all live in this impenetrable forest. In the evening, go for a cultural visit to the local communities adjacent to the National Park. Some of the locale people especially Batwa pygmies are initial dwellers of Bwindi Forest who will introduce you to their traditions, norms, customs and cultures. The other common people you will meet in Bwindi forest at Bakiga cultivators.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park; Evening game drive
After breakfast at your lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, check out and depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive between the two parks is 3-5 hours through Kigezi highlands, farms, towns and homesteads. Connect to Queen Elizabeth via ishasha sector in the southern region. This sector is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which are seen resting and feasting on their preys from up in the trees. Proceed to your lodge for lunch and refreshment. In the evening, go for game drives in the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will see a variety of animals hunting and grazing before they retire for the night.
Day 4: Lion Tracking & Launch cruise
Rise up very early, have breakfast and go fro an experimental lion tracking experience. Done in Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lion tracking is an experience of its won kind. It entails travelers following up tracks and radio calls set in the park to follow up the movements of the kings of the wilderness. Follow the lions closely; learn their feeding habits and social behaviors. Lions are among the common wild animals to see in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Lion tracing experience is done along a team of conservationists and researchers. Return to the lodge for lunch and refreshment. In the afternoon, transfer to kazinga channel for a boat cruise. Enjoy cruising on this 40 kilometers channel, which connects Lakes Edward and George. Boat cruise offers you a best spot for bird watching to see a variety of bird species such a Yellow billed stork, African Fish eagle, African King Fisher, Ibises, Hammerkop, African Jacana and Flycatcher among others. The cruise also offer you excellent views of wild animals feeding in the park and the nearby fishing villages.
Day 5: Game Viewing & Departure
You will have an optional early morning game viewing experience to see some of the wild animals you missed the previous days. Early morning drives helps you catch up with early risers and night hunters returning! Expect to see animals such as Elephants, Lions, Buffalos, Leopards Uganda Kobs, Impalas, Waterbucks, Warthogs and Hippos among others. Have late breakfast, check out and drive to Kampala for your connecting flight.
End of the 5 Days gorillas & Lion tracking safari
Safari inclusions
- Mountain gorilla permit
- Lion tracking permit
- Park entrance fees
- Full time English speaking guide
- Accommodation & meals
- Bottled drinking water
- Launch cruises
- Government taxes
- Miscellaneous
- All activities included in the itinerary
Safari exclusions
- Alcoholic beverages
- Extra activities not included in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Driver /guide tops
- Porter’s fee