12 days Birding Gorilla and wildlife Safari in Uganda

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Trip overview

On this 12 days’ experience across Uganda, you will have a chance to take a glance at any of the big five mammals namely; rhino, lion, leopard, elephants, and buffalos roaming in the different conservation areas of Uganda, come face to face with the rare mountain gorillas in the lush tropical forests and the different bird species.

Your experienced driver guide will take you to Murchison falls national park with the most powerful water falls in the world, Queen Elizabeth national park to encounter a profusion of mammals, Bwindi impenetrable national park for Gorillas and Semliki national park for its rare birds among others.

The activities include; birding, game drive, photography, sightseeing, tracking and many more. You will be picked from Entebbe and dropped off on the last day.

Safari in details

Day 1: Pickup and transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

On this D-day, our qualified and experienced driver-guide will pick you up and transfer you to Murchison falls- Uganda’s largest conservation area via Ziwa Sanctuary where you will trek one of Africa’s big five animals; the white Rhinos.
Tracking lasts for approximately one hour, after which you will head for lunch and proceed to the lodge for dinner and a nap.

Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise

After a mouthwatering breakfast meal at your accommodation facilities, you will be required to prepare for the 5-6-hour early morning adventurous game drive in the northern part of the park. You will be required to pack all the necessary instruments that you may need while on the game drive, for example, the binoculars, cameras and the note book to take records of the names of the different species.

While on this exciting game drive, chances are that you will spot lions possibly hunting, the grazing herds of buffaloes, the giraffe families, the kobs, warthogs, and the lover birds among others. Thereafter, you will have a lunch break, followed by an afternoon boat cruise on the calm waters of the River Nile at the bottom of the world's most powerful waterfalls.
While on the boat cruise, expect to encounter the aquatic life; crocodiles, and hippos, and more bird species such as the kingfisher and the shoebill stock. You will return to the lodge for your dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Hike to top of the falls and transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park

You will be welcomed by early morning beautiful sunrise as they spread the light to the ground. Check out of the lodge and pack all yourself belonging and departure for the hike to the top of the world's most powerful waterfalls (Murchison falls). At the will be surprised of the magical flow of water from the Nile over this cliff, the other waterfalls and the magnificent appearance of the rainbow.

Thereafter, you will linkup with your driver for approximately 7-8 hours’ drive to the maiden of wonders (Queen Elizabeth national park) in the western part of Uganda, while glancing at the flourishing plantation and rolling hills. You will have lunch enroute and refreshments, followed by dinner and a nap.

Day 4: Morning game drive and afternoon game drive

Upon waking up, you will great your intestines with warm breakfast fast meal, as you prepare to head for morning game drive at Ishasha sector to track the tree-climbing lions at the southern sector of the park. the king Ishasha lions are the only lions that climb trees across Africa and Uganda so you are advised to keep your eyes and camera active for this reasons, on a lucky day, you may spot a lion hunting for a pray.

This will take approximately 3-4 hours of a successful game drive; after which you will have a Lunch break. In the afternoon, there will be a rewarding boat cruise at the famous Kazinga channel. This ride, you will be exposed to different Nile crocodile breeding at the shores, hippopotamus and birds that will be following your boat as they spot to fish at the slashing water. Diner and a nap at the lodge

Day 5: Transfer to Semliki hot springs

You will wake up very early in the morning for hot heavy meal, after which you will embark on a scenic drive to semiliki national park. While on your journey, different vegetation, rolling hills, valleys, community farms, and local Ugandans will be seen engaging working on farms, and herdsmen looking after their animals.

You will enjoy lunch meal at the lodge, and then a game drive in the evening, followed by dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Full day of birding experience in Semliki valley

On this day, you will wake up very early in the morning for breakfast meal, and then prepare to make sure that the checklist is completed to your expectation on a park known to be the birders' haven in Uganda.

Over 450 rare bird species are up for grabs within the 1-5 hours, notably; kingfishers, black-headed weavers, scarlet chested bird, to mention but a few. This will be done when you work in cooperation with our experienced bird guide who knows the best spots to get a bird you need to see. You lunch will be at the lodge, whereas dinner and a nap at the lodge.

Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

On this day, you will hit the road to Bwindi impenetrable national park for an ultimate gorilla trekking experience. You will exit semiliki national park from fort portal, Uganda's tourism city where you will have lunch that pushes you up to Bwindi for an overnight at the accommodation of your choice.

Day 8: Gorilla tracking

 Uganda is known for having approximately 51% of mountain gorillas in Uganda that makes it a good spot for tracking and the most of it at Bwindi. Your day will kick off after breakfast. The gorilla tracking will start on a good day when you experience and watch their way of life while in the wild, this takes approximately 4 hours. After tracking, you will return for Lunch and relaxation, as you wait for dinner a nap.

Day 9: Batwa experience and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, you will head to a community that is so authentic and known for short natives called the Batwa pygmies, for hunters and gatherers in the lush tropical forest of Bwindi. They are one of the oldest cultures in the word in the forest of Bwindi impenetrable national park; this experience will expose you to their way of life, authentic dances, and exciting songs.

Thereafter, you will return to the lodge for lunch, and the drive to Lake Bunyonyi; one of the deepest lakes in the world, surrounded by over 27 magnificent islands. End this day will dinner and a peaceful nap.

Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi exploration and transfer to Lake Mburo NP

Right in the morning, you will have a delicious breakfast meal at the lodge, and then spend the first hours of the day exploring lake Bunyonyi; the second Switzerland in Africa, watch different birds, and the captivating flourishing unique tree species in the area.

Canoeing will be part of the morning fun, before returning for early lunch at the lodge and then a transfer to Lake Mburo National Park - home to the impalas. You will have dinner and overnight at the lodge at the end of the day.

Day 11: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise

After enjoying an early morning breakfast meal, you will head for a rewarding 1-3 hours’ game drive in the savannah grass land. In the mix are residents such as the impalas, Uganda kobs, zebra, elephants, cape buffalos, giraffes, and warthogs among others.

Thereafter, you will have a Lunch breakfast, and then an afternoon boat cruise at Lake Mburo inside the park, a moment to watch the hippos, crocodiles and other birds residing in the lush atmosphere.

Day 12: Depart to Kampala  

Depending on your flight time, you will checkout of the lodge early in the morning for breakfast, followed by a rewarding 1-6 hours’ drive, with an en-route stopover at the equator for lunch, and photography. This day comes to an end with dinner and a nap.