The 5 days Uganda safari brings you up close with the gentle giants - the mountain gorillas and Man’s closest relatives - the chimpanzees. It is a trip to visit man’s relatives that have made forests their homes. You will explore the tropical forests rich in primate species as well as marvel at the beautiful scenery of crater lakes in Fort Portal and terraced hills of Kigezi sub region during your trip
5 Days Uganda safari - Brief Itinerary
Day 1. Pick up from Entebbe or Kampala and transfer to Kibale Forest NP
Day 2. Chimpanzee tracking and evening nature walk to Bigodi wetland
Day 3. Transfer to Bwindi NP
Day 4. Gorilla tracking and evening community visit
Day 5. Transfer back to Entebbe or Kampala
Detailed - 5 Days Uganda Safari
Day 1: Pick up from hotel or airport and transfer to Kibale Forest NP (5hrs drive)
After a hearty breakfast at your lodge, our driver guide will pick you up and drive you westwards to Kibale Forest NP, home to 13 primate species, the highest primate density of any single park in E. Africa. The Park’s lowest point is at 1100m above sea level on the floor of the Albertine Rift valley to the south and its highest point is at 1590m above sea level to the north. The drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Kibale Forest NP is about 5hrs, with mini stops for sightseeing along the way.
Do not miss out on the beautiful scenery of the volcanic rock out crops in Mubende and the beautiful and clean city of Fort Portal. Proceed to check in at your lodge. Overnight and dinner at Chimpanzee Guesthouse (budget)/ Turacco Tree Tops / Isunga lodge (deluxe)/ Kyaninga lodge / Primate lodge (luxury). Meal Plan; lunch and dinner
Day 2: Chimp Tracking and evening Bigodi community visit
In the morning, you will take an early breakfast and head out to the Kanyanchu park headquarters for briefing about the dos and don’ts while you are out on the trek. You will then head into the forest with a team of rangers and park guides in search for the chimpanzees. This Park is home to 13primate species including chimpanzees, about 70 mammal species including forest buffaloes and elephants as well as about 375 bird species. As you trek through the forest, your eyes may not miss out on some of the 351 tree species, some of which are as old as 200yrs and raise above 55m high.
Your guides will lead you as they track for the chimps until you come across these primates. Once you have reached them, you will be allowed a maximum of 1hr to be with them as you take photos and observe their behavior. You will later return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the evening, you will go for a nature walk to the Bigodi swamp for more primate viewing and visit the Bigodi community to check out the artifacts made by the local people. Purchasing any of their items is one way of supporting this community and in turn supporting the conservation efforts. Dinner and overnight at day 1. Meal Plan; breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi NP (5-6hrs drive)
Begin your day with breakfast and bid farewell to the Kibale Forest as you set off to Bwindi NP, on a relaxed and relatively long journey. Bwindi NP is home to about half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world, distributed across the 4 major tracking sections; Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Important to note is that in this same area are several gorilla families that are still wild (unhabituated) that sometimes-cross paths with the habituated gorilla families. Along the way, you will have short breaks to stretch your legs and take pictures of the magnificent scenery as you drive through the undulating hills of Kigezi highlands adorned with terraces. You will proceed to check in at your lodge. Overnight at Mahogany Springs / Gorilla Heights/ Four Gorillas lodge (luxury)/ Bakiga lodge/ Ichumbi Gorilla lodge/ L. Mulehe Safari lodge (deluxe)/ Trekkers’ Tavern cottages (budget). Meal Plan; Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4: Gorilla Tracking and evening community tour
In the morning, you will take breakfast and head out to the park headquarters with your packed lunch or snack and drinking water. At the park office, you will receive briefing about what to expect and how to conduct yourself during this trek before rolling out into this misty forest in search for the gentle giants. You will be grouped in groups of 8 people maximum to track a particular gorilla family. You will then get into your vehicles
The Bwindi forest is also home to a variety of bird species as well as some forest mammals like forest elephants. Upon reaching the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend a maximum of 1hr to observe and take photos. You will then return to your vehicles and drive back to the lodge. In the evening, you may go for a community visit to the Batwa community to experience their way of life. Overnight at day 3. Meal Plan; Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5: Transfer back to Entebbe or Kampala (8-9hrs drive)
Set off early enough on a relaxed drive back to Kampala or Entebbe. Drive through beautiful sceneries and charming landscapes. You may have a short stop-over for an early lunch in Mbarara and visit the Igongo cultural centre to learn about the area’s rich cultural history. Cast your eyes on your right side as you leave Biharwe township to catch a glimpse of the 1520 AD eclipse monument set on top of Biharwe hill. The eclipse of 1520 AD was of great significance as it saved the then Ankole kingdom from the raid by the then king of Bunyoro kingdom who deemed the eclipse to have been a bad omen and a retaliation from the Ankore gods against his raid. It is said that King Olimi of Bunyoro kingdom had swept through the neighboring Buganda and Karagwe kingdoms and had approached Ankore kingdom from the south while raiding their cows and other possessions. When he reached at Biharwe to camp and take a rest before continuing back home, it is said, the area experienced a total solar eclipse which prompted the king and his men to think that the Ankore gods were furious about their actions and would destroy them. The king and his men fled for their lives, leaving all their loot behind. A few kms from Mbarara, don’t miss out on the views of the beautiful cattle farms that are sometimes populated by zebras that usually stroll from the neighboring L. Mburo NP. You will proceed to have another stop at the equator to take photographs and stretch your legs as you embark on your final journey to Kampala or Entebbe reaching in the evening for drop off at the airport or hotel.
The above itinerary costs USD2200 per person sharing in budget, USD2400pp sharing deluxe and USD2850 per person in luxury accommodation
Inquire
Safari Lodges & Vehicles
