Boasting of an animal checklist of 66 and a bird list of 568, Queen Elizabeth National Park is your best reason for a memorable Uganda Safari – for herds of Uganda kob in mating arena, elephants, waterbucks, giant forest hog, topi, lions, hippos, hyenas, crocodiles plus a cocktail of birds ranging from water, forest and savanna. All this brilliant wildlife immersed in a specatcular landscape made of scenic crater lakes and grassy hills. Located not far from Queen Elizabeth NP is Bwindi Forest National Park, home to many endemic & endangered species including the Mountain Gorillas. Trek this impenetrable forest to track habituated gorillas and view lots of other forest creatures.
Highlights
- Game Drives
- Boat ride along the Kazinga Channel
- Bwindi gorilla Trekking
- Uganda Equator
Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Your driver/guide picks you up from your hotel or residence at 7.00am to start the trip. As you travel through Kiruhura in western Uganda be on the look out for sightings of zebras, impalas and crested cranes in Lake Mburo National Park. The park is situated along the Kampala – Mbarara highway. Get to Mbarara for lunch. Proceed and get to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the North Crater amidst breathtaking views of the grassy rolling hills and beautiful craters. Get to your lodge and relax. Later set out for an evening game drive to sight some wildlife.
*Accommodations:
– Luxury : Mweya Safari Lodge
– Midrange: Kingfisher Lodge, Jacana Safari Lodge
– Budget: The Bush Lodge
*Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
*Travel Time: 7 Hours
Day 2: Early Game Drive, Boat Ride along the Kazinga Channel
Wake up to an early cup of coffee and set out for the game by 7.00am. Explore the vast Kasenyi plains popular for herds of Uganda kobs, elephants, buffalos, Lions, waterbucks, hyenas and scenic crater lakes. The game drive goes for about 4 hours, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.
Set out for the afternoon 2 hours boat ride along the Kazinga channel to the shores of Lake Edward. The Kazinga Channel is a 40km water mass joining lakes Edward and George. Hippos, crocodiles, buffalos, waterbucks, elephants, monitor lizards, birds such as African fish eagles, pied kingfisher, and cormorants are a common sight along the channel.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Early Game Drive – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Wake up to another early game drive. Drive to the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park called Ishasha. This area is popular for the famed tree-climbing lions. Expect to increase your game count. Continue and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home of the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi National Park is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site that protects an incredible diversity of species including 120 species of mammals, 346 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies, 163 species of trees, 100 species of ferns, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, and geckos.
*Accommodations:
– Luxury : Mahogany Springs, Buhoma Lodge
– Midrange:
– Budget: Buhoma Commnunity Rest Camp
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
*Travel Time: 3 Hours
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park
Have early breakfast and transfer to the park offices for briefing from the ranger. Set off for the mountain gorilla trekking into Bwindi Forest. You shall need to carry with you drinking water, rain jacket, and jungle boots while the walking stick shall be provided at briefing. After gorilla trekking return to the lodge and relax.
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Supper
Day 5: Travel to Kampala
Have early breakfast and embark on the return journey back to Kampala. Expect stopovers in Mbarara for lunch and at the Uganda Equator for some picture moments. Transfer to your hotel or residence.
*Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
*Travel Time: 10 Hours
Tour Inclusions
Transport – tour vehicle, drive, fuel
Full board accommodation for 4 nights
All meals
Bottled water
Access fees
Guide fees
Gorilla permit
Activities – game drives, boat ride, gorilla trekking
Exclusions
Gratitude and tipping
Alcoholic drinks
Travel insurance
Curion shop purchases
Phone bill and other personnal expenditure