10 day safari

Prices from

£3990

Excluding international flights

Tour Highlights

  • Visit Mabamba Wetland to see the iconic Shoebill
  • Photograph tree climbing lions in Ishasha
  • Gorilla trekking in Nkuringo with Volcano views
  • Private tour which can be tailored to your requirements

Shoebills, Tree Climbing Lions & Gorillas

This very special Ugandan gorilla holiday gives you the opportunity to see 3 of Uganda’s most iconic animal species. We start off with a short drive to the Mabamba wetlands on the outskirts of Kampala, where we enjoy a gentle private dugout boat safari looking for the beautifully bizarre Shoebill Stork. From here you wil drive to Queen Elizabeth national park and enjoy both private game drives and boat safaris on the scenic Kazinga channel. We may be lucky to catch a glimpse of a leopard or lion, before driving south to the Ishasha sector; home to the famous tree climbing lions. We then enjoy a long but spectacular journey to the remote community of Nkuringo on the Nteko ridge and if the weather is clear, we will have stunning views of up to 8 Volcanoes, which ‘straddle’ the Uganda, Rwanda and DRC borders. It’s time for you to experience that life changing 1 hour with a Gorilla family before driving to Lake Mburo national park and staying at the stunning Mihingo Lodge. Lake Mburo now enjoys regular leopard sightings during their unique night time drives and is home to many different antelope species within the park. You will enjoy a final breakfast overlooking the park before driving back to Entebbe.

When to Go:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Best time to visit -

JUL

Safari Style -

Bespoke Wildlife

DAY 1

ARRIVE INTO ENTEBBE AIRPORT AND TRANSFER TO YOUR NEARBY HOTEL

On arrival at Entebbe international airport you will be met and transferred to ‘The Boma Hotel’ for your overnight accommodation. If you arrive in the morning you can explore the nearby Botanical gardens with the chance to see many different bird species and the resident Black and white colobus monkeys.

Accommodation : The Boma Hotel

DAY 2

SHOEBILL BOAT SAFARI THEN DRIVE TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

After an early breakfast you will be picked up by your private car and driver/naturalist and transferred to Mabamba Swamp (best time to see the Shoebill and also avoid traffic in Kampala). On arrival you will transfer to a small wooden dugout and slowly ‘punt’ along the edges of the swamp looking for different bird species, but with the focus on the iconic Shoebill. After this 2 hour excursion you will drive 5-6 hours to Queen Elizabeth national park

Accommodation : Queen Elizabeth bush camp

DAY 3

MORNING GAME DRIVE FOLLOWED BY AFTERNOON BOAT SAFARI IN KAZINGA CHANNEL

Early morning jeep safari inside Queen Elizabeth national park, where you can enter via different gates and explore a variety of different areas. Late afternoon boat safari along the famous Kazinga Channel, looking for Hippo’s, Elephant and a great variety of bird species. By taking the later departure, we come back to shore around 1 hour before the park shuts and this is an ideal time to head to ‘Leopards Loop’ for a chance to see one of the 2 big cats of Queen Elizabeth.

Accommodation : Queen Elizabeth bush camp

DAY 4

FINAL MORNING GAME DRIVE BEFORE DRIVING SOUTH TO ISHASHA

We know from experience that tree climbing lions in Ishasha can be seen throughout the day, so there is not the normal safari ‘rush’ to head out early in the morning, or wait for the optimum light conditions in the evening. So with that knowledge we take a final early morning safari in the main Queen Elizabeth national park before driving 2 hours south to Ishasha. We may take a packed lunch with us, to allow more time in the Ishasha sector before heading to our lodge accommodation for the night.

Accommodation : Topi Lodge

DAY 5

WHOLE DAY FOCUSED ON LOOKING FOR TREE CLIMBING LIONS IN ISHASHA

The first time we visited Uganda way back in 2005, we enjoyed a spectacular afternoon in Ishasha and took away some highly treasured photographic mementos from that time. There are some beautiful areas with large, mature fig trees and we came across both a lioness and a male lion within 400m of each other resting in separate trees. Obviously, they are resting from the midday sun or relaxing after feeding, so there is plenty of opportunities to take some beautiful photos.

Accommodation : Topi Lodge

DAY 6

FULL DAY DRIVE WITH PACKED LUNCH FROM ISHASHA TO NKURINGO

A morning will be spent with your guide driving around the best areas for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha before driving 5-6 hours (packed lunch included) to the Nteko ridge, where you will overnight at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Accommodation : Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

DAY 7

YOU WILL GO GORILLA TREKKING WITH ONE OF THE 3 FAMILIES CLOSE TO NKURINGO

This section of forest is home to the three Nkuringo Gorilla families of Mountain Gorillas from where the Lodge provides a prime access point to the start of the amazing activity. The Lodge has panoramic views of the majestic volcanoes of the Virunga chain, across the escarpment into the Albertine Rift Valley within the DRC Congo. You will start your gorilla trekking in Nkuringo with a gentle walk down to the park headquarters for a health and safety briefing, before being transferred to the start of your gorilla trek. It is not unusual in Nkuringo to trek down to the Gorillas, rather than a steep climb up which is normal when staying in Buhoma.

Accommodation : Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

DAY 8

DAY TO RELAX AND RECOVER OR TAKE A SHORT HIKE AND CANOE PADDLE

When we visited Nkuringo we were on our way to Mgahinga national park and therefore decided to hike from the lodge to Lake Mutanda and then paddle across the lake to our vehicle which then drove us to our next accommodation. You can choose to be as active or inactive as you want on this day and if the weather holds good you will be treated to some stunning Volcano views across the valley.

Accommodation : Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

DAY 9

LONG BUT BEAUTIFUL DRIVE FROM NKURINGO TO LAKE MBURO

After breakfast you will drive 5-6 hours to ‘Mihingo Lodge’ at Lake Mburo. Settle into your stunning wooden bungalow with views of a nearby water hole and then prepare your camera and equipment for an evening jeep drive; with a good chance to see Leopard

Accommodation : Mihingo Lodge

DAY 10

A SAFARI DRIVE OUT OF THE PARK AND THEN BACK TO ENTEBBE AIRPORT

Sadly, this is the last day of your Ugandan wildlife holiday and depending on the timing of your international flight departure, you will leave in the morning or early afternoon for the 5-6 hour drive back to Entebbe international airport.

Pricing Info & Dates

Costs £3990 based on two people sharing and not including flights. Valid for multipe dates in 2024

Includes:

  • £100 donation to Gorilla Doctors
  • Adapted Landcruiser with roof opening
  • Services of an expert driver/naturalist
  • All meals at the wildlife lodges
  • 1 gorilla permit per person and all park entrance fees

Excludes:

  • The cost of international flights and travel insurance
  • Cost of applicable visas
  • Lunch and Dinner in Entebbe
  • Gratuities for park guides and your main naturalist

Tour Route Map

What

Our Clients Say About Us

★★★★★
A life changing experience

The main part of the trip was gorilla trekking in Uganda and Wildlife Trails had organised this very well and provided me with a comprehensive list of what to take which was great. The lodges were ely and seeing the other animals in Queen Elizabeth National Park, brilliant. Wildlife Trails organised the trip, including my flight very well. They also booked a hotel for me in Entebbe for the first and last night before flying home.

ByAlison
★★★★★
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda

Very pleasant and tailormade tour in Uganda and Rwanda. Quick, friendly and professional team at Wildlife Trails.

ByZoltan
★★★★★
Uganda and Rwanda wildlife experience

A totally stunning holiday with an excellent driver/guide who had brilliant wildlife and local knowledge, excellent driving skills, great attention to detail and a good sense of humour. The seness to and variety of wildlife seen was exceptional and well beyond any expectations and we have been on many many wildlife holidays. The local people were lovely and the food was worthy of michelin stars. A very well planned itinerary ensuring we had enough time at each destination. Everything I asked for was included and all the lodges were at exactly the level requested. The local operator was also excellent and we could not have wished for better service.

BySheila
★★★★★
Gorilla trekking and safari in Uganda and Rwanda

We had the most AMAZING 15 days in Uganda with a few days in Rwanda on safari, including the usual jeep rides but also hiking, biking, horse back riding, boating and trekking. Uganda is the ot;sleeper" country for an African visit- not only is it incredibly lush and beautiful with welcoming smiles from those along our path but is free of tourist congestion. Such a pleasure to be on the plains with the animals, completely absorbed by the natural beauty without the distractions of other safari vehicles. The collection of wildlife is diverse, fascinating and beautiful. The gorilla trekking was the highlight personally but not far behind was the rest of Uganda! Allan arranges a truly memorable trip for us. He was a pleasure to deal with and was quite patient with the many questions and changes to our personalized itinerary. The guide/naturalist he selected, Martin Okot, was PERFECT for us; not only thorough in knowledge over a wide range of subjects from plants, birds, butterflies to primates but also on history and politics. This made for wonderful conversation throughout our time together. Martin managed a few typical travel hiccups, like a delayed bag, slight modifications in the itinerary, flat tires with furor and speed. I really felt that he was fighting for us, providing the most favorable time in Uganda- a great ambassador for Uganda.

ByJeanne and Sandra
★★★★★
Uganda and Rwanda wildlife holiday including gorilla trekking

A truly fabulous trip, enhanced by our lovely driver/guide Hassan and many friendly people on our travels whether at our accommodation or any of our daily activities.

Happy with booked by Wildlife Trails, lovely accommodation and all activities organised.

ByRuth and Mark