16 day safari

Prices from

£7500

Excluding international flights

Tour Highlights

  • 2 chimp treks and 2 gorilla treks included
  • Visit Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth
  • Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Nkuringo
  • Trip dates and content can be tailored to your needs
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Ultimate Uganda Safari with Chimp & Gorilla Treks

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Ultimate Uganda Safari with Chimp & Gorilla Treks

It is true to say that if you include a visit to Murchison national park in Uganda, you need to add a lot more time to your Uganda gorilla trekking holiday – but what’s the rush? If you avoid the holiday weekends you will see few other visitors here and the wildlife encounters, including huge Wild Elephants, Hippos, Lion, Leopard and the iconic Shoebill, can often be amazing. From here, it’s a long but scenic drive up the escarpment and down the other side to Kibale, where you will have two amazing chimp trekking opportunities in the stunning forest. You then have time for more savannah wildlife viewing at Queen Elizabeth national park, before then heading to two seperate and stunning gorilla trekking locations in Bwindi and then Nkuringo. We then include some well deserved chill out time at the surreal Lake Bunyonyi, before heading back to Entebbe to connect with your onward flight.

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

Best time to visit -

MAY

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

LONG SCENIC DRIVE FROM ENTEBBE TO MURCHISON

After breakfast you will be picked up by your driver/naturalist in the Landcruiser and set off on your long, but scenic journey to Murchison Falls national park – a personal favourite of ours here at Wildlife Trails. The first town to aim for will be Masindi, where you will stop for an enjoyable, relaxed lunch (cost not included) at a good quality local restaurant. From here we will drive a further 2 hours to the ferry crossing over the Victoria Nile to the beautifully located Paraa safari lodge.

Accommodation : Paraa Safari lodge

DAY 3

MORNING GAME DRIVE FOLLOWED BY THE CLASSIC BOAT

Morning private game drive looking for a variety of wildlife including Wild Elephants and Lions before returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon you will be take the famous ferry boat up river to see the magnificent falls. There is much to see from the top deck, including hundreds of Hippos, Elephant, large crocs and some great birds. There is also an option for the boat to drop you off and then you can hike to the top of the falls and be picked up by your driver there.

Accommodation : Paraa Safari lodge

DAY 4

MORNING AND AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES IN THE PARK

Morning and afternoon drives in Murchison National Park. Depending on availability there is the option to join a small group boat safari towards the Delta area of the Nile for a good chance to see Shoebill. The total cost for this boat trip is around $300, so better to share amongst a group if possible. OR, we could look at adding in a trip to the Mwamba Wetlands en route from Entebbe.

Accommodation : Paraa Safari Lodge

DAY 5

DRIVE UP THE ESCARPMENT FROM MURCHISON TO KIBALE

After breakfast we start our long drive along the Western Nile Rift Valley before climbing up the escarpment on good roads that provide great views back to Murchison Falls national park. We then slowly descend and drive through rural villages and some towns before entering the beautiful secondary forest of Kibale and checking into our lodge right next to the national park entrance.

Accommodation : Primate Lodge

DAY 6

MORNING CHIMP TREKKING FOLLOWED BY AFTERNOON BIRDING AND PRIMATE WALK.

In the morning you will go chimp trekking in the beautiful forest of Kibale NP. Not only is this the best location to see chimps in Uganda, but it is also home to other beautiful primates, such as the Red Colobus and Grey-cheeked Mangabey. After lunch you will be taken on a guided community swamp walk, with fantastic birding opportunities, and a chance to see both Black and White and Red Colobus monkeys (sometimes better views than in Kibale!)

Accommodation : Primate Lodge

DAY 7

MORNING CHIMP TREKKING THEN DRIVE TO QUEEN ELIZABETH

You will have the rare chance to take a second days chimp trekking at Kibale before getting on the road and drivign 3 hours to Queen Elizabeth national park. You will love the incredible views from your hill top accommodation; relax for the rest of the afternoon at the lodge.

Accommodation : Katara Lodge

DAY 8

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 : Katara Lodge

DAY 9

DRIVE SOUTH THROUGH ISHASHA TO BWINDI. LOOKING FOR TREE CLIMBING LIONS ENROUTE.

We set off early in the vehicle as the drive is long to Bwindi Impenetrable forest. However, we have the bonus of a mini-safari in Ishasha – southern sector of Queen Elizabeth – looking for the amazing tree climbing lions. Although this is a very dry area, there are decent prey densities and lions use the large fig trees found here for their afternoon snoozes. We have around 4 hours from Ishasha to Buhoma (gateway to Bwindi) and will aim to arrive early evening.

Accommodation : Engagi Lodge

DAY 10

GORILLA TREKKING IN THE MAGICAL BWINDI IMPENETRABLE

After an early breakfast you will walk to the park headquarters to commence your Gorilla Trekking. Depending on the group it could take 2-4 hours to reach the group and then you have a magical hour with the family before hiking back. Rest of the day free to recover!

Accommodation : Engagi Lodge

DAY 11

ENJOY THE KASHASHA RIVER WALK FROM BUHOMA TO NKURINGO

Slightly more challenging than the Ivy River Trail, the Kashasha River Trail offers visitors an up close experience of the natural wonders within a rain forest environment. Birds are prolific in Bwindi and your guide will point these out to you during your walk. You initially follow the famous waterfall trail through Bwindi before descending to the river and then taking on the steep trek up the Nteko ridge. The views you will receive at the top make this challenging hike all the more worthwhile.

Accommodation : Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

DAY 12

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

This section of forest is home to the three Nkuringo 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 safety and health 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 13

SCENIC DRIVE FROM NKURINGO TO LAKE BUNYONYI

After breakfast drive 4-6 hours to the stunningly located ‘Birdnest Lodge’ (lake view room) with its amazing views of Lake Buyonyi, cold draft beers and gorgeous swimming pool. You can choose to either kick back and enjoy the views, or grab a canoe or mountain bike and explore the natural beauty of the area.

Accommodation : BirdNest Lodge

DAYS 14&15

TWO FULL DAYS FREE FOR YOUR OWN ACTIVITIES AT LAKE BUNYONYI

Two full days to relax at this beautifully situated lodge with the option for canoeing, boat trips and mountain biking around the lake (costs to be paid direct by clients)

Accommodation : BirdNest Lodge

DAY 16

EARLY START FOR YOUR LONG DRIVE BACK TO ENTEBBE

As with all our tours we can tailor them to your requirements. So we could add in a stop at Lake Mburo national park or include a night to relax near Entebbe with views of Lake Victoria; the choice as always is yours.

Pricing Info & Dates

Costs £7500 based on two people sharing and not including flights. Valid for multiple 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
  • 2 chimp and gorilla permits and all park entrance fees

Excludes:

  • Cost of international flights and travel insurance
  • Costs for Visas to Uganda
  • Lunch and dinner in Entebbe
  • Gratuities for park guides and your main naturalist

Tour Route Map

Animals in uganda

African Elephant

African Rhino

Cheetah

Chimp

Gorilla

Leopard

Lion

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Crater Lakes, Tree-Climbing Lions, Gorillas and 8 Volcanoes!

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda – A Step by Step Guide Through this Wonderful Country!

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