10 Days of African Big 5 And Gorilla Tracking Safari

Overview

This trip is designed to track down for you the big five that is the Lion, Leopards, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, and Rhino, much as Uganda is more popular for primates, we give you the best of a Uganda Wildlife experience with a focus on the Big Five that were established by the Big Game Hunters of times back, the Big Five were not just the Big sized animals but the difficulty of hunting them today, it is used by Safari companies and many tourists to Africa and rather than killing, the camera does the shooting!

Uganda boasts of being home of about 410 mountain gorillas, “more than half of the entire world gorilla Population!” making Bwindi one of the absolute highlights of African travels. The exhilaration attached to first setting an eye on a wild mountain gorilla is difficult to describe. They’re enormous animals, yet despite their fearsome appearance, gorillas are remarkably peaceable creatures. More impressive even than the gorilla’s size bearing is their unfathomable attitude to people, which differs greatly from that of any other wild animal that you’ve ever encountered! Anthropomorphic as it might sound, almost everybody who visits the gorilla experiences an almost mystical sense of recognition. Often one of the gentle giants will break off from the business on chomping on bamboos to study human visitor, soft brown eyes staring deeply into theirs as if seeking a connection-a spine-tingling wildlife experience without peer!

However, a reasonable fitness is required to trek in search for gorillas as the hike can be tough going because of downs and ups on the hillsides and valleys before you encounter any group of gorillas. Another variable is the altitude effect in Bwindi which favors unexpected overhead rains and slippery surfaces while trekking, therefore, arguably you’re required to carry along with you trekking gear like jungle boots and rain jackets, wear thick trousers, and long sleeves as protection against vicious nettles. Carry some quick calories and water. Our guides pay attention on the need of your trip in order to make it a fruitful one.

ITINERARY DETAILS

Day 1: Arrival

Early arrivals give a chance to get introduced to Uganda big 5 safaris at the Uganda wildlife education center in Entebbe. Overnight at Lake Victoria view guesthouse or the lodge papyrus guest house. BB

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Early this morning after breakfast, we shall transfer to the largest conservation area of Uganda, stopping at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for rhino tracking. This will reduce our number of the targeted ‘big 5’ to 4 we shall continue to Murchison falls National Park which is Uganda’s largest national park with different ecosystems dominated by tropical rain forests in the south and studded grassland on the northern back that supports the other big 4 – lion, Leopard, Buffalo and Elephant, lots of antelope species like the Uganda Kob, Oribi, Jackson’s Heartbeast, Bohor Reedbuck, Water and Bushbuck, Dwarf Duikers together with the localized Rothschild’s Giraffe, with the unique and fastest Patas Monkeys loiter the savannas. Enormous concentrations of Hippos and Birds will all be observed from morning / afternoon launch trip along the Victoria Nile placed below the magnificent Murchison falls the following day on the drive. Have lunch and then drive to the top of the falls. Dinner and overnight stay at Kabalega wilderness or Heritage Safari Lodge.

Day 3: Morning Game Safari and Afternoon Boat Cruise Along the Victoria Nile

This morning after breakfast we go for a game drive searching for savannah mammals, birds and primates as mentioned on day 2, just a few like Jackson’s Hartebeests, Oribis, Elephants, Buffaloes, Uganda Kob. On lucky days’ cats like Lions, Leopards, Hyenas, And Jackals are encountered. We get back to the hotel for a hot lunch or have a picnic lunch as we prepare for a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. Dinner and overnight at Nile safari lodge or Sambiya river lodge. FB

Day 4: Morning Safari to Hoima Through the Park as We Look at Animals and Birds

After breakfast we check out, head for a morning game drive before crossing to drive to Hoima all will depend on the success and luck we had on the previous drive. we shall drive to Hoima one of the colonial towns of Uganda where we find the kingdom and burial site of the kings of Bunyoro. Here we only have a night to relax as we also break the distance to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Overnight at Kontick Hotel FB

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Via Fort Portal

We shall have our breakfast then continue to queen Elizabeth national park having strategic stops to stretch our legs and look at nature. Lunch break in fort portal. We reach Queen Elizabeth later in the evening, and depending on time we shall opt to do a game drive or check in our hotel Depending on the energy level and at will, we can try out a late evening game safari to the Kasenyi plains and many a time, we have great chances of seeing nocturnal game and birds, just seeing how these animals set off to their night havens is another wildlife encounter, let’s give it a shot with Journeys best natural history guides, learning and understanding more about wildlife and most especially the big 5. overnight stay at Bush Lodge or Marafiki Safari Lodge 2nights FB

Day 6: Game Viewing and Afternoon Launch Cruise Along the Kazinga Channel

Early morning we go a game drive searching majorly what we might have missed in Murchison Falls National Park like elephants, buffaloes, lions , leopards, hyeanas, among others, this extension was to increase our chances of the big 5 otherwise the tour would have ended in Murchison Falls National Park, we shall top up and learn more about the famous big five and other mammals like the Giant forest hog, Bush bucks, Kobs, Hyenas and waterbucks. In the afternoon hours a launch cruise along Kazinga channel awaits you. You will appreciate the high scores of Elephants, Hippos, Buffalos and crocodiles. After this we shall head back to our lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Home of Mountain Gorillas Through Ishasha Area.

Morning after breakfast, we check out from our lodge and drive through Ishasha area for tree climbing lions depending on the weather condition and continue our way further Southwest-Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Stay at crested crane resort or broadbill forest camp B&B 2nights

Day 8: Gorilla Tracking Day.

Morning after breakfast you report to park headquarters for briefing prior to gorilla tracking excursion. This activity may take anywhere between one to eight hours so a reasonable degree of fitness is required. Gorilla tracking is a remarkable experience to stare in the eyes of these gentle giants, watch them as they play, and go about their daily activities. Its indeed “once in lifetime” experience that you must never miss! Each encounter is different and has own rewards! But you’re likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters’ frolic and swing on the vines in a delightful display.

Day 9: Depart Back to Entebbe.

Early morning after breakfast, we transfer to Kampala-Entebbe, long drive, lunch at Igongo cultural resort and photography stopover at the equator. Stay at Lake Victoria view guesthouse B&B

Day 10: End! Your Departure Back Home.

Download Itinerary Details

Birding in Uganda