Detailed Itinerary of the 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Wildlife and Cultural Safari in Uganda

Day 1 of 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Wildlife and Cultural Safari in Uganda: Do Kampala city tour

Kampala city is a destination of its self and thus worth to encounter on Uganda safari. The city is a hub of various attractions ranging from historical to cultural and religious attractions. On this 11 days safari in Uganda, you will wake for breakfast after which you will set off with the company guide to encounter the city. You will visit religious attractions like Namirembe and Rubaga Cathedrals, Baha’i temple, Gadhafi Mosque, Cultural attractions like Kasubi tombs, Kabaka’s palace and Kabaka’s Lake, historical monuments and museums like the Uganda National Museum, National buildings like the parliament, educational Institutions like Makerere University, Traditional hospitals like Mulago hospital, Mengo and Nsambya hospitals. However, since all these cannot be seen on a single day, you will thus select from this list the possible attractions that you can visit on this day.

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel (Upmarket/luxury), Cassia Lodge (Midrange/standard) or the lodge (Budget/Basic)

Day 2 of 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Wildlife and Cultural Safari in Uganda: Depart Kampala (visit Ziwa & top of the falls)

Leave Kampala after breakfast as early as 6:00am from your place of stay and head to the north of Uganda accompanied by the company guide. The journey is 311km about 5 hours’ drive to Murchison Falls National Park passing through the flat Nakasongora landscapes before diverting at Nakitoma from the main road 115 Km from Kampala to drive further for extra 7 Km to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. You will spend some time tracking the magnificent white Rhinos which only exist at this place in Uganda after which you will proceed to Masindi for Lunch. In the afternoon, you will continue on the drive to Murchison Falls National Park and upon arrival, you will hike the top of the falls to take time gaze at the splendid powerful waterfalls and listening to its roaring sound as it squeezes itself through the 8m ravine before falling 43m below the devils cauldron forming a plume of spray with a trade mark rainbow – the greatest feature to have ever happened on the course of the Nile River which happens to be the longest river in the world. Check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Murchison River Lodge (Midrange/standard) or Red Chili Rest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 3 of 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Wildlife and Cultural Safari in Uganda: Do game drive & boat cruise:

Wake up very early for a cup of coffee and then head to Paraa ferry crossing at 7:00am to the northern sector of the Park where game drives are carried out. The possible sights of various wildlife including; elephants, buffalo, Jackson hartebeest, Kobs, lion, leopard, giraffe among other wildlife will leave you with a taste of African savannah wilderness. The activity takes 3 – 4 hours after which you will return to the Paraa ferry crossing at 11:00am to go back to your lodge for relaxation and memory sharing. After your stimulating lunch, gather at the Paraa for an after boat cruise on the Nile at 02:00pm. This boat trip has got captains and guides who have cruised on this waters for years and will be glad to share with every piece of information that you would wish to gather on this trip including any bird species and wildlife both aquatic and land that might present its self. The shoebill stork can be luckily seen on this boat while the great sights of Nile crocodiles – the second largest reptile in the world and the Hippos would make up your trip up to the base of the falls. The boat takes 3 hours after which you will have marked the end of your day’s adventures.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 4 of 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Wildlife and Cultural Safari in Uganda: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

The drive to Kibale National Park is not an ordinary journey; it involves driving through the lush country side dotted by amazing features of earth movements including the Albertine rift valley. The farmed landscapes bring out the typical African villages that you have always heard of or wished to see on your safari like this safari in Uganda. Kibale is 441km about 9 hours’ drive from Murchison Falls National Park. The lunch stop will be made in Hoima town dubbed the oil city and continuous drive will see you arrive in Fort Portal and Kibale in particular in the evening overlooking the mystical Ruwenzori Mountains famously known as the mountains of the moon.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Chimpanzee guesthouse (Midrange/standard) or Kibale Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 5 of 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Wildlife and Cultural Safari in Uganda: Do Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland encounter

Wake up early for a heavy breakfast before gathering at Kanyanchu tourism center at 08:00am for a short briefing after which you will head to the forest in quest of Chimpanzees – man’s closest relative. The trek involves passing through the jungle of Kibale dubbed the primate capital of the world with over 13 species of primates some of which you will luckily come across during your Chimpanzee trekking including colobus monkey, vervet monkey, olive baboon, Red tailed monkey among others. The enchanting songs of Birds will keep you entertained in this 2 – 5 hour trek. One full hour is at your disposal to explore the Chimpanzees in detail and ascertain the external considerations as to why they are dubbed man’s close relative. Watch the as they eat fruits, play, socialize and swing in tree branches as you take as many photos as you can. Return to the center after having had your picnic lunch. Encounter Bigodi wetland sanctuary in the afternoon to take the rewarding swamp walk with amazing bird sights including the Rwenzori Turaco and swamp animals like Sitatunga. The communities around Bigodi offer a close touch of tourist – host interaction.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 6 of 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Wildlife and Cultural Safari in Uganda: Do Crater Lake hike and Amabere caves walk

After breakfast drive through Fort Portal town heading for the Crater Lake hike and Amabere caves walk. You will first visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves an ancient landmark with a lot of historical and cultural significance to the local people as it dates from the Chwezi era. Geographically, the caves are breast like features of stalagmites and stalactites with the seasonal Nyakasura water falls falling from their roof top. It is a great sight to encounter on Uganda safari. Continue to hike the crater lakes by hiking the famous Kyeganywa hill to gain the surrounding view of various crater lakes and hollows plus the overlooking views of Ruwenzori Mountains.

Accommodation: Kyaninga lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Mountains of the moon hotel (Midrange/standard) or Rwenzori guest house (Budget/basic).

Day 7 of 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Wildlife and Cultural Safari in Uganda: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & do salt lake visit.

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 144km about 4 hours’ drive from Kibale. The journey offers the scenic views of the magical Mountains of the moon that stand high up in the clouds at an elevation of 5,109m above sea level towards the west. You will arrive in Queen Elizabeth National park early for lunch after which you will embark on the visit to the Salt Lake in the afternoon. You will enjoy the process of salt extraction and see how the communities around have developed a livelihood centered on salt mining.

Accommodation: Mweya safari lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi lodge (Midrange/standard) or Simba safari camp (Budget/basic).

Day 8 of 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Wildlife and Cultural Safari in Uganda: Do game drive & boat cruise

Wake up very for a cup of coffee before setting of for the game drive activity in the savannah game park of Queen Elizabeth. The early departure at 06:00 gives you an opportunity to see night hunters like hynas getting back to their hiding places and early risers setting off to look for what to eat. The drive through the Kasenyi tracks gives a probable opportunity to see a range of game including; Lions, buffalo, elephants, elusive leopard (if too lucky), antelopes among other wildlife. Return to the lodge after this 3 -4 hour game drive and relax till lunch time. After lunch, you will gather at Mweya for a recreational afternoon launch cruise leaving at 03:00pm taking 2 hours exploring the magical offerings of Kazinga Channel including the sights of water birds and wild game drinking on the channel side, the Nile crocodile and the Hippos. The 45m channel that stretches from Lake George to Lake Edward has tranquil waters that always give pleasure and psychological satisfaction to any traveller on Uganda safaris. Retire from the boat at 5 pm for overnight.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 9 of 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Wildlife and Cultural Safari in Uganda: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to the gorilla trekking haven of Bwindi 160km about 5 hours’ drive from Mweya. You will pass through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you have chances of spotting tree climbing lions lying on tree branches in the midmorning warm sunshine. Proceed to Bwindi in the afternoon and check to your lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Gorilla Forest Camp (Upmarket/Luxury), Engagi lodge (Midrange/standard) or Bwindi View Bandas (Budget/Basic)

Day 10 of 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Wildlife and Cultural Safari in Uganda: Do gorilla trekking.

It is this long waited date when you will come across the critically endangered mountain gorillas that only exist in Bwindi and Virunga Volcanoes. You will wake up early for a heavy breakfast before gathering at the Park headquarters Buhoma for briefing at 08:00 about the conduct of gorilla trekking. You will head to the forest after briefing in search of these apes and though the trek is a bit challenging, it is one of those activities that you will never forget to have done in Uganda. The 2 – 8 hours activity involves hiking up the hills, descending down the valleys, walking through swamps and maneuvering the way through thickets which have formed the background of this Impenetrable forest before coming in direct contact with gorillas. The one full hour is at your disposal to maximize your experience with gorillas as you them forage, play, socialize and also gaze at you in a sign of welcoming and saying good bye. The experience is rewarding and worthy undertaking. Your picnic lunch will take you through the activity after which you will descend to the lodge for relaxation. In the evening, you can attend the local performances to see the amazing cultural performances of the Bakiga and the Batwa.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 11 of 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Wildlife and Cultural Safari in Uganda: Drive to Kampala.

After breakfast, embark on 527km about 10 hours’ drive to Kampala. Have en route stops at Igongo Cultural Center 12km past for Lunch at the famous Kahwa Kanuzire restaurant and at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe 77km to Kampala to have amazing photo poses and participate in water experiments that justify the divide between southern and northern hemispheres. Continue to arrive in Kampala in the afternoon to mark the end of your 11 days Uganda safari.

End of the 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Wildlife and Cultural Safari in Uganda