Bwindi – Queen Elizabeth National Park 5 Days Gorilla Safaris in Uganda

Your first day of the gorilla safaris in Uganda will begin with an expert driver-guide picking you from any location within Kampala at 8:00 am. You will then embark on a drive to the Western region to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is approximately 400 kilometers by road, south-west of Kampala. Your journey to the park will not be a boring one; you will stop briefly at the equator in Kayabwe, along Kampala – Masaka road. You will have the chance to do several experiments to prove that the imaginary line which divides the world into two equal halves lies in that place. After taking photographs at the equator monuments, you will visit the crafts and art shops in the area before continuing with your journey to the park.

Your next stop will be in Mbarara town where you will have a savory lunch comprising of local delicacies. You will have the rugged-natural beauty of Western Uganda to enjoy for the rest of the way as you drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will see the long-horned Ankole cattle grazing in the green fields, the vast tea plantations spread across the rolling hills, the rift valley escarpment, the silhouettes of the famous Rwenzori mountains and the humble homesteads of the countryside dwellers.

You will arrive at Uganda’s prized Queen Elizabeth National Park in the late afternoon. Before checking in at your lodge, you will embark on your first game drive along the channel drive circuit, following the Northern shore of the Kazinga channel. This section of the park is one of the few places in Africa where the rare giant forest hog, among other mammals is frequently sighted. The first day of your gorilla safaris in Uganda will end when you choose to retire to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

The second day of your gorilla safaris in Uganda will begin with a game drive at 6:30 am after an early breakfast. You will head out to the renowned Kasenyi plains with an experienced game ranger. The plains are a mass of African savannas known for harboring the largest concentration of game as compared to any other section in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Besides being a habitat to big game and predators, the plains harbor various species of wetland birds.

You will head back to your lodge in the early afternoon to have lunch and a brief rest before going for a boat cruise on Kazinga channel. The launch cruise along the channel is one of the most popular safari activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park. You get to sit back and enjoy the sight of elephants, buffaloes, bush-bucks, kobs and large herds of hippos on the riverbanks. Occasionally, visitors are able to spot leopards, lions and forest hogs. Besides the various mammals, the channel is a habitat for a variety of water bird species. After the boat cruise, you can embark on a nature walk before retiring to your lodge for the night. This will mark the end of the second day of your gorilla safaris in Uganda.

Your gorilla safaris in Uganda excursion will continue with a morning visit to the Katwe crater lakes – a cluster of 10 lakes formed from extinct volcanoes, as you depart from Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Katwe crater lake (one of the lakes) is not only one of Uganda’s largest salt mines, but it is also a habitat to many mammals and wildlife species, found especially at the baboon cliff. The crater lakes region also offers a splendid view across the park. After the excursion, you will embark on a transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

When you arrive at Bwindi – the prime destination for a gorilla safaris in Uganda excursion, you will embark on a Batwa trail experience. This will include visiting the community where the Batwa – native forest dwellers live. You will observe and get a chance to engage in their daily routine; brewing local beers, preparing medicinal herbs, cooking the evening meals, as well as their song and dance performances. Your day will end when you retire to your choice lodging for dinner and overnight.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the place to go for a satiating gorilla safaris in Uganda experience. After having breakfast, you will report at the park headquarters at around 7:30 am. You will be briefed about the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ while on a gorilla trekking excursion. You will then hit the trails with a team of professional guides and trackers. A typical gorilla trekking excursion lasts between 2 – 8 hours. Hiking through the beaten trails in search of the potent giants is exerting but greatly rewarding. The hours you spent searching through the vast forest are not boring; you get to encounter a variety of mammal, primate and bird species as well as noteworthy floral and plant life.

Once you encounter a gorilla family, you will spend an hour observing its members; how the domineering male silver-back (head of the family) displays his authority and ability. He huffs, grunts, roars and walks about his territory with an air of authority. Besides other males, you will also see the caring mothers tending their little ones; feeding some, rubbing a few, carrying others and keeping a watchful eye on those playing in the trees. You will be allowed to take photos and recordings of the experience. Bwindi harbors more than half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas. Your day’s gorilla safaris in Uganda excursion will end when you retire to your lodge.

On the last day of your gorilla safaris in Uganda experience, you will have breakfast before packing and heading out to Kampala. You will leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with your guide who will ensure you make a brief stop in Rukungiri for you to have a savory lunch comprising of local delicacies. You can still make another stop at the equator for you to take photos and visit the souvenir shops in the area.

Your drive back to Uganda’s capital will not be a boring one, you will enjoy the spectacular view of the massive greenery spread across an expanse of rolling hills, the cattle grazing, as well as the locals tending to their daily routines – you will enjoy the splendid view of a typical countryside life. Once you arrive in Kampala, your guide will drop you at any location of your choice in Kampala. If you have a flight to catch, your guide will drop you at Entebbe airport on time. This will mark the end of your 5 days Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorilla safaris in Uganda experience.