11-Day African Big 5 with Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda.

Arrival at Entebbe International Airport. You will be Met and assisted by a UGANDA SAFARI CHAPTER representative. Your guide will then transfer you to your hotel.

After breakfast, you are on your way North to Murchison Falls National Park having a break at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola to view the Rhinos. Uganda’s Rhinos became extinct in the early 1980s, after a period of civil unrest and heavy poaching. This sanctuary has now been established to breed black and white rhino, and restore rhino populations in Uganda’s protected areas in a later stage. This is a long drive as you travel north of the country.

After breakfast, you will go for an early morning game drive to the rolling plains where you have chances of viewing Lions, Giraffe, Hartebeest, Buffalo and Elephant as well as many of the other mammals of the Park. For the birders amongst you, these areas support the secretary Bird, Black Chested snake Eagle, Tawny and Marshal Eagles Carmine and Swallow Tailed Bee-Eaters, to pick just a few. This is a beautiful drive across Borassus Palm Forest and grassland savannah down to Lake Albert where the Albert Nile heads north to the Sudan. In the afternoon, go for a boat trip to the foot of Murchison Falls where the Nile thunders through a small 7 –meter gap, or down river to the delta where the Nile empties into Lake Albert. This is an experience not to be missed! The banks of the Nile are home to many species. You may see huge Nile Crocodiles, big Pods of Hippos and other wildlife that may come down to drink from the river.

Early game drive to the Top of Murchison Falls where you can have a close look in to the gorge where the Nile Squeezes in to a 7 meter gorge dropping 40 meters. The falls are spectacular and thunderous with a beautiful rainbow displayed on sunny days. Later we will transfer you to Hoima.

This morning we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (about 3-4 hrs drive). The drive takes us past volcanic crater lakes, with breathtaking game and some of the best bird watching in East Africa (about 500 different bird species). Late afternoon we take a boat trip on the Kazinga channel, 32 kms long. This water system has the highest concentration of Hippo in the world and we will get quite close to them. See also crocodile, buffalo and other game that drink from the channel, also marvel at the abundant ornitho-life that is supported here.

This day after your early morning breakfast we will leave the lodge for a morning Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. After the drive we will head to Twin Lakes Safari Lodge for lunch and later in the afternoon you will be transferred to Ishasha the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Ishasha is popular for tree climbing lions and chances of seeing them climbing depends on your luck of the day. Ishasha has other animals like Buffaloes, Elephants, Antelopes and many others. You may also drive to River Ishasha to see the border of Uganda and Democratic republic of Congo. Return to the Lodge for lunch and then evening game drive in Ishasha.

This day after breakfast, you will be driven to Bwindi where you will spend two nights as well as experience a Unique and ultimate Panoramic hills of Kigezi, on your way you encounter the beautiful scenic volcanoes of the great Virunga. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a Sanctuary for colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and many birds such as hornbills and turacos. It is most notable for the 340 Bwindi gorillas, half of the world’s population of the critically endangered mountain gorillas. It is accessible only on foot and is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization-designated world Heritage site.

Today after an energizing breakfast, you will have a once in a lifetime experience of gorilla trekking, you will report to the ranger station before 8 am registration and briefing by one of the rangers; the guides will then lead you through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track the gorillas. The trek can take anywhere from half an hour to 7 hours – a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking boots. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas.

After your breakfast, your guide will transfer you by road to Entebbe. The equator crossing in Uganda is a classic spot for pictures, souvenirs, and a perfect stopover for any safari to or from Western and southwestern Uganda. Did you know at the equator water drains straight down? This is because the movement and drainage of the water will differ from the Northern and the southern hemispheres at the Equator line, in the demonstration of the carioles effect, you will find out that you are 3% lighter at the equator line, you will witness this experience. This stopover allows you stretch before you embark on your journey.

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you by road to Entebbe then head to Mabamba swamp for a shoe bill tour. The swamp is a home to well over 20 bird species. Besides birds, the swamp is a haven for the endangered sitatuga, if you’re lucky, you might spot it.