5 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari : 5 Days Uganda safari package is designed for travelers who are interested in short safari to see mountain gorillas and view general wildlife in one of Uganda’s national parks. The 5 Days tour includes gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park, two game drive in Queen Elizabeth (including one to spot tree -climbing lions in Ishasha sector) and a launch cruise along the Kazinga channel. Uganda is blessed with amazing tourism destinations. No wonder Winston Churchill described her as “The Pearl of Africa”.
Because of its remarkable biodiversity and being home to about half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is now a UNESCO World heritage site. Apart from mountain gorillas, Bwindi has also been recognized as one of the best places for birding in Africa. While in Bwindi, you will be taken for gorilla trekking and visiting the Batwa pygmies. It is possible to see chimpanzees and gorillas while following some of the trails in Bwindi. Queen Elizabeth national park on the other hand is the most visited in Uganda. The park has beautiful and unique landscape, which remains relatively green throughout the year. Earth movements and volcanic eruptions created amazing physical features like crater lakes, gorges and valleys hence enhancing the overall beauty of the park. The main activities in Queen Elizabeth national park are game drives, boat cruises along the Kazinga channel, Lion tracking, nature walks and Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge or Kalinzu forest reserve. For this particular safari, you will take the boat cruise and go for game drives, which include spotting tree climbing lions of Uganda.
Safari highlights
Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise
Day 3: Game drive in Ishasha sector – Transfer to Bwindi national park
Day 4: Tracking gorillas in Bwindi – Visit the Batwa Pygmies
Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala for departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
You will pick you up from the airport in Entebbe airport or depending on your location in Entebbe/Kampala. After the briefing, you will start the 6-7 hour journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth is located in the south-western part of the country which is arguably the most scenic. Expect to catch sight of lakes, rivers, mountains, forests, national parks and other physical features. Take time to observe the countryside, the amazing Ankole cattle and the local people working in their gardens or doing business in small trading centers. The driver will stop at the equator crossing, the Igongo cultural Centre and in local markets to check out fresh tropical fruits. The equator crossing is particularly interesting because it is where the Earth’s southern and northern hemispheres are separated. Lunch will be taken along the way. Proceed to your booked lodge for check-in at Elephant Plains Lodge (Luxury)/ Buffalo Safari Lodge (Midrange)/ Pumba Safari Cottages (budget).
Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise
You will set off early from your lodge with packed breakfast for an early morning game drive to spot early risers and predators before they retreat to their hideouts. Expect to spot hippos, buffaloes, antelopes, leopard, lions and a collection of both resident and migratory birds. The game drive takes about 3 hours and could be done in the Kasenyi or Mweya plains. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch and rest.
At 2.00 pm, you will drive to the Kazinga Channel for the afternoon boat cruise. The Channel is a magnet for all wildlife in the park. It boasts of a great variety of bird species – more than any other single destination in Africa. Expect to spot crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and hippos bathing or swimming in the waters. The launch cruise takes between 2 to 3 hours. Overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 3: Game drive in Ishasha sector – Transfer to Bwindi national park
You will wake up to breakfast and get ready to transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park. En-route stop in Ishasha sector for a game drive for the tree-climbing lions. Tree climbing lions are only found in Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa. The lions are said to love trees because it protects them from bugs living on lower ground. From the top of their trees, they can have an aerial view of their prey and plan where to go during the night. After spotting the lions on top of acacia and fig trees, you will set off for Bwindi impenetrable forest and have lunch along the way. Once you arrive at your lodge in Bwindi forest, check-in, relax by the lodge premises. Dinner and overnight at Sanctuary Gorilla Camp for luxury/ Buhoma Haven Lodge (Mid-range)/ Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget).
Day 4: Tracking gorillas in Bwindi – Visit the Batwa Pygmies
On the 4th day of your 5 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari, After early breakfast, connect to the park headquarters for briefing for gorilla trekking that takes place at 7:00 am conducted by park Guides/Rangers. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest involves trekking among 15 habituated gorilla families allocated based on your age and overall fitness. After the briefing, you will go into the jungle looking for the primates. Tracking gorillas can be challenging but it is worth every penny. The one hour spent with the gorillas in the wild is a once in a lifetime experience and you will never forget it. Moreover, you get an opportunity to observe other forest creatures like monkeys, chimpanzees, birds and butterflies. Prepare to take as many photos as you can but also instructions from your guide. Stay calm and never make sudden movements that could alert the gorillas. After your one hour with the gorillas, you will return to the starting point where you will meet our guide to take you back to your hotel for lunch and rest.
Later in the afternoon, you will visit the Batwa pygmy community. The Batwa originally lived in the Bwindi impenetrable forest before they relocated to their current homes. Most of the Batwa never adapted to life outside the forest. They had to deal with new diseases, alcoholism and chronic poverty. Moreover, they also had to learn to live with aggressive neighbors whom they had avoided for thousands of years. Most Batwa now survive as squatters in farms owned by the more progressive tribes. While visiting them, the Batwa will entertain you with traditional dances, songs and stories about the past way of life. Dinner and overnight at lodge as above
Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala for departure
You will wake up at your own leisure and depending on your flight arrangements. Take breakfast and wait for the Guide to come pick you up. The driver will start the 8-9 hour journey from Bwindi to Entebbe while making several stops along the way. If you did not visit the Igongo Cultural Centre or the equator crossing, this will be the time to do so. You will also have a great chance to stop at the Buganda royal drum makers for a chance to see these giant communication devices being built using skills transferred from their ancestors. The driver will drop you at airport or your hotel in Kampala/Entebbe if you are still in the country.
End of Tour
