The 4 days gorillas and Queen Elizabeth safari is a unique Uganda primate and wildlife safari package set for you to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a magical national park in Southwestern Uganda and it occupies an area of about 331sq.kms. Its establishment in 1991 was to protect some of the rare mountain gorillas which make up a total of about 1004, half of which are all confined in this park. Currently, there are 20 gorilla families that have been habituated and set for gorilla trekking. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also inhabits other wildlife species including over 360 bird species, 51 reptiles, 88 moths, plant species as well as other species of primates including chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is set in Western Uganda, approximately 6 hours’ drive from Kampala and 3 hours’ drive from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is Uganda’s second-largest national park with an area coverage of about 1978sq.kms and largely comprised of vast savanna grassland inhabiting mostly African bush elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions plus the tree-climbing lions, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles, over 620 bird species, primates such as chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, baboons. Your 4 days gorillas and Queen Elizabeth safari will begin and end in Kampala.
What to expect on 4 days gorillas and Queen Elizabeth safari
• An hour of magical encounter with mountain gorillas
• Viewing the tree-climbing lions at Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Game drive
• Boat cruise
• Photography at Uganda Equator crossing
• Lunch at Igongo Cultural Village
• Travel by 4×4 drive safari vehicle
• Fulltime English-speaking driver-guide
Brief itinerary of your 4 days gorillas and Queen Elizabeth safari
Day 1: Travel from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 2: Game drive and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 3: Gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural experience
Day 4: Drive back to Kampala
Detailed itinerary of your 4 days gorillas and Queen Elizabeth safari
Day 1: Travel from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
At 6:30 am after your breakfast at a hotel in Kampala or place of residence, meet driver guide from Maranatha Tours and Travel for a briefing on what your Uganda gorilla and wildlife safari package is all about. Later, you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Masaka-Mbarara-Ishaka-Busenyi route which is about 5-6 hours. On the way, you will make a stopover at Uganda Equator crossing for photography and chilling, then connect to Igongo Cultural Village for a tasty traditional meal. You will then drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, relax a bit.
At 2:00 am, you will catch up with the afternoon boat or launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel that links Lake George and Lake Edward. On a launch trip, you will spend about 3-4 hours and you will come across hippos, crocodiles, water birds plus elephants, buffaloes, antelopes on the banks. Retreat from your fun-filled boat cruise experience to the lodge to relax, dine and spend a night.
Journey: 5 to 6 hours
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Where to stay at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Mid-range: Twin Lak Safari Lodge, Ihamba Lodge
Budget: Queen Elizabeth Bush Camp, Mweya Hostel
Day 2: Game drive and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Get up early in the morning to have breakfast and after, your driver-guide will pick you up ready to begin your morning game viewing tour via Kasenyi Plains. This will last for about 3-4 hours and it will reward you with amazing sights at diverse wildlife species including African bush elephants, lions, leopards, antelopes, birds, warthogs, and beautiful savanna grassland. Return from your rewarding game drive to have lunch at the lodge.
Later, drive via the Ishasha sector where you will come across the tree climbing lions then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Your road trip will cover about 3 hours and spend the rest of the evening relaxing at your lodge.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural experience
Because this is the day everyone has been waiting, you are expected to rise up early enough to prepare, take breakfast and with your packed lunch plus bottled drinking water, gather at Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga or Nkuringo depending on where your gorilla permit directs you to for briefing on the gorilla trekking etiquette. It is on this day that you will be allocated to one habituated gorilla family to track in a group of eight trekkers. At 8:00 am, the park ranger guide plus trackers will accompany you on a search for mountain gorillas and this may take you 2 to 6 hours including an hour of photography, face to face encounters, learning about their behaviors. However, expect to see not only the rare mountain gorillas but also other primates including L’Hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys as well as birds, plants among others.
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the gorilla groups to trek include Kutu, Rwingi, Bitukura, Nshongi, Bweza, Bushaho, Bikingi, Mucunguzi, Oruzongo, Habinyanja, Katwe, Christmas, Rushegura, Nkuringo, Kyaguriro, Busingye, Kahungye, Mishaya, Mubare, and Mukiza. Return from your primate adventure to relax in the lodge.
Spend your afternoon/evening chilling at the lodge while enjoying the scenic tropical rain-forest of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or visit the Batwa Community for a cultural experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Where to stay at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Engagi Lodge Bwindi
Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Nshongi Camp
Day 4: Drive back to Kampala
Today, you will begin the day with breakfast and after, check out of the lodge and the driver guide will drive you back to Kampala or Entebbe. You will be served lunch in Igongo Cultural Village and later, connect to Uganda Equator crossing for the last photo taking and relaxation. Depending on the time, you may also make a stopover at Mpambire drum makers to learn how the locals make drums then drive to Kampala.
End of your 4 days gorillas and Queen Elizabeth safari
4 days gorilla and Queen Elizabeth safari includes
• Gorilla permit
• Game drives
• Boat cruise
• Park entry fees
• Transportation by 4×4 drive safari vehicle
• Fulltime English-speaking driver-guide
• Bottled water
• Relevant government taxes
• All activities in the travel plan except the optional ones
4 days Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari excludes
• Tips
• Insurance
• Uganda visa fees
• Laundry services
• Beverages
• cigarettes
• International flight fares
• Telephone calls.
What to pack for gorilla trekking
• Light waterproof hiking boots.
• Nonflashlight camera with extra batteries
• Long-sleeved shirt/t-shirt
• Gardening gloves.
• Long trousers
• First aid kit
• Bottled water and Energy giving snacks
• Rain jacket or poncho
• Socks
• Waterproof daypack
• Walking stick which you get at the park headquarters
Some of the set gorilla trekking rules and regulations to observe.
• Every trekker is advised to keep a distance of about 7 meters away from mountain gorillas.
• Nonflashlight camera is recommended for photo taking.
• Each day, only 8 trekkers are allowed to trek one habituated group.
• On finding mountain gorillas, you are given only one hour to make your dreams come into reality.
• Persons above 15 years qualify to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi.
• Please your mouth when coughing and nose when sneezing.
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