8 Days Uganda Experience with Gorilla Trekking Safari

Hurray! Your road trip to the wilderness starts now! After breakfast, pack your sense of adventure and buckle up for an epic Ugandan ride! You will depart the bustling city of Kampala headed for the amazing Mountain Rwenzori National Park. It’s no wonder how much Rwenzori boasts of being one of the highest points in the land well, which only sends one message: a thrill-filled hiking adventure of the snow-capped ranges! Let’s get on with the fascinating roadside experience as you pass through the charming local town of Fort portal. It’s enriching, as you ride along, from a distance, you start having sight of the rolling ranges in the clouds and that’s a clear sign indicating you are closer than ever to your destination. Eventually, after what felt like a long drive, you are now at the gates of Nyaika Hotel or similar, where you will have deserved rest for the day from the long journey. Meal Plan: F/B

Meal Plan: Full Board (F/B)

Very early in the morning, after your day’s first meal, your guide will take you on a ride to the base of the Mountain Rwenzori National Park, one of the recognized heritage sites UNESCO in the country. This park harbors the highest point in the country, Mt. Stanley’s Margherita Peak, a snow-capped range. It also boasts of a diverse array of landscapes and an incredible richness of biodiversity, flowing streams from the ranges. This should be a must not miss photo moment as you are guided around. If lucky, you may see a few wildlife species surviving in the park. With all the beautiful scenery surrounding you, you must have collected a number of memories to take back home. After this short hike and taking a lot of pictures, your guide will drive you to one of the most endowed National parks in the country, Queen Elizabeth National park, where upon arrival in the afternoon you will cool off from the long journey as you prepare yourself for an evening game drive through the park before you call it a day at Buffalo Safari Lodge or similar.

Meal Plan: Full Board (F/B)

 Upon first light, after your breakfast, it is time to set off. Finally, you arrive at the gates of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the welcoming embrace of the wilderness awaits. Through the pop-up of your vehicle, you may be greeted by the beautiful sights and sounds of the African bush and the trumpeting of elephants. With each passing moment, you’re reminded of the timeless allure of the Pearl of Africa and the boundless wonders that await those who dare to explore its wild and untamed heart as you get on a thrilling game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park along with other adventure seekers. In the afternoon, you must be exhausted from the four-wheel ride around the park, your game will be complimented with an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, home to one of the largest concentrations of hippopotamus, as well as herds of elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife that come to drink from the river. The Kazinga also attracts a tremendous variety of bird species, including the African Eagle, Open-Billed Stork, and Pied Kingfishers. After this most deserving experience, if time allows you may also have the day’s last optional visit of the Kasoga Community, before you make your return to Buffalo Safari Lodge or similar.
Meal Plan: Full Board (F/B)

Are you still reminiscing about yesterday’s wild ventures? After breakfast, you will bid farewell to the southern part of Queen Elizabeth and head towards the south for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This dense equatorial jungle is accessible only on foot and features one of the richest ecosystems in Africa, including 120 species of mammals, 350 bird species including hornbills and turacos, 220 butterfly species, 27 frog species as well as chameleons, geckos and many other endangered species. It also boasts over 1,000 different flowering plants, ferns & trees. Check into Haven Lodge or similar and enjoy the beautiful scenery of your remote surroundings as you get ready for the following day gorilla tracking.
Meal Plan: Full Board (F/B)

Time to track the gentle giants of Bwindi! After a rush hour breakfast, it’s time to hit the road and continue your journey to the biggest highlight of the trip, with renewed energy and enthusiasm. You are drawn closer to the gates of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the adrenaline rush kicks in as anticipation is higher than ever. As you step out of your vehicle you will be welcomed by chirping sounds of the forest, immediately you will lounge in the briefing area where the park rangers take you through the basics of the activity before rolling into the thick foliage. After that, your assigned guide will lead you through the thicket with a machete clearing the path for your passage. A potter can be acquired for those who may need assistance going up and down the terrain at a cost. There you are! Spending time with the gorillas in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. The trek times can vary vastly according to where the gorillas have moved to but you may spend an hour with these amazing wild animals. Upon completion of this activity, you will then be driven back to Haven Lodge or similar where you may have optional afternoon activities below;

You may also choose to take part in an engaging food experience at the lodge where you will be guided by professional chefs as you take part in preparation of local and international cuisines as served by the community and the country. You will also have an opportunity of tasting the ready food and have some photo moments for yourself.

The Batwa cultural entertainment: Care to know more about the Pygmies? During the bonfire at Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge you will get to experience the Batwa cultural entertainment offers a fascinating insight into the traditions, customs, and way of life of one of Uganda’s oldest indigenous communities. This was put in place by the displaced Batwa pygmies to educate their children and to share their amazing heritage and traditions with the world. The Experience takes you back in time building closure and reality in the heritage and culture of the pygmies from food hunting or gathering to setting fires. As your Batwa cultural session comes to an end, you take a moment to reflect on the insights gained and connections made during your time with the entertainers.
An afternoon sail along Lake Mutanda: What is an afternoon in Kisoro without a boat ride on Lake Mulehe! As the canoe boat cuts through the waters of the lake, you take a deep breath, filling your lungs with the fresh air as you observe the beauty of the Virunga Mountains. In this moment, time seems to slow down while you’re enveloped by the tranquility of the lake, definitely a memory you’ll treasure long after your Ugandan adventure has come to an end.
You may also choose to visit the community and support the Pack for a purpose initiative: This is a sustainable community initiative that includes conserving nature through the pack for a purpose campaign where school children are offered clothes or school supplies in exchange of every 10 bottles collected in order to encourage conservation in the community. We encourage any interested clients to participate by bringing in any used or new items in support of this conservation campaign.

Meal Plan: Full Board (F/B)

After an early breakfast, get on to the road to Kisoro for the coffee experience.
Coffee & tour experience & you will be taken to a warm and friendly local couple in the community who are eager to share their knowledge and passion for organic volcanic coffee. During this activity, the couple will take you through all the traditional stages of coffee production from nursery bed management, to gardening, harvesting, pounding, winnowing, roasting, and finally coffee tasting. Through this activity, you will have an opportunity to learn and appreciate the way of life of the people surviving in the local community.

It must have been a wonderful venture with the gorillas in the south-western side, so after the coffee visit, you will take your ride to the grasslands of Lake Mburo National Park. It is a very scenic drive that will lead you to one of the smallest parks in the country but with lasting adventures to seek. As you drive through the savannah plains you will approach the pristine Kigarama Wilderness Lodge where you will be resting for the night.

Meal Plan: Full Board (F/B)

Greet the day with a breakfast serenade. It’s the last day and you are almost done with your Ugandan adventure. Before you bid farewell, you will have an early morning game drive as you proceed towards the exit of the park. The park boasts of a number of wildlife such as the African buffalo, giraffes, antelopes, leopards and a number of birds. This is one of the most exciting moments of the ride through the wilderness as you may be lucky to encounter carnivores before they go into hiding. Next, embark on a captivating drive to Entebbe. En route briefly stop at the iconic Equator marker. Here, experience the thrill of standing with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere. If time is on your side you may also have a stop at the local Royal drum makers in Mpambire before you continue your journey. Finally, arrive at Entebbe International Airport in ample time for your flight back home. Take with you not just souvenirs, but a treasure of memories.