8-Day- Big Five & Gorilla Trekking Safari
Uganda
From
$3340.00
Duration
8 days
Tour Type
Overview
This tour starts from Entebbe, Uganda, and ends in Kigali, Rwanda. Your adventure begins with a pickup from Entebbe Airport or your hotel, followed by a transfer to Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an exciting rhino-tracking experience. Next, we’ll head to Murchison Falls National Park, then continue to the edge of Kibale National Park, and finally connect to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Included/Exclude
- Complimentary airport or hotel transfer service.
- Transportation in a comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle.
- Expert guidance from an assigned English-speaking driver-guide.
- Bottled water during the safari.
- Specified meals and accommodation with private en-suite bathroom facilities.
- All applicable park entrance and activity fees.
- Gorilla trekking permit for each participant.
- Rhino tracking fee at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
- Stipulated activities (excluding optional ones).
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- Personal/travel insurance
- East Africa tourist VisaÂ
- Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any activity stated as "OPTIONAL"
- Govt imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Extra meals and all kinds of drinks (soft & alcoholic)
- Phone calls and bar bills
- All personal expenses, including:
Tour Plan
Join us on a thrilling safari and gorilla trekking adventure! Upon arrival, you'll clear immigration and collect your luggage. Then, meet your assigned professional English-speaking tour driver-guide, who will welcome you and embark on a scenic transfer to Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a renowned conservation success story that has helped save Uganda's rhino population from near extinction. Today, visitors can encounter these magnificent creatures up close.
Optional (additional cost): If you arrive early or are picked up from a hotel, consider adding a guided nature walk to your itinerary. Otherwise, check-in, relax, and enjoy dinner and a restful overnight stay.
Day 2-Canoe ride through the Lugogo swamp. Encounter the shoebill stork- Transfer to Murchison Falls
Day 2 of our safari and gorilla trekking adventure takes us on a thrilling quest to spot the shoebill stork, a prehistoric bird species.Â
Rise early and embark on a 6:00 am shoebill trek and canoe ride through the Lugogo swamp. Encounter the shoebill stork, and other bird species, and witness the breathtaking Ugandan sunrise over the swamp.
After the trek, return for a quick breakfast before proceeding to track the majestic rhinos. Enjoy a hot lunch in Zziwa, then hit the road to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest national park. Explore the rolling plains and get a chance to spot an array of wildlife, including lions, giraffes, hartebeests, buffalos, and elephants.
Take a detour to visit the top of the falls, then head to your accommodation to rest and unwind.
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Embark on an unforgettable safari experience in Murchison Falls National Park, home to a diverse range of wildlife species, including buffalos, Jackson hartebeests, elephants, lions, giraffes, leopards, hyenas, and many more. These incredible creatures roam freely across the Savannah grasslands, making for a breathtaking game-viewing experience.
To maximize our time in the park, we'll enjoy a hot lunch at Red Chilli, avoiding the long drive back to the lodge. After lunch, we'll embark on the second leg of our game drive, taking in the stunning scenery and spotting even more wildlife.
After a satisfying day's adventure, we'll return to the lodge to freshen up and relax before dinner and our overnight stay.
Optional (additional cost $30 per person): Take a thrilling 11am boat trip to the base of the falls, with the option to hike (additional $15 per person) to the top of the falls for a truly exhilarating experience.
Following breakfast, we'll hit the road to the edge of Kibale Forest National Park, where we'll spend the night. The drive is long, but enjoyable, passing through charming villages, lush green landscapes, and rolling hills dotted with tea plantations. The stunning scenery will captivate you throughout the journey.
Upon arrival at our accommodation, we'll check in and head out to explore the breathtaking Kibale crater lakes. We'll hike to the "top of the world" for panoramic views and visit Lake Nkuruba, where we'll encounter various primates and bird species. Along the way, you'll meet and interact with local people as you trek through their villages, and take in the stunning views of the Kibale area.
Return to our accommodation for dinner and a relaxing overnight stay
On the 5th day, we'll explore the vibrant Bigodi wetlands before heading to Queen Elizabeth National Park. After breakfast, we'll venture out for an exciting excursion in the Bigodi wetlands, renowned for its incredible biodiversity. This wetland paradise is home to various primates, including black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, and baboons. It's also a birdwatcher's haven!
Optional (additional cost $230 per person): If you're interested, you can opt for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest instead of the Bigodi wetlands excursion. Please note that chimpanzee tracking permits need to be secured in advance.
After our wetlands adventure (or chimpanzee tracking), we'll embark on a scenic transfer (approximately 2 hours) to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Upon arrival, we'll have time for an afternoon game drive, where we'll spot an array of wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and many more
Rise early and embark on an exciting morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains, where you'll have the chance to see Cape buffalos, elephant herds, lions, and elusive leopards. Then, head to the Ishasha sector (Southern Queen) in search of the tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 60-70% but they can be challenging to spot, especially when they're hunting in the grasslands.
After this thrilling adventure, we'll begin the final leg of our journey, making our way to our accommodation situated at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check-in, relax, and unwind, as we prepare for the pinnacle of our adventure - the gorilla experience awaiting us tomorrow!
The moment we've all been waiting for on this custom safari and gorilla trekking tour has finally arrived! After breakfast, head to the rangers' post for a comprehensive briefing from a ranger-guide on the essential guidelines and rules for gorilla trekking. Then, venture into the breathtaking rainforest, where the stunning scenery and dramatic landscape will leave you in awe. The dense forest is crisscrossed by animal trails, allowing for an exciting and accessible adventure.
The duration of the trek (4-8 hours) and terrain will vary depending on the movements of the majestic gorillas. Once you've located a gorilla group, you'll have the privilege of spending an unforgettable hour in their presence. Observing these gentle yet endangered giants up close is a thrilling experience that will leave you with lifelong memories.
After the trek, return to your accommodation to rest and recharge.
Optional(extra cost):Â If you've finished early and are eager for more, you can request your guide to arrange an optional community visit or a short nature walk along one of the forest trails.
Start the day with a leisurely breakfast, then check out and prepare for our transfer to the Gatuna Border Post. Here, you'll meet our Rwanda-based Tour Driver-guide, who will take over from our Uganda-based counterpart. You will be transferred to Kigali, where you can be dropped off at the airport or your hotel of your booking.
Optional: If you have time and interest, consider adding an exciting excursion of Kigali City before your drop off at the airport/hotel.
This marks the end of our incredible adventure.Â
Thank you for choosing us (Raja Safari Holidays) as your travel companion.
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Booking Tour
Max Guests
50
Min Age
5+
