Overview
The 6-Day Budget Friendly Wildlife with Gorilla Trekking Safari. Arrive Entebbe and transfer to Lake Mburo NP. Walking safari and continuing to Queen Elizabeth NP. Expect a game drive/safari, chimp tracking, and a Boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. Connect to Bwindi via the Ishasha sector – famously known for its tree-climbing lions. Then enjoy the gorilla experience and proceed to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation. On the 6th Day, return to Entebbe to catch a flight out or be dropped off at a hotel of your booking.
Day 1: Start from Entebbe (before 2pm) or be picked from a Hotel and transfer to Lake Mburo NP
The pick-up will be from either; the Hotel or from the Entebbe Airport upon arrival. The assigned Professional English-speaking Tour Driver-guide will pick/receive you and hit the road to Lake Mburo National Park. Mburo is a compact gem, located conveniently close to the highway that connects Entebbe/Kampala to the parks of western Uganda. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah National Parks but home to 350 bird species as well as animals such as: zebra, impala, eland, buffalo, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, hippo, and the elusive leopard. On arrival, we shall check in and if we still have some time available, we can proceed for a late afternoon-to-evening game drive. Otherwise, we shall check in and have the evening at leisure – relaxing.
Accommodation: (Eagles Nest Mburo-Budget Level) | Meals: Dinner | Transfer time: Approx. 4 hours.
Main Destination:
Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation:
Eagle’s Nest
Budget tented bush camp bordering Lake Mburo NP without fences
Meals & Drinks:
Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2: Morning walking safari (Mburo) and transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP and game drive/safari
We shall enjoy an early morning breakfast and then move out for the Mburo morning park (bush) walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger-guide. On this morning guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter (at close range): Zebras, Giraffes and Eland, Topi and other antelope, Cape buffaloes among others.
You may take the Trail to the top of the hills to see Lake Mburo and beyond. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for checkout and embark on a transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP. We expect to reach the accommodation in Queen in time for lunch, short rest and then proceed out for game viewing. During the game drive, we have opportunity to encounter; herds of buffalos or elephants, lion pride, elusive leopard, warthogs, a number of antelopes among others. Thereafter, we shall return to the accommodation and you will take rest.
Accommodation: (Irungu Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: 3 hours.
Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation:
Irungu Forest Safari Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3: Chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge and an afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel
We shall have breakfast and proceed for the Chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura gorge. The gorge is home to habituated Chimpanzees plus other primates including baboons, monkeys and also bird species. Today, you will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees here. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. After the boat trip, you can proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge.
Accommodation: (Irungu Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. n/a.
Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation:
Irungu Forest Safari Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 4: Sunrise game drive – Kasenyi plains and head to Ishasha sector, then connect to Bwindi
Be up early and proceed for an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains. Be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants, lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the lodge and check out then head to Ishasha sector in search of tree-climbing lions.
The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get to spot them, the sight is picturesque and memorable. From Ishasha, we shall continue to the accommodation at the edge of Bwindi National Park (Ruhija sector) – arriving in the evening (around 5 or 6pm). #Optional (extra cost USD 120$): You may consider experiential lion tracking that will see you join a member of the predator research team who will eventually lead you to this expedition.
Accommodation: (Broadbill Forest Camp-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: 6 hours.
Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation:
Broadbill Forest Camp
Budget tented camp located just outside Bwindi NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 5: Gorilla trekking Bwindi Forest and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation
Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from a ranger guide) on the dos and don’ts during trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure. The time taken and the terrain varies with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence.
The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation, check out, and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of (2,200 – 2,478m) but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical — you could admire them all day.
Accommodation: (Itambira Island-Tree House-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 2-3 hours.
Main Destination:
Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation:
Itambira Island
Mid-range hotel located in or near Lake Bunyonyi
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 6: Depart Bunyonyi and return to Entebbe Airport to catch flight back home
Have a relaxed breakfast at the accommodation with spectacular view of the Bunyonyi little islands just right in front of you and thereafter embark on your return journey to Entebbe Airport. Expect en route lunch and a stop at the Uganda Equator line mark in Kayabwe for some memorable photos and maybe buying some art pieces of interest. Proceed with the journey arriving late afternoon/evening for drop off at the airport to catch your flight back home (recommended for 19:00 onwards).
Accommodation: Recommended on request | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Drive Time: Approx. 8 hours.
Main Destination:
Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
End of your 6-Day Budget Friendly Wildlife with Gorilla Trekking Safari
