14 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Gorillas, Chimps, Wildlife, Hiking, Communities & Scenery Viewing – Overview

The 14 days Gorilla safari Uganda is a long Gorilla safari in Uganda & wildlife tour featuring Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest, Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest, amazing wildlife game drives, community & culture encounters, cycling, mountain hiking & scenic landscape viewing.

This 14 Days Gorilla Safari Uganda Tour, Gorilla Safari in Uganda, Gorilla Tour Uganda is an impressive medium safari package that is suitable for a fortnight holiday.

The Safari features a perfect blend of culture, adventure, wildlife viewing, primate tracking and recreation.

The Safari takes you to Lake Mburo National Park where counts of Rothschild giraffes, Impala, Burchell’s Zebra, Topis, and Elands survive, have a cultural encounter with the Banyankole community exploring their heritage that centers around cattle keeping and cultivation, the Lake Bunyonyi exploration with its 29 Islands dubbed the lake of a thousand Islands, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with its magical gorilla trekking encounter, the remarkable wild game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park including the tree climbing lions of Ishasha, the elephants, Buffaloes, Leopard, Kobs among others, adventure hiking to the legendary Mountains of the moon – the Rwenzoris, the recreational boat cruise on Kazinga Channel with sights of Nile crocodiles and Hippos, the memorable chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and adventure cycling in the Mpanga Tea Estates.

14 Days Gorilla Safari Uganda Tour – Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda

Day 2: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, make a stop at the equator crossing at Kayabwe for amazing photo shots and water experiments. Do an evening game walking safari upon arrival in Lake Mburo NP

Day 3: Whole day Cultural tour to the Banyankole Community. Explore the heritage of the Banyankole people including the pastoral Bahima and the agricultural Bairu.

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, visit Igongo Cultural Museum en route & upon arrival at Lake Bunyonyi, do an evening canoe paddling to mix up with local fishermen and other people connecting to & from the Islands

Day 5: Do Island Hopping to explore the main Islands out of the 29 Islands of Lake Bunyonyi – the lake of a thousand Islands

Day 6: Do gorilla trekking and have an evening Bakiga / Batwa Cultural performance at the lodge

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & do Ishasha game drive en route in search of tree climbing lions and other wildlife

Day 8: Do morning game drive, afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise and then transfer to Rwenzori area

Day 9: Do whole day Mount Rwenzori Hiking. Encounter the legendary mountains of the moon towering to 5,109m above sea level with snow-capped peaks

Day 10: Encounter the Rwenzori Art foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa & participate in the sculpture making process, visit the Ruboni Community craft and wax center & participate in craft making and wax processing & transfer to Fort Portal Area to visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves and do Fort Portal Crater Lake hike and then transfer to Kibale National Park

Day 11: Do Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Fort Portal to participate in Batooro name giving ceremony / do a leisure walk in Fort Portal town or have an evening rest at the lodge

Day 12: Do Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling and transfer to Kampala. Visit Nakayima tree en route at Mubende

Day 13: Do Kampala City tour. Visit the Christ Our Vision Child Day Care Orphanage, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Baha’i Temple, Makerere University, Kasubi Tombs and Kabaka’s Palace in Bulange dressed in traditional Kiganda attire, Amin’s torture chambers at Bulange, Namirembe and Rubaga Cathedral, Gadhafi Mosque, Owino Market and drive through slum and up market suburbs of Kampala

Day 14: Departure

14 Days Gorilla Safari Uganda Tour Itinerary – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda

Arrive in Uganda following your flight from the country of origin landing at Entebbe International Airport.

You will find our company representative waiting for you to offer a courteous welcome and briefing about the destination and various safari aspects after which you will transfer to the hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Main Destination: Kampala City

Accommodation: Sheraton Kampala Hotel (Upmarket / Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Buziga Country Resort (Budget / Basic)

Day 2: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, Make a Stop At The Equator Crossing At Kayabwe For Amazing Photo-shoots And Water Experiments.Do An Evening Game Walking Safari Upon Arrival in Lake Mburo NP

You wake up early in the morning from your place of stay in Kampala to embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park at 6:30 am to the southwest of Uganda 240km about a 3 – 4 hours’ drive.

You make a stop at Uganda Equator crossing 77km from Kampala for a thrilling cup of coffee, amazing photo-shoots, and a water experiment to justify the geographical divide between the north and south hemispheres before proceeding to pass through impressive countryside landscapes to arrive in Lake Mburo National Park in the time for lunch.

You will check at your lodge, settle for lunch and relax a little before embarking on an evening game walking safari.

You walk through the impressive Savannah landscapes of Lake Mburo dotted with acacia woodlands and open Savannah in some areas.

The park has scenic hills and flat plains that support counts of wild game including Zebra, Impala, Buffaloes, Topis, Rothschild Giraffes, warthogs, elands, and waterbucks among others.

The rising Kazuma Hill offers a rewarding hike and views of the lakes below and wildlife grazing. You retreat from the 3-hour activity to return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Main Destination: Lake Mburo National Park

Places to Visit: Equator Crossing at Kayabwe

Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Arcadia Cottages Mburo (Midrange / Standard) or Eagles Nest (Budget / Basic)

Day 3: Whole Day Cultural Tour To The Banyankole Community. Explore The Heritage of the Banyankole People Including The Pastoral Bahima And The Agricultural Bairu.

Connect to the local community early in the morning to catch up with them as they get up to embark on their daily routine.

You participate in traditional hand milking, sick animal treating, brushing the cows, grazing, playing grazing instruments like flutes, watering cows on soil-made water troughs, traditional meat roasting and grilling process, preparing sauce without fire (Eshabwe), milk pot cleaning and smoking them using a handmade ceramic and specially selected grass and tree species, crafting milk pot lids and arranging the calf pen.

Along with, encountering the banana plantation, participating in weeding, pruning, crop planting or harvesting depending on the season, and the process of banana food preparation from peeling to fire making using local firewood up to serving.

It is such a deep immersion in the culture of the local people. Retreat in the evening to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight

Main Destination: Lake Mburo National Park

Main Activity: Cultural tour

Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Arcadia Cottages Mburo (Midrange / Standard) or Eagles Nest (Budget / Basic)

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, Visit Igongo Cultural Museum En-route & Upon Arrival at Lake Bunyonyi, Do An Evening Canoe Paddling To Mix Up With Local Fishermen And Other People Connecting To & From The Islands

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi 199km about 4 hour drive. After 33km, you make a stop at Igongo Cultural Center to visit the cultural museum which features a wide range of artifacts of the tribes of southwestern Uganda including the Banyankole and the Bakiga.

There are impressive sculptures, fetishes, drawings, writings, tools, and other collections that date back to the ancient era thus taking you back to the old days of these people.

Retreat from the activity and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Upon arrival at Lake Bunyonyi, you relax a bit at the lodge and then embark on an evening canoe paddle on Lake Bunyonyi.

A local canoe paddling exposes you to the community’s mode of navigation and how they have used their workmanship to build such transport equipment.

You mix up with local fishermen as the lookout for fish and interact with them on a friendly basis taping into the remarkable hospitality of Ugandans. Retreat from the activity and retire for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Main Destination: Lake Bunyonyi

Places to Visit: Igongo Cultural Museum

Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket /Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Midrange / Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget / Basic)

Day 5: Do Island Hopping To Explore The Main Islands Out Of The 29 Islands of Lake Bunyonyi – The Lake Of A Thousand Islands And Transfer To Bwindi Impenetrable Park

After breakfast, embark on the Island hopping on Lake Bunyonyi and exploring the lake’s main Islands and their heritage.

These include; Akampene Island which is traditionally known as the Punishment Island where the unmarried pregnant girls would be dumped and left to die as a punishment for violating societal values, Bushara Island with its impressive forest cover, Kyahugye Island which is a resort Island with a range of wildlife including Zebra, Impala, Waterbuck and debrazza monkey, Bwama and Njuyera / Sharps Island known as traditional leprosy center where the leprosy affected people used to gather for treatment by the missionary doctor Sharp, Bucuranuka Island known as Upside down.

It is known for killing its inhabitants who were brewing local beer and reusing the old woman to take a sip despite her plea as they thought that she is the common beggar that they knew.

After refusing her to enjoy local beer, she asked for someone to drop her on the mainland and they accepted as they were tired of her.

A young boy was offered and as he was embarking on her return journey to the Island, it turned upside down.

These Islands feature a range of local people including the Batwa and the Bakiga with their impressive traditions including the stories of the past, dances, local foods, and the general way of life not forgetting local schools. Retreat from the activity and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the evening

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Park

Main Activity: Gorilla Trekking in the park

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket /Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Broad bill Forest Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 6: Do Gorilla Trekking And Have An Evening Bakiga / Batwa Cultural Performance At The Lodge

After breakfast, gather at the respective park headquarters for briefing at 8 am and the eventual start of the gorilla trekking encounter.

You follow the trails of your respective gorilla family traversing the forest with its hilly forested landscapes and deep saddles.

The hills are forested with mature trees and dense undergrowth that have earned it the name Impenetrable.

The gorilla trekking encounter tends to last 2 – 8 hours inclusive of one (1) hour direct encounter with them.

Seeing the critically endangered apes as they forage, and socialize, the young gorillas rolling themselves on tree branches and the Silverback demonstrating his authority is a moment of wonder that derives remarkable excitement. Retreat from the activity and return to the lodge for relaxation.

In the evening, you attend the Batwa / Bakiga Performance with their impressive energetic dance where the best dancer is the one who shakes the ground.

The performance demonstrates their history, traditions, and heritage. Retire for dinner and overnight

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Park

Main Activities: Gorilla Trekking, Batwa Cultural Performannces

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget /Basic)

Day 7 : Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Do Ishasha Game Drive En-route in Search Of Tree Climbing Lions And Other Wildlife

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You drive through the impressive landscape of Kigezi with its rolling hills.

You approach the southern extension of Queen Elizabeth National Park to undertake a thrilling game drive in search of tree-climbing lions that tend to lie on fig tree branches during the daytime.

The short trees of Ishasha present an ideal viewing of this wild game other than any other part of the world where these unique Species can be found.

The drive through Ishasha also exposes you to counts of other wildlife including Buffaloes, antelopes, and elephants. Continue on the drive to the northern section for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Main Activity: Game Drive

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket Luxury), Engazi Game Lodge (Midrange / Standard), or Pumba Safari Cottage (Budget / Basic)

Day 8: Do a Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise And Then Transfer to Rwenzori Mountain Area

Connect to the rolling Savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth NP stretching to Kasenyi plains where counts of the wild game might be encountered including elephants, Buffaloes, lions, leopards, Kobs, waterbucks, spotted hyenas, and jackals among others.

You have chances of encountering these animals as they mate, patrol, socialize, graze, and hunt among other aspects that lure you into remarkable amazement.

Retreat from the 3 – 4 hour activity to embark on the transfer to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you gather at Mweya jetty for an afternoon boat cruise along the 45km Kazinga Channel.

The cruise exposes you to possible magical sights of the Hippos, Nile crocodiles, and other wild game like elephants and buffaloes drinking on the channel side.

Retreat from the activity and transfer to Rwenzori Mountain for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Main Destination: Rwenzori Mountain Area

Main Activity: Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Accommodation: Equator Snow Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Ihamba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 9: Do Whole Day Mount Rwenzori Hiking. Encounter The Legendary Mountains Of The Moon Towering To 5,109m Above Sea Level With Snow-capped Peaks

After breakfast at your lodge, gather at the Rwenzori National Park Headquarters to embark on a whole day’s adventurous hike to the legendary mountains of the moon – the Rwenzoris.

The Rwenzori Mountains being the 3^rd tallest in the African continent towers up to 5,109m, above sea level with snow-capped peaks despite its close range to the world’s latitude and the sun’s way – the Equator.

The whole day hike enables you to explore its foothills offering magical views of some peaks at distant ranges, the panoramic views of Kasese town, the rolling Savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth, and the patches of Rift Valley lakes below.

It’s an adventurous encounter of a lifetime in its short setting. Retreat from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Main Destination: Mount Rwenzori National Park

Main Activity: Mount Rwenzori Hiking

Accommodation: Equator Snow Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Ihamba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 10: Visit the Rwenzori Art Foundation  Transfer To Fort Portal Area And Then Transfer To Kibale National Park

After breakfast, embark on the impressive encounter at the Rwenzori Art Foundation which is the only bronze casting center in Africa with a range of sculptures aligned in its gallery.

You have the opportunity of participating in the casting process and see how metals are modified to produce fine items.

You proceed to explore the Ruboni Craft Village where counts of village women demonstrate their skill in making fine artworks.

You can pick a souvenir as a memorabilia to take back home. Another stop will be made at Bunyangabu beekeepers to explore the wax processing process and how the local people have applied their indigenous knowledge to develop a successful bee-keeping business.

You proceed to Fort Portal town for lunch after which you transfer to visit the Amabere Caves and hike the Fort Portal Crater lake field.

Visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves, an ancient site that locals believe to be the breasts of Nnyinamwiru, the daughter of Bukuku a self-enthroned King of the Bachwezi. Geologically, the features are stalactites and stalagmites.

From the caves, continue to hike the Fort Portal Crater field where you will summit the famous Kyeganywa hill offering impressive views of the crater lakes and crater hollows below and the views of Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day.

Return from this activity and transfer to Kibale National Park 26km from Fort Portal town arriving at the lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Main Destination: Kibale Forest National Park

Main Activity: Chimpanzee Trekking

Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guest house (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget / Basic)

Day 11: Do Chimpanzee Trekking And Transfer To Fort Portal To Participate in Batooro Name Giving Ceremony /Do a Leisure Walk in Fort Portal Town or Have An Evening Rest At The Lodge

After breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu tourism center for a briefing at 08:00 am from the park rangers about the Chimp trekking conduct.

Set off to this forest of Kibale after the short briefing in quest of Chimpanzees. The 2 – 5 hour trek will expose you to amazing tree species and wildlife including other 12 species of primates like Colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, and olive baboons.

The sights of Birds cannot be avoided while their songs will offer you natural entertainment through the jungle.

You will marvel at the Chimpanzees as they roll themselves on tree branches, munch fruits, and make their pant–hooting calls.

After utilizing your one hour, you will have a picnic lunch and return to the starting point for short relaxation after which you will transfer to Fort Portal town to participate in the Batooro name-giving ceremony.

The Batooro have the traditional function of giving pet names to their people and these include Amooti, Apuuli, Abwooli, Akiiki among others.

It is a celebration event with a series of practices that are observed. You are glad to be part of this cultural tradition and you have yourself crowned a mutooro pet name.

Alternatively, you can undertake a guided leisure walk in Fort Portal town which is the most settled and clean town in Uganda. Alternatively, you can spend an evening resting at the lodge.

Main Destination: Kibale Forest National Park

Main Activity: Chimpanzee Trekking

Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Mountains of the Moon Hotel (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget / Basic)

Day 12: Do Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling And Transfer to Kampala. Visit Nakayima Tree En-route at Mubende

After breakfast, connect to Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling exploring the impressive landscapes that are soaked with tea plants forming a lush green landscape with amazing scenery.

The undulating terrain makes it ideal for cycling encounters. However, this goes beyond cycling and you have chances of participating in the tea plucking exercise along with the estate staff.

Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer back to Kampala 300km about 6 hour’s drive. The impressive scenic landscape including the inselbergs of Mubende en route makes your drive rewarding.

Main Destination: Kampala City

Places to Visit: Mubende, Nakayima Tree

Day 13: Do Kampala City Tour

After breakfast, embark on the visit to the Christ Our Vision Child Day Care Orphanage where Prime Safaris supports a count of disadvantaged children by offering them education and other basic necessities.

You attend their plays and chat with them to restore hope for their future. From there, you visit other sites of historical, religious, cultural, educational, and political significance including Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Baha’i Temple, Makerere University, Kasubi Tombs and Kabaka’s Palace in Bulange dressed in traditional Kiganda attire, Amin’s torture chambers at Bulange, Namirembe and Rubaga Cathedral, Gadhafi Mosque, Owino Market and drive through slum and up market suburbs of Kampala. Retire in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Main Destination: Kampala City

Main Activity: Kampala City Tour

Accommodation: Sheraton Kampala Hotel (Upmarket / Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Buziga Country Resort (Budget / Basic)

Day 14: Departure

Do last time shopping and transfer to Entebbe International Airport for flight departure back home.

End of The 14 Days Gorilla Safari Uganda Tour