Short Itinerary

Day 1 (Dec 22, 2024) - Kampala to Kibale National Park (Bigodi Swamp Walk)
Day 2 (Dec 23, 2024) - Kibale National Park (Chimp Tracking) to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 3 (Dec 24, 2024) - Game Drives and Boat Cruise at Kazinga and transfer to Ishasha
Day 4 (Dec 25, 2024) - Game Drives in Ishasha and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 5 (Dec 26, 2024) - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorilla Tracking) to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 6 (Dec 27, 2024) - Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala

Notes

Clients can choose to do Batwa Cultural Visit on Day 5 in Bwindi at an additional cost of 80 USD PP.

No activities included in Bunyonyi. Clients can choose to do Community Walk, Canoe Ride, Boat Ride, Bicycle Ride, Bird Watching, Cray Fishing or any other activity in Lake Bunyonyi by paying additionally at the accommodation.

Choose Date

Safari tour prices vary depending on the starting date, your group size, and the choice of stay.

Ensuite Accommodation Packages

Below are packages with a few popular ensuite options for your tour, starting on Dec 22, 2024, in a group of two adults . Ensuite hotels are tented camps/lodges that can be inside/around national parks. You will have a private room with attached bathroom. Meals are provided by hotels.

Click to know more about safari accommodations (ensuite camps/lodges) .

Option E1: $2,223 per adult for safari with Safari Van , $2,291 per adult for safari with Mini Land Cruiser , $2,359 per adult for safari with Standard Land Cruiser , $2,495 per adult for safari with Extended Land Cruiser
- Stay at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge - Main House, Kibale from Dec 22, 2024 to Dec 23, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at The Bush Lodge, North - Self Contained Tents, Queen Elizabeth (North) from Dec 23, 2024 to Dec 24, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Enjojo Lodge, Ishasha - Self Contained Safari Tent, Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha) from Dec 24, 2024 to Dec 25, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Gorilla Closeup Lodge - Budget Crafted Room, Bwindi (Nkuringo) from Dec 25, 2024 to Dec 26, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Itambira Island, Seeds of Hope - Round house, Lake Bunyonyi from Dec 26, 2024 to Dec 27, 2024 [Full Board]

Option E2: $2,365 per adult for safari with Safari Van , $2,433 per adult for safari with Mini Land Cruiser , $2,501 per adult for safari with Standard Land Cruiser , $2,637 per adult for safari with Extended Land Cruiser
- Stay at Kibale Forest Camp - Safari Tent, Kibale from Dec 22, 2024 to Dec 23, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Twin Lakes Safari Lodge, North, Queen Elizabeth (North) from Dec 23, 2024 to Dec 24, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Enjojo Lodge, Ishasha - Self Contained Safari Tent, Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha) from Dec 24, 2024 to Dec 25, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Gorilla Valley Lodge - Ensuite, Bwindi (Rushaga) from Dec 25, 2024 to Dec 26, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort - Floating Cottage, Lake Bunyonyi from Dec 26, 2024 to Dec 27, 2024 [Full Board]

Option E3: $2,461 per adult for safari with Safari Van , $2,529 per adult for safari with Mini Land Cruiser , $2,597 per adult for safari with Standard Land Cruiser , $2,733 per adult for safari with Extended Land Cruiser
- Stay at Isunga Safari Lodge, Kibale from Dec 22, 2024 to Dec 23, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at The Bush Lodge, North - Self Contained Tents, Queen Elizabeth (North) from Dec 23, 2024 to Dec 24, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Enjojo Lodge, Ishasha - Thatched Cottage, Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha) from Dec 24, 2024 to Dec 25, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge - Cottage, Bwindi (Rushaga) from Dec 25, 2024 to Dec 26, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Arcadia Lodge, Lake Bunyonyi from Dec 26, 2024 to Dec 27, 2024 [Full Board]

Option E4: $6,410 per adult for safari with Safari Van , $6,478 per adult for safari with Mini Land Cruiser , $6,546 per adult for safari with Standard Land Cruiser , $6,682 per adult for safari with Extended Land Cruiser
- Stay at Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale from Dec 22, 2024 to Dec 23, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Kyambura Gorge Lodge, North - Deluxe Banda, Queen Elizabeth (North) from Dec 23, 2024 to Dec 24, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha) from Dec 24, 2024 to Dec 25, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Bwindi Lodge - Deluxe Banda, Bwindi (Buhoma) from Dec 25, 2024 to Dec 26, 2024 [Full Board]
- Stay at Arcadia Lodge, Lake Bunyonyi from Dec 26, 2024 to Dec 27, 2024 [Full Board]

A detailed list of inclusions is shared below. We have many more accommodations and addon tours to offer. Please share with us your requirements by clicking on the "Request Quote" button below, and our reservations team will get in touch with you.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Kampala to Kibale National Park (Bigodi Swamp Walk)

You will be picked up around 7: 00 am from your Hotel in Kampala (or Entebbe) by our guide who will brief you about your tour and then depart for Kibale Forest National Park which will take around five and a half hours of drive.

Post Lunch you will be taken for a Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk. This is a guided swamp walk that takes you closer seeing primates mostly monkeys, birds and butterflies. The wetland is a bird paradise with about 138 species and is best known for being home to the Great Blue Turaco.

This is a 2.5 - 3 hour walk and is a must for bird lovers. The walk is almost as popular as the Kibale Forest Walk. You will need good walking shoes since part of the walk is sometimes muddy. Hopefully you will spot the elusive Sitatunga antelope and the Shoebill Stork. You will spot some of the primates here, even a chimpanzee at times. Other primate species include the black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed, l’Hoest’s and blue monkeys, and olive baboons. Also, Bushbucks and mongooses and many more can also be found here. There is also an abundance of butterflies. Bigodi Sanctuary is located outside the park in Magombe Swamp.

Day 2 - Kibale National Park (Chimp Tracking) to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Kibale Forest National Park boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including the chimpanzees. Approximately 5,000 chimpanzees live in the wild in Uganda, which makes it a perfect place to spot them!
The park is popular for its primate’s population like the chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, red cheeked monkeys and red tailed monkeys. On your chimpanzee trails, these are regularly seen swinging in the forest trees and others feeding on the wild fruits.

An experienced ranger will take you chimp tracking in the morning around 6:30 am. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have a full hour with them. You will return to the lodge for lunch after which you will head out for Queen Elizabeth National Park which will take around two and a half hours of drive. You will arrive in the evening.

Day 3 - Game Drives and Boat Cruise at Kazinga and transfer to Ishasha

Your day will begin early by 6:30AM, the sunrise time is usually the best time to spot animals in their natural habitats. Heading off for a game drive at the break of dawn you will be able to see Africa’s highly famed “Big 4”, Bush Bucks, Giant Hogs, Antelopes, Waterbucks and plenty of birds.

You will finish your game drive and return back to the accommodation just in time for lunch. After your lunch you will go for a two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel which connects Lakes George and Lake Edward and you will surely be fascinated by the concentrations of giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores.

Day 4 - Game Drives in Ishasha and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Early morning Game drive at Ishasha sector to see the tree climbing lions if you are lucky and then post Lunch transfer to Bwindi National park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a big habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda; harbouring an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda's oldest and most biologically diverse rain-forests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants.

With a strenuous day ahead, you will check into your accommodation, relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.

Day 5 - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorilla Trekking) to Lake Bunyonyi

You will have an early morning breakfast at 6:30 am and with packed Lunch you will move to the Park headquarters to join other trackers in a briefing about the gorilla trekking rules at 7:30 am. You will trek through thick creepers and undergrowth with your guides to find the Gorillas, which can take you 1-8 hours. The steeply forested landscape is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access by tourists. You will will stay with Gorillas sometime once sited and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.

The drive will be in the beautiful part of the country often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’ because of its unique cool weather despite being near the Equator. This lake is said to be one of the most beautiful places in western Uganda. It is the second deepest lake in Africa (900 meters deep) and also one of the few places in the country where it is considered safe to swim as it is bilharzia free.

Note: Depending on your time of arrival at Lake Bunyonyi, you can pay the extra amount for the activity (Community Walk, Canoe Ride, Boat Ride, Bicycle Ride, Bird Watching and Cray Fishing.) directly at the accommodation and do the activity on this day or on the next day before departing back to Kampala (or Entebbe).

Day 6 - Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala

The final day of your adventure in Uganda will begin early in the morning. Have a quick breakfast, then drive towards Kampala (or Entebbe). On the way you will have Lunch before reaching Kampala (or Entebbe).

Stay Locations

Day 1 (Dec 22, 2024) - Kibale
Day 2 (Dec 23, 2024) - Queen Elizabeth (North)
Day 3 (Dec 24, 2024) - Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha)
Day 4 (Dec 25, 2024) - Bwindi (Ruhija) or Bwindi (Rushaga) or Bwindi (Buhoma) or Bwindi (Nkuringo)
Day 5 (Dec 26, 2024) - Lake Bunyonyi

Maps

Meals

Day 1 (Dec 22, 2024) - Lunch & Dinner

Day 2 (Dec 23, 2024) - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 (Dec 24, 2024) - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 (Dec 25, 2024) - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 (Dec 26, 2024) - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 (Dec 27, 2024) - Breakfast & Lunch

Transfer Times

Day 1 (Dec 22, 2024) - Kampala to Kibale National Park takes about 5.5 to 6 hours (310 km)
Day 2 (Dec 23, 2024) - Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park takes about 2 to 2.5 hours (110 km)
Day 3 (Dec 24, 2024) - Queen Elizabeth National Park to Ishasha sector takes about 1.5 to 2 hours (65-82 km)
Day 4 (Dec 25, 2024) - Ishasha sector to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes about 2 to 5.5 hours (75 to 150 km)
Day 5 (Dec 26, 2024) - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Bunyoyni takes about 1.5 to 3 hours (65 to 100 km)
Day 6 (Dec 27, 2024) - Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala takes about 7.5 to 9 hours (450 km)

Note: These are estimated drive times. Because of the traffic, location of the accommodations, and several other factors, actual drive times may vary. Driving distances are approximate and do not account for exact places.

Inclusions

• 4x4 Land Cruiser or Safari Van.

• All Taxes and VAT.

• Park Fees (for Non-Residents).

• Chimp tracking permit in Kibale.

• Meals as per itinerary.

• Activities mentioned in the itinerary.

• Drinking water while on safari (2 liters per person per day).

• Game drive as mentioned in the itinerary.

• Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi.

• A professional English speaking driver/ guide.

Exclusions

• Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.).

• Tips (Tipping guidelines).

• Airport Transfers (Unless mentioned otherwise).

• Government imposed an increase of Taxes, Gorilla trekking permits, Chimp tracking permits and or Park Fees.

• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (Unless mentioned otherwise).

• International flights.

• Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary.