This epic 6 Day Luxury Safari Uganda Tour takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the birthplace of gorilla trekking in Africa.

This misty Afromontane rainforest contains half of the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas, as well as a wealth of birds (including Albertine Rift endemics), monkeys, majestic trees, orchids, shy ungulates, brightly coloured butterflies and enchanting waterfalls.

Allow us to show you the most magical aspects of Uganda. Besides trekking to see a family of rare mountain gorillas, you will take time exploring the jungle paradise of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

You’ll also spend time with the Batwa people – the Keepers of the Forest, and get to know their ancient culture and history. This 6 Days Luxury Uganda Safari Tour also allows you to search for the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha Sector, and to explore the biodiversity of beautiful Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

Overview

Length: 6 Days / 5 Nights

Group Size: Flexible – you tell us how many in your party

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park

Departure Dates: To suit you

Highlights

• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• See the famous tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Variety of cultural experiences
• Great photographic opportunities
• Scenic flights to forest airstrip
• Guided nature walks and exceptional birding
• Leisurely walk in Entebbe Botanical Gardens
• Comfortable accommodation throughout your stay

Details

Day 1: Welcome to Uganda

After touching down at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be met by our company representative and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe.

Entebbe is a small, quiet town located in central Uganda, about 40 kilometers southwest of the capital, Kampala. The town is wonderfully situated on the shores of Lake Victoria – Africa’s largest lake.

After checking into your room, and taking some time to refresh, you can take a stroll to the nearby Entebbe Botanical Gardens – a lakeside paradise of lush vegetation, gnarled trees, birds, and troops of beautiful colobus monkeys. You’ll see the rainforest zone, which was the location used in the filming of the original 1940 Hollywood classic, Tarzan.

You can also visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre where you can view and learn about Uganda’s native wildlife or tour the local markets/craft shops to buy clothes and souvenirs. Later, you will return to the hotel for dinner, before retiring to your room for a well–deserved rest.

Accommodation Options:

• Boma Hotel
• Hotel No.5
• Lake Victoria Serena Resort

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Flight to Bwindi, Batwa Cultural Experience

Shortly after breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Entebbe Airport to catch a light aircraft flight to Kihihi Airstrip (1 hour).

On arrival, you’ll be met by a Tulambule Uganda safaris representative who will whisk you off to your lodge, located at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a World Heritage Site. Considered the most diverse forest in East Africa, Bwindi is home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies, and 160 species of trees.

The park contains an estimated one-half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site. The drive to the lodge is through local villages and mountain roads – lovely scenery and very interesting en route! You’ll arrive at a good time for relaxation and then have a delicious lunch.

Afternoon Batwa Pygmies Cultural Experience

For thousands of years, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has been home to the indigenous Batwa people.

In the afternoon, you’ll set out to meet and learn about their lifestyle, history, traditions, and ancestral knowledge of Bwindi.

The original dwellers of this ancient jungle, the Batwa are known as “the Keepers of the Forest”. The Batwa have a long and rich history with the forest. They previously survived off of the forest, hunting small game using arrows or nets and gathering a wealth of plants, berries, and fruit.

The Batwa lived in huts constructed of leaves and branches, moving frequently in search of fresh supplies of food. The Batwa lived in harmony with the forest and its creatures, throughout Africa’s equatorial forests for 60,000 years or more.

In 1992, the lives of the Batwa changed forever. When Bwindi Impenetrable Forest became a national park and World Heritage Site to protect the 350 endangered mountain gorillas within its boundaries, the Batwa were evicted from the park. They had no title to land, nor compensation.

The Batwa thus became conservation refugees in an unfamiliar, unforested world. Many Batwa died during the early years of exile, and the tribe’s very existence was severely threatened. In 2001, medical missionaries purchased land and established programs to improve conditions for the tribe.

With the community, they set about building homes, schools, a hospital, and clinics, and developing various projects around water and sanitation and income generation, in turn promoting indigenous rights.

These activities are now being assumed by the Batwa and other local staff through the Batwa Development Program (BDP).

Return to the Lodge

After spending time with the Batwa, you will return to the lodge in good time for a shower and a change of clothes, and then take a well-deserved chance to unwind at the bar or restaurant while your dinner is served.

After supper, you will be briefed about the following day’s adventure – the single most exciting day of your 6 Day Luxury Safari Uganda, where your mountain-gorilla trekking experience is in store.

Accommodation Options:

• Buhoma Lodge
• Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
• Haven Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trekking

After an early breakfast, you will be taken on a short drive to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest headquarters. Here, you will meet with the park rangers and local gorilla-trekking guides who will lead you into Bwindi’s highlands for your trek with gorillas.

Before departing, you will be given an informative briefing on gorilla trekking etiquette, and assigned to your gorilla family. Your gorilla trek starts in the general direction of the last sighting of your assigned family. The trekking can take between 1 to 7 hours and you could climb to altitudes above 7,500 feet/2,300 meters.

The terrain in Bwindi can at times be muddy and slippery, but your experienced trackers, rangers, and porters will ensure that the group progresses at a pace that is comfortable for everyone, with frequent stops and opportunities to experience the views and take photographs.

Although the gorilla-trekking experience can be physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery always makes trekking a worthwhile experience. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten – replaced by the joy and amazement of watching the gorillas go about their daily routine.

The gorilla family is likely to be chilled out and eating wild celery, indulging in grooming, or involved in other primal social activities. After your experience with the gorillas, you will return from your gorilla trek to the lodge for a shower, a change of clothes, and a well-deserved relaxing afternoon.

Accommodation Options:

• Buhoma Lodge
• Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
• Haven Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Day 4: Exploring Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Morning Nature Walk

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has six main hiking trails that fan out from Buhoma. Nature walks offer a rewarding adventure that allows you to explore and discover Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

You’ll set off from your lodge with an armed park ranger to protect you and guide you through the wealth of biodiversity that you will find every step of the way.

Expect to get up close and personal with a wealth of birds, primates, orchids, majestic trees, epiphytic plants, shy ungulates, brightly colored butterflies, and enchanting waterfalls.

A choice of falls has been selected and there are various options available to suit a wide range of fitness levels. After the walk, you will return to your lodge for relaxation and lunch.

Coffee Tour

In the afternoon, you will be taken to visit one of the coffee-growing farms that are supported by Gorilla Conservation Coffee.

This social enterprise buys coffee from farmers who live adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – paying a premium price and giving a donation to sustain the critical health and conservation work of Conservation through Public Health.

Gorilla Conservation Coffee trains coffee farmers to improve their coffee quality and increase production yield, helping farmers protect the forests and thus conserve Uganda’s mountain gorillas. The coffee blend is named after Kanyonyi, the legendary silverback gorilla from the Mubare family.

Optional Activity: For those feeling energetic, head out on a mountain biking trail on Bwindi’s trails and tracks. Talk to us to arrange this activity.

Accommodation Options

• Buhoma Lodge
• Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
• Haven Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning we depart Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and travel (2.5-3 hours) to Ishasha in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP).

Surrounded by other wonderful parks in southwestern Uganda, the QENP is known for its rich biodiversity, wildlife, and history. Time permitting, during our drive from Bwindi to Ishasha; we may visit a community project  – Agartha’s Taste of Uganda tour – on the border of Queen Elizabeth Park.

Here the local people allow you to enjoy some time in their homesteads, as well as see some of the crops and curios they produce, and how they prepare their food while sharing stories about the Bakiga people and lifestyle.

On arrival, you will relax and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, you will set out on a game drive in the Ishasha area. This remote southern part of the park is home to tree-climbing lions that spend long lazy days dozing in the pretty fig trees.

The Uganda Kob, which they watch from the branches, graze the plains, and enjoy game watching – make sure to look out for elephants, buffalos, baboons, waterbucks, bushbucks, topi, and perennial and migratory bird species.

You’ll also enjoy an afternoon game drive, and continue your search for the area’s fascinating creatures.

Accommodation Options:

• Park View Lodge
• Kikorongo Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Return Flight to Entebbe

After a lazy morning wake-up routine, you’ll enjoy breakfast and transfer to the Airstrip. Here, you’ll board your light aircraft to return to Entebbe.

A Tulambule Uganda Safaris representative will meet you and assist you to find your way to the International terminal where your outbound flights depart.

*Should your flight depart later in the day, let us know and we will arrange a day room nearby, or design a final day program – there are plenty of options on offer to tailor-make your last day in Uganda.

If you plan to spend additional time in Uganda, please feel free to speak with us at the time of booking or upon your return about the many activities available in Entebbe and throughout Uganda.

You can explore Kampala, spend a night on Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, take a luxury boat trip on Lake Victoria, visit Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, or take a short trip to Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda, offering grade 5 white-water rafting, quad biking and bungee jumping!

End of the 6 Day Luxury Safari Uganda

Inclusions

• Airport transfers (Entebbe/return)
• Accommodation and meals
• Gorilla-trekking permits
• Domestic return flight
• Transfers from the airfield
• Park entrance fees
• 4×4 transport with English-speaking local driver/guide as above
• Guide fees
• Drinking water
• Community visit
• Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• 24-hour emergency contact

Exclusions:

• International flights
• Personal Insurance
• Beverages like beers and sodas
• Laundry and souvenirs
• Tips
• Optional Activities
• Services/activities/meals not included above