17-Day Uganda Wildlife &amp; Gorilla Safari

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Accommodation:

Chimpanzee Guest House

Mid-range lodge located outside Kibale NP (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3

Chimpanzee Tracking & Transfer to Rwenzori Mountains

Begin your day with an exhilarating chimpanzee tracking expedition in the heart of Kibale Forest. As you observe black-and-white colobus monkeys, baboons, and red-tailed monkeys in their natural habitat, your connection with Uganda’s wilderness deepens. Later, transfer to the majestic Rwenzori Mountains National Park and settle in at Ihamba Safari Lodge for an overnight stay.

Activity: Nature Walk
Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge located inside Queen Elizabeth NP

+8 Photos

+7 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4

Rwenzori Mountains Hike

Prepare for an 8-day hiking adventure through the rugged terrain of the Rwenzori Mountains. Accompanied by expert ranger guides and skilled porters, you will traverse glaciers, ascend verdant slopes, and pass through diverse vegetation zones. Each day promises breathtaking panoramic views and intimate encounters with nature that will leave you in awe of Uganda’s natural splendor.
Day 4: Arrival & Orientation
• Arrive at the Rwenzori base camp and meet your expert ranger guides and porters.
• Settle in and participate in a safety briefing and equipment check.
• Enjoy a short, easy acclimatization hike to begin adjusting to the altitude.

Activity: Mountain Climbing
Accommodation: Tented Camping
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5

Initial Ascent & Vegetation Zones

• Begin the climb along well-marked trails through lush, lower-elevation forests.
• Encounter diverse vegetation as you move higher, with panoramic views of the valley below.
• Learn about the local flora and fauna from your guides.

Activity: Mountain Climbing
Accommodation: Tented Camping
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6

Transition to Higher Altitudes

Progress into more rugged terrain with steeper ascents.
Enter the sub-alpine zone where the landscape starts to shift toward rocky outcrops and early glacial features.
Enjoy breathtaking views as the environment changes around you.

Activity: Mountain Climbing
Accommodation: Tented Camping
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7

Glacier Encounter

Trek closer to glacial formations, traversing icy paths under the careful supervision of your experienced guides.
Navigate through a mix of rocky paths and frozen terrain.
Take time to appreciate the dramatic interplay between glaciers and the surrounding mountains.

Activity: Mountain Climbing
Accommodation: Tented Camping
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8

High-Altitude Exploration

Challenge yourself with a full day of hiking in the alpine zone.
Traverse rugged slopes and enjoy uninterrupted panoramic vistas of the peaks.
Encounter unique high-altitude vegetation and geological features that make the region so special.

Activity: Mountain Climbing
Accommodation: Tented Camping
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 9

Summit Views & Alpine Landscapes

Continue your journey at high elevations, focusing on exploring the extensive alpine meadows and rocky ridges.
Absorb the dramatic, ever-changing landscape and capture unforgettable views of the mountain range.
Experience intimate moments with nature in this serene, untouched environment.

Activity: Mountain Climbing
Accommodation: Tented Camping
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 10

Descent Through Diverse Terrain

• Begin a gradual descent, transitioning from the alpine environment back into lower vegetation zones.
• Enjoy a less strenuous pace as you retrace your steps, with opportunities to reflect on your adventure.
• Relish the changing scenery—from stark, high-altitude vistas to lush, green slopes.

Activity: Mountain Climbing
Accommodation: Tented Camping
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 11

Return & Celebration

Complete your descent and return to the base camp.
Gather for a debriefing session where you share experiences and highlights from the hike.
Celebrate your successful 8-day adventure amidst the natural splendor of Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains.

Activity: Mountain Descent Arrival
Accommodation: Elephant Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Kaingo Elephant Lodge

Mid-range lodge located inside Kaingo GR (Waterberg Biosphere Reserve)

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 12

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After a memorable descent from the Rwenzori, journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy a leisurely drive as you transition from mountain vistas to expansive savannahs, where you can relax and prepare for the exciting activities of the coming day. Check in at Enganzi Game Lodge and settle in for the evening.

Activity: Game Drive, Boat Cruise
Accommodation: Enganzi Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June to July and January to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional

ElephantCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloCommon

HippoAbundant

LeopardOccasional

GiraffeNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Enganzi Game Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

+4 Photos

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 13

Game Drive & Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel

Your day begins with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and other wildlife roam freely. In the afternoon, embark on a serene boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, renowned for its dense populations of hippos, crocodiles, and a myriad of bird species. Return to Enganzi Game Lodge for a comfortable overnight stay.

Activity: Game Drive, Boat Cruise
Accommodation: Enganzi Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation:

Enganzi Game Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 14

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, set off on a scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a world-renowned sanctuary for endangered mountain gorillas. Upon arrival, take the time to relax and acclimatize as you prepare for the life-changing gorilla trekking experience that awaits the following day. Overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Camp.

Activity: Scenic Drive
Accommodation: Bweza Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest)

High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeRare

ElephantRare

LionNone

GiraffeNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Bweza Gorilla Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas)

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 15

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

The highlight of your safari, this day is dedicated to gorilla trekking. After a thorough briefing by park rangers, venture into the dense Bwindi forest to track a gorilla family. Depending on the location, the trek may take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, culminating in an awe-inspiring hour spent observing these gentle giants in their natural environment. Return to Rushaga Gorilla Camp for dinner and a restful night.

Activity: Gorilla Tracking
Accommodation: Bweza Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Bweza Gorilla Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 16

Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park & Evening Game Drive

Depart from Bwindi after breakfast and drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Once at the lodge, relax before embarking on an evening game drive where you will have the chance to spot zebras, impalas, buffaloes, giraffes, and topis in their untamed habitat. Overnight at Rwakobo Safari Lodge.

Activity: Scenic Drive, Game Drive
Accommodation: Eagle's Nest Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board.

Main Destination:

Lake Mburo National Park

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to August (Dry seasons)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June to August and January to February (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Mburo NP

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

HippoCommon

LeopardOccasional

HyenaOccasional

ElephantNone

LionNone

CheetahNone