13 Days Gorillas Chimps and Birds of Uganda

On this 13 days Gorillas Chimps and Birds of Uganda, you arrive at the airport in Uganda and then drive to the hotel.

Accommodation

Budget:  Cycads Guest House

Midrange: 2 Friends Hotel Beach

Luxury: Hotel No.5

We begin this journey to the north when the sun rises. This drive is through villages and small towns of Uganda until we reach the Ziwa rhino sanctuary. The rhino sanctuary is the best place to watch white rhinos in the wilderness of Uganda. The morning is the best time to see these rhinos as they actively graze and play around. We take a walk through the bushes as we follow the rhinos closely. Their life and behaviours are interesting to observe. We then relax for lunch. In the afternoon, we proceed to Murchison Falls National Park and later hike to the top of the Murchison Falls. Here, the whole of the River Nile flows through a narrow rock path. The waterfall is spectacular as it forms rainbows while the river falls in a gorge below. We continue through the Murchison Falls National Park to the lodge.

Accommodation

Budget: Fort Murchison

Midrange:  Pakuba Lodge

Luxury: Nile Lodge

On this day 13 days Gorillas Chimps and Birds of Uganda, we start this journey to the west as the sun rises. Our destination is the hills and forest below the Rwenzori Mountains. There are local fields and tea plantations along the way that form part of Uganda’s greenery and beauty. We stop for lunch in the tourist city of Fort Portal. It is possible to explore the city and the colourful local market. These are true reflections of the local life in Uganda. We continue to the Lodge with a large garden on a hill overlooking the tea plantations, the Kibale forest, and Crater Lake below.

Accommodation

Budget: Kibale Forest Cottages

Midrange:  Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Luxury: Kyaninga/Primate Lodge

The day begins as we ready ourselves to enter the forest and to see the chimpanzees. This forest is indeed a primates’ paradise with 13 monkey species. We hike on the numerous paths around the forest as we pay attention to the calls of the chimpanzees. The sounds of the primates and birds are unmistakable all over the forest undergrowth. When we meet the Chimps as they play or feed, we spend approximately one hour with them. The time spent in the forest can be between 3 to 4 hours, depending on the whereabouts of the chimpanzees. After lunch and relaxation, we may go to the Bigodi swamp on a nature walk for monkeys and bird watching. Furthermore, in the neighbouring Bigodi community, the locals make banana beer and brew coffee. Feel free to participate in how the local people live.

Accommodation

Budget: Kibale Forest Cottages

Midrange: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Luxury: Kyaninga/Primate Lodge

On this 13 days Gorillas Chimps and Birds of Uganda, this morning, we move south towards the Equator. This is a scenic drive through green hills dotted with many crater lakes. We visit some of the crater lakes and drive along the Snow Mountains of Rwenzori. We then cross the several rivers that flow high up from the mountains down into Lake George. Before we reach the park and the lodge, we stop at the Equator for photos. There is a special feeling when you stand on the Equator line, which divides the world into two parts. It is warmer here!

Accommodation

Kasenyi Camp

Today is a packed day full of action as we explore this paradise for wildlife. We embark on an early morning game drive to find the lions and possibly leopards. The Kasenyi area in the north of the Queen Elizabeth National Park is a favorite place where the carnivores hide and look for prey. Herds of elephants can be seen here as they cross between Lakes George and Edward. After lunch, we get on the boat trip along the Kazinga channel. This channel is a natural water flow from Lake George into Lake Edward. The boat trip brings you close to the animals of the channel. Hundreds of hippos laze in the waters. However, many elephants and buffalo come to drink and cool off in the afternoon heat. Meanwhile, crocodiles lie undisturbed on the channel banks. Many water birds flock here, like the beautiful Fish Eagle, Kingfishers, and plovers. We enjoy the sunset at the Lodge.

Accommodation

Kasenyi Camp

Ishasha is an interesting part of this Uganda tour as we go for the awesome tree-climbing lions. We drive southward through the park and the Maramagambo forest. This forest is a beautiful place where the people of long ago were lost for words whenever they entered this African jungle. We reach the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we take a safari drive to search for the tree lions. In the whole world, it is only in Uganda and Tanzania where the lions climb trees. The lions lazily lie and stretch out on tree branches as they look down and in the distance for prey.

Accommodation

Enjojo lodge

We drive further south to the Gorillas on the hillsides of Kigezi. We end the day at the lodge with stunning views of Bwindi Gorilla Forest. Bwindi Forest is one of the oldest ecosystems in the world. The forest is not only a home to the Gorillas but the chimpanzees as well. Forest elephants and unique birds live here too.

Accommodation

Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp

Luxury: Kiho Lodge

This morning, we take the short drive to the park. Before the Gorilla trekking, we register and then enjoy a cultural performance. We begin the hike to the Gorillas on the trails that cross the Bwindi forest. The forest undergrowth is full of life, from primates to forest elephants, birds, and butterflies. We follow the marks left by the Gorillas to find them. The best moment is when we meet the Gorillas on the ground. These unique animals live in a family of up to 15 individuals headed by the Gorilla silverback. They feed, play, and sometimes fight. We spend an hour with the Gorillas as they go about their daily lives. They can even come close to you! In the afternoon, we relax at the lodge or take a community tour.

Accommodation

Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp

Luxury: Kiho Lodge

We wake up at leisure and move to Lake Bunyonyi. This beautiful lake is twenty-five kilometers long and nine kilometers wide. In addition, the lake has twenty-seven Islands. This historical lake is Uganda’s deepest and Africa’s second deepest after Lake Tanganyika. In the afternoon, we take a relaxing boat trip on this beautiful lake to the different islands, such as the punishment island.

Accommodation

Budget: Bunyonyi Eco Lodge

Midrange: Arcadia Bunyonyi

Luxury: Birdnest Resort

After our breakfast, we move northwards to Lake Mburo park. This is the smallest savannah national park that should not be missed on a Uganda tour. The landscape and vegetation are an extension of the Tanzanian savannah. There are five lakes in this park, the biggest being Lake Mburo. We reach the lodge in the early afternoon and relax to expansive views of the park below. You can take a swim in the pool.

Accommodation

Budget: Hyenahill Lodge

Midrange: Kigarama wilderness Lodge /Rwakobo Rock

Luxury: Mihingo Lodge/Kigambira Lodge

We spend the morning exploring part of the park on foot. A safari out of the vehicle brings you closer to nature and the animals like Giraffes and warthogs. There are no lions and elephants, so walking is safe. In the afternoon, as the sun sets, we do a game drive around the bushes of the leopards and the buffalo. We drive to the lake to see the sun setting over the lake and the surrounding hills.

Accommodation

Budget: Hyenahill Lodge

Midrange: Kigarama wilderness Lodge /Rwakobo Rock

Luxury: Mihingo Lodge/Kigambira Lodge

This day, we drive back to Kampala or Entebbe. Along the way, we stop for lunch and cross the Equator the second time. END