11 Day Tracking Gorillas Uganda
This Tracking Gorillas Uganda tour visits Uganda’s famous National Parks. Five of these Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi are in the Western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley! Your trip starts with Murchison Falls Conservation Area, the largest in the country, with chimps, birds, crocodile, and game. Visit the dramatic Falls from which the park derives its name.
Day 1: Arrival and Jinja Source of the Nile
Arrive Entebbe airport. Meet, greet and transfer to Kampala. Start for Jinja, via Mukono and through Mabira Forest, the largest in Central Uganda. Proceed to Jinja past the Owen Falls Dam, Uganda’s main Hydro Electricity dam. Visit the Source of the Mighty River Nile. Your trip ends with Bujagali Falls on the other end of the Nile. Return to Kampala late afternoon. Accommodation: Hotel Africana
Day 2: Kampala to Masindi
You will be picked from your hotel followed by briefing from your guide before taking a gentle drive for Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Drive through Luwero. Lunch en route and continue to Nakasongola. Evening in Masindi. O/N: Kolping Masindi hotel (B, L, D). Accommodation: Kolping Masindi Hotel
Day 3: to Murchison Park and return to Masindi
An early start and enter Murchison Falls. An early morning game viewing north of the Nile. Launch trip to the bottom of the mighty exciting Falls, with crocodiles, and a vast array of birds including the rare shoebill stork, lounging on the banks of the Nile. Hippos are everywhere! Have an evening game drive and Visit the top of the stimulating Murchison Falls, crashing through a narrow gorge. Return to Masindi. [Approximate driving time: 2 hours]. Accommodation: Kolping Masindi Hotel
Day 4: Murchison to Budongo to Hoima
Drive to Kaniyo-Pabidi in Budongo Forest. Go for a guided nature walk to track chimpanzees. Budongo is also known for its many plant and bird species. On return drive to Hoima via the mesmerizing Lake Albert, view fishing villages, local communities and local fishermen. Accommodation: Kolping Hoima Hotel
Day 5: Hoima to Kibale Forest National Park
This morning after breakfast at your hotel, we will drive south to Fort Portal, past big tea plantations, lunch en route. Proceed to your lodging in Kibale. Either explore a crater lake nearby or relax at your lodging. [Approximate driving time: 5 hour (s). Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
Day 6: Fort Portal to Queen Elizabeth Park
Today after breakfast at your lodge, we will take a visit the crater lakes near Kibale Forest national Park and continue to Fort Portal. The areas has many crater lakes. We will have lunch and drive to Queen Elizabeth Park with game drives as we enter the park. Accommodation: Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth Park
Today, we will take an early morning game drive in the park and return to the lodge for late breakfast. Later in the afternoon, we will have the highlight of the day, a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a rewarding experience. O/N: Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge ((B, L, D). Accommodation: Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge
Day 8: Kisoro for gorilla tracking in Uganda or Congo
Drive to Kisoro, stop at Kanaba Gap to view the dramatic virunga volcanoes, visit Lake Mutanda, and other lakes in Kisoro. Arrive late afternoon. Finalise boarder arrangements for the tracking to Congo the next day. O/N: Travelers Rest Hotel ((B, L, D). Accommodation: Travelers Rest Hotel
Day 9: Gorilla tracking
Go gorilla tracking in Uganda or Congo (subject to availability of gorilla permits at time of booking. Visa to Congo costs $50 + another $50 to return to Uganda). You will be accompanied by a guide and porters who will carry your shoulder pack for you. You will then set off to the thick forest in search of gorillas. The terrain can be difficult, with steep slopes covered in dense vegetation that gives the park its name. In addition, the altitude of 5200 feet and more means participants do need to be physically fit. The time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 8-9 hours before one returns to camp. Difficulty, however, is not impossibility and coming face to face with the great primates is well worth it! Accommodation: Travelers Rest Hotel
Day 10: Kisoro to Lake Bunyonyi
This morning after breakfast, we will take a gentle drive as we explore the countryside to Lake Bunyonyi for mesmerizing views of the lake, relax at the sandy beaches, explore nearby local communities. Lake Bunyonyi is considered one of the deepest lakes in the region and its many islands give it stunning views. Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Day 11: Return and fly out
Return to Kampala via Masaka, and on to Kampala arriving late afternoon, lunch en route (B, L). [Approximate driving time: 6 hours].
Important to know
This tour can’t be booked by solo travelers.
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Rates per person – Must be paid in United States Dollar (USD)
Click a rate to request a quote
| 2 people (1 room) | 3 people (2 rooms) | 4 people (2 rooms) | 5 people (3 rooms) | 6 people (3 rooms) | 7+ people |
| $4,125 | $3,722 | $3,520 | $3,399 | $3,318 | Request rate |
Included
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- Gorilla permits (one per person, non-resident)
- Chimp permits (one per person, non-resident)
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day)
