5 Days Uganda Safari

Overview:
This 5-day tour starts from Entebbe and takes you to two of Uganda’s most popular national parks – Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will have the chance to see various wildlife species such as elephants, lions, leopards, chimpanzees, gorillas, and many bird species.

The tour includes game drives, boat cruises, chimpanzee tracking, gorilla trekking, and community walks. You will also have the chance to learn about the local culture and interact with the local community. The tour includes transportation, accommodation, meals, and park fees.

This tour is perfect for nature and wildlife enthusiasts who want to explore the best of Uganda’s natural beauty.

Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

A guide from Zootopia Game Drives will pick you up from the airport in Entebbe on arrival or from your hotel to start your 5 days Uganda wildlife safari.

After the briefing, you will start the 6-hour journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth is located in the southwestern part of the country which is arguably the most scenic. Expect to catch sight of lakes, rivers, mountains, forests, national parks and other physical features.

Take time to observe the countryside, the amazing Ankole cattle and the local people working in their gardens or doing business in small trading centers. The driver will stop at the equator crossing, the Igongo cultural Centre and in local markets to check out fresh tropical fruits. The equator crossing is particularly interesting because it is where the earth’s southern and northern hemispheres are separated. Lunch will be taken along the way (Probably at the Igongo Cultural Centre).

Overnight stay at Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Parkview lodge (Moderate) and Simba safari camp or Engiri and bush lodge (basic).

Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise

You will set off early from your lodge with packed breakfast for an early morning game drive to spot early risers, nocturnal mammals and predators before they retreat to their hideouts. The early morning game drive is one of the most popular activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Expect to spot hippos, buffaloes, antelopes, leopard, lions and a collection of both resident and migratory birds. The game drive takes about 3 hours and could be done in the Kasenyi or Mweya plains. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch and rest.

At 2.00 pm, the company driver will transfer you to the Kazinga Channel for the afternoon boat cruise. The Channel is a magnet for all wildlife in the park. It boasts of a great variety of bird species – more than any other single destination in Africa. Expect to spot crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and hippos bathing or swimming in the waters. The launch cruise takes between 2 to 3 hours.

Pic: Kazinga Channel Boat cruise

Overnight stay at Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Parkview lodge (Moderate) and Simba safari camp or Engiri and bush lodge (basic).

Day 3: Game drive in Ishasha to see tree climbing lions – Transfer to Bwindi national park.

You will wake up to sumptuous breakfast and get ready to transfer to Bwindi. Before leaving for Bwindi, you will have a final game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Tree climbing lions are only found in Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa. They are very few, but Uganda has about 4 prides. Kruger National Park in South Africa has 1 pride while Tanzania’s lake Manyara has 2. The lions are said to love trees because it protects them from bugs living on lower ground. From the top of their trees, they can have an aerial view of their prey and plan where to go during the night. After spotting the lions on top of acacia and fig trees, you will set off for Bwindi impenetrable forest and have lunch along the way. Once you arrive at your lodge in Bwindi, shower and relax by the lodge premises.

Pic: Climbing lions in Ishasha

Dinner and overnight stay at Gorilla Resort Camp or Gorilla Forest Camp for Luxury/ Lake Kitandara tented camp or silver back Lodge for mid-range/Buhoma community Bandas or Wagtail Safari Camp for Budget.

Day 4: Tracking gorillas in Bwindi – Visit the Batwa Pygmies

Briefing for gorilla trekking takes place at 7:00 am by and is conducted by park Guides/Rangers at the head offices. All trackers must be at the park by this time and must attend the briefing to get an overview of what to expect during the trek. Gorilla tracking in Bwindi involves choosing from among 15 habituated gorilla families. You will be allocated one based on your age and overall fitness. After the briefing, you will go into the jungle looking for the primates.

Tracking gorillas can be challenging but it is worth every penny. The one hour spent with the gorillas in the wild is a once in a lifetime experience and you will never forget it. Moreover, you get an opportunity to observe other forest creatures like monkeys, chimpanzees, birds and butterflies. Prepare to take as many photos as you can but also instructions from your guide. Stay calm and never make sudden movements that could alert the gorillas. After your one hour with the gorillas, you will return back to the starting point where you will meet our guide to take you back to your hotel for lunch and rest.

Pic: Gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable N.P

Later in the afternoon, you will be visiting the Batwa pygmy community. The Batwa originally lived in the Bwindi impenetrable forest before being relocated to their current homes. The government thought it would be reserving the forest for gorilla conservation programs but they didn’t consider the negative impact it would have on a community that had lived for thousands of years as hunters and gatherers. Most of the Batwa never adapted to life outside the forest.

They had to deal with new diseases, alcoholism and chronic poverty. Moreover, they also had to learn to live with aggressive neighbors whom they had avoided for thousands of years. Most Batwa now survive as squatters in farms owned by the more progressive tribes. While visiting them, the Batwa will entertain you with traditional dances, songs and stories about the past way of life.

Pic: Batwa community in the Nkuringo sector in Bwindi impenetrable N.P

Dinner and overnight stay at Gorilla Resort Camp or Gorilla Forest Camp for Luxury/ Lake Kitandara tented camp or silver back Lodge for mid-range/Buhoma community Bandas or Wagtail Safari Camp for Budget.

Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala for departure

After completing the main activities in your 5 days Uganda safari, you will wake up at your own leisure and depending on your flight arrangements. Take breakfast and wait for the Guide to come pick you up.

The driver will start the 8-hour journey from Bwindi to Entebbe while making several stops along the way. If you didn’t visit the Igongo Cultural Centre or the equator crossing, this will be the time to do so.

You will also have a great chance to stop at the Buganda royal drum makers for a chance to see these giant communication devices being built using skills transferred from their ancestors. The driver will drop you at airport or your hotel in Kampala/Entebbe if you are still in the country.

End of Tour