You won't miss a thing during this extensive trip. You will journey to all of the most beautiful national parks of the country, enjoy close encounters with the incredible mountain gorillas, and take a swim in the deepest lake in Uganda. Have fun in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest tracking animals, interacting with the locals in the villages by the lake, looking for lions and wild elephants as well. You are guaranteed to see primates on this trip because Kibale Forest is well known for having the widest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa This trip contains all aspects of nature for you to enjoy.
Proposed Itinerary
Day 0: Trip Preparation
Day 1: Kampala - Bwindi - 530 km
The adventure begins right after breakfast as you Leave Kampala in the morning and drive south. The first tourist stop is actually on the Equator; a well-known spot for photography. Relax on the rest of the journey and enjoy the view of the Kigezi highlands on your way to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park. Your guide will take you through the rolling green hills of the Kabale taking in the beautiful scenery and terraced farming along the way. Though it is best known for its mountain gorillas the Montane Forest is also to many species of amazing birds.
Accommodations: Simple Camp. Food: BLD
Day 2: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The second day of your trip is another unforgettable day because you will be meeting with the gentle giants of Bwindi, the Mountain Gorillas. Hikers will definitely enjoy the journey to find the gorillas and, you can expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. But the journey will definitely be worth the wait as you closely observe them eat, play and rest. It is a unique and unforgettable experience! The ranger will brief you on how to behave with these giant apes.
Accommodations: Buhoma Community Bandas. Food: BLD
Day 3: Bwindi - Lk. Bunyonyi
After breakfast you will go on a guided exploration of the village for a closer meeting with the local community. Journey through coffee, tea and banana plantations as you learn about their way of living. After that, you set off to Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest lake in Uganda. This area is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. From here you can relax or go for a canoe trip while you watch the beautiful sunset.
Accommodations: Bunyonyi Overland Camp. Food: BLD
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park
The destination for the fourth day is the mating ground of the Uganda kobs. You will look for lions, elephants, buffaloes and other wild animals in their natural habitat, before taking a break and returning back for lunch. In the afternoon you will have the chance to hike because you are going to visit the Maramagambo Forest for a walk through the tropical forest. Known for the Blue Lake and the Bat and Hunters Cave, you will get a personal glimpse at the bats and maybe even their predators, the rock python.
Accommodations: Hostel. Food: BLD
Day 5: Kibale - Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day five is a beautiful day as you transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is a stunning route via Kasese, with the Rwenzori Mountains on your right side and the green valley on the left. The accommodations are in the middle of the national park so you will essentially go on a game drive, spotting animals on the way there. Following lunch you will embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which is a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George. Accommodations: Institute of Ecology Hostel. Food: BLD
Day 6: Kibale National Park and Bigodi Swamp
On day six the forest doors open for a sensational chimp tracking adventure. Kibale Forest is well known for having the widest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. Have fun during a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest while searching for the wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey and many others. Following a break for lunch, you will travel to the Bigodi Swamp for another, completely different nature walk. Approximately two hours, the swamp is known for its rich diversity of birds and primates. Accommodations: Rwenzori View Guesthouse. Food: BLD
Day 7:
Day 7 also starts early with a game drive to the crater lakes in the morning. You will follow that with an afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. You will be able to experience wild life like never before as Hippos huff and spray only feet away from the boat, Buffalo linger in the shallows and vast amounts of birds grace the grasses on the shores. After the boat ride you will return to camp for the evening.
Accommodations: simple camp. Food: BLD
Day 8: Departure
After such a beautiful and eye opening experience you will sadly have to say goodbye to the Pearl of Africa. Depending on the time of departure you will be transferred to project/host family home. Accommodations: none. Food: B
NOTE: This is a sample itinerary and may be altered to accommodate changes in field conditions.
Dates and Price
Price: USD $165/day ONLY for GLOBAL CROSSROAD volunteers ($1320 for 8 days)
Dates: To be determined by In-Country Coordinator (most likely at the end or middle of participant's respective volunteer program)
A gorilla permit costs $500 per person. With regard to the high demand of permits we advise you to book them at least 3-4 months in advance
What's Included
- All Meals and accommodation as per the itinerary.
- All ground transportation in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle.
- Park entrance fees.
- Services of a full time English speaking driver/guide.
- And all government taxes/levies.
What's Not Included
- Gorilla Permit per person
- Personal expenses on food/drinks
- Tips
Important
Please note the gorilla tracking in this itinerary can be done in Rwanda as well if permits/accommodation can't be acquired in Uganda at the time of your booking. Gorilla tracking is dependent on the permits availability at the time of your booking. Gorilla permits in all park are on a very high demand and we advise that you book them as early as possible