4 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari Tour – Overview

The 4 Days Gorilla and Wildlife Safari in Uganda to Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi National Parks feature wildlife viewing and gorilla trekking as the main activities.

The Safari is a mixture of primates in particular the critically endangered mountain gorillas and the extensive wildlife in the savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth NP.

The 4 Days Gorilla and Wildlife Safari in Uganda presents an opportunity for your encounter with the wildlife including the Big four in Queen Elizabeth National Park namely; Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions including the tree climbing lions of Ishasha and the leopard.

Other wild game like defassa water buck, the Topis, Spotted Hyena, Jackals, Uganda Kobs and the Vervet Monkeys along with Olive Baboon.

The extension to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a lifetime journey to meet the gorillas in the mist. Bwindi with a minimum of 400 mountain gorillas presents a remarkable encounter with the last surviving groups of the Big Ape.

The relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi is incorporated to offer you a thrilling recreation after a tough gorilla trek in the hilly landscapes of Bwindi

4 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari Tour – Highlights

• Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park and undertake an afternoon boat cruise / River safari along the Kazinga Channel.
• Day 2: Do game drive / wild game viewing in the morning & drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 3: Undertake the mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable NP and drive to Lake Bunyonyi for an evening boat ride and relaxation
• Day 4: Drive back to Kampala from Lake Bunyonyi

4 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari to Bwindi & Wildlife Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer From Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park And Undertake An Afternoon Boat Cruise / River Safari Along The Kazinga Channel

You start off the safari as early as 6:30pm from Kampala on arrangement that you have already taken your breakfast.

The travel distance is 417km about 7 hours’ drive and from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

You enjoy the views of the countryside including the sights of Uganda Equator crossing but you reserve the stop for the return day.

The sights of lush green countryside, the traditional range-lands of Ankole where herds of cattle may be encountered grazing along side Zebras and Impala from Lake Mburo National Park, Mbarara town and dense forested landscapes of Kalinzu along with Bunyaruguru crater are magical wonders that will keep you entertained throughout the long drive.

Upon arrival in the park, you check in at the lodge and settle for lunch after which you drive to Mweya jetty for an afternoon boat ride / river safari along the 45km Kazinga Channel.

The two (2) hour boat ride offers you sights and sounds of the counts of aquatic species like Hippopotamus, the Nile Crocodiles and the myriad of bird species.

The range of other wild game like elephants, water bucks, Buffaloes may be encountered on the channel side.

Retreat from the cruise and embark on the evening game drive along the Channel track with possibilities of encountering wild game in the evening. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Kyambura Game Lodge Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge / Bush Lodge / Katara Lodge Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages, Wild Camping

Day 2: Do Game Drive / Wild Game Viewing in The Morning & Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, connect to the Park at 7am to start off your game viewing experience. The morning game drive takes place in Kasenyi plains the common dwelling for wildlife.

The game drive offers you opportunity to explore a range of wildlife including the Big four i.e. African Elephants, Lion, African Buffalo and Leopard.

The drive also offers you possibilities of exploring Kobs, Topi, Warthogs, Hyena, Waterbucks, Bushbucks; Side stripped Jackals among other wild game.

The activity takes 3 – 4 hours after which you retreat and embark on the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The drive through Ishasha offers you possibilities of exploring the tree climbing lions that tend to climb the fig trees during the day time.

The low lying branches of the fig tress do not only present a suitable environment for the lions to climb but also for the travelers to view them clearly.

Proceed on the journey to arrive in Bwindi in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Upmarket/Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge / Buhoma Lodge Midrange / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp / Gorilla Valley Lodge Budget / Basic: Broadbill Forest Camp, Wild Camping

Day 3: Undertake The Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable NP And Drive to Lake Bunyonyi For An Evening Boat Ride And Relaxation

Take breakfast at the lodge and connect to the respective gorilla trekking start point in the respective region to attend briefing at 8am.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides are in charge and following the gorilla family allocation and briefing, you head to the mist in search of the critically endangered apes.

In the company of the armed ranger guides, you hike through the impressive landscapes of Bwindi which at times can be challenging considering the steep hills, narrow valleys marked by streams and dense forest cover.

The sights of forest birds may not be missed considering the fact that Bwindi is the number one birding spot in Africa as noted by Africa’s Bird Club along with various wildlife species like duiker.

The magical moment with the gorillas comes at the time when you glance at them. The flamboyant gentle giants will give you a courtesies welcome with the Silverback concerned about your presence and may beat its chest for a few times to demonstrate its might.

The gorilla viewing takes a maximum of one hour where you have unlimited viewing experience and unlimited photographing opportunities.

The entire trek can range from 2 – 8 hours depending on the gorilla family allocated to you and the gorilla movement.

You retreat from the encounter and connect to Lake Bunyonyi driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands with impressive terraced scenery.

The evening at Lake Bunyonyi is a thrilling experience of its own considering its 29 Islands that have earned it a dub as the lake of a thousand Islands.

Taking a local canoe ride on the second deepest lake in Africa amidst the magical Highlands of Kigezi present fun filled recreational experience.  Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation:  Upmarket / Luxury: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort Midrange / Standard: Lake Bunyonyi Eco – resort Budget / Basic: Byoona Amagara Island Retreat, Wild Camping

Day 4: Drive Back to Kampala From Lake Bunyonyi

Following a relaxed breakfast at your lodge, you embark on the drive back to Kampala 437km about 7 hours’ drive.

You enjoy the scenic countryside including the Ntungamo hills before approaching Mbarara town and making a stop at Igongo Cultural Center 12km past Mbarara for a thrilling traditional lunch where you can also take an optional tour in the Erijukiro Cultural Museum featuring the collections from all tribes of south western Uganda.

You proceed to make another stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for amazing photo shoots with one leg in the southern hemisphere and northern hemisphere and you can also attend to the water experiments that justify the geographical divide between the north and southern hemisphere.

The site also has good gift shops where you can purchase a souvenir to take home. Proceed to Kampala to mark the end of the tour.

End of The 4 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari Tour

Safari Inclusions

• Gorilla Permit (for gorilla trekking safaris)
• Chimpanzee Permit (for chimpanzee trekking safaris)
• Full Board Accommodation on Safari
• Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC
• Fuel
• Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
• Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
• Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
• Bottled water while on safari
• Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)

Safari Exclusions

• General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges
• Laundry Services
• Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
• International Flights (Arranged on request)
• Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
• Visas
• Optional Activity fees
• Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary
• Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)
• Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)