10-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Rafting Safari
10-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Rafting Safari in
Safari Overview
This 10-day Uganda gorilla trekking and rafting safari is an adventure safari. It brings you a whole new adventure of gorilla trekking in Bwindi and rafting on the River Nile. Enjoy a wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and trek the gorillas in Bwindi. Then, push the adventure to the next level as you raft the whitewater in Jinja. The rafting guides are professionals with several years of experience on the Nile. This gorilla trekking and rafting safari will also allow you to track the gigantic rhinos.
Detailed Itinerary of the Uganda gorilla trekking and rafting safari
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to your hotel
On your first day, you arrive in Uganda popular as the Pearl of Africa because of its great diversity and beauty. Your Ugandan safari starts here. your driver guide from Safari Vacations and Travel Services will pick you up from the airport. He will then brief you about the tour as you drive to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and Overnight: Protea Hotel/2 Friends Beach Hotel
Meal plan: Half-Board
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Today you transfer northeast to Murchison Falls National Park. You will make a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track the rhinos – one of Africa’s Big Five. Thereafter continue to the park. Situated at the northern tip of the Albertine Rift Valley, Murchison Falls National Park boasts the grandeur of the Bunyoro escarpment meeting expansive, palm-studded savannas. Originally, the park was a game reserve from 1926. Hence, it holds the distinction of being Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area. Murchison Falls is a haven for biodiversity.
The park hence features over 144 mammal species, 556 bird species, 51 reptiles, and 51 amphibians. The Nile intersects the park, cascading 45m over the rift valley wall. This thus forms the spectacular Murchison Falls (also popular as Kabalega Falls). Murchison Falls National Park has attracted notable visitors throughout history. These include Idi Amin, Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, and various British royals.
Dinner and Overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/Parkside Safari Lodge
Meal plan: Full Board
Day 3: Wildlife Viewing and Boat Cruise on the Nile
Take the early morning game drive within the park for the chance to see a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat. The day typically begins early with a sunrise game drive. Murchison Falls is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and various antelope species. Keep an eye out for these majestic creatures as they start their day. Also, listen to the symphony of bird calls that fill the air. The open savannah allows for excellent wildlife viewing.
After the game drive, head to the river for a boat safari along the Nile River. This unique experience provides an up-close view of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a plethora of water birds. The boat journey culminates at the base of Murchison Falls. this thus allows you to witness the powerful rush of water through the narrow gorge.
Dinner and Overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/Parkside Safari Lodge
Meal plan: Full Board
Day 4: Transfer from Murchison Falls to Kibale along the Scenic Rift Valley
On this day of the Uganda gorilla trekking and rafting safari, you’ll transfer to Kibale National Park. The journey offers a transition from savanna landscapes to lush rainforests. Enjoy the amazing Albertine escarpment in the western Great Rift Valley of Africa. Also, enjoy seeing the landscapes, rolling hills of tea plantations, and Lake Albert. Pass through Masindi, a town famous for its proximity to Budongo Forest. Also, you’ll pass via the Budongo Forest Reserve, famous for chimpanzee trekking. Arrive in Fort Portal, a charming town in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. This town serves as a gateway to various national parks, including Kibale. You will continue to the Kibale National Park area where baboons on the way will welcome you.
Dinner and Overnight: Chimpundu Lodge/Turaco Treetops/Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Meal plan: Full Board
Day 5: Track Chimpanzees along the paths of Kibale National Park
Tracking chimpanzees in Kibale National Park is a thrilling and immersive experience. It thus offers you the chance to observe these intelligent and charismatic primates in their natural habitat. Kibale National Park is famous for its high population of chimpanzees. This then makes it one of the best places in Africa for chimpanzee tracking. The day typically starts with a pre-trek briefing from a guide with experience. Once you locate the chimpanzee community, you’ll have one hour with them. During this time, you’ll then take many pictures and monitor their behavior.
Guides provide information about the chimpanzees’ behavior, social structure, and the surrounding ecosystem. You may witness various behaviors, including feeding, grooming, playing, and even vocalizations. Chimpanzees share a close genetic relationship with humans, and observing them can be a fascinating and sometimes emotional experience.
In the afternoon take a community tour to meet locals near the park via the Bigodi community visit.
Dinner and Overnight: Chimpundu Lodge/Turaco Treetops/Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Meal plan: Full Board
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Transfer to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Your transfer will take you through the Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the most visited in Uganda. The road trip from Kibale to Bwindi not only takes you to the home of the endangered mountain gorillas. It also allows you to appreciate the diverse and scenic landscapes of western Uganda.
Arriving in Bwindi is the beginning of an unforgettable adventure. The adventure provides you with the chance to connect with nature, witness incredible wildlife, and experience the magic of gorilla trekking in one of Africa’s most remarkable national parks. Enjoy a relaxing evening taking in the jungle noises as you prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure.
Dinner and Overnight: Chimpundu Lodge/Turaco Treetops/Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Meal plan: Full Board
Day 7: Trekking with Gorillas in Bwindi
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an extraordinary and unique experience. It elicits a range of emotions, creating lasting memories for those fortunate enough to embark on this adventure. The journey begins with a sense of anticipation and excitement. Then, you prepare to enter the dense and mystical forest that is Bwindi. As you start the trek, guided by experienced trackers, the anticipation builds with each step. The moment arrives when the guides signal a silent pause, and you catch the first glimpse of a gorilla family.
Once you spot the gorillas, you will spend one hour with them. Consequently, use the time to take as many pictures as possible and monitor their behavior. Then later, retard to the lodge for relaxation or go for an optional Batwa cultural trail.
Dinner and Overnight: Gorilla Heights Lodge/Four Gorillas Lodge/Rushaga Havens Gorilla Lodge
Meal plan: Full Board
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Transfer by road to the Lake Mburo National Park area. The road transfer takes you through a variety of terrains and landscapes, offering a visual feast of Uganda’s geographical diversity. You may traverse winding mountain roads, pass through lush greenery, and experience the changing scenery as you descend from the highlands. This presents an opportunity to observe traditional architecture, and agriculture practices, and perhaps interact with locals along the way. Look out for the graceful longhorn Ankole cattle.
On arrival in the afternoon, embark on an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo. This will allow you to see several animals like buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and many more. Then after, check-in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and Overnight: Mihingo Lodge/Kigarama Wilderness Lodge/Hyena Hill Lodge
Meal plan: Full Board
Day 9: Morning game drive and transfer to Jinja
early in the morning, you will have breakfast, Then after, you will embark on an en-route game drive as you transfer to Jinja. This will allow you to see various animals like topis, zebras, and many topis. You’ll have an en-route stop at Kayabwe for an equator experiment. Then, head to Jinja, the adventure city of East Africa for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and Overnight: Adrift Lemala Camp/Source of the Nile Hotel
Meal plan: Full Board
Day 10: Whitewater rafting and Transfer to Entebbe
On this day of your gorilla trekking and rafting safari, Crown it with a whitewater rafting experience. You will head to the starting point for a briefing. Then, you’ll form groups of rafters depending on your level of rafting experience. You’ll then get the necessary equipment and rafting gear. Head to the rapids to start your rafting experience. You’ll get the necessary satisfaction that you always craved for. After the activity, drive to the airport for your flight out in one hour. This will thus mark the end of your 10-day Uganda Gorilla trekking and rafting safari
