Gorillas & Wildlife
Savannah, the Kazinga Channel and an hour with the gorillas of Bwindi.
- Duration
- 7 days, 6 nights
- Parks
- Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable
- Vehicle
- Private 4x4 and guide
- Pace
- Balanced
The most requested combination in Uganda, and for good reason. Queen Elizabeth gives you the savannah, the boat cruise and the plains game; Bwindi gives you the trek. The Ishasha sector sits neatly between the two, so the transfer becomes a game drive rather than a road day.
Highlights
- Kazinga Channel cruise and Kasenyi plains game drives
- A night in Ishasha, which turns the transfer into a game drive
- One hour with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi
- Optional Batwa community visit
Who this suits
Travellers who want the two things Uganda is best known for, done properly.
Pace. Balanced. Three bases, no drive longer than four hours after day one.
Day by day
Drive times are realistic rather than optimistic, and every one includes the stops.
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Day1
Kampala to Queen Elizabeth
West through Mbarara with a lunch and prayer stop. Arrive in the northern sector for the evening.
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Day2
Kasenyi and the Kazinga Channel
Dawn game drive on the plains, rest through midday, afternoon boat cruise along the channel.
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Day3
South to Ishasha
A morning crater lake drive, then south into Ishasha. Afternoon game drive among the fig trees.
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Day4
Ishasha to Bwindi
A final Ishasha drive at first light, then the climb into the Bwindi hills. Afternoon to settle and rest before the trek.
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Day5
Gorilla trekking
Briefing at 8am, then into the forest. The walk may last one hour or most of the day; you are given one hour with the family. Porters available and recommended.
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Day6
Bwindi to Lake Mburo
A slow start, optional Batwa community visit, then east. Evening game drive at Lake Mburo if you arrive in time.
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Day7
Return to Entebbe
Morning boat trip or walking safari at Lake Mburo, then the drive to Entebbe.
Accommodation is described by standard rather than by name. We confirm the exact properties with you in writing before you pay anything, and we tell you if a preferred property cannot accommodate a halal meal request.
Halal dining and prayer on this route
Arranged in advance for this specific itinerary, not added on request.
Halal dining
Halal meals arranged at every lodge on the route, and packed for the trekking day and the long transfers. Kasese, Mbarara and Masaka all offer halal dining on the road sections.
Prayer
Prayer is planned into each day rather than fitted around it. The trek day is the exception, and we will talk it through with you before you book.
What is and is not included
Both stated in full, so there are no surprises later.
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a raised roof, and a window seat for everyone
- A dedicated English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- Airport transfers from and to Entebbe International Airport
- Accommodation as described, on the board basis confirmed at booking
- Halal meals arranged at every property, and packed meals on full activity days
- Prayer mats and a qibla compass in the vehicle, and planned prayer stops
- Drinking water in the vehicle throughout
- All national park entrance fees for the parks on your itinerary
- Game drives, boat cruises and guided walks as listed in the day-by-day plan
Not included
- International flights to and from Entebbe
- Uganda visa or East Africa Tourist Visa fees
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits — secured on your behalf and quoted at the official rate current when you enquire
- Travel and medical insurance, which we ask every traveller to hold
- Personal expenses, laundry and telephone charges
- Tips for your guide, porters and lodge staff
- Any activity marked optional in the itinerary
- Internal flights, where you choose them over a road transfer
CLIENT: confirm this inclusion list matches what you actually sell before the site goes live.
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