Overview:
Visit Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi Impenetrable NP & participate in activities like Chimps & Gorillas Tracking, launch cruise/Boat cruise, Game drives where you expect to see a variety of animals like Tree Climbing Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Antelopes, among others. Bwindi Impenetrable NP is found in South Western Uganda on the edge of western rift valley. Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated astride the equator in the south western Uganda.
Highlights:
- Have a chance to stand in between 2 hemispheres at the same time & take enough photos at the 2 equator lines in Uganda.
- Participate in afternoon & morning game drives at Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will be able to view a number of wildlife species.
- Go for a 3 - hour’s boat safari on Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park & spot more hippos today than you can possibly imagine while herds of elephants & buffalo wander down to the shoreline to bath in the cooling waters.
- Track Tree Climbing Lions at Ishasha sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park where you expect to see a number of wildlife.
- Mountain Gorillas Tracking in their natural habitat at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Get a chance to visit the Batwa Community for them to take you through their cultural experiences like; traditional dances, fire setting among others.
- OR Go for canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi.
- Discover Africa's other primates, wildlife, colorful birds, rare plants and beautiful insects.
- Meet local people and learn about their traditional activities and lifestyles.
- Enjoy the Nature of Uganda while staying in the best budget or mid-range or up-market accommodations these National Parks in Uganda has to offer.
- Among others.
Itinen
- On this day, you will have your breakfast and embark on an exciting drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park situated in the shadows of Mt. Rwenzori with several stops along the way for lunch at Fort Portal Garden Restaurant, equator and landscape viewing before reaching the Park.
- You will continue & arrive to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon & later in the day when the sun is high in the sky & the animals make their way to the river for a drink, you will head to Kazinga Channel for an exciting boat safari. You will spot more hippos today than you can possibly imagine. Herds of elephants & buffalos will also be wandering down to the shoreline to bath in the cooling waters. It will be a wonderful experience.
- After the boat safari on Kazinga Channel, you will go for sunset game drive before checking in to your preferred accommodation for your dinner & overnight stay.
- Accommodation options;
- Budget: The Bush Lodge (safari tents) or Pumba Safari Lodge (cottages)
- Mid-range: The Bush Lodge (Bandas) or Enganzi Game Lodge (rooms/cottages)
- Up-market: Mweya Safari Lodge (rooms/cottages) or Katara Lodge (rooms/cottages)
- Lunch, Dinner & drinking water are included.
- Estimated time from Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park is 6-7 hours.
- Early in the morning, you will set out for a morning (sunrise) game drive in the park. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters makes it home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzori Mountains as a backdrop, provides excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi and bushbuck.
- After your morning (sunrise) game drive, you will drive to the “Switzerland of Africa” area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads. Along the way, you will enjoy spectacular views of the mountainous countryside and this comes with many incredible photography opportunities. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda on the rim of the Rift Valley. More notably, this “impenetrable forest” protects over 400 population of mountain gorillas – approximately half of the population in the world, among which are a number of habituated groups, that can be tracked by visitors.
- OR
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the luckiest and smallest parks in Uganda where the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas are found and it happens to be part of the Virunga massif where more than 480 mountain gorillas are known to be living.
- You will have a stopover for a game drive at Ishasha Sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ishasha is most famous as the place where tree climbing lions can be spotted. Here you will have an extended game drive as you search for the tree climbing lions.
- In the afternoon after your lunch, you will continue withthe drive to Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga National Park & check in to your preferred accommodation for your dinner & overnight stay.
- Accommodation options;
- Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp (safari tents) or Ride 4 a woman (rooms/cottages)
- Mid-range: Gorilla Valley Lodge (rooms) or Gorilla Bluff Lodge (rooms/cottages)
- Up-market: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge (rooms/cottages) or Buhoma Lodge (rooms/cottages)
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Drinking water are included.
- Chimps Tracking permits at Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park is optional at additional fee of (USD 100 per person).
- Estimated time between Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 6-7 hours.
- After your breakfast, you will hike to the park headquarters just meters from the lodge for briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority guides before transferring to the starting point for Mountain Gorillas tracking. You will enjoy Mountain Gorillas tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi has the biggest concentration of Mountain Gorillas, given its small size. The search for Mountain Gorillas goes through the thick untamed rainforest, where you’ll be scrambling over mossy rocks and through deep undergrowth. It isn't the easiest of activities and will be arduous, but the encounter is well worth the effort. Watching Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat is an experience that will last a lifetime. The experienced ranger guides will willingly share with you a lot of information about the history and lifestyle of these Mountain Gorillas. Your tracking experience will be an exciting, yet challenging, journey along forested slopes, tangled vines, thick vegetation & bamboo forests before you reach the territory of these gentle giants. The visit will give you a glimpse into the life of a Mountain Gorilla family & if you are lucky enough to gaze into the eyes of a Mountain Gorilla. Visiting Mountain Gorillas will take you 3 hours to a full day trek through the forest since Gorillas move from one place to another every day looking for food & water.
- After Mountain Gorillas tracking, you will choose to either go for Canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi or visit the Batwa community for them to take you through their traditions like traditional dance, beer making, and setting fire. Lake Bunyonyi is the only lake where you can ride a canoe to visit all the 29 islands including the floating Island & the punishment Island where young girls who got pregnant before marriage would be dumped & left to die.
- After Batwa Community Visit or Canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi, you will return to your preferred accommodation for your dinner & overnight stay.
- Accommodation options;
- Budget: Itambira Island, Seeds of Hope Hotel (Tree Houses Cottages) or Bunyonyi Overland Resort (tents/rooms/cottages)
- Mid-range: Bunyonyi Overland Resort (tents/rooms/cottages) or Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort (rooms/cottages)
- Up-market: Arcadia Cottages, Lake Bunyonyi (rooms/cottages) or Birdnest @ Lake Bunyonyi (rooms/cottages)
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Drinking water are included.
Day 04 :
Equator Experience & Departure:
- On this day, you will enjoy your last sunrise in this beautiful side of Uganda while enjoying your breakfast before your guide drive you across the beautiful sceneries back to Entebbe and drop you off at Entebbe International Airport 3 hours before your departure time with a stopover at the equator monument in Mpigi for equator experience and photos moments.
- Please make sure your flight departure is after 6 pm at the very earliest. For flights departing before 6 pm you will need an extra night in Entebbe, which we can help arrange for you at an additional cost.
- Did we hit all the items on your travel bucket list for this safari? If not, don’t worry. We specialize in tailor-made tours and can customize this program to create your dream trip. Get in touch to create your personalized program.
- Estimated time from Bwindi Impenetrable/Mgahinga National Park or Lake Bunyonyi back to Entebbe is 9-10 hours.
- Please note: The attached rates are for budget accommodation options only. Kindly, get in touch for mid-range or up-market accommodation options rates.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusive in this package are;
- All Park entrance fees.
- Mountain Gorilla Tracking permits at Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga National Park (One per person at USD 800 per person).
- Morning, Afternoon & Sunset Game drives at Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Tree Climbing Lions game drive at Ishasha sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Batwa Community Visit for them to take you through their traditional activities or Boat/Canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi.
- Equator Experience & Photo moments.
- Park Ranger.
- All en-route meals.
- Vehicle Park entry fees.
- All relevant Government Taxes.
- Full Board Accommodation and en-route meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- Full-time English-speaking Driver/Guide.
- Ground Transportation by a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof fully fuelled.
- Airport transfer.
- Drinking water on all days en-route.
Exclusive in this package are;
- Airfares (International Air tickets and airport taxes).
- Visa Fees.
- Personal Insurance.
- Expenses of personal nature such as; drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages), tips, laundry, telephone, tips, Accommodations & meals not indicated in the itinerary and optional activities.
- Chimps Tracking permits at Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park is optional at additional fee of (USD 100 per person).
- Any other items which are not included in the above itinerary.
- Pre or post safari accommodations are also not included on the rate, but can be arranged at an extra cost.
FAQs
Packaging list for this safari
If this is your first time in Uganda or your first time on a safari, this packaging list below can help to be well prepared and comfortable during your safari. If you do forget a few things, don’t worry, you can buy them from the city here before you start your safari.
Clothings
Remember, it’s not a fashion show out there, so be a bit more practical when choosing your safari wardrobe. Try to stay away from bright colours – Khaki and other neutral colours tend to work well. It is probably best if you dress in layers since it can get cold, but also very hot.
- Rain poncho (lightweight).
- Sweater or fleece pullover to keep warm.
- Long-sleeved shirts (light weight).
- Shorts.
- Long trousers.
- Underwear.
- Socks.
- Sleepwear.
- Travel towel.
- Waterproof trousers.
- Sturdy hiking boots or sandals.
- Sun hat.
- Sun glasses.
- T-shirts or polo shirts (2-5 depending on how often you want to change).
- Thermal underwear, gloves and warm hat (during May – Sept).
- Rain coat and rain trousers (during rainy season Mar – May and Oct – Dec).
Travel Documents
- Valid passport.
- Yellow fever vaccination records/certificate.
- Uganda visa.
- Copy of flight itinerary.
- Copy of travel and/or medical evacuation insurance.
- Personal medical/dental insurance cards.
- Credit card (Visa and Master cards are most widely accepted).
- Cash in U.S. Dollars (bills MUST have been issued in 2009 or later)
Highly recommended
- Cameras & memory cards.
- Binoculars.
- Sunscreen.
- Hand sanitizers and wet wipes.
- Insect repellent and any necessary medications must be brought by you either from your home town or Kampala.
- Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, eye drops etc).
- Malaria tablets.
- Basic first aid kit and prescription medicines.
- Flashlight or headlamp.
- Chargers and extra batteries for your camera, phone etc.
- Power adapter to fit the UK style electrical socket.
- Porters are available to hire if needed when going for Mountain Gorillas & Chimpanzees tracking.
- Walking sticks will also be provided when going for Mountain Gorillas & Chimpanzees to those who may need them
Other important tips
- Bring soft luggage such as a duffel bag, hiking pack or sports bag. These are ideal for packaging into a safari vehicle. Hard suitcases can often be difficult to fit into vehicles.
- Bring a backpack to carry all of your important items including travel documents, money, camera, medication etc. You should keep this backpack with you at all times.
- Keep luxury items such as hair dryers/straighteners, expensive jewelry, make up and bulky toiletries to an absolute minimum. If in doubt, leave them out.
- If you plan to bring cash, divide it into different areas of your carry – on luggage, wallet and money belt just in case something happens to one of those carried items.
- Leave some space in your luggage for all the important souvenirs that you will probably buy. There are places where you can send packages home via DHL etc, however this can sometimes be an expensive option.
Rules and Regulations when you are with Mountain Gorillas & Chimpanzees
- Keep your voice down or be quiet & do not mimic.
- Don’t point or wave your arms because it can be a threat.
- If approached by gorillas, move backwards slowly to keep a 5m distance.
- Do not use the flash on the camera as this can cause gorillas to charge.
About us
- Do you want to explore Uganda? You are right with us! Enjoy remarkable tours all over the pearl of Africa (Uganda). From wildlife safaris, conservation safaris & outdoor safaris adventures to community-based cultural experiences & city-tours.
- Find all our tour packages on www.ecovictours.com or https://www.africanconservation.org!
- Book now one of our most loved safari or design your customized journey!
Customize your Safari
- Create with us your tailor-made travel experience & design your tour according to your individual needs! We’ll offer you the experience you are looking for & a trip that fits perfect with your requirements.
- Our goal is to make you happy with an adventure of a life time!
Terms & Conditions
The following terms & conditions, which are subject to change without notice, apply to safari packages & touristic activities offered by & rates issued by Ecovic Tours & Travel Uganda. The given terms and accepted in full while making a reservation with the company.
Rates are;
- Quoted in US dollars ($).
- Subject to availability.
- Quoted per person on double room or single room basis.
- Inclusive of accommodation, stated activities, full board meal plan & all levies.
- Subject to change without prior notice.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
- Cancellations more than 91 days and above to the safari date:
75% of the deposit will be refunded to the client & 25% retained by the company.
- Cancellations 46-90 days to the safari date:
50% of the deposit will be refunded to the client & 50% retained by the company.
- Cancellations between 8-45 days to the safari date:
25% of the deposit will be refunded to the client & 75% retained by the company.
- Cancellations between 0 – 8 days to the safari date:
No-Refund will be made to the client & 100% of the deposit retained by the company.
- Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Golden Monkeys Tracking Permits are refunded according to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) terms and conditions.
