Overview:
This 10-Days Mountain Gorillas, Chimps & Uganda Wildlife Safari encompasses five popular National Parks in Uganda; that is Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park & Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Mountain Gorillas Tracking Expedition. After these incredible adventures, the tour will wind off with a guided walking safari at Lake Mburo National Park.
Price/Rates
Budget-level – Price/Rates per person:
1 Person – $ 3,875
2 Persons – $ 3,055
3 Persons – $ 2,805
4 Persons – $ 2,670
5 Persons – $ 2,600
6 Persons – $ 2,540
Mid-level – Price/Rates per person:
1 Person – $ 5,000
2 Persons – $ 3,700
3 Persons – $ 3,505
4 Persons – $ 3,230
5 Persons – $ 3,200
6 Persons – $ 3,075
High-level – Price/Rates per person:
1 Person – $ 7,380
2 Persons – $ 5,580
3 Persons – $ 5,215
4 Persons – $ 4,855
5 Persons – $ 4,780
6 Persons – $ 4,615
Guaranteed visit to the world famous Mountain Gorillas (The price is included, at USD $800 per permit per person).
Domestic and International flights not included.
Accommodation before and after the safari tour not included (we can arrange it for you at additional cost)
Highlights:
- Have a chance to walk to top of Murchison Falls at Murchison Falls National Park.
- Participate in afternoon & morning game drives at Murchison Falls National Park where you will view a number of wildlife.
- Go for a 3 - hours boat safari upstream on Victoria/Nile River to the falls where you will pass by breathtaking scenery, as well as many crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys & other animals that come down to the Nile.
- Have a chance to visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary OR Crater Lakes for a Guided walk-in Nature.
- Guaranteed Chimps Tracking/Trekking at Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth or Kalinzu Forest Reserve.
- 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 - hours boat safari on Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Track Tree Climbing Lions during your Game drive at Ishasha sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Guaranteed visit to the world famous Mountain Gorillas (included in the price, at USD $800 per permit per person).
- Get a chance to visit the Batwa/Pygmies Community for them to take you through their cultural experiences like; traditional dances, fire setting among others.
- Guaranteed Golden Monkeys Tracking/Trekking at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Enjoy Boat/Canoe ride on the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi.
- Participate in afternoon & morning game drives at Lake Mburo National Park.
- Go for a 3 - hour’s walking safari on Lake Mburo at Lake Mburo National Park.
- Stand in between two hemispheres at the same time at the equator monument & take enough fun photos at the 2 equator points in Uganda.
- 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 beautiful budget-level or mid-level or high-level accommodations these places in Uganda have to offer.
- Among others.
Safari Itinerary:
On this day, you will have breakfast & transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive will take you through Luwero triangle & Budongo forest in the western arm of the Rift Valley where you will also be rewarded with splendid views of the countryside.
You will arrive in the afternoon, have lunch & go for your afternoon (sunset) game drive where you will expect to see elephant, buffalo, antelopes, giraffe & keep your fingers crossed for lions & leopard. The game track network converges is at Delta Point where the Nile flows north out of Lake Albert; this is a convenient place to stop for refreshments & view water birds offshore & distant hippos.
After your afternoon (sunset) game drive, you will check in to Fort Murchison Lodge for your dinner and overnight stay.
Fort Murchision Lodge is set on the eastern banks of the slow flowing Albert Nile, Fort Murchison Lodge revokes the idea of a well maintained isolated outpost from times where Arab traders frequented the African hinterlands and legendary explorers led expeditions in search of the source of the Nile. Built in the right spot and inspired by the historical background, Fort Murchison Lodge is unlike any other in Uganda. The massive tower, the earth colored walls, the touch of Swahili style… will impress you from your arrival up to your departure!
White Rhinos Tracking/Trekking at Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Sanctuary is optional at a fee of $60 pp.
Lunch, Dinner + drinking water are included.
Your safari breakfast will be served before the day breaks so that you can start your morning game drive as the sun comes up. Sunrise is the best time for wildlife spotting as animals tend to be the most active during the “golden hours”, when the first rays of sunshine come to rest on the savannah. Elephants, buffaloes & several species of antelope are some of the characters you may come across today, & if you’re lucky, you may even spot a lion or leopard.
You will return for lunch in the afternoon & go for a 3-hours boat safari upstream on the Victoria Nile to the falls where you will pass by breathtaking scenery, as well as many crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds & animals that come down to the Nile. The boat will drop you near the waterfall for your hike (1-1.5 hrs) up to the top of the falls.
You will go for a short sunset game drive & return to the lodge for dinner & overnight stay.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + drinking water are included.
On this day, you will enjoy your last sunrise & breakfast in this beautiful NP with a walk to top of Murchison Falls for about 1 hour & transfer to Kibale National Park with several stops along the way for beautiful scenery, landscape viewing & lunch at Fort Portal Garden Restaurant.
In the afternoon after lunch, you will choose whether you would like to go for a guided walk in Nature at Amabere caves. The Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru meaning ‘Breasts of Nyinamwiru’ were named after the stalactites that form in the caves. They resemble the breasts of a woman, though some would say it looks more like a cow’s udder.
OR
Go for a guided Crater Lakes & Plantation Walk. The landscape south of Fort Portal is dotted with picturesque crater lakes, some over 400m deep. These crater lakes are breathtakingly beautiful to behold & offer one of the best hiking places in the area.
You will check in to Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve & Community Campsite for dinner & overnight stay.
Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve was established in 1991 to protect the ancient forest habitat which surrounds the volcanic crater lake. It is one of the few crater lakes in the region which has retained its lush forest habitat. It is extremely rich in biodiversity and supports a variety of birds and primates, including the Great Blue Turaco, black and white colobus, and the endangered Uganda red colobus.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + drinking water are included.
After breakfast, you will go deeper into the forest on a Swamp Walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary; home to 8 primate species, over 200 bird species, butterflies and various reptiles. The vegetation in this swamp is also a key attraction to the plant lovers. Some travellers also come to this jungle swamp to study the different plant types that the swamp holds. Some of the dorminant plant species in this swamp include; common papyrus, polita fig trees & wild palms. OR, Alternatively, go to Kibale National Park for Chimpanzees Tracking/Trekking experience (optional).
You will return for your lunch & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain range for much of the journey & situated in the shadows of Mt. Rwenzori with several stops along the way for equator experience and landscape viewing before reaching the Park for an afternoon game drive where you will expect to view animals like elephants, buffaloes, Lions, bush pigs, antelope’s families among others.
After your afternoon game drive, you will check in to The Bush Lodge for your dinner & overnight stay.
The Bush Lodge forms an excellent base for your safari activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The lodge is built along ecological principals, the safari tents and bandas designed and spaced in such a way to maximize privacy and enhance the safari aspect of the lodge. Surrounded by Queen Elizabeth National Park and bordering the Kazinga channel, the lodge has a truly unique setting. Animals literary roam in and out the camp and sounds of hippo’s and hyena’s complement your star lit dinners.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + drinking water are included.
Please note: Chimps tracking/trekking at Kibale National Park instead of Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kalinzu Forest Reserve is optional at additional fee of $150 per permit per person.
On this day, you will wake up early and have breakfast and go to Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kalinzu Forest Reserve for Chimpanzees Tracking/Trekking experience where you will have the opportunity to follow an experienced guide into the forest to observe these fascinating creatures at a close range. Watching them interact with each other and go about their daily routine of grooming, playing and foraging is an incredible experience. While your chances of encountering Chimpanzees are high at 90% during your tracking/trekking excursion, it is never 100% guaranteed. These are, after all, wild animals with wills and minds of their own! The guide will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates but on all the forest fauna and flora and will ensure that your walk is both informative and enjoyable.
You will return for lunch & 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 a sunset game drive before returning to your preferred accommodation for your dinner & overnight stay.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + drinking water are included.
On this day, you will wake up early & have your breakfast then go for morning (sunrise) Game drive at Ishasha sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park. Instead of scanning your eyes across vast savannah grasslands, look up & you might find something lurking in the sycamore-fig trees.
After your Game drive, you will drive to the “Switzerland of Africa” area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside & winding roads. Along the way, you will enjoy spectacular views of the mountainous countryside & this comes with many incredible photography opportunities. More notably, this “impenetrable forest” protects over 400 population of Gorillas – approximately half of the population in the world, among which are a number of habituated groups, that can be tracked by visitors.
You will arrive in the late afternoon & check in to Gorilla Bluff Lodge for your dinner & overnight stay.
Gorilla Bluff Lodge stands proudly in the Buhoma Sector of the iconic Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the endangered Mountain Gorillas. The lodge offers remarkable accommodations and serves as the ideal base for unforgettable Morilla tracking experiences in Buhoma sector. Built on an elevated site, the lodge features a bar and dining area with breathtaking views. Guests can unwind by organizing their safari photos, diving into a good book, or sharing stories about the day’s adventures with friends.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + drinking water are included.
After your breakfast, you will hike to the park headquarters just meters from the lodge for briefing by UWA guides before transferring to the starting point for Gorillas tracking. You will enjoy Gorillas tracking in Bwindi. Bwindi has the biggest concentration of Gorillas, given its small size. The search for Gorillas goes through the thick untamed rainforest, where you’ll be scrambling over mossy rocks & through deep undergrowth. Watching 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 & lifestyle of these Gorillas (USD $800 included in the price).
After Gorillas tracking, you will visit the Batwa community for them to take you through their traditions like traditional dance, beer making, setting fire before checking in to Travellers Rest Hotel in Kisoro for your dinner & overnight stay.
Being one of the oldest hotels in Uganda, with a history steeped in gorilla conservation, Travellers Rest becomes a must for your gorilla trekking in the area. It boasts an impressive list of guests. To name just one: Dian Fossey, who even called this her second home. Built in 1955 by Walter Baumgartel, the so-called father of gorilla tourism, it quickly became a meeting place for people interested in the Mountain Gorillas. It was entirely renovated in 1999, but charm of the somewhat colonial style still remains up to today. Situated just outside Kisoro, the area is of astonishing beauty and the views of the Virunga volcanoes dominating the landscape will remain engraved in your memory.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + drinking water are included.
Just like gorilla trekking, you will go for Golden monkey tracking starting with pre-tracking briefing at the Park headquarters. Hiking through the forests to sight Golden monkeys is not so strenuous like Gorillas tracking because Golden monkeys live in lower areas, so you will not track for more than 3 hours. When you encounter Golden monkey family, you will be given one hour to spend with them (to take photographs & observe their behavior). With this activity, there is no minimum number of visitors & the age limit is 12 years.
In the afternoon after lunch, you will go for canoe ride on a scenic lake Bunyonyi. This lake is the only one were you can ride a canoe to visit all the 29 islands on this lake including the floating Island & the punishment Island where young girls who got pregnant before marriage would be dumped & left to die.
You will check in to Itambira Island, Seeds of Hope for your dinner & overnight stay.
Itambira Island, Seeds of Hope is a unique facility on Uganda's beautiful Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale. This facility offer an opportunity to its guests to get closer to nature and experience true relaxation.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + drinking water are included.
After an early breakfast, you will leave Lake Bunyonyi & drive to Lake Mburo National Park via Kabale Town. You will be welcomed into the park by various herds of zebra, buffalo, Eland, and antelope as they graze in the savannah grass.
You will arrive in the afternoon, have lunch & go for afternoon game drive where you will be assured of spotting Zebras, Buffalos, Impalas, Warthogs, Waterbucks among others. Also, when it comes to the birds, you will view the malachite kingfishers, African Fish eagles, blue headed weavers, Rufous long tailed starlings, Herons, pelicans, the rare shoebill as well as the cormorants.
After your afternoon game drive, you will check in to Hyena Hill Lodge for your relaxation, dinner & overnight stay.
Hyena Hill Lodge is located on the edge of Lake Mburo National Park close to Sanga gate. Hyena Hill Lodge has beautiful views of Lake Mburo National Park.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + drinking water are included.
You will enjoy your last sunrise and breakfast in this beautiful corner of Uganda before your guide drives you across the beautiful sceneries back to Entebbe. You will be dropped off at Entebbe International Airport 3 hours before your departure time with a stopover at the Equator Monument for an equator experience and photo 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.
Please note: You can also choose an alternative departure route (at an additional cost), or fly to Entebbe.
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. Contact us to create your personalized program.
Breakfast, Lunch + drinking water are included.
Please note: Kindly, get in touch for a more detailed itinerary/quote. You can write to us through info@ecovictours.com, ecovictours@gmail.com, reservations@ecovictours.com or +256783089658 (Phone + Whatsapp).
Safari Inclusions & Exclusions;
Inclusive in this Package are:
- All Park entrance fees.
- Chimpanzees Tracking/Trekking permits at Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kalinzu Forest Reserve.
- Guaranteed visit to the world famous Mountain Gorillas (included in the price, at USD $800 per permit per person).
- Top of Murchison Falls Walk at Murchison Falls National Park.
- Morning, Afternoon & Sunset Game drives at Murchison Falls National Park.
- Boat safari on Delta River/Albert Nile River, Murchison Falls National Park.
- Guided walk in Nature at Amabere Caves, Nyakasura, Fort Portal Tourism city
- Guided walk at Crater Lakes & Plantations.
- Guided walk in Nature at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary (KAFRED).
- Morning, Afternoon & Sunset Game drives at Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Mountain Gorillas Tracking/Trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable/Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Batwa Community Visit for them to take you through their traditional activities.
- Golden Monkeys Tracking/Trekking at Mgahinga National Park.
- Go for Boat/Canoe ride on the beautiful scenic Lake Bunyonyi.
- Morning, Afternoon & Sunset Game drives at Lake Mburo National Park.
- Walking Safari at Lake Mburo National Park.
- 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 custom built safari van or Land Cruiser vehicle with pop-up roof fully fuelled.
- Drinking water on all days en-route.
Exclusive in this package are;
- White Rhinos Tracking/Trekking fees at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Wildlife Ranch (optional at additional fee of USD $60 per person).
- Chimps Tracking/Trekking at Kibale National Park instead of Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kalinzu Forest Reserve is optional at additional fee of $150 per person.
- 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, accommodation & meals not indicated in the itinerary and optional activities.
- Accommodation on your first night before the safari start & last night after the safari in Uganda.
- Any other items which are not included in the above itinerary.
FAQs
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.
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).
- 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)
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 adventures or design your customized journey!
- Our goal is to make you happy with an adventure of a life time!
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;
Subject to change without prior notice.
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.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
We have the following cancellation conditions:
Mountain Gorilla permits & Chimpanzees permits in Uganda (rules by Wildlife Authority!)
91 days before tracking/trekking
70% refund
90-46 days before tracking/trekking
50% refund
45- 9 days before tracking/trekking
25% refund
8-0 days before tracking/trekking
no refund
Gorilla Permits in Rwanda (rules by ORTPN Rwanda!)
30 days before tracking/trekking
80% refund
30 – 1 days before tracking/trekking
no refund
Our company cancellation conditions
- 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.
To reserve this wonderful safari with us, we kindly request you to make a deposit payment of only 20% of your total safari tour amount through bank wire transfer. The remaining balance of 80% is paid through bank wire transfer within 03 working days prior to arrival to Uganda to start your safari so that by the time you arrive, the money will already be credited to the bank account. OR alternatively, you can carry the remaining balance and pay in cash on arrival or on the day you will start your safari.
