A perfect ‘bolt-on’ to other holidays or business trips in Uganda
Uganda is one of only three destinations in the world where you can track mountain gorillas. This short break to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the perfect ‘bolt-on’ to other holidays or business trips in Uganda or East Africa and there are good regional flight options available from Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. There are also domestic flights from Entebbe to two air strips in the gorilla tracking area and we offer a fly-in version of this break.
This itinerary, however, opts to drive from Entebbe to Bwindi via Lake Mburo and is therefore suitable for people who enjoy a road journey: pass the equator, travel through stunning countryside, stop for local food and generally get an insight into daily life in rural Uganda. There will be lots of stops along the way, providing the chance to stretch your legs and our vehicles are comfortable with facilities like drinking water, snacks, Internet and each person has a window seat.
Enjoy the rare privilege of tracking a gorilla family through the tropical rainforest and spending an hour in their company. Watch their behaviour as they allow you into their world and learn all about them from the expert rangers accompanying you.
The visit to Lake Mburo National Park, provides an opportunity to see wildlife beyond the gorillas: the park is home to giraffe, leopard, buffalo, zebra, various antelope, hippo, different monkeys, wart hogs, and a huge variety of bird species. Search for these on a game drive and a nature walk.
With such an action-packed itinerary, it’s only right that you have a little downtime too and there couldn’t be a more beautiful place to relax and take a gentle boat ride than the scenic Lake Bunyonyi.
Tour Highlights
Spend an hour with a gorilla family
Your ranger will lead you through the tropical rainforest in search of your gorilla family. Once you find them, you will join them for a magical hour, observing their behaviour in their natural habitat.
Game drive in Lake Mburo National Park
Explore this park on a game drive in search of the animals and birds that call this place home. Try the various tracks to search for the unique wildlife in this park like impala, eland, zebra and so much more.
Nature walk in Lake Mburo national park
Take a guided nature walk for a different experience of this amazing park. Get closer to the animals like the giraffe, impala and see things like tracks and dens that wouldn’t be seen from the vehicle.
Visit and spend time at the equator
Enjoy a stop at the equator for photo moments with a leg in each hemisphere and perhaps some craft shopping before continuing your journey to Entebbe International Airport for your flight.
Boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi
Visit Africa’s second deepest lake, lake Bunyonyi and explore some of the 29 little islands on a canoe ride including the dotted Island (many of these islands have a historical story connected to them).Itinerary at a glance
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Day 2: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Evening game drive
Day 3: Nature walk. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 4: Gorilla tracking. Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 5: Transfer back to Entebbe with a stop at the Equator. Evening flight
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
On arrival, you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to your hotel, a short drive away. Relax in the mature gardens, by the private pool or in the bar/restaurant depending on your time of arrival.
Accommodation: The Boma Hotel, Entebbe.
Meal Plan: If arriving early, meals can be purchased at the hotel.
Day 2 -Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Evening game drive
07:00 your guide will pick you and transfer you to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park, (approx. 5 hours). Check into your lodge and relax. In the evening, explore this park on a game drive in search of the animals and birds that call this place home. Try the various tracks to search for the unique wildlife in this park like impala, eland, zebra and so much more. The park is also rich in birdlife like African Fish Eagles and various vultures.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock, Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 -Nature walk. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
07:00 Take a guided nature walk (2 hours) for a different experience of this amazing park. Get closer to the animals like the giraffe, impala and warthogs among others and see things like tracks and dens that wouldn’t be seen from the vehicle. Then, make your way to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; home of the endangered mountain gorilla (approx. 5 hours away).
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - A thrilling experience with mountain gorillas. Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.
Today is the day for gorilla tracking. 07:30 after a short briefing at the park headquarters, you will be assigned to a small group (max. 8 people) to track a particular gorilla family. Your ranger will lead you through the tropical rainforest in search of your gorilla family. Once found, you will join them for an hour, observing their behaviour in their natural habitat – an unforgettable experience. In the late afternoon, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – Africa’s second deepest lake (approx. 1 hr 30 mins). Depending on your time of arrival, you will explore some of the 29 little islands on a canoe ride (many of these islands have a historical story connected to them).
Accommodation: Bird Nest Resort – Bunyonyi.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Transfer back to Entebbe with a stop at the Equator. Evening flight
07:00 Make your way back to Entebbe (approx. 9 hours) with various stops including for lunch and perhaps some craft shopping and photo moments at the Equator. Enjoy highlights of the journey like a stop at a roadside market to buy seasonal fruits like mango, banana or pineapples or perhaps picking up a jar of honey to take home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Extend or customise this itinerary
If you have specific interests or target species we will be happy to suggest alternative and additional activities that fit this itinerary. Simply get in touch.
Relax in comfort
This itinerary features a selection of mid-range properties. We are looking for a good location; somewhere clean, safe and comfortable. We want good service, good food and, where possible, strong responsible travel practices. We are happy to suggest alternative properties and properties in different price brackets.
Responsible travel highlights
We offer fabulous holidays that have a positive impact. We consider people and planet as much as profit and try to ensure, that overall, your visit to Uganda is a force for good. We don’t claim to be perfect but we actively try.
Contributing to conservation
Gorilla numbers are slowly increasing, supported by sustainable tourism. Tracking permit revenue provides income for the Uganda Wildlife Authority – whose mandate is conservation – and a share also goes to the community.
Responsible accommodation
Many lodges also support their communities by sourcing their food locally and providing jobs. Some also use renewable energy, harvest rainwater and have responsible waste management policies.Our guests regularly spot…
Gorilla
Giraffe
Zebra
Various Antelopes
Various primates
Numerous birds
Impala
Hippo
Buffalo
Crocodile
Wart hog
Mongoose
Insects and butterflies
Various reptiles
Eland
Where the tour goes
Tour Gallery
Tour information
Duration: 4 nights/ 5 days
Tour Type: Private
Price: Please contact our travel consultants who will be happy to provide detailed price information and options
Included in this price
1 gorilla tracking permit each
A double room in mid-range, non-air-conditioned accommodation
Full board meal plan as indicated on the itinerary
Private 4x4 safari-modified Land Cruiser with English-speaking driver/guide and fuel for this itinerary
All entrance and other fees for the activities included in the itinerary
Mineral water in transit
All government taxes
Not included in this price
International flights
Visas
Travel insurance
Personal expenses: alcohol, laundry services and souvenirs
Drinks during meals
Tips (normally 5–10% and around $10 per person, per day for your guide).
Read our Important Booking Information page for booking terms and conditions, payment information and insurance advice.
What Paul says about this safari…
”This safari packs so much into a short time and provides a real flavour of Uganda. You’ll definitely want to visit us again”.
Paul, Venture Uganda senior guide
Extend & Customise
If you have specific interests or target species we will be happy to suggest alternative and additional activities that fit this itinerary.
Enquire now
Got any questions?
If there’s anything you’re not sure about or you would just like to chat about this itinerary, email: philo@ventureuganda.org. Tell me when you’re free, leave a contact email/whatsapp No. and I’ll be in touch.
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Ready to book?
Please complete our Enquiry form and we’ll be in touch. Remember to mention the optional activities you would like to book and what kind of room you’d like. You may also find it really useful to look over our important information page where you can find out our terms and insurance policies.
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