4-days gorilla trekking tour and wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park is probably the best and most popular East African Safari package. You get to trek the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also with other primates like the red tailed monkeys, black and white colubus monkeys, and etc there is a possibility of seeing tree-climbing lions at the ishaha sector, in Queen Elizabeth National Park chimpanzee tracking in kyambura gorge plus the other ‘BIG 5’ – Leopard, Elephant, Hippos, Buffalo, lots of antelopes, forest hogs, hyena, and lots of birds (over 600 bird species)! Great scenic views like the unmissable calderas and crater lakes, Rwenzori Mountains.
Gorilla trekking, which may last for the entire day. We trek the gorillas through the rain forest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes but it is tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When the gorillas are sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.
Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It’s difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas.
While most of today’s forests are no more than 12,000 years old, Bwindi’s vegetation has been weaving itself into tangles over at least 25,000 years, in the process accumulating a lengthy species list. This includes 310 species of butterfly, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths and an exceptional 120 types of mammal including 10 primates. The latter includes chimpanzee, L’Hoest’s, red tailed and blue monkey, black and white colobus, baboon, and Bwindi’s most famous resident, the mountain gorilla. Bwindi is a prime destination for birdwatchers. Its 350 species include seven which are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift endemics, species which are difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa:
Travel Highlights:
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi or (if within package) nearby habituated groups, guided by experienced trackers.
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth NP) with expert guides.
- Game drives across Queen Elizabeth NP for sightings of elephants, buffalo, lions, and Uganda kob.
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel — excellent for hippo, crocodile, and abundant birdlife.
- Scenic transfers with wildlife-viewing en route and photo stops at Kasenyi plains.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Briefing on the safari, transfer to Bwindi impenetrable Forest, southwestern Uganda for your gorilla trek.
Meet and greet with our local guide over breakfast, and then after drive heading to southwestern Uganda. En route, there is a local community popular for making local drums and crafts and a fruit market. Stopover, admire and buy souvenirs. Proceed to the Equator line taken as one beautiful scenery in Africa – the pathway of the sun and take photographs.
Pass by mountains, tropical rainforest and bamboo forest during the nine hour journey.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking (Bwindi Impenetrable NP), Tracking the Mountain Gorillas and other primates
Today enjoy gorilla tracking in Bwindi. After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip- Gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day. We trek the gorillas through the rainforest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When the gorillas are sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 metres from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.
Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It’s difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas.
While most of today’s forests are no more than 12,000 years old, Bwindi’s vegetation has been weaving itself into tangles over at least 25,000 years, in the process accumulating a lengthy species list. This includes 310 species of butterfly, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths and an exceptional 120 types of mammal including 10 primates. The latter includes chimpanzee, L’Hoest’s, red tailed and blue monkey, black and white colobus, baboon, and Bwindi’s most famous resident, the mountain gorilla. Bwindi is a prime destination for birdwatchers. Its 350 species include seven which are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift endemics, species which are difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa.
Day 3: Depart from the Gorilla Trekking Park, Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha Sector (famous for tree-climbing lions)
After breakfast we drive through stunning savannah grasslands as we head to the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha a much more remote and less-traveled part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, but one which has a sense of exclusivity and remoteness. The game densities here are high, and this region has reported some of the largest herds of Elephant anywhere in Uganda, as it are their main migration corridor between Uganda and the DRC.
As we enter the park, we do a game drive in search of the wild game. We continue and drive to the northern circuit which is the area near the main road known for its tree climbing lions. But we also visit the Uganda Kob mating ground which is their preferred hunting area.
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge and there after we return to Kampala/ Entebbe.
We set out early in the morning after breakfast and head for Kyambura gorge for the chimpanzee walk in the gorge, but before you enter into the gorge take panoramic view of the gorge over the raised platform and amazing photographs can be shot. Thereafter we head to Entebbe Airport; it’s about 5 hours driving via Mubende. This route travels through breathtaking scenery and delightfully rolling plantations, some of the best in Uganda:
Our other Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking safari Holiday:
7-Day Uganda Safari: Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking & Wildlife Adventure
Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife Safaris for 9 Days.
4 Days Gorilla and Chimps Trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park
3 Days Queen Elizabeth Safari Uganda – Explore Wildlife & Nature
Gorillas and wildlife Safaris in Bwindi & Lake Mburo-8 Days.
