Uganda offers one of the best tourist sites that are full of wonders and mesmerizing experiences among which include Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable national parks.
Located in western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth national park is a home to multiple animal species including tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, Katwe salt mining area, Kyambura gorge and Kazinga channel. Bwindi Impenetrable national park on the other hand, is home of primates including the magical mountain gorillas in different sectors of the park i.e. Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Buhoma; the park has almost half of world’s gorilla population.
The 5 day safari to Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable national parks is a one of a kind experience one should never miss on a visit to East Africa – Uganda in particular. It starts and ends from Kampala characterized by driving through rolling hills, plantations, savannah grasslands, spectacular animal views, to mention but a few.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Drive or fly to Bwindi Impenetrable national park from Kampala city.
Upon arrival at Entebbe international airport, you will be picked by our professional driver / guide and choose to fly or drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park.
If you choose to fly, our guide will have briefed you about arrangements for the chartered flight which usually takes off in the morning and afternoon. Flights to Bwindi impenetrable national park last for about 1 hour and 15 minutes and stop at Kihihi aircraft from where you meet your driver and proceed to the park.
If you choose driving the eight hour drive journey to the park through rolling hills, plantations, human settlements and savannah vegetation. It is a long but interesting journey worth one’s attention.
Upon arrival, check in to the lodge of your choice for dinner, relaxation and overnight.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
After early morning breakfast, make your way to the park headquarters for briefing about the dos and don’ts of trekking. You will be attached to a ranger and other seven members to make it eight and the trekking begins immediately.
You will then follow gorilla trails depending on where they spent the previous night. Upon meeting them you are given a full hour to spend with them as you enjoy them groom, dine, mate and play. You are allowed to take as many pictures as you wish as long as you are not using a flash light camera.
Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation before embarking on the afternoon guided nature walk via the near parts of the park from where you will see a number of bird and animal species or visit the neighboring communities and enjoy their hospitality, music, performances, local beer, food, traditional dances, to mention but a few.
Retreat to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park.
Every day is a brand new day! It is time to discover and explore new events. After an early morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and drive to the magical Queen Elizabeth national park. The journey takes about three to four hours and takes you through the southern parts of Queen Elizabeth national park – Ishasha sector; the home of tree climbing lions.
Upon arrival, check in to the lodge of your choice and have a lip-smirking lunch and relaxation. You can choose to engage in the afternoon guided nature walk to the nearby parts of the park and get to see some of the many animal and bird species of the park.
Return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Morning game drive, tracking lions and afternoon boat cruise at Kazinga channel.
After a delicious breakfast, embark on a morning game drive that will introduce you to the magical features of the park. You will get to see leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinoceros, to mention but a few. You can visit the magical Kyambura gorge from where you can track chimpanzees (optional). Through the southern part of the park – Ishasha sector, you will track tree climbing lions in acacia trees seeking refuge from the hot sun.
If you are lucky enough, you may see a lion on a hunt and get to enjoy the beauty of the wilderness. The game drive is accompanied by views of the magnificent mountains of the moon – Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, Katwe salt mining area, etc.
Return to your lodge for relaxation and lunch.
Embark on the afternoon boat cruise at the magical Kazinga channel – the animal meeting point. You will see almost all animal species of the park as they come to quench their thirst. Kazinga channel harbors multiple bird species such as the great white and pink-backed pelicans, African shoebill, yellow-billed stork, great and long-tailed cormorants, open-billed stork, saddle bill stork, darters, black crake and jacana.
Return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Morning game drive and transfer to Kampala – departure.
After a morning breakfast, you will embark on a morning game drive that will take you to deeper parts of the park and get to see what you might have missed the previous day. Continue and drive back to Kampala via Kasese – Mbarara – Masaka – Kampala highway with lunch stopover en route. Stop at Kayabwe in Mpigi for a picture on the Uganda equator and grab something from the craft shop.
Continue to Entebbe international airport for a flight back home and thus coming to the climax of a five day safari to Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable national parks.
