7-Day Wildlife & Gorilla Habituation

Embark on a 7-day safari through Uganda's breathtaking landscapes, blending adventure, relaxation, and intimate wildlife encounters. Begin at Lake Mburo National Park, a haven for unique grazers and serene activities. Venture to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for the once-in-a-lifetime Gorilla Habituation Experience, and continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the savannah teems with life and the iconic Kazinga Channel beckons. Conclude your journey with a scenic flight back to Kampala or Entebbe, offering stunning aerial views of Uganda's rich tapestry of landscapes.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Shoebill Tracking & Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park After breakfast at 8:00 AM, your guide will pick you up for a drive to Mabamba Landing Site on the shores of Lake Victoria. At Mabamba, you will board a local canoe and head into the swamp, guided by an expert, to search for the iconic shoebill stork. This fascinating bird, with its prehistoric appearance, is a favorite among birdwatchers and photographers. After the shoebill experience, continue your journey to Lake Mburo National Park. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Equator for lunch and photo opportunities. The drive to the park offers scenic views of rolling hills and scattered homesteads. Dinner and overnight will be at Mihingo Lodge, an eco-friendly retreat perched on a rocky outcrop with panoramic views of the savannah. Day 2: Explore Lake Mburo National Park Begin your day with breakfast at the lodge before setting out on a guided walking safari. Without the presence of lions, Lake Mburo is one of the few parks in Uganda where walking safaris are safe and highly rewarding. Accompanied by an armed ranger, you’ll explore the park on foot, encountering wildlife such as Rothschild’s giraffes, buffalo, and a variety of bird species. Return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation, perhaps taking a refreshing swim in the infinity pool. In the evening, head out for a night game drive. This thrilling experience offers a chance to see nocturnal animals such as leopards, bush babies, and hyenas. Dinner and overnight will again be at Mihingo Lodge. Day 3: Scenic Transfer to Lake Mutanda After breakfast, leave Lake Mburo and drive through the lush countryside towards the Kigezi Highlands. Known as the "Switzerland of Africa," this region is characterized by its terraced hills, dormant volcanoes, and crystal-clear lakes. The journey is as scenic as it is relaxing, with opportunities to admire the stunning landscapes and interact with locals along the way. Arrive at Lake Mutanda, a pristine alpine lake surrounded by dramatic hills and lush greenery. The clean waters of the lake are ideal for swimming, canoeing, or sailing. Spend the evening unwinding at Mutanda Lake Resort, enjoying a delicious dinner and the serene ambiance of this remote paradise. Dinner and Overnight at Mutanda Lake Resort. Day 4: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest After an early breakfast, head to the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a 7:30 AM briefing at the park headquarters. Here, you will learn about the gorilla habituation process, conservation efforts, and safety protocols. Set off on a trek into the dense rainforest, accompanied by expert trackers and researchers. The trek may take several hours depending on the gorillas’ location, but the anticipation of meeting these majestic creatures keeps the journey exciting. Once you locate the gorilla group, you’ll spend up to four hours observing them as they feed, play, and interact. This immersive experience provides a rare glimpse into their lives and the ongoing efforts to familiarize them with human presence. After the trek, return to Mutanda Lake Resort to relax and reflect on this extraordinary experience. The evening is free for you to enjoy the tranquil surroundings, share stories of your adventure, and savor a well-deserved dinner. Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park After breakfast, depart Lake Mutanda and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. En route, enjoy the stunning landscapes of southwestern Uganda, including views of the Rwenzori Mountains and the Albertine Rift Valley. Dinner and overnight will be at Mweya Safari Lodge. Day 6: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise Start your day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, a prime area for spotting lions, elephants, and large herds of Uganda kob. The open savannah offers excellent opportunities for photography and wildlife observation. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel is teeming with wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. Dinner and overnight will again be at Mweya Safari Lodge Day 7: Scenic Flight Back Home Board a scheduled domestic flight to Entebbe International Airport, offering breathtaking aerial views of Uganda’s rolling hills, lakes, and savannahs. Upon landing, you can connect to your international flight or enjoy the rest of your day in Entebbe, concluding your unforgettable safari adventure. END OF SAFARI

Things to pack when coming for Safari:

For a comfortable and enjoyable safari, consider packing waterproof hiking shoes, long cotton socks, face masks, gardening gloves, long-sleeved shirts, a rain jacket, a hat, a light backpack, insect repellent, a camera, binoculars, a drinking water bottle, and energy snacks.
Price Total for 2 pax from $5,040 Per Person.
Inclusions
The safari includes full-board accommodation based on double occupancy, transport in a 4WD Land Cruiser, shoebill tracking, park entry fees, guided walking safari, night game drive, gorilla habituation permits, game drives, and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, Domestic flight back to Entebbe.
Exclusions
Items not included are tourist insurance, tips, personal expenses, swimming or activities at Lake Mutanda, beverages, and any other items of a personal nature.
This extended itinerary offers an even richer experience, combining Uganda’s top wildlife destinations with the unforgettable thrill of gorilla habituation. It’s a journey that promises memories to last a lifetime.

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TERMS & CONDITIONS

All bookings made with GARI TRIPS are subject to these terms. Price of trip includes: Private Ground transport (car and fuel in 4*4), Safari guide, entry cost to all parks mentioned in the itinerary, all activities mentioned (Permits, Boat Cruise, and Game Drives), Accommodation Based on Bed & Breakfast. This is if nothing else has been agreed. Price does not include: International flights (unless special agreement), visa fees, beverages, items of personal use and tips. Adjustments after booking: If you want to make changes in your itinerary after booking we will arrange for this if it is possible. Note that the dates for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking cannot be adjusted after booking. Changes in itinerary: In the case of unforeseen circumstances (such as road closures, bad weather, security conditions or problems with hotels) GARI TRIPS reserves the right to make adjustments in the itinerary to ensure you get the best service. You will off-course be informed about this as soon as possible. Payment: When booking a trip, we ask for 30% down payment and a full payment for gorilla and chimpanzee permits (permits can only be booked and secured by paying!) The full payment of the trip has to be done six weeks before starting the tour. CANCELLATIONS: 60> days to start of safari 10% charge 59-32 days to start of safari 25% charge 31-8 days to start of safari 50% charge- 7-0 days to start of safari 100% Gorilla permits and Chimpanzee permits are excluded from percentages above and are 100% nonrefundable. Means of payment: Payment from abroad should be done through bank transfer to our account in Uganda. Fees for transfer are paid by the client. We accept payment in Cash and Credit cards. During Trip: The animals in the parks are wild so no guarantees can be given of good sightings during game drives or trekking, but rangers and our guides will do their very best to make sure you get a great experience. GARI TRIPS reserves the right to refuse any client behaving in a way that can cause danger/inconvenience to any third party, damage to property, environments or ecosystems to continue the trip. In such a case no refunds will be made and GARI TRIPS will not be liable for expenses occurring due to termination. Vehicles: We put a lot of energy into getting cars that are in a roadworthy condition. Despite this punctures, breakdowns, damage or any other delay can occur due to poor road conditions that are out of our control, for this no liability can be accepted. Complaints: Any issues that occur during the Trip should be reported immediately to the guide and we'll do our best to resolve it. If an issue has not been solved to the client's satisfaction a written complaint should be e-mailed to us no later than 30 days after finishing the safari. Liability: GARI TRIPS cannot accept liability or pay compensation for unforeseen circumstances that are out of our control. This includes flight delays/cancellations, war/threat of war, riots, civil unrest, terrorist attacks, border closure, acts of the government, strikes, thefts, epidemics, road closure, natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, fire, technical/mechanical problems to transport due to bad roads and similar events beyond the company's control. Health: It is the responsibility of the client to insure that proper medical precautions (immunizations and so on) have been taken.