5 days Uganda safari

5 Days Uganda safari package is designed for travelers who are interested in short safari to see mountain gorillas and view general wildlife in one of Uganda’s national parks. The 5 days’ tour includes gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park, two game drive in Queen Elizabeth (including one to spot tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector) and a launch cruise along the Kazinga channel. Uganda is blessed with amazing tourism destinations. No wonder Winston Churchill described her as “The Pearl of Africa”. This 5-day safari in Uganda will help justify Churchill’s words. Let’s discuss a little about the two national parks beginning with Bwindi.

Because of its remarkable biodiversity and being home to about half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is now a UNESCO World heritage site. Apart from mountain gorillas, Bwindi has also been recognized as one of the best places for birding in Africa. While in Bwindi, you will be taken for gorilla trekking and visiting the Batwa pygmies. It is possible to see chimpanzees and gorillas while following some of the trails in Bwindi.

Queen Elizabeth national park on the other hand is the most visited in Uganda. The park has beautiful and unique landscape which remains relatively green throughout the year. Earth movements and volcanic eruptions created amazing physical features like crater lakes, gorges and valleys hence enhancing the overall beauty of the park. The main activities in Queen Elizabeth national park are game drives, boat cruises along the Kazinga channel, lion tracking, nature walks in Maramagambo forest and chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge. For this particular safari, you will take the boat cruise and go for game drives which include spotting tree climbing lions of Uganda

African-elephants

The main activities are:

1. Tracking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable national park
2. Visiting the Batwa Pygmies
3. Game drives in Kasenyi and Ishasha to see tree climbing lions
4. A launch cruise along the Kazinga channel for wildlife viewing

Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

A guide from Azas Safaris Uganda will pick you up from the airport in Entebbe on arrival or from your hotel to start your 5 days Uganda wildlife safari. After the briefing, you will start the 6-hour journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park.  Queen Elizabeth is located in the south western part of the country which is arguably the most scenic. Expect to catch sight of lakes, rivers, mountains, forests, national parks and other physical features. Take time to observe the countryside, the amazing Ankole cattle and the local people working in their gardens or doing business in small trading centres. The driver will stop at the equator crossing, the Igongo cultural Centre and in local markets to check out fresh tropical fruits. The equator crossing is particularly interesting because it is where the earth’s southern and northern hemispheres are separated. Lunch will be taken along the way (Probably at the Igongo Cultural Centre).

Overnight stay at Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Park view lodge (Moderate) and Simba safari camp or engiri and bush lodge (basic).

Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise

You will set off early from your lodge with packed breakfast for an early morning game drive to spot early risers, nocturnal mammals and predators before they retreat to their hideouts. The early morning game drive is one of the most popular activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Expect to spot hippos, buffaloes, antelopes, leopard, lions and a collection of both resident and migratory birds. The game drive takes about 3 hours and could be done in the Kasenyi or Mweya plains. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch and rest.

At 2.00 pm, the company driver will transfer you to the Kazinga Channel for the afternoon boat cruise. The Channel is a magnet for all wildlife in the park. It boasts of a great variety of bird species –  more than any other single destination in Africa. Expect to spot crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and hippos bathing or swimming in the waters. The launch cruise takes between 2 to 3 hours.

Overnight stay at Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Park view lodge (Moderate) and Simba safari camp or engiri and bush lodge (basic).

 Day 3: Game drive in Ishasha to see tree climbing lions – Transfer to Bwindi national park

You will wake up to sumptuous breakfast and get ready to transfer to Bwindi. Before leaving for Bwindi, you will have a final game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Tree climbing lions are only found in Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa. They are very few but Uganda has about 4 prides. Kruger National Park in South Africa has 1 pride while Tanzania’s lake Manyara has 2. The lions are said to love trees because it protects them from bugs living on lower ground. From the top of their trees, they can have an aerial view of their prey and plan where to go during the night. After spotting the lions on top of acacia and fig trees, you will set off for Bwindi impenetrable forest and have lunch along the way. Once you arrive at your lodge in Bwindi, shower and relax by the lodge premises.

Dinner and overnight stay at Gorilla Resort Camp or Gorilla Forest Camp for Luxury/ Lake Kitandara tented camp or Silver back Lodge for mid range/Buhoma community Bandas or Wagtail Safari Camp for Budget.

 Day 4: Tracking gorillas in Bwindi – Visit the Batwa Pygmies

Briefing for gorilla trekking takes place at 7:00 am by and is conducted by park Guides/Rangers at the head offices. All trackers must be at the park by this time and must attend the briefing to get an overview of what to expect during the trek. Gorilla tracking in Bwindi involves choosing from among 15 habituated gorilla families. You will be allocated one based on your age and overall fitness. After the briefing, you will go into the jungle looking for the primates. Tracking gorillas can be challenging but it is worth every penny. The one hour spent with the gorillas in the wild is a once in a lifetime experience and you will never forget it. Moreover, you get an opportunity to observe other forest creatures like monkeys, chimpanzees, birds and butterflies. Prepare to take as many photos as you can but also instructions from your guide. Stay calm and never make sudden movements that could alert the gorillas. After your one hour with the gorillas, you will return back to the starting point where you will meet our guide to take you back to your hotel for lunch and rest.

Later in the afternoon, you will be visiting the Batwa pygmy community. The Batwa originally lived in the Bwindi impenetrable forest before being relocated to their current homes. The government thought it would be reserving the forest for gorilla conservation programs but they didn’t consider the negative impact it would have on a community that had lived for thousands of years as hunters and gatherers. Most of the Batwa never adapted to life outside the forest.

They had to deal with new diseases, alcoholism and chronic poverty. Moreover, they also had to learn to live with aggressive neighbors whom they had avoided for thousands of years. Most Batwa now survive as squatters in farms owned by the more progressive tribes. While visiting them, the Batwa will entertain you with traditional dances, songs and stories about the past way of life.

Dinner and overnight stay at Gorilla Resort Camp or Gorilla Forest Camp for Luxury/ Lake Kitandara tented camp or Silver back Lodge for mid range/Buhoma community Bandas or Wagtail Safari Camp for Budget.

Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala for departure

After completing the main activities in your 5 days Uganda safari, you will wake up at your own leisure and depending on your flight arrangements. Take breakfast and wait for the Guide to come pick you up. The driver will start the 8-hour journey from Bwindi to Entebbe while making several stops along the way. If you didn’t visit the Igongo Cultural Centre or the equator crossing, this will be the time to do so. You will also have a great chance to stop at the Buganda royal drum makers for a chance to see these giant communication devices being built using skills transferred from their ancestors. The driver will drop you at airport or your hotel in Kampala/Entebbe if you are still in the country.

End of Tour