The 18 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari Uganda Mountain Rwenzori Safaris Tour is a good safari package that allows you to enjoy a highly rewarding hike to the peak of Mountain Rwenzori-also dubbed Mountains of the Moon.
The 18 days Bwindi Gorilla and Mt.Rwenzori safari will take you to Uganda’s most majestic national park like Queen Elizabeth national park with its rare tree climbing lions, adventurous Kazinga Channel, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park-natural home of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas and other exceptional tourism destinations like Lake Bunyonyi – loviest lake dotted with thousand hills, Jinja –home of adventure and Kampala City –Capital City of Uganda the Pearl of Africa.
The 18 days Safari will combine Uganda’s most splendid tourist activities with unique cultural experiences and taste of world class services from some of the best accommodation places in Uganda.
18 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari Uganda Mountain Rwenzori Safaris Tour – HighlightsOn your first day to Uganda, you will be picked up by our professional driver guide from Entebbe International airport and transferred you to your pre-booked Kampala lodge/Hotel for relaxation and lunch. After lunch, you will embark on Kampala Cultural Tour.
The cultural tour will take you to Kabaka’s lake where you will have possibilities of viewing different bird species drinking in the only largest man-made lake in Africa.
Proceed to Kasubi Tombs, the royal Burial grounds for the Kings of Buganda. Go to Bahai temple where those with the Bahai faith go for worship and the only one of its kind in Africa.
Thereafter advance with the drive to visit Namugongo Uganda Martyrs shrine where 22 martyrs were burnt by the old Kabaka (King) of Buganda. In the evening, go to Ndere Troupe Center to enjoy the different African cultural performances. Retreat to your lodge after cultural tour for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Sheraton hotel (Luxury /Upmarket), Humura Resort (Standard/Mid-Range Hotels), Buziga Country Resort (Budget).
After your breakfast in the morning, you will be transferred by driver guide to Jinja. The amazing drive of about 1-2hours will allow you enjoy the splendid scenery along the way, you will divert from Mukono town to visit Ssezibwa falls and enjoy the sights and sounds of the falls.
Proceed to Mabira forest for a short nature walk. Lunch en route in Jinja town. On arrival to Jinja, you will have lunch and thereafter, embark on an afternoon boat cruise to the source of the Nile which is tranquil place, dotted with beautiful tropical pants, palm trees and magnificent white roaring water of the mighty Nile.
Not only does the boat ride reward you with the views of the fishermen throwing their fishing nets, it also draws you closer to the point where the mighty river Nile starts its wonderful long journey to the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt.
Upon reaching the point where the source of the Nile originates, embark on taking wonderful photos for future memories; stand in the Nile while enjoying the views of different bird species including the King Fisher.
After that adventurous experience, retire back to the starting point and embark on transfer drive back to Kampala.
Accommodation: Sheraton hotel (Luxury /Upmarket), Humura Resort (Standard/Mid-Range Hotels), Buziga Country Resort (Budget).
Take ebullient breakfast in your respective Kampala Lodge/hotel and embark on drive transfer of 311kms about 5 hours’ drive to Murchison Falls National Park.
The drive journey from Kampala will take you through the flat landscapes of Nakasongora decorated with Savannah grassland vegetation.
After covering a distance drive of 115km, you will be welcomed to Nakitoma where you will divert from the main route driving 7 kms to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
While at the Sanctuary, you will explore the only white Rhinos protected in this part of Uganda .You will also have your delightful Lunch at Kabalega dinner and thereafter advance with the drive to Murchison Falls National park for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range/Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).
In the morning after cup of coffee, you will drive to the park’s headquarters for an early morning game drive at 6:30am through the park tracks in search of the elusive wild game.
The rolling Savannah combretum of Murchison Falls National Park supports a span of delightful wildlife such as the species elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, water buck, Jackson hartebeest, oribis, lions, leopards among others The early morning game drive through the well-organized driving tracks of the delta area, Buligi tracks, Albert and Queen tracks provides golden chance for you to enjoy the views of elusive wild game.
After rewarding drive of 3 – 4 hours, you will retire back to the lodge for relaxation, lunch while waiting for an afternoon adventurous boat cruise.
After lunch and having rest, you drive to Paraa to catch-up with the afternoon adventurous Lunch Cruise that sets off at 2:30pm and takes 3-4 hours of adventure.
Taking boat cruise to the bottom of the Nile will not only reward you with the views of the wild game when they are drinking on the river side, but it also takes you to an area where you can have clear glimpse of wildlife species like Hippos, Nile Crocodiles and a range of water birds such as the endangered species of the Shoebill Stork.
After exploring the boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, you will take a hike through narrow path to the top of the world’s most powerful falls.
Upon reaching the top, you will enjoy the roaring sounds of the Nile as it crumbles its head on the impermeable rocks that have narrowed its way to less than 8m for centuries past.
Thereafter that life time experience, you will retire to your lodge for dinner, memory sharing and overnight.
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range/Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).
Take relaxed breakfast and embark on the transfer to Hoima. The interesting drive will take you along the Albertine escarpment with prominent scenery of the rift valley .
You will advance through Bulisa which is in the oil region of Uganda. You will have a stop en route at Kibiro Salt Gardens and hot springs and here you will be exposed to impressive local methods of fine salt extraction.
The views of the scenic Lake Albert and the views of the Blue Mountains on the Democratic Republic of Congo are very rewarding.
From here, you will embark on the drive to Hoima for relaxation, diner and overnight.
Accommodation: Kontik Hotel
After an early morning breakfast, depart Hoima driving to Rwenzori Mountain National park via the Albertine escarpment of the western rift valley.
The drive journey will take you through eye-catching green vegetation and traditional homesteads. On arrival to Fort Portal, you will have stopover for Lunch and thereafter proceed with the drive to Kasese.
On arrival to the park, you will drive to RMS offices at Nyakalegija to check-in, hire the hiking equipment. Thereafter, retire back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Hotel Margarita (Luxury)
After your breakfast, start your hike from the RMS offices at Nyakalegija early in the morning with your packed lunch.
You will then climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut after passing through the farmland beyond which it follows the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma tributary.
Your hike may take around 5 hours and you are most likely to enjoy sights and sounds of different colored bird species like Rwenzori turaco, white and black colobus, blue monkey and chimpanzees. Diner and overnight stay at Nyabitaba hut.
Wake up early to proceed with the hike after taking your breakfast. From Nyabitaba hut take the trail to the left of the hut for about half a kilometer then right fork then dropping to the Kurt Shafer Bridge just below the confluence of the Bujuku and Mubuku rivers.
After ascending and then descend through the muddy, slippery paths and passing through rocks and rocks, finally leading you to Nyamuleju hut.
You will continue through the tropical plants along the Bujuku River to John Matte. The trip can take around 6 hours.
Have a remarkable view of the snow-capped Margherita, Elena peaks and Mount Stanley. When you reach at John Matte hut, you will have stopover for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, embark on the 6 Km trail about 5 to 6 hours to Bujuku Hut. With 1 and half hours of wading your way through fords and crossing a river, this muddy trail leads to the edge of lower Bigo bog and eventually to the Bigo hut which also commands a spectacular view of the surrounding peaks.
Advance with the hike through the upper Bigo bog and trial will lead you to drier ground. After crisscrossing the river, continue to the Bujuku Lake.
This is also the best place for seeing the Margherita, the summit of Stanley. Continue with the trail for about 30 minutes up the valley to Bujuku hut at 3962 meters.
This hut is very famous because of being the closest to the peaks of Speke, Baker and Stanley. Watch out for red duikers. You will have a rest, dinner and overnight at Bujuku hut.
After breakfast you will ascend to the highest point on the Loop trail to Scott Eliot pass .The trail which covers only 4 Km begins by ascension of 390 meters then a descent of 340 meters.
The trail starts by ascending and then falling twice, followed by a steep ascend giving way to a groundsel vegetation 4372 meters then to Scott-Elliot pass which is also the main col between mount Stanley and Baker.
Another descend leading to Kitandara hut 4023 meters where you will have relaxation, dinner and overnight.
On this particular day, you will embark on hike very early in the morning after breakfast .The hike of 5 Km stretch involves you to ascent and descent for about 5 to 6 hours.
While at Lake Kitandara, you can take a view of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Prepare for a steep climb through thick mud before the path gives you way to a more level ground at the Fresh field pass.
You can get a marvelous view of mount Stanley. Continue with a steep descend, climbing rocks and wadding through thick muddy to Guy Yeoman hut 3262 meters.
This trail covers 6 Km and takes 4 to 5 hours. This involves descending a very steep slope and calls for support from one another. It passes through deep mud, crossing rivers to Nyabitaba hut for overnight.
After breakfast, depart Nyabitaba hut early retracing out route back to the Rwenzori mountain services offices.
This 10 Km trail will take you about 2 – 3 hours, descending through Mubuku River and through fields to the RM’s offices to hand over the rented equipment. Thereafter transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park for lunch and relaxation.
Take an early morning cup of coffee before embarking on highly rewarding game drive in the rolling savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The drive will take you through Kasenyi which is a dwelling place for a range of game including the elephants, lions, buffaloes, Antelopes among others.
The racks are well designed to increase you possibilities of encountering wild game. The sights of an elusive leopard, defassa waterbuck, Uganda kob, Side stripped Jackal; Oribis among others might be encountered.
Return to the lodge after this 3 -4 hour game drive for refreshment and relaxation until the time for lunch.
After having a thrilling lunch, embark on the rewarding boat cruise on the 45km long Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes Edward and George.
The 2 hour boat cruise opens your possibilities of enjoying the calm channel waters filled with counts of Hippos no wonder the channel is called the Paradise of Hippos.
The other sights of water birds and the Nile crocodiles may not be missed. Retire in the evening at 5pm to connect to the lodge to check-in, have dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).
Take an early morning breakfast and embark on the transfer drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive will take you through the Ishasha sector where you have possibilities confronting the tree climbing lions that tend to lie on the branches of fig trees.
The game drive along the prominent Ishasha region may also expose you to other wildlife species. Continue with the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Engage lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget/Basic).
Wake -up early in the morning like at 6:00am and take your hefty breakfast that will give you the energy to hike the hills and slope the valleys when looking for the unique species of the mountain gorillas.
After taking breakfast, driver guide will transfer you with your packed lunch, bottled water, to the Park head Quarters in your respective gorilla trekking region for an early morning briefing at about 70:30am to 8:00am about etiquettes of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
While at the park headquarters, you will meet other trekkers and you will be divided into groups of eight individuals who are only allowed to trek one specific habituated Gorilla family.
After briefing, UWA experienced ranger guide will lead you to the trail heads where thrilling gorilla trekking experience starts from.
You will enter an ancient, thick dark impenetrable forest to begin hiking the hills and slopping the valleys when looking for the unique species of the mountain gorillas inhabited in the famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
The trek can take you between 2-8 hours to confront the mountain gorillas and once up close, you will be allowed to spend one magical hour with these stunning apes.
During this time you can decide to sit down listen to gorilla crumble, study how these apes go about their daily activities and you can take as many photos as possible.
When the one hour is done, you will walk back to the park headquarters and retire back to your lodge for late Lunch, relaxation.
After relaxation, you will be driven to the nearby Batwa community for memorable, refreshing cultural encounter.
Here you will be guided by a local guide who will take you to the different communities to see how people have managed to survive through farming.
You will see how local brew is processed from fresh Bananas and forest remedies to get beer and Waragi and also enjoy the performances done by the local Batwa women groups.
After that interesting cultural encounter, you will drive back to your respective lodge for dinner and overnight. Thereafter the activity, you will retreat back to your lodge for dinner, memory sharing and overnight.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Engage lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget/Basic).
Take relaxed early morning breakfast, and embark on drive through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands for an afternoon boat cruise, relaxation, dinner and overnight in Lake Bunyonyi.
Lake Bunyonyi is another major tourist stopover that is undeniably amazing. It is the second deepest lake in Africa; it contains lots of the tasty crayfish, so get set for a culinary delight.
Bunyonyi is a local word that means “many small birds” in direct translation. It’s a perfect stopover for committed birders and travellers who are from hectic gorilla trekking activities.
On arrival to Lake Bunyonyi, you will drive to your lodge for check-in, lunch and you proceed to catch up with the afternoon boat cruise ,also participate in refreshing activities such as swimming in the bilharzia free waters of Bunyonyi, you can also enjoy the evening nature walks in the Bunyonyi Islands .
After exploring the different adventurous activities in lake Bunyonyi, you will retire to your lodge to chill in the fire place while enjoying cool evening of Bunyonyi, you will have your dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket/Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Midrange/Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget/Basic
After an early morning breakfast, you will embark on drive transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala. The drive will take you through the impressive country side landscapes with rural setting and local populations.
Upon your arrival at Igongo Cultural Centre 12 kms past Mbarara town, you will have stopover for traditional lunch and 30 minutes Museum tour.
You will drive through a magnificent hilly countryside and lush cultivation on an approximately four-hour journey to Kampala.
The drive will take you through Mpabire drum markers in Mpigi and Uganda Equator crossing at Kayabwe where you will have stopover for marvelous water experiments, photo shot and visit to African craft shops.
Arrive in Kampala late evening like at 8-9pm and you will be driven by the driver guide to your respective Kampala hotel/ lodge for dinner and overnight or to Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home.
End of The 18 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari Uganda Mountain Rwenzori Safaris Tour
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