Uganda Safari
Gorilla of Uganda Tailormade Tour

A tailormade Uganda Safari – Gorilla of Uganda is an 8 day tailormade tour starting from £3950 per person.


Uganda’s rich wildlife is recognised by its people as one of the country’s major resources. As such efforts combining tourism and conservation are well developed.

Among its well-managed national parks, verdant landscapes of jungles, forests and rivers, plains game and birdlife are as rich as anywhere on the continent. However, for many the major draw is a chance to encounter primates.

Gorillas and chimpanzees are highlights of this tour, and if your goal is to get close to either of these great apes Uganda offers a professional experience with none of the essential wildness removed.

Uganda’s rich wildlife is recognised by its people as one of the country’s major resources. As such efforts combining tourism and conservation are well developed.

Among its well-managed national parks, verdant landscapes of jungles, forests and rivers, plains game and birdlife are as rich as anywhere on the continent. However, for many the major draw is a chance to encounter primates.

On this short but spectacular Uganda safari, you can track Gorillas and Chimpanzees and marvel at the big game of Queen Elizabeth National Park, in particular the rare sight of tree climbing lions!

Tour ratings.

  • Fitness
  • Off the beaten track 
  • Culture
  • History
  • Wildlife

Tour Pace

Busy

Tour style

Traveller

Relaxed Pace

Relaxed tours are easy paced with plenty of leisure time built in. The tour will in all probability still be off the beaten track, with the occasional early start and there may still be occasional long drives. In general on a relaxed pace tour you can enjoy easy-going activities and experiences with opportunities to absorb the sights and immerse yourself in the local surroundings.

Moderate Pace

Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour experience that combines activities and experiences with some time to relax. Typically you will be active and busy for part of the day but then also have time to rest and recharge your batteries. In general on a moderate paced tour there may be some long journeys involved but the tour is not an expedition or a road trip. On a moderate paced tour it will be necessary to have some early starts.

Busy Pace

A busy paced tour means that you can expect to be doing, seeing or experiencing something new almost every day, and moving on from place to place to pack in as much as possible. There may be early starts, long journeys and tiring days along the way, but you’ll return home feeling you’ve really experienced as much as you possibly could.

Pioneer Class Tours

On our Pioneer tours, you will be amongst an elite group of intrepid travellers and some of the first to explore a country that few have been privileged enough to discover. Of course, exploring such areas of the world will come with its challenges; it may mean several nights camping, long journeys by 4WD and the need to maintain a degree of flexibility for when carefully laid plans change. These are challenging tours in countries and areas that may have poor infrastructure, high levels of poverty and illiteracy. This can translate in to low standards in hotels, bad roads and poor driving standards among other issues. We try and smooth out as much of these issues as we can but you should be prepared to experience the bad with the good.

Traveller Class Tours

Our Traveller itineraries are at the core of our programme. These journeys are designed for travellers who still want to discover a land away from the tourist crowds but expect minimum standards. Accommodation will be primarily hotel based, although you could still find yourself camping, or the guest of a local family. Depending on the destination and itinerary, you’ll likely be travelling in a private vehicle, with occasional use of public transport. This is adventure travel with some of the rough edges smoothed out.

Itinerary.

Start you tailormade Uganda safari when you arrive in Entebbe and transfer to the hotel accommodation in Kampala. Overnight Urban by City Blue Kampala or similar. No meals or guided activities are included today.

(Approximate driving time: one-and-a-half-hours)

After an early breakfast, we travel to Kibale Forest National Park. Driving south via Hoima to Fort Portal we pass through countryside punctuated by traditional homesteads, farms and tea estates. Arrive at your lodge situated superbly on the edge of a beautiful volcanic crater lake in time for a late lunch.

After lunch, stretch your legs with a nature walk in the alluring verdant surroundings. Overnight Crater Safari Lodge. (BLD)

(Approximate driving time: five to six hours)

Please Note: It is also possible to fly to from the capital to an airstrip close to Kibale. Contact us if you would like us to quote for this option.  

Enjoy one of the trip’s highlights, Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, reputed to have the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa.

Escorted by an expert ranger we walk in the tropical rainforest searching out wild chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and many others. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, visitors stand a very high chance of hearing and seeing our distant cousins as they groom and bond with one another, a sight never to be forgotten.

Later, for those wishing to keep active, take a rewarding but easy walk at Bigodi Swamp community project accompanied by a local community guide. The swamp is an oasis for birdlife and it is also common to see several primate species on the walk.  If time allows, after the Bigodi swamp walk, visit the local community to discover how coffee is grown, harvested, roasted, and prepared to drink.

There’s also a chance to learn how banana beer is brewed from bananas and sorghum – the bananas are mashed not so much by hand as by foot! Subject to permission it’s possible to visit a women’s group supported by the lodge, and the school where the kids will sing to you. Overnight Crater Safari Lodge. (BLD)

Please Note: Long sleeves and trousers and robust walking shoes/boots are recommended in Kibale Forest.

Have our breakfast before we drive towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, and on arrival immediately set out on a game drive with the Rwenzori Mountains as a spectacular backdrop. After lunch at the lodge we cruise on the Kazinga Channel to view buffalo, hippo, elephant and other animals drawn to the water to drink and cool off.

European migratory birds, including flocks of terns and gulls may also be observed in the area. Overnight Park View Safari Lodge. (BLD)

(Approximate driving time: thee hours)

This morning we explore a different part of the park, all the while looking out for wildlife. Later in the afternoon take a game drive on the Ishasha plains in search of lions famed for their unusual habit of tree climbing. Overnight Ishasha Jungle Lodge. (BLD)

(Approximate driving time: two hours)

Take a morning game drive through the Ishasha plains to allow for another chance to spot the tree climbing lions and other wildlife. We then leave Queen Elizabeth National Park bound for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. En route we pass through memorable highland scenery often referred to as ‘little Switzerland’.

We can take our time on this beautiful drive stopping for plenty of photo opportunities of the verdant terraced hillsides. Overnight Gorilla Safari Lodge. (BLD)

(Approximate driving time: five hours)

Please Note: It is also possible to fly from Queen Elizabeth National Park to an airstrip close to Bwindi Forest, but we recommend this beautiful drive to appreciate the rural splendour of Uganda.   

An early breakfast then we travel the short distance to the park HQ for an important briefing about your gorilla trekking adventure.

Small groups, led by highly experienced gorilla trackers; head out across the slopes of the volcanoes in search of the gorillas. Although the hike can be physically demanding, anticipation ensures that adrenaline levels remain high, and the beauty of the forest itself is memorable. One of Africa’s major wildlife highlights, encountering gorillas at close quarters is a humbling experience.

Time spent just metres from our not-too-distant relatives as they eat, rest, play and bond with young, passes all too quickly. Although it’s natural to want to take photographs, some minutes simply absorbing the scene without wanting to frame it is highly recommended.

One hour is the maximum time permitted with the gorillas in any encounter. If your trek was relatively short, you may have time later today for a guided nature walk around the lodge and the surrounding communities. Overnight Gorilla Safari Lodge. (BLD)

Please Note: Subject to availability, and for a supplement, you can opt for a Gorilla Habituation experience occupying most of the day and enabling you to be with the gorillas for up to four hours.

Please Note: Long sleeves, trousers and robust walking boots are recommended in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

The last day of your tailormade Uganda safari and we start early with a long drive of around 8 hours today. There is plenty of time to reflect on the incredible wildlife and scenery you have witnessed on this Ugandan adventure.

We arrive in Entebbe by late afternoon and transfer to the airport for your late evening departure or perhaps you may wish to extend your stay in Uganda.  (BL)

Please Note: An internal flight can be arranged for a supplement to avoid the long drive back to Entebbe. Contact us if you wish to explore this option.

Dates & Price.

We offer this Uganda Tailormade Safari Tour for private departures only.

Prices start from £3950 per person, based on two people travelling and sharing a room.

We can also tailor a similar or totally different itinerary to meet your requirements. Please contact us to discuss your travel plans.

Tour Notes

Single supplement from £-.

After this wonderful safari experience, perhaps you may wish to relax on the shores of Lake Victoria or head onward to Kenya or Tanzania for more safari. Whatever your requirements, contact us and we will be happy to facilitate your onward arrangements.

Airport transfers are included in the tailormade Uganda safari if you are booking pre and/or post tour accommodation at the hotel mentioned in our tour dossier.

Extra night accommodation pre and/or post tour in Kampala costs from £52 per person, per night sharing a twin/double room and £87 per person in a solo occupancy room.

Please note that the prices quoted above are for the category of accommodation and hotel used for this particular tour. Depending on the hotel eventually confirmed there may be some difference in the rate advertised by the hotel, and the prices available through Undiscovered Destinations. It should be noted we will not apply a surcharge should more expensive accommodation be used. At the same time in the event that a lower rate is available for the confirmed hotel we are unable to offer a refund.

Return flights from London to Entebbe for your Uganda safari start at £550 per person. Please contact us for a quotation.

Mapped itinerary.

Want to see details of your itinerary on a map?

Download PDF.

Download the full tour dossier for this trip here.

For expert advice get in touch now with our passionate,
well-travelled team.

+44(0) 191 296 2674 from THE UK
1-800-614-2967 from THE US & CANADA
1-300-956-415 from AUSTRALIA

Tour inclusions.

  • Airport transfers
  • All accommodation as per itinerary or similar
  • Private transportation on tour
  • Services of English speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
  • 1 Gorilla permit per person
  • 1 Chimpanzee permit per person

Tour exclusions.

  • International flights
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Supplements for Chimpanzee and/or Gorilla habituation experiences
  • Supplements for choosing to take flights between parks instead of travelling by road
  • Any airport taxes
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visas if applicable
  • Drinks
  • Tips (discretionary)

Matia Lugamwa was the best. Maybe the best in all Uganda. We enjoyed being with him every day.

He was so helpful and caring, making sure that everything was as it should be. He was fun and funny, as well.

Everything was wonderful. We had a fantastic time. We highly recommend the Uganda trip and Undiscovered Destinations.

 

Nancy Becher, US