The 14 days Uganda gorillas, birding, and wildlife safari is the ultimate combination of mountain gorilla trekking adventure, bird-watching, and big game viewing. This special 2-week expedition introduces you to Uganda’s finest parks and birding spots. You will be visiting Mabamba Wetland, home to a variety of aquatic birds, and continue to explore the country’s beautiful parks like Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking, Queen Elizabeth N/Park, and Lake Mburo National Park for game viewing then Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla encounter. Below is the detailed 14 Days Uganda Gorillas, Birding, and Wildlife Safari.
Day 1: Arrival to enjoy your 14 days expedition in Uganda
You will travel to Uganda on day one and you will be picked up at Entebbe International Airport (EBB). A relaxed evening will be had at the comfort of your lodge/hotel in Entebbe City.
Day 2: Mabamba Wetland birds
Meet your safari leader for a briefing about this special 14-day tour in Uganda. After, proceed to Mabamba Wetland, and getting there for your birding expedition will be on a canoe ride. Mabamba birds to identify include shoebill storks, and white-faced whistling ducks. Yellow-backed weavers, lesser jacanas, goliath herons. Orange weavers, vieillot’s weavers, blue-breasted bee-eaters, and more. Retreat from the Mabamba birding trip and have a relaxed evening at the lodge.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale for chimp encounter
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel and after you will be transferred from Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park where 13 primate species live. From Entebbe to Kibale, you will take about 6 hours driving along the Mityana-Mubende-Fort Portal route and lunch will be provided at a hotel in Fort Portal tourism city.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trek Kibale & birding tour in Bigodi Wetland
A hot cup of tea/coffee will be enjoyed at the lodge in Kibale National Park, you will be expected at the Kanyanchu tourist center where you will meet the park official for a briefing about chimpanzee tracking rules. An actual trek to interact with Kibale chimpanzees starts at 8:00 am with an experienced guide leading you through the forest. Kibale protects more than 1500 chimpanzees plus other primates like the red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, and black & white colobus monkeys. Along the way, birds, butterflies, and floral species will also be spotted.
Get back and lunch will be provided, have some rest and in the afternoon, connect to Bigodi Wetland for a rewarding nature walk. Expect to see a variety of birds like the Great blue turacos, plus primates such as the red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, baboons, vervet monkeys, and black & white colobus monkeys.
Day 5: Travel to Queen Elizabeth NP for wildlife & birds
Leave Kibale after breakfast and check out of the lodge, drive for 3-4 hours and your road trip lets you enjoy the magnificent views of the Crater Lakes and extensive banana plantations. Arrive at Queen Elizabeth NP early and as you connect to the lodge, you will be able to see some wildlife and birds.
Day 6: Game drive & launch cruise tour
After breakfast, meet your driver guide ready to begin your Kasenyi Plains game viewing expedition. This is expected to start at 6:00 am and takes 2-3 hours with a great chance to encounter cape buffaloes, elephants in their large herds, lions, leopard on a lucky day, antelopes and birds. Lunch at the lodge and the second activity today will be a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel. Hippos, crocodiles, and plenty of aquatic birds will be spotted on the Kazinga channel.
Day 7: Drive to Ishasha to watch the tree climbing lions & Bwindi
Early morning breakfast be enjoyed at the lodge. After you will connect to the Southern sector -Ishasha for a short game drive. Unlike Kasenyi, Ishasha is where the tree-climbing lions live. After your Ishasha game viewing experience, transfer to Bwindi to check in at the lodge.
Day 8: Trek Bwindi gorillas
After breakfast, transfer to Bwindi Park offices to be briefed about gorilla trekking guidelines. You will begin an actual trek to see Bwindi gorillas at 8:00 am. After the allocation of families and expect to spend 2-6 hours in the wild but this is inclusive of one hour for close encounter and photography. After an interaction with Bwindi gorillas, return to the lodge to chill. There will be a visit to the Batwa pygmies in their community. Alternatively, you may choose to remain at the lodge. This is one of the highlights of your 14 Days Uganda Gorillas, Birding and Wildlife Safari.
Day 9: Lake Bunyonyi exploration
A leisurely breakfast early in the morning. It is followed by a check out of the lodge and you drive to Lake Bunyonyi. This is the deepest of all the lakes in Uganda and also one of the world’s lakes that is free of hippos and crocodiles. This makes it a special recreation spot for swimmers. It also has 29 islands spread throughout it making it a charming area of its own.
Day 10: Boat ride
Enjoy a hefty breakfast and after, start your canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi home to little birds. Today’s canoe ride expedition includes visiting one of the islands on Lake Bunyonyi and you will also sight some of the birds. Get back while enjoying the spectacular views of the lake and surrounding terraced farms. Have lunch, relax and in the afternoon, you may pay a visit to the Batwa community or Bakiga or just relax at the lake shores.
Day 11: Wildlife Trip to Lake Mburo National Park
Located in the Kiruhura district, Western Uganda, Lake Mburo will be your next wildlife destination. Expect to take 5 to 6 hours driving and lunch will be provided on arrival at the lodge.
Day 12: Game drive and launch trip experience
Enjoy a hefty breakfast, after which, begin Lake Mburo NP game viewing excursion early morning before the sun rises. You will take 2-3 hours while you explore wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, leopards, impalas, topis, birds, and others. Lunch will be served once you return to the lodge and in the afternoon, catch up with a boat cruise on Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo launch trip comes with aquatic life sightings ranging from hippos, crocodiles, and birds.
Day 13: Cycling expeditions
Have breakfast at leisure and after, you will have a memorable cycling tour in the savannas of Lake Mburo. Cycling through this park lets you enjoy the sight of zebras, antelopes, and birds. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing at the lodge or visit the nearby local community at Lake Mburo NP for cultural interaction.
Day 14: Depart for Kampala/Entebbe
Delicious breakfast will be enjoyed at the lodge, after, check out and meet the driver guide. You will be driven back to Kampala/Entebbe by your professional driver guide. And en-route, make a stopover at the Equator crossing. This will mark the climax of your 14 Days Uganda Gorillas, Birding and Wildlife Safari.
