Tour Overview
This 4-day Uganda budget safari combines exciting primate experiences with beautiful scenery across three renowned destinations—Kibale Forest National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Lake Bunyonyi. The journey begins with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, where you explore the forest on a guided walk in search of these lively primates. You then travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for the highlight of the trip: gorilla trekking, offering a rare opportunity to observe endangered mountain gorillas in their natural environment.
After the trekking adventure, the safari continues to Lake Bunyonyi, where you can relax and enjoy the calm atmosphere, rolling hills, and island-dotted waters. Staying in comfortable budget lodges, this safari is ideal for travelers looking for an affordable yet rewarding mix of wildlife, adventure, and relaxation within a well-planned short itinerary.
Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Kibale Forest
+Leaving Kampala, we’ll drive through the dense jungles and papyrus wetlands of the Nile Delta. We’ll pause for lunch en route to the Kibale National Park, near the towering Ruwenzori Mountains, known as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’. In the afternoon, we’ll embark on a guided walk in the national park, exploring the crater lakes area and experiencing the local culture.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Bwindi National Park
+Our day starts early, with breakfast and then chimpanzee tracking. The park is home to an impressive 500 chimpanzees. Before heading into the forest, we are briefed on the trekking procedures. While trekking in the jungle, the guide tells you more about the chimpanzees, other primates, and local flora and fauna, making for an interesting adventure.
The dense jungles of Kibale are the best place to view chimpanzees in Africa. The chimpanzees are commonly found feeding on fig tree fruits in the game park and have been habituated to humans since 1992. Kibale National Park covers 795sq km and consists mostly of a vast tract of equatorial rainforest. This national park is home to numerous forest wildlife species, boasting one of the highest concentrations of primates in the world. In the afternoon, we’ll travel south to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, taking in the sights and looking out for the resident game as we drive. This evening, we’ll relax and have dinner near Bwindi.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
+Have an early morning breakfast and proceed to the briefing point. Enjoy the highlight of your trip, gorilla trekking, which may last from 2 to 6 hours depending on the group you are visiting. We’ll trek through the rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes, accompanied by a Uganda Wildlife Authority guide and other trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. Due to the nature of the activity, you will have a packed lunch. After gorilla trekking, you will drive through the terraced hills to Lake Bunyonyi. Besides canoeing, there is a short list of optional activities: swimming (safe in this lake), hiking on some of the Island trails along the lake shores, community walks and having a chance to meet the local people with small residents and exotic bird species singing.
Day 4: Canoe Ride on Lake Bunyonyi And Transfer to Entebbe
+After breakfast, check out of the lodge and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for a guided canoe ride. You will later get set for a border crossing journey to Rwanda. You will transfer to Kigali city with the memory of the great rare mountain apes. Lunch will be served en route, arriving late in the evening to be dropped off at your hotel or airport as you say farewell to the Pearl of Africa.
Inclusions
- Emergency Medical Evacuation
- Airport pick-up & drop-off
- All ground transfers
- Accommodation
- Park entry fees
- All meals as per meal plans
- Professional guides
Exclusions
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Personal travel insurance
- Tips for guides & porters
- Alcoholic beverages & personal expenses
