6 Days Uganda Safari: Shoebill, Chimpanzee & Gorilla
This short, sweet and relaxing 6 Day Uganda Safari takes you to the best Uganda safari destinations — packed with stunning road trips, amazing wildlife, the remarkable prehistoric Shoebill Stork in Mabamba Swamp, chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, and the encounter of a lifetime with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 1: Pick up and Stay in Entebbe
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our guide who will help with your luggage and transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe for an evening of rest. Overnight: Best Western Hotel. Meal Plan: Dinner.
Day 2: Shoebill Tracking – Mabamba Swamp
After breakfast, drive to Mabamba Wetland — situated 50km west of Kampala, much closer to Entebbe — for a shoebill tracking experience by motorized canoe. The highlight is the prehistoric Shoebill Stork, best spotted early in the morning. The swamp is also a haven for White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, Yellow-backed Weaver, Blue-headed Cuckoo, African Jacana, Swamp Flycatcher, African Purple Swamphen, African Pygmy Goose and many other species. Later return to the hotel for lunch; in the evening take a walk around Entebbe or visit one of the beaches. Overnight: Best Western Hotel. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest and Afternoon Bigodi Swamp Walk
Wake up early for breakfast, meet your guide and embark on a journey to Kibale Forest National Park with a stop at the Equator Crossing for pictures and a chance to stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the same time. Continue to Kibale while enjoying beautiful views of Uganda's countryside including the Rwenzori Mountain range in Fort Portal. Arrive for lunch at your lodge, have a short rest, then in the afternoon go for a Bigodi Swamp Walk. The Bigodi Wetland Swamp is home to over 200 bird species and 8 primate species including the black and white colobus monkey, blue monkey and the L'Hoest monkey. You may also see Sitatunga, bushbucks and otters. The trek takes approximately 3–4 hours on forest pathways and boardwalks. Overnight: Isunga Lodge. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Bwindi Forest
Wake up early and head to Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking. Join other visitors at the park headquarters for briefing, then head into the forest with armed rangers and guides searching for chimpanzees — the trek lasts about 2 to 4 hours or more depending on the movement of the chimps. You will spend one hour in their presence watching them play, feed and groom each other. Receive your chimpanzee trekking certificates, then embark on a journey to Bwindi Forest National Park with en-route lunch, arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Buhoma Haven Lodge. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking Experience
Wake up early for breakfast, meet your guide and head to the park headquarters for briefing. In groups of 8 people you will be assigned a gorilla family to trek and head into the forest. The trek takes about 1 to 4 hours or more depending on the movement of the gorillas. When you locate them, spend one magical hour observing them feed, play and nurse their young. Photos are permitted with flash off. Trek back to the park headquarters to receive your gorilla trekking certificates, then return to your lodge for an evening of rest. Overnight: Buhoma Haven Lodge. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Departure
Enjoy a leisure breakfast, check out of the lodge and embark on the journey to Kampala, arriving in time for your departure flight. After lunch you will be dropped off at the airport for your flight back home.
Inclusions: Airport transfers • Accommodation for 5 nights • Park fees • Gorilla trekking • Shoebill tracking • Chimpanzee trekking • Drinking water • Ground transportation • Full board meals • English-speaking guide
Exclusions: Uganda visa • International flights • Personal expenses • Travel insurance.
