Compare Mountain Gorilla Expedition by Acacia Africa vs Uganda: Gorilla Conservation Adventure by Discover Corps

Day 1: Kampala – Lake Mburo National Park

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Comfortable locally run lodge or tented camp with en-suite facilities

Distance travelled +/-280kms
Approx driving day: Full day including Game Drives

After being picked up from our Kampala hotel we travel southwest from the capital, following the shore of Lake Victoria until we are in the rolling valleys at the start of the Kigezi Highlands. We arrive at Lake Mburo National Park situated around its central lake and home to herds of zebra, Cape buffalo and antelopes including oribi, topi and Africa’s largest, the eland. We enjoy a game drive here and there is usually time to enjoy a boat ride on the lake to see crocs, hippos and water birds.

Alternatively you may like to do a self-guided walk on one of the many lakeside game trails. We stay tonight at a small lodge in the park where we also have dinner and time to enjoy our

first night in the Ugandan bush.

Day 2: Lake Mburo to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Comfortable locally run lodge or tented camp with en-suite facilities

Distance travelled +/-200kms
Approx driving day: Full day including game walk, drive and cruise

This morning we take a morning safari walk and game drive after breakfast. Mburo is unusual as a national park in that you are not entirely imprisoned in a vehicle which makes a great change and refreshing experience of walking amongst nature. As well as spotting some of the park’s larger animals, birdwatchers can enjoy a huge variety of birds, as more than 250 species can be found in Lake Mburo, including papyrus, Gonolek, brown faced lapwing and the barefaced Go away bird. This afternoon we head north up to the Queen Elizabeth Park and settle into our comfortable hostel close to the Mweya peninsular overlooking Lake Edward. From here, the view takes in enormous Lake Edward below and the broad Kazinga Channel. The channel links Lake Edward to its counterpart, Lake Gorge, 32km east and is a haven for birdlife and large pods of hippo that wallow in its shallows. This afternoon we take a boat cruise here to watch hippo, crocs and animals that come to the shore to feed and drink. The cruise offers a great opportunity for photographers. The resident birdlife makes a fantastic sight too with kingfishers, cormorants, pelicans, storks, plovers and fish eagles just some of the birds frequently spotted along the banks.

Day 3: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Comfortable locally run lodge or tented camp with en-suite facilities

Distance travelled +/-250kms
Approx driving day: Full day

We take an early morning game drive and head out into the park, where we may well spot hyena on their dawn prowl plus lions, buffalo, elephant, giant forest hog, waterbuck, topi and Ugandan Kob. Our drive takes us past grassy plains, bush dominated by giant euphorbias, tropical forest and volcanic craters containing soda lakes. This is all against the backdrop of the brooding Rwenzori Mountains to the north, Africa’s highest mountain range. This afternoon we leave the park and make our way to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Tonight we make preparations for our early trek tomorrow, into the jungle.

Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Comfortable locally run lodge or tented camp with en-suite facilities

Today is perhaps the most exciting day of the tour: tracking for gorillas and a view of these gentle creatures in their natural habitat. Local guides lead us in small groups through the thick rainforest; we strongly recommend you carry your own water bottle, have good walking shoes or boots, and a rain jacket. The trekking can be demanding and the daylong but the privilege of spending time with these gentle apes makes it all worthwhile and is without doubt one of Africa’s greatest wildlife encounters. Once we have located the gorilla ‘family’, we sit and watch them for one hour – the time regulated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Gorillas are extremely sociable and interactive primates, and groups normally number 12-20 individuals led by an ‘alpha male’, sometimes known as the ‘silverback’ (on account of the silver hair on his back which is attained on maturity). Although not the closest related primate to Man, at close quarters the gorilla is remarkably human-like  particularly in the social interaction between family members and in the ‘play’ activity in which the young engage. Photography is permitted although not with a flash, and there are restrictions in regards to video cameras. After spending time with the gorillas we head back to the base camp for a late lunch and a relaxing afternoon. You may like to re-enter the park for a guided forest hike with a park ranger or take a community tour of the local village to visit the local school and ‘banana brewery’ where the local tipple ‘banana gin’ is made!

Day 5: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Kampala

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Nil

Distance travelled +/- 550kms
Approx driving day: Full day

We leave early this morning for our day’s drive back to the capital. The return journey to Kampala takes you back through the Ugandan countryside one last time with wonderful memories of your brief encounter with the mountain gorillas. There will be a stop for lunch en route and expect to arrive in the city early evening.

Day 1: Arriving in Entebbe

Arrive in Entebbe International Airport, about 45 minutes outside the capital Kampala, and transfer to our accommodation. Once a colonial estate and now a luxury B&B, the Boma Hotel boasts a swimming pool, restaurant and bar. After a delicious welcome dinner, you can spend your first evening relaxing before the adventure begins tomorrow.

Day 2: Entering Kibale National Park

After breakfast, we’ll travel to Kibale National Park and check into Ndali Lodge, the stunning hilltop boutique hotel we will call home for the next three nights. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish – relax on your mountain-view veranda, take a walk around the lake or cool off in the swimming pool - before we gather for a homecooked, candlelit dinner.

Day 3: Tracking Chimps in Kibale

It’s an early start as we head into the park for a day of chimp tracking. There are more than 1,200 chimpanzees in the park, and an expert guide will lead you to a chimp family, whom you can observe up close. See them forage on the ground for food, swing across the trees and call out across the canopy. Afterwards, it’s back to the hotel for lunch and a free afternoon.

Day 4: A Visit to Kibale Village

Today’s all about getting to know the locals. In the morning, we will visit a local community school to see how Ndali Lodge is supporting local children’s education, and in the afternoon, we’ll explore the surrounding coffee plantations and meet the farmers who grow the crop.

Day 5: Driving to Queen Elizabeth National Park

We say goodbye to Ndali Lodge this morning and take a drive south alongside the stunning Rwenzori Mountains . We’ll arrive at the Mazike Valley Lodge just in time for lunch, then head into Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive. It is Uganda’s largest safari park, home to lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and hyena, so there is sure to be plenty to see.

Day 6: Tracking and Spending Time with Rare Tree-Climbing Lions

You won’t believe your eyes this morning as we track tree-climbing lions and cubs. See them lounging lazily on tree branches high above the ground. With sophisticated tracking devices, you’re all-but-guaranteed to see a pride of these majestic animals in the wild. Later, we take an openair boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel to spot crocodiles, hippos and birds along the shoreline.

Day 7: Driving to Bwindi National Park

After breakfast at Mazike Valley Lodge, we’re back on the road. In the afternoon, we arrive at Mahogany Springs Lodge, a luxury hillside complex of thatched bungalows that sits just inside Bwindi National Park. After dinner, it’s early to bed in preparation for the big day tomorrow.

Day 8: Bwindi Gorilla Tracking Day

It’s the big one: gorilla day! We’ll start early and set off on a (moderate) hiking trail to track down some of the gorillas living in these forests - home to nearly half of the world's mountain gorillas. Along with a guide, we will be joined by a vet, who will collect stool samples as we’re getting up close and personal with the gorillas. That evening, we’ll help analyze these in the lab to check on the troop’s health. See next page for more details!

Day 9: A Community Visit in Bwindi

This morning, we visit a community-run charity project that supports women struggling with poverty, HIV and domestic violence. You’ll learn to weave baskets and pedal sew your own souvenirs – anything from a purse to a bandana – as well as enjoy a traditional dance (don’t worry, participation is optional!) We end today with a farewell dinner at Mahogany Springs.

Day 10: Flying to Entebbe and Home

After breakfast, hop on a flight back to Entebbe. For those with longer waits for their connecting flights home, we will head back to Boma Hotel to relax and enjoy a final dinner.