Compare Uganda: Gorilla Conservation Adventure by Discover Corps vs 15 Days Gorilla Safari and wildlife in Uganda by Dav Safaris

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.

Day 1: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park Via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Pakuba Lodge or Equivalent.

Pick up by your safari guide from the Hotel in Kampala or Entebbe in the morning after breakfast and and embark on the transfer to Murchison falls National Park through the remote away from Kampala. A long the way we shall have a tour to Ziwa rhino sanctuary for rhino tracking adventure and have lunch at Kabalega Dinners. Then after proceed to the park, visit the top of the fall where you will view the stunning falls passing through the 7 m narrow gorge pours into the Victoria Nile with thunderous force. After head to the lodge, have dinner and an overnight.

Day 2: Murchison Falls National Park and Game Drives & Boat Cruises

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Pakuba Lodge

Today, enjoy early morning breakfast at the lodge and head out for the 2 hours game drive in Ugandas’ largest park with a wide raange of wildlife species such as leopards, hippos, lions, warthogs, cape buffaloes, African elephants, antelopes, Rothschild’s giraffes, waterbucks and various bird species. After the game drive, transfer back to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation, then have a 3 hours launch cruise on the River Nile where you will spot a number of wildlife species along the banks such as African elephants, hippos, Nile crocodile, antelopes, monkeys and water bird species, ride towards the bottom of the falls where you will hike to the top of the fall for about 1hour and 30 minutes after which you will retire to your lodge for dinner and Overnight stay.

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest Via Fort Portal City

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or Equivalent

Wake up early in the morning and have breakfast, then checkout from the lodge and have a game drive through the park to Kibale Forest National park via Fort portal. The Park is one of Africa’s most beautiful rain forests and habitat to 13 primates and the most common ones are Chimpanzees, it also give a great birding experience place with over 325 bird species. Along the way you be spotting stunning landscapes, forests and the remote of the country side. Upon arrival at the park have a nature walk in the evening before continuing to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Kibale Forest Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Uganda

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Kibale forest Camp

After breakfast, transfer to the park offices for briefing and then after set out for Chimpanzee trekking through the dense forest. We shall keep this in mind that only 1 hour is given to visitors when they encounter face to face with the chimpanzees. Besides chimpanzees, other primate species can be spotted like the Red Tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Black, LHoest’s Monkeys, White colobus Monkeys and also African elephants, antelopes, Cape buffaloes. From there head back to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation. In the evening go for nature walk through the Bigodi wetland where you will spot birds, olive baboons, bush babies, sitatingas among other wildlife species.

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park Through Crater Lakes Visit

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Elephant Hab lodge or equivalent

Immediately after you relaxed breakfast head out for a 4 hours drive to Queen Elizabeth which is one of Uganda’s best wildlife National parks the park is a home to over 600 bird species, high concentration mammals like African elephants, Cape buffaloes, lions, leopards among others. During the road trip you will enjoy scenic views including the Rwenzori ranges and stopovers along the crater lakes. Upon arrival at the park set out for the evening game drive where you will spot a number of animals

Day 6: Game Drive & Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge

Today after your breakfast set out for an early morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth Park where you will be spotting various wildlife species like waterbucks, lions, African elephants, hartebeests, Rothschild’s giraffes, antelopes, cape buffaloes, leopards, warthogs, also view different crater lakes. After the 3 hour drive, transfer back for lunch as you prepare for the afternoon 2 hour launch cruise along the Kazinga channel which has the highest concentration of hippos in the world over, this comes along with several bird species and animals like Nile crocodiles, African elephants, antelopes among others.

Day 7: Game Drive and Transfer To Ishasha Sector For The Tree Climbing Lions

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Ishasha jungle lodge

On this day, wake up early in the morning and head out for another game drive and this will give you a chance to see animals in their families, distinctive clans, and groups, this game drive is done through the Kasenyi plains looking out for African elephants, leopards, cape buffaloes, waterbucks, and various beautiful birds. Later embark on the 2 hours drive to Ishasha which is a home to the tree-climbing lions. With the help of the experienced ranger guide you will search out for these lions in the fig trees.

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Forest Impenetrable National Park

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Bakiga Lodge or equivalent

On this day, you start your journey to Bwindi impenetrable national the habitat of gentle giants the endangered Mountain gorillas. This road trip will take you through Kigezi highlands and its various scenic terraced hills. Have Lunch along the way or upon arrival at the lodge depending on your arrival time

Day 9: Mountain Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Bakiga lodge or equivalent

The talk about these gentle giants claims 98% DNA close to that of human race, Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home to half of the world’s total population for mountain gorilla. And other species like butterflies, plants, primates, mammals, reptiles, among others. After the briefing at the headquarters, you will be led by the ranger guide into the jungle to search for the mountain Gorillas. This experience usually takes 2 hour to about 8 hours being that gorillas move differently, and only 1 hour is granted to visitors to have a glimpse with the gorillas. In case you are not interested in mountain Gorillas trekking, you can have a short guided forest walk or Village walk to the Batwa community. After the adventure return back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Bird’s Nest Resort

On this day, after your relaxed breakfast as you’re still in the mood of reminiscing about the previous day’s gorilla adventure, you will embark on the drive towards Lake Bunyonyi, which is the Africa’s second deepest lake and a birders destination. Enjoy the beautiful views of the landscapes like the locally terraced interlocking hills where most locals carryout their crop cultivation. Also while here you are at the base that was named by British’s great diplomat Winston Churchill as the pearl of Africa.

Day 11: Tour Lake Bunyonyi Uganda

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Birds’ Nest Resort or Equivalent

Have your relaxed breakfast with an amazing view from flourishing surrounding hills, forests and the beautiful rays of the sunrise. After set out for a canoe ride on the lake Bunyonyi which harbors 29 islands and of which every island has its own history like the Punishment Island, you enjoy the stories from the guides about the area, and later return to the lodge, have lunch and in the afternoon relaxation before you take a community walk, or hike up the hills to enjoy more stunning views of forests and lakes together with birds, or as well you can read a book while relaxing by the lake side, or swim in the lake which is free of Bilharzia and safe from crocodiles and other dangerous animals

Day 12: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park- The Zebra Magnet

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock

After your breakfast, embark on the 4 hours and 30 minutes road trip to Lake Mburo National Park, known for being the smallest but rich with wildlife, we shall have a stopover for lunch in Mbarara town, the road trip will go through stunning sceneries, farms, markets and plantations. The park is a habitat to a big number of Zebras, impalas, oribis, Cape buffaloes, warthogs, and waterbucks with over 332 bird species. Upon arrival at the park by afternoon hours head for a boat cruise along Lake Mburo

Day 13: Road Trip Transfer to Jinja Via The Equator Line

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Kingfisher Hotel Jinja or Equivalent

Enjoy your relaxed breakfast, then after embark on the game drive as you find your way out to Kampala, have a stopover at the Equator line, take photos and also purchase some souvenirs from craft shops. Serve your lunch still at the Equator or in Kampala city. After lunch continue with your road trip to Jinja which located east of Kampala to explore the source of the Nile River. Arrive there in the evening and have dinner and take a rest at the lodge.

Day 14: White Water Rafting In Uganda and Explore the Nile River

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Kingfishers Resort Jinja.

Have an early breakfast, set out for today’s adventures. The Nile River has its source in Jinja where it starts and stretches northwards 4000 km through different African countries. So your safari guide will lead you to the beginning point, and embark on the guided boat cruise to the source Source of the Nile. After the boat cruise, go for half day rafting on the rapids and falls which is an adventure and a memorable experience. Have lunch and after you could opt to rest at the lodge on the swimming pool or go for optional activities like kayaking or quad biking or Horse riding and tubbing.

Day 15: Kampala City Tour and Transfer to Entebbe International Airport

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

Have breakfast and leave Jinja for Kampala city tour buy some souvenirs to take home with you. Depending on your departure flight time, you can still have time to explore Kampala city, visit the monuments, historical places, markets around Kampala before transfer to Entebbe for the flight back home, hence marking an end to the 15 days Gorilla Safari and wildlife Uganda.