7 Days Uganda Budget Wildlife Safari
7 Days Uganda Budget Wildlife Safari, Our 7 days Uganda budget Safari invites you explore Uganda’s precious gems, the stunning landscape and extraordinary wildlife. This tour takes you to Kibale forest national park to trek chimpanzees, visiting Queen Elizabeth national park to encounter the mind-blowing tree climbing lions and a boat cruise on the beautiful Kazinga channel that connects Lake Albert and Lake George. Visit Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park the park with the highest population of the sought-after mountain gorillas. This trip allows you to enjoy all these activities on a budget but with the same fulfillment like any other trip. You will then relax on the picturesque Lake Bunyonyi a ‘place of many little birds’.
Trip Highlights.
- Chimpanzee trekking.
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga channel.
- Tracking tree-climbing lions.
- Gorilla trekking.
- Visiting the Islands of Bunyonyi
- Batwa community tour.
- Lake Katwe tour.
Detailed Itinerary.
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Kibale national park.
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, welcomed by our guide who will drive you to Kibale forest national park. On the way, your tour guide will be briefing you on what to expect on the trip as you enjoy 5-6 hour drive to western Uganda. The incredible views of the countryside will accompany your journey as you arrive in Fort-portal town where you will enjoy a lunch break. You will then proceed to the park and on arrival check in, relax as you await dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and nature walk.
Kibale forest is the number one chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda but also home to a good percentage of numerous primate species not to mention the countless bird species you will encounter. Kibale has a corridor that connects it to Queen Elizabeth national park so expect to see a variety of wildlife like the forest elephants and antelopes.
Breakfast served early after which your tour guide will pick you up and transfer you to the park headquarters for briefing on chimpanzee trekking. Assign an armed park ranger and a guide who will be your eyes and ears during the trek. You will then start the trek into the forest in search of the chimpanzees. It is a 2-5 hour search depending on the location of the chimpanzees. But finding them, you will have an hour taking photos and observing these fun primates as they entertain you with their acrobatic stunts in the trees. After the trek you will meet up with your guide back at the headquarters who will then transfer you back at the lodge for an afternoon break.
In the afternoon, enjoy 2-3 hour nature walk in Bigodi wetland. The wetland is famous for its outstanding bird count but you will also catch sight of numerous primates. There is calming atmosphere at the swamp that will instantly relax you and together with your guide, you will be able to identify different wildlife. You will then head back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park.
Morning breakfast will be followed by checking out then begin the 3 hour drive further west to Queen Elizabeth national park. The park is the second largest in Uganda with an array of animal and bird species to boast. On arrival, you will check in and depending on the time have some lunch at the lodge.
After lunch, will be a 2-3 hour boat cruise on the Kazinga channel which has the largest concentration of wildlife in the park. You will be in awe of the stunning views the cruise offers where you will be able to spot animals such as hippos, crocodiles, buffalos, elephants on the shores drinking water or cooling off from the scorching sun. Be ready to identify the numerous bird species with your guide which will be easier with the help of your binoculars. The boat trip will end the days activities then its back to the lodge for a relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Game drive and Lion tracking/7 Days Uganda Budget Wildlife
An early breakfast will set you off to a 3-4 hour morning game drive through the northern part of the park. You will enjoy the amazing sunrise as you spot early risers including zebras, elephants, antelopes, buffalos as they start their day.
You may also visit the Lake Katwe salt mines where locals mine salt using traditional tools and methods. This community has been mining salt for over 600 years and the lake is divided into plots that are inherited and can also be rented.
To have lunch is to leave for the Ishasha sector in the southern region of the park. You will be have the chance of sighting the incredible tree-climbing lions which you wouldn’t on any other normal game drive. Watch as the lions hang on fig tree branches and only come down to feed.
After lion tracking, you will go back to the lodge, check out and then embark on 5 hour trip to Bwindi forest national park via the Ishasha sector. Checking in to the lodge will be followed by dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park.
Breakfast will be served as early as 6:00am then request for a packed lunch from your lodge after which your guide will pick you and drive you to the park headquarters. You will have a briefing on what to expect on the trek and how to behave in the company of the gentle giants. Be assigned a guide together with an armed park ranger and gorilla family to trek. Start the trek in the Ruhija sector which can take up to 2-8 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. The forest is home to other amazing wildlife which you will enjoy as you trek. On finding the gorillas, you will have an hour taking photos and observing how they behave. You will then head back to the park headquarters to meet up with your guide who will drive you back to the lodge.
Day 6: Visit the Batwa community. Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi/7 Days Uganda Budget Wildlife
Wake up to the sounds of tweeting birds and the smell of freshly prepared breakfast as you prepare to checkout and drive to Lake Bunyonyi. You will have an opportunity to visit the Batwa community in the morning, the original inhabitants of the forest who survived on gathering and hunting in the forest. The Batwa pygmies were displaced from their homes in the forest when it was gazetted and forced to live in an environment new to them. You will be entertained by the Batwa as you learn more about their ancient ways of living.
Then drive for 2 hours southwest close to the Uganda-Rwanda border via the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Drive through spectacular rolling hills before arriving at the Lake. Lake Bunyonyi is the second deepest lake in Africa featuring 29 Islands each offering unique experiences. The Lake is also the cleanest with crystal clear waters but most importantly Bilharzia, hippo and crocodile free.
On arrival, you will check in and continue to enjoy a 2-hour boat ride around the Islands with the likelihood of spotting numerous bird species and other wildlife. You will then return to the lodge, have dinner and retire for the night.
Day 7: Visiting the Islands. Departure to Kampala.
After a rejuvenating breakfast, you will have one last adventure on the lake to visit the punishment Island. In ancient African tradition, getting pregnant before marriage was considered an abomination and as a punishment, the tribes near the Lake exiled the girl on the Island and left to die. Some girls tried to swim back but would drown unfortunately while others were saved by the men responsible.
The journey back to Kampala continues driving through terraced hills and having lunch in Mbarara town with a cultural treat at Igongo Cultural Center. You will also have another stopover at the Equator for a photo moment. End of Safari.
INCLUSIONS
- All ground transportation in a safari vehicle.
- Accommodation as per the itinerary.
- Full-time English-speaking driver/guide.
- Park entrance fees.
- Meals per the itinerary.
- Trekking permits.
- Any other items included in the itinerary.
EXCLUSIONS
- International Air ticket.
- Visas
- Personal insurance.
- Personal expenses.
- Luxury drinks
- Any other items not included on the