5 Days Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, primates and gorilla Safari
5 Days Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, primates and gorilla Safari : This 5 Days Rhino tracking, Kibale national park and Bwindi impenetrable national park safari, the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is situated in Nakasongola district about 176 kilometres from Kampala on along Kampala-Gulu Highway. The sanctuary is home to the white rhinos in Uganda.
Kibale national park which is Africa’s foremost research site that focuses on the Chimpanzees and other primates in Uganda. Kibale forest national park is located in the western part of Uganda in Kabarole district and is the only park where we find the world endangered Chimpanzees and other primate species. It covers an area size of about 795 square kilometres and with the lowest point of about 1,100 meters on the floor of the Albertine Rift Valley to the south. Kibale national park is also one of the best birding destinations in Uganda with about 375 bird species. Kibale national park is adjacent to Queen Elizabeth national park and it creates a 180 kilometres long corridor between Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park and Kibale national park. Kibale national park is the only place in Africa with the best sights of the wild Chimpanzees.
Gorilla trekking is a life fulfilling experience while relaxing in an enchanting forest luxury lodge overlooking the Bwindi forest with dense vegetation and great sounds of primates and birds over the montane forest, terraced hills and rolling volcanic slopes. The mountain gorillas’ presence in this part of the world has transformed the edges of Africa’s oldest rainforest into a luxury getaway spot. Bwindi impenetrable national park forest is located in the southwestern part of Uganda close to Rwanda-Uganda border at the edge of the Rift Valley. Bwindi forest is one of Uganda’s oldest national parks with diverse rainforest of over 25,000 years ago and contains about 400 plant species. Bwindi Impenetrable national park inhabits half of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas in the world with half of the remaining gorilla in the world.
Safari highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Rhino tracking
- Day 2: Transfer to Kibale forest – Bigodi swamp walk and crater lakes tour
- Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking – transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
- Day 4: Morning game drive and boat cruise
- Day 5: Ishasha game drive and Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Day 6: Gorilla Trekking
- Day 7: Transfer to Entebbe – Departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Rhino tracking
Depending on your location in Kampala, you will be meet your driver/guide and connect to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola district. It’s about 3-4 hours’ drive from Kampala. On arrival at the sanctuary, connect for your rhino tracking experience. Meet with your rangers for a briefing about the rhinos then connect for trekking with your trekking gears basically boots or good hiking shoes. Rhinos are easy to track on foot. On finding them, view them for about an hour experience. After treacking, drive to your booked accommodation for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Amuka Safari Lodge/Ziwa Guesthouse
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Have breakfast and embark on your whole day drive to Kibale national park- the best safari destinations in Africa for chimpanzee tracking. Arrive in the park late evening and connect to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at Chimpanzee Guest house main house for mid-range/Isunga lodge for budget/Kyaninga lodge for luxury on full board basis.
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland Visit
After breakfast you will go for chimpanzee trekking with your packed food and water. Meet your guide at the head office then enter the rainforest to start searching for the chimpanzee, this will take 2-5 hours to find the chimpanzees. On seeing them, you will spend 1 hour with the chimpanzees while taking pictures.
After tracking you will refresh at the lodge then go for a 2-3 hours nature walk then proceed to transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park. This is a 3 hours’ drive from Fort portal with en route at the Equator. Dinner and overnight at Pumba Safari Cottages for budget/Parkview Safari lodge for mid-range/Kyambura Gorge lodge for luxury
Day 4: Lion tracking/game drive and Boat cruise
After breakfast early morning, go for a lion tracking experience where you are guaranteed to view the lions, enjoy en-route game drive at Kisenyi area where you will spot a good number of wildlife including Elephants, Buffaloes and all species of antelopes.
After enjoying your lunch at the lodge, go for your boat trip along the Kazinga channel for yet another wildlife/bird watching experience as you cruise on lake Edward/George. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
After breakfast, drive out of the park to connect to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park (home of Uganda Mountain Gorillas). Dinner and overnight at Bakiga lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla lodge/Buhoma Haven lodge for mid-range/Mahogany Springs lodge for luxury
Day 6: Gorilla trekking experience.
Wake up early, have breakfast and connect to the forest with your packed food and water. The briefing from the park warden about the gorillas starts at 8 am where your will be guided on highlights about the way of life of the gorillas you will be tracking. The hike can take anything from 2-8 hours. Once you reach the gorillas, you are allowed to spend one hour with them as you stand 6 meters away. Return to the lodge to unwind and dinner and overnight stay as above.
Day 7: Return to Kampala/Departure
After breakfast at the lodge, proceed back to Kampala with en route lunch in Mbarara town and the Equator. Arrive Kampala/Entebbe late afternoon and connect the airport for drop flight back. End of tour.
