A safari package that offers a rich variety of wildlife experiences, and a unique insight into the local culture and Ugandan life. Of-course the opportunity to view wild Gorillas is a once in a lifetime experience that is simply a must do for every wildlife enthusiast. We’ve tailored this safari package to offer a rich variety of wildlife experiences, whilst our guides provide a unique insight into the local culture and Ugandan life. Of-course the opportunity to view wild Gorillas is (according to Sir David Attenborough) “ the greatest wildlife encounter on Earth”. It is a once in a lifetime experience that is simply a must do for every wildlife enthusiast. Tourism is helping to sustain the Gorillas and their habitat which is exactly why we established On Track Safaris.

Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe Airport.
On the arrival at Entebbe International airport, you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe town/Kampala.
Day 2: To Kibale forest.
Drive (approx. 4 hours), through the beautiful Uganda countryside, to Fort portal, a busy market town in the shadows of the Rwenzori mountains. Stop for lunch and then continue your journey to Kibale (approx. 1 hour). Check-in to Kibale Guest Cottages. In the late afternoon, travel a short distance to a swamp conservation project where a community guide will take you on nature walk in search of primates like the Red Colobus monkey, Grey-cheeked Mangabey and Red-tailed monkey. Also, look out for birds like the Great Blue Turaco, Hairy-breasted Barbet and various Sunbirds.
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking. Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park Today you have the exciting opportunity to walk through this beautiful tropical rainforest tracking a chimpanzee family. When you find them, you may spend one hour with them observing their natural behaviour, in their natural habitat. Your site guide will tell you all about the chimps, the other flora and fauna in the forest, how they track forest animals and about the avifauna Kibale is famous for. After lunch, you will rest your legs as you drive through the stunning crater lakes region (approx. 3 hours), making your way down towards Queen Elizabeth national park. In the evening there will be a private session for you to hear all about the local park twinning and ranger conservation projects.
Hotel: Ihamba Safari Lodge.
Day 4: Lion tracking experience. Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Today provides another outstanding wildlife experience as you move out early to spend 2-3 hours with the lion researchers. Participate in their activities on the day which may include monitoring species, climate and habitat, learning about tracking and how tracking devices are used and learning about the animals. Later, in the afternoon, take a fabulous boat cruise for approx. 3 hours along the Kazinga Channel which links Lakes Edward and George. Keep your eyes peeled for elephant, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles and a wide variety of birds and pass a typical Uganda fishing village en route.
Hotel: Ihamba Safari Lodge.
Day 5: Full day game drive in the park
You are free today to decide, with your guide, where to go in the park. There will be time to explore far and wide reaching hidden corners, viewing stunning scenery and perhaps visiting the explosion craters (part of the Albertine Rift Valley creation processes).
Hotel: Ihamba Safari Lodge.
Day 6: Visit conservation project. Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Your exploration of conservation issues continues this morning with an inspirational visit to a park boundary community to learn about the challenges faced by local people. See for yourselves some positive examples of people living harmoniously alongside wildlife and benefitting from tourism now they can no longer benefit from protected areas. Later, continue your journey south to Bwindi Impenetrable forest (approx. 3-4 hours).
Hotel: Engagi Lodge.
Day 7: Gorilla tracking
One of the highlights of your safari starts at 07:30am as you join your tracking group for a briefing from wildlife rangers. Then enjoy your jungle walk as you track your gorilla family. Once you find them, you have the privilege of spending an hour in their company; watching as they eat, groom, play or move through the forest. Memories you will surely treasure. Depending on the duration of your tracking (approx. 2-6 hours), you may have time after to visit the community hospital or local craft sellers who benefit from tourism and therefore value, and help to protect, the gorillas.
Hotel: Engagi Lodge.
Day 8: Travel to Lake Mburo. Cultural conservation project.
Start today by transferring (approx. 4-5 hours) up towards Lake Mburo national park and spend the afternoon with the Bahima cattle keepers who live in the areas surrounding the park. This project aims to conserve the Bahima culture and their cattle breeding traditions. This provides a fascinating insight into tribal life and an understanding of their changing relationship with the park lands. In the evening, there is a special session giving your group the chance to interact with the park‘s Community Conservation Warden to hear about the challenges and successes of their work.
Hotel: Rwakobo Rock.
Day 9: Nature walk. Visit viewing point. Game drive. Night game drive.
Lake Mburo is one of Uganda’s smallest but most interesting parks. Although it does not have elephant and lion, it has large populations of some species not found in many other Ugandan parks such as eland, zebra and impala. You will explore the park on foot initially, getting closer to the animals, making use of hides and viewing towers and seeing things that would not be visible from the road such as dens, carcasses and tracks. In the afternoon, drive up to the viewing point for some superb views across the park and neighbouring wetlands, then take a game drive to see more of the park. You then have time to relax at the lakeside restaurant or back at your lodge before taking another game drive, after dark this time, to see some of the park’s nightlife including, if you are lucky, aardvark and pangolin.
Hotel: Rwakobo Rock.
Day 10: Transfer to Entebbe via the equator. Botanical gardens. Depart
The opportunities for wildlife viewing continue right up until the end of your safari. Start your journey back to Entebbe by driving (approx. 3 hours) to the equator. Stop for photos with a foot in each hemisphere and some craft shopping; then continue on the back roads to Entebbe with occasional birding along the way (approx. 3 hours). After a late lunch visit the botanical gardens for primates like black and white colobus and vervet monkeys and birds like the African Harrier Hawk and various hornbills. Your guide will drop you at the airport or your hotel depending on your flight arrangements.

Price: From £4,800 ppsh

Price includes:
One chimpanzee tracking permit per person
A private 4×4 safari Land Cruiser (with pop-up roof and sliding window for each seat) with driver/guide and fuel for this itineraryFull-board, mid-range, non-air-conditioned accommodation on twin/double shared basis (single person supplement applies)
All entrance and other fees for the activities included in the itinerary
All government taxes
Price does not include:
Gorilla tracking permit @$700pp (early booking [up to 12 months] is essential, for large groups and advisable even for smaller numbers. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable)
International flights
Personal expenses such as alcohol, laundry services, gifts and personal shopping
Tips and gratuities.