How much does gorilla trekking in Uganda cost?

Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost $700 USD per person during peak season (June-September, December-February) and $600 USD during low season. This includes park entry into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, professional guide services, and one hour with the gorilla family.

What is the best time to visit Uganda for a safari?

The best time for wildlife viewing and gorilla trekking is during the dry seasons: June to September and December to February. Trails are less muddy and animals gather around water sources.

How do I book a gorilla trekking permit?

Contact Satellite Adventures to book your gorilla permits. We secure permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority and include them in your safari package. Book at least 3-6 months in advance as only 8 permits are available per gorilla family daily.

Is Uganda safe for tourists?

Yes, Uganda is safe for tourists. The country welcomes over 1.5 million visitors annually. Our experienced guides ensure your safety throughout your safari.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, bank transfers, MTN Mobile Money, and Airtel Money. A 30% deposit secures your booking with the balance due 60 days before travel.

Do I need travel insurance for Uganda safari?

Yes, comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all our safaris to protect against unforeseen circumstances including medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and lost luggage.

Best of Uganda Safari

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Best of Uganda Safari

Safari Overview

What to Expect –> Gorilla & Chimpanzee Tracking, Game Drives, Visit Top of Murchison Falls, Boat Cruises

The 12 Day Best of Uganda Safari takes you an exploration of most of the country’s biodiversity, exceptional sceneries and cultural encounters which make this country a true pearl of Africa. This tour offers you an opportunity to track mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park and through wildlife exploration in Murchison Falls National Park which offers you a chance to catch a glimpse at 4 of the big game alongside the thunderous Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park featuring the grassland savannah teaming with wildlife, guided bush walk in Lake Mburo National park.

The Best of Uganda Safari will take you on a journey to interact with the friendly people of Uganda and the diversity in landscapes and activities. All of this is on top of all main highlights like gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tracking and the boat safaris. This trip will show you the best of what Uganda has to offer amidst a lifetime memorable experience with our most experienced tour guides with all the knowledge of the national Parks and the wildlife.

Duration
12 Days/ 11 Nights
Wearing
Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking boots, hat, jacket and sunscreen
Location
Uganda
Safari Type
Guided, Private Safari
Price Included

Airport Transfers

Car hire

Services of an English-speaking guide

Refreshments like water

All accommodation & Meals

All activities

All Taxes /VAT

A professional driver /guide

Fuel

Chimpanzee permit

Gorilla permit

Drinking water
Price Excludes

Tips and gratuities

All items of personal nature

International flights

Alcoholic drinks

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Kampala City Tour

Your Best of Uganda Safari commences on your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your driver guide who then will transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe to freshen up and enjoy the cold breeze of Lake Victoria second largest freshwater bodies in the world.
Later, depending on your arrival time, you will embark on a city tour in Kampala and pay a visit to areas like Kasubi tombs, the Bahai temple and then transfer back to your hotel to have dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Mid range: Humura Resort
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2:Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

With an early breakfast, depart from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park on a 4 to 5 hours’ drive to Murchison Falls National Park Northwestern Uganda along Kampala-Masindi route. Have a stopover at Ziwa rhino sanctuary where you will track the remaining endangered white rhinos.

Later, drive to Masindi to have lunch and then connect to Murchison Falls National Park and visit to the top of the falls to explore this powerful waterfall as it squeezes itself into a narrow gorge of about 7 meters.

Accommodation:

Mid range: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 3: Game drive and Launch cruise to the bottom of the falls

Have breakfast early in the morning at the lodge and head to the Northern bank of the River Nile for a game drive which rewards you with spectacular views of wildlife species such as elephants, lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffaloes, leopards and birds.

Later, drive back to the lodge to have a rest and lunch as you prepare for the afternoon launch cruise which takes you to the base of the Murchison falls as one of the highlights of your Best of Uganda Safari. On arrival to its base, you either return by boat or hike to the top of the Nile. The launch cruise rewards you with views of aquatic life especially hippos, crocodiles and birds as well as some on land species that can be spotted along the River banks.

Accommodation:

Mid range: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full boar

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

With an early breakfast at the lodge, transfer to Kibale Forest National Park which is a home to more than 13 primate species with about 1500 chimpanzees gazetted for trekking. This drive is really scenic with views of scattered homesteads, beautiful landscapes and rolling hills. On arrival, have dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Mid range: Primate Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi wetland Nature Walk

After breakfast, join the rest of the visitors at Kanyanchu visitor center for early morning briefing before setting off for actual trek which may take you about 2 to 3 hours. You will be grouped into 6 members and assigned a park guide who then will take you through the entire trekking process in the jungles of Kibale Forest National Park. On the way, enjoy views of other primates especially the black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys as well as butterflies, birds and others, this is one of the most important activities on your Best of Uganda Safari.

After, the one hour of magical encounter, drive or walk back to the lodge for lunch as you wait to embark on the afternoon visit to Bigodi wetland where you will have a chance to see birds and primates.

Accommodation:

Mid range: Primate Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, embark on journey to Queen Elizabeth National as you enjoy the amazing views of the mystical Rwenzori Mountain ranges en route. On arrival, check in at the lodge for lunch and later, set off for the afternoon launch cruise along the Kazinga channel which also stretches up to Lake Edward and Lake George. While on launch cruise, enjoy views of crocodiles, hippos and also some elephants on land. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay rendering your Best of Uganda Safari memorable.

Accommodation:

Mid range: Elephant Hab Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 7: Game Drive in the Ishasha Sector

Have breakfast early in the morning and later, and get ready to embark on an exciting game drive through the Kasenyi sector and other trails. On a game drive, expect to catch views of elephants, Uganda Kobs, birds, Waterbucks, Buffaloes, Lions and where possible leopards and others. Later, return to your respective lodge for lunch and rest along the Ishasha sector South of Queen Elizabeth National Park to catch a glimpse at the tree climbing lions Later, return to your lodge to have dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation:

Mid range: Topi Lodge Ishasha
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Enjoy an early breakfast in the morning, drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park southwestern Uganda. This is a very scenic drive where enroute you will enjoy the spectacular Kigezi Highlands and the sceneries of terraced hills. On arrival, you can decide to conduct a community walk and meet the Batwa people– the first inhabitants of the forest that were evicted and hear their stories and learn their ways of life.

Accommodation:

Mid range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 9: Gorilla Tracking

With an early breakfast and a packed lunch, you will be transferred by your driver guide to the park headquarters which is the starting point where you will be briefed and be assigned to only one habituated gorilla family to track in a group of 8 visitors and park guide. The trek lasts for about 2 to 8 hours depending on many factors especially your hiking speed, nature of the habitat and location of gorilla family. Also enjoy views of bird species, mammals and other primates in addition to your amazing mountain gorilla adventure as the most important highlight of your Best of Uganda Safari. Later, return to the lodge for rest, dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation:

Mid range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.

Lake Bunyonyi derives its name from a place of small birds making it an ideal destination for your Best of Uganda Safari. You will be transferred to Lake Bunyonyi by your driver guide where you will conduct a canoe excursion in search for the different bird species and visit the different islands of Lake Bunyonyi as you enjoy the beautiful scenic views around the lake. Return to the hotel and relax at Lake Bunyonyi as you enjoy the cool breeze from the most beautiful lake in Uganda.

Accommodation:

Mid range: Bunyonyi Overland resort
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 11: Depart to Lake Mburo National Park

With an early breakfast, your driver guide will transfer you to Lake Mburo National Park with a stopover at Igongo cultural center for lunch with opportunities of visiting the museum showcasing the livelihood of the people in western Uganda . Later, drive to Lake Mburo National Park for evening boat cruise and a game drive. Later, drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Mid range: Mburo Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board

Day 12: Departure

Have breakfast early in the morning and then set off for a quick morning game viewing in Lake Mburo National Park and thereafter drive to Entebbe with a stopover at Equator on the Masaka-Mbarara route for more photo taking and buy some of the souvenirs. Later, you will be transferred by your driver guide to Entebbe International Airport for your outbound flight as you end your Best of Uganda Safari.

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