Big 7 means Gorillas-Chimpanzees plus the Big 5 Wildlife.
Kigali to Entebbe – Moderately Priced Value+ Midrange 10-Day Big 7 Gorilla-Chimpanzee Wildlife Safari
Value+ Midrange 10-Day Big 7 Gorilla-Chimpanzee Wildlife Safari: Big-7 is the traditional Big-5 of Africa (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, and HIppo) plus Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees. This Big 7 Gorilla-Chimpanzee Wildlife Safari can only be done in Uganda, another reason that it is the Pearl of Africa.
Uganda has become the Premier Primate Destination in Africa, and Gorilla Trekkers have noticed that Uganda is also the perfect location for a Gorilla – Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari.
The Big 7 Gorilla-Chimpanzee Wildlife Safari is perfect for those who want an affordable, moderately priced Safari that is all in one country, Uganda.
You visit five parks on this Big-7 Safari that begins in Kigali, Rwanda, and ends in Entebbe, Uganda. Between those two geographical points is your 10-day Safari taking you through the Pearl of Africa.
What is a Value+ Safari?
Our Value+ Safaris are private, full-service Safari using quality, midrange lodges with ensuite rooms or cottages. Our Value+ Hakuna Matata Safaris come with a full-board meal plan and a private safari vehicle with your experienced driver guide, who will introduce you to Uganda, its primate, wildlife, and Ugandan culture.
Value+ Midrange 10-Day Big 7 Gorilla-Chimpanzee Wildlife Safari Highlights:
- Gorilla Trekking
- Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha
- Lion Tracking Research
- Wildlife Game Drives – Queen Elizabeth Park
- The Scenic Explosion Crater Drive
- Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary Walk – a Jungle Swamp
- Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
- Murchison Falls Park Wildlife Game Drives
- Nile Wildlife Boat Cruise
- Rhino Trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Shoebill Sightings:
- Begin in Kigali, Rwanda, and end in Entebbe, Uganda
Value+ Midrange 10-Day Big 7 Gorilla-Chimpanzee Wildlife Safari in Detail:
Arrival Day in Kigali, Rwanda:
We will meet and welcome you at Kigali International Airport. Afterward, we will take you to the hotel we booked for the night here. Depending on your arrival time, we include the meals you need, such as lunch and dinner.
We use the American-owned Heaven Hotel, a hotel that gives you total value for your money and has an award-winning restaurant.
If you arrive in the morning, we can arrange a tour of Kigali, which gives you a glimpse into what Africa can be like but already is in Kigali, Rwanda. The tour can include the Genocide Memorial.
Day 1 – Drive to Buhoma – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda:
Your Value+ Midrange 10-Day Big 7 Gorilla-Chimpanzee Wildlife Safari begins. At 6:30 am, we are headed out, driving to the Buhoma area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You will need an East African Visa that allows both entrances to Rwanda and Uganda. You will also need a Yellow Fever Certificate as you enter Uganda.
At the border, change your watch to one hour ahead. You are now on East African Time. The drive to Buhoma from Kigali is five hours long.
Haven Lodge:
The Haven Lodge is a community project along with Buhoma Community Rest mp, the newest in the Buhoma area. It consists of three cottages, one being a family cottage that sleeps four.
This lower-priced upmarket lodge in Buhoma was built with the assistance of the US Government, which often helps Tourism in various ways in Uganda.
All cottages come with baths, the trained staff knows about customer service, and the food is a harmonious blend of Western – Asian and African dishes that will delight you.
All cottages and the main lodge have an excellent view of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is just before you. You are also close to the park headquarters for the gorilla tracking orientation.
Meal Plan: Lunch – Dinner
Day 2 – Gorilla Tracking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest-Buhoma Area:
This is one of the monumental days of your life and the day when you will spend time with a mountain gorilla family in the rainforest. This is not a day to sleep in but to rise early, enjoy a hearty breakfast and get dressed for the Gorilla Trek.
What Should I wear tracking Gorillas?
Here is practical advice about what to wear while Gorilla Trekking in Uganda. Often Trekkers are not dressed right for the occasion, which can spoil your day, and your focus might not be on the Gorillas but on personal discomfort and misery. Wearing suitable clothing and footwear is about protection.
Gorilla Wear and Gear you will need:
- Daypack: Preferably a waterproof daypack, you can use it as a carry-on flying to Uganda. Pack all essentials inside the daypack.
- Hiking Boots: Make sure that they have good treads on them. You will need ankle support, something boots give you and give you reactions on muddy trails. Have a good pair of merino wool socks.
- Long Trouser: They will protect you from nettles and thorns. Tuck the trousers into your socks for added protection from ants.
- Long-Sleeved Shirt: Neutral in color. Again, this is for your comfort and protection.
- Rain Jacket or Poncho: Pack into your daypack. You never know when it will train. You are in an Afro-montane Rainforest.
- Tough Gardening Gloves protect your hands from thorns, nettles, and sharp branches.
- Wide Brimmed Hat: It gives you protection from the Sun.
- Camera Equipment – Binoculars: Ensure extra batteries and storage devices. Put them into Ziploc bags. Binoculars are not needed if you are not a birder.
- Packed Lunch and Bottled Water: You will need your lunch from the Lodge and two liters of bottled water.
- Insect Repellent – Sun Lotion – Sunglasses: We recommend the effective Australian RID Insect Repellent. Good Sun blocker cream and sunglasses.
- You will need a Porter and Walking Stick: The services of a porter free you on the often-difficult trail, and a local walking stick helps you and steadies you on the often-challenging path. We supply our clients with both.
Read more about Gorilla Gear and Wear here.
Gorilla Trekking Orientation:
The Gorilla Trek begins with an orientation. You are assigned a Gorilla family based on your age, physical shape, and level of fitness by a ranger. A moderate level of fitness. Many trekkers prepare in advance for their gorilla safari by taking walks and hikes at home. If you are disabled and unable to take a trek, you can be carried into and out of the forest by a team of porters in a Sedan Chair. This is something that we can arrange for you.
Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations:
There are three main rules for the protection of the gorillas and you. If you are sick, cancel your gorilla trek. That is to protect the gorillas. There is the ten-meter distance rule. Again to protect the gorillas and you from the transmission of infections. Read more about Gorilla Rules.
Porter Services:
If you are on Safari with us, we will arrange for the services of a porter. They will carry your daypack and assist you on the often-tricky trek. Being a porter is quite profitable since most have an income exceeding mid-level government officials. The importance of having a porter cannot be minimized since they allow you to focus on the trek and not on your load and discomfort.
We also provide our gorilla trekking clients with a walking stick, protective masks, and bottled water. Do not forget to pick up your lunch at the lodge. Read more here about Porter Services.
The Encounter with a Gorilla Family:
The Gorilla Family Encounter is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most trekkers. Mountain Gorillas are not found in any zoo, only in the wild of Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo.
In the presence of gorillas, it is vital to wear a mask and keep the ten-meter distance rule.
You will enjoy your one hour with a gorilla family, and you will have the opportunity to get some incredible up-close photos.
After your time with a gorilla family, you return to the Buhoma trailhead, where your driver-guide will meet you and return to your lodge around lunchtime.
Optional Activities that you can choose to do:
- Batwa Experience: See the forest through the eyes of its first people, the indigenous Batwa People, who are today Conservation refugees living outside the Forest. Read more here.
- Buhoma Village Walk: This is a guided walk through Buhoma village and includes a school and home visit. Additionally, you have time with the Batwa people. Read more here.
- Mountain Biking: You can rent a bike with a guide and bike ride inside and outside of the park. This helps the Ride for a Woman community self-help group. Read more here.
- Hitting the trails: You can hike inside and outside the park, including the famous waterfall trail. Read more here.
- Relax and Chill out: Relax and chill out at the Haven Lodge and read a book.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 3 – Tree Climbing Lions – Queen Elizabeth Park:
This morning we take the 1 ½ to 2-hour drive to the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth Park. This is home to tree-climbing lions and is the best spot in Africa for sightings of tree-climbing Lions.
Here, we take a game drive with a Ugandan Wildlife Authority Tanger who knows where we can spot the lions and other wildlife on this day.
The game drive is about three hours long, and you will see countless antelopes, including the colorful Topi, Elephants, Leopards, Buffaloes, and more savannah animals.
After the game drive, you can have a nice lunch at the nearby Savannah Resort. We then continue to the Mweya area of Queen Elizabeth Park. Our destination is Enganzi Game Lodge – 2 hours’ drive time.
Katwe Explosion Crater Drive:
Before we check in, we take the scenic 27-kilometer Katwe Explosion Crater Drive. This is one of the most scenic drives where you see the ancient explosion craters; some are filled with fresh water or salt lakes, and others are covered by savannah grass or forests. The craters are stunning and caught the attention of a National Geographic Photographer, and they were published in the magazine.
The lighting conditions will be better for photography in the late afternoon for you to get some possible award-winning photographs.
You can also see from this the highest point of the park, a portion of the western rift escarpment, Lake Edward and Lake George, the Kazinga Channel, the endless savannah, and the majestic, snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains of the moon. Along with the fabulous views, you will see some wildlife here, such as elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes.
Afterward, we will continue to Enganzi Game Lodge, where you will check-in.
Enganzi Game Lodge:
Enganzi Game Lodge – with that affordable extra added touch Enganzi Game Lodge offers quality yet is reasonable in price with extras such as a swimming pool.
Enganzi Game Lodge is the perfect base while exploring the scenic Queen Elizabeth Park with its wildlife, explosion craters, the vast Kyambura Gorge, the endless Maramagambo Forest, and more.
The tented cottages have a full bath and extensive views down the Albertine Escarpment to Queen Elizabeth Park.
We have used this Lodge for most of our mid-range Safari clients for over four years with excellent results at a value-added price.
Enganzi Game Lodge is also a family-friendly lodge open to children of all ages.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 4- Queen Elizabeth Park:
Lion Tracking Research Experience
Lion Tracking Research Experience is a morning with Uganda Carnivore Project Researchers. An organization started many years ago by renowned carnivore expert Dr. Siefert.
This morning you are with Researchers from the Carnivore Project and tracking the Collared Lions and leopards in the Mweya region of the park. You will see lions and other wildlife, such as elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes.
The Lion Tracking Research Experience is a learning experience. You will learn about lions and other predators, their habits, and their ways.
The Lion Tracking Research is a game drive with the added plus that you are teaming up with researchers who have studied predators in this area.
Kazinga Channel Wildlife Boat Cruise:
During the afternoon, you embark on the Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise. The Kazinga Channel is a natural channel that connects Lake George and Lake Edward. The Boat Cruise begins at the Mweya landing site and slowly takes you down the channel toward Lake Edward.
You will find an abundance of wildlife and birds along your journey. The channel has one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa. There were so many in the 1950s that the colonial administration ordered a cull of hippos.
There was even talk of canning hippo meat. The Locals developed a taste for hippo meat, especially the skin, which still exists today with those living in fishing villages on the banks of the channel.
You can see crocodiles, elephant and buffalo herds, antelopes, and hundreds of species of birds on your Kazinga Channel cruise. It is no wonder it Is a highlight for most of their time in Queen Elizabeth Park.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 5- Kibale Forest:
This morning we moved to Kibale Forest, a two-hour drive from here. The route is quite a scenic drive, where you will see many stunning crater lakes on the way to the forest.
Our goal is the Isunga Lodge which will be your home for the next two nights.
Isunga Lodge:
A moderately-priced lodge that gives its guests value plus for their money. We have used this lodge with great success on our safaris. Our clients have responded positively to the room offerings, the service, and the meals here.
The Cottages, or Bandas as they are called here, come with ensuite baths, you have a nice-sized room and a private verandah for you to enjoy during your stay here.
The food is prepared in a thoughtful manner, and the service is excellent. There are much higher cost moderately priced lodges in Uganda that do not match what you receive at Isunga Lodge.
Isunga Lodge has one of the highest TripAdvisor Ratings in the area. Our past clients have loved their stay here at a most reasonable price, 20 minutes from both Bigodi Wetlands and Kibale Forest.
The lodge offers Crater Lake Hikes, Biking, Village Visits, and Bird watching.
Afternoon Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary Hike.
This is a guided 3-hour hike through a Jungle Swamp; much of it is on planks that act like a boardwalk above it.
Your experienced guide is from the local community that has maintained the Wetlands for many years, with thousands visiting each year.
During the Afternoon, you might spot Chimpanzees, Colobus Monkeys, also baboons. The area is well-known for birds. The chief attraction is the Large Blue Turaco. When it comes to Mammals, you can see otters, bush pigs, mongoose, and the rare Sitatunga Antelope.
The Bigodi Wetlands Walk is one of the highlights of your time in Kibale Forest, and a visit there receives many raves from our clients.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 6 – Chimpanzee Trekking:
Today is your encounter with the chimpanzees in Kibale Forest. You will need to wear the same clothing as you did for the gorilla trek; gardening gloves are unnecessary. You will need a liter of drinking water for your chimp trek.
The trek begins with an orientation and where you are assigned to a group of trekkers before you head out on the trail.
A chimp community can number over 100 members. Chimpanzees live in a relational social structure; the alpha males defend against other chimpanzees trying to move into the territory.
Females are part of smaller family groups and nurture the young. Before you see the chimpanzees, you will hear their hooting calls in the distance.
Soon you come upon them and spend one hour with them, observing their ways and habits. Usually, you might see 4 to 6 primates here, many of the birds, butterflies, and mammals found here, and of course, the forest with its unique vegetation.
Nocturnal Forest Walk:
You have seen and experienced the rainforest during the day. Now, it is time to experience the sights and sounds of the forest at night.
This unique experience is still unknown to most visitors to Kibale Forest.
The Night Forest Walk takes place at 7:30 pm and is about 90 minutes long. You are guided by Uganda Wildlife Rangers, equipped with spotlights to see the bushbabies, pottos, and occasional tree-climbing pangolins.
The sounds of the forest of the night are also different. You will hear the shriek of the Hyrax and the hoots of the owls around you.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 7 – Murchison Falls Park:
Depart for Murchison Falls Park at 6:30 am. The drive time has become shorter due to road improvements, and it now takes five-hours plus to reach the Paraa region of Murchison Falls Park. From the town of Hoima, we take the scenic Rift Escarpment route along Lake Albert to the park. The route is through scenic fishing villages until we reach the park, where you check into Pakuba Lodge at lunchtime.
Pakuba Safari Lodge:
Pakuba Safari Lodge is a midrange Lodge in the best location in the park for wildlife activities such as game drives, boat rides on the river Nile, and more.
The Lodge offers single and double rooms; triples and family rooms are available.
There is a swimming pool for you to enjoy, which is a rarity at moderately priced lodges in Uganda. It is also the only midrange lodge that has rooms with Air Conditioning in them.
It has received the Award for Excellence from TripAdvisor, and its customer service is in line with that award. Meals are sumptuous, and Vegetarians and Vegans can be accommodated.
While staying at the lodge, you will see plenty of wildlife, such as Elephants, Buffaloes, Giraffes, and Antelopes.
Late Afternoon Game Drive:
We take the first game drive in the park. The park is home to Africa’s largest Rothchild (Nubian) Giraffe population. You will see the largest herds of Giraffes anywhere in Africa.
The Park is home to large herds of Elephants, Buffaloes, and many antelopes. Additionally, you will not miss out on large and small cats alike.
There is an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger on all our game drives. They bring their knowledge of the park and safety and security.
There are also many Savanna Birds that you will come across. The vehicle has a pop-up roof, so you can stand and take better pictures.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 8 – Murchison Falls Park
Game Drive:
Morning Game Drive with its birds, lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, buffaloes, warthogs, giraffes, and humorous appearing warthogs. A Game Drive can be taken before or after breakfast.
Nile Boat Cruise:
After lunch, it is one of the highlights of your Murchison Falls National Park Safari, the boat safari trip up the Nile River. Slowly moving along the riverbank, viewing crocodiles, an abundance of hippos, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and many birds, including the fish eagle, storks, and so much more.
The boat moves gently up the river and stays on the left-hand side so that you see most of the animals who come to the river. Herds of Elephants cooling off, Hippopotamus frolicking, crocodiles just dozing in the African sun. Then before you is Murchison Falls – the most powerful waterfall in the World.
Top of the Falls Hike:
At the bottom of the falls, disembark and take the guided hike up along the most powerful waterfall in the world – Murchison Falls. You will be cooled down with some fall mist to keep you comfortable.
At the top of the falls, you are met by your driver guide, and you will cross the Nile by ferry and head back to your lodge for dinner and rest. This is the same trail that Winston Churchill used in 1907 when he visited the Falls and came down it.
Please Note: The top of the fall hike may not be available due to high-water conditions.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 9 –Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary:
We depart Murchison Falls Park and head for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where we check into the Amuka Lodge.
Amuka Safari Lodge:
Amuka Lodge is a moderately priced lodge with great food and service. It is the only moderately priced lodge inside the sanctuary.
Spend a day or stay overnight at Amuka Lodge at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – a destination off of the map for most but put it on yours and if you are going to or coming from Murchison Falls Park it Ziwa gives you the possibility to see all the Big five animals and more.
Amuka Lodge is known for giving visitors a comfortable stay in one of their tented cottages. There is also a swimming pool for you to enjoy while staying here.
The Food at Amuka Safari Lodge is some of the best you will have while on a Safari in Uganda.
If you like food from the Barbeau, Amuka Lodge is the right one for you.
Rhino Trekking on Foot:
During the afternoon, it is Rhino Trekking on Foot. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a well-guarded Rhino Sanctuary where Rhinos are bred for future release into Murchison Falls Park.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is very similar to Murchison Falls Park. However, it is ringed with an electrical fence.
A Rhino Trek on foot is about two hours in length. It has been a safe activity for over a decade. You are about 10 meters from the Rhinos and have great opportunities to take pictures.
You can see other wildlife here while trekking Rhinos with rangers who know the Rhino and the terrain of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 10 – Entebbe Airport:
Lugogo Swamp Boat Ride:
You cannot leave Uganda without seeing the most sought-after bird in Africa, the ancient appearing Shoebill. That is why this morning, after an early breakfast, it is a boat ride through the Lugogo Swamp.
There you can see many water and swamp birds, plus sitatunga antelopes, bush pigs, and other mammals. There are no crocodiles or hippos in the swamp.
The Shoebill is often found standing at the end of the water; his beak is ready to strike a lungfish that is spotted.
The ancient appearing shoebill is just that, like the crocodiles they go back to the times of the dinosaur. Uganda is one of the best countries to see the Shoebill.
Afterward, enjoy an early lunch, and we depart for Entebbe, reaching there by late afternoon. We can arrange dayroom and dinner before your flight out upon request.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch
What is included in this Value+ Midrange 10-Day Big 7 Gorilla-Chimpanzee Wildlife Safari?
- Experienced Ugandan Driver-Guide: A Safari becomes more enjoyable with a knowledgeable and professional Local Driver-Guide.
- Greet and Meet at Airport upon arrival: We provide meet and greet services, including a welcome gift and Safari Informational Packet.
- Full-Board Lodging: All meals are included except alcoholic drinks, sodas, and snacks that you might order apart from meals. Some luxury Lodges have non-premium alcoholic beverages and sodas.
- Private 4×4 Safari Vehicle with pop-Up Roof: The vehicle has a car fridge, WiFi, and bottled Water.
- Gorilla Trekking: Gorilla Trekking Permits are included in your Safari. Additionally, we provide porter services, a walking stick for support, and bottled water. Read our Practical Gorilla Trekking Advice:
- WiFi Internet Access: Most Lodges only provide a WiFi Internet Connection in the main lodge. We offer you a MiFi Router that gives you and your party access to the internet in your cottage or room, depending on nearby transmission towers. Read Staying in touch with home.
- Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Mandarin, Arabic Speaking Driver-Guides: At an extra cost.
- Your Dietary Needs can be met: Notify us if you are a vegan, vegetarian, or need a gluten-free diet. Halala dietary requirements can be completed in most instances. Strictly kosher nutritional requirements cannot be met on Safari. a.
- AMREF-Flying Doctors Air-Medivac Insurance coverage: Our clients have covered a rare need for medical evacuation to a hospital that meets international standards.
I have not included: Visas, Travel Insurance, Laundry, Tips, drinks at lodges such as Alcoholic drinks and sodas, and optional listed activities.
For over a Decade since 2008, we have offered Hakuna Matata – No Worries Safaris:
Our private Hakuna Matata – No Worries Safaris are full-service Value+ Midrange and Luxury Safaris that come with all needed for a successful Safari in Uganda. You have your own Safari Vehicle with an experienced driver. You stay at a quality midrange or luxury Lodge, and all the activities listed are included. The outcome of your safari is more important to us than income.
Contact us if interested in this Value+ Midrange 10-Day Big 7 Gorilla-Chimpanzee Wildlife Safari.
