4 DAYS BWINDI GORILLA SELF DRIVE TOUR & WILDLIFE
4 days Bwindi gorilla self-drive tour and wildlife is an exceptional Uganda self-drive safari experience set for you to trek mountain gorillas and wildlife exploration in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found in Southwestern Uganda, about 8-10 hours’ drive from Kampala and approximately 3-4 hours’ drive from Kigali. This national park was gazetted in 1991 primarily to offer refuge to mountain gorillas and in 1994, it was designated a UNESCO Heritage Site. Today, this 331s.km conservancy area prides itself as a home to not only the endangered mountain gorillas but also other primate species including olive baboons, chimpanzees; reptiles, over 350 bird species, butterflies and many plant species.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is found in Kasese district, Western Uganda about 6 hours’ drive from Kampala. It is largely a savanna grassland protected area and also the second largest of the ten national parks in Uganda, spanning for an area of about 1978 square kilometers. It was gazetted in 1952 and it derives its name from Queen Elizabeth the second. Queen Elizabeth National Park hosts elephants, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, lions, leopards, hyenas, tree-climbing lions, warthogs, antelopes like topis, Uganda kobs, sitatunga, waterbucks, olive baboons, chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, 620 bird species. Your 4 days Bwindi gorilla self-drive tour and wildlife begins and end in Kampala.
Highlights of your 4 days Bwindi gorilla self-drive tour and wildlife
• Game drives
• Boat cruise
• Gorilla trekking
• Stopover at Uganda Equator crossing
Brief itinerary of the 4 Days Bwindi gorilla self-drive tour and wildlife
Day 1: Leave Kampala for Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 2: Boat cruise and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 4: Drive back to Kampala
Detailed itinerary of your 4 days Bwindi gorilla self-drive tour and wildlife
Day 1: Leave Kampala for Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have a cup of tea or coffee and later, meet your tour leader who will give you an insight what you should expect on the 4 days Bwindi gorilla self-drive tour and wildlife. After, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park in a comfortable self-drive safari vehicle preferably 4×4 self-drive safari Land Cruiser. Your journey will cover about 6 hours and en-route, make a stopover at Uganda Equator crossing and lunch will be served to you at Agip Hotel in Mbarara Town.
Arrive early at Queen Elizabeth National Park to take part in the afternoon/evening game drive along Kasenyi Plains. On a game drive, expect to see the African bush elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions, antelopes, birds and many others. Retreat from game viewing experience to relax, dine and spend a night at the lodge.
Where to stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Luxury: Kyambura Game Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Mid-range: Bush Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Marafiki Safari Lodge
Budget: Kazinga Channel View Resort, Mweya Hostel, Pumba Safari Cottages
Day 2: Boat cruise and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Wake up to enjoy breakfast and later, set off for a boat or launch trip on Kazinga Channel. This is an exciting watersport experience and it lasts for 3-4 hours, offering you a great chance to see hippos, basking crocodiles, water birds and many more. Return to check out of the lodge and then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha sector where you will catch a glimpse at the tree climbing lions.
Where to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Buhoma Lodge
Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp
Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Nshongi Camp
Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Treks to view mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park commence from Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo or Rushaga sector. It begins with an early morning breakfast, you prepare and with your packed lunch plus bottled drinking water, you will be expected at park headquarters for briefing on gorilla trekking dos and don’ts. The park official will also allocate to you a gorilla group that you will trek in a group of 8 trekkers. About 20 habituated families exist in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and each rewards trekkers with unique experiences. The length of the trek takes about 2-6 hours including an hour of a face to face encounter. You will return to the lodge to spend the rest of the evening relaxing in your lodge.
Where to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Buhoma Lodge
Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp
Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Nshongi Camp
Day 4: Drive back to Kampala
Have breakfast early in the morning and later, check out of the lodge ready to make a return journey to Kampala.
End of your 4 days Bwindi gorilla self-drive tour and wildlife
Tour inclusions
• Boat cruise
• Gorilla permit
• Park entrance fees
• Relevant government taxes
• Travel in 4×4 self-drive safari vehicle
• Accommodation in 3 nights and meals
Tour exclusions
• Tips
• Beverages
• Cigarettes
• Uganda visa fees
• Laundry services
• Personal insurance
• Telephone calls
• All the listed activities except the optional ones.