11 Days Lion Experiential Safari
11 Days Lion Experiential Safari
Our 11 days lion experiential safari takes you to Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi, and Lake Mburo National Park. It should be noted that Uganda’s national parks reward you with opportunities to see a lot of wildlife as well as explore diverse cultures within and out of these protected areas. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, a primate capital of the world, rewards you with opportunities to see other primates like vervet monkeys, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, and L’hoests monkeys.
The lion tracking experience is the major highlight of this itinerary and is only done in Queen Elizabeth National Park, also known as Uganda’s top tourist destination. With the help of the Uganda Carnival Program (UCP) team, tourists track the lions, as the team always knows where exactly these lions have moved at that particular time since they are being tracked.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Kampala/Entebbe, Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Your 11 day Uganda safari begins with pickup from Kampala or Entebbe by your safari guide. After a briefing about the journey, you will drive westwards towards Kibale Forest National Park, passing through Uganda’s beautiful countryside.
The journey provides an opportunity to see rural communities, tea plantations, farms and changing landscapes as you approach the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
You will have lunch en route before continuing to Kibale. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and spend the evening relaxing and enjoying the forest surroundings.
Accommodation options:
Kibale Forest Camp/Turaco Treetops/Primate Lodge Kibale
Primate Lodge Kibale
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, prepare for one of the most exciting experiences of your safari: chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park.
Kibale is renowned for its high concentration and diversity of primates and is often referred to as the “Primate Capital of the World.” During the trek, you will walk through the tropical forest with experienced trackers and guides in search of habituated chimpanzee communities.
Once the chimpanzees are located, you will have an opportunity to observe them as they feed, communicate, climb trees, groom one another and move through the forest.
Kibale is also home to several other primates, including red tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys and olive baboons. You may also encounter numerous forest birds and other wildlife.
After the tracking experience, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, you may choose to enjoy a nature walk or participate in a community and cultural experience around the park.
Accommodation options:
Kibale Forest Camp/Turaco Treetops/Primate Lodge Kibale
Day 3: Transfer from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, depart Kibale for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s famous wildlife destination.
The drive is relatively short compared with other safari routes, allowing you to enjoy the scenery and arrive in time for an afternoon wildlife experience.
Depending on your arrival time, you may undertake an afternoon game drive through the park. Queen Elizabeth is home to elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes, hippos and a variety of other wildlife.
The park is also famous for its tree climbing lions, particularly in the Ishasha sector, although sightings are never guaranteed. You will return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation options:
Pumba Safari Cottages/ Enganzi Lodge/ Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 4: Lion Experiential Tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today is the major highlight of your 11 day lion experiential safari.
After an early breakfast, head into Queen Elizabeth National Park for the Lion Experiential Tracking Experience. The experience allows visitors to go beyond ordinary game viewing and participate in a conservation-focused wildlife experience.
Tree climbing lion
With the guidance of the Uganda Carnivore Program (UCP) team and experienced trackers, you will follow the movements of lions that are being monitored. Researchers use tracking techniques and information gathered from the animals to understand their movements, behaviour, social structures and interactions with their environment.
During the experience, you may have the opportunity to observe lions at relatively close range while learning about the challenges facing large carnivores and the importance of conservation. The activity can provide an entirely different perspective from a conventional game drive because you are not simply looking for wildlife; you are learning how conservationists study and protect these magnificent predators.
After the tracking experience, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, depending on the timing of the lion tracking activity, you may enjoy another game drive in the park.
Accommodation options:
Pumba Safari Cottages/ Enganzi Lodge/ Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth, Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Wake up early for a morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. The early hours are ideal for wildlife viewing as many animals are active before the heat of the day.
Keep your eyes open for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, antelopes and other wildlife. With luck, you may encounter lions or other predators.
Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation.
Later in the afternoon, proceed to the Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is famous for its high concentration of hippos and other wildlife. As the boat moves along the channel, you can observe hippos in the water, crocodiles along the shores and elephants, buffaloes and numerous birds around the channel.
The cruise is an excellent opportunity for wildlife photography and provides a different perspective of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accommodation options:
Pumba Safari Cottages/ Enganzi Lodge/ Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 6: Transfer from Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and drive southwards towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The journey takes you through beautiful landscapes, local communities, cultivated hills and highland areas. Depending on the route, you may pass through the Ishasha region, famous for its tree climbing lions. Continue towards Bwindi, arriving at your lodge later in the afternoon.
Bwindi is renowned for its ancient rainforest and mountain gorillas. The forest environment is dramatically different from the savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth, making this journey an exciting transition from wildlife safari to rainforest adventure.
Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for the following day’s gorilla experience.
Accommodation options:
Buhoma Community Rest Camp/ Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/ Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today is another unforgettable highlight of your Uganda safari: mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for registration and briefing. You will then begin your trek into the ancient rainforest accompanied by experienced guides and trackers.
The duration of the trek varies depending on the location and movement of the gorilla family assigned to your group. The walk can involve steep slopes, dense vegetation and muddy trails, but the reward is an extraordinary encounter with a habituated mountain gorilla family.
When you find the gorillas, you will spend the permitted viewing time observing their behaviour. You may see adults feeding, young gorillas playing, mothers caring for infants and silverbacks protecting their families. After the trek, return to the lodge for a well-deserved rest.
Accommodation options:
Buhoma Community Rest Camp/ Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/ Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, depart Bwindi for Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda’s most scenic highland lakes. The journey is relatively short, giving you time to enjoy the beautiful landscapes surrounding southwestern Uganda. Upon arrival at Lake Bunyonyi, check into your lodge and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Bunyonyi
In the afternoon, take a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi, exploring some of its numerous islands while enjoying views of the surrounding terraced hills. You may also interact with local communities and learn about life around the lake. Lake Bunyonyi is an ideal place to relax after the demanding gorilla trek.
Accommodation options:
Bunyonyi Overland Camp/Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort/ BirdNest Resort
Day 9: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Enjoy breakfast overlooking Lake Bunyonyi before beginning your journey towards Lake Mburo National Park. Drive through the scenic southwestern Ugandan countryside, passing agricultural communities and rolling landscapes.
After lunch, continue towards Lake Mburo and, depending on your arrival time, enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Lake Mburo is a unique destination because it protects wildlife species that are less commonly encountered in other Ugandan national parks. The park is known for zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, warthogs, Topis and hippos, among other species. The park’s open savannah and acacia landscapes offer excellent opportunities for wildlife photography.
Accommodation options:
Rwonyo Rest Camp/ Mburo Safari Lodge/Mihingo Lodge
Day 10: Lake Mburo, Walking Safari and Game Drive
Wake up early for a guided nature/walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park. Walking through the park allows you to experience Uganda’s wildlife from a different perspective. Accompanied by a trained ranger, you will learn how to identify animal tracks, dung, plants and other signs of wildlife.
You may encounter zebras, impalas, giraffes, antelopes, warthogs and other species during the walk. After the walking safari, return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation.
Later, enjoy another game drive through the park. The drive provides additional opportunities to see wildlife and explore different sections of the park.
Accommodation options:
Rwonyo Rest Camp/ Mburo Safari Lodge/Mihingo Lodge
Day 11: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe.
Before leaving the region, you may make a final short game drive depending on your departure time. The journey takes you through Uganda’s countryside, with opportunities to see local communities and agricultural activities.
You may stop at the Equator crossing for photographs, souvenir shopping and a brief demonstration of the geographical significance of the Equator.
Continue to Kampala or Entebbe, where your 11 day Lion Experiential Safari ends.
