8-Day Uganda Eco Safari Tour

From

$ 2986

Tour Overview

This 8-Day Uganda Eco Safari Tour is ideal for guests who want to experience fascinating wildlife and landscapes of Uganda authentically while being mindful of their travel budget. By choosing comfortable, simple accommodations and guesthouses, we have put together a special tour package where you don’t have to compromise on adventure – from searching for the rare tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park to unforgettable mountain gorilla adventures in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Guided private safari
Private guide/guide on safari
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Boat trip on the Kazinga Channel
Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Relaxation at the picturesque Lake Bunyonyi
Diverse wildlife and zebras in Lake Mburo National Park
Walking safari and night game drive
Shoebill search in the Mabamba wetlands

Your Itinerary In Details

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

As soon as you step off the plane and breathe in the pleasantly warm, tropical air, you will leave everyday life behind instantly. At Entebbe International Airport (EBB), your guide from Greenway Nature Tours Africa will be waiting to greet you. With a warm smile, he will welcome you to Uganda – that verdant land which Sir Winston Churchill respectfully called “The Pearl of Africa.” A short, relaxed drive will take you to your first accommodation. Settle in, freshen up after your long flight, and enjoy a cool drink while preparing for the great adventures of the coming days.

Accommodation: Via Entebbe

Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Entebbe – Queen Elizabeth National Park (travel time approx. 7 hours)

After a delicious breakfast, you will leave Entebbe town and drive to southwestern Uganda. You will drive through diverse landscapes, past small villages, colorful markets, herds of cattle, and sprawling tea plantations. Along the way, your driver guide will provide fascinating insights into daily life and the local culture in Uganda. Around mid-afternoon, you will reach the region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Even on the last few kilometers, you will often have your first opportunities for wildlife viewing before checking into your accommodation, located on near the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to enjoy the breathtaking views from the lodge and soak up your first impressions of Uganda. Relax and enjoy the unique atmosphere on the edge of the national park.

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge -Banda

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Early morning, in the soft light, the savanna awakens. You will take advantage of these cool, active hours for an extensive game drive in the Kasenyi Plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is the preferred hunting ground of lions, who lie in wait for the large herds of Uganda kob (antelope). With a bit of luck, you might also spot the elusive African leopards in the dense undergrowth. After a delicious lunch, a change of perspective awaits you in the afternoon: a 2-hour boat safari on the famous Kazinga Channel. You will glide slowly along the banks, experiencing one of the world’s densest populations of hippos and snapping Nile crocodiles up close, while huge herds of elephants come ashore to quench their thirst. In the evening, you’ll return to your lodge and reflect on the day’s events under the vast African starry sky.

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge – Banda

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Queen– Ishasha Sector – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (travel time approx. 4 hours)

After breakfast in the morning, your journey continues to the lesser-known southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ishasha is particularly famous for its unique tree-climbing lions. Especially, during the hottest hours, you can find the lions in the trees, enjoying the shade while still having a view of the savanna. Apart from the famous lions, Ishasha offers an attractive, sparsely visited landscape of open plains and acacia woodlands. Large herds of buffalos and elephants, topi, Uganda kobs, and numerous bird species live here. Next, you leave the savanna, and the landscape changes dramatically. The road winds its way up into the so-called “Kigezi Highlands,” which, due to its green, terraced slopes, is also known as the “Switzerland of Africa.” Finally, you reach Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. In the afternoon, you check into your accommodation on the edge of the rainforest. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and prepare for one of the highlights of your trip – the encounter with the mountain gorillas the following day.

Accommodation: Ride 4 A Woman Guest House

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Bwindi – Gorilla Trekking – Lake Bunyoni (travel time approx. 2 hours)

After breakfast, you will be taken to the park offices in Buhoma. There, you will receive a briefing on the rules of conduct that are important for gorilla trekking. You will then set off with the ranger into the montane rainforest. The ranger follows the instructions and tracks of the trackers who started their trek at sunrise. The trackers first went to the spot where they encountered the gorillas the previous day and are now following their movements. As soon as they spot the gorillas, they inform the guide.

You will cautiously approach a family of gorillas and the silverback. It is a really amazing experience to stand face to face with these gentle giants of the rainforest. You must limit your visit to the gorilla family to one hour to minimize disruption to their natural rhythms. The trek to the gorillas can be strenuous, depending on the specific family you are visiting. The sight of these majestic great apes quickly makes you forget about any concerns, but a certain level of fitness is recommended. It’s also crucial that you are in good health. Even a cold can prevent you from seeing the gorillas to ensure their safety.

The length of the hike varies depending on the gorilla family. Proper equipment is essential. Good footwear, gaiters, and rain gear are standard. Gloves are also highly recommended, especially when encountering thorny plants. Enjoy your time with the gorillas. This visit is much more than “just” wildlife viewing. When you look into the eyes of these gentle giants, you see so much of ourselves. Over 98% of our genes are identical to those of gorillas, and you experience a truly sublime feeling when you stand close to these magnificent creatures. The young ones are playful and frolic within the gorilla family.

After the hike and the impressive encounters with the gorillas, you will continue your journey to Lake Bunyonyi. The “Lake of Many Little Birds” is one of Uganda’s most beautiful landscapes, characterized by verdant terraced hills and numerous small islands. On the lake’s shores awaits the BirdNest Resort, which impresses with its tranquil setting and magnificent views across Lake Bunyonyi. Spend the rest of the afternoon reflecting on the day’s experiences and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. In the evening, you have a dining at the resort’s restaurant. The restaurant is renowned for its excellent cuisine, serving international dishes as well as regional specialties such as freshly prepared crayfish from Lake Bunyonyi.

Accommodation: BirdNest Resort

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 6: Bunyonyi – Lake Mburo National Park (travel time approx. 4 hours)

After relaxed breakfast, you will depart the mountainous regions of southwestern Uganda and travel towards Lake Mburo. The country’s smallest national park lies on the way to Kampala/Entebbe and is often overlooked by travelers. It offers a diverse landscape of rolling hills, acacia woodlands, wetlands, and open grasslands. You will arrive at your accommodation in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you will embark on an extensive game drive through the national park. Lake Mburo is one of the best places in Uganda to observe large herds of zebra. Impalas, eland, buffalo, topi, oribi, and numerous other animal species also inhabit the park. Birdwatchers will be in their element: over 350 bird species can be spotted here. In the evening, you can enjoy the special atmosphere of your lodge and take in the views across the landscape of the national park.

Accommodation: Eagles Nest Mburo

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Lake Mburo National Park – Game Walk & Night Game Drive

Lake Mburo NP offers a rare chance to experience nature not only from a car but also on foot. In the soft morning light, you will embark on a guided game walk. Accompanied by a ranger, you will follow animal tracks in the red sand, silently approaching zebras and antelopes. After the walk, you will have time to relax at the lodge or enjoy another game drive in the afternoon. As darkness falls, you will set off on a night drive, using the headlights of your 4×4 to track down the nocturnal inhabitants of the savanna. With a bit of luck, you might spot bushbabies in the treetops, porcupines, genets, leopards, or other shy creatures of the savanna.

Accommodation: Eagles Nest Mburo

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Lake Mburo – Mabamba Shoebill Tour – Entebbe (travel time approx. 4 hours)

One last time, the gentle rustling of the acacia trees awakens you. After breakfast, you begin your drive back to Entebbe. Shortly before reaching Entebbe, you visit the Mabamba Swamp on shore of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. You board a traditional wooden canoe and glide through the dense papyrus channels with a local guide. The area is known for its excellent opportunities to observe the rare shoebill bird, which, with a bit of luck, can be spotted here in its natural habitat. Afterwards, you continue to Entebbe and check into the Via Via Guesthouse, where a day room awaits you. Here you can freshen up, organize your luggage, and relax after your trip. Later, in time for your international flight, you will be transferred to the airport.

Accommodation: Via Via Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Inclusions

All park entrance fees
Transport in a safari-equipped off-road vehicle
Experienced English-speaking driver/guide
All meals as indicated in the itinerary
Game drives as indicated in the itinerary
Drinking water in the vehicle
Airport transfers on arrival and departure
1 night at the Via Via Guesthouse
2 nights at The Bush Lodge
1 overnight stay at Ride 4 A Woman
1 night at the BirdNest Resort
2 nights at Eagles Nest Mburo
Day rooms in Entebbe
Boat trip on the Kazinga Channel
Game drive in Ishasha
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park
Walking safari and night game drive at Lake Mburo
Mabamba Shoebill Tour by dugout canoe

exclusions

International flights to Tanzania
Visa
Drinks
Tips
Personal expenses
Excursions not mentioned in the program
Travel and cancellation insurance

8-Day Uganda Eco Safari Tour