Fly-in Gorilla Trekking Safari | Best of Western Uganda

9 DAYS
UGANDA FLYING SAFARI

Murchison Falls National Park | Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kibale National Park | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Chimp Trackings | Wildlife Drives | Water Safaris | Gorilla Trekking

Fly-in to the savannah of Murchison Falls & Queen Elizabeth National Parks, explore the river Nile & Kazinga Channel on private water safaris & seek out the iconic savannah wildlife. Spend a full day in Kibale National Park with a chimp family on the chimpanzee habituation exercise. Then venture onto Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a gorilla trekking trip in ancient rainforest. A truly memorable safari experience, complemented with luxury lodges & services.

Best Of Western Uganda
Fly-in Gorilla Trekking Itinerary

Browse our flying safari itinerary below for more information on travel times, excursions & the luxury lodges included. Quotes are available on request alongside a more a detailed itinerary version, gorilla trekking guidelines & a flight information pack.

DAy 1 - Nile WATER SAFARI

Flying safari flight taking off from Kajjansi Airfields, Uganda

Elephants playing on the savannah of Murchison Falls NP, Uganda

The river Nile & Murchison Falls waterfall in Murchison Falls NP, Uganda

Sunset water safari on the river Nile, Murchison Falls NP

Drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Kajjansi Airfield.
Estimated travel time: 20 - 30 mins

Flight from Kajjansi Airfield to Pakuba airstrip, Murchison Falls National Park.
Estimated travel time: 1hr

Explore the wildlife tracks criss crossing the palm dotted savannah of Murchison Falls National Park on a wildlife drive. As you drive, scan the landscape to seek out species such as Rothschild giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards, Jackson's hartebeests, Uganda kobs, warthog, waterbuck, bushbuck & hippos.
Estimated excursions time: 3 hrs

Embark on a private sunset water safari on the river Nile to the base of Murchison Falls waterfall. Drinks and snacks will be served as you meander upstream, spotting Nile crocodiles basking on riverbanks & the flash of electric blue as kingfishers dart over the water. All set to the tranquil sounds of hippo calling across the water until you reach the thundering base of the falls.
Estimated excursions time: 3 hrs

Meals provided: Lunch, Dinner

Staying At Bakers Lodge

Day 2 - Victoria Nile Delta

Elephant viewed from a water safari on the river Nile, Murchison Falls NP

The Shoebill can be spotted on a water safari in the Victoria Nile delta,
Murchison Falls NP

A tower of giraffes viewed on safari crossing the tracks of Murchison Falls NP

A leopard in a tree overlooking the savannah of Murchison Falls NP

Explore the river Nile on a private water safari as it sedately meanders through the savannah, spotting giraffes, elephants, buffalos and hippos as you cruise. On reaching the Victoria Nile delta the river flows into Lake Albert, where you can seek out the rare prehistoric looking Shoebill and a plethora of other birdlife amongst the swaying reeds of the riverbanks.
Estimated excursion time: 4 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Staying at Bakers Lodge

day 3 - FLYing West

A herd of buffalo viewed from a flying safari flight over Uganda

A crater lake pool close to the edge of Kibale National Park

Spot monkeys in the trees around Magombe Swamp, Kibale NP

Kyaninga Lodge on the edge of a crater lake, Fort Portal

Flight from Pakuba airstrip to Kasese airstrip, western Uganda.
Estimated travel time: 1 hr 5 mins

Drive from Kasese aistrip to Ndali-Kasenda crater lakes.
Estimated travel time: 1 hr 30 mins

Accompanied by a local guide, discover the rural idyll of the Ndali-Kasenda crater lake fields on a scenic drive. Your route will take you through a landscape of rollings hills and farmland dotted with crater lake pools. As you drive your guide will give further information on the lakes as well as an insight into local customs and traditions.
Estimated excursion time: 1 - 2 hrs

Drive from Ndali-Kasenda crater lakes to Kibale National Park.
Estimated travel time: 45 mins

Take a pleasant stroll through swaying papyrus and follow the boardwalks navigating Magombe Swamp. A true primate and bird watchers paradise! With a local guide explore this protected RAMSAR site to spot some of the 138 recorded bird species including the iconic Great Blue Turaco and seven monkey species scampering in the trees.
Estimated excursion time: 2 - 3 hrs

Drive from Kibale National Park to Kyaninga Lodge.
Estimated travel time: 45 mins

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Staying At Kyaninga Lodge

DAY 4 - A chimps day

A chimpanzee spotted in the rainforest of Kibale National Park

Chimpanzees can be spotted on treks in Kibale NP, Uganda

A troop of Black & White Colobus monkeys in a tree

Drive from Kyaninga Lodge to Kibale National Park.
Estimated travel time: 45 mins

Spend a full day trekking in the rainforest of Kibale National Park on the chimpanzee habituation exercise. Chimps undergo a two year habituation process before being regularly tracked, it’s this process you’ll contribute to along with the expert rangers. A truly memorable and authentic wildlife experience, as you observe these wild chimps in their natural habitat.
Estimated excursion time: 8 hrs

Drive from Kibale National Park to Kyaninga Lodge.
Estimated travel time: 45 mins

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Staying at Kyaninga Lodge

DAY 5 - Golden Savannah

A tea field on the edge of Kibale NP, home of Uganda’s chimps

Elephants viewed from a water safari on the Kazinga Channel

Uganda kob spotted on safari in Queen Elizabeth NP

Captivating crater lakes can be viewed on safari in Queen Elizabeth NP

Drive from Kyaninga Lodge to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Estimated travel time: 2 hrs 30 mins

Embark on a private water safari on the Kazinga Channel, set to picturesque scenes of acacia tree covered slopes and rocky cliffs. Seek out crocodiles, warthogs, waterbuck and buffalos on the riverbanks, while hippo calls echo across the water. If you’re lucky you’ll even meet elephants bathing in the channel to cool off from the heat of the day.
Estimated excursion time: 2 hrs 30 mins

Explore the Kazinga Tracks on a wildlife drive, these tracks loop between the northern banks of the Kazinga Channel and crater lake pools. This area is known as the spot for up close sightings of elephant herds as they cross the tracks to reach the Kazinga Channel, as well as the chance to spy Uganda kob, buffalo and if you’re lucky the elusive leopard!
Estimated excursion time: 2 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Staying At Elephant Plains Lodge

DAY 6 - Chimp tracking

Kyambura Gorge in the savannah of Queen Elizabeth NP, Uganda

Chimps can be tracked in Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth NP

An elephant herd spotted on safari in Queen Elizabeth NP, Uganda

Tree climbing lions viewed on safari at Ishaaha Plains, Uganda

Track a small group of chimpanzees in the rainforest filled Kyambura Gorge, isolated by the surrounding savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park. As you descend into the forest a mystical atmosphere prevails as you seek out these elusive chimps, with tracking success rates of 65%. On finding them you will have one hour to watch them play, socialise and forage in the trees.
Estimated excursion time: 3 hrs

Drive from Kyambura Gorge to Ishasha Plains, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Estimated travel time: 2 hrs

Venture through the golden savannah of Ishasha Plains to seek out the region's iconic tree-climbing lions. Believed to have learned the behaviour to escape the heat and ground level biting insects, they’re found sleeping in the branches of giant fig trees. Elephants, hartebeest & buffalo, are also abundant on the plains and spotted on wildlife drives.
Estimated excursion time: 3 hrs

As the sun sinks in the sky, drive to a viewpoint over Ishasha Plains. Here you’ll find a table has been laid out for you with snacks and a selection of beverages. Enjoy a drink in good company, watch the sunset light up the plains and reflect on your day amongst the tranquil sounds of the savannah. Trust us these sunsets can be truly spectacular.
Estimated excursion time: 1 hr

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Staying At Ishasha Wilderness Camp

DAY 7 - TREE CLIMBING LIONS

Enjoy a bush breakfast on safari at Ishasha Plains, Uganda

Tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth NP, Uganda

Ishasha Plains is also home to clans of hyena

Hills bordering the rainforest of Bwindi NP, home to Uganda’s gorillas

As the sunrises over Ishasha Plains explore this secluded area of Queen Elizabeth National Park on a wildlife drive. Aside from seeking out the tree-climbing lions the area is also known for its population of hyena clans, Uganda kob and even the elusive leopards, which you can seek out on the plains in the soft morning light.
Estimated excursion time: 3 hrs

Enjoy a bush breakfast in the heart of the savannah. A selection of breads, fruits, coffee and juices will be served to you, as your chef prepares eggs to your liking on the stove. So you can relax in comfort at your shaded breakfast table, enjoy the sounds of the wild and observe the savannah panorama playing out before you.
Estimated excursion time: 1 hr

Drive from Ishasha Plains to Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Estimated travel time: 2 hrs

Imbibe yourself into the daily life of Buhoma with a guided walk to meet & spend time with the locals. Visit the local handicraft workshops to meet artisanal craftsman at work, the traditional healer who'll share the tricks of their trade & the local brewer who distills gin from the locally sourced banana's, you'll even be offered a taste.
Estimated excursion time: 3 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Staying at Buhoma Lodge

DAY 8 - GORILLA TREKKING

Mountain gorillas are spotted on gorilla treks in Bwindi NP, Uganda

Mists rising over the rainforest of Bwindi NP, Uganda

A portrait of adult mountain gorilla in Bwindi NP, Uganda

Baby mountain gorillas can be spotted on gorilla treks in Bwindi NP, Uganda

Experience Uganda's greatest natural wonder, a meeting with a rare mountain gorilla family. Trek through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park's pristine rainforest, a UNESCO heritage site, to observe mountains gorillas forage, feed, play & socialise in their close knit family group, surrounded by their natural habitat. A truly magical experience.
Estimated excursion time: 2 - 8 hrs (including 1 hr viewing)

Unwind in peace to the sounds of the rainforest at your exclusive lodge. Enjoy views across rainforest slopes from your private terrace or curl by the crackling fire in the cosy lodge lounge. Be sure to relax those aching muscles after your rainforest trek with a visit to the lodge's spa room for a complimentary massage.

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Staying At Buhoma Lodge

DAY 9 - FLYing home

A tea field bordering Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda

Uganda flying safari flight over the hills of Uganda

Flying safari flight over Lake Victoria, Uganda

Landscape of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city

Drive from Buhoma to Kihihi airstrip, southwestern Uganda.
Estimated travel time: 1 hr 30 mins

Flight from Kihihi airstrip to Kajjansi Airfield.
Estimated travel time: 1 hr 20 mins

Drive from Kajjansi Airfield to Entebbe or Kampala.
Estimated travel time: 20 - 30 mins

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation not included

Additional Gorilla Trekking Days

A popular add-on to this safari is to include an additional day(s) gorilla trekking. Often on the first day trekkers spend their hour snapping photos so enjoy a second trek to just relax in the gorillas company & observe their natural behaviours.

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Flying Safaris Packages
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Each fly-in safari package includes gorilla trekking in Bwindi, combined with experiences such as chimp tracking in Kibale and savannah safaris in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.