Are you planning for your self-drive tour with rooftop tent, explore Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park are two of Uganda’s most famous and diverse wildlife destinations. Each park offers unique experiences from gorilla trekking in Bwindi to wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in southwestern Uganda near the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is famous for the mountain gorillas that inhabit the forest. Bwindi is renowned as one of the best places in the world for gorilla trekking. It is a home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population. Visitors can trek gorilla families through the dense forest in 4 sectors (Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo), observing them in their natural habitat.
Aside from gorillas, Bwindi is home to a variety of other wildlife including lions, forest elephants and various species of birds and plants. The park is located in a beautiful mountainous area with lush vegetation and breathtaking views. The hike through the thick forest is a rewarding experience.
A part from gorilla trekking, there are other activities you can engage in while in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park such as bird watching, cultural tours with local communities (Batwa pygmies), Forest walks and hiking among others.
However, Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in western Uganda near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is famous for a large variety of wildlife and diverse landscapes including savannah, wetlands and tropical forests.
The park is a home to the big five animals such as elephants, lions, leopards and buffaloes which can be spotted during the game drives along with a vast array of other animals like hippos, crocodiles and various antelope species. Queen Elizabeth National Park is also famous for its population of tree-climbing lions particularly in the Ishasha sector. These lions are known to climb fig trees a rare behavior seen in few places around the world. These climbing lions are only seen on a lucky day.
Queen Elizabeth National Park harbors Kazinga Channel. This is a natural waterway that connects Lake George and Lake Edward. Visitors can enjoy boat safaris with the opportunity of seeing large numbers of hippos, various and bird species such as pelicans and herons.
The park boasts over 600 species of birds hence making it a fantastic destination for bird watchers. A variety of activities are done including game drives for wildlife sightings, boat safaris along Kazinga Channel, Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, bird watching, visiting the salt lakes and volcanic craters among others.
Both parks offer remarkable opportunities to experience Uganda’s wildlife from the iconic mountain gorillas in Bwindi to the diverse wildlife and unique ecosystems of Queen Elizabeth National Park. If you are into wildlife, these parks are definitely must-visit destinations.
Here is a drafted itinerary of exploring Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Parks:
Upon arrival in Kampala, meet and great with our company representative who will pick you from your hotel or Entebbe International Airport early enough so as to manage time since it’s a long way to your destination. Leave Kampala for Bwindi impenetrable National Park. You can have a stopover at the Equator for stretch refreshments and then you can have a look at the traditional drums and crafts being made at this place.
Jump into the car and proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest famously known for the rare Mountain gorillas and primate life in this forest is quite fantastic and there is an incredible variety of flora and fauna. This forest also holds about 348 bird species thus known for being a bird watchers haven. You will have a lunch stop and then head on straight to the destination (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park) for dinner and sleepovers.
This morning will be for gorilla trekking experience in one of Bwindi’s sectors. After your breakfast, ready with your packed lunch and drinking water since long hours will be spent in search of these giants, you will be transferred to the gorilla trekking information office for a pre – gorilla trekking briefing. After briefing, the rangers will then lead you into the forest to trek these gentle giants (the Mountain gorillas).
Experience the thrill of spending time observing the gorillas as they interact with each other, you are allowed an hour witnessing of the interaction of these close relatives to human, there after you can engage in a community walk if time permits so to explore culture of the Batwa people. Later in the evening, meet your driver to transfer you back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
After an early morning delicious breakfast, check-out of the lodge, meet your driver and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park blessed with a lot of beauty, the lakes, forest, savannah grassland as well as wetlands. Enter the park through Ishasha sector famed for its rare tree-climbing lions and if lucky you will see these rare species, then head on to the northern side of the park where you will have dinner and rest for a night.
In the morning, grab yourself a cup of coffee as you warm up to explore more of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Will head for a game drive along Kasenyi tracks in search of animals like Lions, Cape Buffaloes, Elephants, Warthogs, Water bucks, Spotted hyenas, Mangoose, Kobs and on a lucky day, you will spot a leopard.
Over 600 bird species have been recorded in this park and most notably along the Kazinga channel. Return for a lunch meal, relax and prepare for another exciting activity in the afternoon. After lunch you will enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This launch cruise gives you an amazing opportunity to watch the animals and birds at a much closer distance. After the boat cruise, meet your driver and return to the lodge for dinner and sleepovers.
As you watch the sun rise in the wild, wake up and take your breakfast meal, check out of the hotel and then embark on your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport to catch up with your flight to the next destination. Nature Adventure Africa Safaris is always eagerly waiting to plan for your trip and take you to your dream destinations.