How to plan a Uganda gorilla and Big Five game safari from Kigali Rwanda

How to plan a Uganda gorilla and big five game safari from Kigali, Rwanda. Planning a gorilla safari with game viewing in the Uganda National Parks starts with selecting which destination to add to your itinerary. Uganda is gifted by nature and the only country with two gorilla safari destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.

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You cross Uganda via the Gatuna or Cyanika border from Rwanda to Kabale and other destinations. Booking an East African visa for those who must possess it as a travel document is time-saving as this allows you entry into at least two East African countries where Uganda and Rwanda are members.

You need the assistance of a professional and well-conversed safari company to assist you in drawing the best itinerary for your Uganda gorilla and game safari through Rwanda. This is to avoid chances of backtracking, which is time-wasting. At Encounter Africa Safaris, our experienced team of safari consultants is always ready to work with you in planning the best applicable gorilla and game safari itinerary. We pride ourselves on our over 10 years of experience in Uganda safaris and helping clients have the best services.

For a gorilla safari adventure in Uganda, securing a gorilla permit is the only guarantee to include this activity in your itinerary. You must have an extra day on holiday, at least 5 days, and 6 days of gorilla and game safari to get the best out of your Uganda safari experience.

Which are the Uganda gorilla trekking destinations?

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi's impenetrable National Park lies in the southern western part of Uganda. This biosphere reserve is home to almost half the mountain gorillas. Currently, 19 gorilla trekking families and two gorilla habituation families are open to public booking.

Bwindi forest is flora and fauna rich with over 350 bird species, more than 300 natural tree species, 51 reptiles, 10 primate species and much more. The topography of this area is rugged, with beautiful highlands draped by evergreen vegetation. When you book gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, it is reserved according to the area, of which four areas are Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga.

Mgahinga National park

Mgahinga National Park is located in the further southwestern part of Uganda. This park so far has one gorilla trekking family called Nyakagezi. This gorilla family used to meander sometimes into Rwanda, making it hard to pre-book its gorilla permits then. 

You can pre-book the Mgahinga National Park gorilla permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through an accredited tour operator.

Which are the Uganda game safari Destinations?

At Encounter, we encourage you to be open-minded during game safaris because these animals wander through the park all day. Finding them stationed in one location is hard because they are open. Only some of the big five are found in one Uganda national park, so you may need to visit different Uganda game parks. The big five include lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes.  

While in Queen Elizabeth National Park, one has chances to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and others. In Murchison Falls National Park, there are chances to spot buffaloes, leopards, lions, and Rhinos on the park's outskirts in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Lake Mburo National Park lies almost in the center between Kampala or Entebbe and the western part of Uganda. Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda's best game safari destination, with chances of spotting several carnivores.

We are ready to work with you at Encounter Africa Safaris to draw the best Uganda safari destination selection. For the best gorilla and game safari experience, you need a well-designed itinerary tailored to suit your needs.

How To Plan A Uganda Gorilla and Game Safari through Kigali?

Book Uganda Gorilla Permit

Reserving the gorilla permit for Uganda is the only guarantee to attending gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience in Uganda. Since these gorilla permits sell out in advance, especially in the peak season that runs from June to September and then December to January, booking is very important.

Daily, the Uganda Wildlife Authority opens 152 gorilla trekking permits and 8 gorilla habituation experience permits to the public. These sell out fast and on a first-come, first-served basis. It is best to secure in advance the gorilla permits as chances of their availability shrink as days to the peak season draw closer.

As soon as you get the Uganda gorilla permit availability, you need to purchase it as quickly as possible to avoid last-minute panic. When you book your Uganda gorilla permit in advance, you get a chance to choose the best accommodation for your budget and in the right gorilla safari area.

Secure accommodation for your Uganda gorilla and game safari

A great night equals great memories while on holiday, so during the gorilla and game safari, you need to choose where to spend the Uganda safari holiday nights. Most of the Uganda safari destinations have facilities of different budgets, that is, luxury, mid-range, and budget.

For gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, accommodations to book must be closer to the area where your gorilla permit is booked. This is to avoid having to rise in the dark to drive through the rough roads and catch up with briefing in another far area.

Each Uganda game park has different varieties of accommodation where you can overnight because game drives are best enjoyed early morning and late evening.

Before entering any game park, you must prepay for the park entrance fee, which lasts about 24 hours from arrival. 

Reserve transport to the different Uganda safari destinations

When you use Encounter Africa safaris to plan your Uganda gorilla and game safari through Kigali, we also include transport in the safari package, which you are to use while navigating the different Uganda safari destinations. 

Road transport is the main form of conveyance to reach out to different destinations. You get to enjoy the beautiful features of the countryside, especially in the Kigezi area. This area has various stunning highlands and water bodies that are eye-captivating that you get to see during the ride. You need a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle because the countryside roads are rough and can get messy during the severe rainy seasons.

Air transport is available, too, for a more exclusive Uganda safari. While on Uganda safari, you can get on the daily domestic flights from the countryside like Kihihi airstrip to Entebbe airport, Entebbe airport to Bugungu or Pakuba airstrip, and others. These require you to make pre-seat bookings on the daily domestic flights, which sell out fast, especially in the peak season.

Charter flight arrangements for more luxury or private Uganda safaris are available, too. In case you wish to have high-end Uganda safaris.

 At Encounter Africa Safaris, we can assist you in putting together your transport to Uganda's gorilla and game safari destinations.

Secure the Game safari destinations.

As there is no limit to the number of visitors to the Uganda game parks, you need to prepay your park entrance fees. Park entrance fees are used to run the different activities in the parks and support the conservation of these wild animals and their habitats. The Uganda Wildlife Authority currently doesn't accept cash payments at the park gates for security reasons.

Some activities in the different Uganda game parks include game drives, launch trips, boat rides, chimpanzee trekking, scenic viewing, and others. During these activities, chances of spotting some of the big five are open. The Uganda game parks include Murchison Falls National Park astride the Victoria Nile, Queen Elizabeth National Park at the rift valley floor, Lake Mburo National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park.

These game parks are not clustered in one area, but with a well-tailored itinerary crafted by an experienced safari consultant, you can reach most destinations depending on your available holiday time.

When Is The Best Time To Book Uganda Gorilla and Game Safari

The dry season is best preferred for gorilla and game safaris in Uganda. Wildlife in the national parks is more visible when there is less humidity in the wilderness. Even the tails in the gorilla destinations are more passable, and so are the tracks in the game parks, although they are normally dusty.

The dry Uganda tourism season is normally from June, July, August, September, December, and January. During this period, competition for service providers is high because of the high demand for holiday destinations. This is why you need to book your gorilla and game safaris in advance when numerous options of service providers are still available.

 The chances of getting discounted services are high during the low season, normally the wet season that runs in March, April, May, and November. Some service providers, like accommodations and driver guides, may lower their prices to break even. If you want to travel on a budget, you may even use this season to get an upgrade if it is forwarded to you. 

 Contact Encounter Africa Safaris for more details.