The Majestic Mountain Gorillas
Overview
We love to share the knowledge of our featured destinations and to showcase the best of the region’s wildlife, landscapes, activities, people, culture and history. Click on the icons below to learn more about this self-drive safari:
Expedition Map
Itinerary
-
Meet your Drive Into The Wild team at your Entebbe hotel. After completing our Arrival In Country procedures, we depart for Murchison Falls National Park.
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest National Park. Bisected by the Victoria Nile River, Murchison Falls National Park is where Ernest Hemingway's aircraft crashed in 1954 whilst on a sightseeing trip. The park is also the location where the 1951 Oscar nominated movie 'The African Queen', starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, was filmed. The park is home to an abundance of wildlife and the famous Murchison Falls, known locally as Kabalega or Kabarega Falls.
Upon arrival at Murchison Falls National Park, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.
Driving Time: 4:30 hours.
Meals: Dinner included, breakfast and lunch at own arrangement.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Nile Safari Lodge
DELUXE: Paraa Safari Lodge
STANDARD: Murchison River Lodge
OUR TENTED CAMP: Available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities, or explore Murchison Falls National Park. Activities include game drives, boat cruises, bird watching, and hiking to the top of the falls.
Murchison Falls National Park is home to a range of wildlife including lion, leopard, hyena, elephant, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, hartebeest, chimpanzee and over 460 bird species. An alternative activity, is a scenic boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile River thunders its way through a 6 meter gap forming a 45 meter high waterfall, before flowing into Lake Albert. The boat ride typically last for 3 - 4 hours and stops very close to the 'devil's cauldron', an ideal spot to take pictures of the majestic falls.
All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.
Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity in Murchison Falls National Park).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Nile Safari Lodge
DELUXE: Paraa Safari Lodge
STANDARD: Murchison River Lodge
OUR TENTED CAMP: Available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart for Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve.
Among one of the first protected areas to be gazetted in Uganda, Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve was established as a game reserve in 1926. Situated between Lake Albert and the Rwenzori mountains, and boasting spectacular views of the Rift Valley escarpment, this magnificent wildlife reserve offers diverse landscapes comprised of woodland and savannah grasslands.
Upon arrival in Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.
Driving Time: 5:30 hours.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Semliki Safari Lodge
DELUXE: Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge
STANDARD: Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge
OUR TENTED CAMP: Not available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities, or explore Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve. Activities include game drives, primate walks, nature walks and boat rides.
Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve is home to elephant (both savannah and forest), buffalo, hippo, Uganda kob, warthog, and waterbuck amongst others. Living in the woodlands are primates including chimps, baboons, and colobus monkeys. Birders will enjoy discovering Toro Semliki as there are in excess of 400 bird species present in the wildlife reserve, including falcon, barbet, hornbill and the shoebill, which typically can be spotted in the marshes of Lake Albert.
All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.
Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity in Semliki Wildlife Reserve).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Semliki Safari Lodge
DELUXE: Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge
STANDARD: Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge
OUR TENTED CAMP: Not available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart for Kibale National Park.
Kibale National Park is one of Africa's greatest rainforest reserves, famous for its variety of primates and bird populations. Located in one of Africa’s most breath-taking landscapes that forms the Albertine Western Rift Valley, the national park contains one of the most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. Forest cover, interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp, dominates the northern and central parts of the park on an elevated plateau.
Upon arrival in Kibale National Park, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.
Driving Time: 1:30 hours.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Ndali Lodge
DELUXE: Primate Lodge
STANDARD: Turaco Treetops
OUR TENTED CAMP: Available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities or explore Kibale National Park. Activities include chimpanzee tracking, primate walk, or a visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Transfer to the park headquarters for chimpanzee tracking. Home to 13 primate species, Kibale Forest contains one of Africa's largest concentrations of primates, including chimpanzees, colobus and vervet monkeys, and over 320 species of birds. Kibale’s most popular activity is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk, where 13 species of primates can be found. Kanyanchu’s chimps have been tracked since 1993 and the chances of locating them are excellent. Guided walks start at 8am and 2pm and typically last an average of 3 hours.
All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.
Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Ndali Lodge
DELUXE: Primate Lodge
STANDARD: Turaco Treetops
OUR TENTED CAMP: Available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park.
As Uganda's second largest and most popular savannah parks, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the best place to see lions in the country. The park has one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game park in Africa. Its ecosystems, which includes lakes and wetlands, sprawling savanna and forests, make it the ideal habitat for lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, 10 primate species including chimpanzees, and over 600 species of birds.
Upon arrival at Queen Elizabeth National Park, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.
Driving Time: 2:00 hours.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Elephant Plains
DELUXE: Mweya Safari Lodge
STANDARD: Buffalo Safari Lodge
OUR TENTED CAMP: Available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities, or explore Queen Elizabeth National Park. Activities include game drives, boat cruises and bird watching.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to the Ishasha sector’s famous tree climbing lions, where when your guide shouts ‘lion’, you should definitely look up! It is also possible to see leopard, elephant, buffalo, jackal and various antelope species. Whilst on a Kazinga Channel boat cruise it is possible to spot elephant, hippo, buffalo, crocodile and water birds, along with storks, caimans, monitor lizards, fish eagles and weaver birds on a Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.
Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Elephant Plains
DELUXE: Mweya Safari Lodge
STANDARD: Buffalo Safari Lodge
OUR TENTED CAMP: Available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Declared a UNESCO’s world heritage site in 1994, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to one of Uganda's oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, protecting roughly half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, with 23 habituated groups for tourists to visit. The park also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including elephants, antelopes and primates such as chimps and baboons. Bwindi offers some of the finest montane forest birding in Africa, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
Upon arrival in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.
Driving Time: 2:30 hours.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Gorilla Forest Lodge
DELUXE: Silverback Lodge
STANDARD: Mahogany Springs
OUR TENTED CAMP: Not available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities, or go mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Mountain Gorilla tracking starts with a briefing at 8am at the park headquarters. After the briefing you depart with the guide and rangers to find the mountain gorillas. The time spent tracking gorillas in Uganda depends and varies from half an hour to eight hours depending on the gorilla movements. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants is a fascinating and very rewarding experience. Once the gorilla families have been found, your visit with these great apes lasts for one magical hour.
All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.
Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Gorilla Forest Lodge
DELUXE: Silverback Lodge
STANDARD: Mahogany Springs
OUR TENTED CAMP: Not available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart for Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Volcanoes National Park is the name given to the Rwandan side of the Virunga Massif, which also encompasses Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the DRC. According to the most recent census, the population of mountain gorillas has increased from 480 to 604 individuals in the Virunga Massif, and from 400 to 459 in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Rwanda has embarked on an ambitious project to expand Volcanoes National Park by roughly 23%, increasing its size by 37.4 square kilometers (3,740 hectares).
Upon arrival in Volcanoes National Park, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.
Driving Time: 5:00 hours + 1 hour border crossing.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Wilderness Sabyinyo
DELUXE: Virunga Inn Resort & Spa
STANDARD: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
OUR TENTED CAMP: Not available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities, or go mountain gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park.
Mountain gorilla tracking starts with a transfer to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing by park staff, before meeting the rangers who will guide you to your assigned mountain gorilla family. Gorilla tracking does not present a serious physical challenge to a reasonably fit adult, regardless of age, although the altitude and terrain can sometimes be demanding. Gorilla tracking can take from 2 to 6 hours, with the guides stopping frequently for people to rest.
All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure, or take an optional tour of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Wilderness Sabyinyo
DELUXE: Virunga Inn Resort & Spa
STANDARD: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
OUR TENTED CAMP: Not available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart for Akagera National Park.
The largest protected wetland in Central Africa, Akagera is the only place to spot the Big Five in Rwanda. The park’s savannah and woodlands are dominated by a labyrinth of swamps and lakes that follow the meandering course of the Akagera River. Since 2010, African Parks has managed Akagera in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), transforming the park into a thriving ecosystem for African wildlife with over 13,000 animals living there.
Upon arrival at Akagera National Park, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.
Driving Time: 5:00 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Wilderness Magashi
DELUXE: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
STANDARD: Akagera Game Lodge
OUR TENTED CAMP: Available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
Today, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities, or explore Akagera National Park. Activities include day and night game drives, boat trips, hot air balloon safaris, and conservation initiatives.
Akagera National Park is home to elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard, hippo, antelope, zebra, giraffe, baboons, monkeys, and the continent's largest concentration of waterbirds, including the papyrus gonolek and shoebill stork. By practically eliminating poaching, wildlife populations in Akagera have risen by almost 50%, with no losses of key species since 2010. Lions were reintroduced in 2015, followed by black rhinos in 2017 and white rhinos in 2021. Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Ihema and keep a lookout for more than 482 documented bird species.
All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.
Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Accommodations:
PREMIUM: Wilderness Magashi
DELUXE: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
STANDARD: Akagera Game Lodge
OUR TENTED CAMP: Available
When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices. In the meantime, have a look at a sample of our popular accommodations.
-
After breakfast, pack your vehicle and depart for Kigali International Airport, for your onward travel arrangements.
Alternatively, consider extending this trip by adding one of our Extension Ideas (enquire for details) to this program.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner at own arrangement.
Be Inspired
Click on text links above to watch the videos
in full screen mode
Your Team
We specialise in designing one-of-a-kind self-drive safari adventures, taking great pride in our ability to plan and execute every trip to perfection. We offer two types of expeditions for customers to choose from:
Escorted are group trips led by our founders, Richard and Kristin, supported by their on-the-ground expedition crews and travel specialists located in our regional offices in Kigali, Kampala and Nairobi.
Un-escorted are led by you, supported remotely by our regional office teams. We plan an itinerary especially for you, make all accommodation bookings, and create a mapped out route for you to follow.
Accommodations
We offer the choice of Premium, Deluxe and Standard accommodations, in addition to Drive Into The Wild’s very own mobile Tented Camps across East Africa.
When choosing accommodations, we can suggest a wide range of properties where you can stay. Let’s arrange a call so we can discuss the suitable hotels, lodges and camps with you.
A sample of our popular accommodations:
Driving
Due to the distances we travel whilst on a self-drive safari, long driving days will sometimes be required in order to explore off-the-beaten track destinations.
We spend a minimum of 2 nights in each destination, which gives our customers time to relax and recuperate, enjoy the property facilities, participate in activities and prepare for the next driving day.
On the days where long drives are required, we leave at 8am in the morning, drive for 2 - 3 hours, stop for a 2 hour lunch-break, and continue for another 2 - 3 hours in the afternoon before reaching our destination.
Prices & Dates
The price of your self-drive safari is calculated by your choice of vehicle, the travel dates (high vs. low season), number of participants and accommodations.
Your travel dates are determined by the type of self-drive safari you select. You can choose between escorted or un-escorted, as listed below:
Escorted:
Next available scheduled trip:
19 JULY - 02 AUGUST, 2025
Contact us for additional dates in 2025
Un-Escorted:
When do you want to travel?
We will plan a travel itinerary especially for you.
travel notes
-
Kenya Climate
Kenya is generally warm all year round, with temperature fluctuations mainly determined by altitude. One of the most popular times to visit Kenya is from July to September, which coincides with the Great Migration. A good time to see baby animals and migratory bird species is typically from December to February.
The approximate seasons are January to March, short dry season; April to June, long wet season; July to October, long dry season and November to December, short wet season. During rainy seasons there are fewer tourists, and the landscape is strikingly green and lush.
Language & Currency
Kiswahili and English are the official languages of Kenya. Kiswahili is spoken by most Kenyans, with English fluency varying outside of major towns and cities. There are over 65 languages spoken throughout Kenya, which mainly belong to the various Bantu and Nilotic tribal populations.
The local currency is the Kenyan shilling, which divides into 100 cents. US dollars are often accepted; local currency is best for tipping and small purchases. Hotels in tourist areas generally accept credit cards; however, surcharges are commonplace. Remote lodges often accept cash only. When making payments in US dollars, many businesses only accept notes that are dated 2013, or newer. Access to cash machines is available in most major towns, and exchanging currency can be done in banks and foreign exchange bureaus.
Health
At least 6-8 weeks before departure, please visit your local health care provider or travel clinic for any vaccination requirements and to discuss any other potential health risks, such as malaria (where applicable). All travellers should ensure they have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place.
Visas
All foreign nationals will require a Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) for entry to Kenya. Please check with your local Kenyan Embassy or our travel team for further information. ETAs can not be obtained, on arrival, at any port of entry.
The Kenyan government has introduced an online eTA application system for issuing eTAs in advance of travel. Travellers should carry a printed copy of their eTA to present to immigration officials.
-
Rwanda Climate
Rwanda has a year-round tropical highland climate. Temperatures vary by location and altitude, with little variation throughout the year. Rain is commonplace in Rwanda. The driest months are June to mid-September and the wettest from mid-February to May and mid-September to mid-December.
The dry season sees cloud cover and light rainfall. Roads and paths tend to be easier to navigate during this period.
Language & Currency
The official languages of Rwanda are Kinyarwanda, French, English and Swahili. Generally all Rwandans speak Kinyarwanda. French, English and Swahili is widely spoken in tourist areas, with varying degrees of fluency.
The local currency is the Rwandan franc, which divides into 100 centimes. US dollars are widely accepted; local currency is best for tipping and small purchases. Very few places accept credit cards outside of the major hotels in Kigali.
Access to cash machines is available in most major towns, and exchanging currency can be done in banks and foreign exchange bureaus.
Health
At least 6-8 weeks before departure, please visit your local health care provider or travel clinic for any vaccination requirements and to discuss any other potential health risks, such as malaria (where applicable). All travellers should ensure they have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place.
Visas
All foreign nationals require a visa for entry to Rwanda. Please check with your local Rwandan Embassy or our travel team for further information. Tourist visas can be obtained, on arrival, for all travellers at all ports of entry. Visitors from the African Union, the Commonwealth of Nations and Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie are waived visa fees for visits up to 30 days.
For travellers of other nationalities, a visa fee is payable. The Rwandan government has introduced an online ‘e-visa’ application system for obtaining tourist visas in advance of travel. Travellers who choose to arrange their visa prior to arrival should carry a printed copy of their visa to present to immigration officials.
-
Tanzania Climate
Tanzania is a year-round destination with the weather varying by location, altitude and season. Picking the 'best time' will depend on your interests, where you are travelling to and for what purpose. Visiting the Serengeti is popular in June and July to see migrating wildebeest and in January and February to see calving.
The approximate seasons are January to February, short dry season; March to May, long wet season; June to October, long dry season and November to December, short wet season. During the rainy seasons, the landscape is lush and green with fewer tourists around.
Language & Currency
Kiswahili and English are the official languages of Tanzania. Kiswahili is spoken by most Tanzanians and Zanzibaris, with English fluency varying outside of major towns and tourist areas. In Zanzibar, many residents also speak Arabic. There are 126 languages spoken throughout Tanzania, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in East Africa.
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling, which divides into 100 senti. US dollars are widely accepted; local currency is best for tipping and small purchases. Larger hotels in tourist areas may accept credit cards; however, surcharges are commonplace. Do not rely on using credit cards other than as a backup. Remote lodges often accept cash only. Access to cash machines is limited outside of major towns and cities. Exchanging currency can be done in banks and foreign exchange bureaus.
Health
At least 6-8 weeks before departure, please visit your local health care provider or travel clinic for any vaccination requirements and to discuss any other potential health risks, such as malaria (where applicable). All travellers should ensure they have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place.
Visas
Most foreign nationals will require a visa for entry to Tanzania. Please check with your local Tanzanian Embassy or our travel team for further information. Tourist visit visas can often be obtained, on arrival, at most ports of entry.
The Tanzanian government has introduced an online 'e-visa' application system for obtaining visas in advance of travel. Travellers who require a visa prior to arrival should carry a printed copy of their visa to present to immigration officials.
-
Uganda Climate
Uganda is tropically warm all year round, with temperature fluctuations mainly determined by altitude and the presence of lakes. Rain showers are commonplace, with the dry seasons being December to March and June to August. In the south, April is the rainiest month, and the rains can stretch into May.
Although the dry months are more popular for gorilla trekking and birding, you might see more during the wetter months as this is the peak breeding season for wildlife.
Language & Currency
English and Kiswahili are the official languages of Uganda. There are over 40 languages spoken throughout Uganda, with Luganda being the most geographically spread language.
The local currency is the Ugandan shilling. US dollars are widely accepted; local currency is best for tipping and small purchases. Larger hotels in tourist areas may accept credit cards; however, surcharges are commonplace. Access to cash machines is available in most towns, and exchanging currency can be done in banks and foreign exchange bureaus.
Health
At least 6-8 weeks before departure, please visit your local health care provider or travel clinic for any vaccination requirements and to discuss any other potential health risks, such as malaria (where applicable). All travellers should ensure they have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place.
Visas
Most foreign nationals require a visa for entry to Uganda. Tourist visas can no longer be obtained, on arrival, at any port of entry.
The Ugandan government has introduced an online e-visa application system for obtaining tourist visas in advance of travel. Travellers should carry a printed copy of their visa to present to immigration officials.
Plan your Expedition
Are you ready to start planning your self-drive safari adventure? Would you like our team to start working on a suggested expedition itinerary for you?
To provide excellent customer support is always our top priority at Drive Into The Wild. There are to options to get in touch with us:
Complete the Introductory Call form
As part of this option we offer both telephone and video appointments, which can be scheduled at a time to suit you, all from the comfort of your home or office.
Complete the Enquiry form
Whilst completing this form you will be required to answer questions, which will provide us with the required information to start working on your itinerary.