This Uganda safari explores Uganda’s iconic safari parks, covering big game viewing in the lush savannas of Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Primate tracking adventures in Kibale Forest National Park, mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – home to 459 mountain gorillas. Visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for golden monkey tracking as well as the scenic Lake Bunyonyi one of the deepest lakes in Africa.
This safari will take you to several amazing magical sites.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Visit to the mighty Murchison falls
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park
- Guided nature walk at Bigodi Wetland
- Game drives and Boat cruises
- Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National park
- Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi
BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival / Transfer to Hotel
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park / Ziwa Rhino sanctuary visit
Day 3: Game drive & boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park / Top of the falls visit
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale and guided nature walk in Bigodi Wetland
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7: Game drive and Boat ride on Kazinga Chanel
Day 8: Game drive in Ishasha sector and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 9: Gorilla trekking / optional: Batwa community walk
Day 10: Golden monkey tracking / Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 11: Boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi / visit local communities / Relaxation
Day 12: Return to Kampala / Entebbe / Kigali Rwanda – Departure
DETAILED ITINERARY:
Day 1:Arrive Entebbe
Arrive at Entebbe Airport. Meet and greet by your driver/Guide. Transfer to your Hotel in Entebbe – BB (+/- 15 minutes)
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison falls National Park
Depart early morning for Murchison falls National Park – Uganda’s largest National Park (+/- 7hrs), and home to the mighty Murchison falls. Have a stop over enroute to visit the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, and enjoy Rhino tracking. Have Lunch enroute before continuing to the park. Transfer to your lodge (FB)
Day 3: Game drive / Boat cruise @ bottom of the falls / Visit to top of the falls
Morning game drive with opportunities to view the big five & other wildlife including lions, leopards, buffaloes and elephants, Reedbucks, Rothschild giraffes, warthogs, Oribis, Topis, Kobs and many others. The park is also home to Nile crocodiles, Monitor lizards and several snake species.
After lunch, take a Boat ride at the bottom of the falls The ride on the Nile also provides sights of Nile crocodiles, Hippos, waterbucks as well as several bird species.
Later, hike or drive to the Top of the Murchison falls, and see the massive Murchison falls forces through a 7 meters’ gorge and falls into the Devils’ Cauldron, creating a spectacular rainbow.
Later, transfer to your lodge (FB)
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Depart Murchison falls National Park for the Primate Capital of the World-Kibale Forest National Park
(+/- 8hrs). Pass through the stunning Albertine Escarpment within the western arm of the East African Rift Valley with endless views of the Countryside, mountains of the Moon and Lake Albert among others. Lunch enroute and arrive the Park in the evening. Transfer to your lodge (FB)
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking & guided nature walk in Bigodi wetland
Transfer to park HQ for a pre tracking briefing before you start your trek in search of the Chimpanzees. The forest is also home to other primate species including grey-cheeked mangabeys, L’Hoest monkeys, red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, bushbabies, black and white colobus monkeys, birds as well as flora & fauna.
Spend 1 hour with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat as they feed, play, take care of their young and groom.
Later, visit Bigodi Wetland for a guided nature walk with mammals like Sitatunga & Duikers, primates & birds including the Great Blue Turaco. The walk will also take you through the local homesteads.
After, return to your lodge (FB)
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountains and rift valley along the way.
After lunch, take an afternoon game drive in search of big game, as park is home elephants, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, warthogs, and waterbucks among others.
After, Transfer to your lodge (FB)
Day 7: Morning game drive and Boat cruise
Depart for an early morning game drive through some of the wildlife-rich areas. Wildlife includes Kobs, warthogs, buffaloes, bushbucks, elephants, Topis, Common elands and Defassa waterbucks among others.
Later, take an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, and expect to see crocodiles, Hippos, elephants, buffaloes, Kobs and Topis drinking from the banks of the Channel. Also Several species of birds, the commonest being the pelicans, African fish eagles, Kingfishers and sometimes shoebill storks call this home.
Return to the Lodge. (FB)
Day 8: Ishasha game drive / Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
After breakfast, transfer through the Park through Ishasha sector famed for the tree-climbing lions. Game drive before transferring to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Home of the Endangered mountain Gorillas.
Transfer to your lodge.(FB)
Day 9: Gorilla trekking experience / Optional: Batwa Trail
After Early breakfast, proceed to the park hq for briefing on rules and safety measures to be observed during the trekking activity. Then depart for your Gorilla trekking experience.
The gorilla trek can take anything from few minutes to several hours depending on where they nested the previous night. Gorillas are amazing creatures, with so much energy yet gentle therefore commonly known as the gentle giants of Bwindi. Once you locate the gorillas with help of your guide and trackers, you are allowed to stay with them for only one hour – take pictures and learn more about their habits.
Gorilla Trekking is unpredictable, and physical fitness is required for this adventure.
After trekking, return to the lodge.(FB)
*Optional: Batwa visit:
If time allows, take an evening walk to the Batwa community to enjoy cultural & music performances as well as ancient culture demonstrations. Later, return to your lodge.(FB)
Day 10: Golden monkey tracking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, report to Ntebeko park center for briefing before you start your golden monkey tracking experience. Then start your search for golden monkeys taking you about 2-4 hours inclusive of an hour of the magical encounter.
Later, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi (Place of Little birds in the local language) a magical lake with 29 islands widely dotted on it. This lake is well-known for variety of little birds and also ranked as second deepest in Africa.
Transfer to your lodge (FB)
Day 11: Boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi / visit local communities / Relaxation
This day, embark on a boat ride to one of the islands while spotting birds and enjoying the beautiful scenic views. Optional activities include Island hopping, swimming, canoeing etc.
Transfer to your lodge (FB)
Day 12: Return to Kampala
After breakfast, transfer to your next destination / departure. (Breakfast only)
– Drive time to Entebbe Uganda (+/- 9-11hrs)
– Drive time to Kigali Rwanda (+/- 4hrs)
– Flight time to Entebbe Uganda (09:10 – 11:25) – Timings are subject to change.
END OF SAFARI
