11 Days Uganda Bird Safaris
Under this safari, you will be in position to ascertain that Uganda is a land of contrasts where by in half a day you can drive from mist-shrouded volcanic mountains to hot hazy savannah, dappled with wildlife. Serene undulating hills of tea plantations, lush but ordered, give way to tangled jungle and rainforest that will leave you totally mesmerized. Below is the proposed itinerary for this safari;
Day 1: Pick up from Entebbe airport
On arrival at Entebbe Airport you will be met by your guide and depending on your time of arrival, if it is early enough you will have a chance to tour Entebbe botanical Gardens and be able to view both orange and Golden-backed Weavers, Pied Hornbill, Ross’s Tura co, Snowy-headed Robin-chat, Great Blue Turaco, Yellow-throated Leaf love, Gymnogene. Then proceed to Lake Victoria Hotel for dinner and supper. Meals are on BB
Day 2: Drive to Lake Bunyonyi
Wake up very early in the morning and have your breakfast and then embark on the long drive in the western region of Uganda to Lake Bunyonyi which is famously referred to as “Place of many little birds”. We shall have a stop at Lake Mburo area in a hope of viewing some rare bird species specifically in the surrounding acacia woodlands. Since it is a long journey we shall reach in the evening and check in at Arcadia Cottages/Bunyonyi Overland Camp for dinner and overnight.Meal here are on F/B basis.
Day 3: Relocate to Bwindi forest
Wake up very early in the morning and embark on the long drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth NP known as Ishasha having lunch at Ishasha River. Move into Gorilla Resort [mid range] or Buhoma Community Bandas [budget].Meals are on FB.
Day 4: Gorilla tracking
After a morning heavy breakfast and with packed lunch you will transfer to the park offices for briefing and then later on at 9:00 am commence the gorilla trek along the tracks in the thick forest searching for these great apes. Depending on the movement of these humble giants the trek might take between 2-9 hours before you encounter the Gorillas. Though the walk is tiresome meeting these great apes and spending some time with them while looking deep into their expressive brown eyes, is an exhilarating and heartbreaking wildlife encounter that Africa has to offer. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP
After break fast, drive from Murchison Falls NP heading Southwest via the Albertine Escarpment of the great Western Rift Valley. Drive through Hoima and reach the colorful and beautiful town of Fort Portal, the capital of the Toro kingdom, situated in the shadow of the fabled “Mountains of the Moon,” the Rwenzori. Have lunch at Mountains of the Moon Hotel in Fort Portal or similar. We will then continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park arriving in time for dinner and Overnight at Mweya safari Lodge/Institute of Ecology (FB)
DAY 6: Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth NP
Rise up very early in the morning before 7 am and have breakfast and then move into the park for game drive. This early morning drive will enable you to catch a glimpse of some animals returning to their dens from their night preys. Such animals will include the big five [elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes], hyenas, warthogs, alibi, silver buck etc.Move to the hotel for lunch and refreshments. In the evening go for boat cruise along the Kazinga channel which connects lakes George and Edward and then afterwards return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.Meal are F/B.
DAY 7: Drive to Kibale NP
Wake up very early in the morning and have breakfast, then coupled with packed lunch head to Kibale forest on the outskirts of western Uganda. Since it’s a days long journey, you will reach there in the evening and then check in at mountain view hotel for dinner and night. Meals are on F/B.
DAY 8: Chimpanzee Tracking-Day
Rise up very early in the morning and have breakfast and together with packed lunch proceed to the forest for chimpanzee tracking. Reach there in time for general briefing and allocation of groups and forest rangers. Then after wards head to the forest for the actual primates tracking beginning from where they were the previous day until you get to them. You will find them feeding their young ones, playing on the tree branches and others relaxing. You will be able to take their photos after switching off your flash. Chimpanzee tracking takes between 2-4 hours. Return to the hotel for lunch and relaxation. In the evening go for the village tours and also pay a visit to the crater lakes and then return for dinner and overnight at your hotel.
DAY 9: Drive to Murchison Falls NP
Wake up very early in the morning for breakfast and have packed lunch to start the long journey to Murchison falls national park in the north western part of Uganda reaching in the evening and check in for dinner and overnight at paraa safari lodge. Meals are on F/B basis.
DAY 10: Game drive day
Rise up very early in the morning before 7 am and have breakfast and then move into the park for game drive. This early morning drive will enable you to catch a glimpse of some animals returning to their dens from their night preys. Such animals will include the big five [elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes], hyenas, warthogs, alibi, silver buck etc.Move to the hotel for lunch and refreshments. In the evening go for boat cruise and hike to the falls and then afterwards return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Meal are F/B
Day 11: Drive back to Kampala
Wake up not so early in the morning and have a relaxed breakfast. Then embark on your journey back to Kampala branching off at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and wildlife ranch Nakasongola district the proud home of the only wild rhinos in Uganda for rhino trekking, bird watching, nature walks and relaxation and then drive to Kampala and that marks the end of the safari.
This safari includes;
- Gorilla tracking permits
- Chimpanzee tracking permits
- Ground transport in a comfortable 4WD safari van equipped for game viewing, photography and touring
- Meals and accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Full time English speaking professional driver/guide
- All tour activities as detailed in the itinerary
- Bottled water while on safari
- Airport transfers.
But it excludes;
- Items of personal nature like Laundry, Beers, tipping of staffs at the lodges, cigarettes etc.
