12 Day Ultimate Uganda safari
This kind of safari starts from Entebbe, visiting the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest) or Rwanda, plus Chimpanzee trekking in the forests of Kibale or Chamburu Gorge, visiting the orphaned chimps on Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary. The itinerary is as below;
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 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. Branch off to 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.Then proceed to Murchison falls national park for dinner and over night at paraa safari lodge. Meals here are based on F/B
DAY 3: 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 4: Kaniyo-Pabindi tour.
Still in Murchison Falls NP, we shall have to explore the southern part of this park .On this part is where we shall come in contact with Budongo forest which harbors a multitude of flora and fauna. It also has chimpanzee that can be viewed at will. From here we shall proceed to Kaniyo-Pabindi ecotourist site. At this time it will be already evening and time to retire to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: 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 6: Chimpanzee Tracking-Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP
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. Then from here you head on the long journey to Queen Elizabeth national park. Have a stop over at the Uganda Equator for photos and relaxation then after wards embark on the journey to the park reaching late in the evening for dinner and night at Mweya safari lodge. Meals here are on F/B basis.
Day 7: 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 8: 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. Meals are F/B.
Day 9: 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 10: 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 11: Drive to Entebbe
Wake up very early in the morning and have your breakfast. Then afterwards drive to Entebbe through Kampala markets and stalls. Since it is a day’s long journey we shall get into Kampala in the evening very exhausted and tired for dinner and overnight at Lake Victoria Hotel. Meals here are on BB.
Day 12: Last day of safari
Wake up very early in the morning and have your breakfast then proceed to Ngamba Island. This is also the home of chimpanzee sanctuary excursion. You will be in position to view both resident and migrating rare bird species which include; shoebill, marabou stalk, pelicans, hornbill. Return to the hotel for lunch and this will mark 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.
