8 Days: White Rhinos, Murchison Falls, Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Tree Climbing Lions

Duration:  8 Days

Highlights:  Murchison Falls National Park + Kibale Chimps National Park + Queen Elizabeth National Park + Ishasha Tree climbing Lions  + Bwindi Gorillas + Lake Bunyonyi

Itinerary:

Day 1:    Welcome to Uganda The Pearl of Africa!
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport where you will be met by Representatives from Uganda Wildlife Scene Safaris   Later you will be transferred to your place of accommodation. Relax from jet lag overnight at Cassia Lodge or  Casa Miltu Hotel or Namirembe View Guest House.

Day 2:  White Rhinos:  Depart Kampala after an early breakfast and proceed to Murchison Falls National Park. Approaching the Rhinos at Ziwa, this will be ‘already’ time to focus on the first of the BIG 5  on the list for today the white Rhinos. The short guided walk will lead you to the Rhinos, the experience and thrill of walking by the side of these animals in this impressive piece of wooded savanna, coming to take pictures from a few meters is an unforgettable experience. Later you will return to the main offices of this reserve and fill in your comments. Proceed to Masindi Hotel for your lunch, after which you will proceed to enter the Murchison Falls National Park and head on to the Top of Falls of River Nile after which you will transfer to check into your hotel dinner and overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge or  Murchison River Lodge or Pakuba Safari Lodge or Red Chilli Rest Camp.

Day 3:  After an early breakfast game drive begins at 7:00 am cross the Nile by ferry. It is with in this park that the natural beauty of the Nile is perfected. You will come across herds of elephants, giraffes, antelopes, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, waterbucks, lions, and several bird species also the unusual saddle bill storks. Be back in time for your lunch. In the afternoon take a 3 hour launch cruise to the bottom of the falls you will come across pools of hippos, be meters away from the toothsome crocodile with his jaws wide open and lots of game coming down to the Nile for the afternoon refreshing. Later get back to Lodge, Dinner and overnight  at Paraa Safari Lodge or  Murchison River Lodge or Pakuba Safari Lodge or Red Chilli Rest Camp.

Day 4:  After Breakfast prepare to leave Murchison Falls and head to Kibale National Park. The drive will take you through the magnificent views of the Blue mountains in Congo, and make a stop over at the top of the plateau to view the scenic blue stretch of Lake Albert. Proceed to Hoima and along the way make a stop over to stretch and have a cup of coffee. Continue through Kagadi and hit the asphalt at Kyenjojo town & finally reaching Fort Portal. Fort Portal is Situated in the Northern foothill of the Rwenzori Mountains, some 70kms from Kasese and 320 kms from Kampala, Fort portal is perhaps the most attractive town in Uganda amid lush rolling hillsides swathed in neat tea plantations and when clouds permitting – offering excellent views across to the glacial peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains.  But of the greatest interest to travelers is its position at the epicenter of a cluster of highly alluring and reasonable accessibility to most National Parks. Kibale National park being the closest harboring the greatest primate diversity in Africa. Other popular destinations around Fort portal include the field of several dozens of crater lakes and the forested Semliki National Park main attraction being the hot springs and home to the people of the pigmy tribe.
Arrive and check in , dinner and overnight Mountains of the Moon Hotel or The Dutchess or  Rwenzori View Guest House or Travellers Inn.

Day 5:  Chimp Tracking:  After morning Breakfast, head to the park headquarters arrive at 8:00am. Get the introduction from the park warden join the group and begin your adventure to meet our closest relatives the “Chimpanzees” Tracking will start and last for 3-4 hrs along the trails you will come across other primates like Black and white Colubus, Grey cheecked Mangabeys, Bird life and Plant life is abundant here. Later return and proceed to have lunch. After lunch we will transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park,  arrive in time to go for  the evening boat cruise on the Famous Kazinga Channel which connects Lake George to Lake Edward. The cruise on the water will last 2 hrs return by 7:00pm and return to your lodge refresh, meal plans dinner, campfire and overnight at  Mweya Safari Lodge  or Katara Lodge  or  Bush lodge  or Uganda Wildlife Authority Accommodation.

Day 6:  After an early breakfast departure for the early morning game drive to be in time to see the big cats in action breakfast enroute as the game drive will now continue to the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha, famous for the last African breed of the tree climbing lions.  Spot a place then we shall stop for a picnic lunch. Later proceed with the game drive as we exit Queen Elizabeth National park and  head to Bwindi Impenetrable National park. Arrive by early evening check in at the Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge  or Gorilla Mist Lodge or Bakiga Lodge or Ruhija Community Rest Camp.

Please Note: Accommodation for this day will be confirmed after we have purchased the Gorilla Permits.

Day 7:   Tracking the mountain gorillas:      After an early breakfast you will head to the park headquarters and get the briefing from the chief park warden get into your groups and later its on to your adventure to meet these thrilling gentle giants of Bwindi National Park. Tracking time varies according to the movements of these giants it could take from 30 mins to 5hrs so we highly recommend that you are in a good physical condition to track these gorillas. There are porters at the briefing point and if you need one to carry your equipment please do inform the warden and one will be readily available at a fee of $20 USD. After tracking you will get back to the camp and relieve those special moments with the group. Dinner and Overnight at Bird’s Nest or  Arcadia cottages or Overland Resort.

Day 8: After breakfast, we will prepare to leave this part of the world and head back to Entebbe. Stop by the Equator for lunch enroute and do your souvenir shopping. Transfer to Entebbe Airport. This will mark the End of our Safari.