15 days – 14 nights  Uganda Safari

Highlights: Uganda Safari:  Murchison Falls National Park + Kibale Chimps National Park + Queen Elizabeth National Park + Bwindi Gorillas , Lake Bunyonyi + Lake Mburo National Park + Source of the River Nile

Duration:  15 days – 14 nights

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 transfer to your place of accommodation relax from Jet lag overnight at: Cassia Lodge or Lepetit Village or Casa Miltu Hotel or Namirembe View Guest House

Day 2: Murchison Falls National Park : After an early breakfast depart for Murchison Falls National Park, along the way you will come across lots of activities going on as children walk along the sides of the roads to and from school, men pushing their loaded bicycles, women  meticulously preparing their piles of fruit and vegetables to set up their colourful markets. This then would be the beginning of making your colourful pictures! Along to the town of Masindi, here you’ll be totally immersed in the villages, in which when the night sets in, nobody knows what happens … But by day, you’ll enjoy the colours and its wonderful landscapes.

Approaching the Rhinos at Ziwa, this will be ‘already’ time to focus on the first animal on the list for today the Rhinos. The guided short 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 Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge or Red Chilli Rest Camp. 

Murchison Falls National Park:

Introduction: This is the biggest national park in Uganda with an area of 3840sqkm.The River Nile divides the park into North and South sectors and forms a Falls where it flows over the western rift valley escarpment. At the top of falls the river is forced through a seven meter gap in the rocks and cascades into a boiling pot 43 metres below.

Attractions: Murchison Falls itself where the 87 metre wide River Nile is forced through a 7 metre clift in the rocks dropping to more than 43 metres below with a thundering roar and a beautiful rainbow. Historical sites are responsible for much of the park’s appeal, it’s beauty and name.

The 3hrs a boat cruise to the bottom of the River Nile falls will stop you at the foot of a trail which leads you through dense forest to a natural viewing platform of boulders ( Optiona activity). Along this 17 km Nile stretch you should view: elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, hippos, waterbucks, several antelope species, a lot of birdlife and the tooth some Nile crocodile.

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 Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River 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 at  Papaya Crater Lodge or Ndali Lodge or Mountains of the Moon Hotel or Dutchess or Traveller’s Inn Fortportal

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 at one of the homestays in Bigodi. An effort to promote eco tourism and include to raise  community awareness for the appreciation and conserving nature. Later after your traditional lunch there are options of activities;  You can decide to take a nature walk through the bigodi bird life is abundant and also home to the Great Blue Turacoo or you can decide to take a village walk through visiting primary schools and ending up with a visit to the interesting village native doctors. Later return and file your comments after which you will transfer back to your hotel. Refresh and relax, meal plans dinner and overnight at  Papaya Crater Lodge or Ndali Lodge or Mountains of the Moon Hotel or Dutchess or Traveller’s Inn Fortportal

Day 6:   Breakfast at leisure prepare to proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, via Kasese towns and the magnificent Rwenzori Mountains of the moon in the back drop of the view along your transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.  Game drive enroute arrive by lunch time and check in to the  Refresh have your lunch orders taken relax. After lunch you can relax by the poolside as we wait for the sun to down so that you can make your evening game drive. At 4:30sh start your game drive which will bring you back by 7:00pm refresh  meal plans dinner campfire and overnight. Mweya Safari Lodge or Katara Lodge or Engazi Lodge or Bush Lodge or Uganda Wildlife Authority Accommodation.

Day 7:  After a warm wake up coffee at 6:15am at 6:30am start your early morning game drive to be in time to see the big cats in action. Game drive lasts for 3-4 hrs get back for breakfast relax and lunch. At 2:45pm Take the 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 5:00pm embark on the evening game drive which will bring you back to the hotel by 7:00pm. Refresh, meal plans dinner, campfire and overnight at  Mweya Safari Lodge or Katara Lodge or Engazi Lodge or Bush Lodge or Uganda Wildlife Authority Accommodation.

Day 8:  After breakfast departure to the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha, famous for the last African breed of the tree climbing lions. Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch. Relax. At 15:30 go for a game drive in the park in search of these fascinating felines, forest elephants and several species of antelope are present. Return for dinner and overnight at the Ishasha Jungle Lodge or Savannah Resort or Kashunju Guest House.

Day 9: To Bwindi Gorillas National Park: This morning, or you can make a second game drive in the beautiful “Ishasha sector” and then after lunch transfer to Bwindi.r (if satisfied with the game drives the previous day) settle down after breakfast and calmly drive to Bwindi. Arrive in time for lunch as you check in to the Engagi Lodge of Buhoma Community Bandas relax. After lunch you can take an interesting and informative guided walk in the village, the discovery of many typical situations (traditional doctors, local production of beer and distilled alcohol, visit the local school and the community of ‘pygmies, etc…) Later return for your Dinner and overnight fter breakfast begin your drive driving through the Southern Sector of Queen Elizabeth “Ishasha sector” famous for the tree climbing lions. Spot a place to have lunch later proceed to arrive at Buhoma. check in at Engagi lodge or  Haven Lodge or Buhoma Community Rest Camp.

Please Note: That the accommodation of this day depends on the Gorilla Family to be visited the next day which can only be confirmed as soon as we purchase the Gorilla Permits.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:Introduction : It is the richest forest in Uganda in terms of number of plant species. Also home to half of the population of the critically endangered mountain Gorillas in the world.Gazetted in 1991 with an area of 331sq km, 514km away from the capital Kampala covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro and Kabale districts in south western Ugandan districts.

Attractions :This is the richest forest in Uganda with a number of plant species, as the area is one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa where lowland and montane communities emerge.The valley bottoms contain a dense ground cover of herbs, vines, shrubs, with only a few trees hence it’s name ” The Impenetrable Forest” This is one of the richest faunal communities in East Africa. There exists half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi forest. There are also several endangered species of birds within limited ranges.

Gorilla tracking begun on 1st April 1993. It is advisable to make your booking for gorilla tracking +3 Months with us in advance. Atleast a few months before your intended date of visit. It commonly rains in this area. Come with a rain gear, a good pair of hiking boots, gloves and elastic bandage in case of sprains.

Day 10: 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 Engagi lodge or  Haven Lodge or Buhoma Community Rest Camp.

Day 11:  After breakfast we will proceed to Lake Bunyonyi

Introduction:  Lake Bunyonyi  As its serpentine shape might suggest, is essentially a flooded valley system, extending Northwards from the Rwanda border over a distance of 25kms through the contours of the steep hills that separate Kabale and Kisoro. It is thought to have formed about 8,000 yrs ago, as a result of a lava flow from one of  the Virunga Mountains, which blocked off the Ndego River at the present –day Muko to create a natural dam. The lake has a total surface area of 60km sq, it lies at an altitude of of 1840m, known to be the deepest lake in Uganda and also the home of “otters & crayfish”. Also in its favor is the high altitude location which ensures a moderate climate and relatively low incidence of malaria and often becoming quite chilly at night. Bilharzia is reliably reported to be absent from the lake, as are crocodiles and hippos, which means that swimming is very safe. Active travelers are catered for, with canoes, kayaks and mountain bikes available for hire and enough potential excursions to keep one busy for days. Arrive and check in to the  Bird’s Nest or Arcadia Cottages or Overland Resort Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 12: Lake Mburo National Park: Lake Mburo National Park:

Introduction :Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s fourth National park was gazzeted in 1982.The park covers an area surface of 256km sq and it is the only park to contain an entire lake. It offers varied scenic beauty hills and valleys. Attractions will include : Include: Zebras, Impala, Topis, Wipsprings, Elands, Buffaloes,  Hippos, Crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. Arrive and check in to the Mihingo Safari Lodge or Rwakobo Rock or Skyblue Motel. 

Day 13: After breakfast prepare to leave this part of the world and  head back to Kampala. Lunch enroute as you stop by the Equator, and also do the souvenir shopping. Proceed to arrive in Kampala by Early evening.  Arrive and check in to your hotel, refresh and relax later meal plans dinner and overnight at Cassia Lodge or Lepetit Village or Casa Miltu Hotel or Namirembe View Guest House.

Day 14: To the Source of River Nile in Jinja: After breakfast depart for Jinja – Source of the Mighty River Nile you will drive 80km east of the capital Kampala through Mabira tropical forest, tea estates and sugar plantations, you arrive at the Owen Falls Dam. Major attraction here is the source of the world’s longest river, the Nile River beginning its long journey of 4145 miles which is the life blood of both Sudan and Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.  You will arrive at the spot where the Nile begins its long Journey to Egypt but you will physically reach the spot by boat and see the actual spring from  Victoria lake.  For those not faint hearted, white water  rafting and Bungee jumping. ( Optionally )  is done here.  Later proceed to make your lunch orders taken, after which you will drive back to Kampala arrive by early evening, refreshments dinner and overnight at Cassia Lodge or Lepetit Village or Casa Miltu Hotel or Namirembe View Guest House.

Day 15:  Breakfast at leisure after which you will go for a City Tour of Kampala visiting the ever fresh and Green colorfull markets of Nakasero,  Kasubi Tombs famous burial site of the Kings of Buganda later have lunch and wind up with the big African crafts shops. Then we will proceed to transfer you to Entebbe Airport to connect to your home bound flight.  End of Safari

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