Murchison falls national park named after the dramatic and powerful falls, is Uganda’s largest national park and by far the most beautiful. From the magnificent falls
formed as River Nile crashes through the narrow gorge, to its untouched wilderness that is well reserved and also the highlight of the safari the boat cruise to the bottom of the falls; this safari is surely an unforgettable experience.
DAY 1: KAMPALA-MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK (311 KMS) (TIME DRIVE: APPROX 6-7 HOURS)
Our guide will pick you up from your place of convenience and brief you about the trip and drive to Murchison falls. Calm transfer from Kampala bound for Murchison falls without a doubt the most beautiful protected national park in Uganda: You may stopover at the Ziwa rhino sanctuary home of the wild rhinos, trekking is done on foot, you may also spot some birds as well depending on the time you may have your lunch here. Later continue to Murchison falls, time allowing you may stop over at the top of the falls. Take in the beauty of the Nile as it plunges itself through a narrow gorge to fall a gap of about 150 ft down churning out a deafening roar of white water- far-fetched scenery! Amazing!
Dinner and overnight at Nile safari Lodge or Kabalega Wild Lodge.
DAY 2: EARLY MORNING GAME DRIVE AND AFTERNOON BOAT RIDE ON THE NILE
Early mornng, head off for an early morning game drive in the northern part of Murchison falls National Park with your guide who will help you spot lots of wildlife like the, hyenas, leopards, jackals, lions, buffaloes, Uganda Kob , elephants, several savannah wild life species. You will return to the lodge for your mid morning breakfast which on paying a supplement you could enjoy it in the wilderness as a bush breakfast. In the afternoon, enjoy a launch cruise along the Victora Nile which will take you to the bottom of the falls where you will have an opportunity to see those huge water animals like the hippos, the crocodiles, the buffaloes and plenty of birds including the famous Shoebill.
Dinner and overnight at Nile safari Lodge or Sambiya River lodge.
DAY 3: MURCHISON FALLS PARK-KAMPALA (311 KMS)
After breakfast return to Kampala with a stopover for lunch en route, arriving early evening.
3 DAYS MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
5 DAYS GORILLAS AND CHIMPS
Meet the Batwa pygmies, go mountain gorilla trekking twice, see where the youngest king on the planet lived, and visit crater lakes in Uganda. Explore a primeval forest so thick and lush that it’s called ‘Bwindi’ (impenetrable). Come join us on a mountain gorilla trekking expedition in Uganda, and let’s enjoy the splendour of the local wildlife and fauna together!
DAY 1: KIGALI TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Our driver guide will pick you up from the airport and transfer you on a 3-hour car journey via the cyanika Border to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Proceed to Buhoma for your lunch, followed by a Batwa (Pygmies) community walk in the evening. Enjoy dinner and spend the night at your lodge.
Activity: 3-hour Bwindi Transfer
DAY 2: GORILLA TRACKING IN UGANDA
Wake up very early in the morning for your breakfast. Afterwards, you will proceed to the National Park headquarters to meet your guides for the day. After completing the necessary formalities at the park, we will embark on an unforgettable mountain gorilla tracking expedition. Once you spot them, you will be able to spend an hour watching your long-lost cousin in his natural habitat. Return to your hotel for lunch, dinner and overnight.
Activity: Gorilla trekking
DAY 3: BWINDI – KIBALE FOREST
After your breakfast, you will transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, where you will be able to visit to the palace of the youngest king in the world the (Tooro Palace) for a cultural and historical break. Depending on the time, we leave Bwindi, and we can either enjoy the packed lunch we carried with us or a fresh one served in the town of Fort Portal. We then proceed to visiting the crater lakes, after which we head to your hotel for the night before yet another exciting activity of Chimpanzee tracking.
Activity: Kibale and culture visit
DAY 4: CHIMP TREKKING AND NATURE WALK
At 6:30 am, take your breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters for briefing by the park ranger. At 8:30am you will transfer to the starting point of the tracking trail. It usually takes a minimum of 3 hours to track the chimps in the forest. After the chimp trek, return to the lodge for a hot lunch, as you prepare to go for an evening nature walk in the Bigodi wetland. Expect to see some primates, including different monkey species, and a plethora of birds like the great blue turaco. Later, return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Activity: Chimps Trekking and Nature walk
DAY 5: DEPARTURE
Enjoy your breakfast and transfer to Kigali Airport in Rwanda through the spectacular and picturesque hills of Kigezi, dubbed ‘the Switzerland of Africa’. This is a 4 to 5-hour drive, depending on the time spent at the Katuna border post clearing customs and immigration.
12 DAYS BEST OF UGANDA SAFARI
Tour Duration: 12 Days
Destinations Visited: Entebbe, Kampala, Jinja, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi National Parks. Encounter the Big 5, chimps, gorillas & other primates on this tour through Savannah plains and West African jungles as you navigate Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Kibale forest and Bwindi National Parks. This safari is perfect for the adventurous at heart; this journey delivers the opportunity to discover mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitat, deep in the forests of Uganda.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL UGANDA
Upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, meet our representative English speaking guide, greet and transfer to your hotel for overnight and refreshment.
DAY 2: JINJA TOUR
Today, you will make your way to the second largest town and the colonial manufacturing hub, Jinja. In Jinja the Nile River begins its journey from Lake Victoria all the way up to the Mediterranean Sea. En-route, you will stop at the Sezibwa Falls a cultural site well known for its terrific falls. As stated by the local convictions this river is believed to have been born by a human being. Proceed to Jinja and visit the source of the Nile. Get to see the spot at which the world’s longest river makes its way to the Mediterranean Sea.
Optional Activities in Jinja
A horseback safari
Quad-biking
Sun downer Cruise on the Nile
A day of white water rafting
A day of white water kayaking on the river
A visit to Jinja market
A Village walk
DAY 3: KAMPALA CITY TOUR
On this day, you head back to Kampala for a city tour. Kampala the capital of Uganda is an amazing city seated on 7hills and located in the central region. It is not as advanced as Modern day first world cities but has lots of infrastructural development going on and Kampala’s main tourist attractions are majorly pre-colonial and colonial sites that have a lot of historical attachment to Ugandans. You will explore some of the seven hills of Kampala and visit several places among which include:
Namugongo Martyr’s Shrine: This is a memorial place from where 22 Catholic young men/martyrs were officially burnt to ashes after rebelling against King Mwanga when he ordered them to stop worshiping the missionary`s preached God of heaven but in vain. Every 3rd June the Catholic Church and their counterpart of Anglican persuasion flock this place from all over Africa most of them by foot to commemorate this day in honour of their Religious heroes. There unique architecture of the temple of worship in this place is stunning!
Kabaka’s Palace &Parliament: In this palace, king Muteesa II was attacked by Idi Amin`s soldiers forcing him into exile in Great Britain from where he later died of poisoning. Situated on a hill overlooking Kampala, this palace is a symbol of rich cultural history for many Ugandans. Still present are the torture chambers inside which Idi Amin used to tortureany one perceived a political threat. The presence of human blood writings on these wall chambers are a living memory to those who lost loved ones during the dark era in Ugandan history. Still at the gate of this palace is a traditional fire source that has never burnt out since the inception of the Buganda monarchy/Kingdom and shall never stop burning least a king is dead. Here is a representation of all Baganda Clans and their respective role in this Kingdom since time in memorial as narrated by a royalist at this fire source. A short distance away but directly positioned gate to gate is the Bulange- a parliament in which the Kabaka and his ministers have since old days sat to deliberate upon issues concerning Buganda Kingdom. The architectural design of this building has proven a spectacular tour site to many local and international visitors.
Gadaffi Mosque:This is the biggest mosque in East & Central Africa with an excellent mix of African, Arabic and modern European Architecture. Make sure to climb the 308 steps of the minaret to get the most amazing view of Kampala and its surroundings- It is unforgettable!!
DAY 4: ZIWA RHINOS/ TO MURCHISON FALLS N.P
Transfer to Murchison Falls N.P. En route, trek rhinos at the Ziwa rhino sanctuary. This Rhino reserve is a true success story of the revival of rhinoceros after the extreme poaching that killed the last rhino in Uganda in 1982. Doing this guided trek gets you “up close and personal” to these special animals that are among “Africa’s Big five.”
Proceed to Murchison Falls National Park which is the largest national park and Uganda's flagship with exceptional wildlife. The meandering Victoria Nile and the dramatic Murchison Falls neatly bisecting Uganda's largest park, here you'd expect a wide range of animals and you'd be right. It's a stunning habitat for wildlife and it’s where to go in Uganda for classic big game species.
DAY 5: GAME DRIVE/ BOAT CRUISE
After an early breakfast, you head out on an early game drive while the animals are the most active since it’s not yet so bright and temperatures are cooler. This is the best time to spot wild animals. A drive through the park brings you eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom: elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. They are all there in Murchison Falls National Park!
In the afternoon, a 3-hour Boat Cruise along the Victoria Nile will lead you to the base of the Murchison Falls. Along the way, you will be able to view a wide variety of birds and wildlife; numerous hippos, elephants and crocodiles, as well as breathtaking scenery.
Optional Activity: Hot Air Balloon Safari
Nothing is quite like the powerful Murchison Falls. Flying over the largest protected area in a hot air balloon allows you the pleasure of experiencing her beauty and power first-hand. There is an astonishing range of activities from sunrise/post sunrise, hot air balloon safari with/ without bush breakfast, Sunset hot air balloon safari, short rides for large groups and students and bird-eye view. Experience the wildlife of Murchison Falls NP in a, unique way. Wake up early to catch the sunrise, as you silently fly over the plains of the Park. Admire the herds of buffaloes, elephants and enjoy the serene tranquility of the African bush. Rise as the suns rises and float in whatever direction the winds of the morning take you. Fly higher than the trees and hills and enjoy the best of Uganda, with many great photo opportunities of the scenery and wildlife below. After a smooth landing you can celebrate this amazing adventure with a glass of sparkling juice before returning to your lodge.
Hot Air Balloon Flights schedule:
Sunrise: 5:00am – 9:30am (includes bush breakfast)
Sunset: 4:00pm – 6:30pm
DAY 6: TO KIBALE- AFRICA’S PRIMATE CAPITAL
In the morning you embark on a Safari route to Western Uganda covered in small villages, picturesque green tea plantations and beautiful landscapes of numerous crater lakes of volcanic origin to Kibale forest- home of great apes! Kibale Forest boasts of the highest number of primate species in the world, including our delightful cousins- the Chimpanzees. At this moment, in Uganda, there are approximately 4,950 Chimps left in the wild, which makes this forest a perfect and best place to spot chimpanzees in Africa!
Day 7: Chimp Trek/ Bigodi Nature Walk
8:00am your chimpanzee tracking excursion will commence.During the excursion, your ranger will point out the other species living in the forest, including birds, flora and fauna Of course; the stars of the show are chimpanzees and nine other species of primate. Smaller than their gorilla cousins but no less charming, intelligent or expressive, chimp families can cover vast distances and the trek in Kibale forest to find them will be filled with all sorts of enchanting encounters. In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a nature excursion. Your swamp walk (1- 2 hours) will take you through grassland and some beautiful scenery. It is usual to spot 3 or 4 different primate species during this walk through the highlight is catching a glimpse of the Great Blue Turaco bird!
Day 8: To Queen Elizabeth N.P/ Boat Cruise
Head out to Queen Elizabeth National Park - the oldest & second largest National Park in Uganda, located at the base of the massive Rwenzori Mountains, adjacent to lakes Edward& George.The park is covered by Savannah plains that provide an abundance of Game viewing like; Elephants that trumpet when you get too close, lazy Leopards laying in the sun, abundant Gazelle and buck, Lions, Buffaloes, Hippos and others
In the afternoon, take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel- a natural channel which connects Lake Edward to Lake George. View Buffaloes, Elephants, Waterbucks, Crocodiles and the highest concentration of Hippos plus a variety of colourful species of Water birds like Crested Eagles, Pelicans and Cormorants – an Amazing diverse collection of the African animal Kingdom which comes to the waterhole to drink or bathe. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.
DAY 9: GAME DRIVE/ NATURE WALK
Goin for a game drive in time to see the sun rise. You will search for all the wildlife in the park; Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Waterbuck, Leopard, Uganda Kob, Warthog, etc. In the afternoon, you will indulge in a nature walk in Queen Elizabeth N.P, one of the parks in Uganda where it’s possible to go for a walking safari with an experienced ranger. This opportunity should not be missed. From footprints and animal droppings, the ranger will be able to tell you which animal has left and how long ago. It is exciting to approach wildlife at such close range.
Optional Activity: Lion Tracking
Get up close to wild African fauna, on this is rewarding adventure that is - Lion Tracking!! This unique experience allows visitors to actively participate in monitoring some of lions in the park. Using locator devices, you’ll learn habituation calls, as well as monitoring weather, surroundings and behavior of these great cats. The results are added to researchers’ databases, contributing valuable information to the overall understanding of wildlife ecology - and helping to conserve this wonderful ecosystem. This will as well give you a 95% chance to see the lions! The number of people on each outing is limited in order to reduce stress on the animals and to increase the quality of the experience for visitors.
Other experiential tourism activities currently available are; Mongoose Tracking, Hippo Census, and Bird Counts. Experiential tours last between one and three hours. They usually take place in the early morning or evening, or occasionally at night.
DAY 10: TO BWINDI N.P
Today you transfer to Bwindi National Park the home of Mountain Gorillas. You’ll proceed through the breath taking; ever green mountain country - deep to the south-western part of Uganda; close to the borders of Rwanda. You will see a great country-side of bamboo forest and have great views of landscape. You later check into your hotel for relaxation.We recommend an early night in-order to be ready for your big day tomorrow.
DAY 11: GORILLA TRACKING
Today is the big day… Prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare Mountain Gorilla. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda. You will be required to wake up early in the morning then be led to the visitor’s reception center for a briefing about the park. You are allocated guides before heading Into the forest in search of Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest boasts of both Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees - the only forest in Africa which can make this claim in fact. It also hosts five other species of primate, 113 species of mammal, over 200 butterflies and 360 birds. The Gorillas you will track belong to one of the habituated family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day. Your trek will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the Gorillas’ habitat. En-route, your guide will point out signs of previous Gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The time taken to track the Gorillas can take as little as 2 hours or more! Once the Gorillas have been located, your group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a Mountain Gorilla is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda’s very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’
DAY 12: TO CYANIKA BOARDER/ DEPARTURE
On this day, you’ll bid farewell to the beautiful ‘Pearl of Africa’.
This marks the end of what we hope will be an adventurous trip- Thank you very much!!!
Tour duration: 14 Days
Destinations visited: Entebbe, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi & Lake Mburo National Parks plus Entanda Cultural Community.
Traverse the Pearl of Africa offering a wilderness experience second to none on this 14 Days adventure that takes you on a journey through the primal forests of Uganda in search of primates giving you the opportunity to see the rare mountain gorilla and our cousins the delightful chimpanzees. Also get to see the wildlife diversity that the Pearl of Africa is endorsed with in its savannah Parks.
In addition to the life-changing experience that you’ll have with the Gorillas, Chimps, you will also be able to have cultural interactions with the people of Uganda, encounter many bird species and enjoy Boat cruises on L.Mburo & the spectacular Kazinga Channel.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL UGANDA
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our company representative and transferred to your hotel for refreshment & overnight.
DAY 2: TO LAKE MBURO N.P /NIGHT GAME DRIVE
Depart Entebbe heading to the South West of Uganda to Lake Mburo National Park. En-route, you will stop at the Uganda Equator for that requisite snapshot and probably some souvenir shopping.
Lake Mburo is the only Ugandan national park (besides to Kidepo Valley NP) which is home to zebra, eland and impala as well as an abundance of other wildlife like Giraffes, Bush bucks, Warthogs, Uganda Kob, Oribi, Topi, Buffaloes, Water bucks, Baboons, Monkeys and 300 Bird species in the papyrus swamp land- not to mention the lake itself, which is teeming with hippos and crocodiles!
Late in the evening, embark on a night Game drive. A night drive experience is completely different from a day safari - a whole new world of animal species (nocturnal) awaits you! It gives you a different perspective of the park and wildlife.
See how the guides find the smallest of creatures from Chameleons to the elusive Leopard. The dark night sky and the slight unknown get your heart pounding. A powerful spotlight on an open safari vehicle ensures great views and lots of animal encounters in the dark African Bush. During a night game drive watch an amazing sunset before heading out, once twilight sets in it is often considered the best time to continue looking for African wildlife. Your ranger will share expert knowledge and information about each nocturnal species and their behavior.
What to take with you on a night game Drive
Neutral colored clothing, long sleeved shirts
Sun block or sunscreen (as the afternoon is still intense)
Insect repellent
Special medication if needed
Jersey or light jacket and hat
Spirit of adventure is a must of course.
DAY 3: NATURE WALK/ BOAT CRUISE
Lake Mburo N.P. is one of the parks in Uganda where it is permitted to go for a walking safari with an experienced ranger. This opportunity should not be missed. From footprints and animal droppings the ranger will be able to tell you which animal has left it and how long ago. It is exciting to approach wildlife at such close range.
Note: You can either opt for a for a mountain bike safari - $25 pp for 2 hours or go on a horseback riding safari in the park -US$ 110 pp for 2 hours.
In the afternoon you will go for a boat ride on Lake Mburo you may spot the rare shoebill and other bird species, you may also spot animals like the hippos and the crocodiles.
DAY 4: TO QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P/ EVENING GAME DRIVE
Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park- the oldest& second largest National Park in Uganda. It is located at the base of the massive Rwenzori Mountains, adjacent to lakes Edward& George, covered by Savannah plains that provide an abundance of Game viewing like; Elephants that trumpet when you get too close, lazy Leopards laying in the sun, abundant Gazelle and buck, Lions, Buffaloes, Hippos and others.
You will indulge in an evening game drive in the park before settling in for the night.
DAY 5: LION TRACKING / BOAT CRUISE
Get up close to wild African fauna on this rewarding adventure – Lion tracking!! This unique experience allows visitors to actively participate in monitoring some lions in the park, using locator devices and learn habituation calls, as well as monitoring weather, surroundings and behavior of these great cats. The results are added to researchers’ databases, contributing valuable information to the overall understanding of wildlife ecology - and helping to conserve this wonderful ecosystem. This will as well give you a 95% chance to see the lions!
The number of people on each outing is limited in order to reduce stress on the animals and to increase the quality of the experience for visitors.
Other experiential tourism activities currently available are; Mongoose Tracking, Hippo Census, and Bird Counts. Experiential tours lasts between one and three hours. They usually take place in the early morning or evening, or occasionally at night.
In the afternoon you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel- a natural channel which connects Lake Edward to Lake George. View Buffaloes, Elephants, Waterbucks, Crocodiles and the highest concentration of Hippos plus a variety of colourful species of Water birds like Crested Eagles, Pelicans and Cormorants – an Amazing diverse collection of the African animal Kingdom which comes to the waterhole to drink or bathe. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.
DAY 6: GAME DRIVE/ TO ISHASHA
Go in for a morning game drive in time to see the sun rise. You will search for all the wildlife in the park; Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Waterbuck, Leopard, Uganda Kob, Warthog, etc. Proceed to the beautiful wilderness of Ishasha plains that are a part of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
DAY 7: MORNING & EVENING GAME DRIVE
On this day you will indulge in a morning & evening game drive in the park. If you’re lucky, a game drive through the open savannah of Acacia on the edge of the Albertine Rift valley will enable you view ‘Tree climbing Lions’ and other wild animals.
DAY 8: TO BWINDI N.P
Today you transfer to Bwindi National Park the home of Mountain Gorillas. The drive to Bwindi will lead you through breath taking; ever green mountain country - deep to the south-western part of Uganda; close to the borders of Rwanda. You will see a great country-side of bamboo forest and have great views of landscape. Check into your hotel for relaxation. We recommend an early night in-order to be ready for your big day tomorrow.
DAY 9: GORILLA TREKKING
Today is the big day… Prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare Mountain Gorilla. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda. You will be required to wake up early in the morning then be led to the visitor’s reception center for a briefing about the park. You are allocated guides before heading into the forest in search of Mountain Gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest boasts both Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees - the only forest in Africa which can make this claim in fact. It also hosts five other species of primate, 113 species of mammal, over 200 butterflies and 360 birds.
The Gorillas you will track belong to one of nine habituated family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day.
Your trek will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the Gorillas’ habitat. En-route, your guide will point out signs of previous Gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots.
The time taken to track the Gorillas can take as little as 2 hours or more! Once the Gorillas have been located, your group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a Mountain Gorilla is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda’s very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’
DAY 10: ACTIVITIES BY LAKE MUTANDA
Today you get to choose to do activities around Lake Mutanda or just relax at your hotel/ lodge. The optional activities you can choose to do are;
Sun downer cruise
Mukozi Village Trip
Lake Muhele Trip
Mutanda Island Trip
Canoe Ride
DAY 11: TO KIBALE FOREST N.P
Begin your journey to Kibale Forest. Kibale Forest boasts of the highest number of primate species in the world, including our delightful cousins- the Chimpanzees. At this moment, in Uganda, there are approximately 4,950 Chimps left in the wild, which makes this forest a perfect and best place to spot chimpanzees in Africa!
On arrival at Kibale forest; you will enter a completely different world… some serious monkey business! Although you are here specifically to track Chimps, the forest is home to at least 12Primate species including: the Red Tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Black and White Colobus plus Blue Monkeys. The bird life in the forest is also prolific and includes the beautiful Great Blue Turaco. If you are very lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the meandering herd of Forest Elephant.
DAY 12: BIGODI NATURE WALK /CHIMPANZEE TREKKING
In the morning, you’ll embark on a nature excursion. Your swamp walk (1- 2 hours) will take you through grassland and some beautiful scenery. It is usual to spot 3 or 4 different primate species during this walk though the highlight is catching a glimpse of the Great Blue Turaco bird! At 2 PM your Chimpanzee tracking excursion will commence. Kibale Forest boasts of the highest number of primate species in the world, including our delightful cousins- the Chimpanzees. During the excursion, your ranger will point out the other species living in the forest, including birds, flora and fauna. The stars of the show are chimpanzees and nine other species of primate smaller than their gorilla cousins but no less charming, intelligent or expressive, chimp families can cover vast distances and the trek in Kibale forest to find them will be filled with all sorts of enchanting encounters.
DAY 13: ENTANDA CULTURAL TOUR/TO ENTEBBE
Transfer to Entebbe. En-route, visit a local community for a first-hand and personal experience and taste of the true cultural practices, norms and beliefs of the people of Uganda. At the end of your community interaction, you will plant a tree as a way of giving back to the community but also as a way of conserving this beautiful eco system.
Activities here include: interacting with the locals as they go about their day to day activities, hands on experience of picking foods & vegetables fresh from the garden, cooking food in the traditional way, learning about the ancient courtship musical instruments, learning about honey harvesting plus tasting fresh honey, traditional wine processing, bicycle rides in the plantations, bark clothing making, a walk in the forest, local games such as netball, football, board games (omweso), educative and informative fun-filled tales and then enjoy the traditional dishes as well as a self-service buffet of fresh fruits. Later proceed to Entebbe town.
DAY 14: DEPARTURE
Depending on the time of your departure flight, today you can simply relax or explore the town of Entebbe before catching your departure flight homewards.
Optional Activities in Entebbe
Visiting the Zoo
Behind the Scenes Activity (Feeding animals at the zoo)
Visit Ngamba Chimpanzee Island
Visit the Botanical Gardens
Sundowner Cruise on Lake Victoria
Cheese & wine tasting Sun downer Cruise on Lake Victoria
Cruises on Lake Victoria (Motorized canoe Boat)
Viewing the Shoebill Bird in Mabamba swamp
This marks the end of what we hope will be an adventurous trip- Thank you very much!!!
14 DAYS UGANDA PRIMATES & LIONS
15 DAYS BEST OF RWANDA & UGANDA
DAY 1: ARRIVAL
Arrive Kigali international airport, be met by our drive guide thereafter transfer to your hotel.
Overnight: Iris Hotel (Budgeat) Lemigo hotel (Mid-range)
DAY 2: KIGALI
Pick up by the driver guide from your hotel in Kigali for a tour of Kigali city. Kigali is a beautiful modern and very clean city, offering visitors a chance to visit the Gisozi genocide site, craft shops, and local markets. Have lunch and later hit the road driving north-wards to Volcanoes national park in Musanze province.
Overnight: Urugano Virunga Palace (Budget), Classic Lodge Musanze (Mid-range)
DAY 3: GOLDEN MONKEYS AT VOLCANOES N.P.
This day is set out for Golden Monkey tracking in the Volcanoes National Park. Entering dense stands of bamboo interspersed with open glades; you will make your way deep into golden monkey territory. Guides lead visitors to the habitat of groups of „habituated‟ golden monkeys – monkeys that have become accustomed to human presence. Though viewing is kept to a maximum of one hour, travelers can get an up-close look at the golden monkey in its natural habitat. Adult monkeys frolic in plain view, feeding on bamboo leaves and leaping from perch to perch. Females carry their young, completely comfortable among onlookers. Later visit Red Rocks intercultural center be introduced dance.
Overnight: Urugano Virunga Palace(Budget) , Classic Lodge Musanze(Mid-range)
DAY 4: LAKE KIVU
Start your day with breakfast at your hotel and embark on a journey with your guide to Lake Kivu. This is the largest freshwater Lake in Rwanda and provides a perfect relaxing place when in Rwanda. Afternoon relax along the lake shores or take an boat to explore nearby Islands.
Overnight: Paradise Marahide (Mid-range) ,Inzu lodge (Budget)
DAY 5: TRANSFER AND LAKE BUNYONI
After breakfast drive to the border of Rwanda and Uganda via Cyanika border post. Enter Uganda then drive out to Lake Bunyonyi for a canoe ride your guide will give you an introduction to Uganda. You later proceed to your hotel for check in and relaxation. We recommend and early night in order to be ready for your gorilla trekking expedition the next day.
Overnight: Bwindi Backpackers(Budget) and Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge(Mid-range)
DAY 6: GORILLA TRACKING; BWINDI N.P.
Today is the big day… Prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare Mountain Gorilla. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda. You will be required to wake up early in the morning then be led to the visitor’s reception center for a briefing about the park. You are allocated guides before heading into the forest in search of Mountain Gorillas.
Overnight: Bwindi Backpackers (Budget) and Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range)
DAY 7: QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.
Head out to the beautiful wilderness of Ishasha plains that are a part of Queen Elizabeth National Park - the oldest & second largest National Park in Uganda, located at the base of the massive Rwenzori Mountains, adjacent to lakes Edward&George. The park is covered by Savannah plains that provide an abundance of Game viewing like; Elephants that trumpet when you get too close, lazy Leopards laying in the sun, abundant Gazelle and buck, Lions, Buffaloes, Hippos and others. If you’re lucky, a game drive through the open savannah of Acacia on the edge of the Albertine Rift valley will enable you view ‘Tree climbing Lions’ and other wild animals.
Overnight: Enjojo lodge(Budget) and IshashaJungle Lodge(Mid-range)
DAY 8: QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.
After breakfast, go in for a game drive in time to see the sun rise. You will search for all the wildlife in the park; Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Waterbuck, Leopard, Uganda Kob, Warthog, etc.In the afternoon, take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel- a natural channel which connects Lake Edward to Lake George. View Buffaloes, Elephants, Waterbucks, Crocodiles and the highest concentration of Hippos plus a variety of colourful species of Water birds like Crested Eagles, Pelicans and Cormorants – an Amazing diverse collection of the African animal Kingdom which comes to the waterhole to drink or bathe. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.
Overnight: Bush Lodge(Budget) and Buffallo Safari Lodge(Mid-range)
DAY 9: KALINZU FOREST
Kalinzu Forest is home to over 414 species of trees, shrubs and in this forest, you can find 379 species of birds which is an amazing treasure trove for birders. 378 Species of Birds call this their home including the Great Blue Turaco, Black and White Cascket, Cuckoos, and Sunbirds. There are six different Species of Primates found in Kalinzu Forest Reserve including; the Blue Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys and over 220 Chimpanzees. You can hike up the Kishunja Hill Viewpoint, where you can behold the entire Forest Canopy, great parts of the Queen Elizabeth National Park and some Peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. Being close to Queen Elizabeth National Park, wildlife tend to come from the park and if you are lucky you can see Leopards, antelopes, and wild pigs. In the evening head out for an evening game drive as you watch the sun set over the horizon.
Overnight: Bush Lodge (Budget) and Buffallo Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
DAY 10: FORT PORTAL
Transfer to Fort Portal and have a visit of the King’s Palace. The palace is worth a visit purely for its panoramic views. Looking down from the highest hill is the residence of King Oyo, who ascended the throne in 1995 at the age of three. Later proceed to your lodge for refreshment and overnight.
Overnight: Chimpanzee Guest House(Budget) and Kibale Forest Camp(mid-range)
DAY 11: KIBALE FORES
Depart at 8:00am your chimpanzee tracking excursion will commence. Kibale Forest boasts of the highest number of primate species in the world, including our delightful cousins- the Chimpanzees. At this moment, in Uganda, there are approximately 4,950 Chimps left in the wild, which makes this forest a perfect and best place to spot chimpanzees in Africa! During the excursion, your ranger will point out the other species living in the forest, including birds, flora and fauna. In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a nature excursion. Your swamp walk (1- 2 hours) will take you through grassland and some beautiful scenery. It is usual to spot 3 or 4 different primate species during this walk through the highlight is catching a glimpse of the Great Blue Turaco bird!
Overnight: Chimpanzee Guest House(Budget) and Kibale Forest Camp(mid-range)
DAY 12: TRANSFER TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Today you head out for the mighty Murchison Falls National Park, which is the largest national park and Uganda's flagship with exceptional wildlife. The meandering Victoria Nile and the dramatic Murchison Falls neatly bisecting Uganda's largest park, here you'd expect a wide range of animals and you'd be right. It's a stunning habitat for wildlife and it’s where to go in Uganda for classic big game species.
Overnight: Red Chilli Camp(Budget) and Murchison River lodge(Mid-range)
DAY 13: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
After an early breakfast, you head out on an early game drive while the animals are the most active since it’s not yet so bright and temperatures are cooler. This is the best time to spot wild animals.A drive through the park brings you eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom: elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. They are all there in Murchison Falls National Park! .In the afternoon, a 3hour Boat Cruise along the Victoria Nile will lead you to the base of the Murchison Falls. Along the way, you will be able to view a wide variety of birds and wildlife; numerous hippos, elephants and crocodiles, as well as breathtaking scenery.
Overnight: Red Chilli Camp(Budget) and Murchinson River lodge(Mid-range)
DAY 14: BUDONGO CHIMPS / TO ZIWA RHINOS/ TO KAMPALA
Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. En route to Ziwa, you will go for a chimpanzee trekking experience in Budongo forest.Budongo Forest offers an extremely rich biodiversity including 24 species of small mammals, 9 species of primates and 280 butterflies. It is also the natural habitat of more than 600 chimpanzees. Other primates that can be observed are the Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys and Grey-cheeked Mangabeys. Later you trek rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary- this Rhino reserve is a true success story of the revival of rhinoceros after the extreme poaching that killed the last rhino in Uganda in 1982. Doing this guided trek gets you “up close and personal” to these special animals that are among “Africa’s Big five.”After trekking Rhinos, you will proceed to Kampala reaching your hotel late in the evening.
Overnight: Cassia Lodge(Budget) and Prestige Hotels and Suites(Mid-range)
DAY 15: KAMPALA
Kampala the capital of Uganda is an amazing city seated on 7hills and located in the central region. It is not as advanced as Modern day first world cities but has lots of infrastructural development going on and Kampala’s main tourist attractions are majorly pre-colonial and colonial sites that have a lot historical attachment to Ugandans. You will explore some of the seven hills of Kampala and visit several places among which include: Kabaka’s Palace & Parliament: The Kabaka`s Lake, Gadaffi Mosque: Later proceed to Entebbe airport from where you’ll catch your departure flight home.