10 days

USD3550

Visits: Uganda

Wildlife

BEST OF UGANDA AND GORILLAS

Described by Sir Winston Churchill as the "Pearl of Africa", Uganda is a country of unparalleled beauty and amazing scenery, stunning landscapes, wildlife and rich cultural heritage. Visit Uganda and discover for yourself this country's pure and natural attractions that range from Lake Victoria, to Murchison Falls, Chimpanzees in Kibale National Reserve and Gorillas in Bwindi Forest and not forgetting the tree climbing lions found in Queen Elizabeth National Park and lastly the source of River Nile, Africa's longest river and the primary water source for Egypt and Sudan.

Day 1

Kampala/Murchison Falls

Depart Kampala for the most beautiful and protected area in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park. On the way, make a brief stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to the only southern white rhinos in Uganda. Accompanied by your guide, track the rhinos and observe them in their natural habitat at a very close and safe distance. Thereafter proceed to Murchison Falls National Park and drive one hour deeper into the site of Murchison Falls. Murchison Falls is endowed with many attractions including mammals, and four members of the Big 5, the lion, the leopard, the elephant and buffalo. Other species include bushbucks, Uganda kob, waterbucks and warthogs, giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeest and hyenas. The highlight of your tour in Murchison falls National Park is visiting “Murchison Falls” the point where world’s longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a pool and becomes a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos. Upstream, you will find magnificent views of the falls and several wildlife species found along the shores including buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles and waterbucks.

Pakuba Safari Lodge

Day 2

Murchison Falls

Early breakfast, collect your picnic lunch boxes and proceed for whole day game drive in the northern bank of the Nile with chances of seeing more wildlife species that include, Rothschild giraffe, elephants, lions, Jackson Hartebeest, Oribis, waterbucks, savanna woodland birds and possibly the elusive leopard. Take a boat cruise on River Nile and enjoy the most spectacular views of this famous river. The launch trip upstream from Paraa presents an astonishing display of wildlife and culminates with the memorable frontal view of the falls. Recommended for birders is a morning cruise downstream to the Nile-Lake Albert Delta. Alternatively a tranquil sundowner cruise offers the classic view of equatorial sunset reflected on the river. Late afternoon drive to Budongo Eco Lodge located in the heart of Budongo Forest Reserve. Budongo Eco Lodge provides excellent accommodation in the midst of one of the largest and most beautiful rainforest locations in Uganda. The lodge is positioned in an area with breathtaking views of the canopy of Budongo Forest which is one of Uganda's best kept secrets and home to over 600 chimpanzees.

Budongo Eco Lodge

Day 3

Murchison Falls/Kibale Forest

Breakfast and head south to Fort Portal which rests in the shadow of the fabled mountains of the moon and is famous for beautiful tea plantations. Enjoy picnic lunch and continue on to Kibale Forest National Park arriving late afternoon. Kibale Forest National Park is well known as the “World’s Primate Paradise”. The density and diversity of primates in Kibale National Park is the highest in the whole of Africa. The most well known of these are 13 different species of chimpanzees. Kibale’s population of 1450 chimpanzees indicate that Uganda’s is home to biggest population of this threatened primate. Before dinner enjoy walking safari in the forest in search of bush babies, pottos and other nocturnal animals. Dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge Kibale which is set right next door to the starting point for Chimpanzee trekking excursions as well as the incredible Chimpanzee habituation, two of the most breathtaking wildlife experiences on the planet. Other interesting guest activities here include, bird watching, forest hiking, guided nature walks and cultural tours. The lodge is set in the centre of this rainforest and remotely located within this majestic jungle.

Primate Lodge Kibale

Day 4

Kibale Forest Reserve

This morning you will be transferred to the park gate to meet your chimpanzee tracking guide/ranger. After pre-tracking briefing and drive to the trailhead for the start of an unforgettable adventure: hiking in the footsteps of the big habituated family of chimpanzees. Upon sighting the chimpanzees, stay with them for an hour as they freely go about their daily life. Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most exciting things that make your trip in Uganda both unique and rewarding. Chimpanzees live in large family groups with each group having its very own unique personality. Trekking might take 2 to 6 hours depending on the location of the chimpanzees. While on this trek and as you walk through the forest, you will be able to see different kinds of birds, the black and white colobus monkey, grey cheeked Mangabey, golden monkeys among others and various unique trees species. Afterwards, hike back to the trailhead to re-join your driver/guide and return back to the lodge. After lunch drive back towards Fort Portal and head off to Queen Elizabeth National Park located southwest of Uganda arriving late afternoon on time for dinner at Inshasha Wilderness Camp

Inshasha Wilderness Camp

Day 5

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Whole day at Queen Elizabeth National Park which is famous for its it’s unusual tree-climbing lions and large concentration of hippos. Queen Elizabeth is bounded by Ishasha River and Lake Edward to the west and has a total of over 95 species of mammals making it the most remarkable wildlife safari spot in Uganda. Enjoy a scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel which is a natural and pre-historic canal that joins Lake Edward and Lake George. On the cruise, view spectacular wildlife sightings of hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles, wallowing buffalos, giraffe, different species of antelopes and thousands of birds. Overnight at Inshasha Wilderness Camp which is set within the southern Ishasha section of Queen Elizabeth National Park on the Ntungwe River. This camp offers superb and quality accommodation in this unspoilt remote sector of the park. Because of its location within the park, wildlife move freely through the camp. Elephants can be seen bathing in the river and as well as buffaloes grazing. Other magnificent vistas of Queen Elizabeth National Park include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills offering panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel with its banks lined with lots of wild game.

Inshasha Wilderness Camp

Day 6

Queen Elizabeth/Bwindi

Early morning game drive in search of more wildlife species to be found in this world famous national reserve. After breakfast drive southwards passing Ishasha which is famous for its tree climbing lions. Enjoy game drive on the way and continue driving through verdant countryside and traditional homesteads to Bwindi National Park, home of the endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest National Park lies on the edge of the Rift Valley in south-western Uganda. Bwindi Forest is an ancient rain forest extending over a series of steep ridges in the Virunga Volcanoes mountain range. Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its ecological uniqueness and natural beauty. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda's oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests. More importantly, this “impenetrable forest” protects an estimated 400 mountain gorillas, roughly half of the world’s population including several habituated groups. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Lodge which is an intimate lodge located at the boundary of the forest offering the most amazing views of the thick forest and canopy commanding spectacular and uninterrupted views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Buhoma Lodge

Day 7

Mountain Gorilla Tracking

After early breakfast in your lodge, your guide will transfer you to Bwindi Forest Park Headquarters for a trekking briefing session. Here, you will be lectured about the ‘Dos’ and ‘Don'ts of gorilla trekking and how you should behave while with the gorillas within the forest before heading into the forest to begin your gorilla trek. This trek can last between 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on the location of mountain gorilla family on that particular day. The hike through the forest is challenging and tough but it’s within reach for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. It requires navigating uphill and downhill through thick tangles of vines, thorns and roots. Upon finding the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them while observing their behaviour and taking photographs. Gorilla trekking experience is unforgettable, magical and life-changing worth every penny despite the high costs, discomfort and time. Thereafter, head back to the Park Headquarters to collect your certificate before returning to Buhoma Lodge which offers cozy and comfortable environment and fireplaces which add warmth to the cool evenings.

Buhoma Lodge

Day 8

Bwindi/Lake Mburo

Breakfast and head to Lake Mburo National Park arriving on time for lunch at Mihingo Lodge which is an exclusive lodge located inside the park and features rooms built on wooden platforms providing the most stunning evening sunsets over Lake Mburo National Park. Lake Mburo National Park is one of Uganda’s smallest national parks and its the only park in the country that is home to large populations of the impala after which Kampala is named. Mihingo is a luxurious, family owned lodge in a magical setting adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park. Perched high on a rocky kopje, whose pre-Cambrian granite boulders were formed over 500 million years ago, it has spectacular views over a vast savannah landscape and designed to blend in with its fragile surroundings. This environmentally friendly lodge offers comfort, relaxation and the experience of being at one with nature. An infinity pool overlooks the valley below where buffalo, eland, impala, warthogs, bush buck and zebra can be seen. After dinner, its time for a night game drive in open-sided Landrover with spotlight.

Mihingo Lodge

Day 9

Lake Mburo/Entebbe

Early morning game drive in Lake Mburo which harbours several species of mammals and birds found nowhere else in Uganda. Its sculptured landscape with rolling hills and idyllic lake shores has varied mosaic of habitats; forest galleries, seasonal and permanent swamps, rich acacia-woodland and grassy valleys. Compared to other parks, Lake Mburo is small but rich in variety of habitats; dry hillsides, rocky outcrops, bushy thickets and open and wooded savannah is home to a surprising diversity of plants and animals. It is the only park in Uganda with eland, impala and klipspringer and home to the largest population of zebra and probably contains the highest concentration of leopards. Hyena, genet cat, bush pigs and white tailed mongoose are often seen on night game drives. At the centre of the Park is Lake Mburo which together with 14 other lakes in the area form part of a wetland system linked by a swamp some 50 km long fed by Ruizi River. After game viewing, return to the lodge for breakfast and start your journey back to Kampala at the end of your safari. You will be dropped off at your hotel in the city or at Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.

UGANDA DEPARTURE

Includes

  • Private wildlife safari as outlined above
  • Rooms/tents whole safari with ensuite facilities
  • Accommodation in camps and lodges as per the above itinerary
  • Fullboard meals (Breakfast, lunch & dinner) on safari
  • Exclusive use of safari vehicle for game viewing and photography
  • Services of an experienced and knowledgeable driver guide
  • Mineral water while in safari vehicle
  • All park entrance fees
  • All wildlife conservation fees
  • All Government taxies and levies
  • Flying Doctors Cover while on safari
  • Safari drivers accommodation and allowance
  • Daily game drives as per the itinerary

Not included

  • International flights
  • Entry Visa fees
  • Tip for safari driver guide & other gratuities, porterage to hotel’s/camp’s staff and porters
  • Shopping, wood carvings and crafts
  • All items of personal nature e.g. telephone call bills, fax/email bills
  • Travel & Medical Insurance
  • Trip Cancellation & Baggage Insurance
  • Any other items not included or mentioned in the itinerary above
  • Laundry service & Inoculations
  • Drinks, wine, beer & soft drinks
  • Visit to Maasai Village
  • Balloon safari
  • Optional & local sightseeing excursions

Price Guide

Prices are per person sharing in USD and this trip is available all year round. Current price is based on accommodation as indicated above and is subject to availability at the time of booking.
Pls contact us by email, telephone or whatsapp for an exact quotation and itinerary based on your requirements, preferences, travel dates, international flights, special offers and availability.

 

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