Description
Highlights of this safari:
- Visit the origin of the Nile and enjoy water activities on it
- See rare rhinos during nature walks in Murchison Fall National Park
- Come face-to-face with Uganda’s chimps and gorillas
- Enjoy nature at its very best in Kibale Forest
Short overview:
- Day 1 & 2: Entebbe plus Jinja
- Day 3 & 4 – Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 5 – Kibale Forest
- Day 6 & 7 – Queen Elisabeth National Park
- Day 8 & 9 – Bwindi National Park
- Day 10 – Entebbe departure
Program & Route:
Day 1 – Kampala, Serena of Cassia Kampala. Bed and Breakfast included
Upon arrival at the Entebbe International Airport you will be met by your guide. Having passed immigration and luggage collection, please exit the arrival hall and look out for your guide who will be holding up a signboard mentioning your name. Short transfer to Entebbe with overnight.
Day 2 – Kampala, Serena of Cassia Kampala. Bed and Breakfast included
Today it is time for an exciting excursion to Jinja. Transfer to Jinja this morning; after the sunrise breakfast greeted with the serene and calm River Nile, we head off to the day’s adventures. Alternative activities include white water rafting, Quad bike riding, Bungee Jumping, Speed boat ride, or simply enjoy the History of this once busy Industrial Town in Uganda. Later after lunch a visit to the source of the Nile is worthwhile. Return to Entebbe for overnight.
Day 3 & 4 – Murchison Falls National Park, Paraa Safari Lodge of Murchison River Lodge, 2 nachten. Full Board
Transfer to Murchison Falls (driving time: 8 hours); leave Entebbe driving northwest towards Murchison Falls National Park with a detour at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for a nature walk to see the rare rhinos in the wild. Lunch break in Masindi town then continue to Murchison falls and after a long day’s drive relax at your lodge this evening.
On day four it is time for game drives and a boat cruise in Murchison Falls. Start today with a game drive to view and take photographs of elephants, buffalos, waterbucks, giraffes, Uganda kobs, lions, if you are lucky the leopards, plus a variety of bird species. Lunch break at the lodge then proceed for a boat cruise along the Nile to the bottom of the mighty Murchison falls. This is an opportunity to see hippos, crocodiles along the riverbanks and many water birds including the rare Shoebill Storck. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 – Kibale Forest, Kyaninga Lodge of Primate Lodge, 1 nacht. Full Board
Transfer to Kibale Forest. Today we will drive 7-8 hours to Kibale Forest National Park via Fort Portal. You will see “Everyday Life” East African style. At Fort Portal we will stop for a roadside lunch before continuing to the lodge that lies beautifully nestled in the mountains with a beautiful array of craters.
Kibale Forest National Park is an incredibly diverse forest in the Westernpart of Uganda and is home to over 12 species of primates. A network of shady forest trails provides much to delight botanists and butterfly lovers, while birders are in for a treat with over 330 species recorded including the endemic prirogrine’s ground thrush. The elusive forest elephant, smaller and hairier than its counterpart in the savannah, roams seasonally into the developed part of the park, while other terrestrial mammals include buffalo; giant forest hog and half dozen antelope species. Check in to dinner and overnight time permitting an evening walk is on the program.
Day 6 & 7 – Queen Elisabeth National Park, Kyambura Game Lodge of King Fisher Lodge, 2 nachten. Full Board.
It is time for Chimpanzee tracking! After an early breakfast we will drive to Kibale Forest for the morning session of chimp tracking. At the park headquarters after briefing, head for chimpanzee trekking and also look out for forest birds. Enjoy lunch break and after a swamp walk, for birders this is another paradise whereby it’s blessed with unique birds that are picturesque. Later, check out and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park for overnight stay.
On the seventh day in the morning we start with a morning game drive for lions, elephants, antelopes and buffaloe. Either head to Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura George for some chimp trekking (request on booking). After lunch we will drive down the escarpment for an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Later drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 & 9 – Bwindi National Park, Mahogany Springs Lodge of Silverback Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge, 2 nachten. Full Board
Today you will be transferred to Bwindi which will take around 5 hours. Exit the park via the southern sector Ishasha. This beautiful extension of Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its tree climbing lions. It is a fantastic sight to see the lions draped from the tree and nowhere in Africa do you stand a better chance of seeing this than in the large low limbed fig trees of Ishasha. We will have an optional bush picnic lunch before continuing to Bwindi weather allowing, where arrival will be early afternoon. This is a long but beautiful driving day.
On the ninth day it is time for an early start to go gorilla trekking! You will receive your packed lunch before departure. Walking up steep densely forested hills before finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation offers an exciting and inspiring experience! Trekking in Bwindi requires stamina and can often take most of the day. Alternatively for those that don’t go to the gorillas we will hike to Munyago Falls. Return to lodge late evening to dinner and overnight.
Day 10 – Entebbe, departure
Early morning departure for Entebbe (approx 9 hours drive), lunch will be enroute at any point of convenience in Mbarara Town or further down, time depending. Later drive to Kampala with a stop at the Equator for souvenirs and photographs, then to Entebbe Airport. Our representative will be there to say goodbye and to wish you a pleasant flight home, taking back unforgettable memories of “The Pearl of Africa”- Uganda.