This 11 Day Safari takes you to Uganda’s largest National Park – the Murchison Falls National Park through which the great River Nile (the longest in the world) flows. You will get a chance to see the thunderous Murchison Falls, as well as the big five animals. You will continue to Kibale National Park found in south western Uganda for a chance to track habituated chimpanzee (man’s closest living relative) and also explore this Forest Park which has the highest diversity and number for primates across East Africa. Proceeding to Queen Elizabeth National Park (the most popular in Uganda) where you will explore the Ishasha sector home of the tree-climbing Lions, see different wildlife species and enjoy a launch Cruise on the Kazinga channel. The highlight of this Safari will be an opportunity to come face-to-face with the endangered mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park the best destination for gorilla trekking in the world. The final destination on this Safari will be Lake Bunyonyi which has about 20 outstanding beautiful islands for a relaxing boat ride.
Activities: Chimpanzee tracking, game drives, boat cruises, gorilla trekking, bigodi nature walk, boat ride
Day 3: visit Top of falls, transfer to Kibale National Park
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Nature Walk
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 6: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
Day 7: Game drive, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 8: Boat Ride on Lake Bunyonyi, Drive to Bwindi
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking
Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo, boat cruise
Day 11: Departure to Kampala
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, Rhino tracking
After an early breakfast at your hotel your Safari driver-guide will transfer you to the Murchison Falls National Park making an en-route stop over at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary where you will track the white rhinos on foot for about 90 minutes. You will have lunch in Masindi town before finally arriving in this beautiful Murchison Falls National Park.
Travel time: 5 to 6 hours
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Ndail Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge
- Mid-Range: Murchison River Lodge, Fort Murchison
- Budget: Red Chilli, Fort Murchison In Tents
Day 2: Game Drive and Launch Cruise on River Nile
Today you will have a very early start and by 6:30 a.m. head out for a game drive before break of dawn to explore the various trails in the park where you will see different animals such as the cape buffaloes, warthogs, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, Rothschild’s giraffes, lions, spotted hyenas and many others in addition to several birds like the hornbills, bee eaters, Egyptian geese, saddle bill stock and pelicans among others.
Return to your Lodge for a late breakfast relax and have lunch before going on a boat cruise on River Nile in the afternoon. This Cruise will take you upstream on the Victoria Nile all the way to the bottom of the thunderous Murchison Falls and stop a couple of meters away from the devil’s cauldron. You will enjoy views of hippos, giant Nile crocodiles, birds like the shoebill storks, and different animals along the river banks. It is a very breathtaking view looking at the Majesty of these waterfalls.
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Ndail Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge
- Mid-Range: Murchison River Lodge, Fort Murchison
- Budget: Red Chilli, Fort Murchison In Tents
Day 3: visit Top of falls, transfer to Kibale National Park
Early breakfast then transfer to the top of the falls to watch water of River Nile squeeze its way through a tiny 7 meter gorge and drop off a cliff 43 meters below. This forms a very thunderous roar with a rising cloud of water spray offering a very refreshing atmosphere. You will also be able to spot several birds and animals before beginning the long journey to southwestern Uganda into Kibale Forest National Park driving past several towns, farms, plantations and homestead. lunch will be in en-route and you will not fail to see in a distance the beautiful snow-capped mount Rwenzori as you approach the park.
Travel time: 8 hours
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Primates Lodge Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge
- Mid-Range: Kibale Forest Camp, Mountains Of The Moon
- Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Rwenzori Travelers, Kibale Forest Camp
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Nature Walk
You will have an early breakfast and then transfer to the kanyanchu tourist center by 8 a.m. where the park guides will brief you about the chimpanzee tracking activity. This being the primate capital expect to see more then just the chimpanzees the trucking takes between 2 to 3 hours during which you will also encounter various birds, butterflies and small animals. You will spend one hour with a chimpanzees observing and taking photographs
After lunch you will either return to your Lodge to spend the in the afternoon there will be a nature walk an optional nature walk in the Bigodi Westland sanctuary to see more wildlife and also encounter the locals. Return for dinner and the overnight rest
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Primates Lodge Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge
- Mid-Range: Kibale Forest Camp, Mountains Of The Moon
- Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Rwenzori Travelers, Kibale Forest Camp
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have breakfast and then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will spend the night
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Jacana Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge
- Mid-Range: Enganzi Lodge, Buffalo Safari Resort, Ihamba Safari Lodge
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp Bush Lodge In Tents Kazinga Channel View Lodge
Day 6: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
After breakfast you will head out for an early-morning game drive to see various animals such as lions, elephants, cape buffaloes, forest hogs, Bushbucks and many others.
after lunch at the lodge you will go for an afternoon boat cruise for two hours on the Kazinga channel which connects lakes George and Edward and then you will get a chance to see Uganda’s highest population of hippos plus other animals like and the elephants in addition to several birds as the park is home to about 550 birds. Return for dinner and overnight rest at your accommodation.
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Jacana Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge
- Mid-Range: Enganzi Lodge, Buffalo Safari Resort, Ihamba Safari Lodge
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp Bush Lodge In Tents Kazinga Channel View Lodge
Day 7: Game drive, transfer to Lake bunyonyi
Today will be the final day in Queen Elizabeth National Park and you will have a final game drive to see lions, Forest hog, cape buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, topi and others. Return for a late breakfast at the lodge and then transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. This lake is considered to be one of the most spectacular, refreshing and serene places in Uganda. It is also the second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika and the deepest in Uganda. Lunch will be in route and on arrival you will check into your home.
Meal Plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Birds Nest@Bunyonyi
- Mid-range: Arcadia cottages
- Budget: Crater Bay cottages
Day 8: Boat Ride on Lake Bunyonyi, Drive to Bwindi
Today morning after breakfast you head out to enjoy a canoe ride on the lake or go for a guided nature walk in the nearby hills that surround the lake. Unique about the landscape in this area is that the steep slopes have been beautifully terraced by the local farmers. You will not fail to observe the numerous number of beds in this area as the name ‘Bunyonyi’ which means ‘a place of many birds’ was derived from this.
In the afternoon you will transfer to Bwindi impenetrable National Park driving through kisoro town to the far southwestern part of Uganda where the Bwindi – home of gorillas is found. You will be fascinated by the beautiful countryside with the rolling hills, village settlements and the verdant greenery. Arrival check into your home addition for dinner and the overnight.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge
- Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Silverback Lodge Bwindi
- Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp, Gorilla Haven Lodge Rushaga, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking
Today morning you will begin the day with an early for breakfast and by 8 a.m. be at the park headquarters where the park guides will brief you about the gorilla trekking activity which takes between 2 and 6 hours. From here in groups of eight (8) led by the park guides and armed ranges you will traverse through the dense forest which is crisscrossed by several animal trails. You will encounter several birds, butterflies and different tree species. Once you find the habituated gorilla family you will be allowed an hour in their presents observing them and taking photographs.
Later the afternoon after the lunch break there will be an optional cultural visit to the batwa pygmy community, or spend the evening at leisure at your accommodation
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge
- Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Silverback Lodge Bwindi
- Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp, Gorilla Haven Lodge Rushaga, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp
Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo, boat cruise
After an early breakfast, you will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park well known for its great diversity of birds that live around the lake and the large number of animals such as Zebras, impalas, Warthogs and many others that dwell in its woodlands. You will have lunch en-route in Mbarara city and on arrival in the park, you will enjoy a 2 hours relaxing boat ride on the beautiful Lake Mburo to see the different birds and animals like hippos that live close to the water-edge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation:
- Luxury: Arcadia Cottages, Mihingo Lodge, Mantana Lake Mburo Camp
- Moderate: Rakobo Rock, Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
- Budget: Eagles Nest Camp
Day 11: Departure to Kampala
Today will be the final day of our 11 Day gorilla & wildlife Uganda Safari. After breakfast you will have a guided nature walk in the park for a final experience of this wildlife habitat which is among the few national parks in Uganda where you can enjoy a foot safari. You will return for lunch back at your accommodation before starting on the drive back to Kampala. At the Equator you will have a stopover for a photograph moment, just as at the Mpambire Drum makers where you will see drums being traditionally crafted a skill that has been passed down over several generations. Later in the Afternoon you will arrive in Kampala where you will be dropped at a hotel of your choice or at the Entebbe International Airport for your Departure Flight. End of Safari
Main plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Safari Includes:
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
Transportation in a 4WD Safari vehicle
Full-time service of an English speaking Driver-guide
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
kibale Chimp tracking permit
Bwindi Gorilla permit
Bottled drinking water
Park entrance fees
Game drives
Boat cruises
Safari excludes:
Personal expenses like on drinks, Laundry services, telephone and cigars
Tips
Personal insurance
Visa and air tickets
