Best of Uganda (10 days trip)
Trip highlights
- Track the Mountain Gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- View chimpanzees and other primate species in their natural habitat
- Search for tree-climbing lions and other wildlife in the Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Indulge in some of the best bird watching in Africa with over 1000 different species on a Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Cruise along the River Nile to spectacular Murchison Falls
- Spot reintroduced white rhinos on a walking safari at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Experience a nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park
Overview
This comprehensive tour encompasses the best wildlife
encounters in Uganda along with wonderful hospitality and superb lodge
accommodation. Tracking the mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
is an incredible bucket list experience culminating in the thrill of standing
within metres of a male silverback and his family. With an opportunity to view
prolific wildlife in its natural environment such as chimpanzees and other
primates, a walking safari to spot reintroduced white rhinos, some of the best
bird watching in Africa with over 1000 different species, a large variety of
plains game and big cats to rival any Kenya or Tanzania game reserve, and the
famous tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park; there are too many
highlights to name. Coupled with its diverse habitats, lush forests,
mountainous scenery, beautiful lakes and spectacular waterfalls; this
exceptional itinerary showcases the best of Uganda and is the perfect addition
to any Africa itinerary.
Itinerary
Day 1: Join Entebbe
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda, you
shall be welcomed by your guide and transferred to the group hotel for
overnight.
Accommodation: Boma Guest House or similar
Meals: Nil
Day 2: Drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls
National Park
After breakfast, you will drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
where you will undertake a walking safari to view the Southern White Rhinos
that have been re-introduced in Uganda. In the afternoon you will drive to the
legendary Murchison Falls National Park - Uganda’s largest national park.
Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge or similar Approx. distance 364 km Approx.
driving time 6 hours
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3: Morning game drive, afternoon River Nile boat
cruise to Murchison Falls
After an early breakfast, we will undertake a morning game
drive. This is a beautiful drive across savannah, Borassus Palm Forest and
grassland down to Lake Albert where the Albert Nile River heads north. We drive
in the open African savannah in search of Lions, Leopard, Hyena, Buffalo,
Elephant, Jackson Hartebeest, Oribi, Waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, in addition to
spotting various bird species such as the Secretary Bird, Black Chested Snake
Eagle, Tawny and Marshal Eagles, Carmine and Swallow Tailed Bee-Eaters, and
many more. In the afternoon, we enjoy a boat ride up the Nile River to the
spectacular Murchison Falls. We hike to the top of the falls and marvel as the
Nile squeezes through a 7 metre gap, with enormous Nile Crocodiles basking at
the bottom. Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge or similar Approx. distance 65
km Approx. driving time 3-4 hours game drive
Meals: B,L,D
Day 4: Drive to Kibale National Park
This morning you will drive to Kibale National Park. Along
the way you will pass many tea plantations and have an opportunity to visit a
tea plantation. We will also stop in Fort Portal and visit the Toro Palace. In
the afternoon you will arrive at your accommodation.
Accommodation: Kibale
Forest Camp or Isunga Lodge or similar Approx. distance 370 km Approx. driving
time 8 hours
Meals: B,L,D
Day 5: Morning chimp trek, drive to Queen Elizabeth
National Park
After an early morning breakfast, you will undertake a chimp
trek. Note: the chimp permits are subject to availability - there are two slots
in either the early morning (when they are often up in the trees feeding and
more active) or at mid morning (when they often come down to take a nap as it
is cooler on the forest floor and therefore closer and more relaxed). Both of
these viewing slots are rewarding and interesting. Kibale’s 795 sq km National
Park contains one of the most beautiful and varying tracts of tropical forest
in the whole of Uganda. This is home to 13 species of primate including
chimpanzees. The park’s highest point is at 1590m above sea level. After lunch
we will proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and enjoy a game drive on the
way to our lodge. Named after Her Majesty’s Queen Elizabeth of England, it is
Uganda’s most popular and scenic game reserve. It stretches from the
crater-dotted foothills of the Rwenzori range in the north, along the shores of
Lake Edward to the remote Ishasha River in the south, incorporating a wide
variety of habitats that range from open savannah, wetlands, crater lakes and
rainforest.
Accommodation: Kasenyi Safari Camp or Marafiki Safari Lodge or
similar Approx. distance 130 km Approx. driving time 4-5 hours (including game
drive speed)
Meals: B,L,D
Day 6: Morning game drive, afternoon Kazinga Channel boat
cruise
This morning we will have an early morning game drive. Queen
Elizabeth National Park includes parts of Lakes Edward and George which are
linked by the Kazinga channel. The park boasts the world’s highest
bio-diversity rating with over 600 bird and 100 mammal species including lions,
hippos, buffaloes, leopard, Spotted Hyena, elephants and the elusive Giant
Forest Hog. The primates include Chimps, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Blue,
Black faced Red Colobus, and Red tailed monkeys and Olive Baboons. Lunch at the
lodge will be followed by an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
Accommodation: Kasenyi Safari Camp or Marafiki Safari Lodge or similar Approx.
distance 40 km Approx. driving time 3 hours game drive
Meals: B,L,D
Day 7: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, game drive in
Ishasha enroute
After breakfast, you will be driven to Bwindi Impenetrable
Forest National Park, passing through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth
National Park, famous for its tree climbing lions. Bwindi National Park is the
habitat of half of the world’s Mountain Gorilla population and also home to
chimpanzee, monkeys, elephants, small antelope and birdlife. Your accommodation
tonight is located near Bwindi National Park.
Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp
or similar (2019); Haven Lodge Buhoma or similar (2020) Approx. distance 150 km
Approx. driving time 5 hours (including game drive speed)
Meals: B,L,D
Day 8: Gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, drive
to Lake Bunyonyi
A very early start for the short drive to Bwindi
Impenetrable Forest National Park for your Gorilla trek. You will be taken to
the Park Headquarters for a short briefing after which you will enter the
forest and start your Gorilla trek (please note that a drive may be required to
your trekking starting point). The trek can be anything from 2 hours to 6 hours
or longer depending on the location of the Gorillas on the day. The terrain is
rough, often over steep slopes covered with matted vegetation. You will be led
by an experienced ranger who will tell you interesting facts about the flora
and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas. Be prepared for rain, mud and
giant stinging nettles – long trousers, gloves and a waterproof jacket will
help. The mountain gorillas have inspired travellers from all over the world to
experience one of nature’s greatest interactions. Anyone who has witnessed the
Mountain Gorillas of East Africa will strongly agree that it is a once in a
lifetime experience that will never be forgotten. Afterwards we will drive to
Lake Bunyonyi for overnight.
Accommodation: Birds Nest Resort or similar
Approx. distance 60 km Approx. driving time 1.5 hours
Meals: B,L,D
Day 9: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
This morning after breakfast we will depart Bunyonyi and
drive to Lake Mburo National Park, the only park in Uganda with an entire lake.
Here we enjoy a brief game drive along the way to your accommodation. Lake
Mburo National Park forms a mosaic-like habitat with rocks, dry slopes, open
and wooded savannahs, forests and swamps. These diverse habitats are home to
313 recorded bird species including Flame Head Barbet, Long-tailed Zitting
Cisticola (Tabora), African Bins Rail, Collared Barbet and Binding Bush Singer.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock or similar Approx. distance 180 km Approx. driving
time 4-5 hours (including game drive speed)
Meals: B,L,D
Day 10: Nature walk, drive to Entebbe, trip concludes
You will get up early morning for a guided nature walk
before returning to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. Then you will drive to
Entebbe. Time permitting you can stop for a photo opportunity at the Equator.
Transfer to Entebbe Airport, where trip concludes. (Please note: earliest
departure time is 18:00hrs). Approx. distance 270 km Approx. driving time 5
hours
Meals: B,L
Inclusions
9 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 8 dinners
airport transfers (day 1 and 10 only)
7 nights in 3 star safari lodge on a twin-share basis
1 night in 3 star permanent safari camp on a twin-share basis
1 night in 3 star hotel on a twin-share basis
English speaking local driver-guide
private transport in a 4wd safari vehicle
game drives and excursions as listed in itinerary
national park and conservation fees (including gorilla and
chimp permits) valued at US$750
mineral water while on tour
*payment is required for the Gorilla and Chimp permits at
time of booking and is not refundable
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