Overview
You will be able to participate in gorilla trekking in the Bwindi forests, chimp tracking in the Kyambura Gorge, rhino tracking at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and game drives in Murchison and Queen Elizabeth National Parks. While on this safari, expect to see a myriad of wildlife species including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hyenas, waterbucks, elephants, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, giraffes, zebras, Nile crocodiles, hippos as well as spectacular bird species.
Costing
No of Pax | Budget | Midrange | Luxury |
1 | $6,250 | $6,790 | $8,050 |
2 | $6,110 | $6,710 | $7,830 |
3 | $5,990 | $6,640 | $7,710 |
Note: Our Safari rates apply to the number of Travellers in your planned request not necessarily joining an already existing group
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by a driver-guide who will welcome you to Uganda – the pearl of Africa. After that, you will be transferred to your booked accommodation. In case you have had an early landing in Uganda, you will have a late afternoon ride around the city of Kampala. Expect excursions to places like the Kasubi tomb, Uganda Museum, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, etc. You will return to your accommodation and have enough rest.
After breakfast, you will drive northwards to the renowned Murchison Falls National Park, with a stopover for your lunch in Masindi and another at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rare rhinos that are protected in this sanctuary. Later, you will arrive at Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest well-protected wildlife area covering 3,840 sq km. Move to the top of the falls to view the natural beauty of these falls. At this place, the river squeezes itself through a 7-meter narrow gorge from a width of more than 1 km and drops below with a thunderous roar forming a water spray that rainbow that results in a stunning rainbow of the wonders of the Nile River! Dine and rest.
You will have an early delicious breakfast, and explore the Northern part which hosts a high number of savannah wildlife. This game drive offers great opportunities for photography of elephants, lions, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, giraffes, waterbucks as well and hippos. In case you are fortunate even the leopards, in addition to a big number of bird species.
Following lunch, you will have for a 2-hour boat cruise to the bottom of the Murchison Falls from where great volumes of water escape through the small gorge forming an immense thunderous roar. During this boat ride, you will see several water birds plus mammals in big numbers like hippos and crocodiles. You will head back to the lodge with a short evening game drive then have dinner and rest at your lodge.
Have breakfast in the morning and depart for Kibale National Park. You will have Lunch at Fort Portal and proceed in the view of the Rwenzori Mountains. A guided nature walk in the Bigodi wetland sanctuary to see various bird species, butterflies, and primates. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Bigodi.
Today you will track the most famous inhabitants of Kibale National Park, the chimpanzees. Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes making them our closest living relatives. They are found in 21 countries throughout Africa but are most easily sighted in Uganda due to their dense populations. Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild. The chimpanzee trekking experience here is done on several well-maintained walking trails.
After tracking, you have the opportunity for a guided walk through the swamps of Bigodi swamps. This activity will take you to the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary which features 8 primate species, over 200 bird species, and many reptiles. During the walk – which takes 2 to 3 hours – you have a chance to many animals but the highlight is catching a glimpse of a famous bird; the Great Blue Turaco.
Scenic Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and is most often included in visitors’ itineraries. It is the second largest park in the country and is located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, next to Lake Edward and Lake George which are joined by the Kazinga channel. Few reserves in the world have such high biodiversity with landscapes including savannah, bushland, wetlands, and lush forests. On your first game drive, it is time to explore the Queen Elizabeth National Park with its 200 kilometers of well-maintained game viewing tracks. We advise for you to be alert and proactive on your game drive to help the ranger spot as many animals as possible. With an astonishing 5000 hippos, 2500 elephants, and over 10,000 buffalo thriving in its grasslands and shorelines. A professional ranger with extensive knowledge of the park and its inhabitants will join you in your car so you can ask your guide to search for specific birdlife or wildlife.
After an early breakfast, you will go for a long morning game drive at 6.30 a.m. in time to catch up with the early risers and see the sunrise as well as search for all the wildlife in the park; elephant, buffalo, lion, waterbuck, leopard, Uganda kob, warthog, etc. After lunch, you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel in the afternoon and you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine), as well as a variety of other animals that come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see buffalos, crocodiles, bathing elephants, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. After the boat safari, you will do a short evening game drive as you drive back to the lodge.
On this day have an early breakfast and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via Ishasha region in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth to see tree-climbing lions that are prevalent in this area. You will continue to where you will have lunch along the way. You will have a community walk (the Batwa -Pygmy cultural experience and entertainment) in the evening. You will enjoy dinner and rest at the lodge of your choice.
After breakfast, you will proceed to the park headquarters to be briefed about the gorilla tracking before going into the verdant forest led by the rangers. In case you are fortunate, it may take you about 2 hours or even less to see the amazing Bwindi giants. The experience of coming face to face with these peaceful primates is very overwhelming. You will head back to the lodge where you will have lunch after tracking the gorillas. You will relax at the lodge the whole evening.
You will have breakfast and later return to Kampala having lunch along the way in Mbarara and eventually reach Kampala late in the afternoon where you will have a city tour. You will be transferred directly to the airport for your outbound travel back home or transfer to your accommodation if you do not leave this evening.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Park fees(For non-residents)
- Gorilla permits(One per person, non-resident)
- All activities(Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation(Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation(Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water(On all days)
The Cost Excludes
- International flights(From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips(Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items(Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)