Uganda Safaris|Chimpanzee Tours|Bwindi Gorilla Safari|National Parks|Queen Elizabeth National Park

THE UGANDA WILDLIFE SAFARI (10 DAYS)

Day one
Take a scenic drive through the renowned famous Luwero Triangle and Masindi district, where you will stop over at Masindi Hotel for lunch before proceeding to Murchison Falls National park through Budongo forest. Drive to the top of the falls to view the Nile’s ideal prettiness and awesome site as it compresses itself from about 1 kilometer wide down a 7-meteer ravine. The drop of the falls (150 metre) creates a booming roar and a lovely rainbow in a trail of spray – the memorable view worth watching with your own eyes! After these interesting moments, you can then enjoy the sunset as you move to the outstanding comfort and services of Paraa Uganda Safaris Lodge/Red Chillis Camp or Sambiya river lodge for dinner and overnight. (BLD)

Day two
Early in the morning embark on a game drive after a cup of tea.  Move to the northern bank where you will be able to spot lions, elephants, cape buffaloes, hartebeests water bucks, rothchild’s, oribi, hyenas and rare leopards.  You can then return to the lodge for breakfast as you relax at the pool side. After lunch go for a launch cruise along the Victoria Nile down the falls tens of meters from the “Devils Cauldron.” There you will view toothsome crocodiles, hippos and 17 kms downstream, elephants, waterbucks and Uganda Kobs are a common phenomenon. For birders there are a variety of bird species such as pelicans, bee-eaters, goliath herons, Hornbills, Egyptian geese, kingfishers, cormorants and the rare shoebill stork. After the memorable visit to this picturesque Murchison Falls, return for dinner and a spend an overnight at  Paraa Safari Lodge/Red Chillis Camp, or Sambiya river lodge.

Day three
After breakfast a game drive to spot those wild animal species you could have missed on the previous day is worth undertaking. At around 10:00 am drive back to the lodge for breakfast and relax as you prepare for ferry crossing. Take an early lunch at 1pm and set off at exactly 2 pm for ferry crossing. Drive  via Albertine Escarpment following Masindi – Hoima - Fort portal road. It is a long journey (at least a 4 hours drive) passing through lush countryside, traditional farms and homesteads to reach Fort portal, which rests in the shadow of the enchanted “Mountains of the Moon.” Stop over for dinner and an overnight at Ndali Uganda safari Lodge, Mid range Rwenzori view guest house/Budget Sky tree house.

Day four
After an early breakfast transfer to Kibale National Park for primate viewing at 8:00 am. This will be an all day trekking for primates such as  phoestes, red-colobus, Blue, Red-tailed and grey - cheeked Mangabeys and the chimpanzees which swing through the dense forest. The park is also endowed with birds, Butterflies and many small insects. Detailed explanations will be provided to you by the guide, not only on primates but also on other flora and fauna making the walk informative and pleasant. The walk is the best for viewing birds and primates in close quarters. You should not miss a visit to Bigodi swamp eco-tourism site to encounter uncommon and stunning Flora and Fauna.

Have lunch, dinner and spend a night at Ndali Uganda Safari Lodge, Mid Range view guest house or the sky tree house

Day five
Early morning, after break fast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the spectacular Rwenzori Mountain Range overlooking most of the journey. While traveling, the game drive may be rewarded with a view of Elephants, Leopards, Buffaloes, waterbucks, Hyenas and a variety of Antelope species. After this drive, have lunch and set off for a full 2-hours boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through one of the highest concentration of Hippos and buffaloes, migrant and resident water birds, buffaloes and many animals, such as crocodiles that may be seen drinking and playing at the water edges.

Have dinner and spend an overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge / Institute of ecology.

Day Six
After breakfast take a nature walk to the south-east of Maramagambo forest. Here you will be able to sight a selection of avifauna and mammals such as Chimpanzees, red tailed and L’Hoests’ monkey, pottos and giant forest hogs. You can also spot pythons (depending on the weather). Return to the Lodge for lunch and immediately proceed south west to Ishasha via a riparian forest that consists of unusual species worth viewing. The 20 km game circuit of Ishashacovers the northern and southern loop. On the southern circuit you will be able to spot tree climbing lions and their preysuch as the Kobs and antelopes. The northern circuit skirts an extensive swamp filled with birds such as the shoebills.

Dinner and an overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp where you will have a panoramic view of River George upstream of the Camp.

Day Seven
After an early cup of coffee/tea, enjoy a morning game drive that will offer you an opportunity of spotting the early risers and predators such as leopards and tree-climbing lions and other wild species that you didn’t view the previous day. Then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable national Park. The journey is enriched with a variety of species you can watch enroute.

Have a rest at the Gorilla Forest Camp (luxury) / Mid range Lake Kitandara camp, or budget Buhoma community bandas

Day Eight

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to 326 gorillas, almost a half of the world's population of mountain gorillas. The park also boasts of 326 bird species and over 200 species of butterflies.

At 7.45 am walk to the park headquarters for the game ranger's briefing prior to gorilla tracking in the thick rain forest. Depending on the gorilla permits in your possession you can visit any of the habituated gorilla families in the Bwindi forest which include the Habinyanja, the Mubare, the Rushegura and the Nkuringo. Gorilla tracking experience begins at 8.30 a.m. local time and can last from a few hours to a whole day.

  The noted mammals here include the endangered mountain gorilla, buffalo, elephants, the rare golden monkey, black-fronted duikers, bushbucks, giant forest hogs leopards as well as other animals. The park is best known for the charming gorillas, where the time and terrain taken varies according to the movements of these awesome close relative of man. Observing and spending time with these gentle giants is exceptional, inspiring, breathtaking and thrilling adventure that leaves you with eternal memories of a justly sole experience. They are peaceful and shy animals to watch and photograph as they interact. After capturing these interesting moments move back to the luxurious Gorilla Forest Camp or Lake Kintandara camp or budget Buhoma community bandas for relaxation and a full board overnight.

Day Nine
After breakfast transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Go for a game drive in the afternoon along the lakeshore. With its own system of game trails and cleared walk ways, the ‘Kigambara Loop’ offers interesting guided lakeside walks. Here, the cape buffaloes, herds of zebra, waterbucks, impala and topi are easy to spot. A boat trip on Lake Mburo and self guided nature trails are worth undertaking since the abundant aquatic life on Lake Mburo is highly rewarding. Over 315 bird species have been recorded in Mburo national park. You will not miss spotting birds such as Black-throated Barbets, Green-capped Eremomela, Ruppell's long-tailed starling, Brown-faced Lapwings, Papyrus Gonoleks, the extraordinary White winged Warbler, Carruther’s Cisticolas, and Bare-Faced Go-away bird, among others.

Have a dinner and an overnight at the luxurious Mantana Tented Camp / Budget Rwonyo Homestead

Day Ten
Drive back to Kampala, en route make a stop-over at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through generations. Time will be availed to stop at the equator for photographs and you will arrive in Kampala before lunch. Then spend a night at any hotel in Kampala of your choice.

End of the safari