Wildlife, Primates, and Crater Lakes of Uganda Safari |  15 days                                      

Woo, woo. This safari has it all! … from treks with the rare mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; tracking chimpanzees in the depths of the rainforest to village walks in Uganda’s welcoming rural communities.  Witness wildlife at its best in the country’s incredible game parks and cruise down the Nile with alligators, hippos, and more.  Swim in the deepest crater lake Africa knows and discover the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.  We can’t say enough about this remarkable adventure.

Day 1: Arrival and airport transfer to Kampala

Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by your driver/guide.  Take in the first sights of Uganda as you drive along Entebbe road to your hotel in Kampala town, where you will be able to take a tour of Uganda’s capital city, acquire local currency for the trip ahead and unwind the evening away.  Enjoy an overnight stay at the Cassia Lodge booked on a bed and breakfast basis.

*Meal plan: No meals
Transit time:   1hr

Day 2: Travel from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park

Early morning, you will drive to Murchison Falls National Park and have a stopover for lunch in Masindi town, where you will proceed straight to the top of the falls, where you can treat your eyes to the spectacular view of the breathtaking flow of the waters of the Nile river before, after and at this gorge.

The Murchison Falls; where the world’s longest river, the Nile River, narrows from 50m into a 7m gorge (at the top) are possibly the most powerful natural surge of water in the world; and this National Park is named after these falls.

After the falls experience, you’ll be driven to the Paraa Safari Lodge where you will check in, have your dinner and overnight stay.

*Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transit time:             5hrs

Day 3: Exploring Murchison Falls National Park

After a cup of tea/coffee for warmth, witness wildlife at its best with an early morning game drive on the Northern wing of the park to find lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffe, and a variety of antelopes. Return to the lodge for a full breakfast and later on lunch.

In the afternoon, see the Nile closer than ever as you enjoy a boat cruise down this legendary river – home to Africa’s most dense hippo and crocodile populations, as well as a dazzling variety of water birds, including the Grey Heron, Goliath Heron, Yellow-Billed Stork, Kingfisher, and occasionally the rare Shoebill Stork. The boat cruise will last up to three hours, after which you will return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4: From Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale Forest National Park

After an early breakfast, with your picnic lunch, set off for Kibale Forest National Park, driving further south along the western escarpment overlooking Lake Albert to Kibale Forest National Park, home to one of Uganda’s astounding major rainforests. Continue through villages and farm lands, finally reaching Kibale in the evening. Kibale Forest is home to over 12 primate species, including the red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey.  More still, it also boasts a remarkable opportunity to track habituated chimpanzees.  More closely related to humans than any other living creature, chimpanzees are captivating to watch as they swing from the fruiting trees in the depths of the rainforest.  Arrive in time for dinner and an overnight stay at Primate Lodge.

*Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner                                     .
Transit time:  7 – 8hrs

Day 5: Chimp tracking in Kibale Forest  National Park

In the morning, set out on your chimpanzee trek in the rainforest! Head to the park headquarters to meet park rangers for your pre-tracking briefing that precedes an exciting two to four-hour primate walk in the forest, where you will track the beloved chimpanzee, Grey-Cheeked Mangabeys, and Red Colobus Monkeys (only found in the Kibale Forest in Uganda).  Bird lovers are also in for a treat, as the rainforest also hosts an astonishing 335 bird species. After the trek, you will take a nature walk through the Bigodi Swamplands, a sanctuary rich in bird life, including the Blue Turaco. Thereafter, the driver/guide will transfer you to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Check in, have dinner, and overnight stay at the Mweya Safari Lodge.

* Packed lunch
Transit time:             3hrs

Day 6: Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park

Say good morning to the day with a hot cup of coffee or African tea before setting out on an early morning game drive on this Northern wing of the park, to catch the sunrise with its beautiful scenery. Early mornings also offer some of the best chances to see wildlife in action and perhaps at close range before the animals retreat from the heat of the day. You will return to the lodge for a more sumptuous breakfast and relax till lunch.

Your afternoon boat cruise after lunch will take you along the Kazinga channel in search of Cape buffaloes, elephants, hippos, various bird species and some crocodiles that have recently been sighted there after so many years. Our guide will then move you back to your lodge for the evening/night.

*Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.                        

Day 7: Exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha sector

You’ll drive to the Ishasha sector, on the Southern wing of Queen Elizabeth National Park where the famous tree-climbing lions have always been sighted; A game drive upon entry in Ishasha takes us in search of the large cats as they lounge in the park’s trees; only in this region of Uganda are you likely to witness these incredible animals. Other game here includes elephant, buffalo, topi, Uganda Kob, baboons, occasional leopards and hippos.

Arrive at your destination, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, and check in for an overnight stay.  Relax in the late afternoon and evening around the campfire.

Transit time:  Approx. 2hrs

Day 8: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

This day begins with an exit game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park before departing for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to approximately half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas.  This ancient forest unfolds over the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, providing breathtaking views and extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunities.

Upon arrival in Bwindi at your destination lodge (The Mahogany Springs), check in and relax in the late afternoon, or take a village walk down to the surrounding Batwa community; watching the magical motions of traditional Ugandan dances and feasting your eyes on local craftworks on sale.

*Packed lunch.
Transit time:  Approx. 6hrs

Day 9: Gorilla Tracking – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The most exciting yet fierce experience awaits you this day. Carry your packed lunch, which you will enjoy en route in the midst of this impenetrable forest, where you will have your hike-of-a-lifetime on this day. After your breakfast, head to the park HQs for a thorough pre-tracking briefing by the park rangers who will serve as your guides for the day’s excursion that may last from an hour or two to eight hours, before you can meet the gorillas. Once you meet the gorillas, however, you will be able to spend one full, unforgettable hour with them. The day’s tracking is normally guided by where the gorillas were found the previous day. At the end of the tracking, you will return to the lodge to relax the afternoon away and enjoy a cocktail by the campfire as you listen to the sounds of Bwindi, then later have dinner and sleep.

* Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner. – Packed lunch

Day 10: Travel to Lake Bunyonyi

After a relaxed breakfast, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Drive through the great heights of Uganda’s magnificent mountain scenery of forest and agricultural terraces. Check in at Arcadia Cottages for meals and overnight.

Although this lake is believed to be one of the deepest crater lakes in Africa, it is also known to be safe for swimming, with its temperature rising to approximately 250 C (770 F), creating an ideal atmosphere for a leisurely swim – so dive in and enjoy the feel of fresh water beneath the expansive sky before you can embark on a bird watching exercise in your afternoon.  “Bunyonyi” means “the place of many birds”, and the lake is aptly named: it is home to over 200 bird species.

You can further explore the lake by canoe or try your hand at cray fishing around the lake’s evergreen islands, and you can retire to your hotel for dinner, a drink and sleep.

*Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transit time:  Approx. 3hrs

Day 11: Enjoy the air and scenery at Lake Bunyonyi

Today’s the best day to unwind and relax in one of East Africa’s most gorgeous locations.  At 7,000 ft above sea level, the world is yours to see!  Go for another long swim or take a canoe trip on Lake Bunyonyi, or a walk through the local villages to see Uganda’s culture from a new perspective.

Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Arcadia Cottages.

*Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 12: Travel to and explore Lake Mburo National Park

Today’s smooth journey leads you to Lake Mburo National Park, stopping over for lunch in Mbarara town along the way.  Check into your accommodations at Lake Mburo Mihingo Lodge before enjoying an evening game drive later on. Alternatively, you might opt for a walking safari in the company of a park ranger.

Lake Mburo National Park is considered the best place in the country to witness the enormous Eland Antelope, zebra, Topi, Impala, and the numerous birds drawn to the Acacia tree.

*Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transit time: 3hrs

Day 13: Travel from Lake Mburo National Park to Kampala

Explore the wilderness one last time with a morning game drive through the Acacia savanna and woodlands of the park.  Wildlife here includes Zebra, Impala, Eland Antelope, buffalo, Topi, warthog, and the occasional leopard.  The park also offers an abundance of savanna bird species, including the Cocqui Francolin, Lapwings, and Hornbills.  Return to the lodge for a full late breakfast and after lunch, embark on a scenic journey to Kampala.  Along the way back to Uganda’s bustling capital city, you will stop at the Equator for a few snapshots and craft-shopping, and then later at another local shop to see/learn about the traditional craft of drum-making.  On arrival in Kampala in the evening, you will check in at Cassia Lodge (booked on a bed and breakfast basis) for your overnight.

Transit time:  5hrs

Day 14: Travel from Kampala to Jinja

After breakfast at the hotel in Kampala, you will head to Jinja, home to the source of the longest river in the world, the Nile.  Enjoy a boat ride on the river as you witness the starting point of the river that will make its 6,4000-kilometre journey all the way to the Mediterranean.  Stop in downtown Jinja for lunch. After lunch, you might visit other places of interest in Jinja before checking in at Jinja Nile Resort for your overnight. The resort is just at the bank of the River Nile, and you will be able to enjoy the Nile from the comfort of your balcony.

Transit time:  Approx. 2hrs

Day 15: Feel Kampala

After a relaxed breakfast, transfer to Kampala and en route visit the Sezibwa falls. Later, proceed to Kampala and visit the craft market to add to your relic collection before driving to Entebbe Airport to catch your departure flight.

Includes:

  • Airport transfers,
  • Accommodation, Meals,
  • Ferry crossing,
  • Park entries,
  • Game drives,
  • Nile cruise,
  • Chimp walk Kibale,
  • Kazinga cruise,
  • 1 Gorilla permit,
  • Canoe ride Lake Bunyonyi,
  • Boat ride Lake Mburo,
  • Nature walk Mburo,
  • Source of the Nile entry and boat ride,
  • Sezibwa entry,
  • 4×4 transportation with driver guide