This 17 Days Uganda safari takes you various national parks in Uganda; Murchison falls national park, Kibale Forest national park, Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Lake Mburo National park.
Safari Highlights:
- In Budongo forest we shall explore the ancient natural forest looking for Chimpanzees and rare bird species.
- In Kibale forest, we will be surrounded by birds as well as other thirteen species of primates.
- In Bwindi forest; we shall face off the mountain gorillas
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has gorillas and golden monkeys.
- A visit to Murchison falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park will give us an opportunity for game in a Savannah landscape.
- Visit to Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary in Lake Victoria.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport.
Upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, you will be welcomed by our safari guide and taken to your hotel for a welcome drink and safari briefing where you will also spend the night in Entebbe.
Overnight at Lake Victoria Hotel Entebbe
Day 2: Travel Entebbe-Masindi
After breakfast, we travel to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, track Rhinos and later continue to Budongo Forest.
After checking in at Budongo Eco-Lodge, we will head straight to spend the rest of the day in Bodongo forest. Budongo is not just any tropical forest; it is the largest Mahogany forest in East Africa and is famous for its chimpanzee population and rare bird species.
Both depend on the fruits, plants insects of this ancient forest for food. Guided forest walks through this enchanting and fascinating forest following well marked trails is a worthwhile experience.
Overnight: Budongo Eco-lodge.
Day 3: Chimp Tracking on top of the Murchison Falls.
After breakfast, we shall travel to Kaniyo Pabidi,part of Budongo forest for Chimpanzee tracking. This area is also a good spot for rare bird species like the Purvels illadopsis. Later we continue and our destination today is the famous Murchison falls national park, one of the best known and popular game parks in Uganda. We visit the top of the falls.
We shall stay at the Nile safari camp or Red chill Rest Camp both situated on Victoria Nile.
Day 4: Game Drive and Boat Trip
After breakfast we shall go for a game drive in the northern sector of the park. Expect to see giraffe, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, bushbuck and other wildlife. Murchison falls also has prides of lions and leopards which are commonly seen on game drives. In the afternoon enjoy a boat trip on the Victoria Nile to the bottom of the falls. Along the way you will see many animals and birds as they come to drink water at the edge of the Nile. This boat trip provides endless photo opportunities.
Overnight: Red Chilli Camp or Nile Safari Camp.
Day 5: Travel to Hoima.
This morning, will be at leisure or we opt for another game drive or boat trip. Later we travel to Hoima.
Overnight; Hotel. Kontik
Day 6: From Hoima to Kibale Forest.
After breakfast we will travel to Kibale forest heading south. This forest is regarded as one of the best places to watch birds and has rare endemic species such as papyrus Gonelek, White-napped pigeon, Nahans Francolin, and Bar-Tailed Trojan. In addition it has chimpanzee families which have been studied at a research station based in the forest for several years.
Overnight. Primate Lodge or Chimps Nest.
Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking or Chimpanzee Habituation.
On this day we have an option of either chimp tracking or chimpanzee habituation experience. Chimpanzee habitation experience. is an activity which entails following chimpanzees to get them used to human presence without letting them alter their natural behavior. While on habitation you expect to experience the chimps de-nesting (coming out of nests) between 5:30 – 6:30 am and then follow up their daily activities up to resting time around 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Apart from chimpanzees, there are other twelve primate species and endemic bird species.
Overnight; Primate Lodge or Chimps Nest.
Day 8: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Today we will travel to Queen Elizabeth National park where we will spend two days exploring the vast savannah and viewing wildlife. This is Africa at its best, a perfect blend of magnificent scenery and abundant wildlife. Your guide will explain the animal behavior and because of his expertise and experience, he’ll take you to the best locations for the season to maximize your safari experience.
The park is home to over 100 species of mammals and more than 600 species of birds. Along the way we stop at the equator crossing line for memorable photo opportunities.
Overnight; Mweya Safari lodge/ Ecology Hostel.
Day 9: Chimpanzee Tracking and Boat Trip on Kazinga Channel.
We shall have an early start and go to Chambura gorge to look for Chimpanzees. Later we will drive back to Mweya lodge for Lunch followed by a late afternoon boat trip on the Kazinga channel. Animals likely to be seen on the launch include Elephants, Buffaloes, Hippos, Waterbucks, and many bird species.
Overnight Mweya Lodge/ Ecology Hostel.
Day 10: Mweya to Ishasha Wilderness area.
After breakfast we shall travel to Ishasha, the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for tree climbing lions where we will spend the rest of the day. On the game drive animals to be seen include, elephants, Uganda Kob, buffaloes, warthogs, and we have high chances of seeing a pride of tree climbing lions.
Overnight; Savannah Resort.
Day 11: Ishasha to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
After breakfast we shall enjoy a short game drive, and then travel to Bwindi National Park, home to more than half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas, time allowing, we shall enjoy a nature walk on the Munyaga river trail where we shall see a variety of birds and primates. This waterfall trail provides an attractive feature of the forest with as profusion of ferns, orchids and Bwindi’s colorful butterflies.
Overnight; Gorrila Resort or Community Bandas.
Day 12: Gorilla tracking.
This day’s activity is probably the most exciting and challenging. You will have an opportunity of visiting one of the habituated groups of mountain gorillas – a privilege enjoyed by only a few visitors. This is an experience of a lifetime and one never to be forgotten. After locating the gorillas we will be allowed to be with them for one hour after which we will return to the camp (Gorilla Resort/ Community Bandas).
Day 13: Travel to Kisoro.
After breakfast we shall travel to Kisoro enjoying a scenic drive through Ichuya forest arriving in time for lunch. After lunch enjoy a nature walk in Mgahinga National Park. Mgahinga is a very scenic park and is famous for mountain gorillas and the rare golden monkeys which live in this park.
We shall then spend the night at Travelers Rest an historic hotel set up by Walter Baumgartel;the father of gorilla tourism. This hotel has hosted many involved in gorilla conservation including Dianna Fossey. A cozy hotel reminiscent of a bygone era.
Day 14: Golden Monkey Tracking.
After breakfast we will trek Mgahinga Gorrilla National Park, not only famous for mountain gorillas but the only place in Uganda where the rare golden monkeys can be found. Apart from primates, the park has rare bird species, some endemic to the Albertine rift area such as Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, Mountain Yellow Warblers, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Turaco, Archers Robin Chat and many more.
We shall still spend another night at Travelers Rest Hotel.
Day 15: Kisoro to Lake Mburo.
After breakfast we will travel to Lake Mburo National park in Mbarara. Lake Mburo has a markedly different fauna form other parks we’ll have visited and is it’s the best place in Uganda if you’re interested in Elands, Zebras, Topis and the Impala (antelopes) and several acacia associated birds. The five lakes within the park attract Hippos, crocodiles and water birds, while the fringing swamps, hide secretive papyrus species such as Siatatunga antelopes, and Red, Black, and Yellow papyrus Gonelek.
Overnight; Mihingo Lodge.
Day 16: Nature Walk and Travel to Entebbe.
After breakfast we’ll enjoy a nature walk and then travel to Entebbe. You will have lunch in Masaka and have a brief stop over at the equator crossing.
Later proceed to Kampala.
Overnight: Cassia Lodge
Day 17: Entebbe – Ngamba Island back to Entebbe and Depart.
This morning travel to Ngamba Chimpanzee Island by boat situated 32 km from Entebbe. You will spend the day with chimps and later we return to Entebbe for our evening flight back home.
