Uganda Wildlife Safari & Activity Holiday
Start/End: Kampala
Duration: 15 Days
Activities: Rafting, Game Drives, Launch trips, Rhino tracking, Chimp tracking, Gorilla tracking, nature walks
Destinations: Kampala city, Jinja, Murchison falls, Kibale forest, Queen Elizabeth Park, Bwindi Forest, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo park
A 15 days’ uganda wildlife safari to see the beauty of its wildlife parks & sanctuaries, tropical rain forests, lakes, rivers and cultural experiences.
TOUR DESCRIPTION
Uganda Wildlife Safari and Activity Holiday is a combination of extra-ordinary wildlife with adrenaline activities all in one holiday trip around Uganda. Bungee jumping into the Nile or rafting is one of the awesome activities that most tourists have opted for. Track Rhinos at Ziwa on your way to Murchison falls for a spectacular game drive that will make u see most of the wildlife. A launch cruise downstream the Nile to see the Murchison falls or hiking to the top of falls is one adventure you won’t easily find anywhere else in East Africa. Taking your journey to the western part, to Kibale where the famous chimpanzees live, here you will be overwhelmed by how many species of primates you will get to see in one day of tracking. Cultural tours in fortportal town to the Amabere Ga Nyina mwiru, explosion craters & Tooro Kingdom palace.
The holiday trip continues to another destination – Queen Elizabeth Park, where you will find a medley of wonders including crater lakes, forests, wildlife, birds and more. One of the most famous attractions you will find on this trip are the legendary ‘Ishasha Tree Climbing lions’ found in the southern part of the park. But that won’t be the highlight as this trip takes you to Bwindi to trek the mountain gorillas. An early morning briefing from the park authorities will give you enough details as you get ready to encounter the gentle giants.
The Kigezi highlands have a fascinating & beautiful scenery and that’s where we will find Africa’s second deepest lake, Bunyonyi. Canoeing, swimming, fishing in the free bilharzia lake are all possible. The final destination of this holiday trip is Lake Mburo park where we will get to enjoy game drives, horseback riding, cultural tours and more.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Source of the Nile & Jinja City
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Murchison falls park
- Kibale forest national park
- Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru caves
- Tooro Kingdom Palace
- Queen Elizabeth national park
- Ishasha Sector
- Bwindi Impenetrable forest park
- Lake Bunyonyi
- Lake Mburo national park
- Kampala City
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Airport pickup to Kampala
You will meet our tourist driver/guide who will pick you up from Entebbe International Airport and transfer you to Kampala for your accommodation.
Accommodation at Sapphire Hotel (Standard), Cassia Lodge(Comfort), Serena Hotel Entebbe (Luxury)
Meal plan: Dinner
Day 2: Rafting in Jinja
Early morning, after breakfast you will be transferred to Jinja for a white water rafting experience which can either take a full day or half day depending on your choice. This is one of the most exciting rafting trips on earth which goes up to 31km and includes a fantastic barbeque lunch and complimentary drinks after the trip. In the Evening, you will be transferred back to Kampala.
Accommodation at Sapphire Hotel (Standard), Cassia Lodge(Comfort), Serena Hotel Entebbe (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Drive to Murchison falls national park
Today, you will begin your Uganda wildlife safari with a panoramic drive north-west through the famous Luwero Triangle. Stop over at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking and later have lunch in Masindi Town. In the afternoon continue to Murchison Falls National Park, and you will have a chance to stop by the ‘top of the falls’ where you can see the Nile’s beauty perfected! The Nile compresses from 50 metres to a 7 metre canyon – the devil’s cauldron, with a beautiful rainbow displayed near the water. Transfer to your accommodation where you will get to enjoy the sunset.
Accommodation at Fort Murchison (Standard), Murchison River Lodge (Comfort), Paraa Safari Lodge(Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Murchison falls national park
Early morning, your guide will take you for a game drive on the northern bank of the River Nile spotting the Elephants, Lions, Cape buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, hartebeest, Waterbuck, Oribi, Bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, hyena and if you are lucky, the leopard. Return back to your lodge for breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon, head for a boat cruise upstream on the calm Victoria Nile to the base of the falls stopping just tens of metres from the “Devil’s Cauldron”. Have a chance to marvel at the hippos floating in water, crocodiles and you will see many animals over this 19 km stretch including elephant, waterbuck and Uganda Kob. For the bird watching enthusiasts there many chances of seeing bird species like Goliath heron, Egyptian goose, Brown pelican, Red-throated bee-eater, various kingfishers, Fish eagles, cormorant and the rare shoebill stork. After the boat cruise, you will return to your accommodation.
Accommodation at Fort Murchison (Standard), Murchison River Lodge(Comfort), Paraa Safari Lodge(Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Drive to Kibale forest national park
After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to Kibale passing by Hoima town and Fort Portal with views of a lush green countryside, tea plantations, past traditional homesteads and farms. Fort-Portal town rests in the shadows of the fabled Mountains of the Moon.
Accommodation at Kibale Forest Camp (Standard), Mountains of the Moon Hotel (Comfort), Papaya Lake Lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Kibale forest national park
After an early morning breakfast, your guide will lead you to Kibale Forest National Park to enjoy a guided primate walk in search of chimpanzees and 12 other primates including l’ Hoestes, Red colobus, blue, red-tailed monkeys, brown monkeys and gray – cheeked mangabey. The guide will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates, but on all the forest fauna and flora and will ensure that your walk is informative and enjoyable. After lunch, you will visit the community and take a walk in Bigodi Swamp – which is a home of the great blue Turaco bird. Later return to your accommodation for dinner & overnight stay.
Accommodation at Kibale Forest Camp (Standard), Mountains of the Moon Hotel (Comfort), Papaya Lake Lodge(Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Visit Amabere ga nyina mwiru, Explosion Craters and transfer to Queen.
After breakfast, you will start the day with a cultural tour to the ‘Amabere ga nyina mwiru’ caves – a great historic site located 10km from Fort-portal town. You will be accompanied by an informed guide who knows more about this place and remember to carry along a Flashlight, hiking boots, long trousers etc. since you are going to enter the caves. Once you’re done with this tour, you then hike the explosion crater lakes surrounding this area. Later return back to fort portal town for lunch and also visit the ‘Tooro Kingdom’ Palace. In the evening, drive to Uganda’s second largest park, Queen Elizabeth National Park while enjoying views of the mystical Rwenzori Mountain ranges.
Accommodation at Bush Lodge (Standard), Kasenyi Safari Camp (Comfort), Mweya Safari Lodge(Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth national park
After breakfast, you will go for an early morning game drive in this park. With the massive Rwenzori Mountains as a backdrop, this provides excellent opportunities to see lions, leopards, giant forest hog, cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kobs, Topi and bush buck. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco- system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. After lunch enjoy the unique 2 -3 hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and many animals may be seen drinking at the water’s edge. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colorful and stupendous with well over 600 resident species.
Accommodation at Bush Lodge (Standard), Kasenyi Safari Camp (Comfort), Mweya Safari Lodge(Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Drive south to the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth Park.
Early morning after your breakfast, you will be transferred to the southern sector of the park – Ishasha, which has mammalian specialties including Giant Forest Hog and the legendary Tree-climbing Lions.
Accommodation at @ the River Camp (Standard), Ishasha Jungle Lodge (Comfort), Enjojo Lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi forest
After an early morning breakfast, today we drive from Ishasha to Bwindi which is a 5 hours journey passing through the “Switzerland of Africa” area known as the Kigezi Highlands, with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi forest. We have a stop-over on our journey in Kabale town for lunch.
Accommodation at the Bunyonyi Overland Camp (Standard), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Comfort), Silverback Lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Early morning entry into the Gorilla sanctuary.
This rain forest is spectacular. It offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape; its incredibly dense, crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. Bwindi forest park is best known for the fascinating mountain gorillas. The time taken and the terrain varies according to the movements of the primates but normally between 2 to 6 hours. The thrill of observing the gorillas is a rare, moving, awesome and exciting adventure. The gorilla is a shy and peaceful animal and it is an unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they interact.
Accommodation at the Bunyonyi Overland Camp (Standard), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Comfort), Silverback Lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi which is surrounded by terraced hills.
After breakfast, your tour guide will transfer you from Bwindi to Lake bunyonyi which is also located in the Kigezi region. Here you will get to enjoy Bilharzia – free swimming, dug out canoeing, sunbathing, hill climbing or mountain bike riding and cray fishing.
Accommodation at the Bunyonyi Overland Camp (Standard), Acardia Cottages (Comfort), Birdnest@ bunyonyi resort (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13: Drive to Lake Mburo national park
After an early morning breakfast, you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Enter the park through the Nshara Gate. Afternoon game drive along the Lakeshore track. With its own system of game trails and cleared walkways the “Kigambara Loop” offers interesting guided lakeside walks. Find here herds of zebra, Cape buffalo and eland. Oribi and topi are easily approached. Along with a game drive, many visitors enjoy a boat trip on Lake Mburo. Birdwatchers will enjoy more than 250 species of birds found in Lake Mburo including Papyrus Gonolek, Brown-faced Lapwing, Carruther’s Cisticola, the extraordinary White-winged Warbler and Bare-Faced-Go- Away bird. In the afternoon enjoy a boat ride on Lake Mburo and get quite close to pods of hippos.
Accommodation at the Rwakobo rock lodge (Standard), Mburo Safari Lodge (Comfort), Mihingo Lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Lake Mburo to Kampala
After breakfast, proceed for a safari walk under the escort of an armed ranger. It is possible to see Lake Mburo’s hyena in their cave if you are willing to get up early. The Kopjes are particularly interesting plus camouflage kilpspringers and topis. Due to cattle herding in the area it is amusing to see zebra grazing alongside the long horned Ankole cattle peaceably. Return for lunch which should be taken leisurely enjoying the view of the lakes in this park. Drive back to Kampala stopping at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers en route where you will be able to watch ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through generations. There will also be time to stop at the equator for photographs. You arrive in Kampala in the early evening.
Accommodation at Sapphire Hotel (Standard), Cassia Lodge(Comfort), Serena Hotel Entebbe (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 15: Kampala City tour
After breakfast proceed for a city tour of Kampala. This is inclusive of an English-speaking guide. You will see places like the Uganda Museum, Craft Centre, Owino Market, Kibuli Mosque, Namirembe Cathedral, and other areas of cultural interest like the Buganda Kingdom Palace (Bulange). Later you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for you flight back home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
End of tour
INCLUDED
- Transport in a 4WD vehicle with pop-up roof.
- All fuel for the tour
- English speaking Ugandan driver/guide.
- Accommodation and Meals on Full Board (Breakfast Lunch and Dinner)
- Park-entrance fees for all National parks
- 1 gorilla permit per person
- 1 chimp permit per person
- All activities described in the itinerary
- Drinking water throughout the safari.
NOT INCLUDED
- International air fares
- Entry visa Uganda
- Meals that are not part of your accommodation.
- A porter for during the gorilla tracking’s (someone who carries your daypack).
- Personal (medical/travel) insurance
- Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc.
- All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs etc.)