This special safari package is a remix of gorillas, chimps, wildlife and birds. It takes you through all the beautiful National parks of Uganda. It will first take you to Ngamba Island; a home to about 44 orphaned chimps, man’s closest relatives and the endangered species found on Lake Victoria Island. Enjoy a boat ride when transferring to the Island and later chimps viewing and photographing.
Continuing to Murchison Falls National Park; a park bisected by the gigantic mighty river Nile that squeezes through an 8m wide gorge and plunges with a thunderous roar into the “Devil’s Cauldron”, creating a trademark of rainbow. Expect to view; the elephants, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeests, oribis, Hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks and many more, plus different 415 bird species including the rare shoebill stock.
Proceed to Semuliki National Park, known as birders haven, with over 441 different bird species; With a forest being home to numerous Central African wildlife species, and the local population includes a Batwa pygmy community that originated from the Ituri and a wonder of the male and female Hot springs that bubble up from the depths.
Continue to Kibale Forest; the primate’s capital of the world; a home of the man’ closest relatives; chimps and other primate species; the phoestes, Red-Colobuse, blue, Red-tailed and grey cheeked Mangabeys. Enjoy chimps trekking and a nature walk in Bigodi wetland. Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park; a medley of wonders; a home of the famous tree climbing lions as well other 95 mammal species; the hyenas, crocodiles, elephants, hippos, buffaloes, various antelope’s species and over 600 species of birds.
Then transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park, the ultimate mountain gorilla experience; an asylum for more than half of the world population mountain gorillas for gorilla tracking. An encounter with these gentle creatures is worth venturing into this dense, misty impenetrable forest.
Later continue to Lake Buyonyi; the 2nd deepest lake in Africa. Enjoy a motor and canoe boat ride to small islands; roasting sites for many different bird species; African Hobby, Black Kite, Swamp Flycatcher, Scarlet-chested, Bronze and Red-chested Sunbirds and White-headed Saw-wing. Before continuing to Lake Mburo; whispers of the wild; a park dominated by a lake and home to 350 bird species; the Crested Francolin, Emerald spotted Wood Dove and many more.
Day 1: VISIT NGAMBA ISLAND; CHIMPS VIEWING
Have an early breakfast then visit Lake Victoria. Board a speed boat or a motorized canoe that will transfer you to the island. Enjoy viewing habituated chimps as they feed. Take as many photographs of these unique species. Later transfer back to the shores and then drive back to your hotel. Accommodations: Serena Hotel / Sheraton Hotel – Luxury, Cassia Lodge / Boma – Mid range with (B&B)
Day 2: DRIVE TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and then travel to Ziwa rhino sanctuary before continuing to Murchison falls National Park. Make a stopover in Masindi for a lunch break before continuing to the park. Upon reaching the park enjoy an en-route afternoon game drive before checking into the lodge. Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge –Luxury, Bwana Tembo Lodge – Mid-range, Red Chilli Tented Camp – Basic with full board meals. (L & D)
Day 3: UGANDA WILDLIFE SAFARI GAME DRIVE AND A LAUNCH CRUISE
Have an early morning breakfast and embark on your game drive. It is always advisable to start the game drive before the sunrise; for an excellent opportunity of enjoying the sun rise and viewing most of the game in the park as they rise and shine. Enjoy viewing; herds of elephants, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda Kob, waterbucks and many more.
Later have lunch and then drive to the river for an afternoon launch cruise on the gigantic river Nile; a base for remarkable wildlife spectacles viewing of the highest concentration of hippos, different bird species and other wildlife drinking, splashing on the shores. Before opting to drive or hike to the top of the falls for a magnificent view of the wilderness. Later return back to the lodge. Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge –Luxury, Bwana Tembo Lodge – Mid-range, Red Chilli Tented Camp – Basic with full board meals. (B, L & D)
Day 4: TRAVEL TO SEMLIKI NATIONAL PARK
After an early morning breakfast, travel to Semuliki National Park. Make a stopover in Hoima or fort portal for a lunch break before continuing to the park. On the way to the park enjoy the beautiful scenery; farmlands, rolling hills, terraced landscape and slopes of Mt Rwenzori. On entering the park enjoy an afternoon game drive, before retiring to the lodge. Accommodation: Semliki Safari Lodge – Luxury, Ntoloko Game lodge – Mid-range, UWA banders – Basic (B,L & D)
Day 5: BIRDING AND A NIGHT GAME DRIVE
Wake up to the sounds of the early birds. Have an early morning breakfast and go for bird watching and a game drive. It is always advisable to start the game drive before the sunrise; this provides excellent opportunities of enjoying the sun rise and viewing game and most importantly bird watching. Be on the lookout for; Chocolate-backed, White-bellied and African Dwarf Kingfishers, White-crested, Black Dwarf, Red-billed Dwarf, Piping and Black-wattled Hornbills, Have lunch and then visit Sempaya male and female hot springs.
Relax at the lodge and later enjoy more bird watching till dawn at a different location in the park. Either opt for a night game drive in the park (Good for viewing nocturnal game that is really about during the day) or retire to the lodge. Accommodation: Semliki Safari Lodge – Luxury, Ntoloko Game lodge – Mid-range, UWA banders – Basic (B, L & D)
Day 6: CONTINUE TO KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK.
Enjoy an early breakfast and then continue to Kibale Forest National Park via Masindi, Hoima passing through the beautiful country side, farm lands and coffee plantations, before reaching Fort portal for a lunch break. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mountains of the moon; Mt Rwenzori before reaching Kibale forest National Park. Accommodations: Ndali Lodge /Kyaninga Lodge – Luxury, Primates Lodge / Chimps Nest / Mountains of the Moon Hotel – Mid-range, Kibale Forest Camp – Basic (B,L &D)
Day 7: CHIMPS TREKKING
Have an early morning breakfast and then proceed to the park. After briefing on the Dos and Don’ts around the chimps, proceed to the park for chimps trekking. Enjoy a half day trekking in search of chimps and monkeys including; phoestes, and grey cheeked Mangabeys, Red-Colobuses, Blue Colobuses, Red-tailed Colobuses feeding, squabbling with each other and swinging from branch to branch. Enjoy trekking as one will not only encounter chimps and different monkey species, but also be on the lookout for unique flora, butterflies and colorful birds.
Have lunch and later visit Bigodi wetland eco sanctuary and enjoy the bird watching and a walk into the wetland to meet the unique aquatic life. Accommodations: Ndali Lodge / Kyaninga Lodge – Luxury, Primates Lodge / Chimps Nest / Mountains of the Moon Hotel – Mid-range, Kibale Forest Camp – Basic (B, L &D)
Day 8: TRANSFER TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
After an early morning breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Pass via Kasese and on the way to the park enjoy the beautiful scenery; farmlands, rolling hills, terraced landscape and slopes of Mt Rwenzori. On entering the park enjoy an afternoon game drive, before retiring to the lodge. Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Lodge – Luxury, Kyambura Game Lodge / Enganzi Lodge, Bush lodge – Basic with ( B, L & D)
Day 9: GAME DRIVE AND A LAUNCH CRUISE
Have an early morning breakfast and embark on your game drive. It is always advisable to start the game drive before the sunrise; this provides excellent opportunities of enjoying the sun rise and viewing Lions, Leopards, Giant Forest Hogs, Cape Buffaloes, Elephants, Defassa Waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, Topis, Bush bucks and many more going about their daily routine. Enjoy sightseeing in the crater region; a base for the many crater lakes then have a glimpse into traditional salt mining done at Lake Katwe.
Have lunch and later enjoy a launch cruise on Kazinga channel; a platform of for viewing the highest concentration of hippos, different bird species and other wildlife cooling off the savanna heat. Relax at the lodge and meet the local communities and enjoy storytelling, dance, drama and music, before retiring to thelodge. Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Lodge – Luxury, Kyambura Game Lodge / Enganzi Lodge, Bush lodge – Basic with ( B, L & D)
Day 10: PROCEED TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK.
Enjoy an early morning game drive in Ishasha before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable forest. On the way enjoy game viewing and the beautiful scenery. Retire to the lodge. Accommodation: Mahogany Springs / Buhoma Lodge – Luxury, Gorilla Mist Camp / Sliver Back Lodge – Mid-range, Buhoma Community Bandas / Wagtail Eco Lodge – Basic ( B, L& D)
Day 11: GORILLA TRACKING, HIKING BATWA TRAIL & COMMUNITY ENTERTAINMENT
Have an early breakfast then transfer to the park. Briefing is done by the park rangers before entering the forest and it’s mandatory to all gorilla trackers. Dos and Don’ts are clearly stated. Due to the slippery and challenging terrain; it is highly advisable to wear boots or comfortable shoes, carry along packed lunch and water, a rain coat due to unpredictable weather and walking sticks are provided by the rangers before entering the forest.
Due to conservation purposes only 1 hour is allowed in the company of these gentle creatures. Later embark on a community walk and interact with the local community or opt to hike the Batwa trail; get to know the people of the forest and how they survived for many years in the impenetrable forest. Later at your lodge, relax at the camp fire and enjoy traditional entertainment presented by Women’s groups or orphan children groups. Note that the fees you pay for these performances go directly to improve the welfare of local community around the park.
Accommodation: Mahogany Springs / Buhoma Lodge – Luxury, Gorilla Mist Camp / Sliver Back Lodge – Mid-range, Buhoma Community Bandas / Wagtail Eco Lodge – Basic ( B, L, D)
Day 12: TRAVEL TO LAKE BUNYONYI
After breakfast continue to“The Switzerland of Uganda” Lake Bunyonyi, the 2nddeepest Lake in Africa. Enjoy the motor boat ride as it transfer you to Bushara Island for bird watching; be on the lookout for water birds. Later transfer back to the lodge. Accommodation: Bird’s Nest – Luxury, Arcadia Cottages – Mid-range, Bushara Island Camp / Lake Bunyonyi Overland Camp Basic with (B, L & D)
Day 13: FULL DAY BIRD WATCHING
After breakfast hire a canoe and explore the surroundings areas. Enjoy bird watching on several small islands with numerous bird species. Have lunch and then enjoy a walk in Mukoni Village. Search for the; African Hobby, Black Kite, Swamp Flycatcher, Scarlet-chested, Bronze and Red-chested Sunbirds, White-headed Saw-wing, before retiring to the lodge. Accommodation: Bird’s Nest – Luxury, Arcadia Cottages – Mid-range, Bushara Island Camp / Lake Bunyonyi Overland Camp Basic with (B, L & D)
Day 14: TRANSFER TO LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Have breakfast then transfer to Lake Mburo. Make a stopover in Mbarara for a lunch break before continuing to the park. On the way to the park enjoy the beautiful scenery; farmlands and terraced landscape. On entering the park enjoy a boat ride on the lake and bird watching. Search for Crested Francolin, Emerald spotted Wood Dove, Bare faced Go-Away bird, Green Wood Hoopoe, Common Scimitar bill, Spot-Flanked Barbet Brown Parrot and many more, before retiring to the lodge.
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge – Luxury, Arcadia Cottages / Rwakobo Rock – Mid-range, Lake View Resort Hotel –Basic (B, L&D).
Day 15: FULL DAY BIRD WATCHING AND BOAT RIDE
Wake up to the sweet songs from the sun birds. Have an early morning breakfast and go for bird watching at the lake. Enjoy the sunrise, the game but most importantly different birds flapping their wings from a distance. Have a lunch then relax at the lodge and later enjoy more bird watching till dawn at a different location in the park. Later retire to the lodge.
Day 16: DRIVE BACK TO KAMPALAHave breakfast and the last bird watching experience in the whispers of the wild before driving back to Kampala. Enjoy yet again the beautiful scenery. Make a stopover at the equator, take photos and have lunch before continuing to Kampala for departure, with Lunch only
INCLUSIONS
EXCLUSIONS
Personal Insurance and other expenses of personal nature such as; alcohol, tips, laundry, telephone, cigarettes, accommodation & meals not indicated in the itinerary and optional activities