Explore Uganda from Northwest to southwest on this 10-day Best of Uganda Safari. Embark on the drive to Murchison falls National Park with game drives and boat rides to the bottom of the falls, continue to Kibale Forest National Park to trek the endangered chimpanzees, to Queen Elizabeth National Park to sight more wildlife species including the ones not seen in previous destinations, and finally Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to meet face-to-face with the mountain gorillas.
Highlights
- Visit Bwindi, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites for gorilla trekking.
- Boat Cruises to the bottom of the fall and the Kazinga Channel.
- Escape to the Medley of Wonders- Queen Elizabeth National Park for lions, buffaloes, leopards, elephants and Uganda Kobs among others.
- Track Kibale Forest chimpanzees.
- Guided walk-through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
- Batwa Community walk.
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive into Uganda, Entebbe International Park.
- Day 2: Kampala City- Murchison falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
- Day 3: Explore the remarkable Murchison falls National Park via game drives and boat ride to bottom of the falls.
- Day 4: Murchison falls Park- Kibale Forest National Park.
- Day 5: Kibale Tour; Track the endangered Chimpanzees and Wetland walk.
- Day 6: Kibale Forest- Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Crater route.
- Day 7: Queen Elizabeth Tour; Fulfilling game drives and Kazinga boat ride.
- Day 8: Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Day 9: Bwindi Tour; Gorilla Trekking & Community visit.
- Day 10: Depart Bwindi; International flight.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Uganda, Entebbe International Park
Your safari driver will take you from the Airport to your Hotel in Entebbe, upon your arrival. Settle-in and enjoy the first glimpse of this spectacular Town on the Lake Victoria Peninsula. Depending on your flight schedule, you will either relax or visit some of Entebbe’s top tourist sites that include the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, UWEC, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and others.
Overnight at;
- Upmarket: Hotel No.5 Boutique Hotel
- Moderate: The Boma
Day 2: Kampala City – Murchison falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After breakfast, your safari driver will take you on the 7-8-hour drive to Murchison falls National Park in northwestern Uganda. This 3840-square-kilometer Protected Area is haven to 76 mammal species that include Rothschild giraffes, Defassa waterbucks, Topis, Jackson’s hartebeests, Uganda Kobs, as well as over 500 bird species. You will have a chance to track the southern white Rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary after a 3-hour journey. This trek lasts about 2 hours but you will see other wildlife species as well. Then, you will have lunch at Amuka Safari Lodge or the Kabalega Dinners then go on with the journey to Murchison falls National Park.
The adventure on this day finishes with the drive to the top of the falls and transfer to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight at;
- Upmarket: Nile Safari Lodge.
- Moderate: Paraa Safari Lodge or Twiga Safari Lodge.
- Budget: Red Chilli Camp or Murchison River Lodge.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Explore the remarkable Murchison falls National Park via game drives and boat ride to bottom of the falls.
After breakfast, head out of the Lodge for a guided game drive to discover the wildlife, stunning landscapes and birds of this popular safari destination. You will spend 3-4 hours spotting Rothschild giraffes, lions, Oribis, spotted hyenas, leopards, warthogs, Uganda Kobs, Jackson’s hartebeests, Topis, waterbucks and others. Get more information from the Ranger guide during this game drive and later return back to the Lodge for siesta and Lunch.
Next, in the afternoon, you will take a drive down to the Paraa jetty where you will embark on a 2-3-hour boat ride to the bottom of the falls. You will see Hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and antelopes as well as birds. End the day with a nice meal at the Lodge, followed by overnight.
Overnight at;
- Upmarket: Nile Safari Lodge.
- Moderate: Paraa Safari Lodge or Twiga Safari Lodge.
- Budget: Red Chilli Camp or Murchison River Lodge.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: Murchison falls Park – Kibale Forest National Park
You will leave Murchison falls National Park today and drive west to Kibale Forest national Park, a home to 13 primate species and 350 bird species. This is a long drive (7-8 hours) with views of the Albert flats, and the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains while arriving at your next destinations. For dinner, you will be treated to the sweet melodies of the jungle in addition to the delicious meal and overnight.
Accommodation;
- Ndali Lodge- Upmarket.
- Crater Safari Lodge – midrange.
- Isunga Lodge- budget.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Kibale Tour; Track the endangered Chimpanzees and Wetland walk
This adventure-filled day starts with a drive to Kanyanchu Visitor Center, where you will visit one of the habituated chimpanzee communities in Kibale Forest National Park to observe, learn about and photograph these Great Apes in their natural habitat.
Your chimpanzee tour continues through the 795-square-kilometer forest for the next 1-4 hours and climaxes with a one-hour encounter while watching and photographing them as they play, forage, rest or groom each other. You will return to the Lodge for lunch before proceeding to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided walk where L’Hoests monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and blue monkeys as well as birds (such as Great blue Turacos and Papyrus gonolek among others). Once out of the Wetland, you will get transferred to your accommodation for the evening.
Accommodation options;
- Ndali Lodge- Upmarket.
- Crater Safari Lodge – midrange.
- Isunga Lodge- budget.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Crater route.
This day, you will take the ride to the west, where you will visit Queen Elizabeth national Park, your next safari destination. Drive through the countryside, taking in views of the jaw-dropping landscapes, tea estates, small villages and the locals going about their activities. A hot and mouth-watering local lunch awaits, followed by enough time to relax and take in more views.
The rest of the afternoon and evening will be spent relaxing or joining the local community for some of their day-to-day activities, then dinner and overnight.
Accommodation.
- Upmarket: Elephant Plains.
- Midrange: Enganzi Lodge.
- Basic: Bush Lodge Tents.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth Tour; Fulfilling game drives and Kazinga boat ride
Arise and shine early for a cup of tea/coffee at the Lodge and half the day is yours to immerse into the unspoiled landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Visit the wildlife hot spots with sights of warthogs, Cape buffaloes, African bush elephants, spotted hyenas, Defassa waterbucks, Topis, Uganda Kobs, Bushbucks, lions, spotted hyenas, duikers, leopards, to mention but a few. After this rewarding 3-4-hour wildlife adventure, you will be transferred straight to your Lodge for a proper breakfast and lunch.
After enjoying a bounty of lunch, you will then hop back on the safari Vehicle to the Kazinga Channel for the boat ride. While cruising, you will be treated to sights of Nile crocodiles and Hippos basking in the deep waters as well as African bush Elephants and buffaloes lazing along the banks. Lots of birds are unmissable during the 2-3-hour boat ride and you will end this incredible day with dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Accommodation;
- Upmarket: Elephant Plains.
- Midrange: Enganzi Lodge.
- Basic: Bush Lodge Tents.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The better part of today is spent transferring from Queen Elizabeth National Park to the verdant Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. First, take the game drive through the Northern Plains, the southern plains Ishasha sector) before leaving for Bwindi.
Accommodation;
- Upmarket: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
- Moderate: Engagi Lodge.
- Basic: Ride 4 a woman Cottages.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 9: Bwindi Tour; Gorilla Trekking & Community visit
Discover Bwindi’s biodiverse ecosystems on this day. Start the day with breakfast and drive/walk to the Park Headquarters for a briefing. Later, begin the walk to search for the habituated gorilla family and it will take 1-6 hours to find the mountain gorillas. When you finally meet the Giant Apes, spend one hour to observe and take photos of them grooming each other, playing, foraging, and resting. Continue to the Lodge, where you will be treated to the delicious meal at the Lodge.
Afterward, go to the nearby local community, where you will learn about the locals- their foods, artefacts, traditional dances and traditional dressing. You will then retire to the Lodge for your meal and overnight.
Accommodation;
- Upmarket: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
- Moderate: Engagi Lodge.
- Basic: Ride 4 a woman Cottages.
Meal Plan: Full board.
Day 10: Depart Bwindi; International flight.
The last day of your adventure starts with breakfast at the Lodge, then the long day back to Kampala. Head to your Hotel or any other place of residence (own arrangement) or to the Airport for the departure flight.
Inclusions.
- Boat rides to the bottom of the falls and on Kazinga Channel.
- Gorilla trekking permit/s
- Park entry fees
- Chimpanzee trekking permit/s
- Boat cruises.
- Rhino tracking.
- Drive to the top of the falls.
- Community walks.
- Wetland walk in Bigodi.
- Snacks and bottled water.
- Ground transportation by a 4WD Safari vehicle.
- A driver.
- 9 nights’ accommodation.
- Driver allowances.
- Fuel.
- Meals per the itinerary.
- Relevant government taxes and levies.
Exclusions;
- Laundry fees.
- Accommodation in Kampala.
- Cigarettes.
- Insurance.
- Airfares.
- Telephone expenses.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Souvenir shopping.