Safari Highlights
Day 1: Arrival
Day 2: Entebbe – Murchison Falls National Park
Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park
Day 4: Murchison Falls – Kibale Forest National Park
Day 5: Crater Lakes
Day 6: Kibale Forest & Bigodi Swamp
Day 7: Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 10: Gorilla Tracking
Day 11: The Batwa Trail
Day 12: Bwindi National Park – Lake Bunyonyi
Day 13: Lake Bunyonyi – Kampala
Day 14: Departure
Day One: Airport Transfer
Arrival at Entebbe Airport where you will be welcomed by Bwindi Gorilla Safaris’ driver guide and transferred to your accommodation in Kampala. Overnight at Fairway Hotel. (B&B;)
Day Two: Kampala – Murchison Falls National Park
Today we will depart for the most beautiful protected area in Uganda: Murchison Falls National Park. En route we will make a stop for Lunch and at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to the only wild rhinos in Uganda.
Together with a guide you will track the rhinos and observe them in their habitat at a very close and safe distance. After this Rhino tracking, continue to Murchison Falls. Dinner and overnight at Murchison River Lodge/ Red Chilly. (FB)
Day Three: Murchison Falls National Park
After an early breakfast we start the day with a game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, with chances of seeing giraffes, elephants, lions, hartebeest and different species of birds. In the afternoon the safari will be continued with a boat cruise on the river Nile for game viewing at close quarters. Upon reaching the bottom of the waterfalls we will depart the boat and climb our way up to the top of the falls where you will be rewarded with amazing views of the Nile. Dinner and overnight at at Murchison River Lodge/ Red Chilly. (FB)
Day 4: Murchison Falls – Kibale Forest National Park
We depart Murchison Falls and head towards Fort Portal. This long journey will be rewarded with stunning views while you pass small villages and local markets. Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled “Mountains of the Moon” and is famous for the many tea plantations. From this lovely town we will continue to the dense forest of Kibale National Park. Dinner and overnight at Ruwenzori View Guest House (FB)
Day 5: Crater Lakes have a calm breakfast before we head off for an exploration of the crater lakes.
Enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and the stunning views. Take a hike at Lake Nkuruba to encounter different species of primates and birds, and visit the Mahoma Falls. Meet the local people as you walk through their villages, learn about the customs of the Batoro tribe and enjoy the panoramic views. Dinner and overnight at Ruwenzori Guest View House (FB)
Day 6: Kibale Forest & Bigodi Swamp
Today the forest opens its doors for a sensational chimp tracking. Kibale Forest is reputable of having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey and many others. After a hearty lunch we transfer to the Bigodi Swamp for another, totally different nature walk. The Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the local community and is known for its rich diversity of birds and primates. . Dinner and overnight at Ruwenzori View Guest House (FB)
Day 7: Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have a calm breakfast before we head off for an exploration of the crater lakes and we serenely transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Dinner and overnight at Hippo Grill Camp. (FB)
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park
The day begins early when we start with a morning game drive and head to the mating ground of the Uganda Kobs. We search for lions, elephants, buffaloes and other wild animals in their natural habitat before returning for lunch. In the afternoon we take on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George.
Thanks to the abundant birdlife that is sighted, and the elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of hippos that are cooling off at the shores, this cruise will definitely be one of the highlights of your safari. Dinner and overnight at Hippo Grill Camp. (FB)
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth –Bwindi NP
After breakfast, drive as you go birding to the southern region of the park, the Ishasha Sector where you will have a chance to see the tree climbing lions that enjoy lying on the top of fig trees during the hot hours of the day. Later proceed to Bwindi National park best known for gorillas. Lunch en route.. Dinner and overnight at Lake Kitandara Rest Camp (FB).
Day 10: Gorilla Tracking
On this day you will go, optional, gorilla tracking in Bwindi Forest National park; perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences. The activity starts with a briefing from the ranger guides after which you proceed with the trekking.
Bwindi forest in Uganda has a population of about 370 gorillas, which is half the world population according to 2007 gorilla population surveys. It is not predictable the time you will spend to encounter the gorillas but it normally takes between 2 – 6 hours. You have an hour to observe the primates and their behaviors, while taking photographs. Dinner and overnight at Lake Kitandara Rest Camp (FB).
Day 11: The Batwa Trail Although Bwindi is mainly known for the gorillas it has a lot more to offer.
Today you will enjoy the Batwa Trail, a firsthand introduction to one of the most unique cultures worldwide. The Batwa pygmies are a forest people displaced from the rain forest they shared with mountain gorillas. This experience will give you the opportunity to learn more about their age old culture while you enjoy a hike with the Batwa guides, see how they lived and hunted, hear ancient legends and learn about medical plants.
The revenue generated from these activities directly benefits the Batwa to strengthen their community. Dinner and overnight at Lake Kitandara Rest Camp (FB).
Day 12: Bwindi National Park – Lake Bunyonyi
A three-hour ride will bring you to Lake Bunyonyi (“Lake of the little birds”) where you will be staying on a beautiful island. Surrounded by steep hills rising out of the lake, people call it “The Switzerland of Africa”. The volcanic lake is bilharzia-free and safe for swimming and canoeing. Dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi Safari Resort. (FB).
Day 13: Lake Bunyonyi – Kampala
After a calm breakfast we depart the beautiful lake and head back to the capital city. En route we will pass the Equator where we will make a stop for photos and souvenir shopping. Late in the afternoon arrival in Kampala. Overnight at Hotel Africana (BB)
Day 14: Kampala – Entebbe Enriched with an experience of a lifetime and unforgettable memories you will say goodbye to the Pearl of Africa. In time you will be transferred to Entebbe Airport for your international flight… (B)