OVERVIEW
The 9 days best of Uganda safari will take you to Murchison Falls national park(world’s strongest falls), Ziwa rhino sanctuary, Kibaale national park, Queen Elizabeth park (a medley of wonders) and Bwindi impenetrable park.
Murchison falls park is Uganda’s largest national park, which is a jewel of wildlife and doubles as the home world’s most powerful waterfall. The park is located 305km from Kampala which is about 4-5 hours’ drive. You will get a chance to encounter a variety of wildlife like lions, giraffes, leopards, antelopes, hippos and birds. A launch cruise to the bottom of the falls and hike to the top is definitely one of the unforgettable experiences one should expect, not forgetting a visit to the southern white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route.
Kibaale national park is located in western Uganda. Famously known for Chimpanzee tracking, the park is home to a total of 70 mammal species, most famously 13 species of primate.
It also contains over 375 species of birds. The Chimpanzee trekking Experience involves visitors accompanied by experienced guides to dive into the forest for an encounter of these human’s cousins (the chimps). Tracking, following and viewing them is very exciting
Located in Kaseese district, Queen Elizabeth National Park is undoubtedly Uganda’s most popular tourist destination. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds.
While on the trip look out for the magnificent vistas like dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel with its banks lined with hippos, buffalo and elephants, and the endless Ishasha plains, whose fig trees hide lions ready to pounce on herds of unsuspecting Uganda kobs!
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is situated along the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) border next to the Virunga National Park and on the edge of the Albertine Rift. It provides habitat for 120 species of mammals, 348 species of birds, 220 species of butterflies, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos, and many endangered species. More to that Bwindi is a forest park and home to the magnificent giant mountain gorillas.
While in this impenetrable forest you’ll be able to engage in gorilla tracking which involves wandering through the thick rain forest in search of mountain gorillas. Local community walks outside the park will give you a taste of the African culture not forgetting the amazing batwa experience.
BRIEF ITINERARY
DAY 1: Drive to Murchison falls National Park – via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
DAY 2: Morning Wildlife game viewing safari afternoon boat cruise with a hike to the top of falls
DAY 3: Drive to Kibale forest National Park
DAY 5: Morning chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland
DAY 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth national park
DAY 7: Morning game drive and boat cruise on Kazinga channel.
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
DAY 8: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa community
DAY 9: Departure
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1 – Drive to Murchison Falls national park – past via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Early morning, be picked by an experienced guide who will brief you about the whole trip on transit to Murchison falls national park. Have a first stop at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, it’s the only one in Uganda and it habitats a number of white Rhinos. Rhino tracking will get you closer to these huge mammals on foot, an experience of its own.
Then proceed to Miasindi legendary town of the Banyoro people for lunch and town experience. From here drive directly to the park to check in at the lodge, relaxation, dinner and overnight.
ACCOMMODATION
LUXURY – Paraa Safari Lodge
MIDRANGE –Pakuba Safari Lodge
BUDGET – Red chili Rest camp
DAY 2- Morning game drive and afternoon launch cruise at the Nile
Have a morning game drive in the northern sector of the park rewards an experience of a great deal of wildlife and birds. Along the way, look out for herds of elephants, giraffes, antelopes, the Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, waterbucks, lions, and several bird species.
Later, in the day after lunch, cool off from the heavy delicious lunch with a boat cruise on the Nile; Africa’s longest river. This 3 hour cruise is a rewarding trip that will expose you to many various wildlife species like hippos, crocodiles and families of elephants that occasionally come to drink water and a variety of the bird life that may include the African fish eagles, heron and little egrets.
ACCOMMODATION
LUXURY – Paraa Safari Lodge
MIDRANGE –Pakuba Safari Lodge
BUDGET – Red chili Rest camp
DAY 3- Drive to Kibale forest national park
Early morning, have breakfast and checkout and transfer to Kibale forest national park. This being a long journey we shall set off in the morning, have a lunch stopover in Hoima town and proceed. You will have beautiful sceneries of the western hills and nice photography back grounds. Pass through the Albertine escarpments on the way to the park.
ACCOMMODATION
LUXURY – Primate Lodge (Luxury cottages)
MIDRANGE –Kibale Forest camp / Kyaninga Royal cottages
BUDGET – Rwenzori view guest house
DAY 4- Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi wetland
Head to the park headquarters for briefing about chimp trekking from the local guide. From here start on the trek into the forest to search for these near cousins of humans. The trek starts at 7am and it takes a maximum number of 8hours.
Walk through the forest, encountering different primate species like the baboons, colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys as well as bird species and forest elephants. This takes 1-6 hours, it depends on the movement of the chimps on that day. See the chimps play from one tree branch to another. See how they feed and live in the forest, take as many pictures provided the camera doesn’t have a flash.
In the afternoon visit the famous Bigodi wetland for a stunning nature walk, getting real close to even the smallest insights of nature. Here you are still likely to spot several primates and bird species.
ACCOMMODATION
LUXURY – Primate Lodge (Luxury cottages)
MIDRANGE –Kibale Forest camp / Kyaninga Royal cottages
BUDGET – Rwenzori view guest house
DAY 5- Drive to Queen Elizabeth Park
Have an early breakfast and then start on the journey to Uganda’s most popular national park harboring more than 70 mammal species. The journey gives you spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains of the moon and the sprawling savannas that lie along the road.
ACCOMMODATION
LUXURY – Mweya safari Lodge
MIDRANGE –Ihamba safari Lodge
BUDGET – Simba safari camp
Day 6- Morning game drive and Boat cruise on Kazinga channel
Have an early breakfast and start the morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park, a drive that only takes a few minutes to start spotting the various wildlife species including the buffaloes, elephants, lions, warthogs, Uganda kobs, hyenas, bushbucks and many others. The drive goes around the numerous craters and crater lakes that the park encompasses in its hills and valleys, creating an amazing scenery.
Have a launch cruise at the famous Kazinga channel that connects Lake Edward to Lake George. It is probably one of the longest channels in the world. A sail at the edge of the channel gives clear views of the large hippos and elephants that be cooling their skins in its water. The shores are covered with various sea bird species making it a good birding spot for bird lovers.
ACCOMMODATION
LUXURY – Mweya safari Lodge
MIDRANGE –Ihamba safari Lodge
BUDGET – Simba safari camp
DAY 7- Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Immediately after breakfast, start on the journey to Bwindi impenetrable national forest national park. The journey oes through the popular Ishasha sector, a renowned place for tree climbing lions in Uganda. On a lucky day you might spot some lying in the tree branches of fig trees as you travel to Bwindi.
ACCOMMODATION
LUXURY – Buhoma Lodge
MIDRANGE –The Haven Lodge
BUDGET – Buhoma campsite
DAY 8: Gorilla tracking and Batwa community
Have breakfast very early in the morning and head to the park headquarters for a simple briefing from the local tour guide. Trekking these endangered apes involves walking into the jungle in search of the mighty apes in their natural setting. Hiking through the thick forest, having to hold onto tree branches for support and pave your way through the forest with your hands or a hand stick, the experience is simply thrilling.
On encountering them, spend one magical hour with the great gorillas, watching them conduct their daily lives, spot the juveniles play from one tree branch to another and also the silverbacks aggressively watch over their family members.
In the afternoon, after lunch, you can go for an optional cultural encounter with the Batwa pygmies, the ancient people of the forest believed to be the first inhabitants of Bwindi forest. Explore the lives of the local Batwa, watch traditional performances and also the have a taste of the local cuisines.
ACCOMMODATION
LUXURY – Buhoma Lodge
MIDRANGE –The Haven Lodge
BUDGET – Buhoma campsite
DAY 9: Return to Kampala city / Entebbe airport for departure
Immediately after an early breakfast, embark on the journey back to Kampala or even straight to the airport for the fliht back home. That will be the end of the 9 days best of Uganda safari.
PRICE INCLUDES:
Gorilla permits
Chimpanzee permits
Park entrance fees
Game viewing
Boat cruise
Professional guide
Ground transportation in a booked safari car
Accommodation
Meals
PRICE WILL EXCLUDE:
International Air ticket and visa fees
Beers and Wine (alcoholic drinks)
Laundry expenses and craft shopping.
