Day 1: Arrival in Uganda
You arrive at Entebbe airport, located on a peninsula that juts out into the largest fresh-water lake in Africa, where a representative/guide from Uzuri Uganda Safaris will welcome you and transfer you to the Boma Hotel in Entebbe.
Meal Plan: No meals inclusive
Day 2: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
You are up at 6.00 am. Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and be ready to commence your transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park at 6.30 am. The 7-hour drive takes you through Uganda’s leafy central plains – driving through tea plantations in or near Fort Portal town, before heading down into the rift valley, with the Rwenzori Mountain ranges in the distance on your right and the rift valley on the left. On arrival, you will check-in at the Bush Lodge and enjoy a late lunch. After lunch, head to the Katwe Crater Lake where locals have mined salt through the ages. This lake – situated just north of the impressive Mweya peninsula, is far too salty to support any wildlife. However, since the 16th Century, it has ensured the survival of the Katwe residents, who spend their days under the equatorial sun, harvesting salt from its milky waters. Enjoy the spectacular drive to Katwe as you look out for wildlife including buffalos and elephants. Watch out for Lake Kitagata – fed by salty hot-springs with no wildlife around but the spectacular views. Once you arrive at the salt mines, marvel at the network of paths and huts that have been built across the lake to support hundreds of workers. The salt is sold to traders from across Uganda, and as far as Congo and Rwanda. This tour gives visitors a unique insight into the fascinating yet tough process of salt mining, as well as providing an alternative income for Katwe. During the tour of the lake you will see community members at work, cross the mud walkways. Later, return to the Bush Lodge for dinner and overnight stay. An upgrade is available at Mweya Safari Lodge for Luxury
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Game drive + boat safari along Kazinga channel
After your breakfast at 6.30am, your game drive will take you to the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Kasenyi track in search for lions, hyenas, buffaloes, leopard, water buck, bush bucks, Uganda Kob plus many bird species including ibis, fish eagles and vultures. Later, return to the lodge and relax. After your lunch, at 3.00pm, you will embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel – a major highlight of the safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On the boat cruise, you will have the opportunity to view great numbers of wildlife including elephants, crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes and large numbers of birds like eagles, kingfishers, sparrows, doves, weaver birds, eaglets and sun birds converging at the channel waters to enjoy a sip of the natural waters. On the cruise abundant bird life is sighted and perhaps the highest concentration of hippos in Africa – there are 1500 hippos found along the channel. Elephant herds that can number 50 in the dry season, buffaloes, and crocodiles can all be seen during the boat cruise. Dinner and overnight at the Bush Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Chimpanzee trek in Kyambura & transfer to Ishasha
After breakfast, head to Kyambura game headquarters for a briefing before embarking on your Chimpanzee trek in the so-called ‘Valley of the Apes’. The vast Kyambura Gorge is part of the Western Rift Valley. Most visitors come to the ‘hanging rainforest’ for chimpanzee trekking. However, its beauty, its depth, where you feel that you are exploring another world is worth the visit. Trek along its paths, cross its creeks and rivers, look up and all you see is the sky – the gorge is one of the scenic wonders of Uganda and a nature lovers’ paradise. After your visit to Kyambura, head south to the Ishasha area. The drive, which will serve as our morning game drive will last between 2-3 hours. Have your eyes peeled for more game. On arrival in the Ishasha area, we search for the famous and unique tree-climbing lions. If it is a hot day, which December largely is, be sure to find them atop the sycamore fig trees or the acacia trees that dominate this part of the park. There are about 4 Prides of lions in the area numbering more than 40 in total. Look out for the males with their black mane, which is a notable attribute. Also, there are about 1000+ elephants present in the area and you normally see large numbers. There are Topi and Uganda Kob antelopes in large numbers. The drive is a fantastic opportunity to take lots of pictures. Once you get to Ishasha, be on the lookout for the famous residents of the area atop the fig trees that populate this part of the park. Overnight at Ishasha Jungle Lodge. An upgrade is available at Ishasha Wilderness Camp for Luxury.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Explore Ishasha Sector
Have your eyes peeled for more game. On arrival in the Ishasha area, we search for the famous and unique tree-climbing lions. If it is a hot day, be sure to find them atop the sycamore fig trees or the acacia trees that dominate this part of the park. There are about 4 Prides of lions in the area numbering more than 40 in total. Look out for the males with their black mane, which is a notable attribute. Also, there are about 1000+ elephants present in the area and you normally see large numbers. There are Topi and Uganda Kob antelopes in large numbers. The drive is a fantastic opportunity to take lots of pictures. Dinner and overnight at Ishasha Jungle Lodge.
Day 6: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
You later exit the park at the Ishasha gate and continue to Buhoma, which is the northern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You arrive and check-in at Silverback Lodge where you will enjoy a hot lunch. After lunch, you have the rest of the day to yourself as you prepare for the gorilla trek tomorrow. An upgrade is available at Buhoma Lodge for Luxury.
Afternoon (Optional): After lunch, you can choose to go on a guided nature walk ($25 per person) to meet the Ugandans who neighbour the park. You get to learn a thing or two about the culture of the people, so depending on which nature trail you take, you will have a chance to meet the traditional healer and learn how the Bwindi forest (a UNESCO heritage site) is used as a pharmacy where herbs and tree back is used to treat people for various ailments. You could also visit a local school if the school term is in session.
Day 7: Gorilla tracking & transfer to Bunyonyi
Up relatively early, enjoy breakfast to give you the energy you will need to track the famed Mountain Gorilla in the Bwindi mists. With your packed lunch in your rucksack, your guide will take you to the ranger station before 8:00 am for registration and briefing by one of the rangers. Once the formalities of what to do and not do while tracking the gentle giants are communicated, the guides will then take you through the bush, pushing your way through the undergrowth, to track the gorillas (the trek can take from half an hour to 5 hours – a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes). Once you encounter the Mountain Gorillas, sit in the forest among the gorillas, listening to them grumble, and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male; the Silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining Mountain Gorillas. It’s important to note that there are only about 800 of these beautiful creatures left in the wild. Once back at the starting point, your guide will be waiting to transfer you the scenic Lake Bunyonyi. Dinner and overnight at Sharp Island Gorilla Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
What to bring for gorilla tracking/trekking: light hiking boots, light rain jacket, daypack, 2 litres of water, gardening gloves, long trousers either jeans/khakis, long-sleeved shirt, wide-brimmed hat, sun glasses, insect repellent and an energy bar (s).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Mburo
This morning, you transfer to Lake Mburo National Park – one of two parks in Uganda where it is allowed to go for a bush walk with an experienced ranger to see game at close range. You could choose a bush walk, horse-back safari or ride in the park on a mountain bike as you view game. You will stop for lunch in Mbarara town before completing your transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Once you arrive in Mburo, you check-in at Eagles Nest Mburo Lodge. In the evening, you will go out for either a game drive or simply relax in and around the beautiful lodge. An upgrade is available at Kimbla Mantana Tented Camp for Luxury.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Explore Lake Mburo
Visitors can choose two optional activities including a mountain-bike safari ($15 p.p) or a horseback safari ($60 p.p) for 2 hours. Otherwise, you can choose to go on a game walk – accompanied with an armed ranger while you spot buffalo, zebra, gazelles etc. Should you choose to ride on horseback or cycle, you will equally enjoy the wonderful scenery along the way. After this morning’s activity, you will return to the lodge for lunch. For those who love to see birds, you can choose to go for a boat ride on the lake to see some of the major birds of the park. Otherwise, relax and have the rest of the day to yourself or you can head out in the vehicle for an evening game drive. Return later for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Drive to Entebbe & departure
This morning, wake up at leisure and enjoy your breakfast. Check-out of the lodge at 10.00am and commence your transfer to Entebbe with a stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe along the Kampala-Masaka road. You can take fun pictures at the Equator crossing, buy a souvenir for your Uganda safari and have a hot lunch. After your lunch, you will continue onto Entebbe – arriving in the afternoon. In case you have time before your check-in, you can visit one of the beaches in Entebbe. Later, you will be dropped off at the airport in time for you to check-in for your flight back home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Package Includes:
- Accommodation in Standard Rooms as described above (or similar) according to the option chosen
- On the ground transport and game-drives in air-conditioned 7-seater safari minivan or 4×4 land cruiser (depending on option chosen) with pop-up roofs
- Game-drives, excursions and sight-seeing activities (if any) as described above
- Activities (if any) as outlined in detailed itinerary
- Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Services of an English speaking driver guide
- Relevant park entrance fees
- Chimpanzee Permits
- Gorilla permits
- Bottled water whilst on safari (One-litre per person per day)
Not included:
- Personal expenses such travel and medical insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include, emails, faxes and phone calls beverages including water, soft drinks luxury champagne, spirits or meals not included in the itinerary
- Gratuity for Porterage / waiters at hotels, camps and airports
- Gratuity for your professional driver guide
- Cost of obtaining Visas ($50)
- Any optional tours or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
- Travel Insurance
- International or domestic airfare unless specified above
