11 Days Uganda Special

Day 1

You arrive at Entebbe International Airport, located on a peninsula that juts out into the largest fresh water lake in Africa, where a representative or your driver/guide from Uzuri Uganda Safaris receives you and transfers you to Cassia Lodge in Kampala for overnight stay.

Meal Plan: No meals applicable

This morning, you enjoy breakfast and commence your 4-5 hour transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive to the ferry-crossing should take you some 4-5 hours, with a break along the way for you to stretch your legs. After the break you will continue to Murchison Falls via Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary where rhinos that got wiped out in the Ugandan wild are being bred before they are re-introduced back in the Uganda national parks. When you arrive at the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a guide and armed rangers will take you on either a walking/by vehicle safari to look for the rhinos. Once you have spotted the rhinos, you will stay in their presence for a while. You will enjoy lunch within the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary after, which you will return to your vehicle to complete your transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. You will check-in at Murchison River Lodge and have the rest of the day to yourselves. You can upgrade to Paara Safari Lodge for Luxury.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Up at 6.00am and enjoy your breakfast. After breakfast, you will head out for a game drive for a chance to view the glorious day-break from across the open savannah. As you explore Uganda’s biggest national park and a major favourite for many, look out for the abundant bird-life, marvel at the dotted woodland as well as reverine vegetation along the Nile. You explore the park in search for game ranging from lion, buffalo, elephant, Rothschild giraffes, and antelope and if you are in luck the elusive leopard and a lot more. At between 10-11am, you will return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. After lunch, at 3.00pm, you will head out for the boat launch to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls. This three-hour boat cruise climaxes at the edge of the rift valley escarpment at which point you will get off the boat and trek to the top of the falls (wear sports shoes while on the boat for ease of trekking to the top). Having worked up a sweat, once at the top, get bathed in the misty spray that the Nile creates as it forces itself into the 7-metre cleft to create the famous Murchison Falls. Your guides will be waiting up top to transfer you back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Depart Murchison Falls after an early breakfast, headed for Fort Portal. This is the area where Semliki & Kibale Forest National Parks are situated; the drive is almost 8 hours over a dirt road that is under construction in some parts – so be ready to experience what we call ‘the African massage’. You will make a stop in Fort Portal for a hot lunch before completing your transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. Dinner and overnight at Kibale Forest Camp. You can upgrade to Primate Lodge for Luxury.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you are in for some real monkey business! After breakfast, we visit Kibale Forest National Park, reputed for having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. You will go on a guided nature walk in the tropical rain forest in search of the wild chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and many others. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have a full hour with them at close quarters. After the mandatory 1-hour is finished, your guides/rangers will lead you back to the park headquarters where you will commence your transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park with lunch enroute. After lunch, you continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park with the Rwenzori Mountains in the backdrop as you lose altitude to arrive in or around the park. You arrive and check-in at the Bush Lodge. Once you have checked in, 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 buffaloes 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 your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. You can upgrade to Mweya Safari Lodge for Luxury.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After your breakfast at 6.30am, your day begins early, heading for the mating grounds of the Uganda Kobs. We search for the lions in their natural habitat, elephants, buffaloes etc. before returning for lunch. 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, buffalos, and crocodiles can all be seen during the boat cruise. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Up early, enjoy your breakfast. At 7.00am, we leave the Mweya (north) part of the park and 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. You complete this game drive and exit the park headed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We arrive in the late afternoon or early evening and check-in at Silverback Lodge. You can upgrade to Buhoma Lodge for Luxury.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Gorilla tracking & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Up early (6.00am) and enjoy your 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 to Lake Bunyonyi for overnight. Dinner and overnight at Sharp Island Gorilla Lodge.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Explore Bunyonyi & drive to Lake Mburo

After breakfast, you will go on a boat tour of some of the 25 islets that poke-mark the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi.  Other activities are hiking, biking, birding, nature walks and interactive cultural visits. At about 11am, you will begin the 4-hour drive to Lake Mburo National Park. On arrival, you will check-in at Eagles’ Nest Mburo Lodge. After lunch, you can relax in and around the lodge. You can upgrade to Kimbla Mantana Tented Camp.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Walking/Horseback safari in Lake Mburo National Park

Visitors can choose two optional activities including a mountain-bike safari ($15 p.p extra) or a horseback safari ($60 p.p extra) for 2 hours. Otherwise, you can choose to go on a game walk – accompanied by 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 bird, 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 11: Transfer to Entebbe & Departure

This morning, after your breakfast, you commence your transfer to Entebbe with a stop at the Equator Crossing. At the Equator crossing, you can take some fun pictures and purchase souvenirs and crafts from your Uganda safari. After your lunch, you will continue onto Entebbe International Airport where you will be dropped off in time for you to check-in for your departure flight 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 your chosen option) 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
• 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