Services Category: Gorilla Tracking

Here are the gorilla-tracking safaris

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda

You arrive at Entebbe International Airport where you will be met by a representative from Africa Uzuri Safaris who will transfer you to your booked accommodation in Entebbe. Early arrivals can be introduced to birding around Entebbe preferable in the Botanical Gardens which produces great results of birding with views of the Great Blue and Ross’s Turacos, Red Chested Klaas’ and Diederick Cuckoo. Others are Great Reed, Grey Capped, Greater Swamp, Fain Tailed Widow bird, Striped, Malachite, Giant, Woodland and Pygmy Kingfishers, Black Bishop, Grey Woodpecker, Olive bellied, Red chested, Green Throated and Collard Sunbirds, Orange, Yellow Backed, Golden Backed, Slender Billed and Black Headed Weavers, Lizard Buzzard, Grey Kestral, Black Kite, Gaber Goshawk, African Paradise and Red Bellied Paradise and Ashy fly catchers and many more.

Dinner and overnight stay at your booked accommodation within Entebbe.

Your guide will also join you at dinner and explain the plan of action for tomorrows’ assault on Mabamba Swamp in search of Shoebill.

Day 2: Birding Mabamba Swamp

Morning drive to Mabamba swamp for the Shoebill Stork and other water birds. Look out for many different birds on our way to the swamp, like the Papyrus Gonolek, White Winged Warbler and Weyns Weaver. This Swamp is one of the best places to spot the exceptional Shoebill Stork. Other water birds we should be on the lookout for are the Allen’s and Purple Gallinule, Grey, Purple, Rufous Bellied and Goliath herons, African and Lesser Jacanas, Squaco Herons, the Globally threatened Pallid Harrier and Blue Swallow. The migrant species will include a variety of egrets, ducks etc. The best way to enjoy the rich bird life is by canoe and you might be in luck and encounter the elusive Sitatunga Antelope, which is adapted to swamp habitats. Later drive to Lake Mburo. Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation.

Day 3: Birding Lake Mburo

After breakfast, head out on foot with an armed ranger. Your birding today will be coupled with mammal viewing. Look out for the Brown-chested Plover, a migratory specie from West Africa, the Red-faced Barbet which crosses over from Northern Tanzania. Here we shall have the chance to see the Zebra, Eland, Topis, Impalas and some other game. In the afternoon, you will continue your birding trip on a boat across the lake in search of the African Finfoot, Giant Kingfisher, White Backed Night Heron, Little Bittern, Black Crowned Night and Green Backed Heron, African Open Billed Stork, African Fish Eagle, Madagascar and common Sqacco Heron. Lake Mburo National Park is 260 sq. km and it has markedly different fauna from other reserves. It is the only park that contains an entire Lake. Situated in rolling hills and open grassy valleys, the park consists of 4 other small lakes. Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation.

Day 4: Transfer Mghahinga

Today, we transfer to Kisoro in south western Uganda for the birding experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is Uganda’s most scenic protected area. Dinner and overnight and your booked accommodation

Day 5: Birding Mgahinga

Today, we bird through a variety of montane habitats in search for the Rwenzori Turaco, Dwarf Honeygude, Kivu Ground Thrush, Rwenzori Double-collared, Regal and the Purple-breasted Sunbirds, Archers’ Robin Chat, cinnamon Bracken and Mountain Yellow Warblers, the Dusky and much sought after Shelley’s Crimson-wing along with many more.

Day 6: Birding to Ruhija

Today, we bird Ruhija, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through bamboo in search for the Handsome Francolin, White-starred Robin, Mountain Illadopsis, Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Augur Buzzard, Ayres’s and Cassin’s Hawk Eagle, Mountain Buzzard,  Red-throated Alethe, Grauer’s Warbler, Mountain Masked Collard, Chestnut throated and Black-throated Apalis, Dusky and Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Dusky Tit, Stripe Breasted Tit, Red Faced Woodland Warbler  and many other birds. Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation.

Day 7: Birding Mubwindi Swamp

This sector of Bwindi is at a higher altitude and therefore is cooler. Temperatures range between 10-18 degrees centigrade.
Specialty birds include the African Green Broadbill, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Purple-breasted, Red Faced Woodland Warbler, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Mountain Greenbul, Mountain Illadopsis, Chestnut-Grey-Buff-throated Collard, Mountain Masked-Black throated-Blue headed and Regal Sunbirds, Yellow-crowned Canary, African Wood-owl, Bronze-naped Pigeon, Shelly’s Crimson-wing, Oriole Finch and much more. Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation.

Day 8: Transfer to Buhoma

 
Birding Ruhija then transfer to Buhoma in search for Handsome Francolin, Rufous-chested Fluff tail, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Red-chested Owlet, Neumann’s Warbler and many other birds. Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation.

Day 9: Gorilla Tracking or Birding

Optional Gorilla tracking or birding the Buhoma area. Those that go birding expect to see the Rufous-chested Fluff tail, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Pink Footed and Northern Puff Back, Red-tailed Honey Guide, Toro Olive, Cameroon Sombre, Slender Billed- Little Grey, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Cabani’s-white-Throated and Yellow-wiskered Greenbuls, Elliots, Cardinals, Yellow Crested, Fine Banded woodpeckers, Red-throated Allethe, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Black-faced Woodland Warbler, White-headed Wood Hopoe, Wallers Stulmans and Narrow-tailed Starlings, Black Bee Eater, Banded and White Chinned Prinia, Northern Double Collard, Collard, Green, Green-headed Sunbirds, Bar-tailed Tragon, Kivu Ground Thrush, African Broad Bill, Red-chested Owlet, Neumann’s Warbler, Pale-breasted Illadopsis, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher and a lot more. Return to your lodge for overnight stay and dinner.

Day 10: Birding to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today we depart early in the morning driving North West to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Bird through the Ishasha sector of the park on a drive that takes you through the savannah. Therefore, you will pick some savannah and woodland species. Mammals will include; African Buffalo, tree-climbing lions, African elephants and a number of antelope species. Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation.

Day 11: Birding Mweya Peninsular and Kazinga Channel
You start early for a game drive and birding the Mweya Peninsular and in the afternoon we take a boat on the Kazinga Channel. You will look out for the African Skimmer, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers, White-winged Terns, Swamp Fly-catchers, Grey-capped Warbler, Grey-headed Kingfisher, African Jacana, Common Squacco Heron, African Skimmer, African Fish Eagle, Egyptian Goose, Papyrus Canary, Great White and pink-backed Pelicans, just to mention a few. Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation.

Day 12: Bird as you transfer to Kampala

We have breakfast and bird on our way to Kampala via Fort Portal. We might have several stops along the way for spotted birds. Your guide should then transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your departure.

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

You arrive at Entebbe International Airport where you will be met by a representative from Africa Uzuri Safaris who will transfer you to your booked accommodation in Entebbe. Early arrivals can be introduced to birding around Entebbe preferable in the Botanical Gardens which produces great results. Right at the entrance in the tall trees, one usually finds a pair of Verreaux’s eagle owls. Closer to the water’s edge the key birds to get are orange-tufted and red-chested sunbird, as well as orange weaver. Along the lakes’ edge, one can find long-tailed cormorant, common squacco and black-headed herons, hamerkop, African open-billed stork, grey-headed gull, various terns, giant and pied kingfishers, and swamp flycatcher. Collared pratincoles are often present and the stunning black headed gonolek and red- chested sunbird occur at the Botanical Gardens. Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation within Entebbe.

Your guide will also join you at dinner and explain the plan of action for tomorrows’ assault on Mabira Forest as well as day 2’s search for the mythical shoebill in Mabamba.

 

Day 2: Birding Mabamba

One of the most reliable places to view Shoebill, the most sought after Bird in Africa is found a short distance from Kampala.

Mabamba Swamp is a large marshland cris-crossed by various channels that provide the perfect habitat for countless waterbirds besides the elusive shoebill. A variety of other water species to search for include the papyrus Gonolek, Stripped Kingfisher, swamp flycatcher, winding cisticola, malachite kingfisher, black-headed weavers, yellow-billed duck, long-toed lapwing, African jacana and blue-headed coucal and many more. , banded martin, grey-rumped and Angola swallows, African pygmy goose, rufous-bellied and purple heron, blue-breasted bee-eater, black crake, African marsh harrier, fan-tailed widowbird white-faced Whistling duck, Fulvous whistling duck, Goliath Heron, Purple Heron, Common Squaco Heron, long-toed Plover, African Water rail, Brown snake Eagle, Eurasian Hobby are not hard to find, and occasionally one can also be rewarded with the rare and endangered blue swallow. Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation in Entebbe.

Day 3: Transfer to Budongo Forest

This morning, we start our transfer to Budongo Forest and the Murchison Falls National Park area, proceeding north toward the town of Masindi. En route we will look for white-crested turaco, long-crested eagle, Wahlberg’s eagle, black-winged kite, African harrier-hawk to mention but a few. We will spend most of today in the vast Budongo Forest Reserve, the largest natural forest area in East Africa, so we will carry packed lunch.

Once in Budongo, we look for buff-spotted flufftail, tambourine dove, blue malkoha, chocolate-backed, blue-breasted and African dwarf, the hulking white-thighed hornbill, yellow-spotted, hairy-breasted and yellow-billed barbets and their cousins, speckled, yellow-throated and yellow-rumped tinkerbirds, Puvel’s Illadopsis and Nahan’s Francolin, Yellow-billed barbet, Grey-throated barbet, Honey-guide Greenbull, Chocolate-bakced Kingfisher, white-headed Saw-wing, white Wagtail, black-eared Ground-thrush, Little Crake, Chestnut-capped flycatcher, African paradise flycatcher. Others are Western oriole, green hylia, grey and yellow longbills, the rarely encountered Uganda woodland warbler, grey, buff-throated, black-throated, and the stunning black-capped apalises, rufous-crowned eremomela, green and the elusive lemon-bellied crombec, fraser’s forest flycatcher, purple-headed starling, little green, grey-headed sunbirds, yellow-mantled weaver and a lot more.

Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation in Masindi

Day 4: Bird Murchison Falls National Park

This morning we will proceed towards Murchison Falls. En route we will stop at Kaniyo Pabidi to look for Puvel’s Illadopsis and spot some chimpanzees. Further along we will bird the vicinity of Sambiya River Lodge. This area holds a very different diversity of birds including brown-backed woodpecker, brown babbler, red-winged warbler, purple starling, chestnut-crowned sparrow-weaver, black-bellied firefinch, cabanis’ and brown-rumped buntings, white-breasted cuckoo-shrike and red-winged pytilia and a lot more in and around this area.

Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation

Day 5: Albert Nile Delta and Murchison Falls

Today we will depart with packed lunches towards the northern sectors of the park where the best birding and most of the game in this park is to be found. The wide expanse of grasslands and whistling acacias to the north of the Nile holds a number of typical dry savanna birds such as the majestic-looking Secretary bird, black-chested snake eagle, tawny and martial eagle, shikra, dark chanting goshawk, harlequin quail, Heuglin’s francolin, helmeted guinea fowl, collared pratincole, black-headed lapwing, swallow-tailed and northern carmine bee-eaters to mention some.

Driving along the Niles edge, we should be able to view intermediate egrets, goliath and purple herons, woolly-necked and yellow-billed storks, hamerkop, Egyptian and spur-winged geese, osprey, African fish eagle, black crake, African swamphen, the majestic Grey-crowned Crane (Uganda’s national bird), Senegal thick-knee, long-toed and spur-winged lapwings, African jacana, malachite and giant kingfishers and the dainty wire-tailed swallow. Colonies of colorful red-throated bee-eater or loquacious pied kingfisher populate the river banks.

Mammals that we will see include lions, leopard, giraffe, African buffalo, Uganda kob, oribi, waterbuck, hartebeest, topi, buffalo, bushbuck, warthog, bush pig, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal and bat-eared fox. If we are lucky we may see groups of the shy patas monkey.

In the late afternoon, we will go on launch boat trip along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, viewing Nile crocodile, Hippos and birds en route. There’s a good chance of seeing shoebills as well. Interestingly, this is where part of the movie The African Queen was filmed. Once at the bottom of the falls, climb to the top of the falls as your bird.

Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation

Day 6: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Today we leave for Kibale Forest, a long yet interesting drive.

We will stop very briefly at the Butiaba escarpment to search for specials, depending on our timing, as our drive is approximately eight hours. Leaving the Rift Valley we pass through beautiful agricultural countryside where an abundance of people, fruit, vegetables and subsistence farming becomes evident.

We will have packed lunches along and take our lunch en route.  We reach Kibale Forest in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation.

Days 7 – 8: Birding Kibale Forest

One of these days we will embark on a Chimpanzee trek, in Kibale, our chances of finding these, our closest living relatives, are excellent.

Kibale National Park will be today’s birding destination. The towering Kibale Forest has the highest primate concentration and species diversity of any reserve in East Africa. Primate highlights might include sightings of localized central African red colobus, handsome L’Hoest’s monkey and the scruffy grey-cheeked mangabey.

Birding Kibale Forest, we look for the Green-breasted Pitta, Brown Illadopsis, Brown-capped Weaver, Brown-chested Alethe, Black-headed Owl, African/Rwenzori/Abyssinian Hill Barbbler, Alpine Swift, Ashy Flycather, Barn Swallow, Black bee-eater, Black Cuckoo, Black cuckoo-shrike, Black and white Casqued Hornbill, Black and white Mannikin. Others are the globally threatened White-naped Pigeons, Red-chested Owlet, Narina Trogon, white-headed wood hoopoe, dusky-blue flycatcher, shrike-Flycatcher, green-headed sunbirds, chestnut wattle-eye and a lot more.

We will also do a walk to the Bigodi swamp which is a good site to see white-winged warbler, papyrus gonolek and with luck papyrus canary.

All meals and overnight at your booked accommodation.

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today we leave Kibale and head for Queen Elizabeth National Park.  The drive passes through Fort Portal and then south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains, where you can sometimes see the glaciated peaks. We again descend into The Great African Rift Valley and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

You start early for a game drive and birding the Mweya Peninsular and in the afternoon we take a boat on the Kazinga Channel. You will look out for the African Skimmer, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers, White-winged Terns, Swamp Fly-catchers, Grey-capped Warbler, Grey-headed Kingfisher, African Jacana, Common Squacco Heron, brown snake Eagle, grey Kestrel, red-necked Spurfowl, harlequin quail, Senegal and crowned lapwings, African Fish Eagle, Egyptian Goose, Papyrus Canary, Great White and pink-backed Pelicans, the marsh-dwelling black coucal, blue-breasted bee-eater, greater honeyguide, blacklobred babbler, southern red bishop, flocks of red-billed quelea, firefinch to mention but a few.

Almost 100 mammal species and a remarkable 606 bird species makes this superb safari territory, with elephant, a profusion of Hippos, the elusive Giant Forest Hog and handsome Uganda Kob all regularly sighted around the tourist village on the Mweya Peninsula, which also boasts a marvelous waterfront setting in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Overnight and dinner at your booked accommodation

Day 10: QEP to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP

After breakfast we drive through the park’s Ishasha sector in search for the famous tree-climbing lions.

Later we head south on a five-and-a-half hour journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Park (a World Heritage Site) and passing through the scenic landscape.

Birding en route, and on arrival will be weaved into the day depending on road progress and arrival time in Buhoma.

Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation.

Day 11: Gorilla Trekking and Birding Buhoma

After breakfast, your guide will drive you to the Park Headquarters for a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority Game rangers and guides who will take you through the dos and don’ts when you get close the Gorilla Group you are tacking today. After your briefing, park guides will lead you into the thick brush of the Bwindi forest – tracking where the gorillas are stationed for that day. The trek through the forest in search of the Gorillas can be gruelling – taking between 2-8 hours but it is fun all the way as you come across natural streams that have drained the Bwindi ecosystem for centuries. The terrain is rough and at times muddy so bring a pair of jungle boots/good canvas shoes, a rain coat, a pair of binoculars and the rangers will provide you with a walking stick. When you encounter the gorillas, all your fatigue will be forgotten, as the experience is indeed the most profound natural experiences in the wild. You will spend 1 hour in the presence of these gentle giants. For conservation purposes, the 1 hour is mandatory as just 680 of these endangered Great apes remain in the world and more than half of them are in Uganda. You will then return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Dinner and overnight in Bwindi N

Day 12: Buhoma

Today we will bird some of the forest trails leading out from camp. Species we will search for include the Rufous-chested Fluff tail, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Pink Footed and Northern Puff Back, Red-tailed Honey Guide, Toro Olive, Cameroon Sombre, Slender Billed- Little Grey, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Cabani’s-white-Throated and Yellow-wiskered Greenbuls, Elliots, Cardinals, Yellow Crested, Fine Banded woodpeckers, Red-throated Allethe, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Black-faced Woodland Warbler, White-headed Wood Hopoe, Wallers Stulmans and Narrow-tailed Starlings, Black Bee Eater, Banded and White Chinned Prinia, Northern Double Collard, Collard, Green, Green-headed Sunbirds, Bar-tailed Tragon, Kivu Ground Thrush, African Broad Bill, Red-chested Owlet, Neumann’s Warbler, Pale-breasted Illadopsis, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher and a lot more. Return to lodge for overnight stay and dinner.

Other wildlife that we may be fortunate enough to find here include blue and red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzee and several species of squirrels.

Dinner and overnight in Bwindi NP

Day 13: Buhoma to Ruhija

Today, we bird enroute to Ruhija in search of Red-throated Wryneck, Village Indigobird, Variable sunbirds, African Golden weavers, Yellow Bisho, Copper and Variable Sunbirds, Baglafetcht, Black Sparrowhawk, White-chinned Prinia, Mountain Wagtail, Pink-footed puffback, Western Bronze-named Pigeon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater. Others are Dusky twinspot, African stonechat, thick-billed seedeaters, African citril, Chubb’s cisticola, Doherty’s bushrike and many more. Once in Ruhija, marvel at the scenery and view over Bwindi’s steep, forested valleys. If it is clear, we may be able to see the distant Virunga Volcanoes that straddle the Uganda / Rwanda / DRC border.

Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation

Day 14: Ruhija

Today, we will spend the day exploring the so-called Gorilla highland forest area in search for Rwenzori Hill babbler, Grauer’s warbler, Shelly’s Crimson-wing, Dusky Crimson-wing, archer’s robit-chat, regal sunbird, blue-headed sunbird, dwarf honey-guide, Collared Apalis and many more. Continue on the trail to Mubwindi Swamp in search for the African green broadbill. The swamp holds Grauer’s rush warbler and Carruther’s cisticola.

Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation

Day 15: Ruhija to Mburo NP

This morning we commence our transfer to Lake Mburo National Park with a lunch stop in Mbarara town at the Igongo Cultural Centre.

Once in Lake Mburo, on land and water, we will be on the lookout for species including African marsh harrier, African hawk-eagle, white-headed cultures, white-backed, lappet-faced, brown snake eagle. Lake Mburo’s woodlands are the northern-most example of the southern African savanna system and are therefore home to several species at the edge of their range.

We will also search for mousebirds, lilac-breasted roller, striped kingfisher, green wood hoopoe, common scimitarbill, spot-flanked barbet, nubian and bearded woodpeckers, several swallows including lesser striped, red-breasted, mosque, red-rumped and white-headed saw-wing, crested and coqui francolins, emerald-spotted wood dove, red-chested, jacobin, levaillant’s, klaas’s and dideric cuckoos, blue-naped and speckled black cuckooshrike, white-browed scrub robin, trilling cisticola, blue-eared starling, marico sunbird and red-headed weaver. Specials we will watch for include African finfoot, long-tailed cisticola and green-capped eremomela. Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation

Day 16: Mburo NP to Entebbe

This morning we will spend some time birding the acacia woodlands. At the Kigambira Loop, we will look for savanna and Acacia woodland species including blue-naped mousebird, spot-flanked barbet, nubian woodpecker, northern black tit, red-headed lovebird, green-capped eremomela, Ross’ turaco and the highly sought-after red-faced barbet.

After lunch, we will drive through to Entebbe (5 hour drive) where the trip will come to an end in Entebbe.

Dinner and overnight in Entebbe

Day 17: Departure

This morning, and depending on your departing flights, you could visit the UWEC (zoo) as an optional activity for a behind the scene special where you get a chance to feed the giraffe, Lion, Leopard. Your guide will be available to transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.

 

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 Eureka Place Hotel in Kampala.

Meal Plan: No meals inclusive

Day 2: Drive to Jinja, zip-lining in Mabira Forest

After breakfast, you will leave Kampala headed to Jinja via Mabira Forest. Driving along the Kampala-Jinja road, our first stop is Ssezibwa Falls – a Buganda cultural heritage site that is rich with traditional folklore. Other than its cultural significance, the falls are quite spectacular, surrounded by beautiful lush scenery. There are plenty of birds and some wildlife such as monkeys that may be sighted in the nearby forest.

After Ssezibwa, your next stop is Mabira Forest. The Mabira Forest Canopy Super Skyway is a canopy “zip-line” system that sends you soaring between the tallest trees in the rainforest. You are led to pass through ancient trees by experienced Sky Captains/Sky guides across a network of 5 zip-lines that stretches 250 metres across River Musamya. From Mabira, you will continue on to Jinja. Overnight at Signature Hotel & Apartments.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 3: Rafting the Nile

After breakfast this morning, head to the Bujjagali area. Beside white water rafting, other activity options to choose from include bungee jumping, quad bike safaris beside the Nile.  Otherwise you can choose between either a full day or half-day rafting expedition – whichever fits your adventure spirit. Alternatively, if white water rafting does not appeal to your adventure spirit, you can choose to go on a Quad bike safari along trails that have been developed beside the young Nile in Jinja. At the end of this exciting day, you return to your hotel and get to relax. Later, you can check out the Jinja nightlife where you can enjoy a Nile beer. Overnight at Signature Hotel & Apartments.

 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 4: Visit Source of the Nile & drive to Mbale

After your breakfast this morning, visit the source of the Nile (part of Mahatma Ghandi’s ashes were blown into the Nile at this point) where you will take a short boat ride to the exact spot where the Nile waters start to flow. After the boat ride, return and depart for Mbale. Driving through Jinja town where you could purchase some souvenirs such as crafts, you continue to Mbale. Overnight at Mbale Resort Hotel.

 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 5: Visit Sipi Falls & Coffee community walk

After your breakfast this morning, you drive to Kapchorwa via the Sironko-Mbale road headed to Sipi. Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls in the district of Kapchorwa, northeast of Sironko and Mbale. The waterfalls lie on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park near the Kenyan border. The Sipi Falls area is the starting point for many hikes up Mt. Elgon. You will walk to the base of the falls and relax as well as get bathed in the misty spray that is created by the falls. If you do not mind, you can take a dip in the cool waters. You can enjoy lunch at the nearby Sipi River Lodge otherwise you will have carry-on lunch. In the afternoon you will go on a coffee community walk. Later, return to Mbale town. Overnight at Mbale Resort Hotel.

 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 6: Drive to Pian Upe Game Reserve

Pian Upe Game Reserve is the second largest protected area in Uganda after Murchison Falls National Park. Located north of Mountain Elgon, the reserve, which measures 2,788 square kilometres lies in a semi-arid area. The predominant cover of mixed acacia commipphara savannah is essentially Uganda’s extension of an eastern savannah encompassing much of northern Kenya and the Amboseli-tsavo-mkomazi complex of reserves on the border between Kenya and Tanzania. Providing dramatic contrast to the dry scrubby plains of Pian Upe is Mountain Kadam, an isolated range of spectacularly tortured turrets and bleak volcanic plugs that rises to an altitude of 3068m on the reserve’s eastern boundary. Animals include Leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena are quite popular by ranger patrols and a small population of lions is present.  Among the ungulate species are bur hell’s zebra, buffalo, eland, Harte beast, greater kudu, topi, orib, dik-dik, and Uganda’s last population of roam antelope. In addition the vervet monkeys, olive baboons, the far localized patas monkey are quite popular in the savannah. The drive is 90 kilometres to Pian Upe. On arrival in Pian Upe, you will explore the place in search of game. You will have carried lunch in your backpacks. Later, you drive back to Mbale for dinner and overnight at Mbale Resort Hotel.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Drive to Gulu via the Nyero Rock paintings

After breakfast this morning, commence your drive to Gulu town. On your way, you will stop by the pre-historic Nyero rock paintings in or near Soroti town. The paintings date back to 1250 AD. You will have lunch en-route and continue to Gulu town.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Drive to Kidepo Valley National Park

After breakfast this morning, you complete your transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park. On arrival, you will check-in at your chosen accommodation and head out for either a game drive or a nature walk with an armed ranger to stretch your legs after a long drive. Dinner and overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Morning and Evening Game Drives

You will wake up to nature’s sounds and given the remoteness of the park, count on hearing the sounds of an authentic African morning. You will take a sunrise game-drive in and around Apoka Valley. You will then return to the lodge for breakfast after which you will embark on a mid-morning game-adventure that will take you to the Kanangorok hot springs.  Here, the so-called Big Five can be seen wandering around including Ostrich. The semi-arid section of the park is home to hot springs and the majestic Ostriches. This section also commands amazing scenery with savannah grassland and mountains from across the South Sudan border in the distance. Return to your lodge for lunch. After lunch, you can relax and wait for the sun to go down. In the evening, you can opt for a walk with an armed ranger guide near your accommodation. Dinner and overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Game drive & Community/cultural visit

After breakfast, with your packed lunch, you will visit the Lorokul Cultural Group and explore the fascinating, ancient culture of the Karamojong. You will also visit the traditional homesteads (Manyata) of the Karamojong to sample local dishes and hear stories of this remote tribe that has just started accepting traits of modernism. After interacting with the locals and learning a few things about this cattle-keeper people, you will return to your lodge where you have the rest of the day to yourself. In the evening, you can choose to stay relaxed at the lodge or go out for an evening game drive. Dinner and overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge.  

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Drive to Gulu

After breakfast this morning, you drive to Gulu town. You carry packed lunch for the long drive. Arriving late in the afternoon, check-in at Gulu Churchill Court Hotel and have the rest of the day to yourselves.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Visit Fort Patiko & transfer to Murchison Falls

Also known as explorer Sir Samuel Baker’s fort, Fort Patiko is located about 40 kilometres north of Gulu town. Patiko is a beauty – mountains and hills grace the place that was born out of slave trade in the 1800s by Arab slave traders. Take a tour of the place and listen to the Fort’s gruesome past. Slaves were a key trading item for the Arabs too and were captured from northern Uganda, Gondokoro in Sudan and other areas. Ocecu Hill, where the fort is located became a sorting ground for slaves. Healthy-looking ones were forced to trek from Patiko, through Sudan across the Red Sea and sold in Egypt. After your visit to Fort Patiko, you transfer to Murchison Falls National Park – arriving in the late afternoon. You check-in at Red Chilli Rest Camp for overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Game drive + boat safari to bottom of falls

Up at 6.00am, enjoy breakfast and head out for a game drive for a chance to view the glorious day-break from across the open savannah, birds and dotted woodland as well as riverine vegetation along the Nile. As you explore the park, you will also be able to see game ranging from lion, buffalo, elephant, the endangered Rothschild giraffes, antelope and a lot more. At between 10 -11 am, you will return to the lodge for relaxation. After lunch, at 2.00pm, you will head out for the boat launch to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls. This three-hour boat cruise where you get to see huge numbers of Nile crocodiles, hippos, birds and other animals that come to the river for a drink climaxes at the edge of the rift valley escarpment at which point you will get off the boat and trek (there are steps that lead up to the top) 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 create as it forces itself into the 7-metre cleft to create the famous Murchison Falls. Your guide will be waiting up top to transfer you back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

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.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Chimpanzee tracking & Bigodi Community walk

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. The guides and rangers will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates, but also on all the forest fauna and flora and will ensure that your walk is both informative and enjoyable. 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 your lodge for lunch. Later in the afternoon or early evening, head for your Bigodi community walk (2-3 hours). This walk will take you through grassland, small communities and beautiful scenery. It is usual to spot three to four different primate species during this walk, though the highlight can be catching a glimpse of the great blue Turaco. After your walk, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16: Transfer to Queen & visit Katwe

This morning, after your breakfast, you visit the crater lakes area with some stunning views before transferring to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You travel on a beautiful route via Kasese town, with the Rwenzori Mountains on your right and the green valley on your left. You arrive and check into Mweya Safari Lodge and enjoy lunch. After lunch or later in the evening, head to the Katwe crater lake to meet the Ugandans who mine for salt in the lake. This lake, which is 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. Look 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.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17: Game drive + boat along Kazinga channel

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 head out for the boat launch along the Kazinga channel – a major highlight of a 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. After the 3-hour boat cruise, you will then return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Mweya Safari Lodge.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18: Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha

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. After this drive, you exit the park and complete your transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (the southern sector). We arrive in the late afternoon or early evening and check-in at the Gorilla Valley Lodge or Buhoma Community Camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18: Gorilla tracking & transfer to Lake 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 to the beautiful and scenic Lake Bunyonyi where you will spend the night. Dinner and overnight at Overland Resort Bunyonyi.

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 19: Drive 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 Mihingo Lodge or Kimbla Mantana Mburo Lodge. In the evening, you will go out for either a game drive or simply relax in and around the beautiful lodge.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 20: Explore Lake Mburo National Park

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 21: Transfer 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

We hope you enjoyed your ultimate Uganda safari.

 

Package Includes:

  • Accommodation in Standard Rooms as described above (or similar) according to the option chosen
  • On the ground transport and game-drives in a 4X4 Toyota Land-cruiser with pop-up roofs for game viewing
  • 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

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda

You arrive at Entebbe International Airport, located on a peninsula that juts out into Lake Victoria, where a representative from Uzuri Uganda Safaris will welcome you to the Pearl of Africa and transfer you to your booked accommodation in Entebbe town for overnight stay.

Meal Plan: No meals inclusive

Day 2: Visit to Source of the Nile Jinja, Quad biking

This morning, after your breakfast, you will start your journey to Jinja (80 kilometres east of Kampala). As you drive to Jinja, you can make a stop at the Namawojolo open-market where if breakfast was not enough, people can supplement with a roadside snack (options include roasted plantain, chicken, chicken gizzards). From Namawojolo, you will continue your journey through sugarcane and tea plantations around the Lugazi area. You will continue through the Mabira Forest, one of the few last remaining natural forests in central Uganda and East Africa. You arrive in Jinja and head straight to the Bujjagali area for your 1-hour Quad bike safari along trails that run near or beside the Nile. After your Quad bike safari, you return and check into your booked accommodation. You have lunch and then head to the Source of the Nile. At the source of the Nile, you head out on a boat to the exact spot where water bubbles up from below – where the Nile starts its 6000+ slalom to the Mediterranean. Later return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Optional: Jinja is also famed for white water rafting for those who love adrenaline-raising sports. Price for white water rafting is not included, however if you are interested, we can add it to the costing and send an amended quote.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Murchison Falls via Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary 

This morning, after your breakfast, you depart Jinja headed for Murchison Falls National Park via the Zziwa rhino sanctuary. On your way, you will encounter the sometimes intense Kampala traffic but no need to worry, sit through it and before you know it, the mayhem will be behind you. You will have a bathroom break at Migyera along the Kampala-Gulu road. After the break, you will continue to Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary where rhinos that got wiped out in the Ugandan wild are being bred before they are re-introduced back into the national parks. When you arrive at the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a guide and armed rangers will take you on a walking safari to look for the rhinos. If you don’t fancy the walk, you can still track the rhinos in your vehicle. Once you have spotted the rhinos, you will stay in their presence for a while and then you will have a picnic lunch at the place. After your lunch, you will continue to Murchison Falls National Park. On arrival, you will check-in at your booked accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Game Drive & boat safari to bottom of Murchison falls

This morning, before your breakfast, you will wake up early and head out for a game drive for a chance to view the glorious day-break from across the open savannah, birds and dotted woodland as well as riverine vegetation along the Nile. You will also be able to see game ranging from lion, buffalo, elephant, giraffes, antelope and a lot more. At between 10-11am, you will return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. After your lunch at 2.00pm, 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 create 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

Day 5: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

This morning, wake up early and have breakfast at 6.30am. After breakfast, check-out of the hotel and depart Murchison Falls headed to Fort Portal. However, because of the long distance on a poor dirt road that should give you the ‘African massage’, you will not complete the transfer to Fort Portal. You will spend the night in Hoima town, which is half-way the distance between Murchison Falls and Fort Portal. From Murchison Falls, you will have your carry-on lunch so enjoy it at your leisure. You arrive in Hoima in the middle of the afternoon and check-in at your booked hotel in Hoima. Relax and enjoy what is the left of the day.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue to Fort Portal

This morning, re-start your journey to Fort Portal. Along the way, you will traverse traditional homesteads surrounded by crop plantations in a very leafy and green area – arriving in Fort Portal in the mid-afternoon. You will spend the night at your booked accommodation either in Fort Portal town or at a lodge inside the park or on the park’s boundary.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Chimp trekking in Kibale Forest & Bigodi community walk

Today you are in for some real monkey business! After breakfast, your guides will drive you to Kibale Forest National Park headquarters at Kanyanchu for a briefing before you commence your chimp trek. Kibale Forest is 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. You will grab lunch at one of the lodges within the park.

In the afternoon after your lunch, head for your Bigodi swamp walk (2-3 hours). This walk will take you through grassland, small communities and beautiful scenery. It is usual to spot three to four different primate species during this walk, though the highlight can be catching a glimpse of the great blue Turaco. After your walk, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park with boat along Kazinga channel

Wake up at leisure and relax at your lodge having your breakfast at leisure. We are not in a hurry and so we will depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park at leisure. You will transfer to Kasese with the Rwenzori Mountains in the backdrop as you lose altitude to arrive in or around the Queen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival and after check-in, you can relax and have the rest of the day to yourself. Dinner and overnight at your booked accommodation.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Morning game drive and relaxation with evening game drive

Up at 6.00am, enjoy your breakfast and we are off for a day-break game drive on the park’s plans. We head straight for the mating grounds of the Uganda Kobs. We search for lions in their natural habitat, elephants, and buffalo and then we return to the lodge. Relax around the lodge and then lunch. At either 2.00pm or 3.00pm, we go on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural channel that connects lakes Edward and George – one of the major highlights of your safari. On the cruise abundant bird life is sighted and perhaps the highest concentration of hippopotamus in Africa lives on this stretch of the channel. The boat launch – lasting 3 hours climaxes with you looking at stunning scenery in the distance. You return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Drive to Bwindi via Ishasha sector

After breakfast and at leisure, drive south to the Ishasha sector of the park. 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, 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. You exit the park and continue on to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You check-in at your booked accommodation for overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Gorilla tracking 

Have an early breakfast preferably at 6.00am and transfer to the starting point of the Gorilla family that you will be tracking. With packed lunch in your carry-on, your guide will deliver you to the tracking/trekking start point before 8:00 am for registration and a briefing from the rangers on what to expect before commencing your tracking/trek. The guides will then take you through the bush, pushing your way through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, looking for where thee family of gorillas you are tracking spent the night. (Tracking/trekking 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). When you finally locate the family that you are tracking, sit in the forest among the gorillas, listening to them grumble to each other, and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male; the Silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest in the knowledge that you are in the presence of the few remaining Mountain Gorillas in the wild. After the mandatory 1 hour is up, the rangers and guides will lead you back to the starting point where your guide will be waiting for you to take you back to your lodge for relaxation and dinner later.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

This morning, depart Bwindi and head to Lake Mburo National Park. On arrival, check-in at your booked accommodation and enjoy lunch. You can relax and have the rest of the day to yourself or go for a game drive in the late evening.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Walking Safari in Lake Mburo

Visitors can choose two optional activities including a mountain-bike safari ($15 p.p extra) or a horseback safari ($60 p.p etra) 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 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 13: Depart for Kampala with stop at the Equator

This morning, after your breakfast, you commence your transfer to Kampala with a stop at the Equator Crossing. At the Equator crossing at Kayabwe along the Kampala-Masaka road, you can take some fun pictures and purchase souvenirs and crafts from your Uganda safari. After your lunch, you will continue onto Kampala where you will be taken to your booked accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14: Visit Nakasero Market, transfer to Entebbe & Departure

This morning, you wake up at leisure at your hotel and enjoy your breakfast. After breakfast, check-out of the hotel and your guides will be ready to drive you into town. You will head to Nakasero (a Luganda word that connotes a basket) Market – a fresh produce market. The market is Kampala’s most famous. It is divided into two areas, one partially covered, where produce is sold and another located in an attractive old building where hardware, electronics, clothes, and a few tourist items are on sale. Traders sell a wide-range of products including fruits (yellow bananas, mangoes, passion fruits, water melons, oranges etc), vegetables, spices, matooke (plantain), cassava roots and a lot other food items.

From Nakasero market, you will head to the Uganda Crafts village along Buganda road. Also, look out for 1000 Cups – a coffee shop that is opposite the crafts village. You can buy Uganda Arabica coffee beans (either roasted or raw) at the shop. After your shopping trip, your guides will transfer you to Entebbe. In Entebbe, you will do a quick tour of the town – visiting the Botanical Gardens/beach where you can have a quick lunch of a whole Tilapia fish with chips at one of the beaches. Later you will rest at Faze 3 restaurant close to the airport ahead of your check-in before departure home.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Package Includes

  • Accommodation in standard rooms as described above (or similar) according to the option chosen
  • On the ground transport in non-air conditioned 7-seater safari minivans 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
  • Gorilla Permits (if you are opting for Gorilla tracking)
  • Bottled water whilst on safari (2 half-litre bottles 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 Uganda entry Visas ($100 per person)
  • Any optional tours and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Travel Insurance
  • International + Airfare