15 Days Best of Uganda Safari Holiday
Welcome to Uganda and welcome to your 15 Days Best of Uganda Safari Holiday. This Safari takes you to 4 of Uganda’s National Parks with rich and virgin landscapes, floral and fauna. You’ll start off from Entebbe International airport with an introduction to your guide with all the chance for you to ask any questions.Murchison Falls where you expect boat trip to the base of the falls and game drive. Head to Kibale for chimp tracking and also explore the crater lakes. From Kibale, transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP. Enjoy the big game sighting plus launch trip along the Kazinga Channel. Proceed to Bwindi for the ultimate gorilla experience and go have relaxation in Lake Bunyonyi. Exit Bunyonyi for Lake Mburo NP and enjoy a park walk plus some game drive. Fly out from Entebbe Airport.
Safari Highlight
- Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
- Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
- Boat cruise and Game drive at Queen Elizabeth NP
- Tree Climbing Lions at Ishasha
- Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
- Visit to a local community (The Batwa)
- Canoe Boat ride at Lake Bunyonyi
- Boat Cruise and Game drive at Lake Mburo NP.
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport. You will be met and assisted by our Safari guide. Transfer Entebbe for overnight at the Papyrus guest House
Day 1
Arrival in Entebbe International Airport
You will board the vehicle and drive to Murchison falls National Park. Murchison falls National Park is dominated geographically by the Nile river and 43m-high waterfall after which it is named. Here you can be confident of seeing elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hartebeest, hippo, waterbuck, oribi, Uganda kob, crocodiles and a range of aquatic birds. With a bit of luck, you can also encounter lions, leopard, patas, monkeys and the bizarre stork-like shoe bill.
En route to Murchison Falls, you go to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking, continue to a scenic spot for lunch, then drive to the lodge.
Overnight at Ikorom Safari Lodge/ Fort Murchison Safari Lodge
Overnight at Ikorom Safari Lodge/ Fort Murchison Safari Lodge
Day 2
Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park
We will drive early in the morning after breakfast to Uganda's largest National Park. Here, you will catch sight of numerous wildlife including: elephants, buffalos, giraffes, hartebeest, waterbuck, oribi and Uganda kob. You may also encounter lions, leopard, patas, monkeys, and the bizarre stork-like shoe bill although its rare to spot.
Return to the lodge for some time to rest and have lunch. After lunch, head out for a boat trip on the Nile river. While on the boat cruise, enjoy to see hippos, crocodiles and aquatic birds. Return to the accommodation and relax.
Overnight at Ikorom Safari Lodge/ Fort Murchison Safari Lodge
Overnight at Ikorom Safari Lodge/ Fort Murchison Safari Lodge
Day 3
Game drive and boat trip in the Park
Today, you will have breakfast and drive to the top of the falls as you exit Murchison Falls National Park. Kibale National Park is known for its population of around 1,000 chimpanzees, man's closest genetic relative. The park is home to a dozen other primate species, including Uganda mangabey, a type of monkey that is unique to Uganda and its hard to see else where apart from Kibale. It supports a dazzling forest birdlife, with 370 recorded bird species, ranging from the outrageously colorful great blue turaco to the secretive green-breasted pitta. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic. You will have lunch along the way to Kibale. Arrive and check in the accommodation to relax, have dinner and a good night sleep in preparation for the next day's activity.
Overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Camp
Day 4
Drive from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale National Park
Be up early, have your breakfast and proceed for the breathtaking “Top of the World Hike”. The hike is a popular activity with visitors to nearby Kibale Forest and Fort Portal. The most rewarding time to take this hiking trail is early in the morning when the day is still cool. There are two trails that you can take to the top of the world viewpoint (i.e., the easy and the more challenging trail that most take). The hike may be a strenuous one, but you will surely be amazed by the spectacular and unforgettable view on reaching the “Top of the World Hike”. Return to the accommodation for rest time and lunch. Later, you may opt to go out for a ride around Fort Portal town and visit places like Tooro Palace, local market among others. Overnight at Rweteera Safari Park
Day 5
Explore Top of the world hike and afternoon ride around Fort Portal town.
After breakfast you will head to the trekking point where you will receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimp trekking. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the chimps in the Kibale Forest. An experienced ranger guide will take you chimp tracking and you will be marveled by the sights of primates here. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have a full hour with them.
Return to your accommodation for some rest time and lunch.
Later in the afternoon go out for the Bigodi swamp walk. The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a fascinating area, located in Magombe swamp. This area is recognized for its extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primates’ species like the baboons, black & white colobus monkeys, vervet monkey and the L’Hoest monkey. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. Among the major bird species within the sanctuary is the grand Blue Turaco.
Day 6
Go explore Kibale: Chimp tracking and the Bigodi Swamp Walk
After breakfast you will Exit Kibale NP and continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth NP. Queen is Uganda’s second largest park, located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George. The park’s diverse ecosystem which includes sprawling savannah makes it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds. You will reach Queen early enough to rest, have lunch and later go for a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake George to Lake Edward.
You will surely be fascinated by the concentrations of giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. Return to the accommodation for dinner and later overnight rest. Overnight at Njovu Park Lodge/ Buffalo Safari Lodge
Day 7
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP and take the Boat trip on the Kazinga Channel
Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the park, along the Kasenyi plains and be on the look for Lions, Elephants, Leopards (though hard to spot), Bushbucks, Cape Buffaloes, Waterbucks, Giant Forest Hogs, Uganda kob among others. Return to your accommodation for some rest time and lunch. In the afternoon you will go for the explosion crater drive. The drive is basically sightseeing with very spectacular view of the breathtaking scenery in and around Queen. There is also plenty of wildlife to see along the drive although commonest are sights of Cape Buffaloes plus Elephants. Return to the accommodation for relaxation, dinner and the overnight stay. Overnight at Njovu Park Lodge/Buffalo Safari Lodge
Day 8
Queen’s Morning game drive and the afternoon explosion crater drive.
Have breakfast then set off for a breathtaking game viewing experience in the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park – famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are real y hard to spot (most especially when they’re down in the grassland looking for prey).
Hoping you get the chance to spot them, the sight will be spectacular! You will also be able to see other wildlife such as the Uganda kob, Cape buffaloes, elephants and warthogs in addition to the tree-climbing lions. Thereafter, head to the accommodation for relaxation, dinner and later Overnight at Engojo Lodge
Day 9
Proceed to the southern part of Queen – to the Ishasha area
On this day Be up and have your breakfast served. Go for more tree-climbing lions’ sighting and thereafter transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is a big habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda (harbouring an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population), including several habituated groups, which can be tracked. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check-in your accommodation, relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day. Overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Camp,
Day 10
More Ishasha game viewing and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable NP.
On this day after an early breakfast and a briefing by a ranger guide, you will enter the gorilla sanctuary for your adventure. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular! The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you locate a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored. Return to your lodge for some rest time and lunch. Thereafter, you will reach and do little but relax, enjoy your dinner and overnight stay. Overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Day 11
Gorilla trekking Bwindi Forest
Have breakfast and proceed out for the Batwa trail experience. For generations, the Mgahinga dense forest was home to the indigenous Batwa (hunter – gatherers and fierce warriors) who depended on the forest for shelter, food and medicine. Now, they lead visitors through the forest and introduce them to their old home and the techniques they used to survive in it. The remarkable trail unveils the hidden historical secret of the Batwa people. It expresses the true cultural background of the Batwa who the famous traditional owners of the hilly forested areas are occupied by Mgahinga Forest in the district of Kisoro.
Thereafter, you will proceed to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation with impeccable stunning view of the Bunyonyi little islands. Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of (2,200 – 2,478m) but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical — you could admire them all day. Overnight at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort. Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Heritage Lodge (Habuharo).
Thereafter, you will proceed to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation with impeccable stunning view of the Bunyonyi little islands. Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of (2,200 – 2,478m) but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical — you could admire them all day. Overnight at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort. Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Heritage Lodge (Habuharo).
Day 12
Undertake the Batwa Trail experience and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation
After breakfast, you will have the option of visiting the Orugano rain Forest which has diverse plants and animals or spend some time interacting with the Batwa (pygmies) community who inhabit parts of the forest and its surrounding areas. Birders will treat themselves with well over 300 bird species recorded.
Alternatively, you could opt for a canoe trek on Lake Bunyonyi which will introduce you to the major islands and their rich history but also there will be some great time spent in traditional dugout canoe. Return to your accommodation for lunch and relaxation probably reflecting on your trip so far. Overnight at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Heritage Lodge (Habuharo)
Alternatively, you could opt for a canoe trek on Lake Bunyonyi which will introduce you to the major islands and their rich history but also there will be some great time spent in traditional dugout canoe. Return to your accommodation for lunch and relaxation probably reflecting on your trip so far. Overnight at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Heritage Lodge (Habuharo)
Day 13
Go explore Lake Bunyonyi: enjoy canoe ride, interact with the community and sight birds.
Have breakfast and set off to Lake Mburo NP. Drive past the intensely terraced Kigezi hill slopes into Mbarara town and finally Lake Mburo NP. Arrive in the park in the early afternoon and take some rest before proceeding out for the late afternoon (evening) game viewing. On the game drive, expect to see the gigantic eland antelopes, zebras in big numbers, topis, impalas, warthogs, Uganda kob and Cape buffalos among others. Later, relax at the accommodation where you will spend the night. Overnight at Rwakobo Rock
Day 14
Transfer to Lake Mburo NP and enjoy afternoon (evening) game viewing.
Enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo morning park/nature walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger/guide. On this early morning guided walk, you often encounter hyenas that are returning to their dens after a night of being on the prowl. Also, you will have the opportunity to encounter (at close range): Zebras, Giraffes and Eland, Topi and other antelopes, Cape buffaloes among others. Take the Trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of 9 of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo NP. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe airport for your flight out.
Day 15
Mburo Park (nature) walk and transfer to Entebbe Airport for your flight out.
Note:
- This itinerary is a suggested guideline and can be customized based on your preferences, availability, and any special offers or events.
- Gorilla trekking permits need to be booked well in advance, as they are limited and in high demand.
- Accommodation options range from budget to luxury lodges and tented camps.
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a protected area, and gorilla trekking is subject to strict regulations to ensure the safety of both visitors and gorillas.
Safari Inclusion
- All transportation transfers
- All Meals except for first and last day
- Bottled water and snacks during the journey
- Gorilla trekking permit.
- Chimp permit per person.
- All Park fees
- Accommodation
Safari Exclusion
- Visa fees
- Tips and gratuities.
- Travel / medical insurance
- Gratuities for Guide/driver / hotel staff
- Specialty wines, spirits and champagne throughout this itinerary