6 DAYS WILDLIFE SAFARI – MURCHISON FALLS, KIBALE CHIMPANZEE, GORILLA TREKKING

The 6 days Wildlife safari takes you to the top 3 tourist outstanding destination parks in Uganda. You will start-off with Murchison Falls National Park, for the best of Wildlife and the catchy views of the Mighty river Nile as it flows through the 7-meter gorge, coupled with a boat cruise. The safari then takes you to Kibale National Park for Chimpanzee tracking, ending with the Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. All this wildlife safari is covered in these few 6 days.

Tour summary

Transfer to Murchison falls via ziwa

Game drive and boat cruise

Transfer to kibale

Chimpanzee tracking

Gorilla trekking / community walk

Departure back to Kampala / Entebbe.

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison falls national park / Ziwa rhinos

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in the morning or for those arriving at Entebbe international airport expect your driver guide to pick you up and begin the journey to Murchison falls National Park, you will drive through several towns along the way before having an optional stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary where the endangered White rhinoceros are bred. This Rhino sanctuary was started to protect the White Rhino populations found in Uganda.  You will have a stopover in Masindi for your lunch. It is 2-3 hours drive from Masindi town to the park. As you drive through the Budongo Forest you will comes across troops of baboons, monkeys and several bird species.

Depending on time of arrival at the park, you may have an evening game drive as you warm up for the morning game drive. Arrive at your preferred accommodation relax, refresh and wait for diner.

Accommodation options

Luxury: Paara Safari Lodge / Chobe safari lodge

Mid-range: Pakuba Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Fort Murchison River lodge

Budget:  Red Chili Rest Camp / Yebo safari camp/ Heritage Safari Lodge

Day 2: Morning game drive and boat cruise along the Nile

Have breakfast by 6am and thereafter and proceed to the wilderness in search of the early morning raisers, the morning game drive starts at about 6:30am.This wildlife safari drive gives you chance to look out for animals such as; the giraffes, lions, hyenas, water bucks, elephants, buffalos, antelopes- many species of birds such as; egrets, ibis, shoebill stock, marabou stock, king fisher, egrets to mention but a few. As you have your game drive, you may relax and have a picnic on the river bank as you listen to the groans of the Hippos.

After the game drive, you will transfer to the lodge and enjoy your lunch either way you may take packed lunch with as you prepare to have an afternoon boat cruise on the Nile River. This cruise is spectacular as it allows you to get up close to the aquatic animals such as; the hippos, crocodiles, water bucks, buffalos, elephants etc. Among the birds commonly sited on the boat cruise include the goliath heron, king fisher, weaver birds, bee eater, cattle egrets and the beautiful scenery along the bank. At the bottom of the falls, you may choose to trek to the top of the falls or choose to take photos at the rocks below the falls.

DAY 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park

After breakfast for the fascinating drive through the country side as you will drive past road side markets, schools country homes, panoramic view of tea, banana, corn gardens and so many activities may be sited along the way.

Check-in to your preferred accommodation. Freshen up before embarking on an afternoon guided walk in Bigodi swamps, here you will interact with the locals and get to know their livelihood you will get to see their homes, the gardens and livestock. During the swamp walk you may encounter other wildlife, Vervet monkey, L’Hoest monkey, Black and white Colobus, Red tailed monkey and Mangabey etc. other animals such as the Antelopes, Bush pigs, Baboons, bush back etc. there are over 375 bird species including the hornbill, Hamerkop, yellow billed egret, water thick knee are  a common sitting.

A stunning location overlooking a dramatic Crater Lake and the stunning hills covered with tea plantations is worth looking out for.

You will return to the lodge after the adventure, freshen up, have dinner and wait for the exciting chimpanzee tracking in the morning.

Accommodation (Full board)

Luxury: Papaya/Ndali lodge/Primate lodge/Kibale forest/Kyaninga lodge

Moderate: Kibale forest camp / Mountains of the moon

Budget: Ruwenzori travelers/Chimpanzee forest guest house/ Kibale forest camp

Meal plan: Full Board Basis

DAY 4: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Start your day with an early breakfast, your driver guide will transfer you to Kanyanchu Visitor center at the park office. Here you will have a briefing on the do’s and don’ts before setting off for the long awaited chimpanzee tracking.

The ranger will allocate you to a group of not more than six people for your chimpanzee tracking experience

Tracking the chimps is an exciting experience on average it takes about 3 hours to find the chimps.  Locating the chimps depends on the weather and season, during dry spells the chimps move longer distance in search of food and water while in the wet seasons food is readily available so the chimps can easily be traced. The chimps also become illusive during times of patrolling territories, hence hard to locate. During the chimp tracking you may come across other primates such as; Blue monkey, vervet monkey, red tailed monkey, mangabey, bush pigs, elephants, baboons, different bird species and butterflies.

When you finally get to see the chimps you are allowed one hour with the primates, during this encounter, you will get the see the chimps grooming, fighting, feeding, the young ones playing, adults swinging from tree to tree and   the ranger guide will brief you about the life history of the chimps and their interaction with the other inhabitants of the forest. You are allowed to take photos but you are advised to keep your distance and flash photography is not allowed.

After this wonderful experience you will transfer to the lodge and head for Bwindi Impenetrable forest for next adventure.

Accommodation (full board)

Budget: Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp / Buhoma community Rest camp/ Gorilla Valley Lodge/ Trackers tavern

Moderate: Bakiga Lodge/ Ichumbi Safari Lodge.

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge /Mahogany Lodge /Rushanga Gorilla Safari Lodge/ Silverback Lodge,

Exclusive Upgrade Lodges: Clouds Lodge /Gorilla Forest camp

DAY 5: Gorilla trekking / community walk

Have an early breakfast 6:30am, then proceed to the park headquarters by 7.30am for a briefing from the Park Wardens. Ensure to carry along rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, and ankle high jungle boots. The park wardens will allocate you different gorilla families which you will track. Besides seeing Gorillas other animals such as antelopes, bush pigs, chimpanzees, baboons, elephants and over 350 bird species are a common siting this park.

Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare Mountain Gorilla, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth.

When you finally get to meet the gentle giants you are allowed a maximum of one hour with them. However, you may take some photos of them without use of a flash. A minimum 5 meters distance is recommended, avoiding contact with the gorillas as you can spread diseases. But also, coming close may mean invading their space which the silverbacks or dominate males may not take lightly. Thus, this could lead to charging. Avoid running away in case of charging by the gorillas.

The tracking may take between 2 and 8 hours but it’s well worth the effort. The afternoon is spent on a village cultural walk which gives you a great opportunity to see how the people surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest live. It also is a great way to support the local community in a direct way.

The walk begins at your accommodation- visit the local Doctor as he performs his trade- visit the pygmies locally known as the Batwa, who originally lived in the rain forest before it was gazette in to a national park in 1991, they will show case songs, dances- different skills – fire making, hunting and storytelling-you will also visit a school run by community NGO thus by visiting the school you will be the supporting the these dis-advantaged kids.

You will get to see the local home steads, local people see and learn their ways. The cultural excursion will showcase art and craft, dance and culture as well as way of life if you have time you can learn a few skills yourself.

You will see several souvenir shops, schools, churches and drinking joints. Other options includes taking the trails, to see the stunning waterfalls or you can choose to have a birding expedition in the forest addition to various primates.

DAY 6: Departure

Early breakfast then start the journey back to Kampala, have a stopover for hot lunch at Igongo cultural center- Last stopover is at the equator, take some photos – arrive in Kampala or Entebbe.

END OF 6 DAYS WILDLIFE SAFARI

Safari inclusions

• Transport  4*4WD safari vehicle
• English-speaking driver/guide
• Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
• Three meals a day, apart from your stay in Kampala/Entebbe
• Bottled water in the safari vehicle
• All Park entrance fees
• Gorilla permit / chimpanzee permit
• Community cultural walk
• Chimpanzee permit

Safari Exclusions

• • Kampala / Entebbe accommodation (the eve of the wildlife safari and the night after the safari),
• Laundry services,
• Drinks & Beverages
• International flights,
• Visas,
• Tips.