8 DAYS UGANDA SAFARI – MURCHISON FALLS, KIBALE NP, QENP AND BWINDI NP
The 8 Days Uganda Safari takes you through Uganda’s best tourist Parks; Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park and lastly Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You will enjoy activities such as;
- Nature walk to the top of the Murchison falls
- Boat cruise on the mighty Nile and kazinga channel.
- Game drives in Murchison falls national park
- Game drives Queen Elizabeth national park
- Searching for tree climbing lions in Isahasha
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale NP
- Gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable NP
Uganda Safari Trip Highlights
Day 1: Visit Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and transfer to Murchison Falls NP
Day 2: Game drive on the northern bank and boat cruise on the Nile
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest national park
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park and Transfer to QENP
Day 5: Game drive in QENP and Kazinga channel Boat launch
Day 6: Viewing tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and transfer to Bwindi NP
Day 7: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi and community walk
Day 8: Transfer to Kampala/Kigali
Uganda Safari Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison falls national park via ziwa
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 a 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, one 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 (Full board)
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
Day 2: Game drive on the northern bank and boat cruise on 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, 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 Forest national park
After breakfast, you will transfer to Kibale forest national park famed for its high population of primates in Africa and home to the Chimpanzee. You will pass through Kasese as you enjoy the captivating sight of the Rwenzori mountain ranges’ well decorating the sky line’s back ground and arrive in Kibale in time for lunch. After lunch, you will embark on a nature walk through Bigodi wetland for primate and bird watching. Overnight stay at your preferred lodge.
Accommodation (full board)
Luxury: Primate Lodge, Papaya lake side lodge,
Mid-range: chimpanzee corteges, Isunga lodge, mountains of the moon
Budget: kibale forest camp, chimpanzee guest house, Rwenzori view guest house
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking / transfer to QENP
In the morning you will have breakfast and transfer to Kayanchu visitor center in Kibale national park for briefing before setting off to track the chimpanzees. The tracking will be guided to provide information not only about chimpanzees but other primates in the entire park and surrounding communities making it interesting. You will come across other primates like baboons, La’hoest monkey, Grey cheeked Mangabey, Colobus monkeys, Red-tailed. After chimp trekking, return to the lodge, refresh have lunch and transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP.
Day 5: Game drive and Kazinga channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Begin your day with an early breakfast, have a morning game drive in the northern sector of the park at kasenyi, you will be in search of the early risers like hyenas, elephants, lions, buffalos, leopards, hippos etc. have a brief stopover at the salt crater lake which has plenty of crafts and lots of snacks. Transfer to the lodge for lunch and brief rest before heading to the Kazinga Channel for an afternoon boat cruise. You will see hippos, buffaloes, crocodiles, elephants, water bucks, warthogs and many other wildlife at the banks as well as plenty of bird species as Queen Elizabeth has the highest number of bird species, over 600 recorded. In the afternoon enjoy the beautiful scenery of the wildlife on the banks of the kazinga channel. Retire to your lodge and enjoy the beautiful sunset as you wait for your dinner.
Accommodation Options (fullboard)
Luxury: Mweya safari Lodge, Elephant plains safari lodge, Mazike Valley lodge
Midrange: Kyambura game lodge, Ihamba Lake Side, Twin Lakes, Bush Lodge, Ishasha jungle lodge, Ishasha wilderness camp
Budget: Simba safari camp, Twin lakes safari lodge, Bush lodge-tents
Day 6: Ishasha Sector tree-climbing lions and transfer to Bwindi NP
Have breakfast, drive through the Ishasha Sector; this takes you through the valley in search of tree climbing lions. After the game drive, have a stopover for hot lunch at Savannah Resort Hotel in Kihiihi. Thereafter, go through the winding hills as you climb to higher altitudes, home to the mountain gorillas. The journey will take you approximately five hours depending on the weather. Check in to your accommodation late in the evening and freshen up as you wait for your dinner
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 7: Gorilla tracking / 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, photos are allowed, but no flash photography, minimum 5 meters distance must be kept, avoid 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- also 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.
Accommodation (full board)
Budget: Buhoma community Rest camp / Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp / Trackers tavern/ Gorilla Valley Lodge
Moderate: Gorilla Resort Bwindi /Gorilla Safari Lodge / Trackers Tavern /Baima.
Luxury: Mahogany Lodge / Buhoma Lodge / Rushanga Gorilla Satari Lodge
Day 8: End of the Uganda Safari
After breakfast transfer back to Kampala with lunch en route in Mbarara and arrive in Kampala in the late afternoon for a transfer to the Entebbe airport for your departure flight. Alternatively you may have to be transferred to Kigali airport in Rwanda which is quite close since it is simply a 4 to 5 hours’ drive.
End of the Uganda Safari
Safari Inclusions
- Transportation in a 4X4WD safari vehicle
- Gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee permit
- Boat cruise
- All activity fees
- Park Ranger Fees
- Relevant Government Taxes.
- Full Board Accommodation and en-route meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- Full time English speaking Driver/Guide
- Airport transfer, as long as your flight is on the same day on which the safari ends.
Safari Exclusions:
Airfares
Visa Fees
Personal Insurance
Expenses of personal nature such as; drinks, tips, laundry, telephone, cigarettes, accommodation & meals not indicated in the itinerary and optional activities.
