Day 2
Game Drive
Boat Cruise
Waterfall Hike
Transfer from Kampala/Entebbe to Murchison Falls NP with an Optional Stopover at the Top of the Falls or Evening Game Drive (depending on accommodation chosen)
- Journey Time: 6 - 7 hours
- Accommodation: Baker's Lodge (Luxury), Murchison River Lodge or Fort Murchison (Mid-range and Budget)
- Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
- Pick up time for the safari is set at 7 am and location is either around Kampala or Entebbe. The tour guide shall pick you up from your hotel and set off to travel to Murchison Falls. You will take the Kampala – Gulu road, a smooth tarmacked (paved) road and by around mid-day you will be in Masindi town. Stopover for lunch and thereafter continue the journey, and in less than an hour to reach the southern entrance of the Murchison Falls park. Check in with the park staff and continue into the park driving on the dirt through the dense Budongo Forest. You will be welcomed by hundreds of baboons lined along the road. However, endeavor to keep the windows closed as the baboons will be attracted to snatch items from the car. For bird lovers, be on the lookout for some species. Wood doves hoover in front of the car, and the Saddle-billed Stork is a common sight along the road. Enjoy panoramic views across the thick forest.
Depending on the accommodation you selected, you shall get to the ferry to cross over the Nile and transfer to your accommodation where you shall spend the rest of the evening relaxing
Game Drive in the Morning, Boat Safari on River Nile to the Bottom of the Murchison Falls Hike to the Top of the Falls
- Accommodation: Baker's Lodge (Luxury), Murchison River Lodge or Fort Murchison (Mid-range and Budget)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- You should be up by 6.00am, take a quick cup of coffee or tea with a snack to warm your tummy and set out for the early morning game drive. Murchison Falls National Park is divided by River Nile into the south and northern region. The northern part that is largely covered by savannah and woodland support a lot more volume and variety of animals compared to the southern region which is mainly covered by forest. Therefore, the game drives are done in the northern area of Murchison Falls. The early start offers a better chance to find elusive predators such as Lions, Hyenas, Leopard and Jackal, as they are still out actively hunting in the moring hours. Explore the game trails towards the Lake Albert delta where big game such as the Elephants, Buffaloes, Giraffes, and many Antelopes are seen. Enjoy the beautiful savannah landscape that is immersed with plenty of life and wonderful scenery. The game drive will last for approximately 3 hours, and you have the choice of having a packed breakfast on the game drive or return to the lodge for breakfast.
- Back at the lodge there is some time to relax. After lunch set out for a 2-hour Launch Cruise (boat safari) on River Nile which sets off at Paraa, going upstream to the bottom of the Murchison Falls. Boat ride offers an array of wildlife sightings - crocodile, hippos, and lizards are a common sight throughout the cruise. Big game such buffaloes, elephants and antelopes can also be sighted drinking and cooling off the heat by the river banks and with a little luck, you might even spot a leopard resting in a tree close by the water. Reaching the bottom of the Murchison Falls, leave the boat and set out for a 45-minute hike rocks adjacent the Murchison falls and thereby accessing great views of the falls at different spots along the trail. Once reached the top you will find the tour guide waiting to drive you back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Transfer from Murchison falls National Park to Kibale Forest National Park & Nature Walk through Bigodi Wetlands in the Afternoon
- Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge or Papaya Lake Lodge (Luxury), Isunga Lodge or Kibale Forest Camp (Mid-range), Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanzee Guesthouse (Budget)
- Meal Plan: Breafast, Lunch (en-route), Dinner
- Your tour guide shall pick you up from the lodge at 7am to start the tour. Leave for Kibale Forest National Park, driving through a few districts. You shall reach Fort Portal which is located in the shadows of the Rwenzori Mountains. Stopover in the town to have lunch, thereafter drive to the park. Check into the lodge which is located just outside the Kibale Forest or on the shores of one of the beautiful crater lakes of the area. In the late afternoon you shall go to the Bigodi Wetlands for a walk to observe nature. Bigodi is located at the edge of Kibale Forest and hosts an array of primates, birds, butterflies, reptiles, wetlands mammals, trees and shrubs. Likely sightings of monkeys include Black-and-white Colobus, Red Colobus, Mangabey, Vervet, Red-tailed and L'Hoest Monkeys. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs (Luxury), Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket), Rushaga Gorilla Camp or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Have early breakfast and transfer to the visitors' information center of Kibale Forest National Park at 7.30am. Meet the rangers for briefing after which you shall start the trek into Kibale Forest to track one of the three habituated communities of Chimpanzees in the forest. Their loud pant hoots and screams can be heard from far away making it easy to find the Chimps. Once you reach them, you will spend one hour with Chimps which will be observed high up in the forest canopy or on the ground, mating, hunting monkeys, grooming each other by of screaming, pant hoots and hitting the tree barks. We return from the forest and transfer to the lodge for lunch after which you shall check out and travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National park.
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Afternoon at Leisure
- Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla View Lodeg, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs (Luxury), Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket), Rushaga Gorilla Camp or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Today we will have the amazing opportunity to observe the gorgeous scenery of Uganda's tropical rainforest and experience a breathtaking encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas. Today's schedule will take us through the impenetrable Jungle of Bwindi National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi Impenetrable NP occupies the size of about 321 sq km and it is the home of the endangered mountain gorillas. The park is divided into 4 gorilla tracking sectors including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. After an early breakfast, we will be heading to the briefing point, where we will meet the ranger guide. The time taken to trek the gorilla family depends on their location, but once we have reached them, we have an hour time to observe and admire these gentle giants - a surely fascinating experience. Afterwards we will return to the starting point and drive back to our accommodation where we can relax for the rest of the afternoon. Do not forget to carry a lunch box which is provided by the lodge, rain jacket, hiking shoes, and at least one liter of drinking water. You are advised to hire a porter to carry your bag and will also offer assistance by a pull or push you may come across very challenging terrain.
Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, Boat Cruise on Lake Mburo & Game Drive in the Afternoon
- Journey time: 4 - 5 hours
- Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (Luxury), Rwakobo Rock (Midrange), Eagles Nest (Budget)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- After breakfast, we check out and leave for Lake Mburo National Park. You shall have lunch at the Igongo Cultural Center located just out of the park, thereafter proceed into the park, driving through the game trails as you head to the lodge. You shall observe Giraffes, Zebras, Impalas, Waterbucks and other wildlife. Check into the lodge for relaxation. Later transfer to Lake Mburo for a boat safari for sighting of more wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight
Day 8
Bush Walk
Uganda Equator
Morning Game Walk & Transfer to Entebbe with a Stopover at the Equator Line
- Escorted by an armed ranger, you shall set out for an early morning walk into the park to observe nature at close encounter. Watch the Zebras, Giraffes, Waterbucks, Impalas, Elands and other beautiful wildlife and scenery. Return to the lodge for breakfast, check out and travel to Kampala. You shall make a stopover at the Uganda Equator for some picture moments. Continue to Kampala and transfer to your accommodation for lunch.