Trip Overview
This 9-day Uganda safari is arranged to take you to the best national parks in Uganda including the magnificent Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Activities
You will be able to participate in gorilla trekking in the Bwindi forests, chimp tracking in the Kyambura Gorge, rhino tracking at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and game drives in Murchison and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.
When to Go
All the activities stated above can be enjoyed any time of the year.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Pick up from Entebbe International Airport by your driver guide who will transfer you to your accommodation where you will dine and spend the night.
Day 2: Visiting the Magnificent Murchison Falls
After breakfast drive northwards to the renowned Murchison Falls National Park, with a stopover for lunch in Masindi and another at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rare rhinos that are protected in this sanctuary. Later arrive in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest well protected wildlife area covering 3,840 sq km. Move to the top of the falls to view the natural beauty, where the river squeezes itself through a 7-metre narrow gorge from a width of more than 1km and drops below with a thunderous roar forming a stunning rainbow, one of the wonders of the Nile River. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Day 3: The River Nile Boat Cruise
Have an early breakfast and explore the northern part of the park hosting a high number of savannah wildlife. This game drive offers great opportunities for photography of elephants, lions, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, giraffes, waterbucks, hippos, and if you are fortunate even the leopards, in addition to a big number of bird species.
Following lunch, set out for a 2-hour boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls where great volumes of water escape through the small gorge forming an immense thunderous roar. During this boat ride you will see several water birds plus mammals in big numbers like hippos and crocodiles. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have breakfast and depart from Murchison Falls National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park, driving southwest through Fort Portal and the Albertine Escarpment of the Western Rift Valley. Have lunch on the way in Fort Portal town. Continue to Mweya Peninsula found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in the evening. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Day 5: Game Drive and Boat Cruise, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Following an early breakfast, have a morning game drive to see the nocturnal predators as well as the early morning risers like lions, buffaloes, antelope species, leopards, waterbucks, elephants, hippos and warthogs. For birders, Queen Elizabeth is a paradise hosting a diversity of migratory and Albertine Rift Endemic species. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Day 6: Boat Cruise and Chimp Trekking, Kyambura Gorge
Have breakfast and set out for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel for game viewing and bird watching. Head back for lunch and then continue to the Kyambura Gorge to track chimpanzees. If time allows you can go for a forest walk in Maramagambo Forest to explore the bat cave as you look for pythons that feed on these bats. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Forest via Ishasha Sector
Have an early breakfast and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via the Ishasha region in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park to see the famous tree-climbing lions that are prevalent in this area. Have lunch along the way. Enjoy a community walk featuring the Batwa Pygmy cultural experience and entertainment in the evening. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
After breakfast proceed to the park headquarters to be briefed about gorilla trekking before going into the verdant forest led by the rangers. If you are fortunate it may take as little as 2 hours to encounter the amazing Bwindi giants. The experience of coming face to face with these peaceful Mountain Gorillas is very overwhelming. Head back for lunch and relax for the remainder of the evening. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 9: Transfer to Kampala
Have breakfast and return to Kampala having lunch along the way in Mbarara, reaching Kampala late in the afternoon for a city tour. You will be transferred directly to the airport for your outbound flight or to your accommodation if you do not have a flight this evening. End of 9-day Uganda safari!
Price Includes
Gorilla Permits, bottled water, English speaking guide, park entrance fees, boat rides, cultural tours, all activities mentioned.
Price Excludes
International flight fare, entry visas, laundry services, tips, alcoholic drinks.
