Get 6 days classic Uganda safari to fully fall in love with the country’s natural wonders. Explore Uganda in the three national parks that are well known for their massive number of wildlife. Such species include mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, African elephants, and buffalos. Others comprise bush bucks, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, and leopards etc. Birds like the green breasted pitta, African fish eagle, open-billed stork, black crane and jacana, etc. live in the destinations.
You will have a chance to see the Uganda equator in Kayabwe, the Toro crater lakes, and tea plantations etc. Other things you may experience are the different tree species, the local cultures of, mostly the Batwa, Batooro and Bakiga.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Kibale forest NP
Travel to Kibale national park in western Uganda after a pickup from the hotel or airport. Kibale forest N/park is famous for amazing population of chimpanzees. Remember, these are our cousins because they share up to 98% of DNA. It is also one of the best research center in Africa. This is because a number of specimens like butterflies, bird species, and tree species among others can be found here.
The road trip is breathtaking because it involves viewing tea plantations, crater lakes, eye catching hills and more. You will have a stopover in Mubende for lunch break and later proceed with the journey. You have to catch up with dinner at the lodge.
Day 2: Chimp trekking and community walk
Drive to the information center in Kanyanchu to receive guidelines about chimp trekking do’s and don’ts. Other information received here includes the requirements needed while trekking. These include wearing long sleeved clothes, not using flash lights during photography, among others. After 30 minutes of briefing, you will be guided by the park ranger into the forest. Search for these chimps. Duration of the trek depends primarily on where the chimpanzees are. Take 2-4 hours including an hour in their presence.
Trek out of the forest and the driver guide will drive to the lodge for mid breakfast and lunch. Explore the community of either Isunga or Bigodi to meet the Batooro and Bakiga. They express their cultures traditional dances. Meet the traditional healer, and local herbs used to treat diseases. This will be a memorable experience in this tour.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP and Boat cruise in the afternoon
Head to Queen Elizabeth NP after a cup of tea via Kasenda crater where you will explore over 40 craters. Each of these has distinct features. This park is well famous for its tree climbing lions and also the second largest national park in Uganda. It is also the most visited national park and having the largest number of antelopes and hippos. The road trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park is rewarding due to so many unique features including the Rwenzori ranges.
Also enjoy the game drive as you approach the lodge and view animals like elephants, and herds of buffaloes. Head for a boat cruise on Kazinga channel at 4:00pm where you will spot crocodiles and hippos. Birds like African fish eagle and elephants, antelopes, warthogs and buffalos can be seen on the banks. This takes approximately 2 hours; after which you’ll return to your lodge for an overnight stay.
Day 4: Game drive in the morning and drive to Bwindi forest.
An early game drive starts at 6:30 a.m. to spot the early risers like lions, leopards, jackals, and hyenas etc. Others that you can spot are elephants, buffalos, antelopes and beautiful birds. The game drive can take 2-3 hours as you explore the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Drive to Ishasha sector to catch up with tree climbing lions at Ishasha river camp as you enjoy lunch.
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south western Uganda which will be your next destination. The National Park is famous for having half of the remaining mountain gorillas and covering an area of 321sq.km.
Also, it’s home to 340 bird species, 120 mammals and 900 plant species. The Batwa and Bakiga are the communities that live near this park. Their respective cultures are something not to be missed. Arrive at the park lodge in the evening for your dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Morning gorilla trekking and Batwa community tour
Breakfast is followed by briefing from the park warden at the park headquarters. Receive information about the trekking rules and regulations. These include not making noise, wearing long sleeved clothes and hiking shoes, among others. Trekking can take 2-8 hours and includes an hour while you enjoy the presence of these great apes. They play, groom and feed in front of you.
After trekking, you will be awarded with a certificate at the office. Take a community tour to experience Batwa culture. Get more information like the traditional food, dances and their local herbs firsthand. Your day of the 6 days classic Uganda safari ends with dinner and overnight at the accommodation.
Day 6: Transfer back to Kampala via Mbarara-Masaka road
Transfer to the capital city of Uganda, Kampala passing in the Kigezi highlands, and farms for Ankole horned cattle. Reach in Kayabwe and visit the Uganda equator where you can take photos, geographical experiment and hot lunch. After, proceed with the journey passing through the so many plantations in Masaka. On arrival, drop off is at Entebbe airport or hotel in Kampala. End the 6 days classic Uganda safari.
