10 days of fun, excitement and adventure is the right description of these 10 days Uganda safari that takes you to 4 different national parks in both north west and western region of the country, and the unmatched Lake Bunyonyi with over 27 significant islands surrounding it, and once described as the “Switzerland of Africa”.
You will engage in game drive exercise in Murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth national parks, track the chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park and the mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, relax at Lake Bunyonyi, view the world’s most powerful waterfalls, and watch the unforgettable geographical demonstration at the equator.
Trip Details
Day one: Pick up and drive to Murchison falls national park
On this day, our expert driver-guide will be glad to meet you at the agreed place, be it your hotel or airport, after which a short talk about the trip commences, explaining to you what you should have, and expect during the trip, and not only that but also some unacceptable behaviors in the country.
The conversation will be accompanied by a cup of coffee/ glass of Juice before starting a 5-6-hour drive to Murchison falls national park, where you will spot the world’s most powerful waterfalls and several mammals.
As you reach Nakasongola district, you will make a stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary where you will track the only surviving Rhinos as part of the Big five, this is done for one hour, then you continue with the Journey only stopping for lunch before driving to your lodge at the park for dinner and overnight.
Day Two: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise
This is a day that will be excited about watching different mammals and primates terming up with the savannah grassland vegetation of the open field at the northern sector of Murchison falls national park. the largest national park in Uganda with the most powerful waterfalls on earth.
The adventure starts as soon as you get done with breakfast, when you make a 3-4-hour game drive to catch-up with mammals such as lions, leopards, Antelopes grazing, the giraffes stretching their necks to get food as though posing for a snap, the Giant Elephants taking full charge of the territory and large herds of Buffalos grazing, while those that are old and lazy are isolated. The fact that these are wild animals, there is no guarantee, when it comes to watching the cats hunting or resting though the good news is that it might be your day to watch a live fight or feast in the Jungle when you come.
You will have a picnic lunch then wait for an afternoon boat launch to the bottom of the falls, a ride that lasts for approximately 2-3 hours, exposing you to the thundering roars and beautiful water squeezing itself in the rocks as it flows to join the Albert Nile.
Hike to top of the Murchison falls, and during the hike be sure to spot different bird species, mammals, several hippos, and the Nile crocodiles yawning, playing and feeding by and in the Nile River. After, return for some refreshment and dinner at your lodge
Day Three: Hiking to the top of the falls then a departure to Kibale national park
After an early breakfast, get to the vehicle and proceed with your 7-8-hour drive to Kibale forest national park, while spotting different unique attractions, fascinating hills, lush vegetation, and scattered homesteads.
Lunch will be enroute as you progress with the smooth ride to Fortportal, arriving in the evening ready for dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day Four: Track the chimpanzees and visit Bigodi swamp
Greet your intestines with a cup of coffee, before going to the park’s trailhead for a pre-trekking briefing early in the morning by the park rangers who will explain to you all you need to know about the tracking exercise.
Thereafter, the ranger and trackers will accompany you to the jungle for approximately 6-hour adventure in the Jungle that is covered by the sounds and sights of birds, and different primates such as Colobus monkeys, grey cheeked monkeys, baboons and the dominant chimpanzee population.
Upon finding them, you will be given an allowance of one hour to watch and interact with these apes. Kibale forest, recognized as the world’s primate world has over 13 different primate species with biggest population of chimpanzees in East Africa.
When you are done with the tracking exercise, have lunch at the lodge before going to Bigodi swamp to view some of the primates and unique birds that have decided not to reside in the forest; these may include olive baboons, Vervet monkeys and many more.
Also, expect to watch the locals engage in different activities such as craft and art work, water projects, brewing and much more. Bigodi swamp is one of the Ramsar sights recognized by UNESCO.
Drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day Five: Morning Nature walks and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park (the medley of wonders)
Have breakfast in the morning before heading out to the nearby crater lakes, stretching your legs for roughly two hours, with a professional nature guide as you have nature feel, spot several tree species and bird species. It’s a two-hour walk of nothing else but only photography, discovery and information.
After the nature walk, return to the lodge and checkout for a 2-3-hour drive to Queen Elizabeth national park (Medley of wonders). A drive through both a tarmac and marram roads respectively exposing you to the amazing view of the eye-catching mountains of the Moon – Rwenzoris, plantations and rolling valleys. Arrive at the park in the afternoon and head for some refreshment, dinner and take a nap.
Day six: Morning Game drive and Boat cruise at Kazinga Channel
Start your day with a cup of coffee then drive to Kasenyi sector for a rewarding game drive experience where you have the chance of spotting any of the four of the big5 mammals namely; lions, leopards, Buffalos, and Elephants.
Not only these but also antelopes, warthogs plus unique flora species and several bird species all co-existing in the same place.
Enjoy a mouth-watering picnic lunch followed by some refreshment before going for a boat ride experience at Kazinga Channel where you will watch different mammals such as the buffalos, water bucks quenching their thirst, school of Hippos yawning, while the crocodiles are watching and spying at their target.
This experience lasts for approximately 2-3 hours while sailing through the water, getting amazed at the surrounding environment and then a return journey to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day Seven: Tree climbing lion tracking & travel to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Start this morning in a very beautiful way with a cup of coffee, a morning energizer as you get excited at the amazing sunrise before checking out for a fantastic game drive experience in the Ishasha sector. Here you will get the chance of watching tree climbing lions either resting at the tree branches or roaming around the savannah grassland in search for prey.
Have lunch then proceed with the drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park, home of the endangered mountain Gorillas only found in East Africa. Arrive at the park in the evening ready for dinner and a nap
Day Eight: Gorilla trekking and cultural encounter with the Batwa people
Gorilla trekking is one experience that everyone looks up to, and with any opportunity that comes your way, you don’t turn it down. So when you wake up in the morning, pack your cameras, binoculars and other special equipment plus all the documents such as the trekking permit and head to the sector’s ranger headquarters where you will have your tracking.
The activity begins with a briefing session by the Uganda wildlife authority ranger; they will take you through some details and information concerning this park or the mountain gorillas as they verify the documentation and at the same time telling you the does and don’ts while tracking the Apes.
They will allocate you to a gorilla group that you will track through the guidance of an expert park ranger who starts the search from the point they previously left them. The exercise can last for up to 8 hours depending on your speed, fitness and how far the allocated family has moved. One hour is yours to watch the creatures interact with each other, the exciting silverbacks and the mothers nursing their young ones.
Thereafter, drive back for lunch then head for an exciting encounter with the Batwa pygmies, the forest occupants who have not corrupted their culture despite that they were displaced from Bwindi and Mgahinga forest. They take you through their exciting though sorrowful songs, their ancestral caves, and showcase some of the local tools they use.
Day Nine: Buhoma community hospital and Depart Bwindi for Lake Bunyonyi (the Switzerland of Africa)
After early morning breakfast, you will have a walk to the Buhoma community hospital which was a pro-tourism project to benefit the poor community by the visitors who donate the little they have towards the running of this hospital. You will tour the place and interact with some patients before returning to the lodge for a heavy breakfast then check out and drive to Lake Bunyonyi for a relaxed day and evening serenity.
Explore the place using a canoe led by a very knowledgeable guide who takes you around to visit few of the twenty-seven highlands spread across the lake. Sum up the experience with a relaxed evening at the lodge and a nap at your resort.
Day Ten: Departure
After breakfast, while having a clear view of the beautiful sunrise, you will check out of the lodge and have an amazing 7-8hour drive to Kampala/ Entebbe international airport but with a stopover at the Equator for a magical geographical demonstration of how the earth is divided into two, then photography and a mouth-watering meal, and continue on the journey to Kampala.
End of the Safari
