Explore Uganda in the three national parks that are well known for their massive number of wildlife such as the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, African elephants, buffalos, bush bucks, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, leopards among others and birds like the green breasted pitta, African fish eagle, open billed stork, black crane and jacana, etc.
You will have a chance to see the Uganda equator in Kayabwe, the Toro crater lakes, tea plantations among others. Other attractions that you may see are the different tree species, the local community mostly the Batwa, Batooro and Bakiga with their unique culture.
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 that are referred to as our cousins because they share up to 98% of DNA. It is also the best research center in Africa with a number of specimens like butterflies, bird species, and tree species among others.
The road trip is breath taking 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 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 the forest, chimp trekking do’s and don’ts, plus other attractions in the park. Other information received are the requirements needed while trekking like avoiding noise making, 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 where you will be searching for these chimps.
Trekking is one of the best adventures because you walk long distances and also involves hiking, this therefore, requires you to be physically fit. Duration of the trek will depend primarily on where the chimpanzees will be located but this can 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 where you will visit the Batooro and Bakiga cultures as they do perform their traditional dances, meet the traditional healer, and local herbs. 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 that have different 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 their unique features like the Rwenzori ranges, Hima cement factory, and local markets like Rwimi road side market, banana plantations and many more.
Also enjoy the game drive as you approach the lodge and view animals like elephants, herds of buffalos, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and bush bucks among others.
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 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 am to be able to spot the early risers like lions, leopards, jackals, spotted hyenas among others. Others that you can spot are elephants, buffalos, antelopes and beautiful birds like African mourning dove, swamp nightjar, grey-headed kingfisher among others.
The game drive can take 2-3 hours as you explore the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth national park with its beautiful scenery. 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 over 340 bird species, over 120 mammals of which most of them are small forest creatures such as monkeys and over 900 plant species. The Batwa and Bakiga are the communities that live near this park and their culture is 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 will be followed by briefing from the park warden at the park headquarters to receive information about the trekking rules and regulations like not making noise, wearing long sleeved clothes and hiking shoes, among others. Trekking can take 2-8 hours and this includes an hour while you enjoy the presence of these great apes as they play, groom and feed.
After trekking, you will be awarded with a certificate at the office and drive to the lodge for your lunch. Take a community tour to Batwa culture to get more information like the traditional food, dances and their local herbs.
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 your will be able to take photos, geographical experiment and hot lunch.
After, proceed with the journey passing through the coffee plantations in Masaka as you will be dropped at Entebbe airport or hotel in Kampala on the arrival.
