Uganda Complete ( Private Budget Tour )

Day 1 - Welcome in Uganda - Transfer to Kampala

Our driver/guide will be at Entebbe airport to pick you up from your flight. He will bring you to your hotel in Kampala. Depending on the time of your arrival, you might be able to explore Kampala. All activities today are at your own cost.

You will stay in a nice guesthouse with self-contained rooms in a nice garden. There is an Italian restaurant on the same compound that serves the best pizza in town! Orchidea Guesthouse.

Day 2 - Visit Rhinos and Murchison Falls NP

Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls National Parks once had both black and white rhinos; however widespread poaching during the Idi Amin era resulted in the disappearance of these majestic animals from the wild. Founded in 1998, Rhino Fund Uganda works to reintroduce black and white rhinos into Uganda and runs a breeding program, as well as works to educate communities on endangered rhinos, poaching, and environmental conservation.

In the Rhino Sanctuary, you will have a safari hike to the rhinos which will give you the opportunity to view them at close range.

After having had lunch at the Rhino Sanctuary (not inclusive) you continue to the northern side of Uganda's largest national park (3 hrs of driving). You will be staying at a very nice camp, just outside the park, where you can relax for the rest of the afternoon. Upon arrival, you will be led through a massive main tower towards the main building where the restaurant and roof terrace offers magnificent views of the River Nile. The camp is built in the style of the old forts and offers great service.

You will stay in a safari tent furnished with 2 single beds. The safari tent is non-self-contained, but the communal ablution blocks are close by. Murchison Fort, safari tent

Day 3 - Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP

In the morning, you get up for an early breakfast and then you go for your first game drive through the park. You will be eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom: elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope, and many tropical birds. They are all there!

In the afternoon you take a boat safari towards Murchison Falls. Carefully watched by crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, apes, and all the other thirsty wildlife that the Nile attracts you go to the bottom of the 43 meters high and famous Murchison Falls, which approaches you with a thunderous sound. Murchison Fort, Safari tents

Day 4 - Murchison Falls + Hoima

In the early morning, you go for another game drive or you can just relax at the lodge; the choice is yours. After an early lunch, you leave Murchison Falls, National Park. On the way you will stop at the top of the Murchison Waterfalls: The views are amazing!!

See where the world's longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below. From here you’ll take a beautiful route through a valley, enjoy views of Lake Albert and small villages and stop for a relaxing night in a comfortable, mid-range hotel with a big garden (and swimming pool) in the cozy town of Hoima. Kontiki Hotel.

Day 5 - Kibale Forest

Today, you will begin your journey to Kibale Forest. The drive is incredibly scenic, passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda.

After about 6 hours of driving, you stop for lunch in the cozy town of Fort Portal (lunch is not inclusive). After lunch, you have time to walk around town and/or visit the local market.

Upon arrival at the forest, you will enter a completely different world… some serious monkey business! Although you are here specifically to track Chimps, the forest is home to at least 12 primate species including the Red-tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Black and White Colobus Monkey, and Blue Monkey. The birdlife in the forest is also prolific and includes the beautiful Great Blue Turaco. If you are very lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of a meandering herd of Forest elephants.

You spend the late afternoon relaxing at the lodge, from which there is a lovely view of the forest and its wildlife. Chimp Nest

Day 6 - Chimpanzee Tracking & swamp walk in Kibale Forest

Kibale Forest boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees. Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild, which makes it a perfect place to spot them!

The experienced ranger takes you chimp tracking in the morning or afternoon; besides the chimps, you have the chance to see other monkey species that live in this tropical forest. A wonderful jungle trip is a result, finishing in an hour of the eye to eye contact with the chimpanzees. We can however never guarantee you to see them, they are still wild animals!

Your swamp walk (2-3 hours) will take you through grassland, small communities, and some beautiful scenery, where the locals are likely to greet you with enthusiastic waves. It is usual to spot 3 or 4 different primate species during this walk, though the highlight is catching a glimpse of the Great Blue Turaco! Chimp Nest.

Day 7 - Queen Elizabeth National Park

In the morning, you can relax at your lodge, make a Crater Lake hike or visit a nearby tea plantation (open: Monday-Saturday), where you will be able to assist the tea pickers and learn about how leaves are selected for the highest quality (All activities of this morning are at your own cost).

You then continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Lunch will be in Fort Portal or in a restaurant on the road (lunch is not included).

Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s second largest park and is located base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George.

The park has prolific games, including Gazelle, Uganda Kob, Warthog, and Waterbuck; Lions are often sighted both in and at the entrance to the park. Be prepared for huge numbers of hippos and elephants, and keep your eyes peeled for a leopard lazing in the sunshine.

You stay at Simba safari camp, where you have your own self-contained room. You look over the savannah plateau from your lodge. You will go for an afternoon game drive into the park. Simba Safari camp.

Day 8 - Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kazinga Channel)

After an early breakfast, you go for a long game drive at 6.30 a.m., in time to see the sunrise. You will search for all the wildlife in the park; Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Waterbuck, Leopard, Uganda Kob, Warthog, etc.

In the afternoon, you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine!), as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see: Buffalo, crocodiles, bathing elephants, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. After the boat safari, your game drives back to the camp. Simba Safari Camp.

Day 9 - To Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today you drive to Kisoro in the southwestern part of Uganda; close to the borders with Rwanda and Congo. You cross a beautiful part of the country often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’. You will see the great countryside, and bamboo forests and have great views over the Virunga Mountains. For lunch, you will stop at a local restaurant on the road (lunch is not included).

Your accommodation is a camp overlooking Bwindi Forest and the Virunga volcanoes on the border with Rwanda. You will sleep in one of their nice “lazy camping” safari tents. These are canvas camping tents with comfortable and big mattresses inside. As well your bed is made, so you don’t need to bring anything like a sleeping bag, pillows or whatsoever! From here you will depart tomorrow for the gorilla tracking! Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, lazy camping.

Day 10 - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Tracking

Today is the big day… Prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare Mountain Gorilla. For most people, this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest boasts both Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees - the only forest in Africa which can make this claim in fact. It also hosts five other species of primate, 113 species of mammal, over 200 butterflies, and 360 birds.

The Gorillas you will track belong to one of nine habituated family groups that can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day. Your trek will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes, and bamboo before you eventually reach the Gorillas’ habitat. En route, your guide will point out signs of previous Gorilla activity, including dung, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots.

The time taken to track the Gorillas can take as little as 2 hours to as much as 7 hours before one returns! Once the Gorillas have been located, your group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a Mountain Gorilla is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda’s very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.

‘As soon as we approached the Gorillas, I immediately spotted the Silverback. He was making deep, rumbling noises and it was almost as though he was communicating with our guide! Nearby, a female was chewing on a tasty bamboo shoot, whilst a baby gorilla approached us inquisitively.

We were able to get incredibly close to the group, but we had been advised by our guide not to make any direct contact with them. The experience of not only observing these fascinating animals but being observed by them (!) was truly breathtaking. By Lisa (Denmark) after visiting the gorillas in February 2010. Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, lazy camping.

Day 11 & 12: Lake Bunyonyi

A three hours ride will bring you to Lake Bunyonyi. You will go to a beautiful island in Lake Bunyonyi, the “Lake of the little birds”. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Uganda.

Bushara Island Camp is a wonderful place to relax surrounded by nature. The green hills and papyrus swamps offer many opportunities for bird watching and Eucalyptus trees and shady nooks along private paths provide quiet places to sit and read a book.

Bushara Island Camp is a sustainable eco-tourism camp focusing on raising awareness and promoting the protection of the environment.

You stay in a simple but comfortable furnished safari tent with beautiful views of the lake. You have your private bush shower and bush toilet just behind your tent. The safari tents provide an authentic African experience. The volcanic lake is bilharzia-free and safe for swimming and canoeing.

Optional Activities at/from the Island

- Walking, jogging, cycling;
- Bird Watching;
- Cultural and Historical tours;
- Canoeing and boat rides.

Bushara Island (2 nights)

Day 13: Visit the equator – Return to Kampala or Entebbe

After breakfast, you continue your drive back to Kampala or Entebbe (Airport). Of course, you stop at the equator, the best place for your souvenir shopping.

Your driver/guide will bring you to your accommodation in Kampala/Entebbe or to Entebbe Airport (this is only possible if your departure flight leaves at 10 pm or later).

Accommodation for tonight is not included in the program. In case you wish us to include one (or more) nights in Kampala and/or Entebbe, please let us know.

The bookings with the hotels mentioned in the program depend on availability. Reservations will only be made after your booking. In case the mentioned hotels are not available during the requested period, we will do our utmost best to book a hotel in the same class for you (of course we will only do this after consulting you).

It is not possible to ‘reserve’ gorilla and chimpanzee permits. Therefore we can only buy them after your booking and down payment and also here it all depends on availability.

Transport Upgrade A:

If you are with 1 - 3 persons you can upgrade to either a Nissan Patrol or Toyota Land Cruiser, or Prado. They are 4wd and have an open roof. The extra cost for this upgrade is divided by the number of people. Everyone has a window seat.

Upgrade B:

You can upgrade as well to one of our bigger Land Cruisers. They are 4wd and have a pop-up roof. The extra cost for this upgrade is divided by the number of people. This car can host a maximum of 5 persons. Everyone has a window seat.

Other

* All rates are quoted in USD. If you like to be quoted in Uganda Shillings, Euros, or any
other currency, please do not hesitate to contact us.
* Payments however can only be done by a bank (NOT by credit card) in USD or Euro
* Cash US dollars given out in 2001 or before are not accepted in Uganda!!!

Rates Include:

- 1 Chimpanzee permit per person;
- 1 Gorilla permit per person
- Transport in a 4wd minibus with a pop-up roof for excellent safari view viewing (or upgrade, see ‘Transport’);
- All fuel for the tour;
- English-speaking Ugandan driver/guide;
- Accommodation as listed in the program
- Meals according to the program;
- Park entrance fees according to the program;
- All activities described in the itinerary;

Rates Exclude:

- International airfares;
- Entry visa Uganda;
- Meals that are not part of your accommodation;
- A porter for during the gorilla tracking (someone who carries your daypack);
- Personal (medical/travel) insurance;
- Tips and gratuities to rangers, drivers/guides, porters, hotel staff, etc;
- All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs, etc.).

Just So You Know:

This tour accepts children who are 16 years and older

This tour can be customized according to the client's preferences