A Classic Discovery Tour To Uganda

A Classic Discovery Tour to Uganda.

This 14-day safari journey to the world¹s richest country, offering an abundance of wildlife, is also an experience into the cultural lifestyle of the remote areas of Uganda. While Gorilla and chimp tracking is the highlight of this safari journey, you will also be seeing Lions, Hippos,
Buffaloes, Leopards, Spotted Hyenas, Elephants, over 900 species of birds, and an abundance of dense green Forest. This is a safari journey for lovers of nature and nature lovers!

Trip Highlights: Murchison Falls, Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale and Semliki Valley wildlife reserve, Bigodi Swamp walk, boat trips and game drives in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National parks, gorilla tracking in Bwindi or Rwanda, visiting the Source of the Nile and Bujagali Falls in Jinja.

Day one: Arrival - Entebbe -Kampala - 42km.

On arrival at the airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your representative from BUSHMEMORIES, who will then transfer you to Kampala for the overnight at either Serena Kampala Hotel (high-end/luxurious accommodation), Hotel Africana (medium-class accommodation), or Namirembe Guest House (low-budget/basic accommodation). B/B.

Day Two: Kampala - Murchison Falls National Park. 300km north west of Kampala (approx. 6-hour drive).

An early departure - but well worth it! After breakfast, you are on your way North to Murchison Falls National Park, having a break at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola to view the Rhinos. Uganda’s Rhinos became extinct in the early 1980s, after a period of civil unrest and heavy poaching.

This sanctuary has now been established to breed black and white rhinos, and restore Rhino populations in Uganda’s protected areas in a later stage.

This is a long drive as you travel north through the country, and once you reach the Nile in the heart of the Park, you will cross on the ferry to Paraa.

The sight of the Nile River, the world's longest river, winding its way through the park and plunging through a narrow gap is unforgettable.

Overnight at either Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Camp(high-end/luxurious accommodation), Sambiya River Lodge(medium-class accommodation), or Red Chilli Rest Camp(Low budget/basic accommodation).

Paraa Safari Lodge overlooks the mighty Nile where Hippos wallow in the water. The lodge is located on the North bank, which is the closest location to the wildlife in the Park. Full Board.

Day Three: Murchison Falls.

After breakfast, you will go for an early morning game drive to the rolling plains where you have chances of viewing Lions, Giraffe, Hartebeest, Buffalo, and Elephant as well as many of the other mammals of the park. For the birders amongst you, these areas support the Secretary Bird, Black Chested Snake Eagle, Tawny and Marshal Eagle, Carmine and Swallow Tailed Bee-Eaters, to pick just a few. This is a beautiful drive across Borassus Palm Forest and grassland savannah down to Lake Albert, where the Albert Nile heads north to the Sudan.

In the afternoon, go for a boat trip to the foot of Murchison Falls, where the Nile thunders through a small 7-meter gap, or down river to the delta, where the Nile empties into Lake Albert. This is an experience not to be missed!

The banks of the Nile are home to many species. You may see huge Nile Crocodiles, big Pods of Hippo, and other wildlife that may come down to drink from the river.

Overnight at either Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Camp(high-end/luxurious accommodation), Sambiya River Lodge(medium-class accommodation), or Red Chilli Rest Camp (Low budget/basic accommodation).

Full Board.

Day Four: Murchison Falls - Kibale. (Approx. 7 hours drive).

Early game drive to the Top of Murchison Falls, where you can have a close look at the gorge where the Nile squeezes through a 7-meter gorge dropping 40 meters. The falls are spectacular and thunderous, with a beautiful rainbow displayed on sunny days.

Later, head for Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale Forest is a large protected block of rainforest, which has the highest number of primates in Africa, such as Chimpanzees, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkey and Red Colobus.

Relax in the evening have dinner and over night at either Ndali lodge, a stunning location overlooking a dramatic Crater Lake and the fabled "Mountains of the Moon"/ Mantana Tented Camp (High end/luxurious accommodation), Rwenzori View Guest House/Ataco Guest house (Medium class accommodation) or Primate Lodge Kibale Bandas (Low budget/basic accommodation).

Full Board.

Day Five: Kibale National Park.

This morning you will go for the morning Chimpanzee tracking in the forest, get a chance to see other species like the Grey-Throated Flycatcher, Masked & Black-Capped Apalis', Chestnut-Winged Starling, Orange -Tufted & Tiny Sunbirds, a good infrastructure and variety of interesting activities which makes this a worthwhile destination returning in time for a heartily breakfast.

Later in the afternoon, you will have the opportunity for a guided walk through Bigodi Swamp. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is managed by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Organisation, formed in 1992 to achieve social and economic development for local communities. This swamp is a home to approximately 137 bird species and it's also rich in vegetation, such as wild palms, polita figs and the dominant papyrus.

There is a network of forest trails that radiate out from the visitor centre, allowing you to search for a number of species that shun the vicinity of the main road.

Dinner and overnight at either Ndali Lodge / Mantana Tented Camp (high-end/luxurious accommodation), Rwenzori View Guest House/Ataco Guest House (medium-class accommodation) or Primate Lodge Kibale Bandas (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.

Day Six: Kibale - Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve. (Approx. 2.5 Hours Drive).

This valley is known as the “Garden of Eden” and has a magnificent view of the River Semliki meandering to Lake Albert. You will stop to visit a local farmer and have a brief tour of his farm, then take your picnic lunch at the hot water springs, arriving at the Lodge in the afternoon.

In the late evening, have a game drive which may reveal herds of Uganda Kob, Waterbuck, Reed Buck, several monkey species, as well as lots of bird opportunities.

This evening you will dine and stay at the Semliki Safari Lodge. This is a high-end, low-impact safari lodge set amid 550 square km of game reserve. All rooms with private facilities. Dinner and overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge (High-end accommodation )or Camping (Low budget/basic accommodation).

Full Board.

Day Seven: Semliki Valley.

After breakfast, you will experience a day of real discovery. Early morning Chimpanzee tracking in the Gallery Forest of the Mugiri River, and then afterwards go and visit a local community in the foothills of the Rwenzoris - the inhabitants are looking forward to welcoming and entertaining you. After touring the area, you will have lunch and later go for a boat trip on Lake Albert in search of the Shoebill, returning to the Lodge in the evening.

Dinner and overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge (High-end accommodation )or Camping (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.

Day Eight: Semliki - Queen Elizabeth National Park. ( Approx. 4.5 hours drive).

Early morning game drive, and if desired, your coffee will be brought to your tent, then head for Queen Elizabeth National Park, having a game drive while entering the park, arriving in the afternoon. Relax around the pool after lunch and later go for an early evening game drive.

It's little wonder that Queen Elizabeth boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game park or reserve in the world, from the open Savannah to Rain Forest, dense Papyrus Swamps and brooding Crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward.

Almost 100 mammal species that include Lions, Hippos, Buffaloes, Leopards, Spotted Hyenas, Elephants and the elusive Giant Forest Hog, plus a remarkable 606 bird species that include the Black Chested Eagle, the Swallow Tailed Bee Eaters, to mention but a few.

The Primates include Chimps, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Blue, Black Faced Red Colobus, and Red-Tailed Monkeys and Olive Baboons.

Reptiles are the amazing huge Rock-Python, Puff adders, Spitting Cobras, Gabon Rippers, Green Mambas, and Turtles, etc. All these are regularly sighted around the tourist village on the Mweya Peninsula, and all this makes a superb safari territory.

Queen Elizabeth Park has the highest recorded number of over 600 species of birds, including the Shoebill Stork, Black Bee-Eater, Chappirs Fly Catcher, Bustards, and craters full of Lesser Flamingos, etc.

Overnight at either Mweya Lodge/ Jacana safari Lodge (high-end/luxurious accommodation), King Fisher Lodge Kichwamba/ Hippo Hill Camp (medium-class accommodation) or the Institute of Ecology Cottages (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.

Day Nine: Queen Elizabeth.

This morning, you will have a game drive to the Kisenyi area to look for Lion prides and other wildlife like the Uganda Kob that mate around this area, returning at the Lodge for breakfast.

Then go for the afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. Here, Hippos huff and spray mere feet away from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallows, and a tremendous variety of birds grace the grasses on the shores. Great White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, Great and Long-Tailed Cormorants, Open-Billed Stork, African Jacana, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers are commonly seen. February and March offer spectacular sightings of some of the bird migrants.

Spend the night at either Mweya Lodge/ Jacana safari Lodge (high-end/luxurious accommodation), King Fisher Lodge Kichwamba/ Hippo Hill Camp (medium-class accommodation) or the Institute of Ecology Cottages (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.

Day Ten: Queen Elizabeth - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. (Approx.. 4 hours drive).

After breakfast, you will have a game drive as you depart Queen Elizabeth for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Best known for its Mountain Gorillas, the Montane Forest also attracts spectacular birds. There are 23 of the 24 Albertine Rift endemics, including the African Green Broadbill, Bar-Tailed Trogon and other beautiful forest species.

You may decide to relax in the afternoon or take a nature walk ( at an extra cost of P.P), which will lead you to the Munyaga Waterfall and a chance to see primates such as the Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Blue Monkeys, and other species.

Spend the night at either Gorilla Forest Camp/ Mantana Tented Camp (high-end/luxurious accommodation), or Lake Kitandara’s Tented Camp/ Buhoma Homestead (medium-class accommodation) or the Community Bandas (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.

You will need to have a good night’s rest to get ready for the following day’s gorilla tracking.

Day Eleven: Gorilla Tracking - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

(There is an option of tracking in Nkuringo, the southern sector of Bwindi or Rwanda as well).
This morning, you will have to wake up very early to get ready for Gorilla tracking. Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare Mountain Gorilla, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. There are now only 650 left in the world!

The tracking may take between 2 and 6 hours, but it's well worth the effort. There are always park guides with you who interpret the flora and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas. In the afternoon, relax at the camp or go for a Village walk to visit the Local Batwa Community ( at an extra cost P.P), returning to the Camp in the evening.

Dinner and overnight at either Gorilla Forest Camp / Mantana Tented Camp (high-end/luxurious accommodation), or Lake Kitandara’s Tented Camp/ Buhoma Homestead (medium-class accommodation) or the Community Bandas (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.

Day Twelve: Bwindi - Lake Mburo National Park. (Approx. 6.5 hours drive).

After breakfast, you will proceed to Lake Mburo National Park, passing through the Switzerland of Uganda (Kabale) with beautiful scenery and terraced farming, arriving at Lake Mburo National Park in the afternoon.

After lunch, you may decide to go for a boat trip or relax in your room. Lake Mburo is an extension of the Tanzanian Plains with big herds of Zebra, Impala, Eland and other savannah species. For birders, this is one of the best places to find African Finfoot, Papyrus, Bush Shrike, etc.

Go for an evening game drive and overnight at Mihingo Lodge (high-end/luxurious accommodation), Mantana Tented Camp (mid-class) or UWA’s Tents (Low budget/basic accommodation).

Full Board.

Day Thirteen: Lake Mburo - Kampala - Jinja.

After breakfast, proceed to Kampala, having a stop to look at the Royal Drum makers, the Equator - where you will be able to stand and be on both hemispheres at once arriving in Jinja in the evening. Dinner and overnight at either Jinja Nile Resort (High-end/luxurious accommodation), or King Fisher Resort (Medium-class accommodation) or Speke’s Camp (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.

Day Fourteen: Jinja - Fly Out

After breakfast, you will go to visit the source of the Nile and the spectacular Bujjagali falls.
With the biggest rafts on the river, you will see how those who are rafting can safely conquer the most challenging rapids, watch the local fishermen and the fantastic birdlife.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight back home, depending on the International flight departure times.

Quotation:

High-end/Luxurious Accommodation:

If there are 2 pax on safari, the cost per person includes one gorilla permit.
If there are 3-4 pax on safari, the cost per person includes one gorilla permit.
If there are 5-6 pax on safari, the cost per person includes one gorilla permit.

Please contact us for the above prices and the single supplement for the whole trip.

Medium Class Accommodation:

If there are 2 pax on safari, the cost per person includes one gorilla permit.
If there are 3-4 pax on safari, the cost per person includes one gorilla permit.
If there are 5-6 pax on safari, the cost per person includes one gorilla permit.

Please contact us for the above prices and the single supplement for the whole trip.

Low Budget/Basic Accommodation.

If there are 2 pax on safari, the cost per person includes one gorilla permit.
If there are 3-4 pax on safari, the cost per person includes one gorilla permit.
If there are 5-6 pax on safari, the cost per person includes one gorilla permit.

Please contact us for the above prices and the single supplement for the whole trip.

1.1 Gorilla Permit per person.
2. All Meals and accommodation as per the itinerary.
3. All ground transportation in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle.
4. Park entrance fees.
5. Services of a full-time English-speaking driver/guide.
6. Water, coffee or Tea while on safari.
7. All boat trips.
8. All game drives.
9. All airport pick-ups and drops.
10. All activities at stipulated in the itinerary.
11. And all government taxes/levies.

Excluded Are:

1. Bar Bills
2. Phone calls
3. Personal insurance
4. Laundry
5. Air fare
6. All other Services of a personal nature.
7. Driver guide’s gratuity.

Important:

Please note that the gorilla tracking in this itinerary can be done in Rwanda as well if permits/accommodation can’t be obtained in Uganda at the time of your booking.

Gorilla tracking is dependent on the availability at the time of your booking. Gorilla permits in all parks are on a very high demand, and we advise that you book them as early as possible.