12 DAY EXPLORE UGANDA THE PEARL OF AFRICA SAFARI AND PRIMATES TOUR
Uganda is the only country in the world where you can combine game drives and primates treks, for example Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Lions, Boat Safaris which will allow you to see several animals on this boat excursion. In this 12 Day tour you will have a checklist to tick off all the wildlife and games.
We also have a very interesting cultural excursion to meet the amazing community members on walk tour in Bwindi including meeting the Batwa Pygmies of Bwindi the original inhabitants.
This is a great value for this great wildlife adventure that could only be done in Uganda.
DAY 1: AIRPORT PICK UP AND TRANSFER TO YOUR HOTEL
Welcome to Entebbe, Uganda!!
Arrival in to Uganda, you are able to buy a single entry Uganda visa on arrival at $50 per person. The visa counter is well signposted, that is if you did not buy it online.
You will be met by our knowledgeable expert guide and will be briefed about your itinerary and the pearl of Africa which is Uganda.
Cash machines are available at main towns in Uganda but are not always working so it is a good idea to withdraw some Uganda shillings from the cash machine in the arrival’s hall for drinks and souvenirs on the way.
If time allows depending on arrival time, we will first visit Entebbe Botanical Gardens before we are transferred to your Hotel in Kampala.
The Entebbe Botanical Gardens
The Entebbe Botanical Gardens established in 1898 are situated on the northern shores of Lake Victoria virtually on the equator.
Experiencing an annual rainfall of 1623 mm and at an altitude of 1134 meters the gardens are set in 40.7hectres.
The gardens house a collection of species of plants of the tropical, sub-tropical and temperate zones, besides several shrubs and other plants regenerated naturally over the years. The collection as of 1998 numbered 309 species, 199 indigenous to Uganda, 122 with known medicinal value and 110 exotics. The gardens are a popular attraction for visitors of which some 40,000 per year are passing through the gates since the rehabilitation in 1998.
The entrance is located close to the Botanical Beach Hotel. Colobus monkeys are common. The gardens are an opportunity for birding enthusiasts to open their birding account for Uganda or merely to add to an existing list. PalmNut Vulture and African Grey Parrot are resident, whilst Bat Hawk is often seen over the gardens at sunset and is best observed from the Botanical Beach Hotel patio bar. Naturally, there is loads of exotic plants and trees.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel of your choice. (BB)
DAY 2: TRANSFER TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, enjoy the panoramic drive northwest of Kampala through the famous battle zone of the Luwero triangle. It’s a 3-hour drive and we will have our lunch in Ruwero.
Later after lunch, we will proceed to Murchison falls for checking in at your accommodation and if the water levels are good, we may decide to pass via scenic walk at the top of the fall.
visit the Top of the Falls and feel the force of the River Nile under your feet as the half a kilometer-wide river narrows to just 7m wide and cascades down through a 45m drop, known as the Devils Cauldron. The Falls are believed to be the most powerful natural flow of water anywhere on earth.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel of your choice. (FB)
DAY 3: MURCHISON FALS BOAT SAFARI AND GAME DRIVE
Today we will have our early breakfast by 7 am after we will proceed for a game drive with our packed lunch to the Nyamsika plateau to see the Cape buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda kob, and waterbucks. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, bush duiker, warthog, and bush pig plus large carnivores including lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas and olive baboons and a list of six species of primates found in the park. Have your packed lunch and proceed for the next session of today’s activities.
After the game drive, we set off for the 2 pm Murchison Riverboat Cruise on the Victoria Nile River. Over a 17km stretch enjoy sightings of hippos, crocodiles, elephant, water buck, and Uganda Kob. The boat will stop just tens of meters from the sinister, frothing, and bubbling base of the falls where you can take pictures of the majestic Murchison Falls.
We shall transfer back to your accommodation for a freshen up and relax with the Lodge facilities.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel of your choice. (FB)
DAY 4: TRANSFER TO KIBALE FOREST NP
Today have your early breakfast. After you will be assisted to check out of your accommodation for your 6 hours scenic transfer to Kibale Forest National Park leaving by 7 am. You will arrive in time for lunch. After lunch, we will proceed with the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Swamp Walk.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Swamp Walk.
This is rich in biodiversity and scenic beauty, the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary is A 4.5km long walk and this will take you through this important wildlife corridor of Kibale Forest and it’s about 3hours return walk.
It’s the home of the Great Blue Turaco” and a real bird watcher’s paradise. This wonderful place shelters over 200 species of birds including Hornbills, Turacos, Parrots, Cranes, Kingfishers, and many more swamp endemics.
Furthermore, the sanctuary is the home of 8 species of primates, including the Black and White Colobus, Red-Tailed Monkey, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Olive Baboon, L’hoest Monkey, Vervet Monkey, and the Blue Monkey.
The swamp is also a haven for other mammals such as sitatungas, bushbucks, and otters. Local and knowledgeable guides will take you on an interpretive tour as they escort you through the lush vegetation.
This is the perfect opportunity to view the wildlife from the forest pathways, boardwalks and atop a tree house tucked high in the canopy.
Visitors may tour the wetlands only when accompanied by a trained Sanctuary guide. After the walk, your driver guide will be waiting for you at the endpoint to transfer you to your accommodation for a freshen up and relax with the accommodation facilities.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel of your choice. (FB)
DAY 5: CHIMPANZEE TREK AND TRANSFER TO QUEEN ELIZABETH
Today you will have an early breakfast and your driver guide will transfer you to the park office for Chimpanzee trek briefing before you start forest walk for the Chimpanzee trek. You will go with a park ranger to find and track one of the Kibale Forest chimpanzee groups.
Kibale Forest boasts 13 different species of primate, more than in any other East African forest. While in the forest your knowledgeable guides will point out a range of primates, birds, plants, and animal spoor. Chimpanzees are man`s closest relatives and share 98% of our DNA.
The sounds of the chimps carry through the forest very clearly, so approaching and watching these creatures in their natural habitat is a fantastic wildlife viewing experience.
After the trek you will cross the equator and drive through the foothills of the magnificent Rwenzori Mountains as you head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with en route game drive heading for your Kazinga Chanel Boat Safari.
Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
You will enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway between Lake Edward and Lake George. This cruise will be one of the highlights of your safari as you sight abundant birdlife and view elephants, buffaloes, and hundreds of hippos cooling off at the shores. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.
After the boat-safari, we will retire at your accommodation for check-in.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel of your choice. (FB)
DAY 6: FULL DAY QUEEN ELIZABETH NP GAME DRIVE
Today you will have your breakfast at leisure later, you will embark on your vehicle with your packed lunch for your full day game drive in kasenyi plains and cyambura regions.
The Kasenyi plains are on the western shores of the adjacent stunning Lake George, just near to the area where the Kazinga Channel confluences with this lake.
Kasenyi is found within the north-eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is also known as the Mweya or the Kasenyi Sector.
The region around Kasenyi is actually an open savannah, and it is swarmed with various wild animals including, Elephants, Buffalos, Water back, Lions with the Uganda safari Kob being the dominant animals. Actually this place is the major breeding area for the Uganda Kobs within this park. For that reason, Lions are commonly seen here during the various game drives as they are drawn by the large Kob’s population which is their main prey in this area.
Whereas lions once were uncommon and hard to pin down, are supposed to total up to a big number and these are readily seen within the Kasenyi Plains. In addition, it supports a fascinating diversity of grassland birds, among which are the yellow-throated long crow, red-throat spur fowls as well as the grey-crown cranes.
Because of the overall nature of this area (with open savannahs surrounding it), it is very good for tourists interested in taking photographs.
Return to your accommodation in the evening for a freshen up and relax with your accommodation facilities.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel of your choice. (FB)
DAY 7: QUEEN ELIZABETH NP TO BWINDI NP VIA ISHASHA SECTOR GAME DRIVE
After your early breakfast we will check out of your accommodation by 7 am with our packed lunch, later we will drive in about 1.5 hour to the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park with en route game drive. During this drive you will not miss the stunning scenery and superb bird life and butterflies in this southern remote section.
We shall proceed with the game drive in search for Tree climbing Lions as this part is famous for its’ unique tree-climbing lions. While lion cubs around the world frequently climb trees for fun, adults rarely do. However, these lionesses enjoy spending the hot afternoons snoozing in fig trees to get away from the tsetse flies and to enjoy a cool breeze.
This region is also well known for Bird life, herds of elephants, buffaloes and antelopes are regularly spotted in this region.
Have your picnic lunch in Ishasha sector before our further 2-hour transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park while driving through the verdant countryside, you will pass traditional homesteads and enjoy panoramic views of the Rwenzori Mountains.
As you slowly wind your way up through beautiful steep sided valleys you will see that every spare inch of space is used for cultivation in this densely populated area. It is estimated that up to 90 people are being supported on every acre that is used for subsistence agriculture. These patchwork mountains dotted with small, thatched villages make the drive most scenic.
We will arrive at around 5 pm, check in to your accommodation and relax with the accommodation facilities.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel of your choice. (FB)
DAY 8: MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREK AND COMMUNITY WALK
Today you have a unique and privileged experience to trek and meet at close quarters the rare Mountain Gorilla. There are only around 1063 of these magnificent creatures left in the world with the biggest number found in in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Early in the morning after breakfast you will be taken to the park headquarters where you are allocated guides before heading into the forest and who will educate you on the trek, Gorilla behavior and assigned into groups of suitable fitness.
The trek can take between 2-6 hours depending on the movements of the Gorillas. The rangers will lead you deep into the forest in search for the Gorillas. You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures that will entertain you with performances for about 1 hour once you find them. This is often described as one of the great natural animal encounters on the planet.
Return to the lodge for freshen up and lunch. If your fitness still qualifies for another activity, we will proceed for a community walk around the park.
Buhoma Community Village Walk.
The Buhoma Village Walk is one of the famous “things to do and see” for Gorilla Trekkers in the Buhoma area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The Buhoma Community Village Walk gives you insights into the lives of local people in the Buhoma area. It is also a community organized activity that directly benefits members of the community.
The Buhoma Community Village Walk with your guide begins at Buhoma Community Rest Camp and is most informative, rewarding to the average visitor. It will amaze you how resourceful the local people are as you see and learn their ways.
The first stop is observing women create handicrafts at the crafts center, and of you, of course, can buy some of them, and those creating the baskets and other crafts will be most appreciative.
A waterfall in the middle of the farmland provides a respite for the eyes. You will also see how hard women are working in the fields tending to their crops, eking out an existence. There is no rotor-tiller – just a hoe and challenging work.
In season see how tea is picked and how the skilled pickers pick just the newest leaves. These serene hillsides lend themselves to growing an excellent variety of tea – and indeed, you can take some home and enjoy it back in your country. As you sip it – you can recall your time at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Stop along the Munyaga River and see women traditionally washing clothes by hand – there is no whirlpool washing machine here – just hands – look on the rocks, and you will see hundreds of multi-color butterflies – a beautiful sight.
Stop in the middle of a Banana plantation where there is local brewing demonstration using Bananas, including the distilling of a local gin made from Bananas (Waragi-a term that comes from War Gin as Ugandan soldiers returned from WWII – they coined it such). Uganda is the original Banana Republic in a literal sense. It produces more Bananas (over 50 varieties) than any other country except Brazil, not bad for a country the size of the state of Oregon. Also, you can sample the local beer made from Bananas – Heineken watch out – here comes-Bwindi Banana Brew-soon to be marketed worldwide.
Traditional Healer -no, he is not a witch doctor but someone who knows what to use from the forest for ailments – you will be amazed at this informative demonstration.
You will find your driver guide at the end of the tour point, embark on your vehicle, and return to your accommodation and relax with the accommodation facilities.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel of your choice. (FB)
DAY 9: BWINDI MUNYAGA WATER FALLS NATURE WALK
There are several waterfalls in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In both the northern and southern sector, you can take a nature walk to the picturesque waterfalls. The waterfalls hike is beautiful and on a guided walk through the park, you will have a chance to see a lot of birds and monkeys and other animals on the way. There are also lots of beautiful butterflies and a few spiders though.
Today after breakfast, your driver guide will drive you to the park headquarters for for registration and later you will proceed for the water fall nature walk.
Munyaga River Water Falls Walk.
This guided trail will take you along the scenic Bizenga Creek which joins the Munyaga River. You start out at Buhoma Park Headquarters and end up there. This is an excellent trail that Birders will find most rewarding. With an excellent Guide at your side you will not miss too many of the unique and endemic species of birds in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
This is an easy hike and brings much with it in terms of what you see in the forest. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the reason it is so is because it has so much to offer
Munyaga Falls is a 9.7 kilometer out and back trail located in Buhoma that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is accessible year-round.
After the walk, we will return to your accommodation and relax with the accommodation facilities.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel of your choice. (FB)
DAY 10: TRANSFER TO LAKE MBURO NP FOR A GAME DRIVE
Today we will have our early breakfast and check out of your accommodation at around 7:30 am and embark on our vehicle for 4.5-hour scenic transfer to Lake Mburo National park arriving at around 12:30 pm for lunch and check in at your accommodation. At 3 pm we will proceed with the afternoon game drive to search for more animals you may have not seen in the other National Parks, such as Zebras.
Lake Mburo is a small national Park (on the route from Bwindi National Park back to Entebbe) but should certainly not be underestimated. This is the only place in southern Uganda to see zebras and the only park in the country with impalas, slender mongoose, and giant bush rats.
You can also look for hyenas, leopards, topis, elands and the beautiful Rothschild’s giraffes, not to mention the lake itself which is teeming with hippos and crocodiles. There are a lot of wonderful activities on offer, such as horse-riding, bush walks, boat safari on the lake and a mountain bike safari.
It is exciting to approach the wildlife at such close range, especially combining the fresh air with the beautiful scenery of Lake Mburo National Park.
Dinner and overnight at Rwakobo Rock Lodge. (B, L, D)
DAY 11: TRANSFER TO KAMPALA FOR PRE-DEPARTURE COVID TEST
Today we will have our early breakfast as we will checkout of your accommodation at 8 am for our 5 hours transfer to Kampala stopping on the way to look at the herds of long horned Ankole cattle of the region, and again at the equator for a break in your journey and a visit to Kayabwe crafts and drum market.
Kayabwe is the Kampala-Masaka Highway northeast to southwest direction. The Equator passes through the middle of town in a west to east direction, as can be deduced from the town’s geographical coordinates.
The town is a favorite tourist stopping point. Many stop to take photographs of the Equator Monument, eat at the local restaurants located there and visit the crafts shops to buy African crafts.
After the crafts shop visit, we will proceed to Kampala city. Upon arrival, we will go for the Covid – 19 testing center for our pre departure test reaching at around 14 pm and the results will be ready within 12 hours. After the test, we will drive to our accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel of your choice. (FB)
DAY 12: MABAMBA SWAMP BOAT TOUR AND AIRPORT TRANSFER
Today we will have our early breakfast as we will check out at 7 am and embark on our vehicle for 1.5-hour transfer to the shores of Lake Victoria to Mabamba Swamp boat safari to look for shoe bill.
Visiting the Mabamba Swamp to see the Shoebill is a great experience that you should not miss as it is truly a remarkable bird.
It is usually an extremely rewarding trip as you see fishermen and chances of seeing lots of other birds, including pelicans.
After this activity, you will be back at the shores of Lake Victoria, have your early lunch and transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home.
We wish you safe travels and many great memories that will last long after you arrive home.
THE TOUR INCLUDES
- 12 – days expert English-speaking driver/guide
- 1- day exclusive Airport Coaster transfer
- 12 – day exclusive use of 4x4WD Safari Vehicle
- 2 nights in Kampara. HB
- 2 nights in Murchison Falls NP. FB
- 1 night in Kibale NP. FB
- 1 night in Queen Elizabeth NP. FB
- 2 nights in Bwindi NP. FB
- 1 night in Lake Mburo NP. FB
- Meals: 11 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches and 10 Dinners
- 1 x Entebbe Botanical Gardens.
- 2 x Game Drive Permits in Murchison Falls pp.
- 1 x Murchison Falls Boat Safari pp.
- 1 x Murchison Falls Felly Crossing pp.
- 1 x Chimpanzee trek permit in Kibale NP pp.
- 1 x Kazinga Chanel Boat Safari pp.
- 2 x Game Drive Permits in QENP pp.
- 1 x Search for Tree Climbing Lions in Ishasha sector pp.
- 1 x Buhoma Community Walk pp.
- 1 x Nature walk with waterfalls
- 1 x Mountain Gorilla Trek in Bwindi NP pp.
- 1 x Game Drive Permits in Lake Mburo NP pp.
- Mabamba Swamp Boat Tour for Shoe Bill pp.
THE TOUR EXCLUDES
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- International and Domestic Flights
- Pre-departure Covid tests pp.
- Tips and Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
- Laundry
- All drinks