Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with a game drive.

Today you continue your journey to Murchison Falls National Park one of the oldest conservation areas in Uganda. This is a long but rewarding journey through various landscapes of Northern Uganda with en route Lunch.

Murchison falls is Uganda’s best-known and biggest nature reserve. With the impressive and powerful Murchison waterfall and its remarkable animal populations, this is a must visit in the Pearl of Africa. There are superb activities on offer such as a boat safari or Delta safari on the Nile. The river divides the park between a Northern and Southern section as it makes its way through multiple rapids and waterfalls to Lake Albert. 

Unfortunately, during the war years poachers and troops wiped out the majority of wildlife. Except for the park’s rhino population, fortunately all other wildlife has recovered fast since. A game drive in the park allows you to be eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom and you will be amazed by the amount of elephants. Also giraffes, lions, antelope, waterbucks, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles can all be spotted. Game drives take place on the tracks in the northern section which you reach by taking a ferry across the river. This park guarantees adventure!

Your accommodation for the coming three nights is at Murchison River Lodge. This lodge has been built on the edge of the mighty River Nile overlooking pods of hippos and stunning Murchison Falls National Park. Here you can expect ultimate comfort and relaxation in en-suite safari tents in a beautiful bush-location. Enjoy the swimming pool and the great hospitality! If you have binoculars, bring them! The bird life is incredible. The main lodge area provides a bar and restaurant and sits on a raised bank providing magical panoramic views of the magical River Nile as well as the park. You know that you are really in the bush having a guide leading you back to your safari tent after dinner because of the active wildlife at night. 

Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge of your choice. (FB)

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park Game drive and Boat Safari.

After an early breakfast, it is time to explore the park. On your Game Drives you of course need a fair share of luck and very good eyes to try and spot as many animals as possible. While driving through the park you can come eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom. Hopefully you see them all; elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. 

They are all there! A professional ranger with extensive knowledge on the park and its inhabitants will join you in your car. The park is especially known for its massive elephant population, huge array of bird species and big herds of buffalo. You will discover some of the parks ecosystems and different scenery with dense woodland, extensive savannahs and rolling grasslands. As this is a private game drive you can ask your guide to tailor your trip towards specific birdlife and/or wildlife if you like.

The afternoon boat safari towards the Murchison Falls is a very special activity; it takes approximately 3 hours and goes along the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls. You can imagine; this boat safari will show you breathtaking scenery. Cold drinks are for sale on board for when you get thirsty for a local beer or a soda. Carefully watched by crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys and all the other (also thirsty) wildlife that the Nile attracts you go to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls. If you like hiking, the boat can drop you near the waterfalls and you can hike up to the top (this takes around 1 or 1.5 hours). The views are amazing. 

Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge of your choice. (FB)

Day 4: Shoe Bill Stork on Delta and Game Drive.

The Nile Delta is the area where the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert. The banks of the delta are home to hundreds of bird species including the rare and prehistoric-looking shoebill stork and papyrus endemic species. A boat safari through the delta is a “must do” for every birdwatcher. 

During this (approximately) 5 hour boat tour you enjoy a breakfast while enjoy the peaceful scenery and while approaching Lake Albers you may see more fishermen in canoes catches of tilapia fish and local people fetching water from the Nile and if lucky wild game along the banks. You may also see many hippo, crocodile and if lucky you can witness elephant bathing in the river. Also keep an eye on the treetops as you can often spot monkeys such as eastern fringed monkeys and baboons. 

The boat trip starts early in the morning during the soft light, golden hours for photographers. This lights lasts till about 10 am when the light becomes brighter. Relax, sit back & enjoy!

In the afternoon after lunch, you can go for another game drive searching for more exciting wildlife scenes in the park or you can decide to relax and go for a dip in the swimming pool. 

Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge of your choice. (FB)

Day 5: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.

Today, you will undertake the journey to green Kibale Forest. The drive is incredibly scenic, passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda. On arrival at the forest, you will enter a completely different world… some serious monkey business!
Kibale Forest National Park lies just outside the colonial town of Fort Portal and is made up of dense tropical rainforest. This park is considered one of the big highlights of Uganda due to some serious monkey business going on here. A big number of primates residing can be found here and particularly a visit to one of the habituated chimpanzee groups is a very memorable experience. The rare red colobus as well as the black and white colobus, red tailed monkey, olive baboon, the blue Monkey and l’hoest’s monkeys are also regularly seen here. 

Where would you find a better spot to experience encounters with nature; smelling the forest and listening to the many sounds. Your safari tent or cottage is surrounded by lush green diversity filled with countless bird species and butterflies.

This brand new Lodge offers you a unique jungle experience at the border of Kibale Forest National Park with the most stunning view over the forest canopy and the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. You will stay at a modern and comfortable cottage at quiet locations in the forest. This lodge is all about a relaxing atmosphere, family friendly and with a refreshing swimming pool. In the restaurant and lounge areas you’ll be welcome to try tasty meals meanwhile you have high chances of spotting the Red Colobus and Grey Cheeked Mangabey monkeys on the premises. 

Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge of your choice. (FB)

Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking & Swamp Walk. 

Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes making them our closest living relatives. They are found in 21 countries throughout Africa, but are most easily sighted in Uganda due to their dense populations. Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild. The Chimpanzee trekking experience here is done on several well maintained walking trails. 

There is also a wonderfully diverse concentration of other primates, more than any other forest in East Africa, in fact. Besides our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees, you can find red colobus, red-tailed guenon, white-nosed monkey, gray-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey. In addition, you may see olive baboons, bush babies and nocturnal pottos.

The aim for your trekking through the jungle under the care of professional guide, is 1 hour of eye to eye contact with the chimpanzees. We can however cannot guarantee 100% for you to see them as they are still wild animals nevertheless your chances are very good.

Return to your Lodge for Lunch and in the afternoon you will go for your next activity which will take you to the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary which features 8 primate species, over 200 bird species and many reptiles. During the walk – which takes 2 to 3 hours – you have a chance to many animals but the highlight is catching a glimpse of a famous bird, the Great Blue Turaco. The sanctuary is operated by KAFRED, a registered community based organization. The income from the walk is used for community development projects such as schools and hospitals. 

Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge of your choice. (FB)

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via game drive.

Scenic Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in south western Uganda and is most often included in visitors’ itineraries. It is the second largest park in the country and located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, next to Lake Edward and Lake George which are joined by the Kazinga channel. Few reserves in the world have such a high biodiversity with landscapes including savannah, bush land, wetlands and lush forests. On your first game drive, it is time to explore the Queen Elizabeth National Park with her 200 kilometers of well-maintained game viewing tracks. We advise for you to be alert and pro-active on your game drive to help the ranger spot as many animals as possible.

With an astonishing 5000 hippos, 2500 elephants and over 10,000 buffalo thriving in its grasslands and shorelines, this park guarantees sightings of some of Africa’s most iconic species. All being well you see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, different species of antelope and just maybe some of the exciting predators such as; lion, leopard, civet, genal and serval cats. 

Ten species of primates enjoy the park’s diverse habitats. Vervet and black-and-white colobus monkeys are easily spotted in the trees, and of course the boldest species; baboons! They are all there! A professional ranger with extensive knowledge on the park and its inhabitants will join you in your car so you can ask your guide to search for specific birdlife or wildlife. Later you will retire at your accommodation for the evening relaxation.

Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge of your choice. (FB)

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park Game Drive & Boat Safari.

After an early breakfast, you go for a long game drive in time to see the sun rise. The morning is the best time for a game drive as the African animal kingdom tends to me most active when during the golden hours of the first sunlight touching the savannah. You will continue the search for all the wildlife; elephant, buffalo, lion, waterbuck, leopard, Uganda kobs, warthog and do not forget about the birds and the primates. Later you will proceed with Lions experiential in Kasenyi region. You will get up close to wild African fauna, a research trip is a rewarding adventure. This unique experience allows visitors to actively participate in monitoring some of lions in the park, using locator devices. 

After lunch, you will proceed to catch up with the sundowner 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, Crocodile, bathing Elephant, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. After the boat-safari you game drive back to the lodge. 

Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge of your choice. (FB)

Day 9: Transfer to Ishasha area for another Game drive and its tree-climbing lions.

After the hike you will drive in about 2.5 hours to the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This part is famous for its’ 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 is the most memorable sight in the park as you have never seen such photogenic lions posing for your camera before. During a game drive you will try your luck! Meanwhile don’t miss the stunning scenery and superb birdlife in this southern remote section of the park either. Today you will retire at Enjojo Lodge.

Enjojo lodge is bordering the Ishasha sector of Queen Elisabeth National Park. Birdlife is amazing and herds of elephants, buffaloes and antelopes are regularly spotted. Vervet monkeys, baboons, black- and white colobus have become residents to the lodge. From the grass-thatched restaurant and bar you can enjoy the tasty homemade food and the view on a small scenic natural lake in front of you.

 The thatched cottages have an en-suite bathroom and an outdoor shower. On the wide verandas you can really take a moment to enjoy the tranquil environment overlooking the surrounding bush and savanna. 

Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge of your choice. (FB)

Day 10: Transfer to Rushaga/Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Today you drive to Kisoro in the south-western 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 have a stopover in Ruhija for hot Lunch one of the Bwindi gorilla Zones. 

 During this drive you will get a chance to see monkeys, Baboons, Duikers, Birds and many others. Later proceed with your drive through forest experience to connect to the main road leading to your accommodation in Bwindi Rushaga tourism Zone Situated at the edge of Bwindi National Park and a walk able distance to the gorilla tracking starting point. 

Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge of your choice. (FB) 

Day 11: Rare Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

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

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a highlight for many visitors as this is where they will be visiting the home of the gentle giants. The park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests lies on the mist-covered hillsides. This magnificent forest dates back over 25,000 years, even surviving the last Ice Age (most forests disappeared). 

Bwindi forest has an incredible diversity of flora and fauna and is the only forest in Africa which can make claim to host both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. In fact, half the worlds’ population of gorillas live here divided over nine habituated family groups. Also 5 other primate species, 120 species of mammal, over 220 butterflies and 360 birds species call Bwindi home. 

The gorillas you will trek belong to one of fifteen family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day. Your trek will be an exciting (for some also challenging) journey along forested (sometimes slippery) slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gentle giants. En-route, your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity. Think of dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. 

The time to complete the gorilla trekking can be as little as 2 to 6 hours! Once the family of gorillas has been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour observing them. Coming face-to-face with the mountain gorillas is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic part of your tour you will definitely remember for the rest of your life. 

Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge of your choice. (FB)

Days 12: Lake Mutanda Boat Excursion/ Batwa Experience

Today you can choose to unwind from your trip at this stunning location. You can as well opt for some wonderful optional activities from the region between the Batwa experience and Lake Mutanda boat excursion. 

The Batwa are the original inhabitants of these forests, However today they are a displaced minority since the early 1990’s.  This cultural tour is a re-enactment but a very real one as many members still recall living as forest dwellers and these tours now help them earn income, ensure 

Their traditions and skills are practiced as well as pass on these traditions to the next generation. Their bush skills are a delight and their small stature will amaze you. The south-western part of Uganda is known as ”Little Switzerland” a lush, mountainous region dotted with freshwater lakes, which makes it the perfect base for a number of activities beyond gorilla tracking. The area is great for walking, hiking, mountain biking, cultural village tours, bird watching or water sport activities. 

Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge of your choice. (FB)

Day 13: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park via Great Lakes Museum.

After your breakfast, you will embark on your vehicle for a transfer to Lake Mburo National Park via Great Lakes Museum visit and Lunch. 

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. Today you will retire at your accommodation for overnight.

Optional activity: Night game drive

A whole new world of animal species (nocturnal) await you on a night game drive. It gives you a different perspective of the park and wildlife. You probably already know that it is not a common occurrence to spot the elusive and solitary Leopards. However, you should keep your eyes peeled on the night game drive because whenever you find eyes glowing in the dark this could be one of those rare cats! Your night safari is either just before dinner or just after dinner and takes about 2 hours. 

Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge of your choice. (FB)

Day 14: Morning Bush walk and transfer to Entebbe International Airport.

Lake Mburo National Park is one of the two parks in Uganda where it is permitted to go for a safari walk with an experienced ranger. Footprints and animal droppings tell which animal has been here and how long ago. It is exciting to approach the wildlife at such close range and if you prefer to explore Lake Mburo by mountain bike instead of walking, you can choose to upgrade this activity. It’s very exciting to make a safari by mountain bike. Get active and get close to zebra, gazelle, Eland and sometimes even giraffe.

After your activity you will get back to the lodge (between 9 and 10 am). From here you will take your late breakfast and then time has come to head back to Kampala via Kayabwe drum market. 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 check in and relax with our accommodation facilities. 

Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel of your choice. (FB)

Day 15: 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.