Bwindi, Kibale, Queen, Lake Mburo, Murchison, Shoebill, 10 days

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This safari combines some of the main National Parks in Uganda, Bwindi with Gorilla tracking and game-viewing in Queen Elizabeth, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, game-viewing in hiking in Murchison Falls National Park as well as tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. 

Main topics of the safari

  • Boat -tour on Lake Victoria
  • Mabamba Wetlands and the Shoebill stork
  • Lake Mburo National Park with tracking
  • Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
  • Ishasha wilderness in Queen Elizabeth National Park for tree-climbing lions
  • Game-drives in Kasenyi of Queen Elizabeth
  • Boat-launch on Kasinga Channel
  • Stop at the Equator
  • Option of community walk to visit the Batwa
  • Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
  • Game-drive and boat-launch in Murchison Falls National Park
  • Hiking to the top of the Murchison Falls
  • Tracking for rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
  • Option of staying on of the nights in rural family home

Itinerary

Day 1. Boat on Lake Victoria, Shoebill in Mabamba, Equator and Lake Mburo National Park. 

You will be picked early from your hotel in Entebbe and taken to the Nakiwogo harbour for the boat -tour on Lake Victoria that will take you to Mabamba Wetlands. On this lake trip you will have a chance of seeing many birds. At Mabamba you will step into the canoes for the tour of the wetlands in search of the Shoebill.

Then the trip then continues from Mabamba in the vehicle for a drive to the Equator with a stop for photos and coffee before proceeding to Lake Mburo National Park and a game-drive before dinner.  

Day 2. Drive via the Equator to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

After an early breakfast we meet with the rangers for a morning tracking which will bring you near the zebra and many of the antelopes of the park, like the impala and eland. We may also see giraff during the walk. Many birds will be seen, and heard. 

The we shall continue the drive through the undulating grassy hills of the Ankole cattle country. Lunch is in Mbarara before continuing the drive to more mountainous region of Kigezi where the hard-working Bakiga farms almost every available square-meter. You will reach Buhoma late afternoon or early evening.

Day 2. Drive via the Equator to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Early departure for at drive that takes you through a great variation of Uganda landscapes such as the small scale farms in Buganda, stopping at the Equator for photos, and then onwards passing Masaka before reaching the undulating grassy hills of the Ankole cattle country. Lunch is in Mbarara before continuing the drive to more mountainous region of Kigezi where the hard-working Bakiga farms almost every available square-meter. You will reach Buhoma late afternoon or early evening.

Day 3. Gorilla tracking

This is the very day for the Gorilla tracking. After an early breakfast you will meet at the assembly point. The driver guide will help you with this. After briefing, the group, a maximum of eight permit holders, will start the tracking. Once you have reached the gorilla family you will have an hour for photos or just watching the family members in a day of their life - a fantastic experience. Sometimes the tracking takes only a few hours, sometimes longer, it all depends on how far the family is, and how it moves in search of food. 

After the tracking is done you may, if you so wish, do the Batwa experience and community guided tour. It is an extra option and not included. You can usually book this, once you are back from tracking, at the hotel where you are staying.

Day 4. Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park and game-drive in the Ishasha sector.

After breakfast you will leave Bwindi and drive via Kihihi to enter Queen Elizabeth National Park at the Ishasha sector in search of the tree-climbing lion. Chances of seeing them in a tree is about two out of three times, and if missed, there are so many other animals in this very nice area. The topi is not as easy to see in other places, same with the Giant Hog. 

After the game-drive the journey is continued until reaching the Katunguru area. The drive takes about an hour and a half and chances of seeing elephants and other animals along the way is quite good. You will reach your hotel in the afternoon. 

Day 5. Game-drive and boat-launch in Queen Elisabeth National Park

The program starts at day-break with a game-drive in the Kasenyi area where lion often are seen. The area also holds many other animals and birds, like, antelopes, buffalos, elephants, and so on. After a break at the Kasenyi salt crater you will drive towards the Mweya peninsula for lunch, a visit at the Field Study Centre and for the afternoon boat-launch on the Kazinga channel. This boat-launch is one of the highlights of most safaris as there are so many birds, hippo, crocodile, buffalos, often elephants and so many other things to see on the shore-line.

Day 6. Return journey - scenic drive

After breakfast leave for Kibale National Park. The drive passes near the Rwenzoris, the highest mountainrange in Africa with peaks of more than 5.000 metres above sea-level, and with glaciers. These peaks are usually hidden by clouds but may sometimes be seen. If the weather allows the journey will go through an explosion crater area which is very scenic, otherwise it is via Fort Portal. 

After lunch you will reach Kanyanchu Centre in the Kibale National Park for registration and briefing before setting off for the tracking. The tracking usually takes 2-3 hours after which time you will go to the hotel for resting and dinner. 

Day 7. Drive to Hoima/Masindi.

After breakfast you will start the journey via Fort Portal to Hoima for lunch. The drive is relatively long, sometimes on poor roads but it is scenic and there is a lot to watch. In this safari you may have the choice between staying in a hotel at Hoima or with a rural family inbetween Hoima and Masindi, near Kinyara Sugar Estate. The family is related to us and are well prepared to give you a nice welcome and educative visit that will give you memories for life. 

Day 8. Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast you will leave for Murchison Falls National Park stopping for lunch in Masindi. The first section is the Budongo Forest Reserve and then, after descending the escarpment and entering the savannah forest you will be in the real national park. The choice of accommodation will determine the arrival time but it will be later in the afternoon. 

Day 9. Morning game-drive, afternoon boat-launch on the Nile and hiking to top of the falls

You will leave early for a game-drive in the delta area, on the northern part of the Nile towards Lake Albert, where the open grassy, undulating landscape, teaming with wild animals and birds, will give you a memorable experience. There is going to be many antelopes, buffalos, giraffe, warthog, and you are likely to see many elephants, maybe a few lion and hopefully, a leopard, togheter with many birds and some primates. 

After lunch there is boat-launch on the Nile, starting at Paraa and ending at the Murchison Falls where you will disembark and hike a guided scenic walk to the top of the falls. From the boat you are likely to see many hippo, crocodile, Monitor lizard,  waterfowl including heron, kingfishers, geese, and so on. During the hike you will see the waterfalls from so many different angels. 

10. Return to Entebbe/Kampala via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

After breakfast you will leave for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola with arrival for lunch and then tracking. The tracking is done by foot with one or two parks rangers and although you will come close to the rhino safety is never jeopardized as the rangers are well experienced. 

When tracking is finished you will set of for Kampala/Entebbe reaching there by late afternoon or early evening and you will be dropped by your hotel.   


Included

  • Gorilla permit in Bwindi
  • Chimpanzee permit in Kibale
  • Parks entrance for two days in Queen Elizabeth
  • Parks entrance for one day in Lake Mburo
  • Parks entrance for two days in Murchison Falls
  • Tracking fee for Lake Mburo
  • Accommodation nine nights
  • Full board from dinner day 1 to lunch on day 10, including a non-alholic drink. 
  • All transport including driver and guide plus parks fees for driver and car. 
  • Boat and canoe hire for Lake Victoria and Mabamba Wetlands
  • Boat-launch on Kazinga Channel and the Nile
  • Hiking fee at Murchison Falls
  • Ranger in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls (if available)

Not included

  • Your own journey to and from Uganda, including visa
  • Personal equipment
  • Personal insurance
  • Drinks other than those included in meals
  • Tip to driver or where otherwise may be applicable
  • Porter, walking stick and other equipment while tracking




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