Our 14-day Uganda safari holiday is perfect deal for real wildlife experiences, cultural encounters and total relaxation in nature. There are also gorilla and chimpanzee treks, game drives and walking safaris in the savannah parks, bird watching (simple), boat cruises, and more over, the recommended accommodations/lodges are strategically located in the tranquil jungles to give you the ultimate feel of nature. Some of the places to visit include Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison falls national park, Kibale forest, Bigodi wetland, Mabamba wetland, Queen Elizabeth park, Lake Mburo zebra park, the stunning Lake Mutanda and the gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Karibu Uganda-The Pearl of Africa!
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by our Nyumbu Beyond Journeys and transferred to your hotel. Day at leisure, contact us should you have time for an optional guided day tour.
Set on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe is a small town that is easy to explore on foot or local boda bodas. Explore the markets, hunt for souvenirs or crafts, meander through the Botanical Gardens or relax with a boat cruise on Lake Victoria. You’ll find a wide variety of restaurants, bars and clubs where you can sample the local beer, catch a game of football and meet the friendly locals.
Day 2: Shoebill tracking in Mabamba Swamp & Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
You will enjoy an early breakfast, get your packed lunch, and set off for an exciting day in Mabamba Swamp where you will come face to face with the rare shoebill. The journey takes about an hour by road via Nakawuka – Kasanje. The wetland is home to a variety of bird species and birding will take you a whole day.
A canoe ride through the papyrus swamp will take you to the best spot to view the Shoebill bird among other rare African birds like the Malachite Kingfisher, Swamp Flycatchers, African Purple Swamphen, African Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Lesser Jacana, African Jacana, African Pygmy Goose, White-faced whistling duck, Squacco heron, Blue-breasted bee-eater, African Jacana and Saddle-billed stork among others.
Lunch. Then departure for the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Dinner and overnight in the Ziwa sanctuary.
Day 3: Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Visit to the top of the Falls
After breakfast, embark on the ultimate rhino tracking on a walking safari at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Here you will track the endangered white rhinos that have been reintroduced to the country after an absence of about 20 years. Continue to Murchison Falls Park, the largest well-protected wildlife area in Uganda, covering 3,840 km2 and home to an abundance of wildlife. Excursion to the top of the falls, a point that marks one of the wonders of the Nile. You will see the Nile snaking through a narrow gorge 7 meters long and over a kilometers wide and falling below with a thunderous roar, forming a spray of water flanked by a breathtaking rainbow.
Day 4: Game drives & Nile Delta Cruise
After breakfast we will have a morning game drive. Some of the animals we hope to see are giraffes, elephants, antelopes, buffalo, jackals, warthogs, lions and leopards, although this is not always guaranteed, as well as plenty of birds. Lunch in the park. In the afternoon, boat cruise on the Nile in search of the large crocodiles and hippos. Return to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at the lodge
Day 5: Transfer Game drive to Kibale National Park-Primate Capital of the World.
We will have a game drive in the morning. It is likely that we will see more animals and enjoy different scenarios in nature. This park is so big that one day is never enough. Lunch in the park. Then drive to Kibale Forest. Dinner and overnight at Turaco Treetops
Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking & Visit Bigodi Wetland
After breakfast, you proceed to Kanyanchu Park Headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking and jungle etiquette. Climb into the forest with your guides and rangers who will make the trek interesting and exciting with their passionate discussions about chimpanzees and the forest. Once you are close to them, you will have an hour to photograph them and observe their daily routine of grooming, playing and foraging. It is an amazing experience! Lunch and then in the evening, visit Bigodi Wetland for a walk in the swamps which lasts for about 2-3 hours. The walk involves interaction with the local communities who will give you an insight into their daily life. Within the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary are 8 species of primates, over 200 species of birds, various reptiles and different butterflies. After the walk, return to the lodge for some rest and dinner.
Day 7: Crater drive & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
A tasty breakfast will be served before departing from the lodge to drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive will be short but very scenic with captivating scenery: the crater lakes, lush green hills, waterways and the Rwenzori mountain ranges. You will take a short introductory drive through the park to your lodge. Lunch will be served after check-in and transfer to the jetty for a boat ride on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward, where you can spot several birds in the water, herds of buffalo and elephants moving up and down the water channel. Return to your lodge after a 2-hour cruise.
Day 8: Game drives & Sundowner Experience
Wake up to the sound of nature and breakfast before going up to the Kasenyi tracks to observe many animals and birds. The animals expected are buffalo, lions, elephants, various species of antelopes and many birds. Lunch at the lodge. Then departure for the visit of the crater lakes and enjoy the sundowner experience.
Day 9: Transfer game drive in Ishasha sector to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast we will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and rest at Bweza lodge in preparation for the next day. I will then tell you about the next day’s activity which is the highlight of our safari. Dinner and overnight at the lodge
Day 10: Mountain Gorilla tracking & Visit to the Batwa Pygmies Cultural Village.
This day is dedicated to the search for the endangered mountain gorillas. Wake up very early for breakfast and get ready for the trek. With your packed lunch, rain gear and drinking water, proceed to the park headquarters for the general briefing conducted by the chief ranger. Choose walking poles, hire a porter (not mandatory) and head up into the forest following your guide and the rangers who will lead you to the place where the gorillas were last seen the previous evening so that you can start observing them. This can take from 1 to several hours of walking through physically demanding terrain. Follow and photograph the gorillas for an hour after finding them. Depart the forest and transfer to the Kisoro – Lake Mutanda area where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Check in at the lodge and relax in the rest of the day.
Day 11: Golden Monkey Tracking
The Golden Monkey trek takes place in Mgahinga National Park, which is adjacent to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. So, it is literally the same landscape and the animal’s cross borders. The hike up this volcanic mountain is not very difficult, but it is worth it as it is home to many endangered birds. Return to the lodge for a canoe experience on Lake Mutanda. This is one of the few lakes in Uganda where you can swim and is free of crocodiles and bilharzia.
Day 12: Full day on the lake Shore
We leave you to relax and enjoy what you have seen throughout the safari in this small lodge peninsula with magnificent views of the volcanoes, a safe lake for swimming and excellent food.
Day 13: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, you will depart your lodge for Lake Mburo National Park. En route, you will stop at the Igongo Cultural Center for lunch and visit the Cultural Museum of the Ankole Kingdom, one of the Seven Pillar Kingdoms of Uganda. Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge and prepare for a night game drive in the park to try to spot the elusive leopard and other nocturnal species.
Day 14: Walking Safari & Depart off to Entebbe
Rise early for breakfast before joining your driver and rangers for a morning walk in Uganda’s smallest savannah park, Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo National Park is home to over 332 species of birds in an area of 371 km2. A number of animals live here, such as zebras, giraffes, impalas, warthogs, topis, water pigs, buffaloes and guinea pigs among others. Depart the park and drive to Mabamba. A short photo stop is planned to photograph the equator, after which we will have something to eat. Departure for Entebbe airport for your departure flight.