Explore the pearl of Africa starting from lake Victoria up to the primate capital, have the descent nature walks, track the gorillas and chimps, have fun at the equator points, feel and see the green side of the country as you drive the highlands of Bwindi. Sum up the trip as you interact with the people and say farewell to Uganda as we escort them to the airport.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Karibu! & Shoebill Tracking – Optional Kampala City Tour
You will be picked up from the airport by our driver, check in to your hotel freshen up, and have a briefing later go to Mabamba swamp for the elusive shoe bill stork. The activity takes about 2-4 hours while on a local engine boat with an experienced local guide. Having enjoyed the whale’s head, the swamp also harbors several bird species like the papyrus Gonolek, lots of migrants from Asia and Europe, a blessing for bird lovers.
Day 2:Transfer to Lake Mburo National park for an evening Game drive
Have a morning breakfast, and embark on your journey to the west via the vast landscapes of central Uganda, with a brief equator stop in Kayabwe for photo and video moments. Push further west and witness different terrain and plantations of animals like the unique ankole long-horned cattle; arrive at lunchtime at the lodge. The lodge is strategically located on a rock outcrop at the northern border of the park with a beautiful view of the wilderness. After the sumptuous meal, go for an evening game drive, with a chance to see leopards, rare elands, zebras, topis impalas, and lots of bird species. The park has several options like a nature walk and a boat cruise, to enhance your experience.
Day 3:Morning nature walk and Transfer to Bwindi gorilla park
Have an early nature walk or brief game drive and then proceed to the magical land of Bwindi. enjoy the cascading landscapes, and pure green vegetation with endless tea plantations, via the cool, breathe the Bwindi itself. The lodge that you will have your two nights is just meters from Bwindi forest, pleasing and enriched with local women making crafts as empowerment for steady progress in the community.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Bwindi Forest
Wake up early enough have a morning meal, then go for the long waited activity. The gorilla trekking usually starts at 8:00 am when you are assigned a gorilla group, with other 7-8 trekkers. Your journey is esteemed by two armed rangers and one lead guide for safety in the wilderness since the forest has forest elephants and other mammals. The forest requires good hiking shoes, rain jackets, waterproof backpacks, long trousers, insect repellents, and gloves. The trek can be short, medium, or long and that’s 40 minutes to 8 hours. While viewing mountain gorillas, you will be allowed only 60 minutes to enable the jungle bosses to have their own privacy. Viewing is at 10 meters as you are putting on your masks. Depending on what time you come out of the jungle you can have a community walk, guided by the locals, as you get to know the Batwa who once lived in the Bwindi forest.
Day 5:Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
Wake up lazily and have your breakfast, later on, have a farewell to the classic Bwindi forest and head to the vast savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth national park. The drive takes about 4 hours but you will have a brief game drive in the southern sector of the park Ishasha, in search of the tree-climbing lions. Ishasha sector is just a stone’s throw away from the Congo border, this gives a chance to spot the massive migrants from the Congo basin like the humongous savannah elephants, leopards, and many others. On your way to the north, you can have a chance to visit the Kasenyi landing site on lake Edward and see how the fishermen live and spend their time, with a chance to meet the forest elephants of the Maramagambo amidst queen Elizabeth national park and more wildlife and birds such vultures and much more.
Day 6: Experiential guided game drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
On this day, after your breakfast, you will head to the northern section of the park “Kasenyi planes” where you will interface with the predators under the guidance of a ranger guide and researchers who drive around the park with radiation trackers which will help them to find lions that have radio collars placed around the neck.
Lion tracking experience takes about 3 hours and later on, you will continue with a morning game drive. After lunch, head to Mweya peninsular at Kazinga channel for a boat cruise.
A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel will offer you one of the greatest wildlife experiences. Prepare to see countless hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, water birds and many of the other park animals.
The boat will go for a 2-hour on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. After the boat trip, you can proceed for a late afternoon game drive or return to the lodge.
You will also have beautiful sunset views while resting at your accommodation.
Day 7:Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park
On this day, you will raise up early in the morning and start with an early morning breakfast then later go a head with a transfer to the Kibale national park. As the tag line reads Kibale is a primate capital of the world with 13 primate species chimps being the key target.
Following your ranger guide, you’ll begin the trek through the forest, listening and watching for signs of the chimpanzees. The tracking experience can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the chimps’ movements. Once located, you will spend an unforgettable hour observing these intelligent and social creatures in their natural environment. Afterward, you’ll exit the jungle and receive a symbolic graduation.
In the afternoon, immerse yourself in a rich cultural experience with community visits. Explore local coffee gardens, meet the “banana man” and learn how traditional Ugandan banana brew is made, try your hand at basket weaving, and engage in other authentic cultural activities.
Day 8:Transfer From Kibale National Park to Entebbe International Airport
Enjoy your last adventure breakfast and drive through the gorgeous fort portal city just at the fringes of the Rwenzori mountains to Entebbe through the capital of entertainment Kampala. Time at leisure at the airport until your flight out, or extend your trip.