From the zebra filled plains of Lake Mburo to the Virungas and the incredible culture encounters with the Batwa (Pigmy tribe), this 20-day adventure explores most of Uganda’s popular destinations and offers the ultimate experience of Uganda’s immense natural beauty and diversity. Explore the eastern and the southwestern regions of the country.
Encounter the lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant and leopard in the savanna plains, get close to mountain gorillas in the thick rain-forest of Bwindi, observe plenty of primates including chimpanzees in Kibale forest, enjoy the scenery of the Albertine Rift valley, the island dotted Lakes Mutanda and Bunyonyi, the warm and unbeatable weather with the beautiful sounds and calls of Uganda’s colorful birds, and also cross the Equator.
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Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda, a country of stunning green vegetation, deep lakes, gentle slopping mountains and rich biodiversity. Our representative shall receive you and drive you to your accommodation for refreshment and resting. He will also brief you about the trip.
Optional: You may decide to do a city tour around Entebbe or visit the Mabamba Swamp for a birding experience
After breakfast, start the journey to the southwestern part of the country.
The drive is about 3-4 hours from Kampala to the park with the first stopover being at the Equator line in kayabwe for a photo moment break, and a break for a cup of Ugandan coffee. After the break, you will then continue with the journey to the park for hot lunch and relaxation.
Later in the afternoon, you may decide to go birding or do a night game drive, or a guided nature walk in the national park. Please note that it is predator free.
Have early breakfast and setout for a game drive at 6:30 am in the park. Encounter with nocturnal mammals and early risers. Expect to see elands, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, impalas, waterbucks and herds of cattle as they all graze on fresh vegetation early in the morning.
This afternoon, do a boat cruise on Lake Mburo where you will see the crocodiles, hippos, and a number of water birds. Return to lodge for dinner and overnight.
Included: Morning game drive, afternoon boat cruise
From Lake Mburo, take the road trip to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The drive takes you to the beautiful highlands of Kigezi. Arriving in the evening you check into a booked lodge
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is famous for the mountain gorillas and its three volcanoes; Muhabura, Sabinyo and Gahinga that are ideal for hiking. This is the only place in Uganda where you can see the golden monkeys and it is for this reason that it is given the signature “where gold meets silver”.
Have a picnic lunch in the rolling hills of south western Uganda before proceeding to Kisoro town and to your accommodation for relaxation.
Have breakfast early and drive to the park headquarters for briefing before setting off for the day’s adventure.
The hike takes about eight hours depending on your physical strength and speed. We highly recommend packing plenty of drinking water as well as warm clothing and rain gear because it can rain anytime of the day during the hike.
More about the Virungas: There are three volcanoes, each with its uniqueness; Sabinyo is the most challenging of the three but it gives you a chance to be in three countries (Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo) at once and can be hiked only via the Uganda side. Muhabura is the tallest and has a crater lake on top whereas Mount Gahinga has a swap.
Included: Climb Mount Muhabura
After breakfast, drive to the scenic Lake Bunyonyi which is the deepest lake in Uganda and very beautiful with 29 islands on it.
You will spend the day on the lake and take activities like a boat cruise to visit the islands, relax and take a swim on the crocodile free lake.
Depart from Lake Bunyonyi to Buhoma, a gorilla tracking sector of the magnificent Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home of the mountain gorillas. The impenetrable forest of Bwindi is rich in both primate and birdlife as well as plants.
Bwindi Forest is surrounded by very happy and welcoming people who will keep you entertained by the local residents with cultural dances and songs.
After an early breakfast and briefing from the guides of Uganda Wildlife Authority, set off for the gorilla tracking in the tropical rain forest of Bwindi. The activity starts at 8.00am and you join the other members according to the distribution of the gorilla families, only eight visitors per family each day.
We advise you to carry snacks, enough drinking water, rain jacket in case of rain and trekking boots a walking stick. If you are not sure of your fitness you might hire a porter and pay him a tip to help you carrying the bag. It is unpredictable how long will take to find the primates as they freely move into the forest.
However the encounter with the gorillas, lasting for about one hour, certainly is a rewarding experience and an unforgettable one. After the trekking you go back to the lodge at leisure.
Dinner and Overnight and dinner at the lodge.
Included: Gorilla tracking
Optional: Batwa cultural walk, community walk, nature walk
Today you will encounter with the Batwa one of the oldest and indigenous tribe, also the first occupants of the impenetrable rain forest of Bwindi and Echuya.
Originally known as “the keepers of the forest” that survived gathering fruits and hunting in the forest, the batwa lived in harmony with the forest and its inhibitors including the mountain gorillas. They lived in huts made from tree leaves and branches. Like the mountain gorillas, they moved from place to place for fresh food and environment.
A moment with them will enable you to learn their live style and their special story telling skills will leave you in awe.
Included: Batwa Experience
Leave the Bwindi Forest foothills and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You take a slow drive through the Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park then continue and spend the night in the northern sector.
Elizabeth National Park boasts the highest bio-diversity ratings with a variety of ecosystems such as lakes, forests, savannah grasslands, and wetlands.
Included: Tree-climbing lions
Have breakfast and go for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and beyond. Expect to see lions, elephants, buffalos, antelopes, warthogs, and several bird species. Return to the lodge for lunch.
This afternoon, go for a 2-hour boat cruise on the hippo concentrated Kazinga Channel connecting Lake George to Lake Edward. Do a short sunset game drive enroute to hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Included: Game drive, Kazinga Channel boat cruise
After having your breakfast, you will check out and drive to Kibale National Park through Fort Portal where you will make a stop for a lunch break and also have a tour around the beautiful city.
Visit the Tooro Kingdom Palace, and some other historical sites in the Kingdom. Proceed to the Top of the World for a perfect look of the crater lakes after which you will continue the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Included: Fort Portal tour
Rise early this morning for the start of your chimpanzee trek. Barks of baboons occasionally overflow the forest’s silence as you make your way along the trail.
This afternoon, go for a rewarding nature walk in the Bigodi swamp. During the walk, you will have an encounter with several monkey species, birds, reptiles and plants. The swamp is also known to have a number of butterfly species.
Included: Chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi Swamp walk
Check out and drive to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive takes you birding along the way arriving in the evening. You arrive in time of check in and dinner at a booked accommodation in Murchison Falls.
You will visit the top of the falls depending on the location of your accommodation and the time of arrival in the park.
Have breakfast and get ready for a morning game drive to encounter with the early risers such as the lions, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, antelopes, waterbucks, warthogs, jackals and birds.
Return to the lodge, refresh and have lunch as you prepare for the 2-3 hours boat trip to the bottom of the Murchison waterfalls this afternoon spotting crocodiles, hippos, elephants, buffalos and several birds along the banks of the Victoria Nile. Visit the top of the falls and then return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Included: Game drive, afternoon boat cruise, visit to the top of the falls
After an early morning breakfast, you will go for a 4 – 5 hours boat trip to the Nile Delta famed for its high concentration of game and best sighting for the shoebill stork in Murchison Falls National Park. During this boat trip you will enjoy views of elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, lions and plenty of bird species.
You may choose to have a relaxed afternoon at the lodge or do an evening game drive to seal your Murchison Falls National Park Visit.
Included: Delta boat, Optional: Evening game drive
After breakfast, you will check out and drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only protected area in Uganda where you can track the rhinos in the wild. Rhinos are members of the Big Five wild animals of Africa.
After the tracking, you will embark on your journey to the Eastern region of Uganda and you will spend your night in Jinja.
Included: Rhino tracking
After early breakfast, you will have a boat trip to the source of the Nile.
You can also decide to do white water rafting, tubing, kayaking, or any other activity of your choice.
Included: source of the Nile
Have your breakfast and drive to Kampala with a stopover in Mabira forest for a visit to Ssezibwa falls.
Proceed with your journey to the Namugongo Martyrs shrine, the Bahai temple, the city center and the famous hills of Kampala.
After proceed to your accommodation for diner and relaxation.
Included: City tour
Depending on your departure time, you can either have a tour around Entebbe or visit the craft market for gifts and souvenirs to take back home and later transfer to the airport for your outbound flight.
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Our team of tours and safari experts is always ready and to serve you on whatever your budget is, your group size, number of days you want to stay, your preferred gorilla adventure
We strongly advise you to book your gorilla tours at least three (3) to six (6) months before your arrival date. Kindly note that gorilla permits have limited availability, and can be fully booked in a short period of time.
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Note: This information is subject to change! Always consult the Rwandan embassy in your country if you are not sure.
Planning a safari in Uganda or Rwanda can be an exciting experience, but it’s essential to ensure that you pack all the necessary items for a comfortable trip. Here’s a list of items you need to pack:
Clothing – The weather can be unpredictable, so bring lightweight and breathable clothing that can be layered. Long-sleeved shirts and pants are great for protection against mosquitoes, while waterproof jackets are crucial for rainy seasons.
Footwear – Comfortable and sturdy hiking boots are ideal for walking on the rough and uneven terrain. Open-toe shoes and sandals are not recommended.
Sun Protection – Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen with a high SPF rating to protect from the intense sun while on safari.
Insect Repellent – Mosquitoes and other insects are present throughout the parks, so carry a potent insect repellent.
Binoculars – A good pair of binoculars will help you spot wildlife from a distance and enhance your overall safari experience.
Camera – A camera or a smartphone with a great camera will allow you to capture memorable experiences while on safari.
Medications – Don’t forget to carry a personal first aid kit with essentials such as pain relievers, antihistamines, and anti-diarrhea medicine.
Finally, pack light as some of the safari lodges or accommodations have luggage weight restrictions. Plan accordingly to avoid any surprises and make the most of your adventurous journey.