This Uganda Safaris is a 3-week + round exploration touches all corners of Uganda –the pearl of Africa, a perfect option for activate your travel spirit. Start your expedition in the lush and calm Entebbe city, visit Mabamba Wetland to search for shoebill storks, explore Uganda’s finest big game destinations: Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park.
Look out for your favorite primates in the wild including chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Activate your adrenaline spirit on whitewater rafting at the Source of the Nile in Jinja and hike to the Sipi Falls while in Kapchorwa.
Safari Highlights
Arrival
A warm welcome to the Pearl of Africa by Big Apes Africa Safaris representative and this will be on your day one when you land in at the Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Get enlightened about your special 25 days Uganda Safaris travel, leave the airport for your short Entebbe city excursion. This includes visiting the verdant Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Uganda Reptile village and nearby historical sites. Following your city excursion, check in at the pre-booked accommodation for refreshments, dinner and overnight stay.
A hefty breakfast to be served early morning and after, set off for birding expedition in the nearby Mabamba wetland on the shores of Lake Victoria, the world’s 2nd largest freshwater body. On a traditional boat and your guide, search for the elusive shoebill storks, plus several other bird species including the malachite kingfishers, African pied wagtails, African fish eagles, purple heron, Red billed fire-finch, white faced whistling duck, white winged terns, long toed lapwings, and more.
Early in the morning, embark on a 2-3 hour road trip to Jinja of your Uganda Safaris through Mukono-Mabira Forest. First, you will have a stopover at Ssezibwa Falls and en-route to Jinja; you may grab some roasted chicken and banana –Gonjja. Arrive at Jinja early, transfer to your hotel for lunch and relaxation. Exit your respective accommodation ready for a memorable Nile sunset boat cruise on the scenic Nile River which comes with some refreshing drinks.
Dubbed the adrenaline adventure capital, Jinja is the perfect place to spark your adventure spirit. Today, you will be part of half-day whitewater rafting experience on the Source of the Nile. Experience, conquer the most challenging Grades -4 & 5 and have true feel of adrenaline adventure. Return and you will have lunch, relax a little then proceed to the Sipi Falls, Kapchorwa District in the Eastern side of Uganda a tailored destination for the Uganda Safaris.
A delicious breakfast in the morning and you will embark on a guided hike to the triple Sipi Falls. The morning Sipi Falls hike will last for 4-5 hours and allows you to enjoy view of lush coffee plantations, local homesteads and other beautiful surrounding areas. Return and early lunch will be offered, then continue to Kidepo Valley National Park in the extreme Northeastern part of the country.
Rise early in high spirit of starting your remarkable game viewing in Kidepo National Park. You will have a combined morning and evening game drive in Uganda’s 3rd biggest wildlife park for Uganda Safaris. This involves exploring the Narus Valley with possible sights to enjoy ranging from zebras, cheetahs, leopards, lions, buffaloes, elephants, antelope families, warthogs and myriad of bird species.
A hearty breakfast early morning and check out fully prepared for your 7 hours’ drive Uganda Safaris trip to Murchison Falls National Park. It will be a scenic in the countryside featuring beautiful homesteads and plantations plus en-route lunch to be enjoyed en-route. Arrive early and check in your lodge, relax, dine and retire for the night.
A rewarding game drive will be enjoyed starting in the morning through the Northern game tracks of Murchison Falls National Park. The 3-4 hours’ game drive presents amazing opportunity for you to search for wildlife species such as elephants, the Rothschild giraffes, warthogs, cape buffaloes, lions, leopards, and birds.
After, you will return to have lunch at leisure in the lodge. Exit the lodge once again for a boat or launch cruise excursion. This will be done on the Source of the Nile River where you will have higher chances of spotting the Nile crocodiles, hippos, and aquatic species of birds.
You will check out of your lodge and begin your day with a visit to the Murchison Falls. Have a close view of this natural wonder as it forces itself into a 7-8m narrow rock forming a permanent rainbow and powerful roar. You will have enough time to take pictures and later, begin your journey to Western Uganda –visit Kibale National Park.
Drive via Hoima –Fort Portal while viewing different beautiful homesteads, the vast tea farms and enjoy the spectacular view of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges on arrival at Fort Portal city. You will also enjoy lunch in one of the best restaurants in Fort Portal city and continue to Kibale National Park.
After breakfast, you will gather at Kanyanchu for verification and later, join others for briefing about chimpanzee tracking regulations. The park guides will be allocated and each will lead a group of 6 visitors on actual search for chimpanzee community. This primate adventure will run from 2-4 hours inclusive of one hour of observing chimps feed, play, bond and also take photos. Begin walking back after taking pictures of chimps, relax at the lodge till afternoon when you will embark on a guided nature walk in Bigodi wetland. At Bigodi, lots of primates including red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys plus birds will be spotted.
After a hot cup of tea/coffee, you will be picked up and transfer to Semuliki National Park. The 4-5 hours’ drive comes with a beautiful view of countryside landscape; arrive early to check in at your lodge. At Semuliki, you will interest yourself in a guided night game drive for you search for nocturnal species including hyenas, nightjar birds and mongoose.
Embark on a long-day birding excursion through Kirumia trail. Along this trail, you will be spotting diversity of bird species in Semuliki National Park and include the spot-breasted ibis, white-bellied kingfishers, long-tailed hawks, Nkulengu rail, Congo serpent eagle, black-collared lovebird, black-winged oriole, fiery breasted bush-shrike, lemon-bellied crombec, white-throated blue swallow, Northern red-chested owlet, white thighed hornbills and more. In the afternoon, you will be visiting the female and male Sempaya hot springs which concludes your day excursion in Semuliki National Park.
Prepare early for your connecting road trip from Semuliki NP to the sweeping plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is a 4 hour drive journey and on arrival, check in at your lodges for relaxation, lunch then you may go for afternoon game drive.
A game drive in the morning involves exploring the Kasenyi plains 2-3 hours and you will be spotting diversity of wildlife species. This Uganda Safaris game track lets you encounter plenty of elephant herds, cape buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs, and birds. You will return and lunch to be enjoyed at leisure till in the afternoon when you will transfer to Kazinga channel for a boat cruise.
Leave early in the morning for Maramagambo Forest, a rich natural rainforest with bird species. The expected avifaunal species to look out for include the Nubian woodpeckers, brown illadopsis, Cameroon sombre greenbul, white fronted black chat, penduline tits, shining blue kingfishers, grey greenbul, cardinal woodpeckers, whinchat and others.
After breakfast, start your 4-5 hours’ drive trip to Buhoma sector driving via Ishasha sector. At Ishasha, keep eyes on the tree climbing lions and other special species then settle for bush lunch before crossing to Buhoma region, the Northern sector of Bwindi.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast and after, report to Buhoma for verification, briefing and allocation of gorilla families. Start your trek through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to see mountain gorillas as early as 8:00am. This will go for 2-6 hours with an experienced guide leading you through.
Once you have come across a family of mountain gorillas in Buhoma sector, you have a maximum of one hour to enjoy up close and personal with these large apes. Begin walking back to the lodge for relaxation till late afternoon when you will embark on a guided Batwa cultural experience.
At leisure, enjoy your breakfast and after, begin your road trip to Mgahinga National Park. Get to the park early and late in the afternoon, you will embark on a boat ride on Lake Mutanda. Return to your respective accommodation for relaxation, dinner and a night stay.
After breakfast, set off for a guided trek to the summit of Mount Gahinga (3474m)–a small pile of stones. Spend about 5 to 7 hours’ hiking through the scenic vegetation zones, especially the bamboo, giant lobelia, and at the summits enjoy the spectacular surrounding.
Gather at Ntebeko reception for briefing about golden monkey tracking regulations and other safety measures. Today, you will be assigned to park guide to lead you on a search for golden monkeys and this primate adventure will run for 2-4 hours inclusive of one hour for a close encounter. Have a relaxed evening, refreshment and retire for a night in the pre-booked lodges.
Leave Mgahinga National Park for Lake Mburo National Park in Kiruhura. You will be viewing the stunning Kigezi hills, extensive banana farms and en-route, enjoy lunch. Arrive at Lake Mburo NP early and check in at the lodge you booked early.
A tasty breakfast in the morning and after, you will embark on a 2-3 hours game drive excursion. This includes sighting wildlife such as buffaloes, zebras, impalas, oribis, topis, Kobs, reedbucks, waterbucks, and birds. After, drive back and lunch will be offered to you. In the afternoon, set off on a boat cruise on Lake Mburo –this comes with not only sights of hippos, crocodiles and birds but also plenty of photography opportunities.
A delicious breakfast and after, be part of the exciting cycling excursion through Lake Mburo National Park. You will be spotting your favorite wildlife on your bicycle including antelopes, and return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will be engaging in a guided walking tour in the nearby areas, sight many birds, small mammal species and a lot more in this Uganda Safaris game park.
Enjoy a hefty breakfast and after, you will have your luggage packed ready for return trip to Entebbe. Drive through the Mbarara-Masaka-Kampala-Entebbe route which comes with a chance for you to make a stopover at the Equator crossing.
End of safari
