Day 1: Welcome to Uganda!

Day 2: To Murchison falls national park

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park

Day 4: To Kibale forest N.P.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Swamp Walk

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 7: Park Game Drive & Boat Safari

Day 8: Ishasha area and its tree-climbing lions

Day 9: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day 10: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Forest

Day 11: Lake Mburo National Park

Day 12: Bush walk, to Entebbe

Day 12: Entebbe

Day 1: Welcome to Uganda!

Your driver/guide will pick you up from Entebbe airport and transfers you to Via Via Guesthouse, only a 10 minute drive. This is where your Safari Hunters UG driver/ guide will find you tomorrow morning for the start of your tour after a good breakfast.

Depending on the time of your arrival, you might be able to explore the area. There are many options in Entebbe that can be easily organized before your arrival in Uganda. For example a visit to the Botanical gardens or the Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC). Please ask if you would like us to book any of these trips for you

Via Via Entebbe is a very cosy accommodation in Entebbe, only 10 minutes away from the airport. All the rooms are self-contained and have a private terrace overlooking the dazzling garden. Relax in one of the hammocks while the resident monkeys play around in the trees, you can bath in your hot-tub, enjoy a romantic sunset and sit aside the campfire at night. The restaurant serves you fresh and healthy food, spiced with world flavours for a well-balanced international and local menu. Via Via will give you a truly heart-warming experience that’s very hard to beat!

Day 2: To Murchison falls national park

Today you continue your journey to Murchison Falls National Park one of the oldest conservation areas in Uganda. This is a long but rewarding journey through various landscapes of Northern Uganda.

Murchison Falls national park is Uganda’s best-known and biggest nature reserve. With the impressive and powerful Murchison waterfall and its remarkable animal populations, this is a must visit in the Pearl of Africa. There are superb activities on offer such as a boat safari or Delta safari on the Nile. The river divides the park between a Northern and Southern section as it makes its way through multiple rapids and waterfalls to Lake Albert. Unfortunately, during the war years poachers and troops wiped out the majority of wildlife. Except for the park’s rhino population, fortunately all other wildlife has recovered fast since. A game drive in the park allows you to be eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom and you will be amazed by the amount of elephants. Also giraffes, lions, antelope, waterbucks, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles can all be spotted. Game drives take place on the tracks in the northern section which you reach by taking a ferry across the river. This park guarantees adventure!

Your accommodation for the coming two nights is at Murchison River Lodge. This lodge has been built on the edge of the mighty River Nile overlooking pods of hippos and stunning Murchison Falls National Park. Here you can expect ultimate comfort and relaxation in en-suite safari tents in a beautiful bush-location. Enjoy the swimming pool and the great hospitality! If you have binoculars, bring them! The bird life is incredible. The main lodge area provides a bar and restaurant and sits on a raised bank providing magical panoramic views of the magical River Nile as well as the park. You know that you are really in the bush having a guide leading you back to your safari tent after dinner because of the active wildlife at night.

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park

After an early breakfast, it is time to explore the park. On your Game Drives you of course need a fair share of luck and very good eyes to try and spot as many animals as possible. While driving through the park you can come eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom. Hopefully you see them all; elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. They are all there! The park is especially known for its massive elephant population, huge array of bird species and big herds of buffalo. You will discover some of the parks ecosystems and different scenery with dense woodland, extensive savannahs and rolling grasslands. As this is a private game drive you can ask your guide to tailor your trip towards specific birdlife and/or wildlife if you like.

The afternoon boat safari towards the Murchison Falls is a very special activity; it takes approximately 3 hours and goes along the Victoria Nile to the base of the Falls. You can imagine; this boat safari will show you breath-taking scenery. Cold drinks are for sale on board for when you get thirsty for a local beer or a soda. Carefully watched by crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys and all the other (also thirsty) wildlife that the Nile attracts you go to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls. If you like hiking, the boat can drop you near the waterfalls and you can hike up to the top (this takes around 1 or 1,5 hours). The views are amazing!

Optional activity: Rhino Tracking

At the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary you will go for a safari hike to the rhinos together with an experienced ranger. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the endangered rhinos from up close! These magnificent creatures are hard to find in their natural habitat nowadays. This sanctuary provides the rhinos with 7000 hectares of land. Both Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls National Parks once had both black and white rhinos.  However widespread poaching during the Idi Amin era resulted in the disappearance of rhinos in Uganda. Rhino Fund Uganda works to reintroduce black and white rhinos into the wild in Uganda and therefore they run a breeding program. Besides this, this also work to educate communities on endangered rhinos. While at the sanctuary you may also encounter a range of other wildlife species including Uganda kobs, oribi, bush bucks, water bucks among others and a number of other bird species.

This activity is optional at an additional cost of $60 us dollar per person

Optional activity: Chimp tracking Budongo forest

Budongo Forest is located in the southern part of Murchison Falls National Park. This is the biggest Mahogany forest found in the whole of East Africa as well as habitat to the largest number of chimpanzees in Uganda. The habituated groups are located in Kaniyo Padibi, where you can go for chimpanzee trekking. Budongo Forest has an incredible biodiversity that – beside the chimpanzee – includes several other species like the Blue monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys and Olive baboons.

This activity is optional at an additional cost of $110 us dollar per person.

Day 4: To Kibale forest N.P.

Today, you will undertake the journey to green Kibale Forest. The drive is incredibly scenic, passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda. On arrival at the forest, you will enter a completely different world… some serious monkey business!

Kibale forest national park lies just outside the colonial town of Fort Portal and is made up of dense tropical rainforest. This park is considered one of the big highlights of Uganda due to some serious monkey business going on here. A big number of primates residing can be found here and particularly a visit to one of the habituated chimpanzee groups is a very memorable experience. The rare red colobus as well as the black and white colobus, red tailed monkey, olive baboon, the blue Monkey and l’hoest’s monkeys are also regularly seen here. Where would you find a better spot to experience encounters with nature; smelling the forest and listening to the many sounds. Your safari tent or cottage is surrounded by lush green diversity filled with countless bird species and butterflies.

Your accommodation for the coming two nights is at Crater Safari Lodge. Just a few minutes away from the lush green tropical rain forest of Kibale Forest National Park, Crater Safari Lodge offers incomparable luxury, breath-taking scenery and outstanding opportunities to observe the unique wildlife.

On the banks of the Nyinabulitwa Crater Lake, Crater Safari Lodge blends perfectly with its surrounding landscape.It places safari-goers in prime position to explore Kibale National Park. Making its home on the edge of Nyinabulitwa Crater Lake, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale is just a short drive away from Crater Safari Lodge.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Swamp Walk

Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes making them our closest living relatives. They are found in 21 countries throughout Africa, but are most easily sighted in Uganda due to their dense populations. Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild. The Chimpanzee trekking experience here is done on several well maintained walking trails. There is also a wonderfully diverse concentration of other primates, more than any other forest in East Africa, in fact. Besides our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees, you can find red colobus, red-tailed guenon, white-nosed monkey, gray-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey. In addition, you may see olive baboons, bush babies and nocturnal pottos.

The aim for your trekking through the jungle under the care of professional guide, is 1 hour of eye to eye contact with the chimpanzees. We however cannot guarantee 100% for you to see them as they are still wild animals, nevertheless your chances are extremely good.

Your next activity will take you to the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary which features 8 primate species, over 200 bird species and many reptiles. During the walk – which takes 2 to 3 hours – you have a chance to many animals but the highlight is catching a glimpse of a famous bird; the Great Blue Turaco. The sanctuary is operated by KAFRED, a registered community based organization. The income from the walk is used for community development projects such as schools and hospitals.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Scenic Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in south western Uganda and is most often included in visitors’ itineraries. It is the second largest park in the country and located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, next to Lake Edward and Lake George which are joined by the Kazinga channel. Few reserves in the world have such a high biodiversity with landscapes including savannah, bushland, wetlands and lush forests. On your first game drive, it is time to explore the Queen Elizabeth National Park with her 200 kilometers of well-maintained game viewing tracks. We advise for you to be alert and pro-active on your game drive to help the ranger spot as many animals as possible.

Your accommodation for the coming two nights is at Marafiki Safari Lodge. Marafiki Safari Lodge is set in a unique location and has been designed using local materials fitted by artisans from the local community. This lodge offers private safari tents on raised wooden floors with canvas walls, which can be rolled up. You can sit comfortably when watching the savannah plains with breath taking views across the park, the Rwenzori- and Virunga Mountains. With an en-suit open-air shower, you can experience an African sunrise properly or shower in the moonlight under the stars. Enjoy your delicious meals (made with fresh and local produce) on the restaurant veranda or next to the campfire. There is a new swimming pool which really invites for a refreshing dip in between game drives on a sunny day in this beautiful setting.

Day 7: Park Game Drive & Boat Safari

After an early breakfast, you go for a long game drive in time to see the sun rise. The morning is the best time for a game drive as the African animal kingdom tends to me most active when during the golden hours of the first sunlight touching the savannah. You will continue the search for all the wildlife; elephant, buffalo, lion, waterbuck, leopard, Uganda kob, warthog and do not forget about the birds and the primates.

 After lunch, you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine), as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see: Buffalo, Crocodile, bathing Elephant, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. After the boat-safari you game drive back to the lodge.

Day 8: Ishasha area and its tree-climbing lions

You will drive about 2,5 hours to the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This part is famous for its’ tree-climbing lions. While lion cubs around the world frequently climb trees for fun, adults rarely do. However, these lionesses enjoy spending the hot afternoons snoozing in fig trees to get away from the tsetse flies and to enjoy a cool breeze. This is the most memorable sight in the park as you have never seen such photogenic lions posing for your camera before. During a game drive you will try your luck! Meanwhile don’t miss the stunning scenery and superb birdlife in this southern remote section of the park either.

Enjojo lodge is bordering the Ishasha sector of Queen Elisabeth National Park. Birdlife is amazing and herds of elephants, buffaloes and antelopes are regularly spotted. Vervet monkeys, baboons, black- and white colobus have become residents to the lodge. From the grass-thatched restaurant and bar you can enjoy the tasty homemade food and the view on a small scenic natural lake in front of you. The thatched cottages at have an en-suite bathroom and an outdoor shower. On the wide verandas you can really take a moment to enjoy the tranquil environment overlooking the surrounding bush and savanna.

Day 9: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today you drive to Kisoro in the south-western part of Uganda; close to the borders with Rwanda and Congo. You cross a beautiful part of the country often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’. You will see a great country-side, bamboo forest and have great views over the Virunga Mountains. For lunch you will stop at a local restaurant on the road for a taste of the real Ugandan cuisine.

Your accommodation for the coming two nights is at Gorilla Safari Lodge. Gorilla Safari Lodge provides the ideal base for outstanding gorilla trekking opportunities. The lodge focuses on top quality service, good food and comfortable accommodation. It is a relaxed and luxurious lodge on the boundary line of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest(Just next to the starting point of trekking the gorillas). The well-appointed cottages all have solar-powered lighting, en-suite bathroom with hot and cold water and flush toilets and individual verandahs offering excellent views of the unspoiled tropical rainforest. There is also the spa where you can have a massage after the tiresome gorilla trekking/habituation experience. The main lodge includes a restaurant, bar, lounge and campfire area overlooking the forest.

Day 10: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Forest

Today is the big day… Prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare Mountain Gorilla. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a highlight for many visitors as this is where they will be visiting the home of the gentle giants. The park lies in south-western Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests lies on the mist-covered hillsides. This magnificent forest dates back over 25,000 years, even surviving the last Ice Age (most forests disappeared). Bwindi forest has an incredible diversity of flora and fauna and is the only forest in Africa which can make claim to host both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. In fact, half the worlds’ population of gorillas live here divided over nine habituated family groups. Also 5 other primate species, 120 species of mammal, over 220 butterflies and 360 birds species call Bwindi home. This it THE place to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas up close for your very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ moment.

The gorillas you will trek belong to one of nine family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day. Your trek will be an exciting (for some also challenging) journey along forested (sometimes slippery) slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gentle giants. En-route, your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity. Think of dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The time to complete the gorilla trekking can be as little as 2 hours to as much as 7 hours! Once the the family of gorillas has been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour observing them. Coming face-to-face with the mountain gorillas is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic part of your tour you will definitely remember for the rest of your life.

Day 11: Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo is a small national Park (on the route from Bwindi National Park back to Entebbe) but should certainly not be underestimated. This is the only place in southern Uganda to see zebras and the only park in the country with impalas, slender mongoose and giant bush rats. You can also look for hyenas, leopards, topis, elands and the beautiful Rothschild’s giraffes, not to mention the lake itself which is teeming with hippos and crocodiles!. There are a lot of wonderful activities on offer, such as horse-riding, bush walks, boat safari on the lake and a mountain bike safari. It is exciting to approach the wildlife at such close range, especially combining the fresh air with the beautiful scenery of Lake Mburo National Park.

Rwakobo Rock is the ultimate place to breath in the essence of wild Uganda. This lodge’s aim it to ensure responsible tourism in every way. The secluded and peaceful retreat has spacious private cottages which are strategically placed around the hill to ensure a magical sunset view. The cottages celebrate the natural lines of surrounding wilderness, providing comfort and luxury in an eco-friendly way. The zebras, warthogs, impalas and bushbucks often gather around the lodge to drink water beneath the dining area. At night you can sit at the campfire while enjoying the beautiful starlit sky or hang around in the restaurant with an dining area overlooking an expanse of rock that borders the park. It does not get more ‘Africa’ than this..

Day 12: Bush walk, to Entebbe

Lake Mburo N.P. is one of the two parks in Uganda where it is permitted to go for a safari walk with an experienced ranger. Footprints and animal droppings tell which animal has been here and how long ago. It is exciting to approach the wildlife at such close range. This activity is included this morning.

If you prefer to explore Lake Mburo by mountain bike instead of walking, you can choose to upgrade this activity. It’s very exciting to make a safari by mountain bike. Get active and get close to zebra, gazelle, Eland and sometimes even giraffe!

After your activity you will get back to the lodge (between 9 and 10 am). From here you will have breakfast and then time has come to head back to Kampala or Entebbe (Airport). Of course you stop at the equator, the best place for your souvenir shopping.

Your driver/guide will take you to your accommodation in Kampala/Entebbe or to Entebbe Airport (this is only possible if your departure flight leaves at 8 pm or later). Accommodation for tonight is not inclusive in the itinerary. In case you wish us to include one (or more) nights in Kampala and/or Entebbe, please let us know.

INCLUDES

• Gorilla permit
• Accommodation
• All meals
• Chimpanzee permit
• Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
• Guides & Park fees

EXCLUDES

• International flight ticket
• Tourist Insurance
• Beverages