12 Day Gorilla, Chimp, birding and wildlife safari
USD $3,850.00pp
Day 1
Murchison Falls National Park
Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Your Ugandan safari starts here and now. With all of the incredible wildlife that this country has to offer, we know that you’re keen to get started. And as soon as we introduce you to your guide and answer your questions, we’ll get you out there exploring.
Described as the most exciting thing to happen to the Nile along its 6,000km journey from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean, the 43m-high Murchison Falls is also the centerpiece of Uganda’s largest and oldest national park.Â
Here you might encounter four of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo), along with the world’s largest population of the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, and several types of antelope and monkey. Particularly noteworthy among 550-odd recorded bird species are the hulking great shoebill and Abyssinian ground hornbill, and the beautifully marked and very localized white-crested turaco and red-headed lovebird.
Rhino tracking, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch
Few wildlife-viewing activities are as exciting as tracking white rhinos in Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. You’ll probably use a combination of driving and walking to locate these prehistoric creatures. But once you find them, viewing usually takes place on foot. This means you’ll get a really good feel for how huge Africa’s second-largest land animal actually is. As you explore the ranch, you should also see plenty of antelope, monkeys and birds.
Evening Game Drive, Murchison Falls National Park
You’ll love the warm light and cooler temperatures as we take you out to explore on your evening game drive. This time of day is when both predators and prey are most active and it can feel as though anything could happen at any moment. This is when you’ll most enjoy being on safari.Â
Accommodation | Day 1
Pakuba Safari Lodge
Expect to see plenty of giraffes and antelope as you approach Pakuba Safari Lodge, which stands on the east bank of the Albert Nile alongside the ruins of a government hotel that served as a private retreat for President Idi Amin in the 1970s. All rooms here have air-conditioning, fitted nets and a private balcony, and there’s a swimming pool with Nile views.
Accommodation
Pakuba safari lodge
Activities Day 1
Morning
Rhino tracking, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch
Afternoon
We break our game drive this afternoon with a stop at the famous Top of the Falls, a stunning view point from where you can truly appreciate the primal power of Murchison Falls.
We’ll serve you lunch in Masindi.
Evening
Evening Game Drive, Murchison Falls National Park
Day 2
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park
We once again find ourselves in the lovely surrounds of Murchison Falls National Park.
Accommodation | Day 2
Pakuba Safari Lodge
We return to the northern plains of Murchison Falls National Park and Pakuba Safari Lodge.
Activities Day 2
Early Morning
- Early this morning in Murchison Falls National Park, go on a guided game drive looking for wildlife and learning all about them from your professional guide.
Afternoon
You’re sure to see plenty of hippos, crocodiles, aquatic birds and other wildlife on our boat trip upriver to the base of the explosive Murchison
Falls this afternoon.
We’ll serve you lunch in Murchison Falls National
Evening
Join us on an evening game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. It’s one of the highlights of being on safari and a great time to see animals in the best light.
Day 3
Kibale National Park
Transfer to Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is one of East Africa’s most important chimp strongholds. This forested park is home to roughly 1,000 of these charismatic apes, the largest population in the region, and the chances of a close-up sighting are excellent. Even if you don’t manage to see chimps, listen out for their unforgettable pant-hoot call as it resonates through the forest interior. Other wildlife you might encounter in Kibale includes monkeys such as Uganda mangabey, Uganda red colobus and red-tailed monkey, and an astounding 370 bird species.
Activities Day 3
Evening
Swamp walk in bigodi, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Day 4
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park
We return to Kibale National Park, the primate capital of East Africa.Â
Chimp Trekking, Kibale National Park
There is something about chimpanzees that makes them one of the greatest safari prizes of all. We’ll take you trekking through the forest to spend time with them and enjoy an encounter that you’ll never forget.
AccommodationÂ
Kibale Guest Cottages
Extend your stay at Kibale Guest Cottages for another night.
Activities Day 4
Morning
Chimp Trekking, Kibale National Park.
Evening
Relax at the lodge
Day 5
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Set on the Rift Valley floor in view of the snow-capped Rwenzori peaks, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers plenty of variety to safarigoers. On the Kasenyi and Ishasha Plains, large herds of Uganda kob, the national antelope, stand on constant guard for the lions that feed on them.
Lakes Edward and George, together with the connecting Kazinga Channel, support around 5,000 hippos and an abundance of waterbirds, as well as being a magnet for thirsty elephant and buffalo herds.
Evening Game Drive, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Going on an evening game drive is one of the highlights of any safari. This is when temperatures cool, the light becomes softer and the wildlife begins to get active. Not only will you be out when the light is best for taking photos, but it’s also one of the best times of day for seeing the animals.
Accomodation
The Bush Lodge (Banda)
Situated in dense scrub alive with birdsong on the bank of the Kazinga Channel, the Bush Lodge is the perfect base for exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park. The canvas dominated bandas, set on stilted wooden platforms, combine good amenities with a back-to-nature feel. You can expect to see plenty of wildlife, including hippos, elephants and waterbuck.
Activities Day 5
Evening
Animals are out and about, the light is often perfect, and temperatures are cooler when you join us on our evening game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 6
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
You return to Queen Elizabeth National Park to further explore its rich biodiversity.
Early Morning Game Drive
Put on some warm clothes and enjoy an early morning game drive. This is the perfect time to experience the wildlife and the landscapes they inhabit. The light is soft and warm – perfect for photography – and most animals are out and about, and active. If you’re not an early riser, you’ll definitely want to make an exception here.
Boat Trip, Kazinga Channel
Boat trips on the Kazinga Channel are a wildlife-viewing highlight of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Cruise past pods of grunting hippos, watch elephants and buffalo come down to drink, enjoy flocks of pelican and other aquatic birds, catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Rwenzori peaks, and keep an eye open for the giant forest hog, a local specialty.
Accommodation
The Bush Lodge (Banda)
We return to the Bush Lodge, with its marvelous setting on the south bank of the Kazinga Channel opposite Queen Elizabeth National Par.
Activity Day 6
Morning
Early Morning Game Drive
Afternoon
Boat Trip, Kazinga Channel
Day 7
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Situated just 1km from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge is a likable and well-managed property offering wonderful views over the forest close to the Rushaga gorilla-tracking trailhead. Named after different species of birds, the rooms are individually decorated, but all make extensive use of colorful local fabrics and have a private balcony.
Activity Day 7
Evening
This evening we will visit a community of Batwa, and explore the rich culture and traditions of these hunter-gatherers, who are often disparagingly referred to as Pygmies.
Day 8
Bwindi Impenetrable National park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Rushaga Sector
Spending time in the presence of mountain gorillas is a real privilege, so we’re sure you’ll enjoy trekking deep into the forest to find them. This is one of the most memorable experiences you can have while on safari.
Accommodation
Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
We return to enjoy the bright and airy accommodation at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge.
Activity Day 8
Early Morning
Mountain Gorilla Trekking.
Day 9
Lake Mulehe
Tranfer to Lake Mulehe
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Accomodation
Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
Activity Day 9
Afternoon
boat cruiseÂ
Day 10
Mgahinga national Park
Transfer to Mgahinga National Park
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Golden Monkey Tracking, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Our morning activity entails tracking golden monkeys in the Virunga Mountains. Named for their striking gold and black coats, these playful bamboo-eating monkeys were once widespread in the highland forests of the Albertine Rift Valley, but are now more or less confined to this one mountain range.
Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
Return to Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge.
Activity Day 10
Early Morning
Golden Monkey Tracking, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Day 11
Lake Mburo National Park
Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
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Lake Mburo National Park is a savannah national park in western Uganda, known for its rolling hills, acacia woodlands, lakes, and rich wildlife. It is famous for zebras, impalas, buffaloes, and birds, and is the only park in Uganda where walking safaris and horseback safaris are allowed.
Walking safari, Lake Mburo National Park
You’ll never get tired of going on a walking safari, where you’ll leave behind the vehicle and step out into the wild. It can be a little nerve-wracking at first, but you’ll be walking with an experienced guide and it’s very safe. It can be a real thrill walking in this way, and most people fall in love with the experience.
Accommodation
Rwakobo Rock Lodge
We stay at Rwakobo Rock Lodge, which as its name suggests is built around the boulders and natural vegetation of a tall kopje (rocky hill) on the northern border of Lake Mburo National Park. In addition to superb views and quality accommodation in rooms and cottages with fitted nets and a private balcony, this ecofriendly lodge makes extensive use of solar power, rain catchment water and organic building materials.
Activity Day 11
Evening
Walking safari, Lake Mburo National Park
Day 12
Entebbe International Airport
Transfer to Kampala or Entebbe
Activity Day 15
Morning: Transfer by Road from Rwakobo Rock Lodge via Equator point Uganda to Entebbe International Airport.
Transfer time; 4 to 5 hours
This is when your safari will finally come to an end. We hope that you’ll return home with so many memories of everything that you’ve seen and enjoyed. We look forward to the day when you come with us again on safari.
Tour Length
12 Days / 11 Nights
Included
All activities, unless indicated as optional, Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section), Taxes /VAT
Excluded
International flights, Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.), Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day), Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Breakdown of Costs
1x Adult.
$3,850.00
Payment Terms
A 30–50% deposit of the total safari cost is required to confirm a booking.
The balance must be paid at least 30 days before the start of the safari.
Bookings made within 30 days of departure must be paid in full at the time of confirmation.Â
Payments can be made via bank transfer, credit/debit card, or mobile money, as communicated by Kaije Safaris.
The route for our tour
