Fourteen days exploring Uganda Wildlife. Includes Game Drives, Canoe and Boat Cruises, Gorilla Tracking and Chimpanzee Tracking
Overview
This tour was designed in a special way to offer first-time travellers to Africa an exquisite introduction of Uganda's famous tourist attractions. This is a general trip that is ideal for adventure travellers, family groups, students and all those interested in wildlife expedition holidays.
The accommodation facilities featured on this trip have been carefully selected, set in cosy surroundings, with wildlife not far way!
They all have private bathrooms, restaurants serving both local and international cuisine, well stocked bars with a wide range of wines and spirits, and state-of-the-art lounging areas. A few have extra amenities like Swimming pools!
Uganda Eco Tours will make sure that this trip is given a first class ground handling priority; travelling in a strong, spacious and comfortable vehicle with guaranteed window seat for each client. You will be accompanied by one of our best driver guides with extensive knowledge about Uganda's wildlife and the cultures of the people of Uganda.
UGANDA BIG FIVE, SHOEBILL AND PRIMATES SAFARI OFFER 2024 - 2025
ITINERARY DETAILS
Day 1: A visit to Mabamba Shoebill wetland After an early morning breakfast and drive straightaway for a Boat trip to Mabamba Wetlands for the shoebill, along the shores of Lake Victoria.
Mabamba Bay Wetland system is a spanning 16,500ha area along the shores of Lake Victoria, North-west of Entebbe. It is among the 33 Important Bird Areas in Uganda described and listed as a wetland of International Importance during the Ramsar COP9 held in Kampala, Uganda in November 2005 for the conservation of Key protected bird species; the pre-historic Shoebill, Papyrus Gonolek and the Blue Swallow. Found in a few marshes of East Africa, this whale-headed stork like bird, is classified as vulnerable and is a bucket-list sighting for any bird enthusiast. Save the shoebill; the experience of paddling through man-made channels and lagoons, traversing fishermen, several plants with beautiful flowers, the papyrus reed beds, and birdlife is so rewarding. The spot-necked otters occasionally pop out the waters to have a sneak-peek of the surroundings.
We drive back to Entebbe for proper for lunch, afternoon siesta, unpack and arrange your baggage, get over jetlag, exchange money, shopping and later pay a short visit to the famous Entebbe Botanical Gardens (EBG). Established in 1898 as a research site for preserving valuable flora, the approximately 40.7ha garden is situated in Entebbe City; just 5minutes drive from the Airport. It adjoins about one mile along the shores of Lake Victoria and is currently under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority. The gardens house a diverse collection of plant species both indigenous and exotic – with over 300 species which support birdlife of over 250species, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus and squirrels are also found here. It is sometimes used by local people for recreational retreats as in the early times of the colonial era where officials and their families used to escape the bustling and busy schedule in the city to relax and enjoy the oasis and tranquility of nature. The walk here is leisurely and relaxed!
Overnight: Via Via Guest house
Day 2: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park
Today we start with an early morning breakfast, check out and drive towards the north to Murchison Falls National Park. We shall have a brief stop midway in Nakasongola at Zziwa Ranches for Rhino tracking, lunch and later drive on via Masindi town all the way to the park. Currently under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority, the 70 sq Km (27 sq mi) Zziwa Rhino and Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 2005 as a private animal sanctuary to re-introduce the Southern White Rhinos in the wild after their extinction in Uganda during the civil wars between 1971 -1982 due to poaching for their horns. It is about 3hours drive from Kampala. Successful breeding has taken place and government is preparing some National Parks and reserves to host the animals. Rhino tracking has since become a popular activity. Aside from white rhinos, the ranch boosts of a plethora of other wildlife including over 300 species of birds, several species of antelopes. Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch offers peace and tranquility in beautiful surroundings of nature and its attributes.
Accommodation: Bamboo Village (1 night)
Day 3: Game drive in Murchison Falls NP
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest national conservation area and it is famous for its big game, spectacular scenery and the falls for which the park was named. Abundant Hippos, Crocodiles, Elephant, hartebeest, Buffalo, giraffe, hartebeest, Uganda Kob and Waterbuck can be seen along with occasional Lions, leopard and Patas Monkeys. Birding here is prolific with some species best see in this particular location! White-crested Turaco, Stanley’s Bustard, Heuglin's Francolin, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Vinaceous dove, etc paint the surroundings with color and splendor, whilst songsters like the Tchagras and spotted palm thrushes!
Visit the northern sector of the park in the morning; afternoon boat cruise along the river Nile. We shall have time to pay a visit to the top of Murchison Falls where the Nile waters narrow and squeeze in a 7m gap, plunging down 40m below, spectacularly over the escarpment with unfathomable might! From here we drive to Masindi town and stay at Masindi Hotel.
Accommodation: Masindi Hotel
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park, afternoon nature walk. Lunch will be at gardens restaurant in Fort Portal town.
After lunch we shall drive to our Lodge in Kibale, check in and later go for a walk along the forest edge at a community managed wetland reserve famous for several species of monkeys and birdlife. The habitat here consists of a swamp surrounded by low, scrubby secondary forest and cultivation. You will likely meet with black and white colobus, red colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, red tailed monkey, vervet monkey, L’Hoest monkey, etc.
Established in 1993, Kibale National Park is an extensive large block of 766 sq km rainforest that is most celebrated for its greatest variety and concentration of primates than any other reserve in East Africa; the most prominent being the Chimpanzee with a population of over 1,500 individuals. The forest protects a remarkable 13 primate species, including the very localized Red Colobus and L'Hoest's Monkey, Galagos, Blue monkey, Black and White Colobus, Red-tailed and Vervet Monkey
Accommodation: Chimp forest guest house (2 nights)
Day 5: Chimp tracking in the morning and afternoon village walk along Bigodi community
For chimpanzee tracking, we start at 6:30 for breakfast and later drive to the park headquarters for registration and briefing prior to the activity. Tracking may take up to 3hours. In the afternoon you will have a guided village walk in the Bigodi community.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. We may have a lunch break in Kasese town and later drive straight to the Lake Katwe Salt mining village.
The 1,978 sq km biosphere reserve was founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park by combining the Lake George and Lake Edward Game Reserves, and renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II. The park is known for its abundant wildlife, including African elephant, African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, topi, waterbuck, warthog, giant forest hog, Nile crocodile, leopard, spotted hyena, chimpanzee and lion. Overall, the park is home to 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species
Accommodation: Kyangabi Crater Resort (2 nights)
Day 7: Game in the morning. Boat Cruise in the afternoon on the Kazinga Channel.
The best time for game-viewing is early in the morning! We shall do that along the Kasenyi plains driving through several tracks famous for Lions, the Uganda Kob, etc. After the game drive we may pay a short visit to the local Kasenyi Salt Lake view point. Lunch at Mweya peninsula and in the afternoon we take a boat trip on the Kazinga channel which many consider as a highlight of the safari. It takes about 2 hours. The trip is the most popular activity at Mweya.
Kazinga Channel is a natural narrow neck of water body connecting lakes Edward and George; measuring up to 40km long, and is the most luxurious in the region; Plying these waters with comfort, elegance and attentive service, affording superb wildlife viewing from your observation deck, is far much re-assuring! Along the Kazinga Channel, Giant Nile crocodiles basking in the sun, elephants coming down to drink and take a bathe, schools of hippos, and giant forest hog are rarely missed. This area is also a bird watchers’ haven!
Day 8: Transfer to Ishasha looking for the tree climbing lions.
Transfer to Ishasha is about 3 hours away and we shall have a short game drive our way to the lodge. We spend one night at Ishasha (the remote southern segment of Queen Elizabeth National Park) famous for its tree climbing lions. On our way to Ishasha, we may pay a short visit to the Kazinga Fishing Village
Accommodation: Savannah Resort
Day 9: Morning game drive, afternoon transfer to Buhoma - Bwindi National Park.
We explore Ishasha, considered by some experts as one of the most alluring game viewing area of East Africa with one of the biggest concentrations of African Elephant, and Hippos along the river. It's an off-the-beaten-track destination that we shall surely enjoy. We wake up early, of course, since this is the best time for observing nature; start from the southern circuit in search of the elephants and we will drive over the plains of Ishasha in the open savannah. The southern circuit has usually large herds of buffalo, Uganda kob and topi. Near to the swamps of the southern circuit we may look around for leopard. We continue and drive to the northern circuit which is the area near the main road known for its tree climbing lions. We look particularly at the many fig trees where lions like to stay.
After lunch we depart to Bwindi a journey that can take up to 2-3 hours. Bwindi is not far away and you will arrive at Buhoma in the afternoon. Time to have a cool drink, enjoy the sight and sounds of the rainforest. Bwindi has a unique rich and varied ecosystem and has lowland rainforest and afromontane forest. It's considered as one of the most unique and important forests of Africa. UNESCO declared it as a Natural World Heritage Site for Humanity for his many values and because it is vital to the survival of many endangered species – the Mountain Gorillas and the Albertine Rift Endemic species of birds.
Accommodation: Ride for a Woman Guest House for one night
Day 10: Bwindi National Park - Buhoma. Nature walk to the falls in the morning and afternoon community walk, and later transfer to Ruhiija sector of the Forest.
Overnight: Broadbill forest Camp for two nights
Day 11: Gorilla tracking
Gorilla tracking in bwindi is by far rated as number one wilderness experience in the whole world. The gorilla excursion as another highlight of your safari! Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It's difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas. People who choose not to do gorilla trekking will go birding in the forest at Ruhiija along the Mubwindi swamp trail.
Day 12: Transfer to Lake Mburo
Travel distance from Bwindi is 6-7 hours
Lake Mburo National Park is Uganda's smallest national Park with unique Mammal and bird species that cannot be found anywhere in Uganda such as Impalas, Elands and Plain Zebras. We shall have lunch in Kabale Great Lakes Museum or Kabale Town, then proceed to Lake Mburo to do a game drive in the evening.
Accommodation: Hyena Hill Lodge (2 nights)
Day 13: Game walk in the morning, Boat Cruise in the afternoon on Lake Mburo
Have an opportunity to get up-close with Giraffes on a walk in the woods! Most of the park is dominated by tall grass savannah dotted with Acacia and a few Euphorbia trees, Common bird in this habitat include; Crested Francolin, Emerald- spotted wood Dove, Brown Parrot , Bare-faced Go away bird, Blue-naped Mousebird , Lilac-breasted. This park also gives us a variety of game viewing such as Buffalos, Impala, Warthogs, Zebra, Hippos, Waterbuck, Dwarf and Banded Mongooses, Bushbucks, Topi and on a lucky day you can see leopard.
Optional night game drive
Day 14: Transfer to Entebbe for your flight
¬End of tour¬
Group: min 6pax - max 16 pax (international tour leader included)
Costs per person - depending on the number of pax:
Group of 6: USD 2815 (Excludes tour leader costs)
Group of 8: USD2955
Group of 9: USD2844
Group of 10:USD2751
Group of 11: USD2676.4
Group of 12: USD2614.0
Group of 13: USD2707.0
Group of 14: USD2650.4
Group of 16: USD2560.1
Single supplement: USD560
Price chimp trekking permit: USD250
Price gorilla trekking permit: USD800
Inclusive of the price: All accommodations based on double share and meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), car hire and fuel, Local English speaking and knowledgeable guide, international Guide fees, park entrance fees, boat, cruise fees, to and fro Airport transfers, all naturewalks and game drives in the parks, and bottled drinking water throughout the trip.
Excluded: gorilla and chimp trekking permits, flight charges, visa fees, laundry, extra drinks like sodas and alcoholic beverages, tips and any items of personal nature:
NOTES
1- tipping is popular in Uganda so the team should prepare an out of pocket for guides and drivers
2- From 13 guests onwards we use an extra van for luggage in order to guarantee comfort and window seat for each passenger
contact us to book this trip plus more details and availability
