Safari in Uganda - Uganda - Land of the Gorilla

A uniquely tailored safari-journey that covers the culture of the jungles, villages and cities of the country that is famous for its enchanting savannah, thick jungles, large collection of spectacular breeds of animals including the famous gorillas, lions, hippos and over a 1000 species of birds. To add to this is the intact African culture that Uganda offers. Our safari (journey) covers the best of what this Central – East African country offers.

DATES

PRICES

INCLUSIONS

AIRFARE

Day 01 (SAT): Arrive Kampala
Karibu karibu - and we are greeted in Kiswahili - the predominant language of the country. We are transferred to our hotel and have the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Sheraton Kampala hotel (1 night) (B)

Day 02 (SUN):Kampala / Mantana (drive)
Our safari starts with a brief overview of the country and the program after which we head off for the Equator. Standing on Line Zero we see the Royal Drum before proceeding to Lake Mburo National Park. Our first game viewing begins on our drive to camp. Afternoon is free to enjoy a boat trip or laze and explore around the campsite. Lake Mburo is an extension of the Tanzanian Plains and is home to big herds of Zebra, Impala, Eland and other savannah species. For birders, this is one of the best places to find the African Fin foot, Papyrus, Bush Shrike, etc. Go for an evening game drive.
Overnight: Mantana Tented Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 03 (MON): Mantana Camp / Gorilla Forest Camp (drive)
One of the many highlights of our journey is Bwindi, taking us first to Kabale, often referred to as the Switzerland of Uganda. Best known for its Mountain Gorillas, the Montane Forest also attracts spectacular birds. There are 23 of the 24 Albertine Rift endemics including the African Green Broadbill, Bar Tailed Trogon and other beautiful forest species. Afternoon is free to enjoy a nature walk that leads us to the Munyaga Waterfall and a chance to see primates such as the Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Blue Monkey and others. We have an early night in preparation for tomorrow’s gorilla tracking.
Overnight: Luxurious Gorilla Forest Camp (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 04 (TUE): Mountain Gorilla
An early exciting day ahead as we start early trekking to locate the rare Mountain Gorillas. This is perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. There are now only 650 left in the world! The tracking may take between 2 and 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are located and though this is strenuous, it is definitely well worth the effort. Sturdy hiking boots, waterproof long sleeve shirts and trousers, gloves, knapsack for eats and drinks and insect repellant are required. Cameras are most welcomed however use of the flash is not permitted. In order to preserve the health of our other half, we do not allow clients who have flu or infectious disease to take this trek. Our accompanying park guides will enhance our knowledge on the flora and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas. Afternoon is free to relax and catch up on lost sleep or take a forest walk. (B, L, D)

Day 05 (WED): Gorilla Forest Camp / Mweya Safari Lodge (drive)
We depart the Impenetrable Forest for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Early evening, we take our game drive. It is a little wonder that Queen Elizabeth Park boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game park in the world, - from the open Savannah to Rain Forest, dense Papyrus Swamps and brooding Crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward, this is a place ideal for all types of life. The 100 mammal species include Lions, Hippos, Buffalo, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Elephants and the elusive Giant Forest Hog. Over 600 bird species live here including: the Black Chested Eagle and Swallow Tailed Bee Eaters. The Primates include Chimps, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Blue/Black Faced Red Colobus, Red Tailed monkeys and Olive Baboons. Among the reptiles are the amazing huge Rock-Python, Puff Adders, Spitting Cobras, Gabon Rippers, Green Mambas and Turtles.
Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 06 (THU): Kyambura & Kazinga
Early morning we drive to the crater lakes in Kyambura Game Reserve to see thousands of colourful Lesser Flamingos, depending on the season, as they feed in these soda lakes. Afternoon is for an exciting boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. Hippos huff and spray mere feet away from the boat, Buffalos linger in the shallows, a tremendous variety of birds grace the grasses on the shores. Great White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, Great and Long-Tailed Cormorants, Open-Billed Stork, African Jacana, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers are also commonly seen. February and March offer spectacular sightings of some of these bird migrants. (B, L, D)

Day 07 (FRI): Mweya / Kisenyi (drive)
Today we take a game drive to see the lion prides and other wildlife such as the Ugandan Kob that mate around this area. Next, we head off for Kibale National Park. Kibale Forest is a large protected block of rainforest, which has the highest number of primates in Africa such as Chimpanzees, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Red Tailed Monkey and the Red Colobus. We take a guided walk through the Magombe Swamp at Bigodi to look for the Shining Blue Kingfisher, Blue Throated Roller and other rare species. Here we also find fruit trees that attract Narina Trogon, Pied Hornbill, Yellow Spotted, Hairy Breasted and Yellow-Billed Barbets. We spend the night at Ndali Lodge, a stunning location overlooking the Crater Lake and the fabled "Mountains of the Moon".
Overnight: Ndali Lodge (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 08 (SAT): Kisenyi / Semliki (drive)
This morning, we go for the morning Chimp trekking in Kibale Forest. This is also not an easy trek, however, the terrain in mostly flat. The same gear as mentioned on Day 4 is required. After the trek we drive to Semliki Valley wildlife reserve arriving in time for evening tea. En route we see the villages and the forest. Balance of the day is for resting after what will have been a day full of activities.
Overnight Semliki Safari Lodge (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 09 (SUN): Gallery Forest tour
Early morning Chimp tracking in the Gallery Forest of the Mugiri River. Lea flower are in proliferation here, despite being scarce in the rest of Uganda. In the forest you may see: White-spotted Fluff-tail, Red-tailed Bristle bill, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush and Blue-breasted Kingfisher. Late afternoon, we take another exciting boat trip on Lake Albert followed by an evening game drive returning to the lodge for dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 10 (MON): Semliki / Paraa (drive)
We drive to the world famous Murchison Falls National Park having lunch at Masindi Hotel and arriving in the evening. This is a long drive as we travel north through the evergreen tea estates. Once we reach the Nile in the heart of the Park, we cross on ferry to Paraa Safari Lodge. The drive from the ferry crossing may reveal the Blue Napped Mouse Bird, Silver Bird, and Red Headed Agama. Our overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge overlooks across the mighty Nile, where Hippos wallow in the water.
Overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 11 (TUE): Full day Safari
Today’s game drive will give us the opportunity to view lions, giraffe, hartebeest, Buffalo and elephant. For birders, these areas support the Secretary Bird, Black Chested Snake Eagle, Tawny and Marshal Eagles Carmine and Swallow Tailed Bee-Eaters. This is a beautiful drive across Borassus Palm Forest and grassland savannah down to Lake Albert where the Albert Nile heads north into Sudan. Afternoon, we take a most exciting boat trip to the foot of Murchison Falls where the Nile thunders through a small 7-meter gap, or down river to the delta where the Nile empties into Lake Albert – a magnificent site! The banks of the Nile are home to many species; we may even see the huge Nile Crocodiles and large pods of Hippos. (B, L, D)

Day 12 (WED): Paraa / Kampala (drive)
Early morning game drive to the top of Murchison Falls where we get a close look into the gorge as the Nile squeezes into the 7 meter gorge and then drops 40 meters. The falls are spectacular and thunderous with a beautiful rainbow display on sunny days. Later, we drive to Kampala arriving in the evening.
Overnight: Sheraton Kampala hotel or Nile hotel (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 13 (THU): Kampala / Jinja (drive)
Our last day in Uganda is a different experience as we take a day trip to Jinja. We drive seeing villages en route to the Mabira forest and do some bird watching. Later we proceed to Jinja and explore the Nile before we drive up to Jinja Nile Resort for a hearty buffet lunch on the Nile. Afternoon is free to enjoy the markets and villages or take a drive to the Spectacular Bujagali Falls. Watch the local fishermen and the fantastic bird life. Return to the resort in the evening.
Overnight: Jinja Nile Resort (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 14 (FRI): Jinja / Kampala (drive)
We drive to Kampala and take a tour of the city seeing the local markets, craft bazaar where we also see the craftspeople in action and then, as all things come to an end, we bid farewell to this unique African experience and are driven to Entebbe Airport for our flight home. (B)

UGANDA - SAFARI THROUGH THE LAND OF GORILLAS
A safari in Uganda

Departure Dates

Inclusions

Tour Price

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Participants

Notes

UGANDA - SAFARI THROUGH THE LAND OF GORILLAS A safari in Uganda