12 Days Uganda Wildlife Adventure

Day 1:Kampala-Murchison Falls National Park
Your driver-guide will meet you at your hotel in the early morning to load you and your belongings in the 4-wheel drive safari vehicle to begin your experience in Uganda. Your adventure starts with a panoramic drive to north west of Uganda through the famous Luweero triangle and Masindi Town to Murchison Falls National Park. Proceed to the falls where you will see the Nile tumbling over rocks creating quite a magical sight so keep your cameras close by. 

Enjoy a sunset drive to your lodge where you will enjoy dinner and a restful evening.

Day 2: Murchison Falls National Park
Early in the morning you will depart for an exciting game drive heading for the northern part of the park.  Along the way your driver-guide will point out any elephants, lion(s), Rothchild’s giraffe, cape buffaloes, water bucks, hertbeests, or bush bucks he may see.  On a rare occasion you may even see the elusive leopard.

Mid-day your driver-guide will return you to the lodge for lunch and a short rest in preparation for an afternoon boat cruise along the Victoria Nile.  You will be cruising toward the base of the falls known as “Devil’s Cauldron”. While on the river you may see hippos, crocodiles, water bucks, elephants, and Uganda kobs.  Look up so you can see the wide variety of birds lining the river.  Birds such as the goliath heron, Egyptian goose, pelican, bee-eater, kingfisher, horn bill, cormorant and the rare shoebill stork are a must-see. 

After your cruise you will be returned to your lodge for a delightful evening meal and rest.

Day 3: Budongo Forest
An early morning breakfast prepares you for a drive to Kaniyo Pabidi Eco Tourism Center where you will start your chimpanzee trekking experience. Since this activity was launched it is said to be a major point of interest to travelers.  As you trek, guides will give you a great deal of information about the primates, plants, other animals you will see, and the local bird life. Another sight worth seeing is the large Mahogany trees growing in this forest.  Mid-day lunch will be served at one of the restaurants near the Eco Tourism Center.

Return to you lodging and spend the evening in comfort with delicious food and opportunity for peaceful rest.  

Day 4: Budongo-Kibale
This morning you will be driven to Fort Portal via Masindi-Hoima town.  A delightful lunch will be served along the way at the Mountain of the Moon Hotel. 

In the evening you will be given the opportunity to explore the Great Crater Lakes, visit Nyakasura Stalagmites and Stalmites, and  experience the legendary tale of the Chwezi. 

To close out your day, you will enjoy a tasty dinner and a peaceful evening at your lodge. 

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking
As always, your day will start with a filling breakfast before a drive to Kanyanchu.  This is where you  will be briefed about the day’s adventure and given a guide to lead you on your chimpanzee trek. Your guide is very knowledgeable and will explain characteristics and lifestyles of the chimpanzee. This trek is exciting because you will be exposed to other primates such as the red, black and white colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabies, red tailed monkeys, and others.  Along the way your guide will point out the array of plant life growing in this beautiful forest.

Lunch will be served at your lodge before a nature walk at Bigodi Swamp.  This walk will give you the chance to see many small mammals such as the velvet monkey, and sitatunga among others.  You may also want to keep an eye out for the amazing variety of birds flying in the forest.

Returning to your lodge, you will have an opportunity for rest before the evening meal.

 
Day 6: Kibale-Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today you will travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park driving along the foothills of the mystical Rwenzori Mountain Range. Once at the park and before your check in at your lodge you will be able to enjoy an en-route game drive where you might see Africa’s “Big Four” – The lion, elephant, cape buffalo, and the Loepard (the black/white rhino rounds out number five, but will not be seen in the park).  You will also see water bucks, bush bucks, hyenas, and a large variety of bird species. In the evening you will visit the Katwe Crater Lake to watch flamingos as the sun is setting.

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park – game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Early in morning your driver-guide will pick you up for a morning game drive. You might be able to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, and other wildlife such as water bucks, bush backs and hyenas as well as a wide variety of bird species. 

Late morning after the game drive, you will be returned to your lodge for lunch and relaxation before your 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel toward Lake Edward. This cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching, and game sighting. 

At the end of the cruise you will be returned to your lodge to enjoy an evening of rest and relaxation.

Day 8: Chimpanzee trekking at Kyambura Gorge -Bwindi
After an early morning breakfast you will be driven to Kyambura Gorge to trek with the chimpanzees. These primates are un-predictable, but the experience is not to be missed.  You will be exposed to a variety of monkeys, plants and many stunning bird species.  After your chimpanzee trek you will proceed through Ishasha sector famously known for its rare and unique African tree climbing lions found laying on the branches of fig trees.  The end of the journey is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to half the mountain gorillas in the world.  Here you will check in to your accommodation, have dinner, and a rest filled evening.

Day 9:Gorilla trekking
After breakfast with your packed lunch in hand, your driver-guide will get you to Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters.  Here you will be briefed in groups of 8 and given a guide to lead you through the tracking. Gorilla tracking is a once in a life time experience since being in close proximity to the  mountain gorilla is one of the most thrilling wildlife encounters in the world. The tracking can take a few hours or a full day depending on where the gorillas last made their movement.  After tracking you will return to the headquarters to receive your Gorilla tracking certificate as witness of your awesome day. In the evening enjoy the village walk organized by the local community to see traditional healers, Bakiga homesteads, local breweries, cultural performances and arts and crafts.  Your driver-guide will safely return you to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 10: Bwindi-Kampala
Early in the morning you will enjoy breakfast before departing for Kampala.  Along the way you there is a planned stop at Kayabwe, or the equator.  While here you will be given time to have your photograph taken on the equator, witness an experiment with water, have a snack, and/or go souvenir shopping.  Your driver-guide will then return you to your hotel in Kampala where you can rest after your adventure.

Day 11: Kampala-Ngamba Island
Early the next morning your driver-guide will take you to Entebbe Water Front Club where you will board a speed boat, or traditional boat, for a trip to Ngambia Island.  This is the home of orphaned or rescued chimpanzees unable to return to the wild.  In this amazing setting you will experience the chimps and learn more about their habitat.  Along the way will also have the opportunity to see the variety of birds along the shores of Lake Victoria. Enjoy a delicious lunch on the island before returning to the boat for the ride back to Entebbe. 

The next stop is a free entrance to Uganda Wildlife Education Center or Entebbe Zoo.  Keep your cameras ready as you wander through the center gazing at the variety of animals, birds, and foliage. Enjoy your dinner and overnight at one of Entebbe’s hotels.

Day12: Departure
After breakfast you can choose to relax while visiting the Botanical Resort Gardens where you can spot a variety of bird species as you wait for your flight home.