Uganda - Uganda National Park Safari
Day 1: Arrival
On arrival at the airport, you will be kindly welcomed by your guide who will the transfer you to Kampala which is about 42km from Entebbe Airport for an overnight at Grand Imperial Hotel/Hotel Africana/Holiday Express HotelB/B.
Day 2: Depart to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, you will head north approximately 300km (6-7hrs drive) to Murchison Falls National Park having a break at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola to view the Rhinos. Rhinos became extinct in Uganda in the early 1980s, as a result of heavy poaching and civil unrest. This sanctuary was established to breed black and white rhino, and restore Rhino populations in Uganda’s protected areas in a later stage.
You have a stop at the top of the mighty Murchison Falls which gives a sight of the Nile River, the world's longest river, winding its way through the park and plunging through a narrow gap is memorable. Overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge/Nile Safari Camp/Sambiya River Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp (FB)
Day 3: Morning game drive and Launch Cruise
Head for an early morning game drive after breakfast to the rolling plains in the Northern part of the park where you have chances of viewing Leopard, Giraffe, Hartebeest, Buffalo, Lion, and Elephant in addition to many of the other mammals of the park. For birders the area supports the Secretary Bird, Tawny, Swallow Tailed Bee-Eaters, Marsha; Eagles Carmine, and Black Chested Snake Eagle to among others. This is stunning drive stretches across Borassus Palm Forest and grassland savannah down to Lake Albert where the Albert Nile heads north to the Sudan.
In the afternoon, go for a 2 hours boat trip to the base 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. This incredible experience passes through the highest concentration of huge Nile Crocodiles, Hippos and other wildlife that may come down to drink from the river of which the mostly sighted include Elephants and Buffaloes. Overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge/Nile Safari Camp/Sambiya River Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp (FB)
Day 4: Depart to Kibale Forest National Park
Early morning drive to the Top of the mighty Murchison Falls to have a close look into the gorge which is thunderous and spectacular with beautiful displays of a rainbow on sunny days, where the River squeezes its self in a narrow 7 meters gorge dropping in a pool of 40 meters. There after, depart for Kibale Forest National park which is approximately 7 hours drive to the largest protected area of rain forest inhabiting the largest number of primate species not recorded any where else in Africa. These include; Chimpanzees, Red Tailed Monkeys, Red Colobus, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, among others. Overnight at Ndali Lodge/Primates Lodge/Rwenzori View Guest House (FB)
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park.
After a hearty breakfast, head for the morning Chimpanzee tracking in the forest, while on the trek, there is a great chance to view a diversity of birds including the Tiny Sunbirds, Orange Tufted, Grey Throated Flycatcher, Chestnut Winged Starling, masked & Black Capped Apalis among others, returning in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, have a guided nature walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary which is home to approximately 137 bird species and has an attractive vegetation cover comprising of the dominant papyrus, polita figs and wild palm. This Sanctuary is managed by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Organization and was formed in 1992 with the major aim of enhancing social and economic development of the local communities. Overnight at Ndali Lodge/Primates Lodge/Rwenzori View Guest House (FB)
Day 6: Depart to Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve and night game drive
After breakfast, drive approximately 2 and half hours to Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve famously known as the “Garden of Eden” is situated in the basin of the Western Rift Valley. Chimps exist in this park along side lions, buffaloes and elephants. After dinner, have a night game drive in the only place where you can have a spot light night game drive that rewards you with the opportunity to view the Big cats, Uganda Kob, reed Buck, Water buck, and a number of monkey species along with a multitude of bird species. Overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge (FB)
Day 7: Semliki Valley
Head to the beautiful Gallery Rainforest after breakfast to track the wild Chimpanzees which tend to disappear during the day thus, best seen at dawn and dusk. After, drive to the foot hills of the Rwenzoris to visit the local communities who are so much entertaining and welcoming before taking a boat trip on Lake Albert, the best spot to view the rare Shoebill Stork, returning at the Lodge in the evening. Overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge (FB)
Day 8: Depart to Queen Elizabeth National Park and game drive
Go for an early morning game drive and head to Queen Elizabeth National park which is approximately 4 and half hours drive reaching in time for lunch, a game drive is so much rewarding while entering the park. This park hosts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any protected area in the world with varying vegetation cover including the dense papyrus swamps, brooding crater lakes, open savannah, rain forest and also has Lake Edward. The park has an outstanding 606 bird species that include the Swallow Tailed Bee Eaters, Shoebill, black Chested Eagle, and Lesser Flamingos spotted around the crater, Fly Catchers, among others.
Reptiles sighted in the park include the Green Mambas, puff adders, African Rock Python, Spitting Cobra, Gabon rippers, turtles, to mention but a few. With almost 100 mammal species, this park provides an opportunity of viewing the Hippos, Buffalo, Lion, leopard, Giant Forest Hog, Warthog, Elephants, Spotted Hyena, bush bucks, Waterbucks, Uganda Kob, to mention but a few. Primates in this park include the Chimpanzees found in the Kyambura gorge, red Colobus, red Tailed monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, and the Olive baboons. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge/Hippo Hill Camp/Kingfisher Lodge/Institute of Ecology (FB)
Day 9: Chimpanzee Tracking and Launch Cruise
Leave for the 8:00am Chimpanzee Tracking in the Kyambura gorge to watch these tremendous apes more closely related to humans than any other creature spending an hour with these delightful apes returning to the lodge in time for lunch.
After lunch, go for an afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel with a chance to view the highest concentration of Hippos and Crocodiles, Buffaloes are seen lingering in the shallow end of the channel while elephants are viewed drinking water on the banks. A number of migratory species of birds are a common view during February and March while other bird species seen include African jacana, Malachite, great White and Pink Backed Pelican, Open Billed Stork, Pied Kingfishers, Egyptian Fish Eagle, Great and long Tailed Cormorants, Cattle Eaglets, among others. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge/Hippo Hill Camp/Kingfisher Lodge/Institute of Ecology (FB)
Day 10: Depart to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, we will have a game drive in the southern part of the park Ishasha famed for its tree climbing lions before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home to over half of the world remaining Mountain Gorillas. Aside the Gorillas, this Montane Forest attracts a stunning birdlife that includes 23 of the 24 Albertine Rift endemics counting the Bar Tailed Trogon, African Green Broadbill, and other striking forest species. Have time to relax at the Lodge preparing for the most exciting activity the following day. Overnight at Gorilla Resort/Lake Kitandara Tented Camp/Buhoma Community Bandas (FB).
Day 11: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Up relatively early for a jovial breakfast to get ready for Gorilla Tracking, report at the ranger station at 8:00am for registration and a talk with one of the rangers who will lead you to the forest to enjoy one of the most exciting wildlife experiences in the world. Packed lunch on the trek for it can take from half and hour to over 5 hours tracking the gorillas. A high degree of fitness is required as well as sturdy pair of walking shoes. Ranger guides are always at your disposal to interpret the flora and fauna in the forest plus the life styles of these gorillas. Sit in the forest for an hour with these gorillas grumbling to each other and a feeling you have knowing there are only about 700 individuals of these species remaining in the world and you are among them. Returning at the Lodge for lunch, you may decide to relax in the afternoon or decide to take a guided nature walk leading to the Munyaga Waterfall with a chance of viewing different primates such as the Blue Monkey, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, among others. Another option would be to take a village walk to visit the Batwa Communities, returning to the Lodge in the evening. Overnight at Gorilla Resort/Lake Kitandara Tented Camp/Buhoma Community Bandas (FB).
Day 12: Depart to Lake Mburo National Park
Depart for Lake Mburo National Park after breakfast for a journey approximately 6 to 8 hours drive, passing through the “Switzerland of Africa” with beautiful scenery and terraced farming, arriving at lake Mburo National Park in the afternoon.
After checking in at your lodge, take an evening game drive in the open grasslands of the park which rewards with an opportunity of viewing the elands, Zebras, waterbucks, Impala, Crested Crane, Buffalo together with the elusive rare Shoebill stork. Overnight at Mihingo Lodge/Mantana Tented Camp/Rwonyo Campsite
Day 13: Lake Mburo - Kampala
Take an early morning breakfast and take a Guided Nature Walk that rewards with a view of the Zebra, Eland. The African Eland is the largest antelope and it is only at Lake Mburo Where you have a great opportunity to view this animal. Lake Mburo is the only place where you can easily view the Zebra and Eland. After the walk, depart for Kampala, arriving in the afternoon.
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