12 days Uganda safari with primates and the Big 5

12 days Uganda safari with primates and the Big 5

Travellers on this 12 days Uganda safari will explore the raw power and beauty of the Ugandan landscapes. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a variety of national parks in the country and marvel at the awe-inspiring creatures therein.  Travellers will experience the breeze in the evergreen intact tropical rainforests in East Africa and set their eyes on the endangered mountain gorillas.

Guests will further embark on the volcano climbing activities in Mgahinga National Park that will help them unveil the breathtaking beauty of the landscapes in the South of Uganda.  The game drives conducted in the various national parks will allow the visitors the opportunity to observe the big 5 animals.

Travellers on this safari will further have humbling experiences as they observe the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The safari is full of thrilling adventures and the fact that visitors will watch these wonderful animals up close makes it worth the effort.

Detailed itinerary.

Day 1- Arrive at Entebbe International Airport

Guests will be welcomed by a professional tourist guide upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport.  The guide will interact with the guests and after undertake the transfer to a hotel in Entebbe town. The guests will relax at the hotel premises as they enjoy the views of the Lake Victoria and after will get served delicious meals. In the evening, there will be an optional walk around the surroundings of the hotel to unveil more views of the magnificent lake and the captivating lush vegetation. Dinner will be served at twilight and you will be accommodated overnight.

Accommodation: Via Via Guesthouse

Day 2- Shoebill trekking and transfer to lake Mburo.

Wake up at first light of the day and have a delicious breakfast as prepared by the catering team at the hotel. Guests will then get ready and embark on the transfer to Mabamba wetland in the surroundings of Lake Victoria to explore the captivating nature.  Enjoy traversing through the wetland as you observe the lush vegetation of the area. Guests will meet the exhilarating shoebill and other bird species that are endemic to the region. Enjoy watching the birds species until midday when you transfer to the hotel to have afternoon meals. After lunch you will then transfer to lake Mburo National Park.

The journey will take you approximately 4 hours and 55 minutes covering the 247.4 kilometer distance.  Relax in the lodge premises on arrival. An evening game drive will be conducted in the park to equip you with the views of the animals within. Dinner will be served at sunset and you will be accommodated for the night.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock

Day 3-Morning game walk and night at lake Mutanda.

Have breakfast at the first light of the day as prepared by the well appointed staff at the lodging facility.  After that, embark on the morning walk through the grasslands of the park. Enjoy the views of the animals as you traverse through the diverse landscapes.

This will be done under the guidance of Ranger guides to help you watch the animals within especially the leopards, zebras, hippos and birds. Transfer to the lodge in the mid morning and get served lunch at around midday. After lunch, you will then undertake the transfer to Mgahinga National Park. The journey to Mgahinga will take you approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes for the 256.6 kilometer distance. When you arrive in Mgahinga, you will continue to the lodging facility where you will unwind as you enjoy viewing the sites of the volcanoes in the park.  Dinner will be served at sunset and you will be accommodated overnight.

Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort

Day 4. Gorilla trekking.

At the crack of dawn, the esteemed guests will be served at delicious breakfast and after undertake a briefing with the Ranger guides of the National Park.  The briefing about the mountain gorilla trekking will equip visitors with information about the guidelines of the activity. The Ranger guides will then accompany the guests to the jungle to meet the mountain gorillas.

This activity will go on up to the afternoon. The guests will be allowed a maximum of 60 minutes when the family of the gorillas is met, this will help them watch their fascinating behaviors up close.  Transfer to the hotel after the trek and have a delicious lunch.

Relax in the lodge premises the entire afternoon. Dinner will be served at sunset.  You will have rest for the night in the lodge premises as you prepare for other adventures the next day.

Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort

Day 5. Volcano climbing.

Arise, have breakfast at the lodging facility and get prepared to embark on the volcano climbing adventure. Mgahinga National Park is made-up of three breathtaking volcanoes  and the guests will choose one to climb. The climb up the volcano summit will take you approximately six to seven hours.

This will be done under the guidance of the Ranger guides. At the summit, you will unveil the breathtaking views of the underlying lush vegetation, beautiful landscapes and magnificent lakes. Enjoy the summit views and take beautiful photographs. You will be served a packed lunch at the summit. Embark on the sloping journey that will take you approximately two to three hours and on arrival at the base of the mountain you will transfer back to the lodge relax, have dinner at sunset and rest overnight.

Accommodation: Ichumbi Hotel-Kisoro

Day 6. To Ishasha. Evening game drive.

Have breakfast at the lodging facility in the wee hours of the morning. After breakfast, head north to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will enter the park through the South ends of it in Ishasha sector, a renowned habitat for the tree climbing lions. The journey will take you approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes for the 143.1 kilometer distance.

On arrival in the sector, you will transfer to a restaurant to have a delicious lunch. Drive through the sector as you enjoy watching the tree climbing lions do their thing. Take some pictures and record some videos that will remind you of this exciting experience.

Continue to the north of the park. Head to the lodging facility and relax. You will conduct a night game drive and after head back to the lodge to have dinner and rest overnight.

Accommodation: Topi Lodge

Day 7. To Katunguru. (Boat safari and evening game drive.)

Wake up at the first light of the day and get served breakfast at the lodge. Embark on the journey to Katunguru in the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will undertake a boat safari on the Kazinga channel that will help you explore more of the parks natural endowments.

Enjoy floating on the magnificent channel as you observe the breathtaking diverse landscapes amidst the views of a variety of wildlife species and beautiful birds. The boat cruise will keep you occupied until midday when you will transfer to the lodge to have a delicious lunch.

Relax in the premises of the lodge until evening when you will conduct an evening game drive through the landscapes of the National Park to equip you with more views of the animals that inhabit Queen Elizabeth National Park. Visitors will set their eyes on lions, leopards, jackals, servals, hippos, and many more. Transfer back to the lodge at sunset and have a night time rest.

Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge

Day 8. Morning game drive and transfer to Kibale National Park.

Breakfast will be served at the lodging facility in the wee hours of the morning and after that the guests will embark on a morning game drive which will present golden opportunities to observe the Wildcats within the park. Enjoy the views of the animals until midday when you will head back to the lodge to get served a mouth watering lunch to keep you satisfied and energetic for the day’s activities. Savor the delicious lunch and after undertake the journey to Kibale National Park which will take you approximately 1 hour and 44 minutes covering the 75.2 kilometers.

Upon arrival in the park, you will relax at the lodging facility as you enjoy the views of the towering forests. You will have the opportunity to observe some of the primates that inhabit the forests especially the red tailed monkeys, chimpanzees and the black and white colobus monkeys. Evening meals will be served at sunset and you will be accommodated overnight.

Accommodation: Turaco Tree Tops

Day 9. Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi community walk.

Guests will have morning meals served to them by the catering team at the lodge. After the breakfast, guests will then be briefed by the Ranger guides of the National Park about the chimpanzee trekking activity they are yet to experience.

Head into the jungle after the briefing and explore to meet the exciting chimpanzees. These wonderful primates live in organized families of about 50 to 100 individuals which the travelers will experience and enjoy watching as they interact among themselves in their intact natural habitat. The activity will take you until the afternoon when you will transfer back to the lodge to get served a delicious lunch. After lunch, you will embark on the exploration adventure of the Bigodi community. You will undertake a community walk in the area and embark on visits to the homesteads of the people and the Community School.

You will embark on voluntourism activities to help empower the society. The activity will keep you busy until sunset when you head back to the lodge to chill and have dinner. You will be accommodated for the night and rest to prepare for the next day’s adventures.

Accommodation: Turaco Tree Tops

Day 10. Transfer to Murchison falls National Park.  evening game drive.

The guests upon waking up in the morning will be served a well marinated breakfast and after check out of the lodge facilities to undertake the transfer journey to Murchison falls National Park. The journey will take you approximately 4 hours and 32 minutes covering the 252.8 kilometers through the local towns of Uganda and diverse landscapes. Guests upon arrival in the National Park will continue to the lodging facility where they will be served a delicious lunch. Relax in the lodge premises as you enjoy the views of the breathtaking landscapes and some animals that usually come close the lodge especially the common warthogs, African Bush elephants, ellands, to mention but a few.

An evening guided game drive will be conducted in the park to equip the guests with more views of the animals within especially the wildcats that usually embark on their hunts in the golden hours. Visitors will therefore have the opportunity to observe lions, leopards, jackals, servals and spotted hyenas. Transfer back to the lodge at sunset to get served dinner and have an overnight rest.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge 

Day 11. Morning game drive and boat safari.

Breakfast will be served at sun up at the lodging facility after which he will undertake a morning guided game drive through the landscapes of the park where you would have the opportunity to observe more of the wildcats and other exciting wildlife species that live in the park.

The tourist guide will provide information about the animals encountered and the the beautiful  landscapes. The game drive will continue up to midday when you will travel back to the lodge to get served scrumptious meals and relax a little. Transfer to the Nile river crossing the National Park and embark on the boat cruise in the afternoon hours. The boat cruise will be launched to the view of the falls, it will also present golden opportunities to observe more of the animals that usually come along the river banks to hunt and supplement their diets. Guests will therefore view animals especially the Nile crocodiles, hippopotami, and most notably the big four animals  alongside bird species. The boat cruise will end at sunset and you will travel back to the lodge to get served dinner and be accommodated for the night time.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge 

Day 12. Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and back to Entebbe.

Upon waking up at sunrise,  guests will be served breakfast and after undertake the journey to Ziwa rhino sanctuary. Explore the sanctuary as you trek the rhinos and enjoy the serenity of the environment.

The Rhino trek will keep you occupied until midday when you will have a delicious lunch served to you at the restaurants near the sanctuary. After lunch, you will then embark on the journey back to Entebbe International Airport that will take you around 3 hours and 46 minutes covering the 201.9 kilometer distance. At the airport, you will get on board for the flights back home and that will be the end of the safari.

Includes;

Gorilla and chimpanzee permits

Accommodation at mentioned lodges or their equivalent

All meals (as indicated)

Drinking water on all days

Driver guide

Safari vehicle and gas

Park entry fees

Activity fees

Excluded;

Flight tickets and visas

Personal expenses (Laundry, souvenirs, alcoholic drinks and beverages)

Tips

Activities not mentioned