This tour visits 8 of Uganda’s 10 National Parks. Six of these are found in the Western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley.
Start your trip with Murchison Falls National park, the largest in the country. A visit to the dramatic falls from which the park derives its name is the highlight. On your way out of the park, visit Kaniyo Pabidi ecotourism site which is lying within the boundaries of Murchison falls national park for chimpanzee tracking.
From there, drive westwards to Semliki game reserve. The park’s fauna is correspondingly diverse. You will be able to see the Uganda kob which is common in this area. Other mammals that you will be able to see are the forest Elephants, Leopards, Chimpanzees, Buffalos and various primate species. Continue to Kibale Forest National park which is home to thirteen species of primates. They’re after drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
You then travel down south to Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks where you will be able to track gorillas. Return to Kampala via Lake Mburo National Park one of Uganda’s most conspicuous park rich in wild game and various species of bird.
ITINERARY:
PRE DEPARTURE DAY
Arrival at the airport, transfer to your hotel in Kampala city.Dinner and Overnight (HB).
Transit Time: 45Mins
DAY 1: Murchison Falls, Top of the falls
Briefing from tour and travel centre guide before leaving for Murchison Falls National Park. Lunch en-route and continue to the park. Visit the top of the falls. Check in at your hotel and go for an evening game drive. O/N: (FB).
Transit Time: 5Hrs
DAY 2: Game drive, Launch trip
Depart for an early morning game drive on the northern bank of the Nile. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, go for a launch trip on the Nile to view the mighty falls. Large crocodiles and a vast array of birds including the very rare Shoebill stork could well be observed. Return to the lodge. O/N: (FB).
DAY 3: Game drive, Chimpanzee tracking
An early start. Game drive on your way to Kanyio Pabidi in the Budongo Forest. Experience chimpanzee tracking in the forest with a knowledgeable guide. Lunch at Kanyio Pabidi. Budongo is also known for its many plant and bird species. O/N (FB).
DAY 4: To Semliki Game Reserve
Drive south to Fort Portal, past vast tea plantations, lunch en-route. Proceed to Semliki Game Reserve. O/N: (FB).
Transit Time: 7Hrs
DAY 5: Game drive, Hot Springs visit
An early morning game drive and thereafter visit the sempaya hotsprings. Drive to Kibale forest national park. O/N: (FB).
Transit Time: 3Hrs
DAY 6: Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking in the Kibale Forest National Park, which has the highest diversity of primates species in Africa. The bird life is also fabulous on open tracks outside of the forest, with over 300 species recorded. In the afternoon a guided nature walk will be conducted in the Bigodi wetland sanctuary. O/N: (FB).
DAY 7: Launch trip
Leave for Queen Elizabeth National Park, with views of the Rwenzoris range and possibly snow capped peaks. Enter the park and proceed to the Mweya Peninsular for an afternoon launch trip on the Kazinga Channel. Evening game drive on return from the launch trip time permitting. O/N: (FB).
DAY 8: To Bwindi Gorilla Sanctuary
Depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you may see tree climbing lions. Arrive in Buhoma park headquarters. O/N: (FB).
Transit Time: 3Hrs
DAY 9: Gorilla tracking
Gorilla tracking. You will be accompanied by a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger / guides and you may require a porter to carry your day pack as the terrain can be difficult, with steep slopes covered in dense vegetation that gives the park its name. Participants do need to be physically fit. The time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 8-9 hours before one returns to camp. The difficulty is not impossibility whilst coming face to face with one of the great primates is well worth the effort! O/N: (FB). NB. A single gorilla tracking permit is included in the cost of this safari.
DAY 10: To Kisoro – Switzerland of Africa
Leave for Kisoro, stopping at Kanaba Gap to view the spectacular Virunga volcanoes and stunning terraced hills. Visit Lake Mutanda with the stunning back drop provided by the volcanoes. O/N: (FB).
Transit Time: 3Hrs
DAY 11: Golden Monkey tracking
Track Golden Monkeys, experience a guided nature walk in the forest or undertake a volcano climb. You can of course simply relax at camp! O/N: (FB).
Transit Time: 1.5Hrs
DAY 12: To Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National Park via Kabale. Arrive in time for an afternoon Boat trip. Return for an evening game drive. O/N: (FB).
Transit Time: 4Hrs
DAY 13: To Kampala
Time permitting, early morning game drive. Return to Kampala with a brief stop in Masaka for lunch. Continue to Kampala reaching late in the evening. O/N: (FB)
Transit Time: 4Hrs