13 DAYS UGANDA SAFARI.
Overview.
The 13 days Uganda Safari is a long safari of discovering the unspoiled wilderness across Uganda’s top tourist destinations. Expect to visit Murchison falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga Gorilla and Lake Mburo National Parks, as well as Lake Bunyonyi. A plethora of wildlife species including mountain gorillas, the big five (elephants, lions, leopards, Rhinos and buffaloes), chimpanzees, Rothschild giraffes, common elands, black and white colobus monkeys, spotted hyenas, Defassa waterbucks, Aardvarks, Uganda Kobs, Impalas, zebras, giant forest hogs, olive baboons, Topis, vervet monkeys and many others as well as prolific bird species including the rare shoebill storks, Papyrus gonolek, Saddle-billed storks, Grey-crowned cranes and many others should be on the list of things to expect.
This long safari starts in Kampala and will allow you immerse into the beauty of Mother Nature through mountain gorilla trekking, boat trips, chimpanzee trekking, cultural tours, game drives, guided walks, birding, and then end in the same place.
Detailed Itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival into Uganda through Entebbe Airport.
You will be picked from Entebbe International Airport and transferred to your Hotel in Kampala. Depending on your arrival time, you are likely to undertake a tour of Kampala City on this day.
Day 2: Connect from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park.
Have breakfast and embark on a private road transfer to Murchison falls National Park, via the famous Luwero Triangle and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will branch-off for the unforgettable rhino tracking experience.
Have an en-route lunch and reach the park in the late afternoon. Settle in at the lodge and explore your surrounding environment, while waiting for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Whole day in Murchison falls National Park.
On this day you are exploring Murchison falls National Park through two wonderful activities-morning game drive and boat cruise. Have breakfast and just wait till you drive through the northern banks of River Nile. Here, you will encounter big numbers of Rothschild giraffes, Defassa waterbucks, greater kudu, Klipspringer, elephants, Jackson’s hartebeests, lions, buffaloes, common elands, Oribis, Uganda Kobs, Oribis, Topis, warthogs and many others.
Interestingly, whatever corner of the Park you are staying offers remarkable views of wildlife and bird species. After 3-4 hours of the game drive, your driver will take you back to the Lodge for a proper breakfast, relaxation as you wait for Lunch and second activity of the day.
The climax of your third day will undeniably be the afternoon boat cruise along the Nile River to the bottom of the falls. The thunderous sound created by massive water plunging through a narrow gorge of 7 meters and producing mist of sprays around you is magical. Identify some wildlife species especially Nile crocodiles and Hippos in the deep/shallow waters as well as elephants, Uganda Kobs and buffaloes drinking water along the banks.
Birdlife during the boat cruise is also outstanding, from the wide-ranging African fish eagles to a myriad of Kingfishers, pelicans and cormorants. Get back to the Lodge to tuck into a delicious dinner, followed by relaxation and dinner.
Day 4: Murchison falls National Park to Kibale Forest National Park, via the Albertine Rift Valley.
Enjoy breakfast and embark on a road transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, via the Rift Valley Escarpment and Lake Albert, popular for mind-boggling views. Make a stop in Hoima Oil City for lunch and arrive at the lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation while enjoying views of the forest and surrounding craters.
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking experience and Birding in Bigodi wetland Sanctuary.
This day will be spent in the presence of Chimpanzees in their natural environment. Have breakfast and drive or walk to the Kibale Park Headquarters for registrations briefing on the activity, ending at 8:00am. Start the walk through the forest under the guidance of an armed ranger, encounter other residents of the Park like elephants, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, vervet monkeys as well as prolific birdlife including the Papyrus gonolek, African green-breasted pitta and many others.
The walk goes on for 1-3 hours until the chimpanzees are detected from a distance and it require a mini briefing before finally meeting them and spending time in their presence. The one hour allotted to be in the presence is one of the magical wonders of a lifetime and retreat to the Lodge for Lunch and short time of relaxation.
Round up this day with a guided walk though Bigodi wetland Sanctuary, for birding with a variety of wetland bird species on the look-out. This walk is a buffet offering views of some primate species not seen in Kibale Forest National Park, complimented by birding with views of numerous wetland bird species. A delicious dinner is served at the Lodge in the evening after which relax and spend overnight.
Day 6: Kibale Forest National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park for another wildlife viewing opportunity and afternoon boat cruise.
Breakfast at the Lodge in Kibale Forest National Park, check-out and begin the transfer to the beautiful Queen Elizabeth National Park. This transfer takes 3-4 hours, on arrival check-in at the Lodge for Lunch while enjoying views of the Park then join the afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
The Kazinga Channel is renowned for its huge hippo and Nile crocodile concentration, but this boat cruise also allows you to spot a plethora of bird species that occur here in addition to array of wildlife species visiting the banks to drink. Kazinga Channel is also sometimes visited by Defassa waterbucks, elephants, giant forest hogs, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, bushbucks. Dinner around fire or at the Lodge/Camp restaurant will be served in the evening.
Day 7: All day Queen Elizabeth National Park tour.
We begin this wonderful day with hefty breakfast and an early morning game drive in the popular Queen Elizabeth National Park. This Park is popular for tits large herds of wildlife especially Uganda Kobs, elephants, buffaloes and warthogs among others. Perfect game viewing experiences are guaranteed during the dry season as most wild animals gather around water drinking points but the activity is done all year round. After hours of game viewing around the wildlife hot spots, enjoy your packed Lunch or return to the Lodge for Lunch.
In the afternoon continue with Queen Elizabeth National Park exploration, with tours around the Craters. Visit Lake Katwe where salt is mined, Lakes Nyamunuka and Bunyampaka that are renowned spots for migratory bird species especially flamingos. You will be amazed by how salt here is locally excavated and drive back to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Your transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park begins with breakfast and game drive through the Park, towards Ishasha sector in the south where if lucky find the tree climbing lions on fig tree branches. Continue for Lunch at Savannah Resort Kihihi and to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for slumber and dinner.
Day 9: Day for the life-changing opportunity – mountain gorilla trekking.
Day 9 commences with an early morning breakfast at the Lodge, followed by a pick-up by your safari driver for a transfer to the Park Headquarters. You will attend briefing with other trekkers where one of the UWA Park officials will take you through the amazing choice of activity you are about to undertake on this day.
Listen keenly to the information being provided especially guidelines of trekking because they will be needed/applicable in the forest while trekking or when with the mountain gorillas. The trek starts by 08h00 and lasts 1-4 hours involving different challenging situations until mountain gorillas are found, get to spend one hour within their presence.
Delicious lunch will await your return to the Lodge and in the evening spend some quality time with the local community members to learn about their cultures, lifestyles and sum it up with a cultural dance performance. Dinner and overnight stay will be as day 8.
Day 10: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Bunyonyi.
Leave the misty and heavily forested Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for the tranquil and verdant Lake Bunyonyi. Drive through the winding roads while enjoying views of the terraced hills, vast banana plantations and many others, then reach the shores of Lake Bunyonyi in the afternoon for Lunch.
In the afternoon be treated to a refreshing canoe ride on the Lake to explore the different bird species that roam around the area. All meals and overnight stay at one of the Lakeshore Hotels/Tented Camps or Guesthouse overlooking the spectacular Lake.
Day 11: Road transfer from the stunning Lake Bunyonyi to incredible Lake Mburo National Park.
Be served breakfast early to allow you exit Lake Bunyonyi and continue to Lake Mburo National Park with jaw-dropping en-route sceneries. During your journey make a brief stop at the Bakiga Cultural Museum where you will learn about the natural and cultural heritage of the Bakiga people through the showcased objects.
En-route lunch and be at Lake Mburo National Park in the late afternoon for check-in. Settle-in, freshen-up, relax for a while and gather some strength for the night/evening game drive. Get back to the booked place of stay for dinner and slumber.
Day 12: Lake Mburo National Park – Morning game drive and afternoon boat ride.
The 12th Day commences with breakfast at the Lodge, followed by a morning game drive through the Park’s savannah grasslands. There are several game tracks running across the Park to allow you clearly see the zebras, Impalas, buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, common elands and olive baboons.
Driving off-track is prohibited but even through the game tracks, unrivaled views of game will be enjoyed. By the time the game drive ends, you will have captured the best moments and return back to the Lodge for Lunch and relaxation.
Lunch will be served by 13h00 so that by 14h00 you are already by the Lakeshores, waiting to undertake the boat ride on Lake Mburo. This activity allows you to immerse yourself in memorable experiences as you observe plethora of birds flocking to the waters or nearby wetlands as well as animals – especially hippos and crocodiles relaxing in the deep waters while buffaloes, warthogs and impalas visit the shores for a drink in the scotching sunshine, Wrap up the day with a mouthwatering meal at the Lodge and slumber while listening to the sounds of the wilderness.
Day 13: Return to Kampala.
Rise with the tropical sun for a hot cup of tea/coffee and check-out of the lodge for a transfer to Kampala City and this marks the end of this unforgettable Uganda Safari.

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