14 DAYS UGANDA SAFARI.
Overview.
The 14 days Uganda Safari is a two-week’ Ugandan-based primate and wildlife viewing safari leading visitors to five phenomenal National Parks (Murchison falls, Bwindi Impenetrable, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks) in addition to other remarkable tourist destinations (such as Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Bunyonyi, Bigodi wetland Sanctuary and Uganda Equator crossing among others).
Tours to these places reward visitors with a chance to participate in wildlife viewing, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, boat cruises, Rhino tracking, golden monkey tracking and cultural tours.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport, Uganda.
On reaching Entebbe International Airport (the main gateway into Uganda), you will receive a warm reception from our safari driver/guide who will then brief you on the safari you will be undertaking. Jump on the waiting safari vehicle for a transfer to Kampala, the Capital City for rest at the booked Hotel.
Day 2: Drive to Murchison falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Breakfast will be the best way to start your second day and check-out of the Hotel for a half day journey to the beautiful Murchison falls National Park. Break your journey with a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will spend another 1-2 hours tracking the country’s only Rhino population in the wild but most interestingly also encounter other animals and bird species that call the Sanctuary home.
Be driven to Kabalega Diners for a hot meal and drive to the Park for a visit to top of the powerful Murchison falls. This activity will mark the end of your day 2 activities and later return for a good night sleep as well as dinner at the lodge.
Day 3: Morning game drives and launch cruises to the bottom of the falls.
Be up early enough for a simple breakfast then connect to the wildlife-rich areas of Murchison falls National Park where you will be able to see large herds of elephants, Jackson’s hartebeests, Uganda Kobs, Oribis, buffaloes, common elands, Defassa waterbucks, spotted hyenas, lions, leopards, Rothschild giraffes, Topis, bushbucks and warthogs among others. After 3-4 hours of driving through the savannah plains dotted with acacia vegetation, return to the Lodge for a snack, quick nap and later Lunch.
At 2:00pm you will be at the starting point for the boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. This boat cruise is another great wildlife viewing experience as you get to see Nile crocodiles and Hippos along the sand banks as well as shallow waters of the Nile River as well as bird species in the nearby swamps.
Also, don’t be surprised to see elephants, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes and waterbucks drinking at the banks but the highlight of the boat cruise is the Murchison falls where waters ferociously pass through a narrow gorge and fall down creating the best picturesque view. After a moment of photography, ride back to the banks and transfer to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda via Albertine rift escarpments.
Have breakfast and pack your bags for the 7-8 hours’ transfer to the magnificent Kibale Forest National Park, in western Uganda and popularly known as the “Primate Capital of the World”.
You will be marveled by the views of the escarpment and Lake Albert flats, the verdant countryside as well as meet/interact with locals trending to their gardens. Have Lunch in Fort Portal Town and arrive the Park in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park and guided wetland walk.
By 7am you have to assemble at the Kanyanchu Reception Center after breakfast for the Chimpanzee trek. The trekking process starts at 8am after a briefing by the Park officials that usually ends by 7:45 am. Trekking lasts 2-4 hours and also includes the one hour you will spend in the presence of the chimpanzee community, but the little time spent in the jungle will be filled with sights and sounds of the forest including bush pigs, elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs and sitatunga as well as plethora of bird species.
Have Lunch and in the evening drive to Bigodi wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. This walk is for primate viewing with species such as olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys as well as grey-cheeked mangabeys in addition to birding with views of unique species such great blue Turaco and papyrus Gonolek. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge, within the jungles or outskirts of Kibale Forest National Park.
Day 6: Drive to the spectacular Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Breakfast will be served at the Lodge before you can check-out for a drive to the striking Queen Elizabeth National Park, about 4 hours’ drive away. The scenic drive will reward you with eye-catching views of the Mountains of the Moon and arrive at the savannah Park in the afternoon for lunch.
If tired you will relax the entire evening but if not, tour the Salt Lake. Evening relaxation, Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge.
Day 7: Explore Queen Elizabeth Park through game drives and boat cruises along Kazinga Channel.
A cup of tea or coffee is the best way to start your day within an African wilderness. As early as 6am set-off for a game drive through the vast savannah grasslands as well as hiding places for nocturnal wildlife such as lions, spotted hyenas, leopards, pottos and animals that roam freely such as buffaloes, elephants, Uganda Kobs, warthogs and Topis. After the game drive, your safari driver will drive you back to the Lodge for Lunch.
In the afternoon converge at Mweya peninsula for the recreational boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel that starts by 2pm. Sights of hippos, Nile crocodiles as well as shoebill storks, African fish eagles, pied kingfishers, pick-backed pelicans and grey-crowned cranes should be your expectation from this boat cruise.
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-west of Uganda.
Embark on the 4-5 hours’ transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park after breakfast, traversing through Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Drive through the Ishasha sector, known for the extraordinary tree climbing lions that exist in only two places in the whole World (the other is Tanzania’s Lake Manyara National Park). Lunch enroute and arrive Bwindi in the evening for a cold/hot bath, dinner and overnight at the booked lodge.
Day 9: Memorable gorilla trekking experience.
Gorilla trekking tops the list for every African safari and visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking is one of the best decisions you ever made. A typical gorilla trekking day will start with breakfast before assembling at the Park Headquarters for briefing on the conduct of trekking of being in the presence of the mountain gorillas.
The 1-5 hours’ trek involves hiking hills, jumping rivers, descending valleys, losing balance and falling as well as maneuvering thick thickets but it’s worthwhile because the one hour in their presence will make you forget all the hustle. Descend to the trailhead and to the Park Headquarters for your trekking certificate before transferring to the Lodge for Lunch. Relax by the Lodge while enjoying the views of the thick forest and dinner/overnight stay will also be at the same Lodge.
Day 10: Countryside drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Breakfast then Connect to the verdant Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, one of the Parks within the Virunga Conservation Area sharing its borders with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park. Lunch will be served on checking in at the Lodge and dinner/overnight stay will be at the same place.
Day 11: Golden monkey tracking adventure and evening Batwa Community visit.
Start this day with breakfast and transfer to Ntebeko Visitor Center for a pre-tracking briefing on golden monkey tracking adventure. The activity doesn’t limit the number of persons visiting each golden monkey community and it also involves moving through the forest.
Tracking lasts 1-3 hours before the community is found within the Bamboo forest, of which you will spend one hour. The experience is not as popular as gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking experiences, but equally rewarding.
Lunch will be at the Lodge and later head for the Batwa Community visit where you will explore the breathtaking traditions and lifestyle of the Batwa pygmies that originally occupied the forest before it was gazetted a national park. Retreat to your booked place of stay for dinner, overnight and relaxation.
Day 12: Transfer to the secluded Lake Bunyonyi.
Start the 12th day of your two-week safari with breakfast and embark on a transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, about 3-4 hours’ drive away. Be served lunch on checking in at the booked Lodge for relaxation. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening relaxation by the Lodge and enjoying the views of the serene Lake.
Day 13: All day relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi.
This day you will explore Lake Bunyonyi in a number of ways. Have breakfast and undertake a canoe ride on the calm waters of this Lake to the different Islands dotted on its waters, the most outstanding one being the Punishment Island.
Return back to the Lodge for a hot meal. Swimming is the best way to spend your afternoon and in the evening undertake a guided community visit to learn about the rich Batwa and Bakiga Culture before returning to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 14: Departure.
Have breakfast and leave for Kampala via the spectacular Lake Mburo National Park where you will undertake a short game drive to increase chances of encountering more of what Uganda offers. Expect to see zebras, impalas and other wildlife species not encountered in other visited Parks.
Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight or transfer to the Airport for your departure flight.
End of 14 days Uganda Safari.

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