12 DAYS UGANDA WILDLIFE AND PRIMATE EXPERIENCE SAFARI

On arrival at Entebbe international airport, you will be warmly met by our company representative and your English speaking safari guide to meet and greet and then be transferred to your booked hotel in Entebbe town to check in, freshen yourself and later meet again with our representative and the safari guide at the hotel lobby to be briefed about the tour. The hotel is about 10-20 minutes’ drive from Entebbe international airport.

If time allows, drive to Entebbe botanical gardens for an evening walk where may encounter some primates and bird species as well as visiting the shores of Lake Victoria where you may spot some water birds as well as getting used to the Uganda’s beautiful environment. Lake Victoria is the largest water body in Africa and second largest fresh water body in the world and the source of the River Nile which is the longest on the planet. Lake Victoria is shared by the three East African Countries; Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya and the River Nile flows for more than 6,600 kilometers (4,100 miles) to the Mediterranean Sea from Lake Victoria in the north through 4 Africa countries including Uganda, Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan.

Accommodation; 2 Friends Beach Hotel (Mid-range)
Meal plan; Dinner

Wake up to prepare to start your great African safari. Have your travel bag packed, be served breakfast, check out of the hotel to start your drive (0800am) to Murchison Falls national park, found in northwestern Uganda about 320 km from Kampala. On your way, you will visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary found in the Nakasongola district for a white rhino tracking experience. The Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where you can see white rhinos in the wild. Once, Uganda had an adequate number of rhinos that were found in the Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls national parks, but they became nationally extinct due to numerous illegal human activities such as poaching and civil unrest in the early 1970s. Therefore, in 2005, the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary was established to facilitate the reintroduction of rhinos into Uganda’s wildlife inventory. During rhino tracking, you will have a chance to see them close to their feet with the help of the local site guide and spend a maximum of one hour with them. You will be allowed to take as many photos as you want, but you have to keep your camera on standby not to miss any great moments. After you have had an unforgettable experience with rhinos, relax with a bottle of water and drive to Kabalega diner to have lunch. Later, proceed with the drive to Murchison Falls national park to visit the Murchison Falls to enjoy the breathtaking views of the falls and to hear the verbal burble of the falls as they drop into a pool of water. While at the Murchison falls, you will see how the whole river Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge of only 7 meters wide and then drops 43 meters into a pool and then form a strong thunderous sound which is so lovely.

After seeing the Murchison Falls, cross the River Nile and drive to your booked lodge to check in and spend your evening relaxing while preparing for your adventurous night game drive safari, which will boost your chances of encountering nocturnal animals and birds of the park such as lions, leopards, porcupines, civets, spotted hyenas, and the grazing hippos, among others, not only to get the lovely sounds of animals but also on a lucky day, you may meet predators hunting which is one of the great wildlife experience of the savannah. Murchison Falls National Park is the best savannah national park in Uganda for a night game drive. Dinner and an overnight stay

Murchison Falls National Park is home to 76 recorded mammal species these include; Jackson's hartebeest, Waterbucks, Hippopotamuses, Nile crocodiles, some primates like Chimpanzees, Olive baboons, Black and white colobus monkeys, Giraffes, Uganda kobs, Elephants, Caped Buffaloes, Lions, Leopards, Spotted hyenas, Civets, Warthogs, Oribis, Topis among others plus 450 recorded bird species such as the rare shoebill stork, Abyssinian ground hornbill, papyrus Gonolek, marabou stork, black-bellied bustard, open billed stork among others. Dinner and an overnight

Accommodation; Pukuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
Meal Plan; Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

Wake up very early to have a cup of coffee, get your packed breakfast and head to the northern sector of the park where superb game drive safaris are carried out. During the game drive, your safari guide will help you to spot several animals and share with you lot of information regarding various wildlife species that you will spot such as Caped buffalo, Elephants, Uganda Kobs, Jackson hartebeest, Roth child giraffes, oribis, Lion, Common warthogs some primates species on a lucky day, you may spot a leopard, have short break to enjoy your full breakfast and later proceed with your game drive to fully explore the park and be able to spot several wildlife species. Later early afternoon, leave the jungle and return to your lodge to relax, have lunch and then drive to Paraa gathering point for an afternoon boat cruise safari on the River Nile which starts at 02:00 pm. The boat cruise safari goes upstream from the calm Victoria Nile to the base of the Murchison falls stopping few meters from the ‘Devil’s Cauldron’ of the falls which will give you an amazing views of the fall and see how the River Nile drops into a pool. The boat cruise will take you through the zones of water mammals and birds like bloats Hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles, some birds like the Egyptian goose, goliath heron, kingfisher, pelican bee-eater, hornbill, cormorant, you may see some land mammals when they have come to drink water and swimming. After the boat drive back to your lodge and spend your night while relaxing, dinner and an overnight.
Accommodation; Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
Meal Plan; Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

Today after your fantastic breakfast, check out of your lodge and slowly drive through the park, across the Nile River and then drive to Kibale forest national park. The park is popular for its high concentration of primates in African with 13 different primate species these include the highest population of the habituated chimpanzees families for tourism and research purposes other primates are; the uncommon L’Hoest’s monkeys, the endangered Red colobus monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, the Black & white colobus, Blue monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabeys, Uganda Red Colobus, Patas monkey and potto among many others. The park is also home to over 375 bird species and other mammals such as Bushbucks, Blue duikers, Bush pigs, Sitatungas, Giant forest hogs, Leopards, different mongooses, etc. The drive to Kibale forest national park will take you through villages and small towns while seeing the indigenous people carrying out their daily activities like working on tea, coffee, and banana plantations, animal farms and laying bricks, and many others, enjoy the beautiful sceneries of the countryside that will make your drive so adventurous. On your way, you will have several stops to stretch your muscles and take photos of the beautiful sceneries. Later drive to check-in at your booked lodge to have lunch, relax and then in the evening go to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk where you will have an opportunity to encounter several wildlife species such as over 8 primate species, bird species, and so many incredible plants and trees species. The walk will end in one of the communities around the swamp where you interact with the indigenous people and share with you a lot of their local life and how they do their activities like making local beer from bananas locally milling millet, and making delicious coffee. Drive to your lodge to relax, have dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation; Isunga Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
Meal Plan; Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

After breakfast, meet your safari guide and transfer to the park information offices to join other guests for briefing about the dos and don’ts to follow while looking for chimpanzees in the forest, and how to behave before chimpanzees. Then embark on your guided forest walk to search for the intelligent chimpanzees the human closest relatives sharing 98.8% human DNA. During your forest walk, you may encounter other wildlife species both mammals and birds species such as others primates, Bush pigs among other and your guide will be able to give you much interesting information about everything that you will encounter which will make your walk so adventurous. Once you meet chimpanzees, you will spend with them a maximum of one hour to watch how they play in the tree branches, feeding and taking care of their babies and taking as many photos as you would want. After staying with chimpanzees for an hour, return to the starting point to relax, have refreshment plus lunch and later go for your evening walking safari to Nkuruba community. This tour will take you to explore the beautiful sceneries around Lake Nkuruba such as the Top of the World viewpoint where you will have a breathtaking view of the tea plantations, crater lakes, villages and then take a guided walk through our local villages where you will meet and greet the local people around the park and learn about the unique Ugandan culture and traditions. Dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation; Isunga Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
Meal Plan; Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

Rise up to have a late breakfast (0800 am), meet your safari guide, and go for your crater lakes exploration tour. On your visit to the Crater Lakes, you will be able to encounter some of the most fascinating and wonderful African wildlife and spectacular scenery. It is recommended to reach some of the craters on foot. Kibale Forest National Park is a dream destination in Uganda to explore the Crater Lakes that cannot be found anywhere in the world as there are several magnificent Crater Lakes that are worth a visit. Most of these crater lakes were formed during the ancient volcanic activity in Uganda about 10000 years ago, which left behind several scenic crater lakes most of which include the Kibale-Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lakes. These Craters are among the few extinct volcanic features whose volcanic gases are said to have covered about 10 kilometers beneath. The Lakes feature a sulphuric smell and are characterized by green toxic water which means that you shouldn’t try jumping into any Crater Lake’s water prior to finding out if it is safer for one to swim in it. After the crater lakes exploration tour, have lunch and start your drive to Queen Elizabeth national park one of the most beautiful, scenic and popular national parks in Africa that are best for an adventurous African safari. The park is remarkable for having the most diverse ecosystems that includes humid forests, sparkling lakes, sprawling savanna, shady, and fertile wetlands that makes it an ideal habitat to 95 mammal species including the for several big games (Elephants, Caped buffaloes, Lions, Leopards), primate species such as chimpanzees and 600 recorded bird species. On arrival to park drive straight to booked lodge to check in to freshen up and spend your evening at your leisure till to have dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation; Elephant Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
Meal plan; Breakfast/ Lunch / Dinner

Begin your day with heavy breakfast (0600 am), and later drive to the park to lookout for the wild animal such as; Uganda Kobs, Water bucks, Elephants, Caped buffaloes, lions, warthogs, Leopard, and some primates as well as several bird species. Your safari guide will ensure that you spot as many wildlife species as possible and give you much information about everything that you well encounter during your game drive. Queen Elizabeth national park is a feeding ground to over 95 mammal species and 600 recorded birds making it an ideal destination for a game drive. Later, have a short break to relax, have lunch plus other refreshments and then drive to the Kazinga channel for the 2 hours’ afternoon boat cruise safari. The Kazinga channel is the main water stream which goes through the park and connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. During the boat cruise safari, you will see a good number of both aquatic and land animals such as Hippopotamuses, crocodiles, alligators, Caped buffaloes, Elephants, Uganda kobs among others and also a collection of bird species like the malachite kingfishers, pink backed pelicans, on the banks of the channel which will be so adventurous. Thereafter your 2 hours’ boat cruise along the Kazinga channel, drive back to your lodge to spend your evening relaxing while enjoying the beautiful views of the Kazinga channel, have dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation; Elephant Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
Meal plan; Breakfast/ Lunch / Dinner

After having your tasty breakfast, get all your luggage packed in the vehicle, check out of your lodge and start your drive to the Ishasha sector found in the southern parts of Queen Elizabeth national park for mid-morning game drive to search for the wildlife species in found in the Ishasha sector with a main focus to search for the unique tree. Tree climbing lions can only be found in Queen Elizabeth national park of Uganda and Lake Manyara national park of Tanzania. However, Queen Elizabeth national park has the biggest population with four prides and there are higher chances to encounter to spot them in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park than anywhere on African Safari and also, you will be able to spot several other wildlife species such as Elephants, several antelopes, like Topis, bushbucks, Buffaloes and so many more fascinating creatures. After the game drive, have lunch and continue with your journey to Mgahinga Gorilla national park. The Park is found in southwestern Uganda and it is the smallest park and one of the only two national parks in Uganda where one can meet the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda. Mgahinga gorilla national park is the only park in Uganda where you can meet both the giant mountain gorillas and the beautiful golden monkeys. The park distinguishes itself from other gorilla parks by having three volcanoes, namely Gahinga, Sabinyo, and Muhabura, and the best places to meet the Batwa pygmy people. Dinner and an overnight

Accommodation; Lake Mutanda Resort (Luxury)
Meal Plan; Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

Day 9 of the 10-Days Uganda wildlife and primate experience safari, wake up early in the morning (0600am) to organize yourself, arrange the necessary equipment for mountain gorilla trekking such as cameras, binoculars, insect repellants, get well-dressed in a recommended style for mountain gorilla trekking like long khaki or jean trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, heavy-duty gloves, and round hats. Have a heavy breakfast, get your packed lunch boxes, get enough drinking water, and meet your safari guide to be transferred to the park information offices to be briefed about mountain gorilla trekking dos and don’ts, how to behave in the presence of mountain gorillas, and be allocated a mountain gorilla family to track and a UWA ranger and the forest guide. We would recommend you hire a porter to help you carry your packed bag and any other items you might need during the mountain gorilla trekking. After a pre-mountain gorilla trekking session, start your forest walk in search of the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.

The time taken before encountering your allocated mountain gorilla family is not known. However, it may be between 45 minutes and 4 hours depending on the movements and location of the gorilla family you are allocated. Therefore, you should be physically and mentally prepared to walk a long distance through the forest that is made of hills and with no clear walking trails that are only made at that particular time of tracking by your guide, depending on the direction that can easily lead you to the location of the gorilla family. That is why it is recommended to carry enough water to keep you hydrated and snacks to keep you with enough energy since you use a lot of energy when walking through the forest in search of mountain gorillas.

Once you encounter the mountain gorilla family, the excitement of seeing the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat will outweigh the hardships you went through while searching for them. A mountain gorilla family can be made up of several members, such as the giant silverback who is always the head and protector of the family, mothers, infants, and juveniles. The time you will spend with the mountain gorillas gives you an opportunity to learn about their behaviors, how they socialize, and be excited by their actions, like the playful babies, mothers grooming their babies, and Mr. Silverback, watching the situation silently as he is ready to protect the family from any kind of attack. You will spend a maximum of one hour with the mountain gorillas, and you will be free to capture as many photos and record videos as you want to keep your great memories with the mountain gorilla family in the jungle. After an hour with the mountain gorilla family, you will return to the trekking start point to receive your mountain trekking certificate in appreciation of your contribution to the conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda. Have some refreshments and then drive back to your lodge to have lunch, relax and later go for a Lake Mutanda tour with a boat cruise.

Lake Mutanda is the best place to relax after mountain gorilla trekking and other activities at Mgahinga gorilla national park. During your tour to Lake Mutanda, you will do a boat canoeing tour in a dugout canoe with your local guide that will introduce you to the lake’s local life and explore several fascinating islands. After the boat canoe safari on Lake Mutanda, go for an Otter Viewing Experience, also known as "behind the scenes" at the Kaboko River Channel, found in the north of Lake Mutanda, where you will meet the clawless otters and get an up-close interaction with the clawless otter that is so unforgettable. Therefore, you have to keep your camera on standby to capture all your greeting moments with clawless Otters. Later, visit Kyangushu Island, also known as "the skeleton island", the burial place of Kyangushu, and the largest island on Lake Mutanda. While on this island on a clear day, you will enjoy the most breathtaking view of the Bunagana-DR Congo border and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Thereafter, return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Lake Mutanda Resort (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

Today, wake up at your convenient time, be served breakfast, check out of the lodge, meet your safari guide, and start your drive to Lake Mburo national park with a stopover at Lake Bunyonyi, one of the most beautiful lakes in Africa and the deepest lake in Uganda, for a boat canoeing safari on Lake Bunyonyi, which takes approximately 2 hours to explore this beautiful lake and visit different islands in it as well as enjoy the beautiful views of the well-terraced hills that surround the lake. Your experienced local guide will give you as much information as possible about the lake and its islands, and all the things around it. Lake Bunyonyi is framed by 29 islands of different sizes across the water, making it one of the most magical views in the world. Each of the 29 islands on Lake Bunyonyi has its own unique and interesting story behind it which your local guide will narrate to you during the canoeing safari, such as the Akampene island, also known as the "punishment island", which was used by the Biga community to punish girls who would get pregnant before official marriage by isolating them there to death as a way to teach a lesson to the rest not to make the same mistake. So, poor men who could not afford to pay the bride price would go to this island to get free wives from amongst those that could have been exiled to this island. In African societies, it is a disgrace for a girl to get pregnant before her official marriage. This would cause the family to lose community respect. So, this would make parents be strict with their girl children as a way of protecting them.

After canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi, have lunch and proceed with your journey to Lake Mburo national park with another stopover at Igongo cultural center to relax with a cup of coffee, tour the museum, one of Uganda’s richest heritage with history, traditions, and lifestyle of the Ankole people of southwest Uganda that will take you centuries back in time. Following that, proceed with the journey to the park to check-in at your booked lodge, freshen up, and relax until it is time to have an early dinner and go for your night game drive safari, which will boost your chances of seeing the nocturnal mammals of the savannah such as the spotted hyenas, leopards, civets, African rock pythons, porcupines, and other mammals that are very difficult to see during day game drives. It is an interesting experience out at night and Lake Mburo is one of the best parks for a night game drive.

Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest savannah protected area in Uganda but highly endowed with flora and fauna and other natural features. The park has 350 recorded bird species, 68 mammal species, and 13 small lakes. Its woodlands and savannah plains provide excellent habitat and feeding grounds for Zebras, Buffaloes, Elands, Impalas, Warthogs, Oribi, Defassa waterbuck, Leopard, Spotted hyena, Topi, Reedbuck, Hippopotamuses, Giraffes, Bushbabies, Porcupines, White-tailed Bush pigs, African rock pythons, and many other species.

Accommodation; Rwakobo Rock Lodge (Mid-range)
Meal Plan; Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

On this day, you will have a simple breakfast in the morning and then go for your early morning jungle horseback riding in the park. Without any doubt, horseback riding safari in Lake Mburo national park is one of the most amazing activities that give visitors an outstanding experience of viewing wildlife and doing a nature walk while on top of a horse. During a horseback riding safari in the park, you will have opportunities to view animals like Zebras, Impalas, and the more shy ones like Elands, because they are curious about looking at their close relatives without black and white stripes. Horse riding is the most peaceful way to explore the park since it does not leave any footprints behind, cause noise and air pollution as it is when using a safari vehicle which will make you feel part of nature. Return to your lodge to have a full breakfast, check out and start your drive back to Entebbe international airport to prepare for your return flight. On your way to Kampala city, you will have a stopover at the Uganda equator line located in Kayabwe, which is believed to separate the planet into two parts; the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

While at the equator landmark, you will see the water experiment which is done to show how forces move differently on each side of the planet and to prove the difference between the two hemispheres. For example, water drains from the funnel in a clockwise motion in the northern hemisphere, whereas it drains down in an anti-clockwise motion in the southern hemisphere. Here, the sun rises and sets rapidly and the temperatures and weather are largely constant all year through. Take some memorial photos with one foot in the southern hemisphere and another one in the northern hemisphere, which will give you an opportunity to take a photo while standing on both sides of the world at the same time. It is also said that while standing at the equator line, your body weight is reduced by about 3kg, so you will have a chance to prove this statement right or false. After the water experiment, have lunch, visit some craft shops to buy some souvenirs that are fully designed in Ugandan indigenous art. After staying at the Uganda equator for some time, proceed with your journey to Cassia Lodge to check in at your booked, freshen up and spend your evening relaxing while enjoying the beautiful views of Kampala. Have dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation; Cassia Lodge (Mid-range)
Meal Plan; Breakfast / Lunch / Lunch

After having breakfast, spend the morning and afternoon hours relaxing at your hotel, after spending 12 days in the Ugandan wilderness exploring wildlife and primates. So, spending some time at your leisure as well as preparing for your return flight. Cassia Lodge is strategically located, giving you the best views of Kampala city and Lake Victoria. It is fully isolated from the city, giving you the best time to relax. Have lunch, and later check out and drive to Entebbe international airport to prepare for your return flight. This will be the end of a 12-Days Uganda wildlife and primate experience safari.

Meal Plan; Breakfast / Lunch