Safari overview
This 10 Days Uganda primate and wildlife safari begins in Kampala and then transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track Rhinos, then to the powerful Murchison Falls found on river Nile before proceeding to Kibale National Park to track man’s closest living relatives – the chimpanzees. You will also trek the endanger mountain gorillas in Bwindi, see Africa’s Big Five animals including rhinos, elephants, buffaloes and lions, and enjoy Launch cruises on the Kazinga Channel as well as on the longest river in the world – River Nile.
Activities: Game drives, launch cruises, rhino tracking, chimp tracking, gorilla trekking, cultural visits, nature walks
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls NP Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
Day 2: Morning game drive and Launch cruise on the Nile
Day 3: drive to Kibale National Park
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking and Visit Bigodi wetland sanctuary
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP and Launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Day 6: Morning Game drive – explore Ishasha Sector
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi National Park – en route stops
Day 8: Mountain Gorilla Trekking – Cultural visit to Batwa Pygmies
Day 9: Drive to Lake Mburo national park
Day 10: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls NP and Rhino tracking
After early breakfast transfer to the Murchison falls national park Uganda’s largest game park that prides in a large number of wild animals, birds plus the powerful Murchison falls on River Nile that flows in this park. You will stop by the Ziwa rhino sanctuary to track the white rhinos, and have lunch in Masindi before arriving in the park.
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Ndail Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge
- Mid-Range: Murchison River Lodge, Fort Murchison
- Budget: Red Chilli, Fort Murchison In Tents
Day 2: Morning game drive and Launch cruise on the Nile
Begin the day early with an early morning game drive to explore the various tracks and have an opportunity to see various early risers including predators and grazers among which are: elephants, warthogs, lions, giraffes, Uganda Kobs and several antelopes in addition to a variety of birds. Return for a late breakfast and later lunch at your accommodation
In the afternoon set out on a launch cruise on the mighty River Nile upstream to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls during which you will see giant Nile crocodiles, large schools of hippos, birds like the shoebill stork and some lone animals on the river banks. You will be amazed by the view of the large water volumes of the river Nile squeeze through a tinny 7 meter gorge and then make a powerfully drop 43 meter below. Later return for dinner and overnight at your accommodation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Ndail Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge
- Mid-Range: Murchison River Lodge, Fort Murchison
- Budget: Red Chilli, Fort Murchison In Tents
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park
You will have an early morning breakfast and then begin on the long journey to southwestern Uganda into Kibale National Park home of Chimpanzees and 12 other primate species as well as the primate capital of East Africa. The drive is very scenic and you will have lunch along the way before finally arriving in the park in the evening.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Primates Lodge Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge
- Mid-Range: Kibale Forest Camp, Mountains Of The Moon
- Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Rwenzori Travelers, Kibale Forest Camp
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking and Visit Bigodi wetland sanctuary
By 8:00am attend a briefing at the park headquarters by the park guides about the guidelines to follow while tracking chimpanzees and then set out on the search in this forest for these amazing apes considered to be man’s closets living relative as they share 98% of their DNA with man. You will encounter several birds, butterflies, see different tree species and primates such as the grey checked mangabeys, red colobus, olive baboons and the black & white colobus monkeys. This activity may take 2 – 4 hours before meeting them, however when you find them you will be allowed one hour with them observing and taking photos of them.
After lunch, there will be an optional guided nature walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary a community initiative to see a variety of wildlife including the rare Sitatunga. Later return to your accommodation for dinner and the overnight rest.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Primates Lodge Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge
- Mid-Range: Kibale Forest Camp, Mountains Of The Moon
- Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Rwenzori Travelers, Kibale Forest Camp
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP and Launch cruise
After breakfast transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park. You will visit the spectacular crater- lake area and see the numerous birds that converge here. Once in the park, check into your accommodation, have lunch, and in the afternoon enjoy a 2 hour launch cruise on the Kazinga channel to see the diverse wildlife including the largest population of hippos.
Meal Plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Jacana Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge
- Mid-Range: Enganzi Lodge, Buffalo Safari Resort, Ihamba Safari Lodge
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp Bush Lodge In Tents Kazinga Channel View Lodge
Day 6: Morning Game drive and explore Ishasha Sector
Enjoy an early morning game drive to see some of the numerous animals found in this park. As you explore the wildlife crowded kasenyi area you will see various herbivores and carnivores including buffaloes, Uganda kobs, lions, antelopes and elephants. Return for a lunch breakfast and later lunch
In the afternoon head south to explore the Ishasha area where you will look for the unique tree climbing lions and encounter other wildlife. Later in the evening head back to your accommodation for dinner and the overnight
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Jacana Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge
- Mid-Range: Enganzi Lodge, Buffalo Safari Resort, Ihamba Safari Lodge
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp Bush Lodge In Tents Kazinga Channel View Lodge
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, drive further southwest to Bwindi National Park, best known as home of the endangered mountain gorillas with just about 1006 of these remaining in the world today. The mountain gorillas can only be seen in 3 countries in the world and that is in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo; Uganda having the largest number of gorillas. On arrival, check into your accommodation where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge
- Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Silverback Lodge Bwindi
- Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp, Gorilla Haven Lodge Rushaga, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp
Day 8: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Cultural visit to Batwa Pygmies (optional)
Have breakfast very early in the morning and by 8:00am be at the park headquarters where you will be briefed by the park rangers on the guidelines to follow while tracking gorillas in their natural habitat. In groups of 8 people start search for them in this densely covered forest floor of the Bwindi. The trek takes between 2 to 5 hours however you will eventually meet the gorillas and spend one hour observing them play, feed and cater for each other. The huge dominant silverback will also be easily seen as he will be quietly staring at you from a distance.
After the lunch break, have an optional cultural visit to the Batwa pygmies to learn about the traditional ways of life and be entertained; or spend the rest of the day at your accommodation at leisure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge Chameleon Hill Lodge Bwindi Lodge
- Mid-Range: Gorilla Mist Camp, Engagi Lodge
- Budget: Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp
Day 9: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park, Horseback riding (optional)
After breakfast, transfer you to Lake Mburo national park Uganda’s smallest savanna national park and home to the largest population of Zebras and very old metamorphic rocks supposed to be over 500 million years ago. The park has several different animals among which are hyenas, hyenas, hippos, zebra, leopards, buffaloes, elands, oribi, topi, , impalas and Defassa waterbucks.
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mihingo Lodge or Mantana tented camp
- Mid-Range: Arcadia lake lodge, or Rwakobo Rock, or Mburo safari Lodge
- Budget: Mpogo Lodge
Day 10: Morning Game drive and Departure, end of Safari
This is the final day of the 10 Day primate and wildlife Uganda safari. After breakfast at your lodge, have a game drive on Lake Mburo, and after lunch start the journey back to the capital Kampala with lunch en-route and a stopover at the Uganda equator for photos and to buy souvenirs. The driver guide will drop you either at your hotel in Kampala or to the Entebbe International airport for your departure flight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Tour includes:
Full board accommodation as per itinerary
All meals indicated in the itinerary
Full time Service of an English-speaking driver-guide
transport in a 4WD safari Vehicle
Bottled drinking water in the car
Game drives
Chimpanzee tracking permits
Gorilla trekking permits
Park entrance fees
Launch cruise
Tour excludes:
Personal expenses on drinks, telephone, laundry services and Tips
Personal Insurance
Airfares and visa fees
All activities mentioned as optional
