Overview
This 9 days safari is done across Uganda’s top destinations starting from Entebbe and ending in Kampala/Entebbe. Enjoy exploring pristine aquatic habitats such as Mabamba Wetland and Lake Bunyonyi, both shelters to beautiful bird species. Uganda national parks to explore include Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Bwindi. In these destinations you will enjoy game drives, boat cruises, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tours. The package also promises community experiences to showcase Uganda’s cultural diversity.
Summary of safaris
Day 1: Arrival, pick up and embark on Mabamba Wetland tour
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park and rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 3: Morning game drive and evening boat cruise
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park and tour Amabere G’anyinamwiru
Day 5: Trekking chimpanzees and Bigodi community tour
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Boat cruise in the afternoon
Day 7: Morning game drive and transfer to Bwindi NP through Ishasha Sector
Day 8: Gorilla trekking and proceed to Lake Bunyonyi for a boat cruise
Day 9: Departure back to Kampala. End of safari
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Pick-up and embark on Mabamba Wetland Tour
You will arrive at Entebbe International Airport. From here you will be greeted and picked up by a dedicated driver. Head to Mabamba Wetland for a tour. The wetland is known for sheltering plenty of bird species, especially the shoebill stork. Enjoy a guided canoe ride across the wetland as you watch and take photos of birds. You will get insight about the wetland and its socio-economic significance to the local people. Drive to your accommodation within Entebbe or Kampala for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park and Rhino Trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
In the morning you will have breakfast at your hotel before setting out for Murchison Falls National Park. While enjoying the 234 kilometers drive to the park in northwest Uganda, watch the wonderful scenes along the road. In Nakasongola district, stop at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. This place is home to southern white rhinos, Rothchild’s giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, zebras and other wild animals, birds, and reptile species.
Tracking of the southern white rhinos for an hour is the highlight of the experience in the ranch. Head for enroute lunch before you arrive at the Murchison Falls National Park entrance. From here, you will witness a variety of flora and fauna amidst the woodland and grassland before you reach your lodge. Elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, warthogs and so many species of antelopes are commonly spotted here. Check in at your lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing. Dinner and overnight stay are provided.
Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Evening Boat Cruise
An early morning game drive is all you will need after waking up and having breakfast. Across the savannahs of the northern sector, you will drive looking for leopards, lions, elephants, giraffes, warthogs, hartebeests and buffaloes etc. Enjoy the 2-3 hours before you return to your lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the evening go to the Victoria Nile in Paraa for a chance to experience the unique boat cruise for 2 hours. This trip is perfect for viewing crocodiles, hippos, grey-crowned cranes, pied kingfishers and African fish eagles etc.
The surrounding landscape also offers perfect scenes for photography or recording a video. A special moment to witness the amazing Murchison Falls at a relatively closer distance follows. This all happens while the golden sun sets on the horizon. Return to the jetty where you will be driven back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park and Tour Amabere G’anyinamwiru
Today you will spend the night at Kibale National Park after a scenic trip throughout. This is located 253 kilometers by road from Murchison Falls National Park. Lunch will be provided along the way. Once you reach Fort Portal, you will drive to the Amabere G’anyinamwiru caves for an insightful experience about this region’s folklore. Learn about the mystical stories surrounding the place and enjoy seeing the caves, stalagmites and stalactites. While on the guided tour around the destination, you will also get views of crater lakes. Drive to Kibale Forest and check in at your lodge. After dinner have an overnight stay here.
Day 5: Trekking Chimpanzees and Bigodi Community Tour
Early morning breakfast will be served to you before you go to meet the common chimpanzees. This starts with presenting yourself at the visitor’s information center for registration. After attending a briefing session with the park warden, the excellent ranger guides will take over. They will lead you in a very captivating walk following chimp trails in the forest to look for a habituated chimp community. Watching chimpanzees in their natural habitat is done for 1 hour, while taking photos or videos. Return to the lodge and refresh before heading to Bigodi Village.
In Bigodi, there is a lot to experience with the special local people in this community surrounding Kibale Forest. When you meet a women’s group they will show you their beautifully made handcrafts consisting of mats, baskets etc. They are also so entertaining, through singing traditional songs in their language. They may also invite you to join in their dancing as their traditional music instruments play. You may want to buy some of their handmade crafts as souvenirs. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Boat Cruise in the afternoon
Start the beautiful day with a warm breakfast at your lodge. Once you check out of the lodge drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This scenic drive is not that long, 75.1 kilometers by road. But, throughout the drive, there are so many beautiful features to see, including rift valley escarpments, equator crossing and crater lakes. Arrive in Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will proceed to your lodge to check in. During this time, you will be greeted by various wild animals including warthogs, lions, elephants and others. Have dinner and overnight stay.
An afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is next to ensure you enjoy a luxury trip. This waterway links Lake George and Lake Edward. With amazing sights during the trip, you will be intrigued by Nile crocodiles and hippos submerged in the water. Some of the most interesting bird species to spot include black heron, glossy ibis, great cormorant, African swamphen and gray-crowned crane. Head back to your lodge for dinner, followed by a much needed overnight stay.
Day 7: Morning game drive and Transfer to Bwindi National Park through Ishasha Sector
Start the day with early breakfast before checking out of the lodge to drive across the Kasenyi Plains. The game drive will be for 2-3 hours, presenting opportunities to spot mammal and bird species. There are tens of mammal species to spot but highlights include lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs and warthogs etc. Meanwhile bird species are in hundreds, including speckled pigeon, lemon dove, great blue turaco and Senegal coucal etc. Start the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha sector.
Do not miss the chance to see the renowned tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Spotting these iconic species also offers additional views of the spectacular savannah scenery and warthogs, waterbucks, elephants, and buffaloes. Proceed towards Bwindi with enroute lunch. If you are heading to the Ruhija sector, the distance by road is 75 kilometers from Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arrive and check in at your lodge. Dinner and overnight is at this cozy lodge.
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking and Proceed to Lake Bunyonyi for a Boat Cruise
An early morning breakfast is necessary before you check out and go to the gorilla trekking trailhead. Meet the park warden who will brief you on tips necessary for a successful gorilla trek. You will be handed over to experienced ranger guides to track a habituated gorilla family. Encountering the gorillas is obvious, nevertheless seeing them is for 1 hour. This is so important because it gives you enough time to observe them while capturing photos with your camera. Once this is over, you will return to the trailhead where debriefing will take place.
Proceed to Lake Bunyonyi which is located just 92.3 kilometers away from the Ruhija trailhead. When you arrive at the lake check in at your pre-booked lodge. Head for a boat cruise on the enchanting Lake Bunyonyi. In the motorboat you will see bird species like black-crowned waxbill, sedge warbler, pink-backed pelican, African fish eagle and village weaver. The boat cruise also offers excellent scenes of unspoiled landscapes including islands. After this guided tour, head back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9: Departure back to Kampala. End of safari.
Try to wake up as early as possible for your morning breakfast. Once you have checked out of the lodge, you will depart to Kampala in a scenic 449 kilometer drive. Enroute lunch is offered, before you reach Kampala, preferably in Mbarara city. When you eventually enter Kampala, the driver will drop you off at a location of your choice. If your plan is to depart Uganda, the driver will take you there to complete the trip. This is the end of your 9 days explore Uganda safari.