Itinerary
If time allows briefing about your Safari and travel to Kampala
Travel distance: 42km, 1 hours’ drive. On arrival at the airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your guide who will then transfer you to your hotel in Kampala for the overnight
Overnight at Humura Resort Hotel BB – (Garden rooms).
Today at 8am, you’ll have an opportunity to go for a City Tour, explore the vibrant and chaotic city of Kampala. Discover the old Kampala mosque and the Namirembe cathedral and also, Aga khan as well as Owino market. you will have lunch and later in the afternoon visit the Bahai Temple known as mother Temple of the Bahai faith in Africa. And just like the faith it represents, the Bahai temple is no ordinary house of worship. Sitting on 52 acres of land, the temple is a unique architectural master piece. Built between 1958 and 1961 on Kikaaya hill, three miles North of Kampala the building is 130ft. its dome is a 44ft in diameter. It is a nine sided structure which represents oneness and unity of the faiths biggest tenets. It seats on a beautiful park like ground with lots of beautiful trees most of them fruit tree species plus flowers as well as a green-carpet like grass with clean clear gazetted paths leading to the dome. This park like environment attracts many people who sit on the grass and have a peaceful moment or hold picnics not forgetting couples in love who flock this place for quality time.
Overnight at Humura Resort Hotel HB (Garden rooms).
This morning at 6am after breakfast, you will depart Kampala for Mabamba swamp. The Mabamba Swamps west of Entebbe is one of the best and most convenient places to see the elusive Shoebill. After a few minutes in a small canoe the papyrus reeds opens up into a flat grassy wetlands where a number of Shoebill can regularly be seen. The bird is easiest seen in the morning when they stalk their main prey, the mudfish or frogs, but may be spotted all day. They may stand absolutely still for long periods awaiting the movements of their prey and then suddenly strike with a marvelous speed, there are other bird species that can be spotted within this area and then proceed to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary having lunch on the way. Ziwa is situated on over 27 square miles (70 sq. km) of rolling hills and woodlands near Nakitoma Village in the Nakasongola district of central Uganda. This special rhino re-introduction project was founded by Rhino Fund Uganda with the support of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and it is the only place in the country where you can see these magnificent extinct black and white rhinos. Head out on foot with an armed ranger and guide in search of Southern white rhino, which have thrived here since they first arrived in 2004. Ziwa offers visitors the rare opportunity to take a walking safari with the rhinos and be only mere feet from them the trek takes about 1-3 hours depending on where the Rhinos are at the time.
Accommodation at Amuka lodge on HB, (Cottage).
This morning, you will go for Rhino tracking with the UWA rangers and later proceed to Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge and cascades down to become a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos and crocodiles, waterbucks and buffaloes. The vegetation is characterized by savannah, riverine forest and woodland. Wildlife includes lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees, and many bird species arriving in the afternoon have lunch and then go for evening game drive.
Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge. HB, (Cottage).
Activities: Morning game drive with an afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison falls. – Clients
This morning you will depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park returning later to the lodge for breakfast. The 3,893 sq km park is home to a range of animals, and you will have a chance of viewing some of the Park’s residents including lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. For the birders amongst you, these areas support the secretary bird and the black chested snake eagle, to name a few.
In the afternoon, go for a boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls, where the Nile thunders through a small 7 meter gap plunging 43 meters into the Nile on the way to Lake Albert. The banks of the Nile are densely populated with crocodiles, hippopotamus, and a range of other wildlife that come to the river to drink. You’ll also get off the boat with UWA ranger and then hike to the top of the falls.
Overnight at Pakuba Safari lodge HB, (Cottage).
In the morning after your breakfast, you will go for Nile cruise to the delta serching for shoe bill stork. Shoebill also known as whale head, whale-headed stork, or shoebill stork, is a very large stork-like bird. It derives its name from its enormous shoe-shaped bill. It has a somewhat stork-like overall form and has previously been classified with the storks in the order Ciconiiformes based on its morphology, you will proceed to crater lakes region which is Kabalore district where we find Fortportal city having lunch on the way reaching in the evening.
Accommodation at Rwetera safari lodge, HB, (Cottage).
After breakfast, at 7am, you will have the opportunity to visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which is rich in bird species, vegetation, and wildlife. This is also a great opportunity to support local tourism initiatives which benefit social and economic development in the area. You will also have the opportunity of visiting the traditional healer. You will have lunch with the community of Bigodi and later in the afternoon, you will go for Crater Lakes Hike: Formed by ancient volcanic activity, the crater lakes of Uganda are located near Fort Portal, and are a great hiking option. Typical hikes take you through local villages and tea plantations, to the base of several of these incredibly serene and beautiful lakes. With the Rwenzori Mountains in the background, this is by far one of Uganda’s most peaceful and extraordinary sights.
Accommodation at Rwetera safari lodge, HB, (Cottage).
After breakfast, you will drive to Queen Elizabeth national park. It’s little wonder that Queen Elizabeth boasts one of the highest bio diversity ratings of any game park or reserve in the world, from the open Savannah to Rain Forest, dense Papyrus Swamps and brooding Crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward. Almost 100 mammal species that include Lions, Hippos, Buffalos, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Elephants and the elusive Giant Forest Hog plus remarkable 606 bird species that include the Black Chested Eagle, the Swallow Tailed Bee Eaters, to mention but a few.
The Primates include Chimps, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Blue, Black Faced Red Colobus, and Red Tailed monkeys and Olive Baboons.
Reptiles are the amazing huge Rock-Python, Puff adders, Spitting Cobras, Gabon vipers, Green Mambas, and Turtles etc. All these are regularly sighted around the tourist village on the Mweya Peninsula and all this makes a superb safari territory. You will visit Lake Nyamunuka which was formed as a result of earth movements and volcano eruptions. It’s believed to have healing components for both humans and animals. And later proceed to the lodge
Accommodation at Twin lakes, HB, (Cottages).
In the morning at 8am, drive to Katwe Salt Walk: This tour offers a unique insight into the fascinating process of salt mining, as well as providing an alternative income for Katwe. During the tour you will see community members at work, cross the mud walkways and enter one of the traditional grass huts used to shelter and store tools. The nearby bird sanctuary lake offers a chance to see flamingos from October to May
In the afternoon, you will have a game drive to the Kasenyi area to look for lion prides and other wildlife like the Uganda Kob, before returning to the Lodge for dinner.
Accommodation at Bush lodge, HB, (Self-contained Bandas).
In the morning, you will go for chimpanzee tracking in kyambura Chimps resemble and behave like humans in many ways. They can walk in two legs if they want to and for long distances. Like humans, chimps live in groups or communities that can consist of between 30 to 80 members – compare that to a typical African village setting. Chimpanzee build nests on top of trees but have to climb down every morning to enjoy fruits, leaves and shrubs. Unlike gorillas, chimpanzees also eat meat. They have been frequently sited hunting small antelopes and smaller primates for meat.
Kyambura is located in the South-West Uganda bordering the Southeast of the Kazinga Channel and the south shore of Lake George. The terrain is characterized by small hills and about 10 crater lakes above the East wall of the Western Rift Valley (here interrupted by the vast upheaval of the Ruwenzori range). The area also contains a number of swamps. The boundary with Queen Elizabeth National Park is defined by the Kyambura River which flows into the Kazinga Channel. Vegetation is Savanna grassland and deciduous thickets. In the afternoon take a cruise along the Kazinga Channel, home to one of the largest concentrations of hippopotamus, as well as herds of elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife that come to drink from the river. The Kazinga also attracts a tremendous variety of bird species including the African Eagle, Open-Billed Stork and Pied Kingfishers.
Accommodation at Bush lodge, HB, (Self-contained Bandas).
After your morning breakfast at 6am, you will go for Chimpanzee tracking at Kalinzu where you will have a chance to see chimps in their natural habitat. This will take you 3 to 4 hours. Drive back to the lodge for your lunch. In the afternoon, you may decide to go for optional activities.
Optional Activities:
Queen’s Pavilion: Just 800 meters from the equator monument, and overlooking a thrilling landscape of crater lakes, is the Queen´s Pavilion, a community-run internet café. This is the perfect spot to revive yourself after an early morning safari with a cup of Ugandan tea or coffee. Listen to the elephants trumpeting on the dry plains below and enjoy the savannah views.
Kikorongo African Art Workshop: Traditional crafts hold a special significance in Ugandan villages. Small baskets of groundnuts as a sign of friendship; a calabash on top of a house to ward off evil spirits or a traditional healer´s woven purse filled with natural remedies. Kikorongo Women Community invites you to learn. After your dinner, you will go for a night game drive searching for those animals which normally walk at night.
Accommodation at Bush lodge, HB, (Self-contained Bandas).
Have breakfast and then drive to Ishasha the southern sector of QENP.
After breakfast, drive to the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth national park known as Ishasha home to the famous tree climbing lions. Have a mini game drive enroute before stopping for lunch, and another game drive in the afternoon before dinner then go for a game drive in search of the lion prides
Accommodation at Bull bush lodge, HB, (Chaleps).
In the morning, you will go for a morning game drive in search for tree climbing lions and in the afternoon, you may go for evening game drive or relax at the lodge, have your Dinner and later go for a night game drive with UWA ranges.
Accommodation at Bullbush River Camp lodge, HB, (Chaleps).
After breakfast, have a mini game drive as you bid farewell to the home of the tree climbing lions and then at 10am, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for two nights. Home to over half of the worlds mountain gorilla population. The ancient rainforest of Bwindi spans 321 sq km and boasts 90 mammal species, including a range of primates, as well as 23 Albertine Rift endemic bird species, including the African Green Broadbill, the Bar Tailed Trogon and many others. And later go for sunset the canoe boat on Lake Mutanda. Lake Mutanda is a little known jewel, hidden in the mountainous landscape of southwestern Uganda, in Kisoro District. It is one of the most scenic lakes in Africa, located in a dramatic landscape of lush and verdant sprawling highlands.
Its fresh clear water is dotted by at least 15 islands, lush trees & shrubs, and the lake is ringed by beautiful scenery of sprawling highlands clad with green vegetation, plantations, and terraces of crops along the slopes. This amazing scenery is set against a stunning backdrop of cloudy peaks of the Virunga Mountain Volcanoes. The chain of volcanoes of the Virunga Mountain range spans the borders of Uganda, Rwanda & Congo, and Uganda shares 3 of its prominent 8 volcanoes. The 3 are Mts. Muhavira, Gahinga & Mt. Sabyinyo which make up Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These are very visible, rising in the background over Lake Mutanda & the sprawling highlands, with white fluffy clouds floating across their peaks. In the morning, thick clouds of mist shroud the lush highlands, and create a mystic scenery over Lake Mutanda with such an awe-inspiring view!
Accommodation at Lake Chameleon hill lodge, HB (Chaleps)
In the morning, you will go for waterfall walk (Munyanga falls ) these falls found in Bwindi National Park, southwestern Uganda and found on River Munyanga which flows via this spectacular park which holds a section of mountain gorillas. Munyanga falls are best explored while on a nature walk along Munyanga trail which gets you the best beauty of this natural wonder. And in the afternoon go for lunch as you relax at lodge preparing for you gorilla tracking on the next day.
Accommodation at Lake Chameleon hill lodge, HB (Chaleps)
This morning you will set off for gorilla trekking with your packed lunch. Hiking through the thick, verdant, rainforest to eventually come across the gorillas in their natural habitat, it is an amazing and unforgettable experience. Actual trek times can vary; these are wild animals after all. If time permits there are a diverse range of activities which are unique to Mgahinga national park which you can participate in during the afternoon.
Accommodation at Lake Chameleon hill lodge, HB (Chaleps)
Today you at 8am, will take a trip to see the Golden Monkeys with UWA ranger and your packed lunch these beautiful animals are only in the Virunga Mountains and in the Mgahinga National Park. Natives thrive due to deforestation in the endangered region. To study the behavior of the animals, but also to make a financial contribution to their protection by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Foundation Trekking Tours initiated for these animals.
Accommodation at Lake Chameleon hill lodge, HB (Chaleps)
After breakfast at 8am, you drive to Lake Bunyonyi commonly known as “Place of many little birds” is the perfect place to stop for a break. The serene lake is rumored to be the deepest in Africa, reaching depths of 900 meters. The lake stretches around 25 km in length and 7 meters wide, with 29 islands scattered throughout. It can be very tempting to just sit by the water and soak up the sun. After lunch (packed).
You will pass via yombe Swamp located at the extreme end of Lake Bunyonyi. The swamp is home to numerous bird species some of which are endemic to the area. it is therefore one of the best birding spots in Lake Bunyonyi and a not miss for every birder to south western Uganda. Among the birds to see in Nyombe swamp include Cinnamon Chested Bee Eaters,Pied King Fisher, Malachite King Fishers, , African Jacanas, Great White Pelicans; Swamp Fly Catcher, Long Tailed Cormorants, African Sitrif among others. More so, Nyombe swamp is located near Bunyonyi batwa communities hence a best spot to interact with Batwa pygmies.
Nyombe swamp can be accessed by a boat cruise which make the entire experience enjoyable and memorable. Experienced local guides at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort guide you to Nyombe swamp helping you to spot various bird species for a memorable bird watching experience.
Accommodation at Arcadia cottages Lake Bunyonyi on HB
In the morning, you will go for Canoeing/boat riding is one of the interesting things to do at Lake Bunyonyi. Imagine sailing on the calm waters of Africa’s second deepest lake!, it’s such a memorable experience. Travelling with a boat to any of the 29 islands on Lake Bunyonyi rewards you with a memorable experience. Each island has a different interesting story about its formation therefore worth visiting. Ensure to visit the punishment island where pregnant unmarried Bakiga girls would be taken and left to die in isolation. Travelers can choose to paddle themselves or else hire someone to paddle them. On boat riding YOU will also have a chance to meet with local people canoeing to their gardens and homes on the islands. Carry a packed lunch.
Accommodation at Arcadia cottages Lake Bunyonyi on HB
After breakfast, you will go for community visit around Lake Bunyonyi and visit different families to get to know their social and cultural norms. Lunch at the Lodge restaurant.
Accommodation at Arcadia cottages Lake Bunyonyi on HB.
The adventure continues as you spend three nights at Lake Mburo National Park passing via kissizi falls for and the proceed with your journey to lake mburo national park The 371 sq km park is an extension of the Tanzanian Plains and has distinctly different fauna compared to other Ugandan parks. It is the best place in the country to see Eland Antelope, Zebra, Topi, Impala, and Acacia. The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of water birds, while fringing swamps hide black and yellow papyrus gonalek. Arriving in the park for lunch you can rest before exploring the park on game drive for the rest of the afternoon. You will go for a night game drive with UWA rangers.
Accommodation at Rwakobo rock lodge, HB, (Cottage).
Today you will go for a game walk safari and in the afternoon go for Boat Safari UWA boat The cruise on the lake equally guarantees one a view of the amazing flora and fauna at the national park alongside wildlife such as crocodiles, hippos and bird species such as African fish eagles, pelican, king fishers, herons, cormorants, rare shoe bills and hammer kobs. It’s also realized that during the dry seasons, some wildlife also are frequent habitants to the water areas some of which include buffaloes and antelopes. Lunch at the Lodge restaurant.
Accommodation at Rwakobo rock lodge, HB, (Cottage).
Today enjoy an early morning game in Lake Mburo National Park. Afterwards transfer from Lake Mburo, crossing the equator along the way, break off for lunch at the equator restaurant then have a stopover at Mpambire royal drum makers and then proceed to Entebbe
Day room at Papyrus guest house (Garden rooms).
