This 12 Days Uganda Primates Safari, culture & Wildlife Expedition leads you to Uganda’s classic parks.It also takes you- to tropical rain forests and also country sides which will indeed give you a taste of Uganda. It involves rhino tracking, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, game drives, bird watching, cultural experiences and also sightseeing and so on.
Tour overview
Day 1 Arrival
Day 2 Rhino Trekking at Ziwa and Transfer to Murchison Falls
Day 3 Morning game drive and afternoon boat trip
Day 4 Morning game drive and transfer to Kibale Forest
Day 5 Chimpanzee trekking, Bigodi swamp walk
Day 6 Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, afternoon game drive
Day 7 Morning game drive and afternoon boat trip
Day 8 Game drive in Ishasha and transfer to Bwindi Forest
Day 9 Mountain gorilla trekking
Day 10 Lake Bunyonyi
Day 11 Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, evening game drive
Day 12 Morning Safari walk and transfer to Entebbe Airport
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival
On arrival at Entebbe airport, you will be welcomed by your safari guide from Mandela Safari Holidays
and also transfer you to your Hotel in Kampala or Entebbe.
Meal plan – Lunch and supper
Accommodation
Budget – Via Via Guesthouse
Midrange – Papyrus Guesthouse
Luxury – Latitude 0 Hotel
Day 2 Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Your safari guide will meet you in the morning after breakfast and also give you a short briefing about the whole tour. You and then travel to Murchison Falls National Park. On the way, you are to notably do rhino tracking at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This is clearly the only place to see rhinos in the wild in Uganda. You track rhinos on foot under the guidance of an expert guide. We then continue to Murchison falls National Park and also drive to the Top of the falls. This is where you will notably see how the Nile moves into a 6meter wide gorge and also forms the Murchison Falls.
Meal Plan –Breakfast, Lunch and Supper
Accommodation
Budget – Hornbill Bush Lodge/Mama Washindi Lodge
Midrange – Pakuba Safari Lodge/Fort Murchison Camp
Luxury – Paraa Safari Lodge
Day 3 Game drive and boat safari
Have breakfast and then start your game drive in search for elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalos, leopards and so on. Spend the morningexploring the Buligi track, Albert track, Queen’s track and also the
Nile Delta and so on. You will have a lunch break and later go for a boat safari on the Nile River. The intention is that you see the bottom of the Murchison Falls. Here the Nile river is forced into a narrow gorge and forms the loud Murchison falls. This is the world’s most powerful falls. While on the boat trip expect to see hippos, elephants,crocodiles, buffalos and also antelops, many water birds and so much more. You then return to your lodge to relax.
Meal Plan –Breakfast, Lunch and Supper
Accommodation
Budget – Hornbill Bush Lodge/Mama Washindi Lodge
Midrange – Pakuba Safari Lodge/Fort Murchison
Luxury-Paraa Safari Lodge
Day 4 Morning game drive and travel to Kibale Forest National Park
Start the day with a morning game drivein Murchison Falls park and later travel to Kibale Forest, the primate capital of the world. The forest is home to 13 primate species including the chimpanzee, blue monkeys, nocturnal portal, bush babies, and so on. It is also home to several species of butterflies. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and relax.
Meal plan – breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation
Budget – Kibale Forest Camp (Safari Tent)
Midrange – Chimpanzee Forest Lodge/Turaco Tree tops
Luxury- Primate Lodge /Kyaninga Lodge
Day 5 Chimpanzee Trekking
Wake up early for breakfast and then travel to Kyanyanchu Park headquarters where you will be briefed about the dos and don’ts of chimpanzee tracking. You then enter the tropical rainforest as you search for man’s closest relatives, the chimpanzee. Having encountered them, enjoy a full hour observing their behavior and then return to your lodge to relax.
In the afternoon, you have an option to go for a Bigodi Swamp walk which might give you a chance to see some other primate species such as black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys and also blue monkeys and so on. Bird species to see include the African fish Eagles, kingfishers and also herons and so on. You end this walk with a village walk giving you a glimpse into local people, their day to day activities and culture.
Meal plan – breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation
Budget – Kibale Forest Camp (Safari Tent)
Midrange – Chimpanzee Forest Lodge/Turaco Tree tops
Luxury- Primate Lodge/ Crater Safari Lodge
Day 6 Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kasenda craters
After a mighty breakfast, you are to travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You drive through the Kasenda crater lakes region. The journey overlooks the mountains of the moon, also known as Rwenzori by the locals.
Arrive in time for lunch and later enjoy an evening game drive in the Kasenyi sector. Look out for elephants, buffalos, Kobs, leopards, lions, waterbucks and so on.
Meal plan – Breakfast, lunch, and supper
Accommodation
Budget – Tembo Safari Lodge/Pumba Safari Cottages
Midrange – The Bush Lodge/Buffalo Safari Lodge
Luxury – Mweya Safari Lodge/Katara Lodge
Day 7 Full day game drives
Enjoy an early breakfast and embark on a morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector to search for the early risers. You have a high chance of seeing elephants, hyenas, buffalos, lions, leopards,waterbucks, hippos, kobs, many bird species and so on.
In the afternoon, you are to go for an afternoon boat safari on the Kazinga channel. This is the water stream that joins Lake Edward to Lake George. It is said to have the highest concentration of hippos in the world. Expect to see elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, waterbucks and also monitor lizards and so on. This water stream is also a bird watchers paradise as it is home to several bird species including the pelicans, African Fish eagles, gulls and also kingfishers and so on.
Meal plan – Breakfast, lunch, and supper
Accommodation
Budget – Tembo Safari Lodge/Pumba Safari Cottages
Midrange – The Bush Lodge/Buffalo Safari Lodge
Luxury-Mweya Safari Lodge/ Katara Lodge
Day 8 Game drive in Ishasha and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Start the day with a game drive in Ishasha, south of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is famous for the rare tree climbing lions which tend to lay in fig trees in the mid day sun. Other animals to see include elephants, topi, kobs, leopards and so on
Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.This is home to more than half of the world’s only surviving mountain gorillas. Other mammals such as black and white colobus monkeys, L’hoest monkeys and also forest elephants and so on roam the forest. Arrival at your safari lodge will be in the afternoon.
Meal plan – Breakfast, lunch, and supper
Accommodation
Budget – Broadbill Forest Camp/Ride for a woman
Midrange – Bakiga Lodge/Gorilla Mist Camp
Luxury- Gorilla Safari Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Day 9 Gorilla Tracking
After breakfast, move to the park headquarters for paperwork. You get briefed about gorilla trekking before entering the Impenetrable Forest. Be ready to walk for one to six hours depending on where the gorillas will be on this day. Having encountered them, you will enjoy a full hour in their presence. The one hour you spend with the gorillas is indeed unforgettable. The mountain Gorilla is notably the most powerful and muscular primate on earth.
In the afternoon you have an option to relax or you can also do a village walk or visit a Batwa
community. The Batwa are the original inhabitants of Bwindi Forest before it was gazzetted for gorilla tourism. There is alot you can learn from their tribal stories.
Meal plan – Breakfast, lunch, and supper
Accommodation
Budget – Ride for a woman/Ruhija Rest Camp
Midrange – Bakiga Lodge/Gorilla Mist Camp
Luxury- Gorilla Safari Lodge/ Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Day 10 Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi is a perfect relaxing point after gorilla trekking in nearby Bwindi. It offers stunning scenery, safe swimming (no crocs/hippos/bilharzia), rich birdlife, canoeing, hiking, and a peaceful escape, Its serene beauty, clear waters, and unique islands make it a highlight for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and those seeking relaxation, with activities ranging from exploring Punishment Island to enjoying panoramic views from surrounding hills. Feel free to take part in any of the available optional activities or just relax at your resort.
Meal plan – Breakfast, lunch and supper
Accommodation
Budget – Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Midrange – Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Luxury – Birdnest Resort/Arcadia lodges Bunyonyi
Day 11 Travel to Lake Mburo
After having breakfast, travel to Lake Mburo NationalPark. This is famous for large herds of zebras and also impalas. Arrive in time for an evening game drive and look out for zebras, impalas, elands, topis, buffalos and so on.
This evening, you have an option to do a night game drive thus giving you chance to see some of the nocturnal creatures.(leopards, civet cats, bush babies, genet cats, porcupines etc.)
Meal plan – Breakfast, lunch, and supper
Accommodation
Budget – Hyena Hill Lodge/Eagles Nest Camp
Midrange – Rwakobo Rock/Arcadia Lodges Mburo
Luxury-Mihingo Lodge/ Kigambira Safari Lodge
Day 12 Morning game drive and transfer to Entebbe/Kampala
After a morning breakfast you will embark on a morning game drive in search for early risers like lions,
leopard, elephant, many antelopes among others. From there you will return to your hotel for lunch and also
relaxation. You also you have an option to take on any optional activity of your choice for
example; guided bike safari, guided horseback safari and also boat safari. The absence of large predators such as lions makes Lake Mburo a perfect place to have these adventurous activities.
After lunch, travel to Entebbe to catch your outbound flight. You will dropped off at Entebbe airport hence end of safari.
Meal plan – Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation – Not included.
HIGHLIGHTS
Rhino tracking
Game drives and game walks
Bird watching
Hiking to the top of the fall
Boat trips
Gorilla tracking
Chimpanzee tracking
Included in the cost of Uganda Primates Safari
Airport transfers
all meals
all accommodation
Top of the Falls
All park entrance fees.
Game ranger fee
All game drives.
Rhino tracking fees
1 gorilla permit per person (valued at USD 800)
1 chimpanzee permit per person (valued at USD 250)
Boat trips on the river Nile, and Kazinga Channel
Additionally,4WD Safari vehicle (Landcruiser) suitable for game viewing
enough Bottled drinking water while on safari
Not included in the cost of Uganda Primates Safari
any activity marked optional in the itinerary.
a porter for chimpanzee and gorilla trekking (if you need one)
international flights
tips
Visa Fees
soft and alcholic drinks
Packing list
A pair of waterproof trousers and jacket.
A hat
Insect repellent
Sunshine repellent
A pair of sunglasses
Personal camera
gaitors
A pair of binoculars
good hiking shoes
This safari program can be further personalized to clearly meet your interests. Feel free to let us know where you need us to change.
