The Classic Uganda Safari will unearth the best that the Country can offer in terms of Nature and Culture of the local people. This will include attractions like Gorilla Tracking, Chimpanzee Tracking, Boat cruises, Cultural Experiences, Night and Day Nature Walks and Rhino Tracking among others.
Day 1
Destination: Entebbe International Airport to Lake Mburo National Park
Activity: Equator Experience
Your Tourist Guide will pick you up from Entebbe International airport at the agreed time and embark on the journey to lake mburo National Park. A long the way, beautiful sceneries are inevitable to miss and the stopover at the equator. Lunch is to be served at your own convenience. Animals like Zebras, Impalas and the long horned Ankole cows are likely to be encountered.
The Journey is estimated to take 3-4 hours.
Accommodation
Day 2
Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
Activity: Nature walk, Boat cruise and Night safari
Nature walk
Lake mburo National Park is famously known for fruitful nature walks that involve encountering Giraffes up-close and personal, Elands, Topis, Buffalos, Zebras and a variety of bird species like the lilac breasted rollers, Bateleur Eagles, owls, Hippos and many others. The activity resumes early in the morning at 7AM when animals are still active.
After the activity, a morning safari can resume so as to search for more wildlife that you may have not seen during the walk. Animals like Leopards are some of those to look out for.
Boat cruise
Later in the afternoon, the boat cruise will be setting off for yet another exhilarating experience as you will be watching wildlife along the shores of Lake Mburo while seated comfortably. Animals like Hippos, Impalas buffalos and many others are being sighted up-close as they are trying to cool off and drinking water when it’s hot. The boat cruise takes 2 hours.
Night Safari
Quite a unique experience in the world of discoveries! The activity resumes at dust (most cases 7pm) whereby you drive in the wilderness with an armed ranger guide, in search of nocturnal animals that are rarely seen during day or even when seen are dormant. This experience discloses survival instincts or behaviors of most animals on how they live during the night. Animals expected to encounter are Hyenas, Leopards, Hares, Serval Cats, Genet Cats and diurnal animals too like Hippos that are always on land to feed during the night. Birds like owls, eagles, Night Jars and many others are sighted.
Accommodation
Day 3
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Activity: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The day’s journey ends in the magical forest of Bwindi impenetrable national park!
From Lake Mburo National Park it will take you 5-6 hours through the scenic highlands of Kigezi, Farmlands and the ever green vegetation covers before arriving to your final destination.
On arrival, your guide will brief you about Gorilla tracking, to prepare you for the activity on the next day.
Accommodation
Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Day 4
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Activity: Gorilla Tracking and community experience
Gorilla Tracking
The long awaited day unfolds! Early morning after breakfast, your guide will drive you to the briefing point and hand you over to the authorities in charge of Gorilla tracking.
You are then assigned a group and the ranger guide to kick start the anticipated adventure of visiting our cousins in their natural habitat.
Carry packed lunch and enough drinking water because tracking Gorillas sometimes takes longer than anticipated. Gorillas dwell in a thick forest and therefore highly recommended that you put on trousers, long sleeved shirts or blouse, closed shoes, hut, gaiters, gloves and apply insect repellent.
Regardless of how far or close the Gorillas may be, each group is assigned only 1 hour of viewing.
Community experience
The areas surrounding Bwindi impenetrable National Park are inhabited by local people of the Bakyiga and Batwa tribe. Their lifestyle on how they have survived with wildlife is worth an experience! The Batwa tribe were evacuated from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the early 1990s, they therefore share with you their experiences on how they used to live with the Gorillas and other wildlife before their evacuation.
On the other hand, the Bakyiga tribe will introduce you to their local cuisines like hot millet bread, drinks like banana juice, banana beer and banana gin that they produce. They also take you to their farmlands where they grow coffee, Tea and other food crops. Traditional dances and local herbalists show case various plants that they use to cure various diseases.
The activity takes 2-3 hours.
Accommodation
Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Day 5
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National
Activity: Game drive in Ishasha
After breakfast, you will embark on a safari to Ishasha in search of the tree climbing lions. This unique behavior is found in few places in the world. Other animals to encounter are Elephants, Buffalos, Topis, Uganda Kobs, Hyenas and many more.
Packed lunch will save the day so as to enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness as you are viewing dual citizen hippos at river Ishasha since the river is the border between queen Elizabeth national park and Virunga national park of Congo.
Accommodation
Enganzi Lodge
Day 6
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Activity: Morning game drive and Boat cruise
Morning Safari
Depending on your wish, breakfast may be carried for picnic breakfast in the wild or have it at the lodge early in the morning before embarking on your morning safari. Animals expected to encounter are the Buffalos, Hippos, Lions, Elephants, Kobs, Hyenas, Warthogs, leopards and lots of colorful bird species.
Boat cruise
In the afternoon after lunch, a boat cruise on the waters of Kazinga channel is befitting. No better way to cool off from the scorching sun than being on the fresh breeze of the channel as you are witnessing elephants cool off too from the shores, Hippos swimming, Buffalos laying in the water and crocodiles sunbathing. Lots of water birds are to be encountered like Kingfishers, cormorants, Pelicans, African fish eagles among many others.
Accommodation
Day 7
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Activity: Crater drive and Evening Safari
Crater Drive
Breakfast will be served at a time of your convenience before the crater drive.
Queen Elizabeth national park is known for beautiful sceneries due to volcanic features like crater lakes and highlands among others that were created as a result of volcanic eruptions . This shaped part of the park in one of the unique landscapes that you can ever come across. Among the craters, some are salt lakes were salt mining is conducted by the local people. An experience on how salt is mined, is an activity not to miss when in in the park!
In some of the crater areas, there are different vegetation covers within the same range! The tropical rainforests, savanna and woodland acacia that depicts typical wilderness of African virgin lands. Some animals to encounter are baboons, monkeys and elephants.
Sunset safari
In the late afternoon, you will set off for a safari. The Safari is meant to disclose the other side of nature when diurnal animals are in preparation of passing the night. Animals will be sighted gathering in groups while placing young ones in the middle. It is also the time when you are able to witness nocturnal animals becoming active.
At a later time, your guide will set a Sundowner, where you could have a cold beer or a glass of wine with Snacks while watching the sun set and listening to different calls of birds and animal sounds.
Accommodation
Day 8
Destination: From Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale National Park
Activity: Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
Chimpanzee Tracking
Kyambura gorge is a mystery of its own! Imagine an area of savannah grassland whereby there lies a 16 kilometer long depression with a depth of over 100 feet under which, lies a tropical rainforest and a river passing through. The gorge is home to Chimpanzees, several species of monkeys, crocodiles, Hippos, Elephants, buffalos among other residents. It is always a cocktail of attractions whenever tracking hence a better experience. It is important to note that sometimes chimpanzees may not be sighted but the experience is worth it!
The activity will be conducted in the morning before embarking on the journey to Kibale forest National Park.
Accommodation
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Day 9
Destination: Kibale National Park
Activity: Chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi swamp walk and Night Forest walk
Chimpanzee tracking
The activity will resume in the morning at 8: AM by being briefed and assigned a group. You will be guided by an armed ranger in company of other security personnel and 5 more Tourists. Tracking may take 2-3 hours depending on how far or close the chimpanzee could be sighted. In most cases, you are back by 11: AM.
Bigodi Swamp Walk
During tracking of chimpanzees, emphasis is always put on them hence leaving other attractions unattended to. The Swamp walk therefore offers an opportunity to look at other primate species like the black and white colobus monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, vervet, Red colobus, grey cheeked mangabeys, L’hoest monkeys, Baboons, a variety of bird species, reptiles and the community experience. The activity is organized by the community surrounding the Park.
Night forest walk
The activity is meant to offer you a different experience of the forest during the night. With spot lights, you will head into the forest with an armed ranger in search of nocturnal primates like the bush babies, Pottos, Galagoes and many other animal species. The activity resumes at 7: PM and may take 2-3 hours.
Accommodation
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Day 10
Destination: Semuliki National Park
Activity: Nature walk
A two hours’ drive away from Kibale National Park, will lead you to Semuliki National Park. The park neighbors the Ituri forest of Democratic republic of Congo hence giving it a touch of unique species of wildlife from West Africa like the forest Elephants, primates and so many other wildlife.
However, our main interest focuses on the Sempaya hot springs for which the water sprouts beneath the earth crust boiling up to 97 degrees Celsius! The experience will conclude with Deeping eggs, bananas or even a well wrapped beef in the spring that will get ready within a few minutes for us to prove how hot the water is! We might end up making our own lunch from the springs!
The breath taking landscape of the Great Rift Valley and the Rwenzori Mountains are other attractions to look out for. After the activity, you are to drive back to Fort portal for a city tour.
Accommodation
Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge
Day 11
Destination: Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve
Activity: Bush Dinner
The Journey from Fort portal to Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve takes an average of 4 hours. It will usher you to views of endless tea plantations, tropical rainforests and beautiful sceneries of the Great Rift Valley.
Little is known about this hidden gem and yet the reserve provides one of the exhilarating experiences. In the middle of nowhere, surrounded by endless plains and offering one of the best scenic views of the sun setting on lake Albert, you just can’t stop smiling and appreciating the beauty of mother nature.
Later in the evening, the lodge staff will drive you to a well set private dinner in the jungle with scenic views of the lake. No better words can explain the ambiance of being in the middle of nowhere with a loved one while listening to animal sounds as you are enjoying your meal.
Accommodation
Lake Albert Safari Lodge
Day 12
Destination: Murchison falls National Park
Activity: Top of the falls and Sunset Safari
Top of the falls
On arrival to Murchison Falls National Park, you will visit the top of the falls. ! Murchison falls are regarded to be the most powerful falls in the world. Imagine the roaring of the violent waters of river Nile forcing its way through a narrow gorge of 7 meters wide and plunging forty three feet beneath! It is an extraordinary experience that no one should miss during their visit to Uganda. The strength of the water always leaves a trade mark of a rainbow at the falls as it descends to continue the Journey to the Mediterranean Sea!
Sunset safari
In the late afternoon after checking into the lodge, you will embark on the evening safari. Evening safaris tend to be fruitful since it is the time that animals become active again after a long warm afternoon. A variety of wildlife is therefore expected to be encountered. Such animals include; Giraffes, Lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Elephants, Uganda Kobs, Hartebeests among others.
Accommodation
Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 13
Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Activity: Morning Game drive and boat cruise
Morning game drive
For most of the safaris to be successful, an early wake is mandatory! By 6:30 Am, we start our game drive in search of the lions, leopards, Elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hyenas and many others before they get into their hideouts. Half of the day will be spent in the wild and therefore with us, we will carry packed breakfast.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise, will be next on the agenda for which you will enjoy another action packed of wildlife while cruising on the mighty river Nile. On the shores of the Nile, there is always abundance of mammals that come to swim and drink water when it’s hot. Crocodiles, elephants, Hippos, Nile monitor lizards, Giraffes and so many bird species are most likely to be encountered.
Viewing Murchison falls from the bottom while on the cruise offers you a different view of the falls that you may have been unable to see during the visit of the falls from the top. Murchison falls are regarded to be the most powerful falls in the world.
Accommodation
Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 14
Destination: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Activity: Rhino tracking and Night nature walk
Rhino tracking
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has made viewing Rhinos in their natural habitat easier than ever before! At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, chances of viewing them is over 90%.
Tracking is conducted on foot with a ranger, it takes an hour to two depending on how far or close they are located. Other animals to encounter are Oribis, Uganda Kobs, Bushbucks, Warthogs and a variety of bird species.
Night Nature walk
Walking at night in the wilderness is a unique experience that differentiates you from the rest! It discloses to you a totally different and detailed world away from the normal day life. Sounds of nature, nocturnal animals like Hares, Hyenas, pangolins, porcupines and birds like owls, Night Jars, among others may be encountered. it’s during this time that you bond best with nature away from the artificial noise of cars and other machines.
With you, will be armed rangers, carrying spot lights. The activity resumes at 7:PM and takes 1-2 hours.
Accommodation
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary cottages
Day 15
Destination: Kidepo Valley National Park
Activity: Sunset Safari
Ranked as one of the remotest Parks in Africa, Kidepo Valley National Park is home to abundance of wildlife like buffalos, Lions, Cheetahs and elephants among others. The Park is surrounded by mountains hence making it a valley with scenic land scape of Volcanic features like volcanic high lands, ridges and inselbergs.
In the late afternoon, a sunset game drive will commence. It is meant to give you a glimpse of what is yet to come and prepare you for the best of the action packed yet to unfold! You’ll retire at the lodge later in the evening.
Accommodation
Savanna Safari Lodge
Day 16
Destination: Kidepo Valley National Park
Activity: Sunrise Safari, Bush breakfast and Night Game drive
Sunrise Safari
The day begins early as we go for the morning game drive in anticipation of viewing cats like lions, Leopards, and Cheetahs before they disappear to their hideouts. Other animals to encounter are giraffes, Oribis, Zebras, Uganda Kobs, Jackals, Rock hyrax and hyenas. For the bird lovers, expect to be intrigued by the beauty of birds like the Rose ringed parakeet and clapperton’s francolins, among others.
At the right time, your Chef and waiters will be waiting to serve you breakfast while viewing animals in the middle of nowhere.
Night game drive
When all is silent in the early hours of the night, we will move out with the armed ranger, accompanied with the flash light, to search for nocturnal animals. What an experience it will be to view animals that are diurnal resting as the nocturnal are active and in search of prey! Animals to look out for are Hares, Leopards, Lions, Jackals, Cheetahs and so many others. The night will definitely not end the same!
Accommodation
Savanna Safari Lodge
Day 17
Destination: Kidepo Valley National Park
Activity: Full day IK cultural experience and Wildlife viewing
Full Day IK Cultural Experience
In a remote extreme northern end of Uganda bordering South Sudan, is home to the minority tribe called Ik, living in the mountains of Murongole.
Their culture is best explained as “primitive” since much hasn’t changed even in the era of civilization. A visit to their community, introduces you to the previous lifestyle of human kind when civilization was at its lowest.
With you, will be an armed ranger under his guidance to the mountains so as to experience their culture in terms of traditional leadership, dances, cuisines, marriage norms, settlement, among others. This will as well be an invitation to hike.
Wildlife Viewing
Along the way, we may view wild Ostriches, water bucks, herds of buffalos among others.
Accommodation
Savanna safari Lodge
Day 18
Destination: Pian Upe
Activity: Sunset Nature Walk
Through highlands and the vast vegetation covers surrounding Karamojong communities, the drive will lead you to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. It is the protected area with higher populations of Ostriches, Roan Antelopes, Elands and unique birds like the secretary birds, among others.
Sunset Nature Walk
Later in the afternoon, guided by an armed ranger, you will go for a sunset nature walk. The activity takes 2-3 hours for which a variety of birds and animal species are encountered. Such animals are; Zebras, Ostriches, Waterbucks, Elands, Giraffes, Roan Antelopes and many more.
An ancient hunter’s cave is another attraction to look out for, due to its rich history before the gazzetting of the reserve. It is at Napedet cave that the tribes of the Karamojong and Pokwot people used to gather and roast their wild meat after a successful hunt before heading back home. Cooking stones, pieces of wood, curved seats into the rock and ancient paintings can be sighted. Napedet hill offers scenic views of the reserve and a great spot of viewing the sun setting.
Accommodation
Uganda Wildlife Authority Bandas
Day 19
Destination: Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and Sipi Falls
Activity: Morning Game drive, Hiking Sipi Falls, community experience and Sundowner
Morning Game Drive
The early morning bird calls at Pian Upe wildlife reserve will be your wake up call as you prepare to go for the morning safari. The beautiful sceneries as well will leave you smiling and yearning for more as we traverse the jungles in hard to reach areas in search of the an expected! Animals to encounter are cheetahs, Giraffes, Leopards, ostriches, Hyenas and others.
Hiking Sipi Falls and Community experience
The 2 hours journey to Sipi falls is one to lookout for! From a relatively flat region to the meandering roads through the highlands exposing breath taking scenic views of farmlands and settlements down the the valley.
On arrival, relax and prepare for a community experience which includes visiting high altitude running trails for the famous world champion marathon runners like Joshua Kipsiro, Cheptegei and many others. In case the marathon runners are around, they may be introduced to you at their homes. The experience will continue as your local sight guide introduces you to the cultural experience of the region that includes their cuisines, visiting coffee and banana plantations, the Sipi falls, and rivers, among others.
Sundowner
The sundowner experience is meant to relax your mind and connect you with nature’s beauty as you enjoy sceneries of both the mountainous and the far horizon flat lands that swallow the sun to no more resurrection until the next day! With you, will be some snacks and a variety of drinks to choose from.
Accommodation
Rafiki Safari Lodge
Day 20
Destination: Sipi and Jinja
Activities: Abseiling Sipi Falls and Sunset boat cruise on the Nile River
Abseiling Sipi Falls
You never know how good the experience is until you do it! No better way of testing your fears and the happiness that comes with it, after overcoming the adrenaline in you.
There’s almost nothing left for you to fear after the abseiling experience! The activity begins from the top of the falls as you are well tied on the ropes and left to slide slowly until you get to the bottom while viewing different stages of the ridge as water flows beneath. The combination of hiking and abseiling in Sipi will mark the end of our stay as we embark on the journey to Jinja.
Sunset Boat cruise on the Nile River
River Nile is the longest river in the world stretching over 6800 kilometers from the source in Jinja until it pours its waters to the Mediterranean Sea. The boat cruise is meant to take you to the source so as to witness where it all begins. The fresh breeze, a variety of colorful bird species, Nile Monitor Lizards and the sun setting, are other attractions to look out for.
Accommodation
Haven Eco River Lodge
Day 21
Destination: Wild Waters Lemala
Activity: Relaxation
Wild Waters Lemala is one of the top ranked Lodges in the world due to its strategic location and architect.it is surrounded by River Nile and only accessed by a boat transporting you to the island. Away from main land, you will relax and enjoy the sound of nature, the birds and scenic views of the River.
Day 22
Destination: Kampala
Activity: Night Life
Kampala Night life
Uganda’s capital city Kampala is well known in East Africa as the hub of entertainment that celebrates every day as a holiday! Revelers from different regions around the world come to enjoy with the locals in Bars, Night clubs and other re-creative centers of live band music and traditional dances.
Street food is always a delicacy that one ought not to miss! You will definitely mix with locals and share the fun of Kampala revelers!
Accommodation
Emin Pasha Hotel
Day 23
Destination: Kampala and Entebbe International Airport
Activity: Kampala City Tour
It is highly recommended that after a long trip throughout the country, visiting Uganda’s capital City; Kampala is worth it.
Visit to the Uganda Martyr’s shrine. These are religious sites where both Catholics and Anglican saints were martyred for their faith, on the orders of the local King for believing more in their religion than him. They are always remembered on the third of June. The celebrations attract different faiths all over the World to Namugongo where hundreds of thousands gather.
other places to visit are the local markets, Amin’s torture Chambers, the local King’s palace and enjoying local cuisines.
Depending on your flight time, a day room will be arranged so as to freshen up then driven to the airport.
Thank you for travelling with Bukiire Africa Wildlife Safaris.
The Classic Uganda Safari will unearth the best that the Country can offer in terms of Nature and Culture of the local people. This will include attractions like Gorilla Tracking, Chimpanzee Tracking, Boat cruises, Cultural Experiences, Night and Day Nature Walks and Rhino Tracking among others.
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