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.
Your Tourist Guide will pick you up from Entebbe International airport at the time of your arrival. It is a 15 minutes drive to your hotel. Due to the long flight, relax and prepare for your next day’s journey to Lake Mburo National Park.
Accommodation
The drive to lake Mburo National Park is 5 hours. Along the way, you will stop for the Equator experience. The Equator is only found in 13 Countries in the World and Uganda is lucky to be one of them! Other attractions to see are traditional drums being made, craft shops and farmlands.
After a long journey from Entebbe and have relaxed enough, you are going for a night game drive. It is quite a unique experience in the world of discoveries! At exactly 7:00 PM, guided by an armed ranger, the search for nocturnal animals will begin. Animals you are expected to encounter are Hyenas, Leopards, Hares, Serval Cats, Genet Cats and Hippos among others. The birdlife includes owls, eagles, Night Jars and others.
Accommodation
In the morning after breakfast, you will be joined by an armed ranger for a morning nature walk. Lake mburo National Park is famous for her unique nature walk experience that involve encountering wildlife up-close. These include Giraffes, Elands, Topis, Buffalos, Zebras and a variety of bird species like the lilac breasted rollers, Bateleur Eagles, owls, Hippos and many others.
From the walk, you are headed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It takes 5-6 hours through the scenic highlands of Kigezi region. Through the journey are Farmlands, forests, monkeys and the ever green vegetation covers.
Accommodation
Rushaga Gorilla Camp
The long awaited day unfolds! Early morning after breakfast, your guide will drive you to the briefing point.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, between 2-6 hours. Gorillas dwell in a thick forest and therefore you are 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 of 8 people is assigned only 1 hour of viewing.
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! After tracking Gorillas, later in the afternoon you are to visit the community of the Batwa and Bakyiga tribe.
The Batwa tribe were evacuated from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the early 1990s to settle in the community with other people. 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 locally produce from bananas. 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
After breakfast, you will embark on the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha sector. After checking in to your lodge and relaxed, next is a safari in search of the tree climbing lions. This unique behavior is only found in Uganda and Tanzania in the whole world! Other animals to encounter are Elephants, Buffalos, Topis, Uganda Kobs and Hyenas.
Accommodation
Enganzi Lodge
For better sightings, it is important to start your day early so that you encounter wildlife when they are still active before they get to their hideouts. These include; Lions, Buffalos, Hippos, Elephants, Kobs, Hyenas, Warthogs, leopards and lots of colorful bird species. Furthermore, expect to be amazed by the lush vegetation and scenic views of the park.
In the afternoon after lunch, the classic Uganda safari holiday is to continue surprising you when headed for the boat cruise at Kazinga channel. You will view animals like elephants drinking water, Hippos swimming, Buffalos laying in the water and crocodiles sunbathing. Also, there is a lot of birdlife to see. All this will be encountered upclose!
Accommodation
Kyambura gorge is a mystery of its own! The Gorge is 16 kilometers long with a depth of over 100 feet. Beneath, lies a tropical rainforest and a river flowing through. It is in this forest that Chimpanzees, several other species of monkeys, Hippos, Elephants, buffalos among others call home. During Chimpanzee tracking, you are likely to encounter more wildlife. After tracking, your journey to Kibale National Park resumes.
Accommodation
In the morning after breakfast, your second Chimpanzee tracking begins. Kibale Forest is home to the highest population of chimpanzees in the World and inhabits 12 other primate species. These adorable creatures share 98% of their DNA with humans. Tracking may take 2-5 hours depending on their location.
After Chimpanzee tracking, the afternoon gets better as you are headed for Bigodi swamp walk. The walk offers an opportunity of seeing other primate species that you may have not seen during tracking. These include; the black and white colobus monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, vervet, Red colobus, grey cheeked mangabeys, L’hoest monkeys, Baboons, a variety of bird species and reptiles.
From the swamp walk, you will connect to the community. While there, you are to visit the coffee plantation and learn on how to plant, harvest and roast the beans. A cup of coffee will be made for you from the beans you harvested.
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 others. The activity resumes at 7: PM and may take 2-3 hours.
Accommodation
A two hours’ drive from Kibale National Park, will lead you to Semuliki National Park. On arrival, you will visit Sempaya hot springs that boils up to 97 degrees Celsius. You will also have an opportunity of deeping the eggs, bananas and beef in the shallow water to cook in a few minutes!
Expect to be mesmerized by the stunning beauty of the Great Rift Valley, Mountain ranges of Rwenzori and unique wildlife like the forest elephants and Monkeys among others. Semuliki National Park is unique among Uganda Parks because of it’s resemblance of West Africa’s biodiversity.
Accommodation
In the morning after breakfast, the Journey to Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve resumes. Along the way are; beautiful views of endless tea plantations, tropical rainforests and scenic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley. On arrival, you are to relax.
Later in the evening, a private dinner in the jungle will be arranged. No better words can explain the ambiance of being in the middle of nowhere with a loved one while listening to wildlife sounds as you are enjoying your meal.
This little known hidden gem will leave you speechless and with everlasting memories.
Accommodation
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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