10 Days Uganda Wildlife & Hiking Safari
10 Days Uganda Wildlife & Hiking Safari: This 10 Days Uganda safari allowed to explore some of Uganda’s most attractive destinations including Murchison falls national park, Kibale national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, and Mgahinga national park for hiking experience on one of the eight Virunga Mountains. All these destinations have unique features that are worth visiting.
Murchison falls National Park is home to the most powerful waterfalls in Africa along the River Nile. It also has plenty of wildlife like to see as compared to any other national park in Uganda.
Kibale national park is home to the endangered chimpanzees in Africa. It is said to be the best destination in Africa to see the chimpanzees and other 12 primates’ species such as the Colobus monkeys, Red Velvet monkeys and many others.
Queen Elizabeth national park is a home to the tree climbing lions in Uganda, making it the second place in Africa to see the tree climbing lions after those in Lake Manyara in Tanzania. This park also has a few more animals to see and a good destination for birdwatching especially during the boat cruise along the Kazinga channel.
Mgahinga national park which is the smallest national park in Uganda is home to mountain gorillas and Golden monkeys located on the Virunga Mountains, these primates are very similar to those of Rwanda however cheaper to experience as compared to Rwanda. It is also one of the best hiking destinations in Uganda with spectacular views of the scenery. Mount Sabinyo is surrounded by a lot of forests giving great views of different bird species known as the Albertine birds only found in this area such as the rare Rwenzori Turaco. Hiking this mountain offers visitors an opportunity, on a very lucky day to spot the mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys and most importantly at the top, you will be rewarded crater lakes and be able to stand at a point where you get to view all the 3 countries of Virunga Mountains including Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. The name “Sabinyo” means “an old man’s teeth” and this was because its serrated summit resembles worn out teeth in a gum line.
Safari highlights of the 10 Days Uganda Wildlife & Hiking Safari
- Day 1: Airport pick-up and transfer to your hotel
- Day 2: Transfer to Murchison falls national park
- Day 3: Game drive and launch cruise on River Nile and hike to the top of the falls
- Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park
- Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland Visit and transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
- Day 6: Lion tracking/game drive and Boat cruise
- Day 7: Transfer to Mgahinga national park
- Day 8: Golden monkeys tracking – Mgahinga National Park
- Day 9: Hike Mount Sabinyo
- Day 10: Return to Kampala/Departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Airport pick-up and transfer to your hotel
Upon arrival at Entebbe airport, you will be picked up at the airport and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay at Fairway Hotel – Mid-range option/Forest Cottages for budget option/Sheraton Hotel for luxury option
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison falls national park
After breakfast, meet your safari guide and transfer to Murchison falls national park, en route Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 3 hours’ drive from Kampala for Rhino trekking experience. After the activity you will have lunch then connect to Murchison falls national park. Arrive in the park in the evening and connect to your lodge to rest. Dinner and overnight stay Heritage Safari Lodge for budget/Pakuba Safari Lodge for mid-range option/Paraa Safari Lodge for luxury option
Day 3: Game drive and launch cruise on River Nile and hike to the top of the falls
Early morning breakfast and then go for a morning game drive at the delta where you may spot various animal species like elephants, giraffes, lions, Uganda kobs among others.
Return and have lunch then at 2pm, you will go for a launch cruise at the bottom of the Murchison Falls along River Nile, enjoy streaming views of hippo and serried ranges of crocodile along the sandbanks, as well as large numbers of different species getting down to drink & bathe.
After the boat cruise at the bottom of the falls, you will hike up the top of the falls where you will be picked up by your driver to return to your lodge. Dinner and overnight at lodge as the above
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Have breakfast and embark on your whole day drive to Kibale national park– the best safari destinations in Africa for chimpanzee tracking. Arrive in the park late evening and connect to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at Chimpanzee Guest house for mid-range/Isunga lodge for budget/Kyaninga Lodge for mid-range option
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking – Bigodi wetland Visit and transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
After breakfast you will go for chimpanzee trekking with your packed food and water. Meet your guide at the head office then enter the rainforest to start searching for the chimpanzee, this will take 2-5 hours to find the chimpanzees. On seeing them, you will spend 1 hour with the chimpanzees while taking pictures.
After tracking you will refresh at the lodge then go for a 2-3 hours nature walk then proceed to transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park. This is a 3 hours’ drive from Fort portal with en route at the Equator. Dinner and overnight at Pumba Safari Cottages for budget/Parkview Safari Lodge for mid-range option/Mweya Safari Lodge for luxury
Day 6: Lion tracking/game drive and Boat cruise
After breakfast early morning, go for a lion tracking experience where you are guaranteed to view the lions, enjoy en-route game drive at Kisenyi area where you will spot a good number of wildlife including Elephants, Buffaloes and all species of antelopes.
After enjoying your lunch at the lodge, go for your boat trip along the Kazinga channel for yet another wildlife/bird watching experience as you cruise on lake Edward/George. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 7: Transfer to Mgahinga national park
After breakfast, embark on your journey to Mgahinga national park. It is about 6-7 hours’ drive via Ishaka district with en-route lunch. Upon arrival in Kisoro late afternoon with great views of the rolling Kigezi hills and sights of Virunga mountain rangers, proceed to check-in your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Traveller’s rest hotel for budget option/Lake Mulehe Safari lodge for mid-range option/Lake Mutanda Safari Resort for luxury option
Day 8: Golden monkeys tracking – Mgahinga National Park
You will have breakfast and head to the park headquarters for golden monkey tracking. Start trekking at 7 am taking about 2-5 hours tracking and on finding them, spend an hour with them before you return to meet your driver get back to Hotel. You can have optional Batwa trail. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 9: Hike Mount Sabinyo
Wake up early, have early breakfast and transfer to the Mgahinga national park head office and report for a briefing from the park officials about your hike. Thereafter set off with your guides to embark on the climb. Mount Sabinyo is surrounded by a lot of forests giving great views of different bird species known as the Albertine birds only found in this area such as the rare Rwenzori Turaco. During your hike, you may get an opportunity to spot the mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys if it’s your lucky day. Upon reaching at the top, you will be rewarded crater lakes at the top and you will also be able to view all the 3 countries of Virunga Mountains including Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. It takes 8 hours climbing and descending from Mount Sabinyo. Upon return, meet your guide waiting to return you to your lodge to retire from the tiring day. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 10: Return to Kampala/Departure
After breakfast at the lodge, embark on your 8-9 hours’ drive back to Kampala with en-route lunch in Mbarara town and the Equator. Upon arrival in Entebbe late afternoon, connect to be dropped at Entebbe airport for your onward flight back home. End of tour.
