16 Days Adventurous Wildlife and hiking Uganda safari

16 Days Adventurous Wildlife and hiking Uganda safari is one of the thrilling safaris that covers Murchison falls National Park, kibale national park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park , Bwindi Gorilla National Park, Mgahinga National Park and Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Murchison falls – Ziwa rhino sanctuary

On the 1st day of your 16 Days Adventurous Wildlife and hiking Uganda safari, depending on your location, you will be picked up by our company representative/ driver who will drive you 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 entering through Kichumbanyobo gate from Masindi town. Arrive in the park in the evening and connect to your lodge to rest. Dinner and overnight stay Fort Murchison Safari Lodge – self-contained safari tents

Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise to the bottom of the falls – hike to the top of the falls (Optional)

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 return to meet your driver to return to the lodge with en-route game drive or you have an option of hiking to the top of the falls at an extra cost where you will be picked up by your driver to return to your lodge. Dinner and overnight at lodge as the above

Note: The hike to the top of the falls is quite tuff to hike as its steep and you need to be physically fit to hike with the right hiking gears.

Day 3: Delta boat trip – top of the falls visit/evening game drive – Nature walk (optional)

On the 3rd day of your 16 Days Adventurous Wildlife and hiking Uganda safari, after your breakfast, connect for your morning boat trip to the delta, this boat is interesting in that it increases your chances to see the shoebill stock and animals as most of them converge at the delta for water. It’s a 3-4 hours’ experience before your return to your lodge for lunch.

If you missed the hike to the top of the falls the previous day, after your lunch, you will drive to the top of the falls and explore the falls at different viewpoints. Thereafter, connect for another evening game drive or take an optional nature walk in one of the bushes in the park for a birding experience and be able to see some of the animals. Before night fall, Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park – Bigodi swamp walk

Have breakfast and embark on your drive to Kibale national park- the best safari destination in Africa for chimpanzee tracking. Arrive in Fort portal town at good time for lunch, then connect for a nature walk at Bigodi swamp for about 2 hours then drive to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at Kibale forest Camp – self-contained safari tents

Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking experience

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, spend your afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park – evening game drive

On the 6th day of your 16 Days Adventurous Wildlife and hiking Uganda safari, after breakfast, meet with your safari driver to embark to a 3-4 hours’ drive to Queen Elizabeth national park. Arrive at good time for lunch at your lodge, after lunch, relax for a while as you wait for your evening game drive in the Kasenyi area. Dinner and overnight stay at The Bush Lodge – self-contained safari tents

Day 7: Lion tracking/game drive and Boat cruise along the Kazinga channel

After breakfast early morning, go for a lion tracking experience where you are guaranteed to view the lions, enjoy an en-route game drive at the 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 8: Kyambura Gorge primates walk – Ishasha sector

After breakfast early in the morning, you will depart for primates walks tracking in Kyambura forest with your tracking gears. The walk in the forest in search of the chimpanzees and other available primates in this forest generally takes around 2‐5 hours. spend an hour with the chimpanzees before you return for lunch at your lodge.

Thereafter, have lunch and drive to Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park, home of the tree climbing lions. It’s a 2 hour’s drive with en-route game viewing. Dinner and overnight stay at Enjojo Safari lodge – self-contained safari tents

Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park

After breakfast, connect for a morning game drive in the Ishasha sector for chances of seeing the tree climbing lions, however, this is not guaranteed as its nature. You may also see other animals available. Thereafter embark on your drive to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park (home of Uganda Mountain Gorillas). It’s about 4-6 hours depending on your trekking sector.

Note: Your accommodation will depend availability of gorilla pemits in a particular sector, however, priority will be given to Ruhija OR Rushaga since they are your preference. Dinner and overnight at Bakiga lodge in Ruhija sector or Rushaga Gorilla camp in Rushaga sector

Day 10: Gorilla trekking experience

Wake up early, have breakfast, and connect to the forest with your packed food and water. The briefing from the park warden about the gorillas starts at 8 am where your will be guided on highlights about the way of life of the gorillas you will be tracking. The hike can take anything from 2-8 hours. Once you reach the gorillas, you are allowed to spend one hour with them as you stand 6 meters away. Return to the lodge to unwind and dinner and overnight stay as above.

Day 11: Full day at Lake Mutanda island

After breakfast, drive to Lake Mutanda located in Kisoro, upon arrival, take a boat trip on the islands of the Lake Mutanda and your local guide will guide you through the interested islands including the python island, punishment island and the Mutanda island which is inhibited by a local clan community called the “Abagesera”. While at Mutanda island, you will be able to view the scenery from different perspective and also meet with the local communities for cultural torus and community walks. Later evening, drive to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Travellers’ rest Hotel

Day 12: Hike Mount Muhavura – Mgahinga national park

After early morning breakfast, drive to Mgahinga national park which is the starting point for the Mount Muhavura hiking experience. You will meet the park officials who will brief you about the hike. Thereafter, you will be allocated park rangers to take you on the hike. Mount Muhavura is the third highest Virunga Mountain standing at 4,127 meters above sea level. With your trekking gears, the hike starts at 7 am and takes about 8 hours with opportunity of sighting some primates, birds and bush animals and on reaching the top, you will be rewarded with beautiful scenery of lakes and some of the volcanoes such as the Sabinyo, Gahinga, Karisimbi, Bisoke and Nyiragongo. After the hike, later evening return to your lodge to rest, dinner and overnight stay at Travellers’ Rest Hotel as above

Note; The hike is very challenging that even the best hikers do not find it walkable so you must be very well prepared for the hike that is have the best hiking gears, physically and mentally fit.

Day 13: Batwa community tour – transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Wake up, have breakfast and visit the Batwa community, you will be able to see the Batwa people who are pygmies and are believed to have stayed in the Virunga area for more than 300 years. You will be able to experience the Batwa culture and enjoy their lifestyle and their history. Have lunch then embark on a 2 hours’ drive to Lake Bunyonyi located in Kabale with rolling Kigezi hills. Upon arrival, check-in your accommodation to relax. Dinner and overnight stay at Bunyonyi Eco-Lodge

Day 14: Full day at Lake Bunyonyi

After enjoying breakfast, connect to explore Lake Bunyonyi on a boat trip and visit several islands on the lake with great scenic views of surrounding hills, connect for a boat ride/ canoe paddle and visit the main islands including the community. The islands at the lake have great history that you will love to listen. Optional activities include Zip lining on Lake Bunyonyi, nature walk. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park – walking safari or boat trip on lake Mburo and evening game drive

After having breakfast, transfer to Lake Mburo national park, it’s a 5 hours’ drive and arrive at good time for lunch, after lunch, connect for a boat trip on Lake Mburo for water animals and birds or a walking safari with an evening game drive. Dinner and overnight stay at Eagles Nest Lodge

Day 16: Morning game drive – Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe – Departure

Early morning after breakfast, head out for in search for the early risers on a good day you may spot the lions and the leopards are actually rarely seen and it will be by luck to find them. Do not forget to carry your camera in order to keep all your memories forever intact and also to ensure not to miss out a detail on your amazing game drive and find animals such as the Impalas, Zebras, Waterbucks, Oribi, buffaloes, Giraffes to mention a few.

Thereafter, drive out of the park to return to Kampala/Entebbe. It’s a 4-5 hours’ hours’ drive with en-route lunch and stop at the Uganda Equator. Proceed and you will be dropped off at a location you advise or be dropped off at Entebbe airport for your onward flight back home. End of safari

Inclusions in the price:

Pick up and drop off/Airport transfers
Gorilla Permits and Chimpanzee permits
Lion tracking and Nature walks
Ground transport in a 4X4 private Van
English speaking driver/guide
Accommodation as described in the itinerary
Fuel for the vehicle.
Meals as described in the itinerary
Bottled mineral water in the car
Entrance and ranger fees for the national parks
Activities mentioned in the program
VAT for upcountry hotel and lodge

Exclusions:

International flight
Visa fees for Uganda
Optional activities
Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
Items of personal nature like Laundry, Telephone calls, among others.
Tips and gratuities