14 days 13 nights best of Uganda Safari Holiday and Gorilla Trekking with one way local flight
If you have the time for a full 13 nights package in Uganda it truly would be hard to beat this itinerary for its range of luxurious accommodations, locations and activities.With this itinerary you will get a chance to take in the very best of what Uganda has to offer from Gorillas in Bwindi, to Lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park. We have also been careful to select some of our favorite accommodations in Uganda, so whilst you may be taking in some of Africa’s finest wilderness your journey will be extremely comfortable throughout, Finally to make this experience as rich as
possible you will also be accompanied by your own personal driver/ guide for the duration of your time in Uganda.
SAFARI ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival Entebbe International Airport
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport, pick up by your drive/ guide to then transfer to your accommodation.
Accommodation on Bed and Breakfast: Papyrus Guesthouse
Day 2 Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
After an early breakfast, head out to the Mabamba swamp on the shores of Lake Victoria. This is one of the few remaining swamps in the country protected by the local communities. It is an extensive papyrus swamp, with a labyrinth of channels and lagoons, and is home to several pairs of Shoebills, Uganda’s most famous avian resident. This charismatic monotypic species is certainly among the most sought- after birds in Africa. Paddle through th channels by boat. View a good selection of classic East African water birds to observe along the way .This takes a provision of 4 hours on the road between venues should be considered.Conduct an evening game drive where you will be able to spot Zebras, Elephants,Buffaloes, Impalas and Topis, and bird your way around the lodge.
Accommodation on full board: Mihingo Lodge
Day 3: Full day in Lake Mburo
Enjoy a morning game drive around the park, come back to the lodge for breakfast then proceed for a nature walk and a canoe ride on Lake Mburo. After lunch enjoy a walk around the lodge till late in the evening before retiring to the lodge.
Accommodation on full board: Mihingo Lodge
Day 4: Lake Mburo National Park – Bwindi
After an early breakfast, meet with your driver / guide and proceed to Lake Mburo National Park. Pass via town of Mbarara town, Kabale then Kisoro town before continuing to Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. This takes a provision of 6 to 7 hours on the road between venues should be considered. Continue to Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This vast reserve offers arguably the most productive montane forest birding in Africa and supports 23 of Uganda’s 24 Albertine Rift endemic bird species. Once part of a much larger forest that included the Virunga Volcanoes in neighboring Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is now an ecological island within a sea of human cultivation and is of immense conservation importance.
Accommodation on Full Board: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Day 5: Gorilla tracking Activity
After breakfast at around 7:45am with packed lunch and drinking water you will transfer to the starting point for briefing on the dos and the don’ts while with the gorillas. You will then continue to the forest for gorilla tracking following them. This activity can last from a few hours up to a full day, depending on the location of the gorillas as they range freely in the impenetrable forest.
Accommodation on Full Board: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Day 6: Nkuringo to Buhoma Sector- Queen Elizabeth National Park
With an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a nature walk from Nkuringo to Buhoma. Enjoy a 15km walk from Nkuringo following the Kashasha river and Ivy River trails. This is a full day walk where there would be an opportunity of visiting the Munyaga River falls in the forest. The emphasis of this activity is for your walking guide to share his knowledge of the forest that you come into contact with and not simply an A to B. On reaching Buhoma with your vehicle, and guide transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park, lying 1978 sq. km west of Uganda. It harbours a diverse eco-system with a lovely savannah, fertile wetlands making it home for the big game, 10 primate species and a large number of bird species. Enjoy an en route game drive continue to Katara Lodge for an overnight.
Accommodation on full board: Katara Lodge
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth – Launch cruise & Game drive
After breakfast you will head for a game drive ; Situated on the Great Rift Valley escarpment with uninterrupted views of the savannah, Lake Edward and the Virunga and Rwenzori mountain ranges beyond, Katara Lodge is a 20 minute drive away from the main entrance of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s premier safari destination and one of the most biodiverse reserves in the world. Transfer back to the lodge for lunch, after which enjoy an afternoon Launch cruise along the Kazinga channel. The channel is 40 wide and offers beautiful scenery of
hundreds of hippos along the banks as well as different bird species seen when cruising west towards Lake Edward. Accommodation on full board: Katara Lodge
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kibale
Have an early breakfast, enjoy another game drive. View more game as you catch them from their hunt expeditions before driving to Kibale. Enjoy the land scape as you set off to Kibale Forest National Park found in Fort Portal, a town at the south- western side of Uganda. The park bares homage to a very large number of primates.This day will be a long driving day of 3- 4 hours.
Accommodation on full board: Primate Safari Lodge
Day 9: Chimpanzee trekking (Kanyanchu)
Proceed early morning at 6:30am for full day chimpanzee habituation experience,you will spend the entire day with Chimpanzees following them from nest to nest.While tracking, you will be able to spot different animal species like the Red Colobus,Black and white Colobus, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Olive Baboon, Red-tailed Monkey, and L’Hoest’s Monkey among others
Accommodation on full board: Primate Lodge
Day 10: Kibale Forest – Murchison Game drive
Have an early breakfast, drive via the Escarpment, enjoy the landscape as you set off Murchison Falls National Park; This day will be a long driving day of 7-9 hours; we will have numerous stops to stretch your legs.Enjoy a game drive game as you catch them from their hunt expeditions before continuing to the lodge.
Accommodation on full board: Baker’s Lodge
Day 11: Game drive and Launch cruise
After breakfast, enjoy the game drive with a view of; giraffes, elephants, lions,hartebeest and different species of birds, on the way to the morning delta boat ride to the bottom of the waterfall. Look out for the Nile crocodile, hippos, water bucks and a variety of bird species. Upon reaching the bottom of the waterfalls you will disembark
and climb your way up to the Top of the Falls where you will be rewarded with amazing views of the Nile. Also be on the lookout for different birdspecies. Look out for mammals like the graceful Roth child Giraffe, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Uganda Kob,Defassa Waterbuck, Buffaloes, Elephants, Warthog, Hippos, Oribi and when lucky a leopard and Lion among others. Hike up to the top of the falls and enjoy the magnificent view before retiring back to the lodge.
Accommodation on full board: Baker’s Lodge
Day 12: Pakuba Airstrip to Transfer to Kisoro Airstrip – Entebbe.
With an early breakfast drive to Pakuba for your flight back to Entebbe. Approximate arrival time 1.30hrs. You are picked from the airstrip and dropped to Apoka lodge, check in, relax and have lunch. After lunch, take an evening game drive through Kidepo Valley National park.
Accommodation on bed and breakfast: Apoka Safari Lodge
Day 13: Full Day in Kidepo Valley National Park
Early morning breakfast, we set off for a 2-3 hours morning game drive to Kidepo Valley National Park in search for lions, cheetahs and leopards. Return to the lodge for late breakfast, Enjoy mid-morning at the open swimming pool with sighting of wildlife from the lodge. The lodge offers nice viewing platform for wildlife and often at night you will hear the lions roar and the hyena cries. We relax at the Lodge, lunch and we arrange for an evening fully parked Game drive.
Accommodation on full board: Apoka Safari Lodge
Day 14: Flight To Entebbe from Kidepo Valley National park and Departure
Morning Game drive and return to the lodge for breakfast and lunch. You will be transferred to the Airstrip to proceed to Entebbe. Our driver to transfer you to Papyrus Guesthouse for day room – use. Later transfer to Entebbe International Airport for evening flight.
Number of Participants Cost
Based on 6 pax US$ 9,286
Based on 4 pax US$ 9,593
Based on 2 pax US$ 11,216
Suppl. High Season US$ 1300
Single Suppl. US$ 1470
Lodges Low Season: March, April, May, October, November
Lodges High Season: January, February, June, July, August, September,December
Included in the above quote:
Primates Lodge Kibale (Luxury Cottage) for 2 nights on full board
Murchison River Lodge for 2 nights on full board
Lunch at Lake Mutanda Resort on day 5
Drinking water in the vehicle (1 litre per person per day)
All the excursions and activities indicated in the itinerary (canoe ride, walksetc) under the supervision of an experienced English-speaking walking guide
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeeps vehicle with experienced English-speaking driver-guide, from the morning of day 2 to the evening of day 12
Park Fees, Rangers fees and Porters Fees
Wi-Fi (in main areas of all Lodges and the Guest House)
Day-use room or extra night before and after safari
Local Flights to Entebbe at the end of safari
AMREF Evacuation Insurance cover
Government taxes
Excluded from the above quote
1 Gorilla tracking permit per person, 1 morning chimp tracking permit per person,
Alcoholic beverages
Uganda Entry Visa fee, Medical and Travel Insurances
International air flights
Any optional activity not indicated in above program
Laundry Services
Gratuities and Tips