30 Days Uganda Gorilla , Wildlife & Cultural Safari- Self Drive Uganda

Explore Uganda primates , Wildlife & Cultural experiences in the wilderness of Uganda National Parks on Self drive Safari to visit Kidepo , Murchison falls , Kibale forest , Queen Elizabeth and Magical Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Self Drive Uganda has tailored the best unique safari adventure for 30 Days visiting most the top Ugandan National parks for wildlife safari. On this trip , the team of experts at Self drive Uganda will book the gorilla Permits , Accommodations and key Safari activities to be enjoyed on the magical Uganda Safari.

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe and transfer to your hotel

On arrival, you will be met at the airport by our representative and you will transfer to your hotel, check in, and relax. Later dinner and a night will be served at Entebbe Backer Packers.

Day 2 &3: Entebbe to Jinja for City Tour.

Depart from Kampala, heading east to Jinja passing the coffee, tea and sugar plantations and colorful roadside fruit/vegetable markets First stop, at Mabira Forest to see primates, birds and butterflies and then on to the Owen Falls Dam and the submerged source of the Nile. After lunch, you will spend the afternoon relaxing at Bujagali Falls.

This city was previously the industrial capital of Uganda. It is best known for the source of the Nile at the now submerged Rippon Falls. Owen Falls Dam, located just downstream from the source of the Nile, provides power for Uganda, parts of Kenya and Rwanda.

Nearby is Bujagali Falls, where several rapids are situated close together. From here enjoy the scenery or take a white water rafting trip on the mighty Nile. The Nile starts its 4000-mile journey to the Mediterranean from Lake Victoria. Lunch, dinner and a night at Nile river Explorers Camp.

Optional activities in Jinja

• Bungee Jumping
• Kayak the Nile
• Quad Biking
• Ssezibwa falls

 

Day 4: Transfer to Kapchorwa

After breakfast, you will embark on your journey to Kapchorwa with enroute lunch. Dinner and a night will be received at the Sipi Valley Resort.

 Day 5: Hiking of Sipi falls

Wakeup early, have breakfast and then embark for hiking at Sipi falls with a site guide. It’s located in the eastern region of Uganda and it has three series of water falls in Kapchorwa, Sironko and Mbale. It lies on the edge of Mountain Elgon national park, it’s a bit challenging when hiking because they are in different locations but expect to see the best when on top of the falls and photography is good because of its clear view. Nature walks are done while moving to different falls and expect to see people living in these communities and young kids requesting for money in order to improve on their standards of living. Lunch, relaxation, Dinner and a night as above

 Day 6: Transfer to Moroto ,

After breakfast you transfer to moroto town which is known as the home for the cultural experience of the karamanjo region .

Camping at Karatunga Guest house

Day 7: Transfer to Kidepo National park via Kotido.

After breakfast, you will drive to Kidepo Valley National Park. Kidepo National Park is located in the north-eastern corner of Uganda along the international frontier with South Sudan in Kaabong District. Kidepo National Park is a home to about 86 mammal species and about 500 bird species. Have lunch on arrival. You can go for an afternoon game drive where you will spot lions, cheetah, leopard, bat-eared fox, giraffe, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, lesser kudu, Chandlers Mountain reedbuck, klipspringer, dikdik and bright gazelle, Beisa Oryx and roan antelope among others. Dinner and overnight at the Campsite inside the Park

 

Day 8: Full day game viewing

Breakfast, go for a game drive where you will spot lions, cheetah, leopard, bat-eared fox, giraffe, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, lesser kudu, Chandlers Mountain reedbuck, klipspringer, dikdik and bright gazelle, Beisa Oryx and roan antelope among others. You will have packed lunch since you are spending the full day game viewing. Or you can go for a community walk in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight as above

Day 9: Cultural encounters in Kidepo National Park

Wake up early, have breakfast and after embark for cultural encounters at the local Manyattas in Karamoja and IK people. Expect to see their small homesteads, what they worship, dance, language and after return to the camp site for dinner and night.

 DAY 10: Transfer to Murchison falls National Park

After breakfast, drive to Murchison Falls National Park arriving at the lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon proceed for a game drive. Elephant, Cape buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, Uganda Kob, hartebeest and waterbuck are commonly seen. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, bush duiker, warthog and bush pig. Large carnivores include lion, leopard and spotted hyena. Dinner and a night at Delta Camping site

 

DAY 11: Full game drive in Murchison Falls National Park

After an early breakfast, proceed for a full day game drive. Elephant, Cape buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, Uganda Kob, hartebeest and waterbuck are commonly seen. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, bush duiker, warthog and bush pig. Large carnivores include lion, leopard and spotted hyena. Lunch, dinner and a night at the camp site.

DAY 12: Boat cruise and fall at Murchison Falls National Park

Take a boat along the Victoria Nile to the Delta at Lake Albert. This is a home to hippos and many enormous Nile crocodiles as well as special birds, which includes Shoebill, Secretary Bird, Abyssinian Roller and Ground Hornbill, Pied Kingfishers, Red-Throated Bee-Eaters lining the banks, Goliath Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Sacred Ibis, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Senegal and Water Thick-knees, Black-headed and Long-toed Lapwing, Little Bittern, Osprey, Red-necked Falcon, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Vinaceous Dove and Grosbeak Weaver.

In the afternoon we will visit the “top of the falls” for your chance to view the magnificence of the Nile. The park is cut into half by the famous River Nile where it has to squeeze itself through the legendary Murchison Falls, an impossibly narrow 7 m gap in a cleft rock creating a powerful explosion of white water. The Falls are believed to be the most powerful natural flow of water anywhere on earth. Superlatives like “awesome” “stupendous” “fantastic” and “wow” have been used to describe this amazing spectacle.

Day 13: Short Bird watching in Murchison Falls National Park

You will go for early morning birding experience in Murchison falls national park. Lunch, relaxation, dinner and a night at the camp site as above

 Day 14: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, we will drive to Kibale Forest National Park. We will drive south via Hoima to Fort Portal through verdant countryside and past traditional homesteads and farms. Fort-Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon. Dinner and a night at Rweteera Safari park

Day 15: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park

Your driver guide will transfer you to the briefing place right after breakfast, he will then hand in your details and permits for registration and allocation of chimpanzee community to trek. You will then be allocated to a chimpanzee community and your ranger guide will lead you on the trek in search of this great ape. Watch the chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor, feed, play and rest.

 Day 16: Bigodi Kibale Forest National Park

Morning have breakfast, relax until lunch. After lunch you will visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. The guided 4.5km circular trail through the swamp is also one of the best-guided bird trails in East Africa as well as offering a realistic opportunity to see up to six different primate species in a space of a few hours. Dinner and a night as above

Day 17: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park was named after Queen Elizabeth II and it was established in 1954. The park is located in western Uganda within this park there is Lake Edward and Lake George and the Kazinga channel. On arrival you will check in and go for an evening game drive. You might spot animals like elephants, Bufalloes, Impalas, Uganda Kobs and lions. Various birds can be spotted too and they include the African skimmer, Chapins flycatcher, Pink-backed pelicans, Papyrus canary, Shoebill stork, martial eagle. Later return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Kasenyi safari camp.

Day 18: Full day game drive Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzoris as a backdrop, provides excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi and bushbuck.

 Day 19: Boat cruise and transfer to Ishasha sector

After breakfast, you will enjoy the unique 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and many animals may be seen drinking at the water’s edge. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colorful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species. After boat cruise transfer to Ishasha sector for game drive to View Tree climbing Lions, drive to Ishasha at the river for lunch, dinner and a night.

 Day 20: Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Early morning transfer to Ishasha Area of Queen Elizabeth national park. Game drives in the Ishasha sector, home to the famous tree-climbing lions and the large herds of game. The scenic beauty, the size of the euphorbias and combination of riverine forest, Savannah plain and equatorial forest makes this a memorable day, only found in Africa. Lunch, dinner and a night at the camp site

 Day 21: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Drive through the “Switzerland of Africa” area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi Impenetrable National park. Bwindi is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Dinner and a night at Gorilla nest camp site

 Day 22: Gorilla Tracking

Early morning entry into Gorilla sanctuary. This rainforest is spectacular. It offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. Mammals recorded include the endangered mountain gorilla, buffalo, elephant, black-fronted duiker, bushbuck, leopard, giant forest log and others.

This park is best known for its fascinating gorillas. The time is taken and the terrain varies according to the movements of these marvellous primates. The thrill of spending time and observing the gorillas is a rare, moving, awesome and exciting adventure. The gorilla is a shy and peaceful animal and it is an unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they interact.

Day 23: Batwa Experience & Community Village Tour

The Batwa are the most fascinating of Ethnic groups that people can interact with: their wealth of knowledge about nature and their primitive hunter-gather ways will keep you captivated… while you wonder to yourself how people live like they are still somewhat in the Stone Age and are yet so warm and friendly. The Batwa will guide you through their lifestyles today showing you their homes and farming as well as displaying their wealth of knowledge such as the many uses of plants and their talents in basket weaving, collecting honey and many other things that are unique to these fascinating people

 Day 24: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Breakfast, drive to Lake Bunyonyi. Have lunch on arrival. In the afternoon you will go for a boat ride. Dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi overland camp and you will do the boat cruise on that day and explore the surroundings of the water surface. Drift quietly to the several small islands and enjoy the rich birdlife.

Return for lunch and then take on a Bird Walk in Mukoni Village. Pass small farms and enjoy the spectacular view as you look out for many birds. Generally, 40 to 50 different species may be seen on this walk, including the African Hobby, Black Kite, Swamp Flycatcher, Scarlet-chested, Bronze and Red-chested Sunbirds, White-headed Saw-wing etc. We will also have a chance to visit the local pygmy community.

Day 25: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Enjoy the boat ride on Lake Mburo and get quite close to crocs and hippos. Birdwatchers will enjoy the more than 250 species of birds found in Lake Mburo including Papyrus Gonolek, Brown faced Lapwing. Carruther’s Cisticola, the extraordinary White winged Warbler and Bare-Faced-Go- Away bird.

Evening game drives along the Lakeshore track. With its own system of game trails and cleared walkways the “Kigambara Loop” offers interesting guided lakeside walks. Find here herds of zebra, Cape buffalo and eland. Oribi and topi are easily approached. Dinner and a night at Leopard camp site.

Day 26: Full day game drive at Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, proceed for a game drive and a safari walk under the escort of an armed ranger. The leisurely pace of a walking safari also provides excellent opportunities for the keen photographer. The Kopjes are particularly interesting and camouflage klipspringers and topis. Due to cattle herding in the area, it is amusing to see zebra grazing alongside the long-horned Ankore Cattle peaceably.

Day 27: Boat ride on Lake Mburo and biking in the park

After breakfast, embark on a morning boat trip on Lake Mburo. Return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch you will go for biking in the park. Dinner and overnight as above at the camp site

Day 28: Transfer to Entebbe

Drive back to Entebbe stopping at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers en route where you will able to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through generations. There will also be time to stop at the equator for photographs and lunch. You arrive at Entebbe late evening, check in, dinner and a night at Entebbe Backer Packers.

Day 29: Visit Mabamba Swamp

Drive to the harbor and take the boat ride across the lake with beautiful view of Entebbe the airport, fishermen and lots of birds, especially on approaching the swamps. At Mabamba you will disembark the bigger boat and enter the smaller canoes for the Mabamba Swamps. The canoes will take a maximum of 3 persons excluding the driver and guide. Sometimes the Shoebill may also be seen from the shores in the lagoon while coming into or when returning to Entebbe. Whatever the case may be, the boat trip through the lagoon is usually very rewarding for all of its birds. Return back to Entebbe for Dinner and overnight stay as above.

 

Day 30: Transfer to Entebbe Airport for departure

After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe airport for your onward flight. This will mark the end of the tour.