15 Days Uganda Safari
Experience an abundance of wildlife, scenery, and cultural experiences on this 15 day Uganda Safari. For most people mountain gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking are the highlight of this safari. There are amazing opportunities of seeing numerous exotic animals like Rhinos, lions, hippos, buffaloes, leopard, elephants, and several species of birds. Enjoy the thundering Murchison Falls and the crater lakes is the western and southwestern of the country.
Safari Highlights,
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Game drives in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Parks
- Boat cruises in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
- Nature walk in Bigodi Swamp
- Crater Lakes
- Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha
- Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest
- Boat ride in Lake Mburo National Park
- Photo session at the Equator
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to your hotel
On your arrival, Self Drive Uganda representative will welcome you to Uganda at Entebbe airport and transfer you to your hotel in Kampala/Entebbe where you will be spending the first night of your trip.
Accommodation at Via Via Guest House
Day 2: Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Have an early breakfast and depart for Murchison Falls National Park. The journey is a magical adventure with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary route to track Rhinos. Your ranger guide will brief you after which you proceed to trek Rhinos in the sanctuary.
Depending on the location of your lodge, after this fulfilling experience and photo session, we proceed to the ‘top of the falls’ where River Nile is forced through a 7-meter gorge with a thunderous fall. Proceed to your lodge for the night.
Accommodation at Fort Murchison Lodge
Day 3: Morning Game drive and Boat Safari on River Nile
Murchison Falls National park is the biggest in Uganda and offers fulfilling game viewing. The game drives start early morning right after breakfast which increases the chances of sighting different animals especially the predators that tend to go into hiding during the heat of the day. The game drive happen in the northern bank of River Nile, where we look out for giraffes, elephants, hartebeest, Buffaloes, Leopards, Lions and different bird species.
In the after-noon, the safari will continue on River Nile – Nile boat safari towards the mighty Murchison falls. The relaxed boat safari provides more opportunities for spotting a variety of animals and birds and falls from. You have an opportunity to watch the falls from below.
Accommodation at Fort Murchison Lodge
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Today we depart for the home of Chimpanzee in Kibale National Park. Kibale forest is home to 13 species of primates with the main attraction being chimpanzee tracking and bird watching. The journey to this tropical forest passes villages and colorful road markets. Lunch will en route or packed.
Accommodation at Kibale Forest Camp
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is a fulfilling adventure that takes you deep in the tropical forests with streams of water and abundant wildlife. You will start with a briefing from the ranger guide about your chimp trek. On your trek, you might have sightings of red-tailed monkeys, black-and white Columbus monkeys, butterflies, and birds calling from the canopies. With the help of your ranger guide, you will locate the chimps. Enjoy picture moments and watch them as they play, groom, and feed.
After lunch visit Bigodi swamp – a community project known for its rich diversity of birds and primates depending on the availability of time. This community project is involved in providing employment for youth through tour guiding, some of the proceeds go into establishment of schools and teachers pay.
Accommodation at Kibale Forest Camp
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today after breakfast, our wildlife tour continues to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy views of several crater lakes and the mystical Rwenzori Mountain ranges. You will check into your hotel, refresh and then prepare for an evening game drive.
Accommodation at Bush Lodge
Day 7: Game drive and an afternoon boat cruise at the Kazinga Chanel
You will have your breakfast and prepare for your second game drive. Meet the animals in their different families, clans, and groups are out starting on their day. Watch the animals in their natural habitat and notice the difference with those caged in zoos. You will do this mostly from the Kasenyi plains where there is the large Kob mating ground. Look out for Elephants, Lions, Leopard, Waterbucks, Buffaloes, and several colorful birds.
After this experience, you will head back to you lodge and later have a boat cruise along the Kazinga Chanel.
Accommodation at Bush Lodge
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today we start journey to the home of the gentle giants of Bwindi – Mountain gorillas. The journey takes us through the terraced hills of Kigezi highlands. Lunch will be along the way or at the lodge depending on time of arrival. Take your well-deserved rest at your hotel.
Accommodation at Ihamba Residence
Day 9: Mountain Gorilla trekking
On this day, you will have your breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing. Mountain gorillas are true gentle giants found in Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda. Bwindi impenetrable forestis abounding with life hosting species of birds, butterflies, primates, mammals, and trees. Your ranger guide will guide you to in conjunction with early trackers to the enormous and rare mountain gorillas deep in the jungles of Bwindi. The trekking experience takes anything from an hour (rarely) to about 7 hours to accomplish, you only have one hour with gorillas to capture your finest moment. For those not interested in gorilla tracking can take a community village walk or short guided forest walk.
Accommodation at Ihamba Residence
Day 10: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
As you reminisce on your gorilla experiences we depart for Lake Bunyonyi, the 2nd deepest lake in Africa. Enjoy stunning scenery – interlocking hills terraced by the locals as they practice farming named the “Switzerland of Africa” by Churchill, the great British diplomat.
Accommodation at Acardia Cottages Bunyonyi
Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi Islands
Today after a good night sleep, wake up and enjoy the rays of the sun over Lake Bunyonyi. It is surrounded by beautiful hills terraced by the locals as they grow potatoes and other crops for their food and excess for sale.
Take a canoe ride to some of the 29 Islands that will give you an overview of the cultural and history of the area. Most notable is the story of the ‘punishment island’ your guide will share this story while on your boat ride.
In the afternoon, you can dive in the lake for a swim, go bird watching, or hike up a steep hill for more views of the lake and its islands. Alternatively you can set by the lake shores and enjoy reading a book.
Accommodation at Acardia Cottages Bunyonyi
Day 12: Journey to the home of Zebras – Lake Mburo national park
Lake Mburo National Park is a small gem in south western Uganda – en route to you pass through beautiful landscapes, plantations, and farms.
Our lunch will be at Igongo cultural Museum- exhibiting the life of the native people of the area. We will in the park later that afternoon and take a boat trip on Lake Mburo.
Accommodation at Rwakobo Rock
Day 13: Transfer to Kampala via Equator Monument
After an early breakfast, we take a game drive and proceed to Kampala, with a stopover at the famous Equator line. Have lunch in the city or Equator depending on arrival time and proceed to Jinja.
Accommodation at Source of the Nile Hotel
Day 14: Discover River Nile – White water Rafting
In Jinja, the Nile finds its origin; visit the Source of River Nile where it starts its 4000 km journey through Africa. Your driver guide will transfer you to the starting point of the water rafting where you will find other people waiting for an adventure filled day.
You shall have a whole days rafting experience on River Nile. You will go through half the rapids before lunch and the other half after lunch. There is an option for half day rafting and you choose to rest in the afternoon or choose any of the optional activities.
Optional activities-Quad bike safari, bungee jumping, horseback safari, kayaking
Accommodation at Source of the Nile Hotel
Day 15: Transfer to Entebbe for departure
We hope you had a fantastic time in the Pearl of Africa both in the wild and with the people of Uganda. Buy souvenirs and transfer to the airport or your Hotel in Entebbe.
End of safari