Safari overview:
This all-inclusive 24 days Ugandan itinerary takes you through all the National parks in the pearl of Africa including the Murchison falls, Kidepo valley National park, Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth National park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Kibale National park, Bwindi Gorilla park, all filled with satisfying and rewarding game drives for a whole wildlife safari experience, combining the safari with adrenaline activities in Jinja and Sipi falls like Abseiling at the 100m waterfalls, wild water rafting and tubing on the Nile, not forgetting the most incredible and remarkable part of the safari, Gorilla tracking, Golden monkey tracking and chimpanzee tracking.
Safari highlights:
- Equator experience
- Game drives in all the savannah national parks
- Boat launch trips
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Nature walks
- Cultural experiences
- Gorilla trekking
- Golden monkey trekking
- Canoeing at Lake Bunyonyi
- Hiking at Lake Bunyonyi
- View the Tree climbing lions
- Scenic views
- Sipi falls visit/hike and Abseiling
- Source of the Nile visit
- Adventure water sport on the Nile
Detailed Itinerary:
DAY 1: Arrival
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our driver from Kofi Travel Safaris, who will transfer you to a hotel reserved for you in Kampala. Have dinner/lunch depending on your arrival time in the country, our guide and representative will meet you take you through and brief you about the 24 days Pearl of Africa Safari and also answer any questions you may have.
Accommodation options:
Luxury Lodge: Sheraton Hotel/Munyonyo Speke/ Resort Serena Hotel
Moderate: Protea Hotel/Cassia Hotel/Golf Course Hotel
Budget facility: Namirembe Guest house/Forest Cottages/Karibu Hotel/
Meal Plan arrangement: Full Board Basis
DAY 2: Transfer to Lake Mburo National park
After early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to Lake Mburo National Park as your very first tourism destination on this pearl of Africa safari package. The journey will take 3-4 hours with a stopover at the Equator where you will have an opportunity to stand in 2 hemispheres at the same time and take memorial photos, continue to the park where you will have lunch, freshen up and relax a bit then later head out for an afternoon boat trip on the lake where you may be able to see a variety of animals such as hippos and crocodiles and a variety of bird species such as Pelicans, Black Crake, Heron, Cormorant and Fish Eagle which can only be viewed clearly on a boat trip, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Moderate: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
Budget: Eagles Nest Camp
Meal Plan arrangement: full board basis
DAY 3: Lake Mburo National park Excursion
Have an early breakfast and set off for an African sunrise game drive in the park where you can expect to see a variety of wildlife such as zebras, monkeys, impalas, waterbucks, elands, buffaloes, hippos, topi, reedbuck, sitatunga, antelope, vervet monkey, olive baboon, side-striped Jackal, spotted-hyena, leopard, white-tailed mongoose, among others, return to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon head out for a rewarding horse ride around the park,. This forest offers an excellent habitat for birds therefore a very attractive place for bird watching, retire to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Moderate: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
Budget: Eagles Nest Camp
Meal Plan arrangement: Full Board basis
DAY 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
After an early breakfast you will set off heading westwards to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, home for the Mountain Gorillas, which is a journey of approximately 9-10 hours, driving through the beautiful verdant rolling hills with fairy tale sceneries of western part of Uganda. You will have a lunch stopover in Mbarara town and then proceed to Bwindi arriving late in the evening.
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Silverback Lodge
Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp/ Mutanda Lake Resort/Engagi Lodge
Budget: Gorilla Friends Lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp/Buhoma Community Rest Camp.
Meal Plan arrangement: Full Board Basis
DAY 5: Gorilla Tracking and Batwa Cultural Experience
On an early morning breakfast you will go to the park headquarters where you will be briefed by the park ranger guides before you begin the giant Gorilla search in the thick mist Bwindi forest. The thrill of spending time and observing these gentle giants for is a rare, moving, awesome and exciting adventure that will leave you with long lasting memories of a truly unique experience in Uganda. Return to your lodge, freshen up, have lunch and later in the evening head out for a cultural walk to interact with the local people (Batwa community) participate in captivating traditional performances presented by Women’s groups.
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Silverback Lodge
Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp/ Mutanda Lake Resort/Engagi Lodge
Budget: Gorilla Friends Lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
DAY 6: Transfer to Mgahinga National park
Have early breakfast and then drive to Mgahinga National Park for an incredible golden Monkey tracking experience. Dinner and overnight will be at your lodge of booking.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge/Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Moderate: virunga lodge
Budget: Governors camp
Meal Plan arrangement: Full Board Basis
DAY 7: Golden monkey tracking – Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, drive to the Park’s headquarters for briefing and later begin the hike over the volcanic terrain in search for Golden Monkeys in the bamboo forests. Mgahinga National Park shares boarders with Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo. The park is also the most scenic as it stands at three volcanoes of Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo.
Later transfer to Lake Bunyonyi which is said to be the second deepest lake in Africa and one of the most beautiful places in western Uganda. It is also one of the few places in the country where it is considered safe to swim as it is bilharzia free. Dinner and overnight will be at one of the many lodges near the lake.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Bird Nest Resort/Bunyonyi safari resort
Midrange: Arcadia Lodge Lake Bunyonyi/ lake bunyonyi eco resort
Budget: Bunyonyi Overland Resort/Crater Bay Cottages and Camp
DAY 8: Canoeing and Hiking on lake Bunyonyi-Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
On this beautiful morning you can choose to either have a canoe-ride on the lake or a walk through the surrounding hills. The landscape around the lake is made up of steep hills covered with lush green vegetation protruding from the water’s edge. Bunyonyi means “place of little birds” and as the name suggests, there is plenty of birdlife around the lake. You can choose to go for a canoe ride to see water animals and birds, go for swimming, or hike to the view point in the hills to admire the volcano mountain ranges at the border with Rwanda. Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park through the ishasha sector in the afternoon.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Ishasha wildness Camp
Midrange: Ishasha Jungle Lodge
Budget: Enjojo Lodge/ At the River Ishasha Lodge
DAY 9: Game drive in Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National park
Wake up for an early exciting morning game drive in search for tree climbing lions in Ishasha, you will also be able to see Elephants, Topis, Leopards, Bush bucks, Cape Buffaloes, Defassa Waterbucks, Giant Forest Hogs, Uganda Kobs, among others. Later drive to the lodge for relaxation, Dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Katara Lodge
Mid-range: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge/Ihamba Safari Lodge
Budget: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge/Mweya Hostel
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
DAY 10: Game Drive and afternoon Safari Launch Cruise
Wake up to a rewarding early morning game drive along the rich trails of the park during which you will spot Lions, Elephants, Topis, Leopards, Bush bucks, Cape Buffaloes, Defassa Waterbucks, Giant Forest Hogs, Uganda Kobs, among others. Return to the lodge for lunch, and later prepare yourselves for a two hour afternoon safari launch cruise down the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. The cruise exposes you to the highest population of Hippos and you will see a profusion of animals drinking on the water shores. This launch cruise rewards you with a great opportunity to take photos, and see a great population of water animals and land animals that would be cooling off from the scotching heat.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Katara Lodge
Mid-range: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge/Ihamba Safari Lodge
Budget: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge/Mweya Hostel
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
DAY 11: Transfer to Kibale Forest National park
Set off after your breakfast for a 4 hour journey to kibale national park as you enjoy an impressive sight of the legendary “Mountains of the Moon” which you will clearly see on the road to Fort Portal. Have lunch in Fort Portal and then proceed to park.
Check in and head out for the Bigodi swamp eco-tourism site nature walk where you will see rare bird species such as the Great Blue Turacco, little Bulbul, Rwenzori Turaco and the Narina Trogon, among others , Dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Primate Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge/Kyaninga lodge
Moderate: Isunga Lodge/Kibale Forest Cottages/Primate Lodge
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Guest House
Meal plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
DAY 12: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi wetland nature Walk and Birding
After breakfast, head to the headquarters for a short briefing before penetrating the thick forests in search of the chimps and other primates harbored by this forest. The exercise takes half a day and along the way you will see other primates such as Grey cheeked Mangabeys, Phoestes, Red-Colobus and the Blue tailed and the Red-tailed monkeys swinging in the braches of this thick forest.
The park tour guide will give you informative briefings on the lifestyles of the primates you will be coming across and on the plants as well as on the insects and butterflies in this forest to ensure that the trek is not only enjoyable but informative as well.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Primate Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge/Kyaninga lodge
Moderate: Isunga Lodge/Kibale Forest Cottages/Primate Lodge
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Guest House
Meal plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
DAY 13: Transfer to Murchison falls National Park
Set off for a 9 hour journey to Murchison Falls National Park driving through verdant countryside inter-passing traditional homesteads and farms via Hoima town where you will have a lunch break then Proceed to Park arriving late in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at a reserved lodge.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/ Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/Bwana Tembo Safari Camp
Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge/red chili rest camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14: A thrilling Game Drive of a kind, Boat Cruise and a Hike to the Top of the falls
Set off at 6.30am with packed breakfast for a thrilling sunrise game drive of one of a kind, to catch up with the early risers, Cape buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda kob, hartebeest and waterbucks. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, shy sitatunga, bush duiker, warthog and bush pig plus large carnivores including lions, leopards and spotted hyenas. Chimpanzees and olive baboons head the list of six species of primates found in the park. Crocodiles and hippos will be seen along the banks of the Nile. Some of the most common birds that can be seen include goliath heron, Egyptian geese, pelican, bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbill, cormorant, saddle-bill stork and the rare shoe bill stork.
Return to your lodge in time for early lunch and some relaxation before you set off for the afternoon boat cruise on the placid Victoria Nile, upstream, to the base of the falls. En route you will see hippos, crocodiles, waterbuck and a wide variety of birds like the unusual shoebill stork. The boat stops just tens of meters from the “Devil’s Cauldron” for pictures to be taken of the photogenic and majestic Murchison Falls.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/ Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge/Red chili rest camp
DAY 15: Transfer to – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Drive out of the park early in the morning, head to the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary along the Kampala- Gulu highway through Masindi town. On arrival at the sanctuary you will be briefed by a ranger guide on how to behave while on the rhino trek. Depending on the rhino’s location, you may need to drive closer to their location before you start the trek to reduce on the distance. Once you locate the rhino’s you can stay a maximum of one hour in their presence, take some pictures you may also spot some other animals like water bucks, bush bucks, kobs, etc. later drive to Gulu town for dinner and an overnight.
DAY 16: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National park
Wake up to an early morning breakfast at the hotel and get ready for a long drive to Kidepo Valley National Park. The journey to Kidepo from Gulu will take 8 -10 hours, arriving late in the evening, check in to the lodge reserved, freshen up dinner and an overnight.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Nga’moru Wilderness Camp
Budget: Apoka Hostel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 17: African Sunrise Game Drive and a Cultural walk in the Park.
Enjoy breakfast as you admire the true wilderness and an out of the world experience! Head out for a rewarding sunrise game drive in the park through the open savannah, rocky outcrops, and rings of mountains to catch up with the early predators that will be returning to their habitats after a night hunt. In Kidepo you will find zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards etc. Drive extensively up to the kanangorok hot springs and brace yourself for even more opportunities of catching sight of more wildlife like lions sitting on the rocks as they scan for their next prey. This is where you can find the cheetahs and ostriches in the wild. You’ll return to the lodge have a rest and later head out for an evening cultural walk in the park. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Nga’moru Wilderness Camp
Budget: Apoka Hostel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 18: Game Drive in the Narrus valley and the Karamojong cultural experience
You will be taken on a guided cultural village tour where you will learn about the nomadic lifestyle of the people around Karenga and Kidepo. During this cultural tour you will visit the Karamajong homesteads (manyattas) where you’ll be able to see the kraals of cattle, the traditional costumes, spears, headdress, knives, bows and arrows, jewelry, grinding stones and utensils all made locally by the natives. In the evening you will be taken for an African Golden sunset game drive to explore more of the wilderness of Kidepo. Return to the lodge for dinner and rest for another long drive to sipi falls-kapchorwa next day.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Nga’moru Wilderness Camp
Budget: Apoka Hostel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY19: Drive to sipi falls-kapchorwa
Early morning breakfast, set off for Sipi Falls on Mt Elgon bordering Kenya in the Eastern part of Uganda. This will be a 9 hour journey through the towns of Kotido and Soroti arriving late in the afternoon. You will have dinner and rest for the night.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Sipi River Lodge/Rafiki lodge
Mid-range: Lacam Lodge/Sipi Falls Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Day 20: Hiking Sipi falls and Abseiling
Have your breakfast and go for a hike to see the beautifully stunning Sipi falls that cascade over a 100 meter cliff. You will follow the challenging trail to two other waterfalls passing through maize fields, coffee gardens, banana plantations and typical African homesteads on your way and enjoy the breathtaking views over the laid out valley. Those interested in experiencing a real thrill of watching the waterfalls from a very close distance will go abseiling down the mountain to the bottom of the famous Sipi Falls. At the end of the day you will experience a magnificent sunset before returning to your lodge.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Sipi River Lodge
Mid-range: Lacam Lodge/Sipi Falls Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
DAY 21: Transfer to Jinja Town
We leave early in the morning and head to Jinja to visit the source of the Nile and to enjoy some of the adventurous activities whose options include white water rafting, tubing the Nile, jet boating, horse riding, and quad biking. You will arrive in time for lunch, at the source of the Nile, we have lunch overlooking the Nile River in jinja, as you relax as you watch the beautiful sunset right at the Nile River later check into the hotel of your booking, dinner and overnight, or head out and enjoy the jinja night life.
Accommodation options
Luxury: 2 friend’s hotel
Mid-range: Jinja Nile Resort/Nile Village Hotel/Hotel Paradise on the Nile/The haven/Kingfisher
Budget: 2 Friends Guesthouse and Restaurant/Source of the Smile Hotel/Pearl on the Nile Hotel
Meal Plan: Full board basis
DAY 22: Half Day Water Rafting and Jinja Excursion
We head out to the rafting assembling point at the Nile River, for a briefing by the rafting experts who will be with you on board. You will get into the tube on water and try out the safety drills taught in the briefing, then proceed to the simple rapids first as you continue, the rapids gradually increase making the adventure more thrilling. You can always choose if you want a crazy ride or just a calm adventure without flipping into the water, either way is super fun! Lunch on board, later head back to the hotel, relax or go for a sunset boat ride to the source of the Nile with a cold beer. Dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Crested Crane Hotel/2 friends hotel
Mid-range: Jinja Nile Resort/Nile Village Hotel/Hotel Paradise on the Nile/The haven/Kingfisher
Budget: 2 Friends Guesthouse and Restaurant/Source of the Smile Hotel/Pearl on the Nile Hotel
Meal Plan: Full board basis
DAY 23: Tubing on the Nile and Quad Biking Safari
Wake up at leisure, have your breakfast and head out for a quad biking safari, which is the best all-terrain adventure along the banks of the River Nile through the warm heart of Uganda through forests, and farms, past villages, and along the banks of the River Nile. The wetter the better-ATV Quad bikes love mud and so will you, sliding across the puddles and potholes quite an experience, after getting all muddy for 3 hours we’ll then head for tubing on the Nile activity to wash off the mud on thrilling flat water and white water tubing or call it a lazy river tubing on the Nile on a hot day, nothing beats a refreshing flatwater float with a cold beer in hand.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Crested Crane Hotel/2 friends hotel
Mid-range: Jinja Nile Resort/Nile Village Hotel/Hotel Paradise on the Nile/The haven/Kingfisher
Budget: 2 Friends Guesthouse and Restaurant/Source of the Smile Hotel/Pearl on the Nile Hotel
Meal Plan: Full board basis
DAY 24: Transfer to Entebbe to catch up with your Return flight/Kampala
Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the Airport for your scheduled flight back home or spend another night in Kampala.
End of safari
The Safari package includes:
- Full board accommodation as per the itinerary
- 4WD safari vehicle
- Insurance
- Bottled drinking water
- Permits for trekking Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Golden Monkeys, and Rhino Tracking
- Game drives
- Boat trips
- Services of an English Speaking Driver/guide.
- Community visit fees
- Guided nature walks
- Transfers from and to the airport
- And all other activities mentioned in the itinerary
