The Best of Uganda
Duration: 13 days
Highlights: Entebbe, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Ishasha, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Mburo National Park
This itinerary combines the best of what Uganda has to offer.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Entebbe
On arrival at Entebbe International airport and after clearing customs and immigration formalities, you will be transferred to the Boma Guest House. The Boma is set in
tropical gardens in a leafy suburb, a few minutes drive from the Airport .
The rest of the day is free to relax or if time permits, enjoy some sightseeing.
Overnight: Boma Guest House
Meal Plan: D
Day 2 - Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, drive to Murchison Falls National Park which is Uganda’s largest national park. It is named after the Murchison Falls where the River Nile explodes violently
through a narrow gorge in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below.
On arrival you will be ferried to the Paraa Lodge, a 54 roomed lodge which was established in 1954. The lodge is a perfect place to experience Africa’s longest river as it
makes its way from Lake Victoria to Lake Albert.
Freshen up and enjoy lunch at the camp before your afternoon game viewing drive.
Overnight: Paraa Lodge
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 3 - Murchison Falls National Park
Spend today exploring the National Park. A highlight of any visit to Murchison Falls Conservation Area is the launch trip to view the magnificent Murchison Falls. Hippos and
crocodiles are abundant and you will see plenty of game.
Murchison Falls National Park is home to remarkable 451 species of birds. They include the rare yet famous Shoebill stalk, Martial Eagle, the African Fish Eagle, Papyrus
Gonolek, Lesser and Greater Flamingo, White-tailed Lark and Verraux’s Eagle Owl.
In the afternoon take a boat trip through the extensive papyrus delta through which the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert. Here again there are plenty of animals and birds
to see.
Overnight: Paraa Lodge
Day 4 - Murchison - Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, begin your drive to Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale has the highest primate density of any area on earth, including the red-tailed money, blue monkey,
olive baboon, chimpanzee, colobus (black, white and red ) and white cheeked mangabey. Other mammals found are bushbuck, red and blue duiker, Uganda kob, Scaly-tailed
flying squirrel, tree pangolin, buffalo, waterbuck and hippo as well as a large number of birds.
Set against the stunning back drop of the legendary Mountains of the Moon, Kyaninga lodge is a luxury lodge on the shores of Lake Kyaninga. Centered around a
magnificent main lodge, 8 cottages branch out via raised wooden walkways, each one a good distance away from the next insuring complete exclusivity. The view of the Lake
from the cottages is outstanding, a perfect place to relax in privacy.
After lunch there is time to relax before taking a guided walk round Lake Kyaninga.
Overnight: Kyaninga Lodge
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 5 - Kibale Forest National Park
Chimpanzee tracking excursion is the highlight of visiting Kibale National Park. The habituated chimps are great fun to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees. You
can expect to see at least two or three other types of primates most probably the grey-cheeked mangabey and red-tailed monkey.
After lunch, take a guided walk to the nearby Bigodi Swamp for bird watching. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is an important biodiversity area situated at the western edge of
Kibale National Park. The swamp is host to over 200 bird species, including the most popular, Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola Cristata).
Overnight: Kyaninga Lodge
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 6 - Kibale - Ishasha
After an early breakfast, take a charter flight to Ishasha. Ishasha is a vast low-lying savannah plain lying south of the equator in the Albertine Rift Valley.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp is situated inside the southern Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park on the Ntungwe river. This small and exclusive tented camp offers
quality accommodation and services in this unspoilt remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for its tree climbing lions that can sometimes be
spotted resting in the branches of the large fig trees in the area.
After lunch spend the afternoon game viewing, relaxing or exploring the area.
Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 7 - Ishasha
Today go on a game drive in search of the famous tree climbing lions. Ishasha is also home to a variety of wildlife including elephant, lion, hippo, leopard, buffalo, the Uganda
kob, baboon, and birds. Bird-watching is particularly good during the summer months (Oct-Nov) for migratory species as well as endemics.
Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 8 - Ishasha - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After a leisurely breakfast, begin your drive to Bwindi National Park. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is nestled deep inside Bwindi
Impenetrable Forest, in Bwindi National Park. The camp is the only accommodation located within the National Park, offering guests an unrivalled location, including the best
bird and wildlife viewing in the Bwindi area.
Bwindi is host to the highest concentration of primates on earth, including the majestic mountain gorilla, one of the rarest animals on the planet. It is estimated that 65% of
the world’s surviving population of mountain gorillas, about 460, live within Bwindi’s boundaries.
Spend the day relaxing and enjoying an activity of your choice.
Overnight: Gorilla Forest Camp
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 9 - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast this morning, you will receive a briefing from your gorilla tracking guide. Tracking commences every morning from the park headquarters at 8.30am.
The gorillas you will track belong to one of the 'habituated' family groups in Northern Bwindi. For several years each group has undergone an extremely delicate process that
has gradually made them used to the presence of humans. Experienced guides will accompany the tracking, many of who have been involved in the habituation process
themselves. Once the gorillas are located, the group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. A look into the deep and expressive brown eyes of these giants is
surely one of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters that Africa has to offer.
Overnight: Gorilla Forest Camp
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 10 - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi is also home to the Batwa Pygmies, who are the oldest inhabitants of the Great Lakes region of Central Africa. These hunter gatherers, whose existence was first
recorded over 4000 years ago, have a rich, deep culture and history that they are very happy to share. A visit to their community is a unique cultural experience unlike any
other and will assist in helping conserve their community and way of life.
Or you could take a bird walk. Bwindi boasts over 300 bird species, including 24 that are endemic to these highlands straddling Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo – the
“Albertine Rift Endemics”. There are also over 200 species of butterflies found in the park. A local expert will guide you on this fascinating walk.
Overnight: Gorilla Forest Camp
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 11 - Bwindi - Lake Mburo National Park
Today, drive to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda's fourth national park, designated in 1982. Situated in rolling hills and open grassy valleys, it is the only Ugandan National
Park to contain an entire lake. The land area of the park is composed of open and wooded acacia savannah. The park is home to herds of Impala, as well as the more
uncommon Topi, Eland, and Klipspringer. Burchells Zebra and buffalo also graze these areas.
Mihingo Lodge features ten rooms each nestled on a private piece of the lodge's property, enabling guests to enjoy the tranquil environment in complete seclusion. Placed in
varied settings, some rooms are situated in a forest, some with a lake view, and some on rocky outcrops.
After dinner go on an exciting night game drive in the expansive park.
Overnight: Mihingo Lodge
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 12 - Lake Mburo National Park
Spend the morning game driving through the park. After lunch, go on a horse back safari of the park.
In the evening choose to relax or to take a nature trail around the lake through to Rubanga forest which is home to a variety of forest bird species.
Overnight: Mihingo Lodge
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 13 - Entebbe - Departure
After breakfast, take a charter flight back to Entebbe in time for your international flight.
Meal Plan: B