By visiting Queen Elizabeth conservation area, you will be in viewing more hippos and crocodiles which are abundant; you will see elephants, buffaloes, water bucks and a variety of birds, ducks, bee eaters, fish eagles. The different chimpanzee families who share the same DNA with man, boat cruise along the Kazinga channel, the scenery along the crater at the foothills of mount Rwenzori, tree climbing lions in ishashas section of Queen Elizabeth national park. This 16 day experience will provide you with remarkable impact in a lifetime as these cuts across Uganda’s attractive savannah National park of Murchison fall, Queen Elizabeth, valley, Lake Mburo, Bwindi impenetrable

Overview

The diversity of Uganda’s wildlife and habitats ranging from savannah grasslands, forests, mountainous ecosystems and diverse species make Uganda the prime destination for game viewing. Wildlife safaris tours will extend you to Uganda’s fauna such as lions, hyenas, in close contact with giraffes, Uganda Kobs, Bush Bucks, water bucks and Oribs. Amazing birdlife include Ground hornbill, Kori Bustaeds, Stanley’s bustards, Crested Cranes, Yellow billed stalk, Saddle bill stock and a lot more. You will enjoy the mighty river Nile exploding through a narrow gorge and flows down to be placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos, Crocodiles, Water bucks and buffaloes. Clients may also catch the sight of the rare shoe bill camouflaging into the sky all these in Uganda’s largest conservation area of Murchison falls national park.

By visiting Queen Elizabeth conservation area, you will be in viewing more hippos and crocodiles which are abundant; you will see elephants, buffaloes, water bucks and a variety of birds, ducks, bee eaters, fish eagles. The different chimpanzee families who share the same DNA with man, boat cruise along the Kazinga channel, the scenery along the crater at the foothills of mount Rwenzori, tree climbing lions in ishashas section of Queen Elizabeth national park.

This 16 day experience will provide you with remarkable impact in a lifetime as these cuts across Uganda’s attractive savannah National park of Murchison fall, Queen Elizabeth, valley, Lake Mburo, Bwindi impenetrable

What has this trip to offer?

• Spend the night in simple but good accommodation (standard tour) or stay in the best accommodation available (Budget).
• Stay in the famous Travellers Rest Hotel in Kisoro.
• Transport in our own 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers with pop up roof, adapted for optimal visibility during game drives.
• Travel in small groups (8-12 people) with a window seat for everyone in the Land Cruiser.
• Guaranteed to visit the mountain gorillas in Uganda and / or Rwanda (gorilla permit not included).
• Chimp tracking in Kibale National Park and Kyambura Gorge.
• Looking for white rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
• Visit the savannah parks Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.
• Game drives in the aforementioned parks and a memorable cruise on the Nile and the Kazinga Channel.
• Chance of 13 primate species in the tropical rainforests of Kibale National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
• Optional climbing of the famous Virunga volcanoes.
• Hundreds of species of birds, a true bird paradise.
• Transfer to and from the airport.
• Single-Friendly! Singles pay the same price as those who travel in pairs; singles always have their own room or tent. Through our unique partnership with Lodges and our own accommodation we can make this offer.

Detailed itinerary

18 Days & 17-Nights Uganda wildlife, Gorilla safaris

Day 1: Arrival at the airport

By your arrival at Entebbe airport, you will be given a warmly welcome to Uganda the pearl of Africa and ever green at all seasons and be transferred to your booked accommodation in Entebbe town or in Kampala city

Day 2: Entebbe –Murchison falls National Park

Waking up in the morning and after receiving a morning breakfast, depart for the most beautiful protected area in Uganda. Murchison falls national park en route and will make a stopover at Ziwa rhino sanctuary, a home to only wild rhinos in Uganda after which most of them died by a disease called anthrax as this project aims at re- introducing them and restore them back in national parks like in the past times of 1982. Together with the guide you will track the rhinos and observe them in their habitat at a very close and safe distance. After this activity continue to Murchison falls. Dinner and overnight at Paraa safaris lodge

Day 3: Murchison falls National park

After an early morning breakfast, we start the day with a game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, having great chance of seeing giraffes, elephants, lions, hartebeest and different species of birds and return back to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, the safari will be continued with a boat cruise on the river Nile for game viewing at close quarters. Upon reaching the bottom of the waterfalls, you will depart the boat and climb or way up to the top of the falls where you will be rewarded with amazing views of the Nile River entering its gorge and forming a rain bow, descend to join your boat. Dinner and over night at either Paraa or red Chilli rest camp

Day 4: Murchison falls –Kibale forest national park

We therefore depart Murchison falls masindi district via Hoima plains and valleys and head to fort portal. This long journey will be rewarding with stunning views as you pass small villages and local markets along the road. Fort portal rests in the shadow of the fabled “mountains of the moon”now called Rwenzori mountains national park, fort portal areas mainly famous of tea plantations which will give you an ease access to Kibale National park. From this lovely town we will continue to the dense forest of Kibale National park. Dinner and overnight at the cottages of primate lodge Kibale

Day 5: Kibale forest & Bigodi swamp

With this day, the forest opens its clear doors for a sensational chimp tracking. Kibale forest is reputable of having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzee, red tailed monkey, black and white Colobus monkey and many more other primates since this is a primate home in Uganda. After lunch, transfers to Bigodi swamp for another experience totally different nature walk. The swamp walk is an initiative of the local community and is known for its rich diversity of birds and primates. Dinner and overnight at cottages of primate lodge Kibale

Day 6: crater lakes

Have a cup of coffee for breakfast before you head off for an exploration of the crater lakes in fort portal region in the shadow of Rwenzori Mountains. Enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and the stunning views. Take a hike at Lake Nkuruba to encounter different species of primates and birds and visit the Mahoma falls. Meet and interact with the local people as you walk through their villages, learn about their customs as Batoro tribe and enjoy the panoramic views of home stead’s and the mountain ridge. Dinner and overnight at the cottages of primate lodge Kibale

Day 7: Kibale national park - Queen Elizabeth national park

On this day, you will enjoy the views of various ridges of mount Rwenzori on your way to Kasese town heading to Queen Elizabeth. Lunch in Kasese town where the Bakonjo tribe originates and proceed to Simba safari for dinner and an overnight

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth national park

This day will start early enough with a game drive to have chance seeing wildlife before heading to their hide outs mostly nocturnal animals who feed during the night  and head to the mating ground of lions and later Uganda Kobs mating grounds. We search for lions, elephants, buffaloes and other wild animals in their natural habitats before returning for lunch at our camping lodge. In the afternoon we take on about cruise along the Kazinga channel, a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel inhabits abundant birdlife some of which are migrants and others resident birds that is sighted, elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of hippos that are cooling along the lake shores, this cruise will definitely be one of the highlights of your safari. Overnight and dinner at simba camp

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth –Bwindi forest national park

After breakfast, you will have the possibility to search of the chimpanzees along the Kyambura gorge, a beautiful gorge completely covered with tropical rainforest (optional, and will not be included in the price), make a game drive in ishashas section of queen Elizabeth national park in search for tree climbing lions. In the afternoon depart for Bwindi national park, a home of the endangered mountain gorillas, overnight and dinner at Buhoma community bandas

Day 10: Gorilla tracking

This will be one of the exciting and remembered days in your Uganda’s trip experience. Those who love hiking will love enjoying the beautiful ecosystem of the park. Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy condition areas, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. But it will definitely be worthwhile as you observe them closely while they eat play and taking rest in trees and other shrubs. This has for long been said as a unique experience

Those who prefer not to participate in the gorillas tracking exercise can go for a guided forest walk or explore the surroundings with the Buhoma village walk. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma community bandas

Day 11: Batwa experience

Although Batwa is mainly known for the gorillas, it has a lot more to offer for your experience. With this day you will enjoy the Batwa experience, a firsthand introduction to one of the most unique cultures worldwide. The Batwa pygmies are forest people (commonly called the bush men) displaced from the rain forest they shared with mountain gorillas. This experience will give you the opportunity to learn more about their age old culture while you enjoying a hike with the Batwa guides see how they lived and hunt, hear ancient legends and learn about medical plants. The revenue generated from these activities directly benefits the Batwa to strengthen their community. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma community bandas

Day 12: Bwindi national park - Lake Bunyonyi

After have a great breakfast, depart to Lake Bunyonyi the second deepest lake in Africa. Relax, take some swimming to those who love swimming or go for a canoe trip while you watch the beautiful sunset in the evening and in the following morning which will be suitable for a morning picture background. Dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi overland resort camp

Day 13: Lake Bunyonyi - Lake Mburo national park

Early in the morning you will leave for Lake Mburo National Park. You will have lunch in Mbarara before you continue to Lake Mburo, Uganda's smallest savannah but unique park, and the only one in the Western part of Uganda with impalas and zebras. Watch mammals like leopards, hyena as the common predators in the park and in the afternoon make a village/cultural walk and visit cattle keepers who rear larger numbers of Angole long horned cattle as their predominant activity.

Driving time: ±5,5 hours

Day 14 and 15

Budget accommodation: Mburo Eagle’s Nest –camping

Day 14: In Lake Mburo National Park

Early in the morning make a game walk, in the afternoon a boat trip on Lake Mburo followed by a game drive in the afternoon  or in the evening. This small national park hosts a variety of animals species,   over 68 mammal species have been recorded including a large number of Impalas (the antelope from which “Kampala”is named after), plains zebras, Uganda kobs, duikers, bushbucks, topis, buffaloes, leopards, spotted hyenas, Defassa waterbucks, warthogs, oribi. There are 315 bird species on record. The vegetation is mainly open savannah of acacia trees, Olea and boscia. Lake Mburo NP is a natural haven for fauna and flora. The bank teems with animals and birds. Crocodiles and hippopotami are permanent residents, and buffaloes come to drink during the dry season. The wide variety of resident birds includes finfoots, malachite kingfishers, pied kingfishers, African fish eagles, Rüppell’s long-tailed starlings, blue-headed coucals, tambourine doves, hammerkops, pelicans, herons, cormorants, red-faced barbets, grey crowned cranes, papyrus yellow warblers and even rare shoebills.

Day 15: Lake Mburo national park - Kampala

After breakfast the last part of the journey will bring you back to Kampala. On the way back you will have lunch in Mbarara town and after Masaka there will be an opportunity to a stop at the Equator for photo shoots and buying souvenirs and have tea or coffee. We will then bring you to a guesthouse, campsite or hotel of your Lodge in Kampala or Entebbe

Driving time: ±5       hours

Day 16: Kampala –jinja town

After breakfast we therefore leave the busy city and head to part of the east of Uganda jinja which is situated directly on Lake Victoria, where the mighty river Nile formed its origin. On our way, we will make a stop in Mabira forest one of the largest and beautiful tropical rain forest in Uganda that modifies rain fall with Lake Victoria in the Buganda central region. A hike will enable you stretch your legs with chances of seeing different species of primates, birds and colorful butterflies, continue to jinja for lunch and relaxation afternoon. Dinner and overnight at drift Nile high camp

 Day 17: jinja

This day is a full package day for adventure, starting with rafting at the source of the Nile. After receiving some instructions, you will start peddling and enjoying the beautiful scenery and thundering rapids at its fullest level! And don’t forget to watch the incredible attractive birdlife on the shows of the river and in the air as you draft quietly between the rapids of the river to the banks.

Those who do not wish to go for rafting can choose for a calm boat ride at the source of the Nile and watch the rafters going down at the spectacular bujagali falls. Dinner and overnight at Adrift Nile high camp

Day 18: Departure

Departure to Kampala and be made a transfer to the airport as you say good stay to your driver and as he says goodbye to you back home

Departure & Prices

18 Days The Pearl of Africa (International Group Tour persons)

Budget Tour (“Lazy”Camping) Price p.p

1 person      US$ 5,690 for one person going alone   

             Including the single supplement     

02-05 persons   US$ 3,210 per person

06-08 persons   US$ 2,735 per person

09-12 persons   US$ 2,635 per person

13-20 persons   US$ 2,500 per person

Single Occupancy adds USD 455 extra in a single supplement.        

Pricing details – Included/Not included

Gorilla Permit Guarantee

We sell our tours with gorilla permits. If no permits are available for a tour, cancelling is free of charge and any money paid in advance will be refunded.

Included in the price for this trip

?              Guides

?              Vehicle

?              Fuel

?              English speaking driver

?              All Park entrance

?              Accommodation

?              Breakfast

?              Bottled water

• What water rafting

?              Rangers in the parks

?              The first and last night in Uganda

• Gorilla permit (we organize it for you)

?              All activities in Kisoro and Jinja

?              Meals (around US$ 35 per person per day)

• Boat cruise lake Mburo
• Canoe on Lake Bunyonyi
• Rafting on River Nile
• Chimpanzee Tracking permits

Not included in the price for this trip

?              Drinks

?              Tips

?              Porters

?              Laundry services

?              Visa (Uganda/Rwanda)

?              Any other personal interests

• Airport fees
• Tips to the crew and other hotel staffs

Permits

?              In Uganda:  US$  600

Transport

?              4WD Toyota Land Cruisers/Omin Buses

These are our own cars and drivers. The cars are well maintained and our drivers are experienced and English speaking Ugandans.