11 days Uganda Classic Safari

Day 1:  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.

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.

Journey time – 4 hours

Accommodation:

Budget: Hornbill Safari Lodge

Mid-Range: Murchison River Lodge

Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 2:  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:

Budget: Hornbill Safari Lodge

Mid-Range: Murchison River Lodge

Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge

Meal plan – Breakfast, lunch & Dinner

Day 3:  Drive to the Chimpanzee in 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.

Journey time – 7 hours

Accommodation:

Budget: Isunga Lodge

Mid-Range: Turaco Treetops

Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge

Meal plan: Dinner and Breakfast

Day 4:  Chimpanzee tracking in their natural habitat 

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:

Budget: Isunga Lodge

Mid-Range: Turaco Treetops

Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 5:  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. On arrival in the park, have lunch and take a boat safari on Kazinga channel. The boat safari is a great way to enjoy water, animals, birds and photography.

Journey time – 2 hours

Accommodation:

Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages

Mid-Range: Marafiki Safari Lodge

Luxury: Katara or Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch, dinner and Breakfast

Day 6: Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and transfer to Ishasha  

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, Leapard, Waterbucks, Buffaloes, and several colorful birds.

After this experience, we drive to watch them and proceed to Ishasha, famed for the tree-climbing lions. It is not easy to sight these but we shall mount a search with the help of rangers. Lunch will be a picnic or at the lodge.

Journey time – 2 hours

Accommodation:

Budget: Topi Safari Lodge

Mid-Range: Ishasha Jungle Lodge

Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Mel Plan: Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast

Day 7:  Expedition to the Gorillas in Bwindi Forest

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 in the lodge.

Journey time – 2 hours

Accommodation:

Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Mid-Range: Engagi Lodge

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge

Meal plan:  Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Day 8: Mountain Gorilla trekking

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 on hour (rarely) to about 8 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:

Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Mid-Range: Engagi Lodge

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge

Meal plan:  Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Day 9: 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. Afternoon boat ride in the lake, 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.

Journey time – 2 hours

Accommodation:

Budget: Itambira Seed of Hope

Mid-Range/Luxury:  Bird’s Nest – click here for more info about your accommodation.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Day 10:  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.

Journey time – 4 hours

Accommodation:

Budget: Eagle’ Nest

Mid-Range: Rwakobo Rock

Luxury: Mihingo Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Day 11: End of the Classic African Safari

After breakfast you will be transferred back to Entebbe for your outbound flight back home or to your next destination via Equator for lunch and for pictures in the northern and southern hemisphere.

Tour includes

  • Ground transport in a safari 4 x 4 or a safari minivan
  • Gorilla permit fees
  • Chimpanzee permit
  • Park entrance
  • Boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Bottled water in the safari vehicle
  • Full board accommodation for two nights
  • Service of an English-speaking driver guide
  • All mentioned activities except for the optional ones

Tour excludes

  • Extras at the accommodation i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
  • Tips to porters and driver/ guide
  • Insurance
  • Any item of personal nature
  • Any service mentioned as optional in the itinerary or not mentioned in inclusion list

Gorilla trekking tips

  1. Bwindi impenetrable national park requires hiking, you should pace yourself and drink plenty of water.
  2. Eating, drinking and smoking near the gorillas is forbidden. Your ranger guide will communicate designated time and place for such.
  3. We encourage you to carry a rain poncho
  4. Waterproof walking shoes or hiking boots are essential.
  5. Gardening gloves for protection against stinging plants
  6. Long trousers and long sleeved sweaters or shirts while in the forest to avoid insect stings.
  7. Photography is permitted, although you must not use flash
  8. Porters are available to help you carry your day pack for a minimum fee of $20 or UGX 50,000