In Uganda alone a birder will enjoy twelve percent of bird species in the world; a tracker will find half of the world’s gorillas; an explorer will have an opportunity to see more than 7% of the world’s mammals. For the discerning traveller the potential for Ecotourism here is enormous, and the discreet have tapped into it.
Uganda HAS a total area of 236,040 sq km, bordered by Kenya in the East and Tanzania in the South, Rwanda in the South west, DR Congo to the west and South Sudan to the North, making it a landlocked country. It lies at 10S to 40N Latitude and 300 to 350 East Longitude, so it is astride the Equator.1 00 N, 32 00 E. The country, however, is well watered and fertile. Although it lies at the Equator, it receives about three rainy seasons a year, with Lake Victoria, The Nile, the many forests and the Rwenzori mountains determining much of the climate. In forest ecosystems it rains regularly and weather is unpredictable. Water covers 36,330 sq km, about 15% of Uganda’s area. The country is rich in wildlife, game, birds, and a vast culture of over 50 tribes occupying this beautiful, green country.
DAY 1: Entebbe – Arrival Entebbe/
Arrive. Transfer to Entebbe. Meet, greet by our smiling guides and short city tour of Kampala, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight Admas Hotel Hotel for mid level, BB - https://admasgrandhotel.com/
Overnight Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, BB - https://www.serenahotels.com/lake-victoria
DAY 2: Murchinsons Falls.
Briefing from your guide before taking a gentle drive to Zziwa rhino sanctuary, from there proceed to Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Drive through Luwero. Lunch en route and continue to the park[Approximate driving time: 6 hours]. Visit the top of the stimulating Murchison Falls, crashing through a narrow gorge.
O/N: Pakuba Lodge for mid level, FB - https://pakubasafarilodge.com/
O/N: Twiga Safari Lodge, FB – www.twigasafarilodge.com
DAY 3: Murchisons Falls - am: game drive / pm: boat excursion.
Have an early morning game viewing north of the Nile. Launch trip to the bottom of the mighty exciting falls, with crocodiles, and a vast array of birds including the rare shoebill stork, lounging on the banks of the Nile. Hippos are everywhere!
O/N: Pakuba Lodge for mid level, FB - https://pakubasafarilodge.com/
O/N: Twiga Safari Lodge, FB – www.twigasafarilodge.com
DAY 4: Murchison Falls / Fort Portal.
An early start. Drive to Drive south to Fort Portal, past big tea plantations, lunch en route. Proceed to your lodging in Kibale. Either explore a crater lake nearby or relax at your lodging. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours].
Midrange: Turaco Lodge/Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, FB (3.5 star) - https://www.chimpanzeeforestlodge.com/
Upper range: Chimpundu Lodge, FB (4 star) - https://chimpundulodge.com/
DAY 5: Kibale – chimps tracking
With the highest number of primates in Africa, you will have a guided nature walk in Kibale Forest in which you will see the red, black and white colobus, blue monkeys, baboons and a large number of chimpanzees. You can have a forest walk to spot chimps and other primates playing through the forest. Birdlife is also fabulous, with over 300 species recorded in the forest, commonly you might be able to see the casqued hornbill and track the green breasted pitta that is found only in one place in the world.
Midrange: Turaco Lodge/Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, FB (3.5 star)
O/N: Chimpundu Lodge for upper level, FB https://chimpundulodge.com/
DAY 6: Rwenzori/Queen Elizabeth
Leave for Queen Elizabeth Park, passing via the Rwenzoris, “Mountains of the Moon” as they are sometimes called. Half day Hike to the Rwenzori mountains.
Continue to Queen Elizabeth. Evening game drive. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours]
O/N: Buffalo Safari Lodge, FB www.buffalolodge.ug
DAY 7: Queen Elizabeth
Visit Katwe Salt Lake, and the local community including local fihsing villages, and Twin Lakes.
Lake Katwe is an ancient salt lake found in south western Uganda, where salt is rudimentally harvested using local materials and methods. Workers extract three main products from the lake: blocks of rock salt; high-quality salt crystals that can be sold as table salt; and salty mud. The salt extracted is not of industrial or factory signifcance as much of it is used for animals and local foods preservation.
O/N: Buffalo Safari Lodge, FB www.buffalolodge.ug
DAY 8: Queen Elizabeth
Morning game drive. A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a rewarding experience.
Crater lakes visit.
O/N: Buffalo Safari Lodge, FB www.buffalolodge.ug
DAY 9: Transfer to Bwindi
Leave for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Drive via Ishasha, weather conditions permitting where you may see tree-climbing lion - to Bwindi. [Approximate driving time: 7 hours]
O/N: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, FB - https://www.lakemulehegorillalodge.com/
Higher range: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Full Board - https://www.chameleonhill.com/
DAY 10: Bwindi - gorilla tracking.
Go gorilla tracking, carrying packed lunch. You will be accompanied by a guide and porters who will carry your shoulder pack for you. You will then set off to the thick forest in search of gorillas. The terrain can be difficult, with steep slopes covered in dense vegetation that gives the park its name. In addition, the altitude of 5200 feet and more means participants do need to be physically fit. The time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 8-9 hours before one returns to camp. Difficulty, however, is not impossibility and coming face to face with the great primates is well worth it!
O/N: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, FB - https://www.lakemulehegorillalodge.com/
Higher range: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Full Board - https://www.chameleonhill.com/
DAY 11: Bwindi – Bunyonyi- Batwa - Mburo Park
After breakfast tour on Lake Bunyonyi and see the Batwa pigmy tribe.
Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park passing several communities on the way.
Arrive in the afternoon, relax at the Camp or go for an evening game drive in the park.
Did you know that this is the only national park in the country, whose name comes from a lake of the same? The lake creates a special contrast to the dense green vegetation and is the source of life of many living animals here. Have you ever watched flamingos up close? Perhaps you enjoy this magical experience!
Lake Mburo National Park now contains much woodland as there are no elephants to tame the vegetation. In the western part of the park, the savanna is interspersed with rocky ridges and forested gorges while patches of papyrus swamp and narrow bands of lush riparian woodland line many lakes.
Upper Mid-range: Rwakobo Rock Lodge, Full Board https://www.rwakoborock.com/ or Kigarama Wilderness Lodge, Full Board
DAY 12: Safari Walk in Lake Mburo – Entebbe
Time permitting, short game drive or safari walk in the park and then a transfer to the flight in the drive to the airport Stop at the equatorial area and visit the local community or local school.
Passing Kayabwe Equator point for experiments on how waves and mass change when standing on either side of the equator. At the equator, there are a number of souvenir shops selling crafts, African fabrics and sandals.
Thereafter continue on your way to Entebbe airport for you flight out.
INCLUSIONS |
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· Daily breakfast · Meal plan as listed in the itinerary (BB in Kampala/Entebbe, FB on tour) · Accommodation on a shared basis, as listed in the itinerary · All game drives · 1 Gorilla permit, quoted separately · 1 Chimpanzee permit, quoted separately · Rwenzori Hike Permit, per person 1 day · Boat trip in Kazinga Channels, QE park · Boat cruise in Murchison Falls, at the River Nile · Boat trip in Lake Mburo park · Lake Bunyonyi pigmy tribe · All fees for parks, and entrances · Safari walk in Lake Mburo · Mineral/bottled water in vehicle · All transfers, fuel with 4x4 vehicle · English speaking driver-guide all along the tour · Cultural visits where available |
EXCLUSIONS |
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· Meals in Kampala/Entebbe · Visa fees for Uganda ($50); · Extra drinks at lunches and dinners · Air tickets · Personal Expenditures; phone calls, laundry
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