Overview
This 14-day Ultimate Uganda Safari is an in-depth journey through the heart of East Africa’s most biodiverse country. Dubbed the “Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill, Uganda offers an unparalleled mix of classic big game safaris and intimate primate tracking experiences. This itinerary is meticulously crafted to include the legendary Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees, the powerful Murchison Falls, the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and the vast wildlife plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s a complete African adventure for the discerning traveler seeking authenticity and raw natural beauty.
Highlights
- Mountain Gorilla Trekking: A full hour with a habituated family in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
- Chimpanzee Habituation Experience: Track our closest relatives in Kibale Forest.
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Track rhinos on foot.
- Murchison Falls: Witness the world's most powerful waterfall by boat and from the top.
- Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise: Unmatched wildlife and birdlife viewing
- Tree-Climbing Lions: Search for the famous lions of Ishasha.
- Guided Walking Safari: An intimate bush experience in Lake Mburo.
- Diverse Landscapes: From the Nile Delta to montane forests and acacia woodlands.
- Cultural Encounters: Engage with local communities, including the Batwa people.
Itinerary
Day 01 :
Arrival in Entebbe
- Arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), where you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. If time allows, you can take a stroll along the shores of Lake Victoria.
- Accommodation: The Boma Guesthouse / Airport Guesthouse (Mid-Range) or 2Friends Hotel (Budget).
Day 02 :
Ziwa Rhino Trekking & Transfer to Murchison Falls
- After breakfast, drive north to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – the only place in Uganda to see wild rhinos. Enjoy a guided trek on foot to track these magnificent creatures.
- Continue to the outskirts of Murchison Falls National Park.
- Accommodation: Fort Murchison Lodge (Mid-Range) or Murchison River Lodge (Budget).
Day 03 :
Murchison Falls National Park - Game Drives & The Nile
- Morning: Embark on an exhilarating game drive in the northern sector of the park (Delta area). Look for elephants, giraffes, lions, buffaloes, and a variety of antelopes.
- Afternoon: Take a breathtaking boat cruise to the base of the Murchison Falls. Witness the Nile River being forced through a 7-meter wide gorge, creating a thunderous explosion of water.
- Accommodation: As above.
Day 04 :
Top of the Falls & Transfer to Hoima
- Morning: Visit the "Top of the Falls" for a different perspective, where you can stand just meters from the raging water as it plunges into the abyss.
- Afterwards, begin your journey south, breaking the long drive with an overnight stop in Hoima.
- Accommodation: Kontiki Hotel Hoima (Mid-Range).
Day 05 :
To the Primate Capital - Kibale Forest
- Continue your scenic drive through the lush countryside, passing tea plantations and local villages, to Fort Portal town. This area is the gateway to Kibale National Park, known as the "Primate Capital of the World."
- Accommodation: Turaco Treehouses (Mid-Range) or Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Budget).
Day 06 :
Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Swamp Walk
- Morning: Head to the park headquarters for a briefing before your Chimpanzee Trekking experience. Hike through the dense forest to find a habituated community of chimpanzees and spend an hour with them.
- Afternoon: Enjoy a guided nature walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community project known for its rich birdlife and other primates like the colobus monkey.
- Accommodation: As above.
Day 07 :
To Queen Elizabeth National Park & Evening Game Drive
- Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon) on a clear day.
- In the afternoon, take an introductory game drive through the park, likely spotting elephants, warthogs, and waterbucks.
- Accommodation: The Bush Lodge (Mid-Range) or Elephant Hub Lodge (Budget).
Day 08 :
Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
- Morning: An early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains, known for its lion prides and large herds of Uganda Kob.
- Afternoon: Take a famous boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a 40km natural channel connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. This is one of the best wildlife viewing activities in Africa, with huge concentrations of hippos, buffalo, elephants, and birds on the shores.
- Accommodation: As above.
Day 09 :
Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer to Bwindi
- Morning: Drive through the remote and beautiful Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its unique tree-climbing lions. Search for these majestic cats resting in the fig trees.
- Continue your journey, driving through the "Switzerland of Africa" landscape to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Accommodation: Gorilla Safari Lodge (Mid-Range) or Buhoma Community Haven Lodge (Budget).
Day 10 :
The Ultimate Gorilla Trekking Experience
- The Highlight of the Safari: After an early breakfast and briefing, begin your Mountain Gorilla Trekking adventure. The trek can be strenuous but is an unforgettable experience. Once you find them, you will spend one magical hour observing a habituated gorilla family.
- Accommodation: As above.
Day 11 :
Forest Recovery & Cultural Immersion
- A day to relax after your trek. You can opt for a guided nature walk in the Bwindi forest periphery, visit a local Batwa pygmy community to learn about their culture and traditions, or simply relax at the lodge and process the incredible gorilla encounter.
- Accommodation: As above.
Day 12 :
To Lake Mburo National Park
- Depart Bwindi and drive to Lake Mburo National Park. The journey offers more beautiful scenery.
- In the evening, you may take a guided night game drive (at an extra cost) to look for nocturnal animals like bushbabies, porcupines, and genets.
- Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge (Mid-Range) or Eagle's Nest Lodge (Budget).
Day 13 :
Walking Safari & Boat Cruise on Lake Mburo
- Morning: Experience a unique guided walking safari. With no elephants or lions in the park, walking is safe and allows you to appreciate the smaller details of the ecosystem and get close to zebras, impalas, and elands.
- Afternoon: Enjoy a tranquil boat cruise on Lake Mburo itself, perfect for spotting hippos, crocodiles, and a fantastic array of waterbirds.
- Accommodation: As above.
Day 14 :
Return to Entebbe & Departure
- After a final breakfast, drive back to Entebbe. You will stop at the Uganda Equator line for photos and souvenir shopping.
- You will be dropped off at Entebbe International Airport in time for your departure flight (recommended after 6:00 PM).
Includes
- All Park Entrance Fees for the mentioned national parks.
- Gorilla Trekking Permit per person ($800).
- Chimpanzee Trekking Permit per person.
- All Accommodation as per the itinerary (13 nights).
- All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 14.
- All Ground Transportation in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof.
- Services of a Professional English-Speaking Driver/Guide.
- All Mentioned Activities:
- Ziwa Rhino Trekking
- Murchison Falls Boat Cruise & Top of Falls visit
- Bigodi Swamp Walk
- Queen Elizabeth Game Drives & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
- Lake Mburo Boat Cruise & Walking Safari
- Drinking Water in the vehicle throughout the safari.
Excludes
- International Airfare.
- Uganda Visa (currently $50 USD).
- Travel & Medical Insurance (mandatory).
- Tips for guides, lodge staff, and porters.
- Personal Expenses (souvenirs, alcoholic drinks, laundry, etc.).
- Optional Activities not mentioned (e.g., Night Game Drive in Lake Mburo, Hot Air Balloon Safari, Batwa Cultural Experience - though highly recommended).
- Porters for the gorilla/chimp treks (highly recommended, approx. $20-$25 each).
- Meals & Accommodation before Day 1 or after Day 14.
