Overview:
This 08-days safari is intended to give you a summarized experience Uganda can offer within the shortest time possible. Best selling Parks are carefully chosen to increase opportunities of encountering all the Big 5 starting with the White Rhinos up to the last animal. Primates included but not limited to Mountain Gorillas & Chimps because every forest or sanctuary explored has different species to offer. This trip is crowned by a stay at the most beautiful Lake in Africa, Lake Bunyonyi.
Highlights:
- Track White Rhinos in their natural habitat at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Wildlife Ranch.
- Have a chance to walk to top of Murchison Falls at Murchison Falls National Park.
- Participate in afternoon & morning game drives at Murchison Falls National Park where you will view a number of wildlife.
- Go for a 3 - hours boat safari upstream on Victoria/Nile River to the falls where you will pass by breathtaking scenery, as well as many crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys & other animals that come down to the Nile.
- Have a chance to visit Amabere caves for a guided walk-in nature, hill climbing, birds viewing among others or go for crater lakes & plantation walk.
- Visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided walk-in nature.
- Participate in afternoon & morning game drives at Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will be able to view a number of wildlife species.
- Go for a 3 - hours boat safari on Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Track Tree Climbing Lions at Ishasha sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Chimps Tracking at Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kibale National Park.
- Track/Trek Mountain Gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Get a chance to visit the Batwa Community for them to take you through their cultural experiences like; traditional dances, fire setting among others or go for Boat/Canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi.
- Stand in between two hemispheres at the same time at the equator monument & take enough fun photos at the 2 equator points in Uganda.
- Discover Africa's other primates, wildlife, colorful birds, rare plants and beautiful insects.
- Meet local people and learn about their traditional activities and lifestyles.
- Enjoy the Nature of Uganda while staying in the best budget or mid-range or up-market accommodations these National Parks in Uganda have to offer depending on your financial budget.
- Among others.
Itinerary:
- After your breakfast, you will begin the panoramic drive north-west through the famous Luwero Triangle & Masindi Town to arrive in Murchison Falls National Park in time for lunch at the spectacularly situated site located at the top of Murchison Falls. The park is the largest wildlife reserve in Uganda and is divided by the famous River Nile into two almost equal halves - where it has to squeeze itself through the legendary Murchison Falls, an impossibly narrow 7-meter gap in a cleft rock that creates the powerful explosion of white water. During this drive (6-7 hours drive), you will be rewarded with splendid views of the countryside with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for White Rhinos Tracking.
- You will arrive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in the morning hours, make your lunch orders & enter the territory of southern white rhinos on foot where well-trained rangers will guide you through the bush to where the White Rhinos are. You will get the opportunity to watch these endangered, magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is the proud home of the only white rhinos in Uganda. Located in Nakasongola district, not only can you find rhinos, but a wide variety of bird species and other wildlife. The wildlife ranch has become a popular destination for tourists looking for adventure.
- After your White Rhinos trekking/tracking, you will continue with your drive to Murchison Falls National Park where you will arrive in the afternoon and go for your afternoon (sunset) game drive where you will expect to see elephant, buffalo, antelopes and giraffe and keep your fingers crossed for lion and leopard. The game track network converges at Delta Point where the Nile flows north out of Lake Albert; this is a convenient place to stop for refreshments and view water birds offshore and distant hippos.
- After your afternoon (sunset) game drive, you will check in to your preferred accommodation for your dinner & overnight stay.
- Accommodation options;
Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge (safari tents) or Hornbill Bush Lodge (cottages)
Mid-range: Fort Murchison Lodge (rooms) or Pakuba Safari Lodge (rooms/cottages)
Up-market: Pakuba Safari Lodge (rooms/cottages) or Paraa Safari Lodge (rooms/cottages)
- On this day, your safari breakfast will be served before the day breaks so that you can start your morning game drive as the sun comes up. Sunrise is the best time for wildlife spotting as animals tend to be the most active during the “golden hours”, when the first rays of sunshine come to rest on the savannah. Elephants, buffalo and several species of antelope are some of the characters you may come across today, & if you’re lucky, you may even spot a lion or leopard.
- You will return for lunch in the afternoon & go for a 3-hours boat safari upstream on the Victoria Nile to the falls where you will pass by breathtaking scenery, as well as many crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys & other animals that come down to the Nile. The boat will drop you near the waterfall for your hike (1-1.5 hours) up to the top of the falls.
- After your boat safari, you will go for a short sunset game drive before returning to your preferred accommodation for your dinner & overnight stay.
- Accommodation options;
Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge (safari tents) or Hornbill Bush Lodge (cottages)
Mid-range: Fort Murchison Lodge (rooms) or Pakuba Safari Lodge (rooms/cottages)
Up-market: Pakuba Safari Lodge (rooms/cottages) or Paraa Safari Lodge (rooms/cottages)
- On this day, you will enjoy your last sunrise & breakfast in this beautiful National Park in Uganda with a walk to top of Murchison Falls for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Here is your chance to see the beauty of the Nile perfected. Marvel at the immensely powerful falls, caused by the 50m-wide Nile being funnelled into a 7-metre cleft in the rocks. Dropping 40 metres with a thunderous roar, the falls create a beautiful rainbow and an impressive plume of spray-they were once described as the most spectacular thing to happen to the Nile along its 6700-kilometre length.
- You will immediately start your journey from Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park through Fort Portal town. Fort-Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon. You will enjoy spectacular views of the Mountains and tea fields along the way with other several stopovers for beautiful scenery, landscape viewing among others before reaching Fort Portal for your lunch at Fort Portal Garden Restaurant.
- In the afternoon after your lunch, you will choose to either go for a guided Crater Lakes & Plantation Walk. The landscape south of Fort Portal is dotted with picturesque crater lakes, some over 400m deep. These crater lakes are breathtakingly beautiful to behold, and offer one of the best hiking places in the area. The hikes lead you through several crater lakes, villages, tea plantations and waterfalls.
- OR
- Go for a guided walk in Nature at Amabere caves where you will be able to view stalagmites, crater lakes, and birds viewing, hill climbing among others. Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Caves is a historic site believed to be the birthplace of the founding King of the Bachwezi. The Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru meaning ‘Breasts of Nyinamwiru’ were named after the stalactites that form in the caves. They resemble the breasts of a woman, though some would say it looks more like a cow’s udder.
- After your guided Crater Lakes & Plantation Walk or guided walk in Nature at Amabere caves, you will check in to your preferred accommodation for your dinner & overnight stay.
- Accommodations options;
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp (safari tents) or Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve & Community Campsite (cottages)
Mid-range: Kibale Forest Camp (safari tents) or Isunga Lodge (cottages)
Up-market: Papaya Lake Lodge (rooms/cottages) or Primate Lodge Kibale (rooms/cottages)
- On this day, you will wake up early and have breakfast before going deeper into the forest on a Swamp Walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary; home to 8 primate species, over 200 bird species, butterflies and various reptiles.
- OR
- Alternatively, go to Kibale National Park for optional Chimpanzees Tracking experience where you will have the opportunity to follow an experienced guide into the forest to observe these fascinating creatures at a close range. Watching them interact with each other and go about their daily routine of grooming, playing and foraging is an incredible experience. While your chances of encountering chimpanzees are high during your tracking excursion, it is never 100% guaranteed. These are, after all, wild animals with wills and minds of their own! The park is also home for 10 other primates including l’ hoestes, red colobus, blues, red-tailed, and grey-cheeked mangabey. The guide will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates but on all the forest fauna and flora and will ensure that your walk is both informative and enjoyable.
- You will return for your lunch & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain range for much of the journey & situated in the shadows of Mt. Rwenzori with several stops along the way for equator experience and landscape viewing before reaching the Park.
- You will arrive to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an afternoon game drive where you will expect to view animals like elephants, buffaloes, Lions, bush pigs, antelope’s families among others.
- After your afternoon (sunset) game drive, you will check in to your preferred accommodation for your dinner & overnight stay.
- Accommodation options:
Budget: The Bush Lodge (safari tents) or Pumba Safari Lodge (cottages)
Mid-range: The Bush Lodge (Bandas) or Enganzi Game Lodge (rooms/cottages)
Up-market: Mweya Safari Lodge (rooms/cottages) or Katara Lodge (rooms/cottages)
- Early in the morning, you will set out for a game drive in the park. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters makes it home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzori Mountains as a backdrop, provides excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi and bushbuck.
- You will return for lunch & later in the day when the sun is high in the sky & the animals make their way to the river for a drink, you will head to Kazinga Channel for an exciting boat safari. You will spot more hippos today than you can possibly imagine. Herds of elephants & buffalos will also be wandering down to the shoreline to bath in the cooling waters. It will be a wonderful experience.
- After the boat safari on Kazinga Channel, you will go for a short evening (sunset) game drive before returning to your preferred accommodation for your dinner & overnight stay.
- Accommodation options:
Budget: The Bush Lodge (safari tents) or Pumba Safari Lodge (cottages)
Mid-range: The Bush Lodge (Bandas) or Enganzi Game Lodge (rooms/cottages)
Up-market: Mweya Safari Lodge (rooms/cottages) or Katara Lodge (rooms/cottages)
- After breakfast, you will drive to the “Switzerland of Africa” area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads. Along the way, you will enjoy spectacular views of the mountainous countryside and this comes with many incredible photography opportunities. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda on the rim of the Rift Valley. More notably, this “impenetrable forest” protects over 400 population of mountain gorillas – approximately half of the population in the world, among which are a number of habituated groups, that can be tracked by visitors.
- OR
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the luckiest and smallest parks in Uganda where the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas are found and it happens to be part of the Virunga massif where more than 480 mountain gorillas are known to be living.
- You will have a stopover for Chimps tracking at Kyambura Gorge & a game drive at Ishasha Sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ishasha is most famous as the place where tree climbing lions can be spotted. Here you will have an extended game drive as you search for the tree climbing lions.
- In the afternoon after your lunch, you will continue with the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga National Park & check in to your preferred accommodation for your dinner & overnight stay.
- Accommodation options:
Budget: Gorilla Bluff Lodge (rooms/cottages) or Ride 4 a woman (rooms/cottages)
Mid-range: Gorilla Valley Lodge (rooms) or Gorilla Bluff Lodge (rooms/cottages)
Up-market: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge (rooms/cottages) or Buhoma Lodge (rooms/cottages)
- After your breakfast, you will hike to the park headquarters just meters from the lodge for briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority guides before transferring to the starting point for Mountain Gorillas tracking. You will enjoy Mountain Gorillas tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi has the biggest concentration of Mountain Gorillas, given its small size. The search for Mountain Gorillas goes through the thick untamed rainforest, where you’ll be scrambling over mossy rocks and through deep undergrowth. It isn't the easiest of activities and will be arduous, but the encounter is well worth the effort. Watching Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat is an experience that will last a lifetime. The experienced ranger guides will willingly share with you a lot of information about the history and lifestyle of these Mountain Gorillas. Your tracking experience will be an exciting, yet challenging, journey along forested slopes, tangled vines, thick vegetation & bamboo forests before you reach the territory of these gentle giants. The visit will give you a glimpse into the life of a Mountain Gorilla family & if you are lucky enough to gaze into the eyes of a Mountain Gorilla. Visiting Mountain Gorillas will take you 3 hours to a full day trek through the forest since Gorillas move from one place to another every day looking for food & water.
- After Mountain Gorillas tracking, you will choose to either go for Canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi or visit the Batwa community for them to take you through their traditions like traditional dance, beer making, and setting fire. Lake Bunyonyi is the only lake where you can ride a canoe to visit all the 29 islands including the floating Island & the punishment Island where young girls who got pregnant before marriage would be dumped & left to die.
- After Batwa Community Visit or Canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi, you will return to your preferred accommodation for your dinner & overnight stay.
- Accommodation options:
Budget: Itambira Island, Seeds of Hope Hotel (tree houses) or Bunyonyi Overland Resort (tents/rooms/cottages)
Mid-range: Bunyonyi Overland Resort (tents/rooms/cottages) or Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort (rooms/cottages)
Up-market: Arcadia Cottages, Lake Bunyonyi (rooms/cottages) or Birdnest@ Bunyonyi Resort (rooms/cottages)
- On this day, you will enjoy your last sunrise in this beautiful side of Uganda while enjoying your breakfast before your guide drive you across the beautiful sceneries back to Entebbe and drop you off at Entebbe International Airport 3 hours before your departure time with a stopover at the equator monument in Mpigi for equator experience and photos moments.
- Please make sure your flight departure is after 6 pm at the very earliest. For flights departing before 6 pm you will need an extra night in Entebbe, which we can help arrange for you at an additional cost.
- Did we hit all the items on your travel bucket list for this safari? If not, don’t worry. We specialize in tailor-made tours and can customize this program to create your dream trip. Get in touch to create your personalized program.
Please note: The attached rates are for budget accommodations options only. Kindly, get in touch for the mid-range or up-market accommodation options rates.
Inclusions & Exclusions:
Inclusive in this Package are:
- All Park entrance fees.
- White Rhinos Tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Wildlife Ranch.
- Mountain Gorilla Tracking permits at Bwindi Impenetrable (USD 800 per person).
- Chimps Tracking permits at Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park (USD 100 per person).
- Top of Murchison Falls Walk at Murchison Falls National Park.
- Morning, Afternoon & Sunset Game drives at Murchison Falls National Park.
- Boat safari on Delta River/Albert Nile River, Murchison Falls National Park.
- Guided walk in Nature at Amabere Caves, Nyakasura, Fort Portal Tourism city or Guided Walk at Crater Lakes & Plantations.
- Guided walk in Nature at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary (KAFRED).
- Morning, Afternoon & Sunset Game drives at Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Mountain Gorillas Tracking at Bwindi Impenetrable/Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Batwa Community Visit for them to take you through their traditional activities or Boat/Canoe ride on the beautiful scenic Lake Bunyonyi.
- Equator Experience & Photo moments.
- Park Ranger.
- All en-route meals.
- Vehicle Park entry fees.
- All relevant Government Taxes.
- Full Board Accommodation and en-route meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- Full-time English-speaking Driver/Guide.
- Ground Transportation by a 4×4 safari Van or Land Cruiser vehicle fully fuelled.
- Airport transfer.
- Drinking water on all days.
Exclusive in this package are:
- Airfares (International Air tickets and airport taxes).
- Visa Fees.
- Personal Insurance.
- Expenses of personal nature such as; drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages), tips, laundry, telephone, tips, accommodation & meals not indicated in the itinerary and optional activities.
- Any other items which are not included in the above itinerary.
- Accommodation on your first & last night in Uganda.
FAQs
If this is your first time in Uganda or your first time on a safari, this packaging list below can help to be well prepared and comfortable during your safari. If you do forget a few things, don’t worry, you can buy them from the city here before you start your safari.
Remember, it’s not a fashion show out there, so be a bit more practical when choosing your safari wardrobe. Try to stay away from bright colours – Khaki and other neutral colours tend to work well. It is probably best if you dress in layers since it can get cold, but also very hot.
- Rain poncho (lightweight).
- Sweater or fleece pullover to keep warm.
- Long-sleeved shirts (light weight).
- Shorts.
- Long trousers.
- Underwear.
- Socks.
- Sleepwear.
- Travel towel.
- Waterproof trousers.
- Sturdy hiking boots or sandals.
- Sun hat.
- Sun glasses.
- T-shirts or polo shirts (2-5 depending on how often you want to change).
- Thermal underwear, gloves and warm hat (during May – Sept).
- Rain coat and rain trousers (during rainy season Mar – May and Oct – Dec).
- Valid passport.
- Yellow fever vaccination records/certificate.
- Uganda visa.
- Copy of flight itinerary.
- Copy of travel and/or medical evacuation insurance.
- Personal medical/dental insurance cards.
- Credit card (Visa and Master cards are most widely accepted).
- Cash in U.S. Dollars (bills MUST have been issued in 2009 or later)
- Cameras & memory cards.
- Binoculars.
- Sunscreen.
- Hand sanitizers and wet wipes.
- Insect repellent and any necessary medications must be brought by you either from your home town or Kampala.
- Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, eye drops etc).
- Malaria tablets.
- Basic first aid kit and prescription medicines.
- Flashlight or headlamp.
- Chargers and extra batteries for your camera, phone etc.
- Power adapter to fit the UK style electrical socket.
- Porters are available to hire if needed when going for Mountain Gorillas & Chimpanzees tracking.
- Walking sticks will also be provided when going for Mountain Gorillas & Chimpanzees to those who may need them.
- Bring soft luggage such as a duffel bag, hiking pack or sports bag. These are ideal for packaging into a safari vehicle. Hard suitcases can often be difficult to fit into vehicles.
- Bring a backpack to carry all of your important items including travel documents, money, camera, medication etc. You should keep this backpack with you at all times.
- Keep luxury items such as hair dryers/straighteners, expensive jewelry, make up and bulky toiletries to an absolute minimum. If in doubt, leave them out.
- If you plan to bring cash, divide it into different areas of your carry – on luggage, wallet and money belt just in case something happens to one of those carried items.
- Leave some space in your luggage for all the important souvenirs that you will probably buy. There are places where you can send packages home via DHL etc, however this can sometimes be an expensive option.
- Keep your voice down or be quiet & do not mimic.
- Don’t point or wave your arms because it can be a threat.
- If approached by gorillas, move backwards slowly to keep a 5m distance.
- Do not use the flash on the camera as this can cause gorillas to charge.
- Do you want to explore Uganda? You are right with us! Enjoy remarkable tours all over the pearl of Africa (Uganda). From wildlife safaris, conservation safaris & outdoor safaris adventures to community-based cultural experiences & city-tours.
- Find all our tour packages on www.ecovictours.com or https://www.africanconservation.org!
- Book now one of our most loved safari adventures or design your customized journey!
- Create with us your tailor-made travel experience & design your tour according to your individual needs! We’ll offer you the experience you are looking for & a trip that fits perfect with your requirements.
- Our goal is to make you happy with a safari of a life time!
The following terms & conditions, which are subject to change without notice, apply to safari packages & touristic activities offered by & rates issued by Ecovic Tours & Travel Uganda. The given terms and accepted in full while making a reservation with the company.
Rates are;
Subject to change without prior notice.
Quoted in US dollars ($).
Subject to availability.
Quoted per person on double room or single room basis.
Inclusive of accommodation, stated activities, full board meal plan & all levies.
- Cancellations more than 91 days and above to the safari date:
75% of the deposit will be refunded to the client & 25% retained by the company.
- Cancellations 46-90 days to the safari date:
50% of the deposit will be refunded to the client & 50% retained by the company.
- Cancellations between 8-45 days to the safari date:
25% of the deposit will be refunded to the client & 75% retained by the company.
- Cancellations between 0 – 8 days to the safari date:
No-Refund will be made to the client & 100% of the deposit retained by the company.
- Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Golden Monkeys Tracking Permits are refunded according to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) terms and conditions.