This 12 day/ 11 nights round trip takes you to Uganda’s top safari destinations for classic big five safari drives, Chimpanzee, water safari, Hot Air Balloon Safari and the Mountain Gorilla Adventure.
Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe international airport – Uganda.
Adventure Consults’ airport staff will meet you right on tarmac before entering the airport building, assist through customs, get luggage and transfer to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, you may have a briefing on your safari today/tonight or opt to have it in the morning after some hours of relaxation. Overnight accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis included.
Day 2 – Entebbe Murchison Falls N.P via Kampala – App. 6 hours’ drive.
Following Breakfast, Adventure consults’ guide will meet you at the hotel and start the adventure. Beginning with a panoramic drive northwest, a stop and visit to the ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY is worth it! The sanctuary was created to re-introduce Rhino to Uganda after their extinction in 1982. Drive around the sanctuary endowed with lots of colourful Bird species.
After lunch, proceed to Murchison falls National Park. Dinner and overnight accommodation included at the hotel/lodge.
Day 3: Hot Air Balloon safari and Afternoon Game drive – Game drive takes 2-3hrs
There’s no better way to see the vast savannah dotted with Borassus palm trees, Wildlife herds, the meandering River Nile, waterfalls and Birds than doing it from a hot-air balloon! This new alternative to the early morning game drive is the only one of its kind in Uganda. The flight starts at an agreed point ends with a soft landing in the wilderness. The balloon pilots are adept at positioning the balloon for good wildlife encounters and will lower the balloon to take advantage of a cool or interesting animal behaviour.
You will have an early start (5am or as shall be briefed by the guide) in order for you to enjoy the best African Sunrise from above! Transfer to the take-off position, and enjoy taking photos as you watch the balloon inflation process. Get a full briefing on safety regulations by the pilot and start flying around 6:00 am right before sunrise. The Balloon ride lasts for about an hour after which you land and receive a participation certificate. After a breathtaking Balloon experience, take a relaxed drive back to the lodge, keeping an eye out for Big game arriving in time for a warm breakfast.
In the afternoon, you will go for a game drive and look out for more Game which include the leopards, the Jackson’s hartebeest, large concentrations of Uganda Kobs, Defassa waterbuck, together with giraffe herds, groups of the dainty oribi and buffalo herds. Meals and Overnight accommodation included.
Day 4. Morning and afternoon Water Safari Adventure.
Early morning game drive to the delta circuit where there’s a possibility of spotting the leopards along the leopard track, the Jackson’s hartebeest, large concentrations of Uganda Kobs because of the many breeding grounds and large families of the Defassa waterbuck, together with giraffe herds, groups of the dainty oribi and buffalo herds. The high supply of Kobs means unavoidable pride of lions to the delta too.
In the afternoon, you will safari upstream by boat to the calm Victoria Nile and the base of the falls just tens of meters from the “Devil’s Cauldron.” You have an option to hike to the top of the Murchison Falls, from this vantage point you will have an opportunity to see the Nile’s beauty perfected as you watch the Nile forced through a seven-meter cleft in the rocks and plunge 45 meters below, forming a spectacular rainbow. Meals and Overnight accommodation included.
Day 5 – Scenic flight from Murchison Falls to Kasese – Drive to Fort-portal.
Transfer to the airstrip in time for your scenic flight to Queen Elizabeth. Flying along the Nile at a very low altitude, gives you the best game viewing opportunity later proceed towards the mystical Rwenzori Mountain Range and finally land at Kasese airstrip – please keep an eye out for the most amazing views of the farmlands, rivers, savannahs, ever green forests and crater lakes.
Meet Adventure Consults’ guides at the airstrip, a welcome cup of coffee or chilled drink awaits then proceed to Fort Portal driving through the shadow of the fabled “Mountains of the Moon.” Head out to Kibale forest driving through farmlands and homesteads. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, you have an option to take a bird-walk around the lodge. Meals and Overnight accommodation included.
Please note – This day, you have an option to take an 8 hours’ road trip along the amazing Albertine escarpment. You will save on costs and also enjoy the verdant countryside and panoramic views. Option to take a travelers’ choice!
Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking – Kibale Forest NP. Tracking takes about 3 to 4 hrs.
After Breakfast, transfer to Kanyanchu park Headquarters in time for a briefing and head out to the forest. Chimpanzee tracking starts early in the morning. The guide will provide detailed explanations on not only primates, but also on all the forest’s fauna and flora, ensuring that your walk is both informative and enjoyable. This walk is excellent for viewing bird life and primates in close quarters. After lunch, go for a walk in Bigodi – an eco-tourism swamp with rare and beautiful flora and fauna. Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.
Day 7: Kibale – Queen Elizabeth National Park. App. 3 hrs drive.
Morning start for Queen Elizabeth National Park, following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain Range most of the journey. Explore the Katwe crater area or drive straight to the Lodge for lunch.
After lunch, enjoy arewarding game where you will view waterbucks, Elephants, Leopards, Buffaloes, Hyenas and a variety of Antelope species. Sundowner (drinks on own account) at the crater area later and return to the Lodge for dinner. Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.
Day 8: Game Viewing & Boat ride.
Following an early morning cup of tea/coffee, embark on a morning game drive along Kasenyi track and Queens’s mile in the park and keep a watch out for Lion, Elephant, Cape buffalo, Warthogs, Leopard, Hyena, Mongoose, Waterbuck, Ugandan Kob, and lots of the many small animals and birds.
After lunch, enjoy a unique boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through high concentrations of Hippos and a wide variety of animals may be seen drinking at the water’s edge. This river cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colourful and stupendous with well over 600 recorded species having been spotted. Meals and Overnight at the lodge.
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth N.P Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. App. 4 hours’ drive
Today, you will head out to Bwindi via the Ishasha sector of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Drive through Ishasha sector famous for its tree climbing Lions unique to this region and multitude of animals. Arrive at the Lodge in the afternoon, relax and enjoy the lodge service and the surrounding environment or take a village walk around Buhoma area with a visit to craft shops, local schools, hospital and later enjoy entertainment by the local community/Orphan group. Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.
Day 10: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Tracking takes 3 – 10 hrs.
Depending on the Gorilla family booked, you may have breakfast at the lodge or have a parked breakfast if you are not early eating kind of person. Meet your personal guide at the lounge and drive down to the Park Headquarters for a briefing and later enter the Gorilla sanctuary for an interesting search of the gentle giants.
Experienced Wildlife guides along with trackers and porters will accompany you through the ever-green forest. The journey, through dense foliage and up steep climbs, leads you to lifetime experience of viewing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. After finding the Gorillas, you will have an opportunity to be within meters of these magnificent apes, sharing in their daily lives and experiencing their day-to-day activities. With an estimated 850 Gorilla population in the world, spending one hour with a Gorilla family is a once in a lifetime experience! You will later follow your footsteps and return to the forest edge, meet your guide, head back to the lodge. Depending on trek duration, you have an option for a picnic lunch or have a warm meal at the lodge.
Ride for a woman project visit: In the afternoon, you have option to visit a women project (Ride 4 a woman). It’s a charitable organization set up to support women struggling with poverty, HIV and domestic violence. Your visit indirectly supports the project work and while here, you may participate in basketry, weaving, making local dishes and have an opportunity for last minute craft shopping.
Meals and Overnight accommodation included at the lodge.
Day 11: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Lake Mburo N.P. App 4-5 hrs drive.
Following an early breakfast, you will transfer from Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park arriving in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, go for a boat ride. The Eastern banks of Lake Mburo are best explored by a tranquil two-hour boat voyage. Keep an eye out for crocodiles, buffalo, and hippos as well as colourful Kingfishers, magnificent Fish Eagles and Hamerkops with their enormous nests. Lake Mburo has a wide range of activities available to choose from and on payment of supplement, you may go for Horseback Safaris, Night drives, and walking safaris. Meals and Overnight accommodation included at the lodge.
Day 12: Game drive and out to Kampala or Entebbe.
Morning game drives; After an early breakfast, head out for a game drive in search for big game. The game drive will take you along the lakeshore track, and with its own system of game trails and cleared walkways. The network of game tracks in the east of the park passes a variety of landscape features; acacia woodland, wetlands, grassy hillsides, rock outcrops and seasonally flooded valley floors. With stops at places of interest, proceed to Kampala, optional craft shopping and proceed to the airport in time for your evening return flight or drop off at your residence. Depending on flight schedule, you may need a day use room near the airport for which we shall book upon request or possibly an overnight the fly out the following day. Check with us via sales@adventureconsults.com for professional advice.
If flying out on the same day, please book return flights departing after 3pm.
Accommodation: We do not restrict on where to stay but here are some recommended options. In most cases, we go with the travelers’ choice. Here are below are suggested places (among others) as we cannot list all available options. So get in touch for options.
Lion range (Luxury):
Murchison Falls National Park: Chobe Safari Lodge/Bakers Lodge/Paraa safari Lodge
Kibale Forest National Park: Kyaninga/Ndali/Primate lodge Kibale/Crater Lodge
Queen Elizabeth National park: Mweya Lodge/Katara Safari Lodge/Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
Bwindi Impenetrable Park: Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany springs, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds lodge, Silverback Lodge, Engagi Lodge.
Lake Mburo National park: Mihingo Lodge/ Rwakobo Rock/Mantana tented camp.
Pride range (Mid-range):
Murchison Falls National park: Fort Murchison/Pakuba lodge/Nile safari Lodge/Budongo ecolodge/Sambiya River lodge.
Kibale Forest National park: Kibale Forest camp/ Chimpanzee Guest House/Isunga Lodge.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: Mazike Lodge, Enganzi lodge/Kingfisher Lodge/Bush Lodge.
Bwindi Forest national park: Haven’s Lodge Buhoma/Crested crane/Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Lake Mburo National park: Mburo Eagles Nest/Leopard Rest camp