Safari overview
This 10 days best of Uganda wildlife safari will enable you visit Murchison Falls National Park for unforgettable wildlife experience with an en-route visit to ziwa rhino sanctuary for white rhino encounter, proceed to Kibale forest national park for chimpanzee tracking adventure. Leave kibale Forest for Queen Elizabeth national park well-known for Kazinga channel and harboring the tree climbing Lions, the drive will continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park to encounter the endangered mountain gorilla and later relax at Lake Bunyonyi and conclude your best of Uganda wildlife safari with a visit to Jinja with white rafting on the River Nile.
On your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by our company representative and your English driver guide for your transfer to Kampala City to check-in at your reserved hotel, briefing about your 10 Days Best Of Uganda Wildlife Safari, dinner and an overnight.
NB, if time allows after relaxing and briefings about your safari, you will go for Kampala evening city tour to explore the historical places of Uganda such as Kabaka’s palace, Uganda National Museum, Namugongo martyr’s shrines, Kasubi tombs (One of the UNESCO’S recognized site).
Accommodation options; Fairway Hotel & Spa
Meal Plan; Half board
After indulging in a delicious breakfast, your Ugandan adventure commences as you journey northwest toward Masindi and the expansive Murchison Falls conservation area. This vast expanse is a tapestry of breathtaking landscapes, from the sweeping grassland acacia savannah in the north to the lush tropical forests in the south.
Your first stop is a nature walk at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a vital breeding project dedicated to the preservation of the endangered white rhinos in Uganda. Here, amidst the sanctuary’s natural habitat, you’ll have the extraordinary opportunity to observe these majestic creatures up close as they roam freely. Enjoy a delightful lunch at the sanctuary’s restaurant before continuing your journey to the national park.
Arriving at Murchison Falls, be prepared to be awestruck by the sheer power and beauty of nature as you visit the top of the falls. Watch in wonder as the mighty river Nile cascades through a narrow canyon, creating a spectacle of thunderous water against the backdrop of the Albertine Rift Valley.
Finally, check into your lodge where you’ll be treated to a sumptuous dinner and a restful overnight stay, surrounded by the tranquility of the wilderness. Reflect on the day’s adventures and anticipate the wonders that await you in Murchison Falls National Park.
Accommodation option: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan; Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Start your day bright and early at 6 am with a steaming cup of coffee and a quick snack to fuel your body for an exciting adventure ahead. Grab your packed breakfast, hop into your safari vehicle, and kick off the morning with an exhilarating game drive safari in Murchison Falls National Park. The early hours offer prime opportunities to spot a variety of wildlife, including elusive nocturnal creatures and predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas in their active state before retreating to their dens.
As you navigate through the park, keep your camera ready to capture sightings of antelopes, giraffes, buffaloes, and hippos among other herbivores. Murchison Falls National Park is renowned for its population of Nubian Giraffes, ensuring you a remarkable encounter with these majestic creatures. Your knowledgeable safari guide will provide insights into the diverse wildlife species you encounter, enhancing your safari experience.
After a break for breakfast, continue your game drive until midday before returning to your lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a scenic 3-hour boat cruise along the Nile River, starting from Paraa and cruising upstream towards the majestic falls. Marvel at the sight of Nile crocodiles, hippos, and a variety of aquatic bird species along the riverbanks. Keep your eyes peeled for land mammals such as elephants and buffaloes quenching their thirst in the river. Later in the evening, start your evening game drive and this will specifically be based at searching for the big predators of the park search as Lions, Leopard, hyenas. Then return for your lodge to relax, have dinner and an overnight.
Accommodation option: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan; Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
After your breakfast, drive to Kibale Fores National Park for chimpanzee tracking experience. On your way to to Kibale Forest National Park, you will enjoy the spectacular views of tea estates, several forests where olive baboons are parading alongside the roads and shadow of thee legendary Rwenzori Mountain that forms a mystic backdrop to the beautiful volcanic landscape with a stopover in Fort portal City for lunch. After your lunch, You will have an opportunity to go for a community walk in Bigodi for experiences like African homesteads, Banana bonga products, chimpanzee robusta coffee experience, traditional healers/doctors, handcraft making (ladies weaving baskets and cultural dances), cultural weddings, iron smith, and milking experiences. As the day draws to a close, retreat to your booked lodge for a delightful dinner and a peaceful overnight stay, filled with memories of cultural exploration and scenic wonders.
Accommodation option: Isunga Safari Lodge
Meal Plan; Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Embark on an exhilarating chimpanzee trekking adventure in the lush forests of Uganda. After enjoying a hearty breakfast, head to the park’s information center for a vital briefing on chimpanzee trekking protocols, ensuring the safety of both visitors and the chimpanzees. As you delve into the forest, keep a keen eye out for chimpanzees and other captivating wildlife such as L’Hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and forest elephants. The park’s rich avian diversity further enhances the enchanting forest experience.
Uganda’s abundant wildlife offers a unique opportunity to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat year-round. Kibale National Park, home to over 1500 chimpanzees, stands as a premier destination for chimpanzee trekking worldwide. The forest trek to locate the chimpanzees may vary from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on their foraging patterns. Upon encountering these remarkable primates, spend an hour observing, photographing, and learning from experienced park guides before receiving a certificate of completion at the park information center.
After your chimpanzee encounter, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its diverse ecosystems including sparkling lakes, humid forests, sprawling savannas, and fertile wetlands. This park is a haven for a myriad of bird and mammal species, with highlights including the Kazinga Channel and the famed tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. Before checking into your lodge, visit the Katwe community known for its fishing activities on Lake Edward and salt mining on Katwe Salt Lake. Delve deeper into the traditional salt mining process with your local guide, gaining insights into salt pan and salt rock mining. Conclude your day with a drive to your booked lodge for a well-deserved dinner and overnight stay, filled with the anticipation of further wildlife encounters in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accommodation option: Buffalo Safari Lodge
Meal Plan; Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Indulge in the aroma of freshly brewed coffee as you prepare for an unforgettable day of adventure in the wilderness. Begin your morning with a thrilling game drive on the vast Kasenyi plains, where a treasure trove of wildlife awaits. Keep your binoculars handy for sightings of majestic Cape Buffaloes, graceful Elephants, quirky Warthogs, elegant Waterbucks, and the iconic Uganda Kob. With luck on your side, you might even catch a glimpse of the elusive Lions, cunning Hyenas, or stealthy Leopards, along with a plethora of bird species gracing the skies.
After a morning of exhilarating wildlife encounters, unwind and recharge with a leisurely lunch before embarking on an afternoon boat safari on the renowned Kazinga Channel. Glide along the tranquil waters, marveling at the highest concentration of hippos in Africa, accompanied by a chorus of bird calls echoing from the lush shores. Keep your camera ready to capture the impressive Nile crocodiles basking in the sun, as well as elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes quenching their thirst along the water’s edge.
Following your adventurous boat safari, take a brief respite to relax before setting off on an evening game drive. With the golden glow of the setting sun painting the landscape, venture into the heart of the park in search of the park’s formidable predators. Keep your senses sharp as you track the elusive Lions, elusive Leopards, and stealthy Spotted Hyenas under the guidance of experienced rangers.
As night falls, return to your lodge for a sumptuous dinner, recounting the day’s thrilling escapades under the starlit sky. With the echoes of the wild lingering in your mind, retire to your cozy accommodation for a restful overnight stay, eagerly anticipating the adventures that await on tomorrow’s safari journey.
Accommodation option: Buffalo Safari Lodge
Meal Plan; Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Have breakfast and leave Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park via Ishasha sector for your mid-morning game drive to search for the tree climbing lions and other missed animals during your previous game drive. Then continue with your drive to Bwindi Impenetrable national park – home to the remaining half mountain gorillas in the world.
Accommodation option: Bakiga Safari Lodge
Meal Plan; Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking expedition by rising early and donning the recommended attire: long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, waterproof hiking shoes, a jacket, a hat, and sturdy gloves to brave the forest’s unpredictable weather. After a satisfying breakfast and packing a lunch, meet your safari guide and head to the park information center for a comprehensive pre-trek briefing. Here, you’ll receive essential guidance on etiquette, expectations, and safety protocols when encountering these majestic creatures.
Joined by a group of eight fellow trekkers, each assigned a specific gorilla family to track, accompanied by armed rangers and an experienced guide, embark on an adventurous journey into the forest. Traverse various trails, ranging from 45 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the gorilla family’s location and movement. Mental and physical preparedness are crucial for navigating the rugged terrain, with the option to select a family closer to your fitness level for a more comfortable trek.
As you delve into the forest’s depths, keep a keen eye out for other wildlife like forest elephants, L’Hoest monkeys, and a myriad of bird species, including the endemic Red-throated Alethe. Upon encountering your assigned gorilla family, relish an hour in their presence, observing the intricate dynamics of the group under the watchful eye of the dominant silverback. Maintain a respectful distance, refrain from direct eye contact, and adhere to your guide’s instructions for a safe and enriching experience.
After your magical hour with the gorillas, return to the starting point to receive your trekking certificate as a token of appreciation for supporting gorilla conservation efforts. Conclude the day with a leisurely transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for dinner and an overnight.
Accommodation options: Bird nest Resort
Meal Plan; Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
After enjoying breakfast, embark on a morning boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi, exploring its fascinating islands and uncovering their intriguing stories. Visit landmarks such as Akampene, known as Punishment Island, where unmarried pregnant girls were historically taken by the Kiga people for punishment, often resulting in tragic outcomes.
Experience the tour aboard your private motorized canoe with a knowledgeable guide, enhancing your journey with captivating insights. Lake Bunyonyi, acclaimed as the second deepest lake in Africa and the deepest in Uganda, offers a serene retreat following the exhilarating gorilla trekking safari.
Following your memorable boat ride, commence your return journey to Jinja city and the home to the source of the River Nile. The drive will take you through sugar and tea plantations. On your way to Jinja, you will have an en-route stop at Kayabwe Equator cross point. Then check in at your reserved hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options: 2 Friends Hotel Jinja
Meal Plan; Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Today, after having your breakfast , you will drive a short distance about 15 minutes to the starting point and begin your experience. The white water rafting in uganda at lake Victoria is done t the point where the Nile River separates with the lake. Adrift Uganda is one of the companies that organizes white water rafting at Lake Victoria and the source of the Nile in Jinja. The source of the Nile is provides the best opportunity for white water rafting. Its as memorable as each rafting trip filmed and kept in record or even you can take video back home for remembrance. The raft are stretched about 30 kilometers with different grades of rapids. The higher the grade, the fast the rapids become, the lower rapids will help you gain confidence until you reach grade twelve, the most turbulent grade along the rafting route on lake Victoria.
The white water rafting at lake Victoria is an activity for both the young and adults. The young adults are allowed to enjoy the first and second grades and from grade five are for adventurous type. For this reason, you will take the grade five experience once you have started the journey to the rafting the Nile from the starting pier. You will be accompanied by another fleet of rescue teams of kayaks and safety boat. A lot of rafters might get weary and fall off especially when rafting the fast rapids of grade 4 and 5. There is nothing to worry about because the rescue team follows every fleet of rafters that goes into the water. The rafting is done on 1-12 grades or 1-6 with grade five the hardest. Along the Nile you can spot bird species, some animals. After white water rafting adventure, have lunch and return to Entebbe International airport to end your 10 Days Best Of Uganda Wildlife Safari OR you may decide to spend an extra in Entebbe City.
Meal Plan; Breakfast/Lunch
Package price includes:
l White Rhino tracking at Ziwa
l Game drives at Murchison Falls national park
l Afternoon boat cruise on the Victoria Nile
l Hiking to the top of the falls
l Evening Bigodi nature walk
l 1 chimpanzee permit per person ($250)
l Game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park
l 2 hours afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel
l 1 Evening game drive in Queen Elizabeth NP
l Katwe community tour
l Game drive in Ishasha sector
l 1 gorilla permit per person in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park($800)
l Evening canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
l A visit to equator crossing point
l Visit the source of the River Nile
l Half day white water rafting adventure
l Ground transport in 4*4WD and air-conditioned safari van for 10 days
l An English speaking driver/guide for 10 days
l Accommodation for 9 nights on full board meal plan
l All en-route meals and mineral water
l All park activities and entrance fees
l Return airport transfers
The price for 10 Days Best Of Uganda Wildlife Safari excludes;
l Entry visas and flights
l Items of personal nature/tips/laundry
l Personal insurance