Project Description
Overview
Trip Length
12 days
Trip Type
Trekking, Culture, Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Safari
Trip Start/End
Equator – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Nearest Airport
Entebbe International Airport
An exhaustive impression of Uganda, this 12 Days Uganda wildlife safari journey will give you all the ingredients needed to make a perfect holiday. Along the way you will visit Lake Bunyonyi, known as the place of ‘many little birds’ and a rare location said to be free of bilharzia, making it safe to swim in.
Trek to the resting place of Uganda’s famous mountain gorillas, deep in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – one of the world’s most bio-diverse locations. Take game drives through Queen Elizabeth National Park for extraordinary views of Uganda’s big five, before cruising down the Kazinga Channel to sport crocodiles, elephants and some of Uganda’s finest bird species. Be captivated by the magnitude of Murchison Falls, before visiting Ziwo Rhino Sanctuary and marvelling at its glorious giants.
This tour leaves no stone unturned and offers memories that will last a lifetime.
Lake Mburo National Park | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest | Queen Elizabeth National Park | Kibale Forest National Park | Murchison Falls National Park
Equator water experiments | Lake Mburo cruise | Lake Bunyonyi game drive | Bwindi Gorilla trekking | Queen Elizabeth game drive | Kazinga Channel cruise | Kibale Forest Chimpanzee Walk | Murchison Falls cultural drive | Murchison Falls boat ride | Ziwa Rhino trek
Equator stop | Mountain Gorillas | Lake Bunyonyi birding | Bwindi villages | Queen Elizabeth wildlife | Chimpanzees | Game drives | Ziwa rhinos
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda
You will arrive at Entebbe International airport and be picked by our waiting guide/driver and transferred to the Metropolitan hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to Lake Mburo and stop-over at the Equator
You embark on the 4-5 hour journey to Lake Mburo, crossing the Equator to do water experiments or visit the craft shops. Lake Mburo National Park is in Western Uganda, 240 kilometres west of Kampala. The park has a variety of zebras, impala, buffaloes, and over 300 bird species. At 260 sq km, the park is the smallest of Uganda’s Savannah national parks. Late afternoon you will have a boat cruise along lake Mburo.
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation
Morning game drive, before travelling to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is the ‘place of many little birds’ and lies between Kisoro and Kabale close to the Rwanda border. It is one of few lakes in the region rumored to be free of bilharzia and safe for swimming.
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi
You leave for Bwindi Impenetrable park, famous for it’s mountain gorillas. You pass various local villages on the drive there and verdant, picturesque countryside. In the forest park, is some 120 species of mammals, 348 species of birds, 220 species of butterflies, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos and many endangered species.
Accommodation: Gorilla safari lodge
Day 5: Gorilla experience
Today you track the rare mountain gorillas after a briefing from your ranger. It can take a couple of hours or a whole day. Keep an eye out for buffalo, elephant, black fronted duiker and bush buck.
Accommodation: Gorilla safari lodge
Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National park
Today you journey to Queen Elizabeth National park. It covers an area of about 1978 km2; and provides a magnificent view of the rift valley floor that occupies Lake Edward and Lake George. You stay in one of the lodges depending on your scale of preference for 2 nights.
Day 7: Safari/Game drive and boat trip afternoon
After breakfast, you’ll go for your first game drive in the park. You can expect to see: elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, antelope and many tropical bird. After lunch, cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Here, you will see great numbers of hippos as well as a variety of other animals. You can expect to see: Crocodile, Elephant, and a range of beautiful birds.
Accommodation: Ihamba lakeside resort
Day 8: Game drive and transfer to Kibale Forest National park
Now you’ll go for your second game drive. You’ll be able to spot a lot of the African animal wildlife for example: elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, antelope and tropical birds. After lunch, you journey to Kibale Forest National Park which takes about 4 hours.
Accommodation: Primates Lodge Kibale
Day 9: Chimpanzee walk
Today you will visit the primates. The forest is home to a total of 70 mammal species, notably 13 primate species and over 375 species of birds. Kibale neighbors Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south. The park is close to the Ndali-Kasenda crater area and within half a day’s drive of Rwenzori mountains and Semuliki National Parks.
Accommodation: Primates lodge Kibale
Day 10: Drive to Murchison Falls park
After breakfast, your journey to Murchison Falls begins. On the way, you pass through small villages where you can interact with locals and see tea plantations. At the park, you experience the rich diversity of wild animals such as Elephants, the largest Antelope i.e. Waterbuck, Giraffes, The Uganda Kob which is National Antelope, Lions and many others.
Accommodation: Murchison river lodge
Day 11: Safari & boat trip and hike to the waterfall
This morning you go for a game drive to see; buffalo, giraffes, lions, leopards and elephants. In the afternoon, you take a boat trip to the bottom of Murchison Falls that takes up to 2 to 3 hours. You will then drive back to Hotel for dinner.
Accommodation: Murchison river lodge
Day 12: Visit Top of the Falls and drive to Masindi
Start the day with a hike to the top of Murchison falls, after which you travel to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola. Rhino Fund Uganda was founded in 1998 to re-introduce both black and white Rhinos. After trekking, you have lunch and then travel back to Kampala.
Accommodation: Metropole hotel
Note: Each gorilla permit costs $600.00 and advance booking for as early as 2 months is recommended to secure availability. For more information please visit our Gorilla Information page.
Visa requirements for Uganda
With effect from July 1, 2015, visa fees for entry into Uganda were revised as follows:
❭❭ Single Entry Visa US$50
❭❭ Multiple Entry Visa US$100
❭❭ East Africa Tourist Visa US$100
❭❭ Government Officials No fee
❭❭ Diplomatic Visa No fee
Please note:
All visa applications must be submitted online. Paper applications will not be processed and may result in delays.
Visa applications for holders of passports:
- Submit an online application here.
- Your passport must have been valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel and for 6 months after your expected departure from Uganda.
- You will need to submit a money order for the correct visa from the list above.
- You will need to submit a letter of invitation/introduction if you are travelling for business.
- You are required to present an international inoculation certificate against yellow fever at the point of entry in Uganda.
- Please enclose a prepaid, self-addressed UPS, FEDEX, DHL,USPS Priority or Express return envelope with your application. Regular envelopes are not accepted.
Visa applications for holders of travel documents
Holders of travel documents (not passports) issued by the U.S. Immigration Department to refugees are required to submit the following in addition to the above requirements.
- An invitation from the host legally residing in Uganda.
- A letter obtained by the host from the local authorities (e.g. Local Council Chairman) confirming he/she resides in that locality.
- A copy of the host’s photo ID such as a drivers licence, national ID card or passport.