Project Description
Overview
Trip Length
9 days
Trip Type
Primates, Safari, Exploration
Trip Start/End
Murchison Falls – Kampala
Nearest Airport
Entebbe International Airport
This lengthy 9 days Best of Uganda safari culminates in your going to visit the largest primate, gorillas. Along the way you will see Murchison Falls, trek for chimpanzees, the Rwenzori ‘mountains of the moon’, Queen Elizabeth National Park and much more. The gorillas of Bwindi differ from those in Mgahinga National Park in that they are less nomadic and so you have a better chance of finding them, as well as there being several different points in Bwindi where you can track gorillas. On your final day, you do a city tour of Kampala so you can take in the urban delights of Uganda’s biggest city and capital,
Murchison Falls National Park | Rwenzori Mountains National Park | Queen Elizabeth National Park | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Zziwa White Rhino Sanctuary | Safari Game Drive | Kampala City Tour | Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trekking | Bwindi Gorilla Trekking | Nile boat cruise
Murchison Falls’ ‘Devil’s Cauldron’ | Mountains of the Moon | Ishasha tree climbing lions | Big Five
9 days Best of Uganda safari – Gorillas & Primates Tour
Day 1 – Start of the Uganda Safari
At Entebbe Airport, meet a guide to takes you to forest cottages to spend your first night.
Day 2 – Visiting the Magnificent Murchison Falls
Drive north to Murchison Falls, have lunch in Masindi and visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. In Murchison Falls we travel to the summit to see where the river squeezes through a narrow gorge and crashes down below! Then dine and slumber at Sambiya River Lodge.
Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge
Day 3 – The river Nile boat cruise
Explore the north with a game drive that offers lions, elephants, Uganda kobs, buffalos, giraffes, waterbucks, hippos and even leopards. After lunch, we have a 2 hour boat-cruise to the bottom of the Murchison falls. During this you will see water birds and big numbers.
Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge
Day 4 – Fort Portal overlooking Mountains of the Moon
Depart Murchison Falls and travel Southwest through the Albertine Escarpment. Lunch on the way at Mountains of the Moon Hotel. Continue to Mweya peninsula in the Queen Elizabeth national park, with a wonderful game drive.
Accommodation: Ihamba Lakeside Resort
Day 5 – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Start with a morning game drive, seeing nocturnal predators and early risers like lions, buffaloes, leopards, waterbucks, elephants and warthogs. For birders, Queen Elizabeth park is a paradise, hosting Albertine Rift endemics and many others. There’s a 2 hour boat cruise in the late afternoon on the kazinga channel.
Accommodation: Ihamba Lakeside Resort
Day 6 – Chimp trekking – Kyambura Gorge
Day 6 – Chimp trekking – Kyambura GorgeHead to kyambura gorge for chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth, with the option for a forest walk in Maramagambo forest in the evening to explore the bat caves as you look for their predators; pythons.
Accommodation: Ihamba Lakeside Resort
Day 7 – Ishasha Sector tree-climbing lions
Drive to Bwindi impenetrable forest through Ishasha to see the tree-climbing lions. Continue for lunch at the Bwindi Gorilla Resort. Have a community walk (the Batwa cultural experience and entertainment) in the evening.
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Day 8 – Uganda Gorilla Tracking – Bwindi Mountain Gorilla Trek
Proceed to the park headquarters where you’ll be briefed about the gorilla tracking. If fortunate, it may take 2 hours or less to find the Bwindi giants. You’ll have lunch at the lodge after this, and later dinner and a bed at Rushaga Gorilla Camp.
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Day 9 – End of the 9 Days Uganda Safari
A return to Kampala with lunch on the way in Mbarara. When you arrive in Kampala, you can have a city tour in the capital city. You’re finally transfered to the airport for your flight home or transferred to your accommodation if you’re not flying that evening.
What’s included:
❭❭ Airport transfers
❭❭ Accommodation for 10 nights in budget and mid-range accommodations
❭❭ All meals
❭❭ All activities and entrance fees minus gorilla permits
❭❭ English or Spanish speaking guide
❭❭ All ground transport plus fuel
❭❭ Taxes
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.
