The 9 days Ugandan safari is a highlight of Uganda’s spectacular parks and its iconic attractions. The trip is composed of birding trips, game drives, Gorilla trekking, boat cruises, chimpanzee trekking and nature walks. Expect to experience the untamed beauty as each day unveils the true dreams of a Ugandan safari. The 9 days Ugandan safari is not just your normal safari but a journey of discoveries and unforgettable adventures.
Trip highlights.
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe (Mabamba swamp).
Day 2: Drive from Entebbe to lake Mburo national park.
Day 3: En route gamedrive and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 5: Drive from Bwindi impenetrable national park to Queen Elizabeth national park.
Day 6: Game drives and boat cruise.
Day 7: Transfer to Kibale national park.
Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi wet land
Day 9: Drive Back to Entebbe.
Detailed itinerary for the 8 days Ugandan safari.
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe (Mabamba swamp)
After picking you up from Entebbe International Airport, our driver will check you into your hotel in Entebbe. Shortly before supper, you will get a briefing from your tour guide about your 9 days safari with in Uganda. Depending on your arrival time, you can dive in to some of the optional activities such as birding in Mabamba to follow the prehistoric shoebills, bird watchers can travel to the Mabamba wetland. Alternatively, you can explore modern shopping malls or take a leisurely walk at any local markets in Entebbe.
Accommodation at: Papyrus guest house.
Meals: Bed and Breakfast.
Day 2: Drive from Entebbe to lake Mburo national park.
After an early breakfast, head to Western Uganda, where you will see cattle pastures, banana plantations, and expansive cultivated plains. Make a quick stop in Mpambire, where craftspeople make traditional wooden drums, before continuing on to the Equator for some fantastic photo ops.
Drive until you arrive at Rwakobo Rock Lodge during the lunch period. Located on a rocky outcrop at the northern edge of Lake Mburo National Park, the lodge is a wilderness hideaway that offers private cottages with breathtaking views of the savannah plains
Take a game drive after lunch to see local species such buffalo, impala, zebras, eland, warthogs, and bushbuck. Alternatively, you can do a horseback safari (not included in the package) or a one-hour boat safari to see crocodiles, hippos, and many water birds.
Accommodations at: Rwakobo rock lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 3: En route game drive and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Early in the morning, commence your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with an en route game drive to recap on what you could have missed the previous day. You will be able to see plenty of animals such as zebras, impalas, buffaloes, warthogs and other animals by driving a very short distance.
Proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home to half of all mountain gorillas in the whole world. On your journey from Lake Mburo to Bwindi National Park you will pass through the plains of Ntungamo, rolling and terraced hills on Kigezi before joining the dense forests in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Arrive in time for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Drive time: 6-7 hours.
Lodging: Rushaga Gorilla Havens lodge (Budget) or Ichumbi gorilla lodge (Midrange) or Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Heights lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
You will proceed to the park headquarters to receive a briefing on gorilla trekking after breakfast and with your packed lunch. Following your guide’s explanation of all the dos and don’ts when interacting with mountain gorillas, you will be taken to the gorilla family’s beginning location.
Please be aware that your age, fitness level, and interests will determine which gorilla family you are assigned to. Before you begin the forest walk, let your guide know what interests you, and he will try to get you a gorilla family of your choice. A certain level of fitness is necessary for gorilla trekking, which can be quite demanding.
Gorilla trekking can last from 30 minutes to 3 quarters of a day, therefore both must be planned for depending on the gorilla family you are trekking. Until you reach a particular gorilla family, your guide will make an effort to educate you about the trees, birds, and other creatures in the forest. You will have one hour to take pictures and watch the mountain gorillas as they go about their everyday lives. After that, you will have to hike back to the park headquarters to pick up your certificates, have supper, and spend the night at your lodge.
Lodging: Rushaga Gorilla Havens lodge (Budget) or Ichumbi Gorilla lodge (Midrange)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Drive from Bwindi impenetrable national park to Queen Elizabeth national park.
Following a delectable breakfast in the morning, travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is endowed with marshes, lakes, forests, and savannah grasslands. We will approach the park via the Ishasha sector, which is well-known for its uncommon tree-climbing lions. If we are fortunate enough to spot these animals, we will then go to the park’s northern side, where we will spend the night. Have dinner and rest.
Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Enganzi lodge (midrange), The Bush lodge(budget).
Destination: Queen Elizabeth national park.
Day 6: Game drives and boat cruise.
As you warm up to explore more of Queen Elizabeth National Park, get a cup of coffee before departing for a game drive in the sections of Kasenyi. Expect to see creatures such as lions, cape buffalos, elephants, warthogs, waterbucks, spotted hyenas, mongoose, kobs, and leopards.
Over 606 bird species have been recorded in this park and most notably along the Kazinga channel. In the afternoon, head back for lunch, unwind, and get ready your boat tour. Enjoy lunch then take part in a special 2 -hour boat ride over the Kazinga Channel a natural channel that joins both lake George and Katwe.
You will have a fantastic chance to observe the animals and birds up close on this launch voyage.
Dinner and overnight at the same accommodation.
Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Enganzi lodge (midrange), The Bush lodge(budget).
Day 7: Transfer to Kibale national park.
Get up early, eat breakfast, and then embark on proceeding to the world’s primate capital. Along the journey, you will pause for lunch at Fort Portal, which provides stunning views of the evergreen trees. After arriving, check into the lodge that was reserved, eat dinner, and then retire for the evening.
Accommodation options: Kyaninga Lodge/ Kibale Tourist Lodge (Luxury)/ Turaco tree tops/ Isunga Lodge (midrange).
Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi wet land.
After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for briefing from the rangers before continuing to the jungle to have the thrilling experience of viewing chimpanzees. The jungle allows you to watch them play, eat, and hop from one tree to another.
Thankfully, you will see other primates, such as Grey-checked mangabeys and birds. After the experience, descend back to your park headquarters to have lunch. After lunch, proceed with a nature walk to the Bigodi wetland where you may see many different birds and animals.
Dinner and slumber at the lodge.
Accommodation options: Kyaninga Lodge/ Kibale Tourist Lodge (Luxury)/ Turaco tree tops/ Isunga Lodge (midrange).
Day 9: Drive Back to Entebbe.
After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive back to Entebbe. En route meals will be taken along the way and then proceed with your journey. Arrive at Entebbe then bid fare well to jour guide and fly out. Safe travels.
Tour inclusions
A comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
A professional English-speaking guide
En route meals
Safe bottled drinking water
All activities mentioned above
Gorilla permits
Chimpanzee permits
Tour exclusions.
Tips
Laundry
International flights
Personal items such as souvenirs, etc.