Day 1 Welcome to Uganda
You will be picked up from the airport by Big Cat Tours and Travel representative. He will transfer you to your hotel.
Over night at the beautiful Sanctum hotel in Entebbe.
Over night at the beautiful Sanctum hotel in Entebbe.
Day 2 To Murchison Falls national park
Today you will travel from Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park.
Covering an area of over 3,840 km², Murchison Falls National Park is the largest conservation area in Uganda. The Nile River divides the park into two, the north and south part. At the spectacular Murchison Falls the world’s longest river explodes through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below. A game drive in the park allows you to see animal like elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and many bird species.
Over night at the beautiful Murchison River Lodge. The lodge built on the edge of the River Nile
Covering an area of over 3,840 km², Murchison Falls National Park is the largest conservation area in Uganda. The Nile River divides the park into two, the north and south part. At the spectacular Murchison Falls the world’s longest river explodes through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below. A game drive in the park allows you to see animal like elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and many bird species.
Over night at the beautiful Murchison River Lodge. The lodge built on the edge of the River Nile
Day 3 Murchison Falls National Park- Game Drive and Boat tour
Get an early breakfast before going for morning game drive to the northern part of the park. Animals are the most active in the morning hours when the sun is not yet so hot and temperatures are cooler. It offers the best time to spot wild animals.
Animals like elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, antelopes and many birds can be spotted during the game drive.
In the afternoon you will take a boat safari up the Nile River to Murchison Falls. Crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, water birds, and all the other wildlife that the Nile attracts will be seen. You will reach the base of the 43-meter high Falls which approach with a thunderous sound.
You will hike to the top of the falls for good photo opportunities.
Over night at Murchision River lodge.
Animals like elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, antelopes and many birds can be spotted during the game drive.
In the afternoon you will take a boat safari up the Nile River to Murchison Falls. Crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, water birds, and all the other wildlife that the Nile attracts will be seen. You will reach the base of the 43-meter high Falls which approach with a thunderous sound.
You will hike to the top of the falls for good photo opportunities.
Over night at Murchision River lodge.
Day 4 Travel to Kibale Forest
Today you will have early breakfast the start your journey to Kibale Forest N.P. The journey is incredibly scenic.
Have packed lunch enroute.
You will check in at Nyinabulitwa resort for overnight.
Have packed lunch enroute.
You will check in at Nyinabulitwa resort for overnight.
Day 5 Chimpanzee tracking and swamp walk
After your breakfast, you will go chimpanzee tracking early morning in Kibale National Park. The park boasts a big number of primate species including the chimpanzees.
You might see other monkey species that live here. Once you locate the chimpanzees you will have a full hour of eye-to-eye contact with them. We do not guarantee you to see the chimpanzees since they are wild animals. Should you not see them, you might have to settle with hearing their hoots and hollers.
Your swamp walk which may last for 2-3 hours will take you through grassland, small communities and some beautiful scenery. It is usual to spot different primate species during this walk, and maybe catching a glimpse of the great blue turaco!
You will then be taken back to the resort where you will spend the night.
You might see other monkey species that live here. Once you locate the chimpanzees you will have a full hour of eye-to-eye contact with them. We do not guarantee you to see the chimpanzees since they are wild animals. Should you not see them, you might have to settle with hearing their hoots and hollers.
Your swamp walk which may last for 2-3 hours will take you through grassland, small communities and some beautiful scenery. It is usual to spot different primate species during this walk, and maybe catching a glimpse of the great blue turaco!
You will then be taken back to the resort where you will spend the night.
Day 6 Queen Elizabeth National Park
Early morning breakfast will be served and you will then continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s second largest park, located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, hosting Lake Edward and Lake George. The park has prolific game such as Elephants, Waterbuck , Gazelle, Lions, Warthog among others.
You will have a hot lunch at Engiri game lodge and campsite.
After lunch you will take a boat tour along the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake George and Lake Edward. During the boat tour, you will see a lot of hippo, buffalo, crocodile and some beautiful birds.
You will be driven back to the lodge after the boat tour.
Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s second largest park, located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, hosting Lake Edward and Lake George. The park has prolific game such as Elephants, Waterbuck , Gazelle, Lions, Warthog among others.
You will have a hot lunch at Engiri game lodge and campsite.
After lunch you will take a boat tour along the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake George and Lake Edward. During the boat tour, you will see a lot of hippo, buffalo, crocodile and some beautiful birds.
You will be driven back to the lodge after the boat tour.
Day 7 Game drive & caves
This day, you wake up early, have breakfast and then head out for a long game drive. You will search for all the wildlife in the park and are likely to see Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions, Waterbucks, Ugandan Kobs, Warthogs and some different bird species.
Lunch will be served at the lodge before you head to the caves.
Expect to see some monkeys , beautiful rivers flowing from the caves, the famous twin lakes in Rubirizi during your visit to the caves.
Over night at Engiri game lodge and campsite.
Lunch will be served at the lodge before you head to the caves.
Expect to see some monkeys , beautiful rivers flowing from the caves, the famous twin lakes in Rubirizi during your visit to the caves.
Over night at Engiri game lodge and campsite.
Day 8 Ishasha area ( tree-climbing lions) to Bwindi impenetrable National park
After an early breakfast you will proceed to Ishasha the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Ishahsa is home to the famous tree-climbing lions. The adult lions in Ishasha climb trees, they sit on the branches to get away from the tsetse flies and to enjoy a cool breeze. If you are lucky you might spot a few during your game drive.
We will then continue to Bwind Impenetrable National park, check in at Buhoma community rest camp.
Ishahsa is home to the famous tree-climbing lions. The adult lions in Ishasha climb trees, they sit on the branches to get away from the tsetse flies and to enjoy a cool breeze. If you are lucky you might spot a few during your game drive.
We will then continue to Bwind Impenetrable National park, check in at Buhoma community rest camp.
Day 9 Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Forest
After an early breakfast, you will go for gorilla tracking. Be ready to encounter one of Bwindi’s giants, the mountain gorilla.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest boasts both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. It also hosts five other species of primates, different mammals, over 200 species of butterflies and 360 species of birds. The gorillas you track belong to one of nine habituated family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day.
Once the gorillas have been located, your group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is an amazing experience.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest boasts both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. It also hosts five other species of primates, different mammals, over 200 species of butterflies and 360 species of birds. The gorillas you track belong to one of nine habituated family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day.
Once the gorillas have been located, your group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is an amazing experience.
Day 10 Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, you will travel to Lake Mburo National Park, one of Uganda’s smallest parks. It is one of two Ugandan national park besides to Kidepo Valley N.P where you can find zebras, Elands and Impalas, as well as other wildlife. The lake (L.Mburo) harbors animals like Hippos and Crocodiles
Accommodation for tonight is Rwakobo Rock, a peaceful place with great views just outside the park.
Accommodation for tonight is Rwakobo Rock, a peaceful place with great views just outside the park.
Day 11 Game drive, to Entebbe/Kampala
This morning you will go for a game drive. You will have the chance of viewing a lot of animals like Giraffe, Zebra, Hippo, Eland and some birds.
After lunch at the lodge, you will drive back to Kampala or Entebbe ,stopping at the equator for the requisite snapshot and a bit of shopping.
Over night at the Sanctum hotel in Entebbe.
After lunch at the lodge, you will drive back to Kampala or Entebbe ,stopping at the equator for the requisite snapshot and a bit of shopping.
Over night at the Sanctum hotel in Entebbe.
Day 12 Flight/ Deperature
On this day you will be driven to the airport for your flight depending on the time of your departure.
+ Additional Information
The trip as described above includes;
Full board (dinner the first night, three meals a day and breakfast the last morning)
accommodation per person sharing, park fee , supporting tour leader, vehicle with driver, excursions described in the program including boat tour, game drive, chimpanzee , gorilla permits . If you want a room “single,” you need to report and pay a small extra fee.Personal expenses, insurance, international flights, visa for Uganda or any other administrative fees charged by the Embassy of Uganda are not included (check with the embassy if the yellow fever vaccination is required or not – it varies depending on the situation and country of origin.Apart from the legal requirements, you can opt for other vaccinations – see your doctor or a competent authority in the matter.
In general, note that the level of security at the accommodation is excellent in all respects (diseases, accidents with animals and travelers with petty crime are very rare).
Full board (dinner the first night, three meals a day and breakfast the last morning)
accommodation per person sharing, park fee , supporting tour leader, vehicle with driver, excursions described in the program including boat tour, game drive, chimpanzee , gorilla permits . If you want a room “single,” you need to report and pay a small extra fee.Personal expenses, insurance, international flights, visa for Uganda or any other administrative fees charged by the Embassy of Uganda are not included (check with the embassy if the yellow fever vaccination is required or not – it varies depending on the situation and country of origin.Apart from the legal requirements, you can opt for other vaccinations – see your doctor or a competent authority in the matter.
In general, note that the level of security at the accommodation is excellent in all respects (diseases, accidents with animals and travelers with petty crime are very rare).
Having a constant driver with the vehicle, the risks of theft are virtually nil – just carry all your belongings in the hotel rooms (which are very safe) with you for the night.
Please bring:
- Binoculars
- Possibly also spotting scope
- Camera (enjoy the beautiful light after the rainy season in Uganda) according to your wishes, any camera of any size of zoom for animals and large birds that are often seen near.
- Your travel documents: passport, visa, certification of vaccination, insurance etc
- Your personal medication
- Lightweight and comfortable clothing, sandals or flip flops to stay in the car or on the boat and walking shoes for the forest. Long-sleeved shirts are more reassuring to forest areas.
- Provide a sweater for mornings which can be cold.
The bookings with the hotels mentioned in the program depend on availability. Reservations will only be made after your booking.
Note; In case the mentioned hotels are not available during the requested period, we will make sure to book a hotel in the same class for you. We do this after consulting you. It is not possible to ‘reserve’ gorilla and chimpanzee permits. Therefore we can only buy them after your booking and down-payment. This also here it all depends on availability.
