Chimpanzee Tracking | Game drive | Batwa trail / Golden monkey/Boat safari at bottom of the falls • Hike to top of the falls • Rhino tracking
This safari is for one who loves to hike and see the endangered Golden monkey up close. This adventurous safari begins in Entebbe and ends in Rwanda. The safari can be tailor made for budget, mid-range and luxury travelers. When you stay near Mgahinga Gorilla Park, there are no drive-times besides from Lodge to Park and the park has no crowds. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest protected area covering a total of 3,840 square kilometers. The park is named after the thundering Murchison falls, where the world’s longest river is squeezed through a 6-meter gap, spraying and splattering into the gorge below, in a permanent spray that is as breathtaking, as it is mighty. This Wildlife Safari will offer a possibility of seeing the Big 5 animals since it includes rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Transport in a 4WD safari van
• All fuel for the tour;
• English speaking driver/guide;
• Accommodation as per programme;
• Meals according to the programme;
• Park entrance fees according to the programme;
• All activities described in the itinerary;
• 1 chimpanzee permit per person;
• 1 Golden monkey permit per person.
PACKAGE EXCLUDES
• International air fares;
• Entry visa Rwanda All drinks;
• Meals that are not part of your accommodation;
• All activities that are not mentioned in the program or activities that are mentioned in the program as optional activity;
• A porter for during the gorilla tracking (someone who carries your daypack);
• Personal (medical/travel) insurance;
• Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc;
• All expenses of a personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, souvenirs etc.)
ITINERARY
Day 1: Airport pick up
Upon arrival at the Entebbe, depending on arrival time, u will bird the Botanical Gardens. Situated on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, the Entebbe Botanical Gardens are virtually on the Equator, and covers an area of 40.7 hectares. The gardens house a collection of species of plants of the tropical, sub-tropical and temperate zones, besides several shrubs and other plants which regenerated naturally over the years. The habitat has attracted a diverse array of birds (206 species) and monkeys. We shall look out for Orange weaver, Golden and Yellow-backed Weavers, Superb Sunbird, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, Ross’s and Great blue Turacco, etc.
Journey Time:15 minutes.
Accommodation: 2 friends Beach hotel
Meal plan: All meals
Day 2: Birding to Mabamba for Shoebill.
After an early breakfast, we bird to Mabamba Wetlands about 50km west of Entebbe area on the shores of Lake Victoria. This is one of the few remaining swamps in Uganda protected by the local communities – an extensive papyrus swamp, classified Ramsar Site and IBA (Important Bird Area) and home to several pairs of Shoebills, most probably Africa’s most sought-after bird. This charismatic species, the only representative in its family, is certainly amongst the most sought-after birds in Africa and we will make special efforts today to find it by paddling through the channels by boat. There will of course be a good selection of classic East African water birds: Pink-backed Pelican, Long-tailed Cormorant, Goliath Heron, African Fish-Eagle, African Marsh-Harrier, Yellow-billed Duck, African Water Rail, Allen’s Gallinule, and Malachite Kingfisher along with slightly more local species such as Long-toed Plover, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Blue-headed Coucal, Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, Swamp Flycatcher, White-winged & Papyrus Yellow Warblers.
Journey Time:whole day.
Accommodation: 2 friends Beach hotel
Meal plan: All meals
Day 3: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.
After breakfast you will be transferred to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will go with an experienced ranger for rhino tracking. You will see the rhinos in a very close range.
Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls National Parks once had both black and white rhinos; however widespread poaching during the Idi Amin era resulted in the disappearance of these majestic animals from the wild. Founded in 1998, Rhino Fund Uganda works to reintroduce black and white rhinos into Uganda and runs a breeding program, as well as work to educate communities on endangered rhinos.
You will stay atAmuka safari lodge. This semi-luxury lodge has everything you need in the bush, a nice swimming pool and cosy environment. It is located at walking distance from the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary so relax in the afternoon or take a walk.
Journey Time: 3 to 4 hours
Accommodation: Amuka Safari Lodge.
Meal plan: All meals
Day 4:Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park Via the top of the falls.
After breakfast you will be transferred to Murchison falls Np, visit the top of the falls take picture enjoy the falls then after drive to the lodge. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest protected area covering a total of 3,840 square kilometers. The park is named after the thundering Murchison falls, where the world’s longest river is squeezed through a 6-meter gap, spraying and splattering into the gorge below, in a permanent spray that is as breathtaking, as it is mighty. This Wildlife Safari will offer a possibility of seeing the Big 5 animals since it includes rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Murchison Falls Park has a variety of sectors each with a little something different to view. The Budongo and KanyinoPabidi forests are host to chimpanzees which have been habituated for visitors.The Royal Mile is exceptional for bird watching.
Have lunch with in Masidi town and then proceed to the park.
Journey time: 5+ hours
Accommodation: Hornbill Lodge
Meal plan: All meals
Day 5: Morning game drive- Afternoon boat safari-bottom of the falls
Today after breakfast, you will depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park. The 3,893 sq km park is home to a range of animals, and you will have a chance of viewing some of the Park’s residents including lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. For the birders amongst you, these areas support the secretary bird and the black chested snake eagle, to name a few.
In the afternoon, go for a boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls, where the Nile thunders through a small 7-meter gap plunging 43 meters into the Nile on the way to Lake Albert. The banks of the Nile are densely populated with crocodiles, hippopotamus, and a range of other wildlife that come to the river to drink.
After the boat safari you will drive back to the lodge as you’re doing game drive. From here you have a wonderful view and fantastic photo opportunities!
Journey time: Whole day
Accommodation: Hornbill Lodge
Meal plan: All meals
Day 6: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Today you will begin your journey to Kibale Forest N.P. The long drive is incredibly scenic, passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda.
Kibale Forest National Park is located in west-central Uganda just east of the Rwenzori Mountains, near the town of Fort Portal. The 766 Km² Park predominantly covers evergreen rain forest and ranges between 1100 and 1600m in elevation. Kibale Forest is one of the last remaining expanses to contain both lowland and montane forests and forms a continuous forest with Queen Elizabeth National Park.
You will have packed lunch en route, arriving in the evening for overnight and dinner
Journey Time: 8 hours
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest lodge
Meal Plan: All meals
Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking – Bigodi swamp walk.
Today you will wake up early to go to the park head offices to be briefed about your chimp tracking experience. Kibale Forest National park boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including the chimpanzees. Approximately 5,000 chimpanzees live in the wild in Uganda, which makes it a perfect place to see them
An experienced ranger will take you chimp tracking chimp in the morning or afternoon; you might also 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. Since they are wild animals, we can never guarantee you to see them and might have to settle with hearing their hoots and hollers.
In the afternoon after lunch, you will go for the guided swamp walk. The walk (2-3 hours) will take you through grassland, small communities and some beautiful scenery, where the locals are likely to greet you with enthusiastic waves. It is usual to spot three to four different primate species during this walk, though the highlight is catching a glimpse of the great blue turaco!
Journey Time: Whole day.
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest lodge
Meal Plan: All meals
Day 8: Transfer to Fort portal. Hike to the AmabereGanyinamwiru Caves, Kabarole crater lakes in after noon.
Check out in the morning and begin your transfer to Fort Portal City,Go through the scenic landscapes and the verdant countryside farm lands. Continue to AmabereG’anyinamwiru caves and waterfalls, and hike the Mweganywa hills to see all the 3 crater lakes in this area.
Get back in time for lunch at the lodge then after go and visit beautiful crater lakes nestled at an impressive altitude of 1608 meters above sea level. This is “Top of the World”. While here, you will perfectly capture the breathtaking panoramas that await you. With unrivaled views of three mesmerizing crater lakes – Nyamirirma, Nyinabulitwa, and Lake Nyabikere.
Journey Time: whole day
Accommodation:Mountain of the moon
Meal plan: All meals
Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, your guide will drive you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to a high concentration of Uganda’s mammals that include tree climbing and savanna lions, elephants, wart hogs, Uganda kob, water buck, cape buffalo, hippos, leopards, as well as more than 600 species of birds that include the African spoon bill, pied kingfishers, fish eagles, pelicans, vultures
Queen Elizabeth National park is Uganda’s second largest park, located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George. The park has game including Uganda kob, warthog and waterbuck. Lions are often sighted both in and at the entrance to the park. Be ready to see huge numbers of hippos and elephants, and keep your eyes on the lookout for a leopard lazing in the sunshine.
In the late afternoon you will evening game drive / Community walk. You will stay in a nice lodge, overlooking the Lake George.
Journey Time: 3 ½
Accommodation: Elephant hub Lodge
Meal Plan: All meals
Day 10: Game drive &Kazinga channel boat safari.
Today you wake up early. A little before sunrise coffee, tea and donuts will be served in the lounge before we head out for a long game drive in time to see the first rays of light. You will search for all the wildlife in the park and are likely to come across Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Waterbuck, Leopard, Uganda Kob, and many Warthogs.
A well-deserved brunch will be served back at the lodge in the late morning.
In the afternoon you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake George and Lake Edward.Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine!), as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see buffalo, crocodile, bathing elephant, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.
After the boat-safari you game drive back to the lodge.
Journey Time: Whole day
Accommodation: Elephant hub Lodge
Meal Plan: All meals
Day 11: Transfer to Ishasha sector, southern sector of Queen Elizabeth NP. After breakfast you will proceed to the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the famous Ishasha area, have lunch and go for a game drive searching for the tree climbing lionsIshasha is home to the famous tree-climbing lions. While lion cubs around the world frequently climb trees for fun, adults rarely do. The (adult) lions in Ishasha are an exception to this. It is thought that they sit in 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.You will overnight at Enjojo Lodge, which is surrounded with acacia forest, lush vegetation with palm trees and scattered grasslands. Find birds, monkeys, and other wildlife around your cottage.
Journey Time: 3 to 4 hours
Accommodation: Enjojo Lodge
Meal plan: All meals
Enjojo lodge is bordering the Ishasha sector of Queen Elisabeth NP. The lodge is situated on 40 hectares amidst acacia forest, lust vegetation with palm trees and scattered grass line. There is a lot of birdlife around and herds of elephants, buffaloes and antelopes, but also vervet monkeys and the black and white Colobus monkey are regularly spotted around the lodge.
The thatched cottages at Enjojo Lodge have an en-suite bathroom and an outdoor shower. On the wide verandas you can relax and overlook the surrounding bush and savanna, it is the perfect place for a quiet and intimate retreat. The cottages are interlinked with an elevated wooden walkway.
Day 12: Game drive in Ishasha sector and Transfer to Lake Mutanda.After a delicious breakfast, leave the lodge for another game drive in Ishasha sector before sunrise. This sector will reward you again with amazing wildlife encounters during the 2-3 hours’ game drive.
The expected animal sightings on this sunrise game drive will range from large herds of elephants, buffaloes, leopards (on a lucky day), birds with 620 bird species all living here; warthogs, variety of antelopes and the sought-after climbing lions.
Ater game drive begin a drive to Lake Mutanda. Check in at your lodge, Lake Mutanda resort, one of the most scenic and beautiful lodges on this lake. Offering some of the best views in Uganda, Lake Mutanda Resort is perched on a peninsula overlooking a series of small islands scattered across the water and the volcanoes from the Virunga Range rising out of the mist in the distance.
Relax on the resort, have lunch and do some swimming since this lake is safe and free from Bilharzia. Later in the evening, go for a sunset boat cruise to visit over 20 islands that make up this lava-dammed lake.
Mutanda Lake Resort
Mutanda Lake Resort offers most likely the best view in Uganda! Perched on a peninsula in Lake Mutanda (see photo), in the shadow of the Virunga Mountain Range, Mutanda Lake Resort offers comfortable accommodation combined with the most beautiful views on planet earth. Situated between Kisoro town, Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks the Resort makes a perfect base for gorilla trackers, volcano hikers, bird lovers as well as those looking for a secluded place in nature. The cuisine is among the best in Uganda.
Activities on the lake are organized by the lodge and the lake is safe to swim as it’s Bilharzia free.
Journey Time: 3 to 4hours
Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort
Meal plan: All meals
Day 13: Batwa cultural tour in morning then eveningSunset Boat cruise.Have breakfast at 8:00am for a warm cup of coffee, prepare for a batwa cultural experience. Batwa Trail: During this moving tour, the Batwa demonstrate hunting techniques; gather honey; point out medicinal plants and demonstrate how to make bamboo cups. Guests are then invited to the sacred Ngarama Cave, once home to the Batwa King to be entertained by traditional music and dance.
Come back for lunch at the lodge later in the evening, go for a sunset boat cruise to visit over 20 islands that make up this lava-dammed lake.
A boat cruise on Lake Mutanda is one of the most adventurous activities that will take you to visit fascinating islands with a local guide. After boat cruise on Lake Mutanda, proceed to the Kaboko river channel at the north banks of the lake for behind-the-scenes excursion of meeting the clawless otters and conclude your tour with a visit to Gihuranda village one of the neighboring communities to Lake Mutanda to see the amazing fresh water springs from the underground. Then return to your lodge to have dinner and overnight stay.
Journey Time: whole day
Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort
Meal plan: All meals
Day 14: Nature walk in Bwindi impenetrable forest &Transfer to Kisoro
Have breakfast at 7:00am for a warm cup of coffee, prepare for your long-awaited walk to Rushaga waterfalls. At 7:30am, drive to the visitors’ briefing area, which is a few minutes’ drive from your place of accommodation. Meet with the head ranger and other visitors for a general briefing on the dos and don’ts while conducting this memorable trek. It is during this briefing that you’ll be told all the dos and don’ts about this forest.
Plse Don’t forget your packed lunches and enough water for drinking.
The nature trek starts at 8.30am with simple forest hikes through designated trails and will last for about 2-4 hours. This is a 2km trail along an abandoned trail leading to the beautiful area of forest and a 33m high waterfall on the Munyanga River. The walk gives a chance to encounter real forest life, approximately 350 bird species with 14 not recorded anywhere else in Uganda; great sightings for monkeys like L’hoests, vervet and red-tailed monkeys together with the general scenic beauty of the park.
After the walk you will be transferred to kisoro town for overnight.Journey Time: whole day.
Accommodation: Travelers Lodge
Meal plan: All meals
Day 15: Golden monkey trekking in the morning and Home of Kigezi Museum tour afternoon.
After early breakfast, you will drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which is the extension of the magnificent Virunga Mountains in Uganda. You will meet the park guides for briefing and set off to track down the beautiful golden monkeys. The golden monkeys’ main habitat is the bamboo forests near the base of the mountains.
The hike is relatively easy however the monkeys are active and are constantly moving through the bamboo as they love to fee on bamboo shoot. You will spend one with them and return and transfer back to the starting point for de-briefing and exit.
Have lunch from Kisoro town and begin a cultural experience at the lively Home of Kigezi Museum. This is a community-run museum of living culture and natural history of the Banyakigezi people of South Western Uganda.
Blooming with herbs and indigenous trees, life is evident in every corner, contrasting magnificently with the abundant natural materials – volcanic rocks, reeds, fibers, timber and half decayed tree stumps. For visitors, the wealth of diversity in such a small space allows time to explore and really observe the intricate details.
Journey Time: 45 minutes
Accommodation: Travelers Lodge
Meal plan: All meals
Day 16: Transfer to Kigali
Today after breakfast, you will cross the border and then be transferred to Kigali for city Tour and later to Kigali International Airport for your Flight.