Uganda Fly-in Safari - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport, Optional “Behind the Scenes” Tour at Uganda Wildlife Education Center (Entebbe Zoo).

Your Uganda fly-in safari begins when you are met by your safari guide. Go through the program for your stay here in detail before being transferred to your hotel in Entebbe. If you will be arriving early in the day, you could choose to visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Center for some intimate time with the wildlife here.

In this specially arranged "behind the scenes" experience, you will observe the animals’ behaviour and experience firsthand how the keepers feed the lions, carry out health checks, or bring them back to their holding facilities. Have the luxury of a privileged few and visit the food preparation areas, the pharmacy, the exhibits and much, much more. This way you can say that you have truly visited the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.

Accommodation Options (Full Board)

Up-market: Protea Mariott Hotel - Entebbe

Moderate:  2 Friends Beach Hotel

Budget: Papyrus Guest House Entebbe

Day 2: Murchison Falls National Park & Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (there' flights to Murchison Falls if you prefer not to drive)

Our guide meets you from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe at 07:00AM (or airport but arriving before 10am). You will get a brief about the holiday experience ahead of you before starting the drive through the famous Luwero triangle.

Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is the only place to trek wild Rhinos in Uganda, the other Rhinos are found at Uganda wildlife education Centre (former Zoo) in Entebbe. On arrival at the sanctuary, you will be given a briefing from your ranger guide on how to behave while on this Rhino trek. It is very critical that you heed to the ranger’s instructions while on the trek because Rhinos can be aggressive if they sense a need to defend themselves. Depending on the location of the Rhinos, you may need to drive closer to their location before you start the trek to reduce on the distance. Your ranger guide will share different information on the behavior of Rhinos and how you ought to behave while as you trek.

Once you locate the Rhinos, you can stay a maximum of one hour in their presence. Sometimes different families are within distance of each other, in which case you will get an opportunity to visit more than one group. You also have a chance of other animal sightings on this nature walk, they include Waterbucks, Bushbucks, Kobs, Leopard (rarely), duikers etc.

We will continue through the park stopping at the top of the falls which is a fantastic sight. Here the Nile, the longest river in the world, is forced through a narrow gap in the rock (only 7 meters wide), before ferociously plunging down 43 meters. From here we will continue onto our accommodation place along the Nile River

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest in Uganda at 3,840 square kilometers. Here is the awe-inspiring Murchison Falls where the River Nile hurls itself in convulsions through a narrow crevice and then plunges 40 meters in one breathtaking leap.

The park has a variety of vegetation ranging from riparian forests and swamplands to broad savannah and provides visitors the opportunity of seeing large concentrations of wildlife including lion, leopard, civet, hyena, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, a host of smaller game, small primates and many bird species, including the rare shoebill stork. The park is especially famous for crocodiles and hippos.

Apart from game viewing, the launch trip to the bottom of the falls is another memorable adventure giving you the experience of the mighty Biblical Nile. On the launch you may see schools of crocodiles and hippos basking on the riverbanks as well as a variety of birds.

Accommodation Options (Full Board)

Up-market: Chimpundu Lodge |   Lodge Paraa Safari Lodge

Moderate: Fort Murchison Lodge | Murchison River Lodge | Pakuba Lodge

Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge (tents) | Murchison River Lodge (tents) | Red Chilli Rest Camp

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park | Game Drive | Boat Trip

After breakfast head to the delta in search for bird life and enjoy the game drive to look for lions, giraffes, herds of elephants, buffaloes and many more. We will drive back to the lodge for lunch before taking an afternoon boat cruise to the foot of Murchison Falls.

This boat trip along the Nile is often cited as being the highlight of a trip to Murchison since it allows you to get up-close and personal with the animals. Along this stretch of the river, there are reported to be around 4,000 hippos in addition to some enormous Nile crocodiles. The bird life is stunning with brightly coloured kingfishers and bee-eaters darting along the riverbanks. If lucky, you may see the rare and prehistoric looking shoebill, which is a cross between the dodo and a dinosaur. The boat takes you to the base of the falls which only adds to their impressiveness.

Accommodation Options (Full Board)

Up-market: Chimpundu lodge| Paraa Safari Lodge

Moderate: Fort Murchison Lodge | Murchison River Lodge | Pakuba Lodge

Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge (tents) | Murchison River Lodge (tents) | Red Chilli Rest Camp

DAY 4: FLIGHT TO KIBALE NATIONAL PARK, PRIMATES WALK 

Have breakfast and fly from Pakuba Airstrip to Fort Portal/ Kasese - Kibale National Park. On arrival at Fort Portal or Kasese Airstrip, you will be welcomed by your safari guide who will transfer you to the lodge near Kibale NP.

In the afternoon we visit a nearby forest swamp that is excellent for viewing primates and other forest animals. At the Eastern edge of Kibale forest is Bigodi Wetland sanctuary which is maintained by the local community. You will expect birds like the great blue turaco, blue monkeys, baboons, otters, mongoose, bush bucks, bush pigs and among others.

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Up-market: Kyaninga Lodge | Crater Safari Lodge Kibale | Ndali Lodge

Moderate: Isunga Lodge | Kibale Forest Camp

Low Budget: Tents at Kibale Forest Camp | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park (you can opt for the full day habituation experience for USD70 extra)

Assemble at Kanyankyu River camp at 08:00 hours to go for the most popular activity in this park which is chimpanzee tracking.

Chimpanzees are man’s closest cousins though they are one of the most threatened primate species. More primates like black and white columbus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, pottos and many bird species like the yellow spotted nicator, rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, green breasted pitta, the crowned eagle, black bee-eater and mammals like elephants can be seen in this walk.

Kibale National Park, which averages about 3,300 feet in elevation, is an extension of the great rainforests of central Africa. It is inhabited by three large communities of chimps, each numbering more than 100 individuals. Each community has a complicated social structure. The big adult males dominate the group and defend the community territory against incursions by male outsiders; the females usually wander in small family groups.

Typically, we locate the chimps by listening for their pant-hooting calls, then hustle to the area from which they are calling. We get to observe them as they feed in fruiting trees, lounge, and socialise with each other, or even, occasionally hunt.

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Up-market: Kyaninga Lodge | Crater Safari Lodge Kibale | Ndali Lodge

Moderate: Isunga Lodge |Kibale Forest Camp

Low Budget: Tents at Kibale Forest Camp | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park & Rwenzori Mountains

Either a day’s walk in the foothills of the Rwenzori's, one of the great mountain ranges of the world, looking out for its forbidding peaks in the distance, or drive straight to Queen Elizabeth National Parl. The game seen will depend on the season; the Kasenyi plains are good for lion and the Mweya peninsula for a variety of animals.

Shift to Queen Elizabeth National Park this morning (about 3 hours driving). Leaving through Fort Portal town, you turn south and early this afternoon enter Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is dominated on its northern border by the snow-capped 16,000-foot Rwenzori Mountains - the famed "Mountains of the Moon".

This 767-square-mile conservation area is bordered on the northeast by Lake George and on the southwest by Lake Edward; its western border adjoins the Congo Parc du Virunga. You will expect to see teeming herds of impala-like Uganda Kob, as well as topi, elephant and lion, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo. There are also several soda lakes filling ancient volcanic calderas where flamingos reside seasonally.

In the afternoon enjoy a game drive in the northern part of the park, visiting the Baboon Cliff famous for its nice scenery, and good views of the shadows of the Mountains of the Moon – the Rwenzoris. The drive to the lodge leads through large expanses of savannah grasslands and plenty of wild game

Accommodation Options (Full Board)

Up-market/Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge | Katara Lodge

Mid-range: Ihamba Safari Lodge| Enganzi Lodge | Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge | Buffalo Safari Resort

Budget: Bush Lodge (tents)| Simba Safari Camp (tents) | Pumba Cottages

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park Game Drive & Boat Trip

We set out early in the morning for a game drive in the northern part of the park on the Kasenyi Track in search of lions, elephants and solitary buffaloes. This is the best time for opportunities of viewing the cats in action owing to the vast population of Uganda kobs. We have an excellent chance to view just about every animal here at very close range.

In the afternoon we will go for a launch trip along the Kazinga Channel. This gives you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippos huff and spray at a mere feet away from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle billed stork and many others.

Accommodation Options (Full Board)

Up-market/Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge | Katara Lodge

Mid-range: Ihamba Safari Lodge| Enganzi Lodge | Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge | Buffalo Safari Resort

Budget: Bush Lodge (tents)| Simba Safari Camp (tents) | Pumba Cottages

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8: Tree climbing lions in Ishasha; Transfer to Bwindi

Enjoy breakfast by the deck restaurant before out drive to Bwindi Impenetrable NP. On the way we enter Ishasha sector where you will take on yet another game drive in search of tree climbing lions in the afternoon before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The journey takes about 2-3 hours but driving through interesting features. We shall be arriving in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the evening. This park is home of the rare mountain gorillas plus 11 other primate's species including the blue and red-tailed monkeys. The forest itself is lush and green and there are streams running through it.

Accommodation Options (Full Board)

Up-market: Buhoma Lodge | Mahogany Lodge

Moderate: Engagi Lodge

Low Budget: Buhoma Community Campground

Day 9: Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip - gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day.

We trek through the rainforest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 metres from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.

Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It's difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas.

While most of today's forests are no more than 12,000 years old, Bwindi's vegetation has been weaving itself into tangles over at least 25,000 years, in the process accumulating a lengthy species list. This includes 310 species of butterfly, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths and an exceptional 120 types of mammals including 10 primates. The latter includes chimpanzee, L'Hoest's, red tailed and blue monkey, black and white colobus, baboon, and Bwindi's most famous resident, the mountain gorilla.

Bwindi is a prime destination for birdwatchers. Its 350 species include seven which are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift endemics, species which are difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa.

Accommodation Options (Full Board)

Up-market: Buhoma Lodge | Mahogany Springs Lodge

Moderate: Engagi Lodge

Low Budget: Buhoma Community Campground

Day 10: Fly from Bwindi (Kihihi) back to Entebbe; End of Uganda Fly-in Safari

Our representative will take care of your transfer to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip. Today you will travel back to Entebbe International Airport.

End of Uganda Fly-in safari.

Upscale accommodation:

Night 1 - Protea Entebbe Hotel

Night 2&3: Baker's Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge

Night 4 & 5:  Kyaninga Lodge or Crater Safari Lodge or Ndali Lodge

Night 6& 7: Mweya Safari Lodge or Katara Lodge

Nights 8& 9: Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs Lodge
(Upgrade to Gorilla Forest Camp )

Midrange (Moderate) accommodation:

Night 1: 2 Friends Entebbe Beach hotel

Night 2&3: Murchison River Lodge or Fort Murchison Lodge

Night 4 & 5:  Isunga Lodge or Kibale Forest Camp

Night 6& 7: Ihamba Lakeside Safari Resort or Bush Lodge or Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

Night 8& 9: Engagi Lodge or Bwindi Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge or Gorilla Mist Camp

Lower Budget accommodation:

Night 1: African Roots Guesthouse Entebbe

Night 2&3: Tents Murchison River Lodge or Fort Murchison Lodge or Red Chilli Rest Camp

Night 4 & 5:  Tents at Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Night 6& 7: Tents at Bush Lodge or Simba Safari camp or Pumba Cottages

Night 8& 9: Buhoma Community Restcamp or Rushaga Gorilla Camp

Included in this Uganda Fly-in Safari Package

• Domestic flight tickets: Pakuba-Kibale and Bwindi-Entebbe.
• All airport and airstrips transfers
• Ground transfers using a safari land-cruiser
• services of a good English speaking safari guide
• Game drives and boat safaris
• Gorilla tracking, chimps, primates trek permits
• All accommodations while on tour
• Meals as specified in the itinerary

Excluded

• International flight (can be arranged if required)
• Visa and personal insurance
• Drinks, tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
• Any item or activity not mentioned in the tour package