10 Days Uganda Wildlife and Primates Safari with Batwa trail and Lake Mutanda relaxation
Overview
This 10 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari will take you to Murchison Falls National park for the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary visit, a game drive, boat cruise and top of the falls experience. Later, you will continue to Kibale Forest National Park where you will take part in chimpanzee trekking. On your way there, you will visit the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru caves and go for a crater lakes hike. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive, boat cruise and the tree climbing lions at Ishasha. Later, you will transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking – one of the most incredible travel highlights. Afterwards, you will continue to Lake Mutanda for island exploration, crafts experience and a sunset cruise before returning to Kampala or Entebbe International airport for your flight back home.
Day 1: Airport pick up and transfer to Murchison falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
As soon as you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by one of our professional tour guides who will give you a short briefing about your safari. Thereafter, you will set off for Murchison Falls National Park and have stop-over at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for rhino tracking.
White Rhinos became extinct in Uganda’s national parks in 1980. The few that remained where transferred to the sanctuary for better protection. There are about 32 Southern white rhinos in the sanctuary at the moment and there is a plan to reintroduce them in Uganda’s game parks in the future. After tracking these fascinating endangered creatures, you will have lunch and proceed to Murchison falls national park. When you reach your lodge, you will check in for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Red Chilli Rest Camp (below budget)
Pakuba Safari Lodge (on budget)
Chobe Safari Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 2: Morning Game drive, Afternoon Boat cruise and top of the falls experience
After taking a hot cup of tea / coffee, you will head out for an early morning game drive in search of the early morning risers. You will have an encounter with animals such as buffaloes, oribi, elephants, hyenas, Rothschild giraffes, lions, Kobs and waterbucks as well as birds while enjoying the morning breeze and nature’s beautiful sounds. Head back to your lodge for a relaxed breakfast as you wait for the afternoon activity.
Later on, after having lunch, you will go for a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls. This Boat ride goes for about 3 hours in which time you will be able to see Nile crocodiles, numerous hippos, buffaloes, elephants as well as various bird species along the river banks.
In the evening, you will be driven to the top of the falls which is also known as Kabalega Falls. This is where the Nile forces its way through a gap in the rocks that is only 8 meters wide, and tumbles 43 meters before flowing Westward into Lake Albert. You will also learn that the outlet of Lake Victoria sends around 300 cubic metres per second of water over the falls, squeezed into a gorge less than 10 metres wide. Take photographs of this exciting moment with the gorgeous rainbow in the background if you are lucky enough to spot it lingering above the waters.
Dinner and overnight stay:
Red Chilli Rest Camp (below budget)
Pakuba Safari Lodge (on budget)
Chobe Safari Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park, Amabere caves and crater lakes hike
Before setting off for Kibale Forest National park, you will have a delicious breakfast, freshen up for the day and check out of your lodge. On your way, you will have a stop-over at Amabere caves (Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru). These caves are a unique tourist attraction that are made of stalactites and stalagmites.
The name Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru is translated as the breasts of Nyina Mwiru and the caves are said to be a site that is full of historical stories which are highly valued by the locals.
You will also go for a crater lakes hike (to the nearby crater lakes) before proceeding to your lodge in Kibale Forest National park. When you arrive at the lodge, you will be welcomed and taken to your room by the friendly and professional staff members. Lastly, you will have dinner, meditate about your various safari moments so far (if you like) and then retire to your bed for a peaceful night’s rest.
Accommodation:
Chimpanzee Guest House (below budget)
Kibale Forest Camp (on budget)
Primate Lodge Kibale (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After preparing for the day’s adventure, you will meet your tour guide at the park head office for a briefing. Then, you will enter the rain forest to start searching for the chimpanzees – humans’ closest cousins. The activity of searching will take you 2-5 hours and later, when you meet them, you will have only 1 hour to interact and take pictures with them. One hour may seem to be a short time given that there is a lot to learn about these precious creatures. However, there is no need to worry because every minute in their presence will be totally worth it.
After tracking, you will be transferred to Queen Elizabeth National park with a stop-over for lunch along the way. On arrival, you will check into your hotel for a relaxed evening, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Pumba Safari Camp (below budget)
Twin Lakes Safari Lodge (on budget)
Mweya Safari Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 5: Morning game drive, afternoon boat cruise and a coffee tour.
As soon as you wake up and freshen up for the day, you will have a hot cup of coffee and then head out for an early morning game drive.
During your game drive in the plains of Kasenyi, you will get an opportunity to come face to face with various savannah wildlife that may include herds of buffaloes, antelopes, elephants and if you are lucky, some wild cats such as lions and leopards.
After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for a relaxed and delicious breakfast.
In the afternoon, you will have lunch and then head out for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Expect to see hippos, elephants, buffaloes and Nile crocodiles drinking and bathing from the channel as you enjoy the breeze and the beautiful scenery all around you.
Thereafter, you will go for a coffee tour. 10 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari, This is where you will get a chance to visit the coffee plantation in the area which is a project for the Omwami Women’s Cooperative. You will also witness the processing of coffee beans using hands at the communal coffee processing plant.
Dinner and overnight:
Pumba Safari Camp (below budget)
Twin Lakes Safari Lodge (on budget)
Mweya Safari Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha sector for tree climbing lions.
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is famous for the endangered mountain gorillas. This national park is home to almost half of the population of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. You will pass through the Ishasha sector found in the Southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, legendary for its tree climbing lions as you embark on your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Broadbill Forest Camp (below budget)
Gorilla Mist Camp (on budget)
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 7: Gorilla trekking and Batwa trail experience
On this day, you will have an early breakfast and head to the park office headquarters with your packed lunch for a vital briefing prior to the trekking of the gorillas in the thick impenetrable forest. You will get to spend an hour with the gorillas after having trekked for about 2 to 8 hours. After having your packed lunch, you will go for the Batwa Cultural visit. You will get an opportunity to explore the culture and way of life of the local people (the Batwa). Check out the souvenir shops where you can buy some crafts that are made by the women in the community for instance mats and baskets, visit the local children’s school and explore the way of life of this unique group of people.
Dinner and overnight stay:
Broadbill Forest Camp (below budget)
Gorilla Mist Camp (on budget)
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Mutanda and sunset cruise
After preparing for your day, you will have breakfast and then transfer to Lake Mutanda. Interestingly, this lake is known for being a little jewel, hidden in the mountainous landscape of South Western Uganda. It is simply one of the most scenic lakes in the whole of Africa. 10 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari, The lake also attracts various bird species to the shores which can fill the heart of a bird lover with so much joy!
Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Later in the evening, you will head out for an exciting sunset cruise on Lake Mutanda. The combination of cruising on the lake, with the cool breeze brushing against your hair and skin while watching the stunning sunset and the spectacular scenery all around is one to die for!
After the cruise, you will return to your lodge for dinner and a good night’s rest.
Accommodation:
Gorilla Hills Eco-Lodge (below budget)
Mutanda Lake Resort (on budget)
Chameleon Hill Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 9: Island exploration and crafts experience
The fresh clear water of Lake Mutanda is dotted by at least 15 islands and is ringed by beautiful scenery of sprawling highlands clad with green vegetation, plantations and terraces of crops along the slopes. Additionally, this amazing scenery is set against a stunning back drop of the cloudy peaks of the Virunga mountain volcanoes.
During the island exploration, you will visit islands such as the Punishment island, the Python island, Mutanda Island and several others. You will also get an opportunity to learn more about the history of these islands and their connection with the culture and tradition of the local community.
In the afternoon, after having your lunch, you will go for the crafts experience at your lodge. Some of the activities that you will take part in will including wood curving a gorilla, weaving a traditional basket and preparing a traditional dish.
Accommodation:
Gorilla Hills Eco-Lodge (below budget)
Mutanda Lake Resort (on budget)
Chameleon Hill Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 10: Transfer to Kampala/ Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight back home
This day will mark the end of your 10 Days Uganda safari. After having breakfast and packing up all your belongings, you will check out of your lodge and embark on your journey back to Kampala/ Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home. Along the way, you will make a stop-over for lunch and souvenir shopping.
End of safari
Inclusions
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- Golden monkey trekking permits
- Gorilla trekking permits
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional English speaking guide
- A comprehensive safari vehicle
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- Fuel for the entire journey with unlimited milage
- All Taxes/VAT
- Round-trip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water (On all days)
Excluded
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc)
- The government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
NB:
The inclusions and exclusions of the safari can be handled depending on your preferences.
We can provide a professional tour guide that speaks any other language (of your choice) apart from English.
Ensure to follow all the necessary COVID 19 and Ebola travel guidelines to ensure that you are in a safe and healthy condition during your safari with us. One of our major priority is to provide the best possible safety and comfort during your tour, so please rest assured that you will be in safe hands.
Some of the travel guidelines include wearing and carrying a sufficient number of surgical masks, moving with an alcohol based hand sanitizer, vaccination against COVID 19 or taking a PCR test and several others. Book with us today and get the safari of your dreams!
