15 days: (visit all National Parks, Local people, wildlife, gorilla, chimps and more – Highlights of Uganda)
Visit all hotspots during this 15 day tour of Uganda. During your safari, you will be accommodated in comfortable luxurious or middle class hotels as you desire.
Day One; Arrival in Kampala
You will arrive at Entebbe International Airport where a Koala Eco Safaris representative will pick you up to start this Uganda Hotspot Safari and transfer you to a comfortable middle class hotel in Kampala. Depending on your time of arrival, you can enjoy a city tour around the historical, heritage and cultural sites of Kampala. This tour takes you around the Kasubi tombs – the burial place of four past kings of Uganda, The Uganda museum, cultural centers like home of the Ndere Troup who do cultural music and Dance. You might also visit the big places of worship like Rubaga, Namirembe, Gadaffi Mosque, Bahai temple, The Uganda martyrs shrine and others.
Return to Kampala for overnight stay at a comfortable middle class or luxurious Hotel.
Day Two; Kampala – Jinja
You will be transferred to Jinja to see source of The Nile- The longest River in the world. You can take a boat trip to the actual point where the Nile starts. After lunch, you will then transfer to Bujagali the spectacular rapids on the River Nile that are a few Kilometers from the source. Try the unforgettable emotion of white water rafting on the big grade 5 white water rapids of the Nile. Enjoy an evening tour of Jinja, the second largest industrial town in Uganda characterized by the Asian quarters, Brewery industries and colourful gardens. You can also visit the monument of Gandhi, the hindu temple and wind up for dinner and accommodation at the most comfortable hotel or lodge but most preferably Jinja Nile Resort.
Day Three; Murcison Falls Uganda
After breakfast, we depart early for a seven hours drive North West through Bombo to Murchison falls National Park, Uganda’s largest park with 3,800 Square Kilometers. After lunch in Masindi town, we will travel to the Top of the falls at the Baker’s summit. The panorama is fascinating, especially when reaching the Albertine Rift valley escarpment. At the top of the falls (Baker’s summit),Marvel at the spectacular Nile dropping in a wave of rapids into a 7metre wide Rock gorge on it’s way to the Albert Nile. Dinner and overnight will be at Paraa safari lodge, a very beautiful and comfortable place.
Day Four; Wild life Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
Today, you will enjoy an early morning game drive and afternoon launch cruise on The Nile. After breakfast, Early in the moving with the help of a ranger guide, we will take a considerable game drive that leads us to the personal acquaintance with the African animal Kingdom comprising of Elephants, Buffaloes, Uganda Kob, Oribi, Leopard, Hartebeest, Water bucks, Rothschild’s Giraffe, prides of Lions and other game plus many Bird species like the night jar. It is only here that you can trail wild life with an armed rangers guide.
After a hearty lunch at Paraa safari lodge, we will take a sundowner cruise to the bottom of the falls, carefully watched by schools of Hippos, Crocodiles, Buffaloes, Apes, a variety of birds and other animals that come to quench their thirst in the Nile. We navigate to the bottom of the 40metres high Murchison falls which approaches us with a thunderous sound. You will enjoy a hearty dinner and finish the night with a little camp fire.
Day Five; Kibale Safari Uganda
After breakfast, we set off for a 7hours drive from Murchison falls through FortPortal to Kibale Forest. You will enjoy your lunch in Fort Portal a beautiful town that is like fairy–like. Marvel at the many hills surrounded by small villages and picturesque green Tea plantations. On the horizon you can see the massive Mountain Rwenzori. We are eventually welcomed into the “world of Apes–Kibale forest”. You can enjoy a nocturnal walk late in the evening in the Kibale forest in search of Bush babies, Galagos and pottos.
Enjoy your dinner and comfortable accommodation at Ndali lodge or Mountains of the moon hotel. Alternatively you can settle for middle class accommodation in Bandas or a tree house but watch out; a herd of trespassing forest Elephants might wake group in the middle of the night.
Day Six; Chimp Tracking in Kibale Forest
Kibale forest roughly covers 770square kilometers; there are a variety of Chimpanzees, (twelve different species) other Game includes; Monkeys, Buffaloes, Duikers and the rare forest Elephants. Set off early in the morning, with the guide of a ranger, embark on a morning trek for chimpanzees While treking you will also encounter, Grey–cheeked Mangabeys, Olive Baboon, Red tailed monkey, Black and White Colobus monkeys and other animals plus plenty of Flora and Fauna. An eye to eye contact with the chimpanzees will be the highlight of this wonderful jungle trip. After lunch travel for 3 hours to the crater area in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Enjoy the scenic surrounding area characterized by numerous “Crater lakes” of volcanic origin, while approaching the Park, we will come across large numbers of Gazelle, Water bucks, Warthogs, Lions and others. Dinner and night accommodation will be at Mweya Safari lodge/Jacana camp or the Ecology hostels.
Day Seven; Queen Elizabeth National Park Tour
Starting today, we embark on a Safari that traces the Western Rift valley in the heart of Africa, and tour The oldest& second largest National Park in Uganda – Queen Elizabeth. It is located at the base of the massive Rwenzori Mountains, adjacent to lakes Edward& George, covered by Savannah plains that provide an abundance of Game viewing; Elephants that trumpet when you get too close, lazy Leopards laying in the sun, abundant Gazelle and buck, Lions, Buffaloes, Hippos and others.
After lunch, enjoy an exciting launch trip along the Kazinga channel, a natural channel which connects Lake Edward to Lake George. View Buffaloes, Elephants, Waterbucks, Crocodiles and the highest concentration of Hippos plus a variety colourful species of Water birds like Crested Eagles, Pelicans and Cormorants – an Amazing diverse collection of the African animal Kingdom. An optional evening game drive to the Northern sector of the Park – Kasenyi plains to view Lions and Leopards is also possible Dinner and overnight accommodation at Jacana camp, Ecology hostels or luxurious Mweya safari lodge.
Day Eight;
After breakfast, we will have a morning travel to Maramagambo Forest for a nature walk along trails, to the Bat caves and the Blue lake. You will be able to view some Primate species, a host of forest bird species. Albertine rift Endemics, colourful butterflies and others. Take a game drive in the evening in search of wild Game like Lions, Hyenas, Elephants and others.
Dinner and over night accommodation at Jacana Camp, Ecology hostels or Mweya safari lodge for an Upgrade.
Day Nine; Kyambura Gorge
Enjoy your breakfast and final day in this beautiful Savanah grassland of Queen Elizabeth National Park -Truly the ‘Africa of discovery!’ Accompanied by a guide, we head out to the green paradise Kyambura gorge covered by Tropical rain forests hidden in a deep Gorge. We will trek for chimpanzees and encounter other Tropical animal species like snakes and monkeys. After a lunch picnic, we head out to the “little Switzerland of Africa”- To lake Bunyonyi “The most beautiful lake in the world: where you will enjoy the beautiful view of the Lake as the sun sets on its shores and ‘bird lit Ever green Islands’. Dinner and accommodation will be at a comfortable Camp or lodge as you desire.
Day Ten; Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi is one of the deepest lakes in Africa and is referred to as “The most beautiful” Lake by BBC. It is covered by ever green Tropical islands. You will spend the whole day peddling, you will also visit the Island that acted as a Leper asylum in the 1950’s on a man made tree canoe, swimming, relaxing, taking pictures and enjoying this idyllic bird–Island. You will enjoy meals at the top of one hill over looking the Lake providing you with a cooling magnificent view. Later in the evening, watch the sunset on the bird colourful shores of this beautiful Lake. You will enjoy another night in the most comfortable lodge/cottages/inn on one of the islands with the view of the beautiful surroundings of the Lake.
Day Eleven; Kisoro
After an early breakfast we peddle on canoe to the main land and set off for Kisoro, a 3hours trip through Green hilly landscape. We will encounter friendly people and small villages; the stunning winding road leads us from civilization to a world of Primates. Kisoro is a quiet District which borders The Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla Parks. You will enjoy a quiet afternoon in Kisoro engage in a community or natures walk; learn more about Gorillas and culture of the inhabitants of Kisoro District. Dinner will be served early enough to prepare you for the big day tomorrow. Your accommodation will be at the most comfortable hotel/lodge or camp. An upgrade can be at the famous Traveller’s Rest Hotel (where Diane Fossey stayed during her Gorilla studies) or Mt. Gahinga lodge.
Day Twelve; Gorilla Tracking!!
After an early breakfast and briefing from the guides, set off for Gorilla tracking in the forest sanctuary. You need to carry packed Lunch, Drinking water, Jungle boots and Rain Jacket while the rangers will provide you with a walking stick. We head out searching for Gorilla signs, walking and crawling through the steep jungly Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Look out for Gorilla trails of dung, damaged bamboo shoots and Gorilla nests which will eventually bring us face to face with an earth shaking 350-pounds Silver back or baby Gorilla .Watch the Gorillas walk around, Play, Eating bamboo and Chest beating. You will be silently allowed to approach them until the distance is down to only 3 or 4 meters and you can almost touch them!
It is really an Amazing experience, one you can never forget for you will encounter; A mature female Gorilla enjoying her bamboo shoot, A male troop leader- A Giant Silver back watching us carefully in Strange low rumbling noises from the back his throat as if communicating with our guide asking if “We are not a Threat!” An infant Gorilla is curious to see and touch us, as such comes close and at times touches one of us or climbs a tree, hangs from a branch and uses the other hand to offer a handshake. The Gorillas observe us as we observe them, looking deep into their pensive brown gentle eyes. Quite thrilling and amazing!! A chance to see the Gorillas is not cheap; it costs $ 500, however every one agrees, “It’s unquestionably worth the money.”
In the afternoon an optional activity could be a brief excursion around Kisoro for a Community walk below the Mount Muhavura where you will be entertained by cultural dances and you will also enjoy sight seeing of flora and fauna, the beautiful sunset on the forest. Dinner and accommodation at the Mt.Gahinga lodge Or Travelers Rest Hotel.
Day Thirteen; Cultural Tour(Meet the pygmies)
After breakfast in the morning with the help of a guide, we will take a short hike through The Muko hills after which we will come face to face with The pygmies who welcome us into their Pygmy – existence with Traditional Songs & Dances. The pygmies are of different groups; our encounter will be with the Batwa pygmies who form an exclusive group in Uganda, living in secluded areas in the hills between the Bamboo forests. We get to know more about their existence, we see how they live, sleep and go about daily activities. As they live in very poor circumstances any gift is welcome. Later in the afternoon we will head out to the “Switzerland of Africa” - The road from Kisoro to Kabale is scenic as it winds down hills then up another hill. We will make a stop over in Kabale visit the Bakiga museum home of Edirisa and view the beautiful hilly country-side of terraced gardens and farms. Dinner and accommodation will be in Kabale town at the most comfortable hotel or inn.
Day Fourteen; Kampala
After breakfast, we embark on an 8hours journey back to Uganda’s capital Kampala- an impressive vibrant busy place. You will be able to relax and recover from the exciting trip at the most comfortable hotel located on one of the seven hills of Kampala. Those who want to explore Uganda’s night life get a chance to visit Uganda’s towns that “Never sleep” Kabalagala, Kasanga and Wandegeya where you can enjoy a disco or night club if you desire.
Day Fifteen; Departure
You will be transferred to Entebbe international Airport leaving behind The “Beautiful pearl of Africa” and depending on your time of departure you can enjoy some souvenir shopping from the various craft shops around Kampala and Entebbe.
Includes; Gorilla tracking permits, 4wd Ground Transport, Gas, English speaking tour leader, Accommodation, Park entrance fees, Boat launches and boat trips all Chimp tracking permits and all excursions.
Excluded; Eating and drinking, Flight, Visa and Personal expenditures.
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