Overview:

This is an epic grand safari within Uganda; the Pearl of Africa, this tour will let you discover some of Uganda’s best spots and premier wildlife safari destinations. The country is not an ordinary safari destination, it offers sublime tourist experiences ranging from Big Game viewing wildlife safaris in the striking savanna plains, Mountain Gorilla and Golden Monkey primate tracking adventures, stunning sites that trigger you to show case your photography skills as well as adventure activities not missing out rafting on the world's longest river; the Nile or hiking some of the best places on the African continent.

On this 8 day Pearl of Africa - Uganda safari, you will track Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, gor for Golden monkey tracking and hiking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, watch the big game roaming the undulating savanna plains of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks.

Details

Note: On the day of arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly received by the company guide/ representative, who will transfer you to your overnight accommodation in Kampala. Depending on time of arrival, you may do a Kampala city tour visiting sites like Mengo [Buganda] palace, Uganda Martyrs shrine and the East African crafts and Art Gallery for Souvenir shopping. This maybe time/day to change your money. Overnight: Sheraton Hotel (premium) /Imperial Royale (luxury) or Cassia lodge (midrange) or Speke Hotel (Basic); Bed & Breakfast

Day 01: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla Park [Approximately 9hours drive].

Start-off this Uganda willife and adventure safari with an early breakfast at the hotel, meet with your guide here, receive briefing and then embark on an early drive southwest of the country to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. On this drive, you will break off in Kayabwe at the Equator for an introductory experience, here you will be exposed to a water try-out and enjoy some snap shots, later continue with the drive stopping off again for lunch in Mbarara town. Proceed further with the journe arriving in Kisoro in the evening, head to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight as you think of what is waiting for you to discover on this tour.

Meal Plan: Half Board: Overnight: Mount Gahinga lodge (Premium-Luxury) or Traveler’s Rest Kisoro (Midrange) or Kisoro Tourist Hotel (Basic).

Day 02: Hiking the volcanoes in Mgahinga National Park

Begin with an early breakfast at the lodge, with your packed lunch boxes transfer to the park headquarters where hiking will proceed from. Hiking starts from Ntebeko, you will hike one of the 3 volcanos in the park that is; Muhavura at 4127m, or Sabinyo at 3669m or Gahinga at 3474m, depending on your fitness and strength, the activity lasts through the entire day and therefore a picnic lunch will be enjoyed. Trails to the summit reward you with forest species like birds, primates, glorious views of lakes and agricultural villages. The summits of the volcanos command views within neighboring Rwanda and DR Congo.

Meal Plan: Full Board Overnight:Mount Gahinga lodge (Premium-Luxury) or Traveler’s Rest Kisoro (Midrange) or Kisoro Tourist Hotel (Basic).

Day 03: Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga and head to Bunyonyi.

Start with an early breakfast, transfer to Ntebeko visitor center from where you will start off the Golden monkey tracking experience. These are some of the most endangered species and can be traced in the beautiful Bamboo forests of the Virunga ranges, look out for these primates in the wilds of Mgahinga on the trek, once you find them, you spend an hour watching them and later retreat to the start point. Head to the lodge, have lunch and transfer to Bunyonyi, a lake known for its glittering beauty.

Meal Plan: Full Board [FB] Overnight: Bird Nest @ Bunyonyi Resort (Premium) or Bunyonyi Safari Resort (Luxury) or Arcadia lodge (Midrange) or Crater Bay Cottages (Basic).

Day 04: Canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi and transfer to Bwindi [Approx.3 hours]

After breakfast at the lodge, transfer for a morning breathtaking canoe ride along the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi. The 2-3 hours boat experience rewards you with stunning views of the terraced Kigezi Highlands and will let you explore some of the 29 Islands that the lake harbors. You will return to the lodge in the afternoon for lunch, check-out and head northwards to your booked accommodation at Bwindi.

Meal Plan: Full Board [FB] Overnight: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp/ Bwindi lodge (Premium) or Buhoma lodge (luxury) or Silverback lodge (midrange) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (basic).

Day 05: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Have an early breakfast and then transfer to the park headquarters with your packed lunch boxes, you will receive briefing from the ranger and then enter the forest for the day’s ultimate Gorilla tracking adventure. Trekking is such a challenging activity, characterized by steep and slippery terrain as well as tangled vegetation, it’s a park where only the brave can penetrate. Look out for the Mountain Gorillas and once you find them, an hour will be allowed in their presence. Tracking can last just for a few hours or through the whole day depending on where these Apes are located and their movements, return to the lodge where dinner and overnight will be. Meal Pan: Full Board [FB].

Day 06: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park [Approx. 4 hours drive]

Have breakfast at the lodge, leave Bwindi and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park, entering through the Southern section known for the famous Ishasha sector hosting the tree climbing Lions. Drive through on a safari game drive looking out for these elusive species lying in tree branches, stalking their prey or as they move through the grasses planning their hunt. Head to the lodge where your dinner will be.

Meal Plan: Full Board [FB] Overnight: Kyambura Gorge lodge/Mweya Safari lodge (Premium) or Elephant Plains/ Ishasha Wilderness camp (Luxury) or Buffalo Safari lodge/ Ishasha Jungle lodge (Midrange)] or Bush lodge/ Simba safari camp (Basic).

Day 07: Game drive and launch trip in Queen Elizabeth.

Start with breakfast and hit the savanna plains for a gaem viewing wildlife session in this gem of a park. The savannas are crammed with a number of wildlife such as; Uganda Kobs, Warthogs, the giant African Elephants and Buffalos among others, that present dream photo opportunities in the African wilderness. In the afternoon after your lunch break, you will go for a luxurious way of enjoying the wilderness, on a launch trip along the Kazinga channel, leading you past the enormous Hippo schools, these are opportune moments to spot Caimans, Monitor lizards, Buffalos and birds like Marabou Storks along the shores. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Full board [FB] Overnight: Kyambura Gorge lodge (Premium) or Elephant Plains lodge (Luxury) or Buffalo Safari lodge (Midrange) or Simba safari camp (Basic).

Day 08: Game drive and head to Kibale Forest National Park [Approx. 3 hours drive]

Begin with a hearty breakfast, proceed for yet another game drive, to explore the park diversity. This is an opportune moment to add on your game count and later in the afternoon, proceed to Kibale Forest National Park. Check-in at your lodge on arrival where you will relax for the next day Uganda safari adventure, dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Full board [FB] Overnight: Ndali lodge (Premium) or Crater Safari lodge /Primate lodge (Luxury) Primate lodge (Midrange) or Kibale Forest Camp (Basic).

Day 09: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest and crater field hiking.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters at Kanyancu for an interesting Chimpanzee tracking expedition. Receive briefing from the ranger and at 08:00hours, you will set into the forest to track these delightful species. The forest is diverse, therefore, expect to see a number of creatures, an hour is accorded to you once you meet them and later retreat to the start point, from here, head back to the lodge. After lunch head to Fort Portal to explore the Ndali crater field, the summits reward you with striking views of the crater lakes.

Meal Plan: Full Board [FB]. Overnight. Kyaninga lodge (Premium -Luxury) or Mountains of the moon (Midrange) or Koi Koi Cultural village (Basic).

Day 10: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park [Approx. 8 hours drive]

After an early breakfast, checkout from the lodge and continue northwards through the greater Bunyoro region, you will have a lunch break in Masindi and continue to the park arriving in the evening hours, proceed to the lodge where your dinner and overnight will be. Relax here for the next day adventure.

Meal Plan: Full Board [FB], Overnight. Nile Safari lodge (Premium) or Paraa safari lodge (Luxury) or Pakuba safari lodge (Midrange) or Heritage safari lodge (Basic).

Day 11: Launch trip and savannah game drive.

Start with an early breakfast, transfer to Paraa; the tourism hub and prepare to take part in the morning launch trip along the majestic river Nile, culminating into a frontal display of the astonishing falls. The trip rewards you with views of; Nile Crocodiles, and Hippopotamuses among other game, as well as birds that linger along the banks and in trees nearby. Have lunch in the afternoon and later go for a game drive on the northern bank where you will see variety of game.

Meal Plan: Full board [FB] Overnight: Paraa safari lodge (luxury) or Pakuba Safari lodge (midrange) or Heritage safari lodge (basic). 

Day 12: Travel back to Kampala [Approx. 6 hour drive]

Have an early breakfast at the lodge, later drive out of the park and transfer to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary in Nakasongola, at the sanctuary, you will get chance to track the Rhinos (a member of the African big Five) on foot with the guidance of a ranger. Afterwards head back to Kampala, onward to the airport for your flight. Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch. End of Safari

Price Inclusion

*Park entrance fees *All activity fees unless labeled as optional *Gorilla trekking permit, Chimpanzee and Golden monkey tracking Permits per person *Professional English Speaking guide/driver*Ground Transportation in 4X4 safari vehicle (Van for Basic or Midrange & Land cruiser for Luxury or Premium) *Round trip Airport or Hotel transfers *Drinking mineral water in the car *Amref Air Ambulance *Sanitzers while on Safari

Price Exclusions

*Tourist Visa fees (visa can be arranged on request) *Pre & Post Tour Accommodation [can be arranged on request] *Airline tickets [arranged on request] *Tips, Gratuities and expenses of personal nature *Travel insurance *Meals outside the itinerary.

 Contact Us for low season discounts and save more on your trip. April, May and November. For Inquiries, To customize your trip or if more than 6 pax, or request for a quotation> safaris@avenstravelworld.com