Safari Itinerary:

Day 1: Begin Your Wildlife & Primates Safari Adventure with a Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park and an Enchanting Trek at Kaniyo Pabidi.

We drive from Kampala or Entebbe to the majestic Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park for wildlife & primates safari adventure. This expansive wilderness is a haven for diverse African savannah flora and fauna, nestled alongside the mighty River Nile. The park derives its name from the breathtaking Murchison Falls, where the world’s longest river dramatically cascades through a narrow gorge in the Rift Valley escarpment, creating a thunderous spectacle as it plunges into a frothy pool 43 meters below. Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of nature as you witness this magnificent phenomenon in the heart of the park.

The wildlife populations, once threatened by the poaching crisis of the 1980s, have made significant recoveries. In the lush grasslands to the north of the Nile, encounters with elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and various antelope species are common during game drives. The presence of lions is increasingly observed, adding to the thrill of the safari experience. Venturing southeast, Rabongo Fo

rest unveils a different facet of the ecosystem, serving as the residence for chimpanzees and other captivating rainforest creatures. This area provides a unique opportunity to witness the diverse wildlife that has rebounded, showcasing the resilience of the region’s ecosystems in the face of conservation challenges.

The Victoria Nile, coursing through this remarkable landscape, hosts one of Africa’s most concentrated populations of hippos and crocodiles. The riverbanks come alive with a stunning array of waterbirds, presenting a mesmerizing spectacle. Notably, this region boasts the world’s most accessible wild population of the rare shoebill stork, providing a unique opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. As the day comes to a close, enjoy a delightful dinner and settle in for an overnight stay, immersed in the sounds of the wild and the beauty of the surroundings.

Accommodation: (Full board basis)
Up-market: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge
Moderate: Sambiya River Lodge, Kabalegga Wildness/Twiga safari lodge
Lowest Price: Red Chilli Rest Camp

Day 2: The launch cruise along the River Nile Murchison Falls National Park.

Start your day with a comforting cup of coffee or tea, preparing yourself for an exciting morning of wildlife exploration. Embark on a 3-5 hour game drive along the northern bank of the majestic Nile River. Anticipate thrilling encounters with the Rothschild Giraffe, Jackson Hartebeest, majestic Elephants, powerful Lions, graceful Waterbucks, and a myriad of Savannah woodland birds. This immersive experience promises to be a feast for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike.

After the game drive, return to the lodge for a delightful mid-morning breakfast and a leisurely lunch. Take this time to relax and rejuvenate, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Ugandan landscape.

In the afternoon, prepare for a serene and scenic adventure as you embark on a launch cruise along the Victoria Nile. This tranquil boat ride takes you to the base of the iconic Murchison Falls.

As you gently cruise along the river, be captivated by the sight of hippos and crocodiles basking in the sun, along with other savannah wildlife quenching their thirst at the water’s edge. Keep your eyes peeled for the legendary Shoebill stork, a rare and majestic bird that may make a special appearance. The cruise also offers ample opportunities for birdwatching, with a variety of bird species gracing the skies.

As the day concludes, return to your lodge where a delicious dinner awaits. Bask in the tranquil atmosphere and the memories of a day filled with remarkable wildlife encounters. Retire to your comfortable accommodation for a restful overnight stay, ready to continue your wildlife & primates adventure in the heart of Uganda’s wilderness.

Accommodation: (Full board basis)
Up-market: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge
Moderate: Sambiya River Lodge Kabalegga Wildness/Twiga safari lodge
Lowest Price: Red Chilli Rest Camp

Day 3: Another day for wildlife & primates/Chimpanzee Tracking at Kaniyo Pabidi

Early morning game drive on the northern Bank. Your guide will help you spot Elephant, Lion, Cape buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, hartebeest, Waterbuck, Oribi, Bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, hyena and if you are lucky, the leopard. After a packed lunch picnic, go for a boat safari upstream the calm Victoria Nile to the base of the falls stopping just tens of meters from the “Devil’s Cauldron”. En-route, marvel at the toothsome hippos, crocodiles and over this 17 km stretch you may see elephant, waterbuck and Uganda Kob.

This is also a zone of many bird species like Goliath heron, Egyptian goose, pelican bee- eater, kingfisher, hornbill, cormorant and the rare shoebill stork. After taking shots of photogenic Murchison Falls, return foorr breakfast and lunc and then in the afternoon you will head to Kaniyo Pabidi for Chimpanzee tracking.

The rangers will help you search for these chimps as they also give you information about the other primates that you will en counter. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: (Full board basis)
Up-market: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge
Moderate: Sambiya River Lodge
Lowest Price: Red Chilli Rest Camp

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park via Fort portal for an Unforgettable wildlife & primates Adventure – Chimpanzee Tracking.

Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, the best spot in the whole word for chimpanzee tracking with concentration of over 10,000 population and kibale national park  is the most accessible of Uganda’s major rainforests and yet home to remarkable 13 primate species, including the very localised red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey. You will have the opportunity to tranck habituated chimps .These delightful apes, more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, are awesome to watch as they bicker and have fun in fruiting trees. A network of shady forest trails provides much to glee botanists and butterfly lovers, while birders are in for a fragility with 335 species recorded including the endemic Prirogrine’s ground thrush.The elusive forest elephant, smaller and hairier than its savannah counterpart, budges seasonally into the industrial part of the park, while other earthly mammals include buffalo, giant forest hog and a half dozen antelope species. Retire for dinner and overnight at Lodge.

Accommodation:
Luxury: Ndali Lodge /Mountains of the moon Lodge
Moderate: Rwenzori view guest house/ Ataco
Budget: Chimps nest

Day 5: Primates/Chimps Tracking  Safari in Kibale Forest National Park.

At 8.00am we will start with 4 hours chimpanzee tracking during which you may also get to see  10 other primates species including l’hoestes, red colobus, blues, red tailed and gray-cheeked mangabey. Kibale Park is also known for all the butterflies and birds, The guide will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates, but on all the forest fauna and flora and will ensure that your walk is both informative and enjoyable.

Take lunch and in the afternoon we will walk through Bigodi Swamp (home to a community based project) a community owned incentive. Retire for dinner and overnight your lodge.

Accommodation: (Full board basis)
Up-market: Kyaninga Lodge or Primate Lodge Kibale
Moderate: Mountains Of The Moon Hotel
Lowest Price: Kibale Forest Camp

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for Wildlife Game and Boat on Kazinga Channel.

Take breakfast and then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes 2-4 hours, A game drive en route may be rewarded with views of  acacia trees, lions, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena and a variety of antelope, Bird species and alot of other alot of other wildlife savannah flora and fauna species, In the afternoon you will go for a boat -cruise along Kazinga Channel, a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George. Expect to get exposed to a bird sin abundance both typical and migrants and the highest concentration of hippos in Africa.

This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and many animals that may be seen drinking at the water’s edge. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colorful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species. Dinner and overnight stay at Lodges.

Accommodation:
Luxury Mweya safari lodge/ Jacana safari Lodge/ Kyambura wildlife lodge
Moderate Hippo hill Camp
Budget Albertine River camp

Day 7: Two Game Drives today at Queen Elizabeth National  Park for Wildlife Game viewing.

Wake up early in the morning for a game drive to search for the early risers. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzoris as a backdrop provides excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, giant forest hog, cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi and bush buck. These two game drives and the boat trip (taken prior) are a memorable method of discovering a vast array of Ugandan wildlife.

Day 8: Game drive and Launch cruise Queen Elizabeth National Park and A visit Katwe crater lakes for Salt Mining.

We take on a morning game drive in search of the wild game . The drive will provide excellent scenic view of the great Lakes of Lake Edwards and Lake George, then also their gutter-the great Kazinga channel. In the game drive, expect elephants, lions, buffaloes, kobs, the Python, hyenas, warthogs, birds, hippos etc. Return to the lodge for mid morning breakfast and then have lunch .You will visit the crater lakes region, Katwe salt mines to see how salt is traditionally mined in Uganda. Then later transfer for dinner and overnight  at your hotel.

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Budget: Albertine river camp,simba safari camp

Moderate: Hippo Hill Luxury tented camp

Up market: Mweya safari Lodge / Kyambura Wildlife reserve / Jacana Safari Lodge

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Budget : Albertine river camp,simba safari camp

Moderate : Hippo Hill Luxury tented camp

Up market : Mweya safari Lodge / Kyambura Wildlife reserve / Jacana Safari Lodge

Day 10: Queen Elizabeth National Park and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable forests for Mountain Gorilla trekking.

You will drive through the seasonal southern sector of Queen Elizabeth known as Ishasha. Here we will take lunch by the Ishasha River if time permits and after searching for the famed Ishasha tree-climbing lions before continuing to Bwindi, home to the few remaining mountain gorillas. If you are tracking gorillas in the southern part of Bwindi , you will not be able to drive via this sector to shorten the drive between Kisoro and Queen Elizabeth national park. Bird life and primate life in the Bwindi national park is quite superb, and there is an incredible variety of flora. Some bird watchers refer to Bwindi as a bird heaven! It holds 348 species of birds and supports 24 of 26 Albertine Rift Endemics that occur in Uganda; and seven red data book species.

Once continuous with the forests of the Virunga Volcanoes (Dian Fossey’s stomping ground), Bwindi is now an ecological island, surrounded by cultivation on the rich volcanic soils.

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Budget: Buhoma Community Bandas(self contained cottages)

Moderate: Lake Kitandara Camp, Engagi lodge

Up Market -Gorilla Forest camp/ Gorilla resort camp Clouds lodge.

Day 11: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Take breakfast, with your packed lunch and all your trekking gear etc, go to the starting point for briefing by a ranger guide. Enter the gorilla sanctuary for your tworld premier wildlife encounter and adventure – mountain gorilla Tracking. The beauty of this rain forest is magnificent, The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but criss-crossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great giant primates. The thriller of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored. Many find it to be a rare and moving experience! Whether you track the M group or the N group, you will not find wildlife experience quite as exhilarating or emotional. Return to your lodge for resting or Batwa cultural community visit.

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Budget: Buhoma Community Bandas(self contained cottages)

Moderate: Lake Kitandara Camp, Engagi lodge

Up Market – Gorilla Forest camp/ Gorilla resort camp Clouds lodge.

Day 12: Transfer to Rwanda from Uganda for Another Exciting gorilla trekking Safari Tour.

After breakfast, drive across the Uganda -Rwanda  Border . Have lunch en route and arrive at your lodge. You will check in and retire for dinner and overnight at Accommodation options available (all on full board basis) Budget: Kinigi Guest House / Muhavura Lodge Moderate: Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Up Market: Virunga Volcanoes Lodge

Day 13: Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes national Park in Rwanda.

An early morning breakfast is followed by a drive/ walk to Kinigi park headquarters for briefing , group allocation and orientation. This is followed by a drive to the trail heads where hiking and trekking up the hills to the bamboo zone begins. Hiking, trekking and tracking gorillas may take 3-10 hours. Sight and stay with the Gorillas for one hour. Dinner and overnight at your lodge Accommodation options available (all on full board basis) Budget: Kinigi Guest House / Muhavura Lodge Moderate : Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Up Market :Virunga Volcanoes Lodge

Day 14: Optional activities

You can opt to relax on this day and enjoy the scenic views of the impenetrable forest. Or Visit a local community at USD 25 per person Or Do a nature walk in Bwindi Forest cat USD 75 per person Cycle through a  well-maintained trail from the park headquarters at Buhoma to the Ivi River @ USD 50. This is organised by the community under the “Ride for a woman ” project.

Day 15: Bwindi Impenetrable national Park – Kisoro

Transfer to Kisoro and refresh at the lodge and later visit the pygmies’ communities and can alternatively go for a walk to Lake Mutanda. Budget:  Tourist Hotel (BB), travelers rest hotel Mid range and Luxury :  Mt Gahinga Volcanoes Lodge

Day 16: Kisoro – Mgahinga National Park/ Golden Monkey Trek

Wake up relatively early for a cheerful breakfast to give you the energy needed for golden monkey trek  Before 8:00 am report to the ranger station for registration and a briefing by one of the rangers who will also guide you through the bush to track the golden monkeys in Mgahinga national park . Once you encounter the golden monkeys. you will be allowed to spend 1 hour following them and taking pictures and then later return to the starting point. Overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 17: Kisoro- Lake Bunyonyi

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi on of the deepest and among the most beautiful lake in Uganda. You go for a nature walk, boat ride to akpene island which is the punishment island. Where they used to punish women who would get pregnant before marriage . Luxury; Birdnest Bunyonyi Midrange; Arcadia cottages. Budget; Bunyonyi Overland camp

Day 18: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park

Very early in the morning after breakfast, drive for about 4 hours to Lake Mburo National Park for your game drive so that you can see the zebras, topees, elephants, elands, impalas, buffaloes, antelopes, etc. In the afternoon go for a boat trip .

Luxury; mantana luxury tented camp / Mihingo Lodge

Mid range; Arcadia cottages/ Lake Mburo safari lodge

Budget; Rwonyo rest camp

Day 19: Lake Mburo national park for wildlife $ primates safari and boat cruise.

Go for a horseback ride in Lake Mburo national park as you search for wildlife and then later transfer to Kampala and proceed to Jinja. The drive will take 4 hours. Overnight at Basic- Source of the Nile Guest House. Moderate- Gately on the Nile. Luxury – Jinja Nile resort.

Day 20: Water Rafting on the Nile River and Bungee jumping

In the morning you will transfer to the rafting start point to raft for a day and then later you will return to the starting point. Lunch is provided  and if you wish to take pictures during the rafting experiences, these are provided by the rafting company. Overnight at Spake Hotel Kampala, or fairway Hotel Kampala.

Day 21: Kampala City Tour-Historical city of Uganda.

Embark on an enriching journey through the heart of Kampala with our knowledgeable tour guide as your companion. Begin your exploration of Uganda’s capital city by visiting its hot spots, historical landmarks, and captivating areas of touristic interest.

Sites will include: Bulange and Lubiri, Buganda-Parliament-Bulange, Kasubi Tombs, Gadhafi Mosque, Uganda Museum, Bahai Temple, Craft markets (Buganda Road or national theater) Monuments, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Namirembe and Rubaga Cathedral, Local restaurants for lunch and finally, as your day of exploration comes to an end, our tour guide will facilitate your transfer to the airport for your departure flight. This comprehensive tour ensures you experience the best of Kampala, blending cultural immersion with historical discovery and culinary delights.

With comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and the thrill of exploration, the 21 Days Wildlife & Primates Safari beckons adventurers to experience the best of Rwanda and Uganda. Join us on this transformative journey where the heart of Africa beats in rhythm with the pulse of its vibrant and untamed landscapes.

END OF THE 21 DAY WILDLIFE & PRIMATES SAFARI Holiday.