14-DAYS UGANDA WILDLIFE AND PRIMATE EXPERIENCE SAFARI

• Uganda safaris

This 14-days Uganda wildlife and primate experience safari starts and ends at Entebbe international airport in Uganda. This Uganda safari involves exclusive primate experiences such as meeting eye-to-eye with the magical mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, and general wildlife encounters, boat cruises, cultural experiences, and horseback riding in the wilderness and visiting several ancestral places. It will take you to visit the most adventurous places in Uganda for the best eye-catching and memorial activities. While on this 14-days Uganda wildlife and primate experience safari, you will visit to Ziwa rhino sanctuary for white Rhino tracking experience, Murchison Falls national park to search for more wildlife species, explore the world’s strongest falls, “Murchison Fall”, and take a boat cruise on the River Nile, Kibale Forest National Park, “the primate capital of the world,” for a chimp trekking safari and cultural experience, Queen Elizabeth National Park, “a medley of wonders,” for wildlife encounters, a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel, and a game drive to search for tree-climbing lions, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, for mountain gorilla trekking experience, drive to beautiful Mgahinga gorilla national park for the golden monkey tracking and Batwa Pygmy cultural trail. Conclude your adventurous safari in Uganda with a visit to Lake Bunyonyi to relax, go for boat canoeing on this beautiful lake, and lastly, Lake Mburo National Park for a night game drive safari to explore the jungle at night and horseback riding in the wilderness. During your 14-days tour in Uganda, you will explore the most scenic places, rolling hills, big plantations, meet many people, and see many wildlife species, including the big five mammals of the African Jungle (Elephants, Rhinos, Lions, Leopards, and Caped Buffaloes). We carefully selected the best activities to make this package eye-catching and for you to enjoy each minute you spend with us on this safari in the true African wilderness.

 

Detailed itinerary

 

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe international airport – Meet and greet and be transferred to your booked Hotel in Entebbe

 

On arrival at Entebbe international airport, you will be warmly met by a company representative with your professional English speaking safari guide for meet and greet and then be transferred to your booked hotel in Entebbe town to check in, freshen yourself and later meet with our company representative and safari guide at the hotel reception to brief you about your 14- Days Uganda wildlife and primate experience safari. The hotel is about 10-20 minutes’ drive from Entebbe international airport on the shores of Lake Victoria.

 

Later, if time allows, drive to Entebbe botanical gardens that is found on the shore of Lake Victoria for a walking safari. Botanical gardens is a home to some primates such as Vervet monkeys and several bird species. The walking safari will take you to the shores of Lake Victoria where you will spot some water birds,  enjoy the fresh breezes from the lake as well as getting used to the Uganda’s beautiful nature. Lake Victoria is the largest water body in Africa and second largest fresh water body in the world and shared by three East African Countries (Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya). Lake Victoria is also the source of the River Nile which is the longest river on the planet flowing for more than 6,600 kilometers (4,100 miles) from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea in the north through several African countries these include Uganda, Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan. Later, return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight.

 

Accommodation; Via Via Guest House (Standard), 2 Friends Beach Hotel (Mid-range), Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe (Luxury)

Meal plan; Dinner

 

Day 2: Entebbe city – Visit Ziwa Rhino sanctuary – Drive to Murchison Falls national park – Descend the Murchison Falls to the Bottom – Night game drive safari

 

Wake early in the morning (0630am), to have all your travel bags arranged, be served breakfast, check out of the hotel to meet your French-speaking safari, have all your bags packed in the vehicle, and then start your drive (0730am) to Murchison Falls national park, found in northwestern Uganda, about 320 km from Kampala. On your way, you will visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary found in the Nakasongola district for a white rhino tracking experience. The Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where you can see white rhinos in the wild. Once, Uganda had an adequate number of rhinos which were found in the Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls national parks, but they became nationally extinct due to numerous illegal human activities such as poaching and civil unrest in the early 1970s. Therefore, in 2005, the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary was established to facilitate the re-introduction of rhinos into Uganda’s wildlife inventory. During rhino tracking, you will have a chance to see them close to their feet with the help of the local site guide and spend a maximum of one hour with them. You will be allowed to take as many photos as you want, but you have to keep your camera on standby not to miss any great moments. After you have had an unforgettable experience with rhinos, relax with a bottle of water and drive to Kabalega diner to have lunch. Later, proceed with the drive to Murchison Falls National Park and visit the Murchison Falls to enjoy a breathtaking view of the falls and to enjoy the verbal burble of the falls as they drop into a pool of water. While at the Murchison Falls, you will see how the whole river Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge of only 7 meters wide, drops 43 meters into a pool, and then forms a strong thunderous sound that is so lovely.

 

After seeing the Murchison Falls, cross the River Nile and drive to your booked lodge to check in and spend your evening relaxing while preparing for your adventurous night game drive safari, which will boost your chances of encountering nocturnal animals and birds of the park such as lions, leopards, porcupines, civets, spotted hyenas, and the grazing hippos, among others, and forgetting the lovely sounds of wildlife species at night. On a lucky day, you may see predators hunting, which is one of the great wildlife experiences of the savannah. Murchison Falls National Park is the best savannah national park in Uganda for a night game drive. Dinner and an overnight

 

Murchison Falls National Park is a home to 76 recorded mammal species these include; Jackson’s hartebeest, Waterbucks, Hippopotamuses, Nile crocodiles, some primates like Chimpanzees, Olive baboons, Black and white colobus monkeys, Giraffes, Uganda kobs, Elephants, Caped Buffaloes, Lions, Leopards, Spotted hyenas, Civets, Warthogs, Oribis, Topis among others plus 450 recorded bird species such as the rare shoebill stork, Abyssinian ground hornbill, papyrus Gonolek, marabou stork, black bellied bustard, open billed stork among others. Dinner and an overnight

 

Accommodation: Hornbill Bush Lodge (standard), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range),   Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Meal Plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

 

Day 3: Murchison Falls national park – Morning game drive safari – Afternoon boat cruise along the River Nile – Spend your evening relaxing

 

Wake up very early to have a cup of coffee, get your packed breakfast and head to the northern sector of the park where superb game drive safaris are carried out. During the game drive, your safari guide will help you to spot several animals and share with you lot of information regarding various wildlife species that you will spot such as Caped buffalo, Elephants, Uganda Kobs, Jackson hartebeest, Roth child giraffes, oribis, Lion, Common warthogs some primates species on a lucky day, you may spot a leopard, have short break to enjoy your full breakfast and later proceed with your game drive to fully explore the park and be able to spot several wildlife species. Later early afternoon, leave the jungle and return to your lodge to relax, have lunch and then drive to Paraa gathering point for an afternoon boat cruise safari on the River Nile which starts at 02:00 pm. The boat cruise safari goes upstream from the calm Victoria Nile to the base of the Murchison falls stopping few meters from the ‘Devil’s Cauldron’ of the falls which will give you an amazing views of the fall and see how the River Nile drops into a pool. The boat cruise will take you through the zones of water mammals and birds like bloats Hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles, some birds like the Egyptian goose, goliath heron, kingfisher, pelican bee-eater, hornbill, cormorant, you may see some land mammals when they have come to drink water and swimming. After the boat drive back to your lodge and spend your night while relaxing, dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation: Hornbill Bush Lodge (standard), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range),   Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Meal Plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

 

Day 4: Murchison Falls national park – Drive to Kibale Forest national park – Visit Bigodi community for cultural experience

 

Today, after your fantastic breakfast, check out of your lodge and slowly drive through the park, across the River Nile, and then start your drive to Kibale Forest national park. Kibale forest national park is famously known for its biggest population of chimpanzees, amounting to more than 1500 individual chimpanzees, and some of these are well habituated for tourism and research. The park is also referred to as Africa’s primate capital, with 13 primate species recorded than any national park or wildlife reserve in Africa, hence making the park a primate lover’s haven. The park is also home to East Africa’s largest population of the threatened and rare L’hoest’s monkey and red colobus monkeys. While at Kibale forest national park, you will see several primates such as the black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, red-tailed olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and over 375 species of birds. Along the way to Kibale Forest national park, you will enjoy the spectacular views of tea estates, several forests, and the shadow of the legendary Rwenzori Mountain that forms a mystic backdrop to the beautiful volcanic landscape. On arrival at the park, check in at your booked lodge, refresh and then drive to Bigodi Sanctuary swamp and community.

 

Bigodi sanctuary swamp is punctuated by biodiversity and lovely sceneries, and is a paradise to bird lover’s with over 138 bird species and hosting eight species of primates these include the grey-cheeked mangabey, black-and-white colobus, l’Hoest’s and blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and olive baboons plus other mammals like Bushbucks and mongooses can also be found here. The swamp is managed by the surrounding local community wish a purpose of preserving exclusive environmental features along with the wetland for future generation. So, during this walk, you will have an opportunity to spot several monkeys, and bird species. The Bigodi community walk, will take you through the nearby community to have a chance to interact with local people to know how they harmoniously live with wildlife species, take you through how they locally to their daily activities without applying the modern technology such as making nice gins from banana, making delicious coffee and making art crafts. Dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation; Rwetera Safari Park (Standard), Isunga Safari Lodge (Mid-range), Crater Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Meal Plan; Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

 

Day 5: Kibale Forest national park – Chimpanzee tracking – Spend the evening at leisure

 

After breakfast, meet your safari guide and transfer to the park information offices to join other guests for a briefing about the dos and don’ts to follow while looking for chimpanzees in the forest, and how to behave around chimpanzees. Then embark on your guided forest walk to search for the intelligent chimpanzees, our closest relatives, sharing 98.8% of human DNA. During your forest walk, you may encounter other wildlife species, both mammals and bird species, such as other primates, bush pigs, and your guide will be able to give you a lot of interesting information about everything that you will encounter, which will make your walk so adventurous. Once you meet chimpanzees, you will spend with them a maximum of one hour to watch how they play in the tree branches, feeding and taking care of their babies and taking as many photos as you would want. After staying with the chimpanzees for an hour, return to the starting point to relax, have refreshments, and later spend the rest of your time relaxing with a sample community walking tour of the Nkuruba community. This tour will take you to explore the beautiful scenery around Lake Nkuruba, such as the Top of the World viewpoint, where you will have a breathtaking view of the tea plantations, crater lakes, villages, and then take a guided walk through our local villages where you will meet and greet the local people around the park and learn about the unique Ugandan culture and traditions, or you may decide to stay at your lodge and do some indoor activities. Dinner and an overnight.

 

Accommodation option: Rwetera Safari Park (Standard), Isunga Safari Lodge (Mid-range), Crater Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

 

Day 6: Kibale Forest national park – Crater Lakes exploration tour – Drive to Queen Elizabeth national park – Visit Lake Katwe salt mining community – Spend the evening at your leisure

 

Rise up to have a late breakfast (0800 am), meet your safari guide, and go for your crater lakes exploration tour. On your visit to the Crater Lakes, you will be able to encounter some of the most fascinating and wonderful African wildlife and spectacular scenery. It is recommended to reach some of the craters on foot. Kibale Forest National Park is a dream destination in Uganda to explore the Crater Lakes that cannot be found anywhere in the world as there are several magnificent Crater Lakes that are worth a visit. Most of these crater lakes were formed during the ancient volcanic activity in Uganda about 10000 years ago, which left behind several scenic crater lakes, most of which include the Kibale-Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lakes. These craters are among the few extinct volcanic features whose volcanic gases are said to have covered about 10 kilometers beneath them. The lakes feature a sulphuric smell and are characterized by green toxic water, which means that you shouldn’t try jumping into any Crater Lake water prior to finding out if it is safer for one to swim in it. After the crater lake exploration tour, have a short break to relax and then start your drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the most beautiful, scenic, and popular national parks in Africa that are best for an adventurous African safari. The park is remarkable for having the most diverse ecosystems that include humid forests, sparkling lakes, sprawling savanna, shady and fertile wetlands that make it an ideal habitat for 95 mammal species, including several big game (Elephants, Caped Buffaloes, Lions, Leopards), primate species such as chimpanzees, and 600 recorded bird species. On arrival at the park, have lunch, relax for some hours, and then visit Katwe community which is surrounding the salty Lake Katwe and their main economic activity is to extract salt from this lake. This is one of the most famous communities due to the traditional salt mining that has been practiced since the 16th century. While at Katwe salt mining community, you will have a chance to take part in salt mining and your local safari guide will give you much information about how they have managed to maintain their salt mining activities for decades. After the community tour, drive to check in at your booked lodge to spend you evening at leisure until time to have dinner and an overnight.

 

Accommodation option: Pumba Safari Cottage (Standard), Buffaloes Safari Lodge (Mid-range), Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Meal plan: Breakfast/ Lunch / Dinner

 

 

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth national park – Chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu forest – Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel – Spend the evening at leisure

 

After an early morning heavy breakfast, be driven to Kalinzu forest reserve head office to join other guests for the pre trekking briefings, be given a site guide and then start your second chimpanzee tracking safari from different environment. The second chimpanzee trekking safari will give you a chance to encounter chimpanzees from different and to have an extra experience of how these apes behave from different environments. Your experienced guide will help you to stop and identify several flora and fauna species resident in this forest and give you much information about everything that you will encounter. Once you find a community of the habituated chimpanzees, you will have a maximum of one hour to be with them as well as enjoying their engagements such as jumping in the tree branches, grooming their babies and you will be free to take as many photos as you would want for photography. After spending an hour with chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest reserve, return to the starting point to have a bottle of water to freshen yourself, drive back to your lodge to have lunch, relax and later depart for 2 hours’ Afternoon boat cruise safari along Kazinga channel the main water stream which goes through the park and connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. Boat cruise safari on the Kazinga Channel is one of the highly recommended adventurous activities to visitors of Queen Elizabeth national park. The cruise will bring you very close to several mammals such as the Hippos, Nile crocodiles and Buffaloes, Elephants and many others plus various water birds. The fantastic experience during 2 hours’ boat cruise safari along the Kazinga channel, makes a must do adventure to every guest to Queen Elizabeth national park. Later after the boat cruise safari along the Kazinga channel, return to your lodge to spend the evening relaxing. Dinner and an overnight back.

 

Accommodation option: Pumba Safari Cottage (Standard), Buffaloes Safari Lodge (Mid-range), Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Meal plan: Breakfast/ Lunch / Dinner

 

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth national park – Morning game drive – Game drive to search for the tree climbing – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park

After having your tasty breakfast, get all your luggage packed in the vehicle, check out of your lodge and then drive to Kasenyi plains found in the northeastern parts of park for the morning game drive safari in search of wildlife species. Queen Elizabeth national park is an understandably one of the Uganda’s most popular national park and an ideal habitat for classic big game such as the four mammals of the big five family of the African savannah (Lions, Leopards, Elephants and Buffaloes), several antelope species, primates and many others. Your safari guide will ensure that you spot as many wildlife species as possible and give much information about everything that you well encounter during your game drive. After the game drive, relax and then start the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park via Ishasha sector in the southern parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive to lookout for the unique tree climbing lions which are only found in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda with 4 prides, Lake Manyara of Tanzania with 2 prides and Kruger national park in South Africa. After the game drive, have lunch and proceed with the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park which is famous for being a home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and one of the Uganda’s ancient as well as the most biologically diverse rainforests that is over 25,000 years with almost 400 tree species that are forming the huge impenetrable forest that is ever green. It is a home to approximately 500 mountain gorillas, 120 mammal species such as numerous primate species and over 350 bird species.

 

Accommodation option: Broadbill Forest Camp (Standard), Bakiga Lodge (Mid-range), Mahogany Springs Lodge (Luxury)

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

 

Day 9: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park – Mountain gorilla trekking – Drive to Mgahinga gorilla national park

 

Day 9 of the 14-Days Uganda wildlife and primate experience safari, wake up early in the morning (0600am) to organize yourself, arrange the necessary equipment for mountain gorilla trekking such as cameras, binoculars, insect repellants, get well-dressed in a recommended style for mountain gorilla trekking like long khaki or jean trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, heavy-duty gloves, and round hats. Have a heavy breakfast, get your packed lunch boxes, get enough drinking water, and meet your safari guide to be transferred to the park information offices to be briefed about mountain gorilla trekking dos and don’ts, how to behave in the presence of mountain gorillas, and be allocated a mountain gorilla family to track and a UWA ranger and the forest guide. We would recommend you hire a porter to help you carry your packed bag and any other items you might need during the mountain gorilla trekking. After a pre-mountain gorilla trekking session, start your forest walk in search of the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.

 

The time taken before encountering your allocated mountain gorilla family is not known. However, it may be between 45 minutes and 4 hours depending on the movements and location of the gorilla family you are allocated. Therefore, you should be physically and mentally prepared to walk a long distance through the forest that is made of hills and with no clear walking trails that are only made at that particular time of tracking by your guide, depending on the direction that can easily lead you to the location of the gorilla family. That is why it is recommended to carry enough water to keep you hydrated and snacks to keep you with enough energy since you use a lot of energy when walking through the forest in search of mountain gorillas.

 

Once you encounter the mountain gorilla family, the excitement of seeing the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat will outweigh the hardships you went through while searching for them. A mountain gorilla family can be made up of several members, such as the giant silverback who is always the head and protector of the family, mothers, infants, and juveniles. The time you will spend with the mountain gorillas gives you an opportunity to learn about their behaviors, how they socialize, and be excited by their actions, like the playful babies, mothers grooming their babies, and Mr. Silverback, watching the situation silently as he is ready to protect the family from any kind of attack. You will spend a maximum of one hour with the mountain gorillas, and you will be free to capture as many photos and record videos as you want to keep your great memories with the mountain gorilla family in the jungle. After an hour with the mountain gorilla family, you will return to the trekking start point to receive your mountain trekking certificate in appreciation of your contribution to the conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda. Have some refreshments, enjoy your packed lunch, relax for some few minutes and then start your drive to Mgahinga gorilla national park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is found in southwestern Uganda, the smallest park and one of the only two national parks in Uganda where one can meet the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda. Mgahinga gorilla national park is the only park in Uganda where you can meet both the giant mountain gorillas and the beautiful golden monkeys. The park distinguishes itself from other gorilla parks by having three volcanoes, namely Gahinga, Sabinyo, and Muhabura, and the best places to meet the Batwa pygmy people. Dinner and an overnight stay

 

Accommodation option: Lake Mulehe Lodge (Standard), Lake Mutanda Resort (Mid-range), Mount Gahinga Lodge (Luxury)

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

 

Day 10: Mgahinga gorilla national park – Batwa cultural trail experience – Explore Lake Mutanda

 

Wake up very early in the morning to be served breakfast, have all your luggage packed in the vehicle, get your packed lunch from the lodge and check out of lodge to visit the Batwa pygmy people community for your great memorable cultural experience. The Batwa people used to stay in the forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga before both places were made national parks to protect the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and other wildlife species by Uganda Wildlife Authority. So, this left the Batwa people homeless and living unhappy life because they were not used to life without forests where they used to hunt small animals for meat, and gathering fruits. So, the Batwa trail was established to demonstrate the Batwa life style to the entire world and to preserve it for the Batwa feature generation to know the ancestral origin. The Batwa trail will take you way back into the indigenous lifestyle of the Batwa people through the forest the same way how they used to live in the forest these include demonstrating to you their hunting skills, how they used to build their houses using local materials, visiting the local doctor and colleting local herbs, visiting caves in the forest which used to be their hiding places during tribal wars, how to make fire from wood and later be entertained by the woman groups with their cultural dances and drama. After spending some time with the Batwa pygmy people, return to the lodge to have lunch, refresh yourself, and relax and later early evening go for an adventurous boat riding safari on Lake Mutanda.

Lake Mutanda is the best place to relax after mountain gorilla trekking and other activities at Mgahinga gorilla national park. During your tour to Lake Mutanda, you will do a boat canoeing tour in a dugout canoe with your local guide that will introduce you to the lake’s local life and explore several fascinating islands. After the boat canoe safari on Lake Mutanda, go for an Otter Viewing Experience, also known as “behind the scenes” at the Kaboko River Channel, found in the north of Lake Mutanda, where you will meet the clawless otters and get an up-close interaction with the clawless otter that is so unforgettable. Therefore, you have to keep your camera on standby to capture all your greeting moments with clawless Otters. Later, visit Kyangushu Island, also known as “the skeleton island”, the burial place of Kyangushu, and the largest island on Lake Mutanda. While on this island on a clear day, you will enjoy the most breathtaking view of the Bunagana-DR Congo border and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Thereafter, return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.

 

Accommodation option: Lake Mulehe Lodge (Standard), Lake Mutanda Resort (Mid-range), Mount Gahinga Lodge (Luxury)

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

 

Day 11: Mgahinga gorilla national park – Golden monkey trekking – Drive to Lake Bunyonyi

 

Rise up very early in the morning to get well-dressed in a recommend style while tracking primates such as water proof hiking boots, a rain jacket, long trouser and heavy duty gloves, you’re your camera, binoculars, wipes and other required equipment,  be served breakfast, get your packed snacks, meet your safari guide and then drive to the park information center of Ntebeko to meet other people to attend the pre-golden monkey tracking briefing by the park ranger guide about the dos and dots to following during golden monkey tracking, how to behave in the presence of golden monkeys and what to expect while searching for these beautiful primates and srat your forest walk in search of the golden monkeys. While searching for the golden monkeys, there are high chances of seeing other wildlife species such as the wild buffaloes and elephants, L’hoest monkeys, white and black colobus monkeys, several bird species and on a lucky, you may meet the giant mountain gorillas and your park guide will give you much information about everything you will encounter. Once you meet the golden monkeys, you will stay with them for a maximum of one hour while enjoying their exciting stubbornness as they swift in their movement unlike giant mountain gorillas. During your time with the golden monkeys, you will keep following them as they feed on vegetables and fruits in the bamboo forest of the park. You will be free to take as many photos and record videos as you would want and to ask questions to park guide about anything that you would want. After exploring the golden monkeys, return to the park starting point to meet your safari guide and enjoy your packed lunch, relax some time and then start later start your drive to Lake Bunyonyi one of the best place to visit and relax after mountain gorilla trekking and other activities.

 

Accommodation option: Bunyonyi Rock Resort (Standard and Mid-range), Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort (Luxury)

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

 

 

Day 12: Lake Bunyonyi – Morning boat canoeing – Drive to Lake Mburo national park – Evening and night game drive safaris

 

Today, wake up at your convenient time, be served breakfast and then go for a morning boat canoeing safari on Lake Bunyonyi which takes approximately 2 hours of the exploring the lake and visiting different islands of the lake with a local canoe guide who is well experienced about the places and all the things around. Lake Bunyonyi is framed with 29 islands of different size across the water making it view the most magical. Each of the 29 islands on Lake Bunyonyi has its unique interesting story behind it which your local guide will narrate to you during the canoeing safari such as the Akampene island also known as the “punishment Island” which was used by the Biga community to punish girls who would get pregnant before official marriage by isolating them there to death as a way to teach a lesson to the rest not to do the same mistake. So, poor men who could not afford to pay bride price, would go on this island to get free wives from amongst those that could have been exiled to this island. In an Africa society, it a disgrace for a girl to get pregnant before her official marriage and this would cause the family to lose its community respect so, this made parents to be strict to their girl children as a way of protecting them.

 

After canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi return to your lodge to check out and start your journey to Lake Mburo National Park with a stopover at Igongo cultural center to have lunch, tour the Museum one of the Uganda’s richest heritage with history, traditions, and lifestyle of the Ankole people and southwest Uganda that will take you centuries back about the life of the. Thereafter, proceed with the journey to the park to check in at your booked lodge and drive to the park for your evening and night game drives to spot some wildlife of the park such as the beautiful Zebras, Impalas, Elands, Topis, other species of Antelopes, Warthogs, Caped buffaloes, Giraffes. Have a short break to relax and proceed with the night game drive which will boost your chances to see the nocturnal mammals of savannah such as the spotted hyenas, Leopards, Civet, African rock python, Porcupine, Bush babies among others which are very difficult to see during day game drives. It is an interesting experience out at night and Lake Mburo is one of the best parks for a night game drive.

 

Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest savannah protected area in Uganda but highly endowed with floras and faunas and other natural features. The park is has 350 recorded bird species, 68 mammals species and13 small lakes, it’s woodland and savannah plains provides good habitats and feeding ground to Zebras, Buffaloes, Elands, Impalas, Warthogs, Oribi, Defassa waterbuck, Leopard, Spotted hyena, Topi and Reedbuck, Hippopotamuses, Giraffes, Bush babies, Porcupine, White tailed, Bush pigs, African rock python and many others.

 

Accommodation option: Rwakobo Rock Lodge (Standard and Mid-range), Mihingo Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

 

 

Day 13: Lake Mburo national park – Morning jungle walk safari – Spend the evening at leisure

 

Wake up very in the morning to prepare to check out of your lodge, have breakfast, and then go for the 2 hours walking safari in the jungle one of the most interesting safaris one can do and feel part of nature and getting closer to some animals even the timidest animals such as zebras without running away from you. A walking safari gives an experience of enjoying the jungle since you are not confined to a vehicle and have a chance to go in the park trails that cannot be accessed when exploring the park with a safari vehicle and all our guests who have done it, have mentioned it that it is “beyond Compare.” During your walking safari, you will spot many animal species such as Giraffes, Zebras, Giant Elands, Impala, Duikers, Bushbucks, Water bucks. So, without any doubt, a horseback riding safari is the most peaceful way to explore Lake Mburo national park since it is not associated with any disrupting factor such as noise and air pollution.  After the walking safari, stay in the park doing late morning game drives to explore the park more and to have a chance to spot more animal species. This is because the more time you spend in the jungle is the more you enjoy it and spot as many animals as possible. Lake Mburo national park is one of the most peaceful parks in Uganda that you can explore in different styles. After the morning jungle walk safari, return to your lodge and spend rest of day at the leisure and enjoying the jungle from your lodge cottage till time to be served dinner and an overnight.

 

Accommodation option: Rwakobo Rock Lodge (Standard and Mid-range), Mihingo Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

 

Day 14: Lake Mburo national park – Morning horseback riding safari – Return to Entebbe international airport

 

On this day, you will have a simple breakfast in the morning and then go for your early morning jungle horseback riding in the park. Without any doubt, horseback riding safari in Lake Mburo national park is one of the most amazing activities that give visitors an outstanding experience of viewing wildlife and doing a nature walk while on top of a horse. During a horseback riding safari in the park, you will have opportunities to view animals like Zebras, Impalas, and the more shy ones like Elands, because they are curious about looking at their close relatives without black and white stripes. Horse riding is the most peaceful way to explore the park since it does not leave any footprints behind, cause noise and air pollution as it is when using a safari vehicle which will make you feel part of nature. Return to your lodge to have a full breakfast, check out and start your drive back to Entebbe international airport to prepare for your return flight. On your way to Entebbe international airport, you will have a stopover at the Uganda equator line located in Kayabwe, which is believed to separate the planet into two parts; the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

 

While at the equator landmark, you will see the water experiment which is done to show how forces move differently on each side of the planet and to prove the difference between the two hemispheres for example water drains from the funnel in a clockwise motion on the northern hemisphere whereas it drains down in an anti-clockwise motion on the southern hemisphere. Here, the sun rises and sets rapidly and the temperatures and weather is largely constant all year through, take some memorial photos with one foot in the southern hemisphere and another one in the northern hemisphere which will give you an opportunity to take a photo while standing in both sides of the world at the same time. It is also said that while standing at the equator line, your body weight is reduced by about 3kgs so, you will have a chance to prove this statement right or false. After the water experiment, have lunch, visit some craft shops to buy some souvenir which are fully designed in a Ugandan local art. After staying at the Uganda equator for some time, proceed with your journey to Entebbe international airport to prepare for your return flight. On your way back to Entebbe airport you will have a stopover at the Kayabwe equator landmark an imaginary line that divides the earth into two different hemispheres is the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere.  This will be the end of your 14-days Uganda wildlife, primate, and cultural experience safari

 

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch

 

The package price includes;

 

• Return airport transfers (Pick up and drop off)
• Private transport for 14 days in a 4×4 WD, air-conditioned and a pop up roofs during your sightseeing safaris (Safari van / Land-cruiser)
• Fuel for 14 days
• English / French speaking safari guide for 14 days
• Private standard /mid-range / Luxury accommodation for 13 nights on full board (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
• Bottled mineral water and all en-route meals
• All park entrance fees and all itinerary activities
• 2 Chimpanzee tracking permits per person (Kibale Forest national park + Kalinzu Forest reserve)
• 1 Mountain gorilla trekking permit per person
• 1 Golden monkey tracking permit per person
• Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking experience
• A visit to the top of the Murchison falls (Hiking to the top of the Murchison Falls)
• 2 game drive in Murchison falls national park  (Night and morning game drive safaris)
• 3 hours afternoon boat cruises on the River Nile
• Bigodi sanctuary swamp and community tour
• Crater lakes exploration safari
• Visit Lake Katwe salt mining community
• 1 game drive safari in Queen Elizabeth national park
• 2 hours afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel
• Game drive through Ishasha sector to search for the tree climbing lions
• Batwa community tour
• A visit and boat canoeing on Lake Mutanda
• A visit and boat canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
• Game drive safaris at Lake Mburo national park (Night and morning game drives)
• Morning jungle walking safari
• 2 hours horseback riding safari
• A visit to Igongo cultural center

The package price excludes;

• International and domestic flights
• Country entry visa
• Items of personal nature/tips/laundry/telephone charges
• Personal insurance
• Extra meals and activities
• Alcoholic and other soft drinks (Sodas, special juice order at the lodge and wines)