The Ultimate Uganda Private Safari

Tour Highlights:

• Gorilla trekking
• Chimp trekking & bird watching
• Murchison Falls boat cruise
• Cruise on Kazinga Channel
• Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 1

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by a Wild Frontiers representative and transferred to your hotel.

Entebbe is a small, quiet town located on the shores of Lake Victoria. It is easy to explore on foot or local transport on motorbikes known as “boda bodas”. With a wide variety of restaurants serving many different cuisines as well as several bars and clubs where you can sample the local beer, catch a game of football and chat with the locals, you’ll find Ugandans to be very open and friendly.

Optional excursion to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary located on the beautiful Lake Victoria. Created in 1999 to offer a permanent sanctuary to orphaned Chimpanzees, victims of illegal trade and habitat destruction, Ngamba is now home to 49 chimps. www.ngambaisland.com

Overnight at The Boma Guest House www.boma.co.ug

Day 2 

A 5-6 hour drive take us up north to Murchison Falls National Park. 

At the top of Murchison Falls, the Nile forces its way through a gap in the rocks, only 7 metres (23 ft) wide, and tumbles 43 metres (141 ft), before flowing westward into Lake Albert.

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest National Park where four of the “big five” (Cape buffalo, elephant, lion, and leopard) can be seen, especially in the North of the park. Popular activities include Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest and Birding on the Royal Mile.

Overnight Baker’s Lodge

This intimate, safari styled lodge is set within a large private area; the views onto the river are vast and magnificent with islands hosting nesting egret birds, elephants bathing and pods of hippos regularly viewed.
www.ugandaexclusivecamps.com

Day 3&4

The next two days are yours to soak up the magnificence of remote Murchison Fall, enjoying a cruise to the foothills of the falls and another to the Delta for game viewing/ bird watching. Visit the top of the falls on foot, or explore the southern region of the park, near the Budongo Forest with an optional visit to Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourist Site. Chimp trek optional. 

Overnight Baker’s Lodge

Day 5

Today we have a full days’ drive (7-8 hours) as we head toward Kibale Forest.

Kibale is an enchanting ancient forest, and supports an incredible range of flora and fauna. Rich in wildlife, it is most noted for its primate population including red-tailed monkey, diademed monkey, olive baboon, chimpanzee, black and white colobus.

Two nights in the area allows time for chimpanzee trekking in the forest. (Permits must be pre purchased). Optional excursions include a guided forest walk, visit to the Bigodi Swamps, or the Vanilla Farm close to Ndali.

Overnight Primates Tented Camp, Ndali Lodge, or similar, with all meals included.

Day 6

Today is sure to be exhilarating! We drive for approx. 30 mins (from Ndali, or, if staying at Primates you literally walk for five minutes) to the park headquarters for our briefing on Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest.

Chimpanzee trekking can be exciting – as unlike their cousins the Gorillas, chimpanzees tend to be more active and often keep moving through the forest canopies, so you may find yourself following a family through dense jungles! Of course sightings cannot be guaranteed as they are wild animals, but the chances of seeing them are very good.

Once amongst the Chimpanzees, spend approximately an hour observing and following them.

Afternoon at leisure to rest, explore the Bigodi Swamps, enjoy a walk amongst the crater lakes or forests, or perhaps take a walk around the Farm. (These options are not included in the price and must be pre-booked).

Overnight as above.

Day 7

Depart to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a drive of approximately three hours. This park set in the Great Rift Valley is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds. With both a riverine and savannah habitat, the park includes the southern Ishasha area and Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda. The northern Mweya area, traverses the equator and is dominated by the scenery of crater lakes, is often occupied by large flocks of flamingos. A boat trip from Mweya along the Kazinga Channel, which joins Lakes Edward and George, provides one of the most memorable experiences offered by the park.

The next two nights will be enjoyed in Ishasha Wilderness Camp, an intimate camp with just ten luxurious
safari tents set on a tranquil river bank.

Day 8

Day at leisure to enjoy game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Ishasha area is famed for its unusual tree climbing lions. 

Day 9

From QENP, we drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. On the way we will stop at the Community Project at Ishasha Village. Here the local people allow you to enjoy some time in their homesteads, as well as see some of the crops and curios they produce, and visit the local elephant trench project – which stops elephants coming into the village and raiding crops.

Continue to Bwindi, through some beautiful areas of mountains and forests, as well as busy villages, to Buhoma Lodge, where we will be based for two nights to enjoy Gorilla trekking in the nearby forest.

Bwindi National Park, located in south western Uganda on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, is considered the most diverse forest in Uganda. Home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies, and 160 species of trees, Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa. The park contains almost one half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site. 

Overnight Buhoma Lodge, an exclusive lodge situated in the slopes of the Forests of Bwindi, offering uninterrupted views of the pristine forest canopy. www.ugandaexclusivecamps.com

Day 10

Words will not do today justice… unforgettable, thrilling, humbling; the rare opportunity to meet Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat is truly magical.

Experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek through dense rain forests on the mountain slopes. Gorilla tracking may be fairly strenuous with treks ranging from two to six hours or longer, at high altitudes through thick vegetation up steep slopes. Also, mountain gorillas are wild animals and, as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed. However viewing success rates are over 90%.

Be sure to have plenty of battery power and memory on your camera to capture the hour you spend with these gentle giants.

Day 11

A 6-7 hour drive takes us across the Pearl of Africa to Lake Mburo National Park, where we’ll enjoy a game
drive and a boat cruise. 

Overnight Lake Mburo Tented Camp or similar.

Day 12

We’ll head back to Entebbe today, arriving just after lunchtime/ mid afternoon. Airport transfer is included
today. Lunch/dinner for own account. End of services.

Including:

• Meet & greet service
• Airport transfers in Entebbe
• Accommodation in top quality hotels / lodges
• Meals as above
• Services of driver/guide
• Park entry fees
• Game drives in QENP, Murchison Falls, Mburo & boat cruise on Kazinga Channel in QENP, cruise on Lake Mburo, Delta cruise & Murchison Foot of the Falls cruise

Excluding:

• Visas
• Permits
• Drinks
• Travel insurance
• Items of a personal nature
• Gorilla & Chimp tracking permits
• Optional excursions
• Flights excluded
• Christmas supplement where applicable

Permit costs – not included in package price:

Gorilla Trekking Uganda USD 600 per person
Chimpanzee trekking Kibale USD 150

Health requirements:

• Yellow fever & malaria prophylactics are required.