16 Day Uganda Safari with Nkuringo Walk, Bunyonyi

Day one: Entebbe-  Kampala

Arriving at the airport you will be warmly welcomed by a Ngeye Trekking Safaris representative, and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe

Accommodation: Boma guesthouse

Meal Plan: BB

Day Two: Kampala – Murchison falls National Park

Travel Time: 300 km, 6 hours

After breakfast, your guide from Ngeye Trekking Safaris will meet you at your hotel and drive you to Murchison Falls National Park.

Accommodation:

Medium:  Murchison River Lodge

Day Three: Murchison falls:

Activities; – game drives and boat trip.

This morning you will depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park.  The 3,893 sq km park is home to a range of animals, and you will have a chance of viewing some of the Park’s residents including lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants.  For the birders amongst you, these areas support the secretary bird and the black chested snake eagle, to name a few.

In the afternoon, go for a boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls, where the Nile thunders through a small 7 meter gap plunging 43 meters into Lake Albert.  The banks of the Nile are densely populated with crocodiles, hippopotamus, and a range of other wildlife that come to the river to drink. There is also the option of getting off the boat and hiking up the side of the falls to the top.

Optional Activities:

1. Balloon safari: This can be arranged with the help of your guide for $380 per person.
2. Falls Hike: Stopping to take pictures at the base of the falls on the boat trip, adventurers can then disembark from the boat and climb up to the actual top of the falls.  The forty five minute hike is not very challenging, and provides spectacular views of the falls.
3. Mubako Cultural Performance: The remote community of Mubako is located beside the sprawling savannah of Murchison Falls National Park. The village is a collection of traditional thatched mud huts around a central clearing. At dusk, the local cultural groups Alur and Campfire perform vibrant songs and dances around a campfire accompanied by the beautiful sound of the adungu.

Accommodation:

Medium:  Murchison River Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Four: Murchison falls – Kibale

Your safari continues as you depart for Kibale National Forest for two nights a 795 sq km of rainforest in Western Uganda.  Kibale is home to an extraordinary thirteen species of primates, including chimpanzees, red colobus, and L’Hoest monkeys. Kibale National Forest has also recorded over 355 bird species, and a range of other mammals including the elusive forest elephant.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Five: Kibale

This morning you will go for Chimpanzee tracking along the network of forest trails. Seeing habituated chimps squabbling and swinging from the trees is an exhilarating experience. Later in the afternoon you will have the opportunity to visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which is rich in bird species, vegetation, and wildlife. This is also a great opportunity to support local tourism initiatives which benefit social and economic development in the area.

Optional Activities:

1. Crater Lakes Hike: Formed by ancient volcanic activity, the crater lakes of Uganda are located near Fort Portal, and are a great hiking option.  Typical hikes take you through local villages and tea plantations, to the base of several of these incredibly serene and beautiful lakes.  With the Rwenzori Mountains in the background, this is by far one of Uganda’s most peaceful and extraordinary sights.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

 

Day Six: Kibale – Queen Elizabeth

Travel Time: 160 km, 2.5 hours

Today you depart Kibale for two nights in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game park or reserve in the world.   Uganda’s second largest National Park, the 1,978 sq km has everything from open savannah to rain forest.   Queen Elizabeth has over 100 mammal species, and an astounding 606 bird species, making it a premier safari destination. Arrive in the park in the afternoon, and go for a game drive in the early evening.

Accommodation: Kasenyi Safari Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Seven: Queen Elizabeth

In morning, you will have a game drive to the Kisenyi area to look for lion prides and other wildlife like the Uganda Kob, before returning to the Lodge for breakfast. In the afternoon take a cruise along the Kazinga Channel, home to one of the largest concentrations of hippopotamus, as well as herds of elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife that come to drink from the river. The Kazinga also attracts a tremendous variety of bird species including the African Eagle, Open-Billed Stork, and Pied Kingfishers.

Optional Activities:

Queen’s Pavilion: Just 800 metres from the equator monument, and overlooking a thrilling landscape of crater lakes is the Queen´s Pavilion, a community-run internet café. This is the perfect spot to revive yourself after an early morning safari with a cup of Ugandan tea or coffee. Listen to the elephants trumpeting on the dry plains below and enjoy the savannah views.

Katwe Salt Walk: This tour offers a unique insight into the fascinating process of salt mining, as well as providing an alternative income for Katwe. During the tour you will see community members at work, cross the mud walkways and enter one of the traditional grass huts used to shelter and store tools. The nearby bird sanctuary lake offers a chance to see flamingos from October to May.

Kikorongo African Art Workshop: Traditional crafts hold a special significance in Ugandan villages. Small baskets of groundnuts as a sign of friendship; a calabash on top of a house to ward off evil spirits or a traditional healer´s woven purse filled with natural remedies. Kikorongo Women Community invites you to learn their traditional skills during this fascinating workshop.

Accommodation: Kasenyi safari Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Eight: Queen Elizabeth – Ishasha

After breakfast, you will have a game drive as you depart Queen Elizabeth for the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha) famed for the tree climbing lions arriving at the camp in time for lunch. Relax in the afternoon and later go for an evening game drive and over night at Ishasha wilderness camp

Accommodation: Luxury: Ishasha wilderness camp

Meal Plan: Full Board

 

Day Nine: Ishasha

After breakfast, you will have a game drive in search for the tree climbing lions. Relax in the afternoon and later go for another evening game drive.

Accommodation: Luxury: Ishasha wilderness camp

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Ten: Ishasha – Bwindi

Travel Time: Aprrox.3-4 hours

Today you will continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for two nights. Home to over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Interacting with these gentle giants is one of the most moving experiences that Africa has to offer and should not be missed! The ancient rainforest of Bwindi spans 321 sq km and   boasts 90 mammal species, including a range of primates, as well as 23 Albertine Rift endemic bird species, including the African Green Broadbill, the Bar Tailed Trogon and many others.

Accommodation:  Buhoma lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Eleven: Bwindi

In the morning you set off for gorilla trekking. Hiking through the thick, verdant, rainforest to eventually come across the gorillas in their natural habitat, is an amazing and unforgettable experience. Actual trek times can vary; these are wild animals after all.  If time permits there are a diverse range of activities which are unique to Bwindi which you can participate in during the afternoon.

Optional Activities:

Batwa Trail: During this moving tour, the Batwa demonstrate hunting techniques; gather honey; point out medicinal plants and demonstrate how to make bamboo cups.
Guests are then invited to the sacred Ngarama Cave, once home to the Batwa King to be entertained by traditional music and dance.

Village Walk: Overlooking the imposing hillsides of Bwindi Impenetrable forest, with the mist swirling over the summits, this is one of the most dramatic settings for your cultural tour! Among others, meet a traditional healer, who not only treats the sick, but uses his knowledge to conserve and educate about the various medicinal plants.

Bwindi Community Hospital:  Started by a Canadian doctor BCH revolutionized health care for the Batwa and the Bwindi community. This free hospital tour provides insight into the region and issues that the local community member’s face.

Waterfall Walk:  Walk along the Congolese border and Bwindi to see the magnificent waterfalls and the incredible scenery.

Accommodation: Buhoma lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

 

Day Twelve:  Walk from Bwindi Northern Sector Buhoma to Bwindi Southern Sector

Today day morning you will walk through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to the southern sector in Nkuringo. There are 2 routes through Bwindi Impenetrable forest which take you from Buhoma in the North to Nkuringo in the South.

Option 1. Ivy River Trail – 4 hours

This Ivy River route ascends and descends gently through beautiful areas of the rain forest with several viewpoints from the marram road to Nkuringo overlooking lush mist shrouded valleys. The trail is also an important footpath for local people travelling to and from Nkuringo particularly on market days to Nteko village on the southern boundary of the park. Monkeys, duikers, bush pigs and some of Bwindi’s world renowned bird and butterfly species can be sighted.

Option 2. Kashasha River Trail – 6 to 7 hours

Slightly more challenging than the Ivy River Trail the Kashasha River Trail offers visitors an up close experience of the natural wonders within a rain forest environment. Birds are prolific in Bwindi and your guide will point these out to you during your walk.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park entrance and ranger guide fees required.

These 2 walks can also be done in reverse order from Nkuringo to Buhoma

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Thirteen:  Optional Second Gorilla tracking/ Golden Monkey Tracking

Today you have an option of going for a second gorilla tracking in Rushaga or going for golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga.

In afternoon, you can choose to relax or go for a canoe ride on Lake Muntanda.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

 Day Fourteen:  Bwindi Southern Sector – Lake Bunyonyi

Drive to Lake Bunyonyi the second deepest lake in Africa. You will relax and later for a dugout canoe ride on the lake.  Lake Bunyonyi (‘place of many little birds’) is undoubtedly the loveliest lake in Uganda. Its contorted shore encircles 29 islands, surrounded by steep terraced hillsides reminiscent of parts of Nepal.

Accommodation: Arcadia Cottages

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Fifteen: Lake Bunyonyi – Lake Mburo National park

In morning you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park and have a game drive to see Eland Antelope, Zebra, Topi, Impala and giraffes before proceeding to the lodge for Lunch. In the evening, you can go for a horseback riding safari or take a boat cruise along Lake Mburo which is home to dense populations of hippos and crocodiles.

Accommodation: Mihingo lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Sixteen: Lake Mburo – Kampala

In morning, you can still have another game drive or you can go for a horseback riding safari or have an optional guided walking safari in the park.

Mid morning drive to Kampala having a stop to look at the Royal Drum makers, the Equator – where you will be able to stand and be on both hemispheres at once arriving in the evening.

Accommodation: Cassia lodge

Meal Plan: BB

Day Seventeen: Kampala – Entebbe Fly out

After breakfast, your guide will meet you; you can have an optional city tour or help you connect with your outbound flight home.

Optional Activities:

City tour; you will discover historical and political sites including the ancient tombs of the Kabakas, where the Buganda tribe laid their kings to rest or the Bahai Temple, the crafts market etc.