12 Days Best of Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari

Day One: Entebbe – Kampala:

Travel Time: 42 km, 1 hour
Arriving at the airport you will be warmly welcomed by a Ngeye Trekking Safaris representative, and transferred to your hotel in Kampala or in Entebbe depending on your flight arrival time. If you arrive very late in the night, we recommend you overnight in Entebbe as opposed to Kampala.

Optional Activities:

City Tour: Depending on your time of your arrival explore the vibrant and chaotic city of Kampala. 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, etc.

Eat Out: Kampala is a town full of culinary wonders. Stray out from your hotel to taste some of the eclectic cuisine of the region including Kampala’s delicious Indian food!

Accommodation options:

Luxury: Sheraton Kampala hotel
Medium: Malakai Eco Lodge
Good budget: Forest Cottages
Meal plan: Bed and breakfast.

Day Two: Kampala –Murchison falls

Kampala – Murchison falls
Travel time: 300km Approx 6 hours

Activities for the day

Transfer Kampala – Murchison falls, lunch and visiting the Top of the falls.
After breakfast, you will depart kampala or Entebbe for Murchison Falls National Park, with an option of stopping at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and en route for lunch and arriving in the evening.
In the evening, you will visit the incredible Top of the falls and later proceed to your lodge in the evening for the overnight.

Accommodation options

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
Medium: Pakuba Game lodge OR – Murchison River lodge
Budget: Red Chili Rest Camp
Meal plan: Lunch and dinner

Day Three: Murchison falls

Activities for the day: Morning game drive and afternoon boat trip to the bottom of the falls.
This morning you will depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park returning later to the lodge for breakfast. 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 the Nile on the way to 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.
Accommodation: Chosen Option
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day Four: Murchison falls – Kibale

Travel Time: approx… 5-6 hours
Activities of the day: Breakfast, transfer to Kibale, packed lunch enroute and afternoon bigodi swamp walk.
This morning you will have breakfast and then proceed to Kibale forest for one night. 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.
Later in the evening 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.

Other optional Activities:

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 options:

Luxury: Papaya Lake lodge OR – Ndali Lodge or Kyaninga lodge OR Primate Lodge
Medium: Chimpanzee forest Guest house OR – Kibale forest camp OR – Kibale Guest cottages
Budget: Rwenzori Guesthouse

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day Five: Morning chimp tracking then transfer Kibale – Queen Elizabeth National park.

Travel time: Approx. 2.5 hours
Activities of the day: Morning chimpanzee tracking, lunch & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park.
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. Spend the morning in the forest returning to the lodge in time for lunch before you proceed to Queen.
Later drive to Queen Elizabeth National park 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 evening and overnight at your lodge.

Accommodation options:

Luxury: Mweya Lodge OR – Katara lodge
Medium: Marafiki safari lodge Tents OR – Bush lodge OR – Twin lakes safari lodge
Budget: Marafiki safari lodge cabins OR – Buffalo Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day Six: Queen Elizabeth National park

Activities of the day: Morning game drive and afternoon boat trip on Kazinga channel.
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.
Uganda community Carnivore Program:
Leopard Village” – Here you will get to meet the carnivores and the local community of Queen Elizabeth National park. This is a Community based program found in a village called MUhokya on the way from Kasese before entering Queen Elizabeth National park.
This community-run socio-economic development initiative supports cultural and wildlife conservation through ecotourism. The goal is that this initiative will assist in the conservation of the area’s wildlife and support the villagers as they regain their traditional custodianship of the local wildlife and other natural resources. Villagers will gain some economic benefit which will help offset the costs associated with living with carnivores, which prey on livestock, and herbivores such as elephants which destroy crops. It will also educate tourists about Uganda’s conservation challenges and rich cultural traditions.
It can be done as short visit or a long visit as they have a number of activities that take place on site.
We charge $150 per person as a donation to the community and also to help cater for the costs involved.
Overnight at your accommodation option.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day Seven: Queen Elizabeth – Ishasha southern sector

Travel Time: 120 km, 2 hours
Activities of the day: Morning game drive then proceed to the southern part of the park & evening game drive.
Today you proceed to Ishasha, home to the famed tree climbing lions. The lions are located in the Southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and are best seen in early hours of the morning. Have a game drive before stopping for lunch, and another game drive in the afternoon before dinner.

Accommodation options:

Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Medium: Ishasha jungle lodge OR – Savannah Resort Hotel
Budget: Ishasha Bandas
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day: Eight: Ishasha – Bwindi

Travel Time: Aprrox.3-4 hours
Activities of the day: Morning game drive in search of tree climbing lions, later transfer to Bwindi.
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. Relax in the evening and get ready for the following day’s gorilla tracking.

Accommodation options in the Northern sector:
Luxury: Mahogany Springs OR – Buhoma lodge OR- Gorilla Forest Camp
Medium: Silverback lodge OR Haven Lodge OR  Engagi Lodge
Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Accommodation options in the Southern Part of Bwindi:

Luxury: Chameleon Hill lodge OR – Gorilla safari lodge
Medium: Lake Mutanda Resort
Budget: Gorilla valley View lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day Nine: Bwindi

Activities of the day: Gorilla tracking for the day and possible optional activities in the evening.
This morning you will 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.

Overnight at your chosen accommodation option.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day Ten: Bwindi – Lake Mburo

Travel Time: Approx. 6 hours drive
Activities of the day: Breakfast, transfer Lake Mburo and afternoon game drive or other activities available.
The adventure continues as you spend one night at Lake Mburo National Park. The 371 sq km park is an extension of the Tanzanian Plains and has distinctly different fauna compared to other Ugandan parks. It is the best place in the country to see Eland Antelope, Zebra, Topi, Impala, and Acacia. The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of water birds, while fringing swamps hide black and yellow papyrus gonalek. Arriving in the park for lunch you can rest before exploring the park on game drive for the rest of the afternoon.

Optional Activities:

Horseback Riding Safaris: What better way to explore the park than on horseback! Horseback riding safaris are available for various times and are suitable for all levels of riders including the non-experienced.
Boat Safari: Take a cruise along Lake Mburo which is home to dense populations of hippos and crocodiles.

Accommodation options:
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Medium: Rwakobo Rock lodge
Budget: Eagles Nest camp.

Day Eleven: Lake Mburo-Entebbe – fly out

Travel Time: Travel Time: 298 km, 4.5 hours
This morning you will have breakfast and then proceed to Entebbe having lunch enroute. You will stop at the Equator-where you will be able to stand in both hemispheres simultaneously arriving in Entebbe in the afternoon and later catch your evening flight back home.