This tour comprises all of our favourite national parks and activities and is the ultimate tour for those who have time to experience all of Uganda’s highlights. Taking in 3 out of the 10 national parks, as well as many other areas of staggering natural beauty, this trip follows an anti-clockwise circuit of the whole country, starting in Entebbe .Activities include game drives, river cruises, cultural encounters and hiking, all set against the backdrop of arguably the most stunning scenery that Uganda has to offer.

There is no other country in Africa – like Uganda – the “Pearl of Africa”. In 1908, in his book, My African Journey, Sir Winston Churchill wrote:

“For magnificence, for variety of form and color, for profusion of brilliant life — bird, insect, reptile, beast — for vast scale — Uganda is truly “the Pearl of Africa”. The Kingdom of Uganda is a fairy tale. The scenery is different, the climate is different and most of all, the people are different from anything elsewhere to be seen in the whole range of Africa…”

ITINERARY

 Day 1: Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe

On arrival our company representative from Kwaheri Eco Safaris, will pick you from the airport to your accommodation in Entebbe for an overnight stay. Depending on your time of arrival you could visit some shopping malls to buy extra things that you need including the exchange of forex to the local currency.

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls via Zziwa – Rhino Trekking

This morning we head to the north west of the country and drive to Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park, with an area of 3840km². It lies in the core of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. This impressive park protects a chunk of untamed African savannah bisected by the mighty river Nile. The dramatic Murchison Falls, where the world’s longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below strikes an exhilarating impression on all 5 senses. Murchison Falls is occupied mainly by lush grasslands. The highest diversity of wildlife is found on the open plains north of the Nile, where elephant, buffalo, giraffe and a huge variety of antelope are regularly encountered. The Nile itself boasts one of Africa’s densest hippo and crocodile populations, and a dazzling variety of water birds including the world’s most accessible wild population of the rare shoebill.

You will also visit Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only remaining home for the white Rhino in Uganda. On arrival you will check in at your accommodation, have lunch then in the afternoon you will head for the rhino trekking which normally takes an hour on foot, before returning to prepare for your journey to Murchison Falls national park

Day 3: Game Drives & Boat Cruise on the Nile & Top of the falls

Today we get to explore the wonders of this magnificent park, by safari vehicle and private boat. The launch trip takes you along the Nile to the bottom of the falls. Murchison Falls National Park is said to be the best game park in Uganda. During a typical game drive you can be expected to see a large number of antelope species, including the bush buck, the water buck, Thomson’s gazelle and the dik dik to name but a few. Larger herbivores, such as giraffe and elephant are present in the park in great numbers and often the lumbering giraffe will cross the roads right in front of you. MFNP is the most accessible park in Uganda to see the giraffe. Huge groups of buffalo are a common sight whilst exploring the park on a game drive. Primates, such as the baboon and the patas monkey, stare at you as you pass by and if you are a bird lover then Murchison Falls National Park will not disappoint.

Day 4: Boat trip to the Delta

Take another boat cruise to the Nile delta area in search of the Shoebill and also catch sight of different water animals like the hippo, Nile crocodile plus many others.

Day 5: Depart for Kibale Forest National Park

Drive to Kibale Forest area, the drive is a full day of approximately eight hours. After leaving the Rift Valley passes through beautiful agricultural countryside where every type of fruit and vegetable imaginable is grown. Upon reaching Kyenjojo, in the lower foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains {Mountains of the Moon}, we drive through beautiful tea plantations and into Kibale tropical rain forest.

Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp walk

This morning we get the opportunity to explore Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale Forest is home to 13 primate species and a guided forest trek can be taken in search of one of the most popular primate species in the world – the chimpanzee. There are 9 diurnal primates, these include, vervet, red‐tailed, L’Hoest’s, blue monkeys, grey‐cheeked mangabey, red Colobus, black and white Colobus, olive baboon and the most famous of all, the chimpanzee. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the odds are good with the chance of encountering them standing at higher than 90%. This morning you will go on a forest walk in search of primates. Whilst trekking in the depths of the lush green forest, you will be surrounded by bird song and can expect to see at least 5 or 6 other types of primate, most probably the grey‐cheeked mangabey and the red‐tailed monkey and of course the chimpanzee. The walking is fairly easy due to the well‐maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain.

You can do a swamp walk in the evening to catch a glimpse of different bird species.

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP

Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP and arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth NP

Game drive in the morning, go back to lodge for lunch and relaxation then crater drive in the afternoon.

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Today we drive through the park to the Ishasha region. Game drive in search of tree climbing lion (75% success rate) and other game, Afternoon drive to Bwindi Impenetrable (a World Heritage Site) passing through the scenic area known as The Switzerland of East Africa. The driving today is about 5 1/2 hours (not including game drives).

Day 10: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetratble NP.

After breakfast take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. We then hike into the forest where the gorillas were seen the night before and track from that point. The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film are

recommended. It can rain at a few minutes’ notice; hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film.

Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi

After having breakfast, we shall take a scenic drive to Kabale taking you through the beautiful terrain of the rolling hills with terraced landscape. A short drive leads us to the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi where we can relax and enjoy some reflection time. With its fresh water, bilharzias-free and beautiful landscapes, Lake Bunyonyi is a small paradise for travellers. In the evening we visit the local people and experience their life style both current and the historical, participate in the cultural performances there after we come at our lodge for overnight.

Day 12: Lake Bunyonyi – Lake Mburo

Drive to Mbarara passing through the Switzerland of East Africa area and eventually into Ankole Cattle country around Mbarara. These cattle are incredible with horns larger than one can imagine. Continue to Lake Mburo National Park, game drive. The drive today is 6 to 7 hours. Lake Mburo National Park is a small park, excellent for birding, antelope and other grazers, one of the only places to easily see Impala and zebra in Uganda. Game drives offer particularly picturesque game viewing with the Parks’ mixture of savannah, acacia woodlands, grassy valleys, rocky outcrops, swamps, lakes and rolling hills. Herds of impala (found nowhere else in Uganda), buffalo and zebra, plus waterbuck and eland are amongst the variety of wildlife to be seen. Birders will enjoy the Parks’ 310 recorded water and dry land species. In this valley we can operate night drives and walks. This is the only park where we will see Impala and Burchellʹs Zebra. It is an excellent place for walking and exploring a nearby Khopji to perhaps see Klipspringer.

Day 13: Entebbe – Depart

This morning we have an early morning game drive before heading back to Entebbe; this takes approximately 5 hours – road and weather dependent. If time permits it is possible to stop in Kampala for shopping and lunch and a visit to the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers.

You are then transferred to Entebbe International airport to connect with your departure flight. Please note the departure flight must be in the late afternoon or evening, alternatively we can arrange another overnight in Entebbe

INCULDES

Vehicle – 4X4 Safari Vehicle Fuel for the whole trip English speaking driver/Guide Park entrance fees

Activities fees (mentioned in itinerary)

Accommodation based on FB Bottled water throughout the trip. Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits

EXCLUDES

Drinks rather than bottled water in the car Tips

Porters

Laundry services

Extra activities not mentioned Any other personal interests

The first and last night in Uganda