Wildlife Of Western Uganda Safari

You will be met at Entebbe International Airport and transferred to your hotel (15mins), and given any help you need to check in and settle. Your guesthouse is just a 10-15 minute drive from the airport. To leave you the flexibility to rest after your journey and acclimatise to Uganda, as well as to allow clients flying in from different countries to all arrive and settle, we leave this afternoon and evening free for you to do as you wish. We can advise you on where to eat, and if you would like some ideas of where to explore.

We have an early start this morning in order to transfer (1hr 30) to the shores of Lake Victoria and to catch a boat to Mabamba swamp. It lies near a relatively small village, Kasanje, where fishing is the main form of work and activity. Tilapia and lungfish can be found in the small streams of the papyrus grass-covered swamp. From a small wooden boat which carries 5 - 6 people each, we will hope to see the Shoebill Stork which hides in the water weed to hunt, or may, if we are lucky, be seen on land too, overlooking the water. Other beautiful birds we will spot are the African and Lesser Jacannas, Pygmy goose and the Blue Breasted Bee Eaters. Our tour, around 3 hours, will be led by a birding guide.This afternoon, we will stop at the Gorilla Conservation Cafe ("Saving Gorillas one sip at a time") for a visit and talk from Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, the charities founder and previously the first Wildlife Veterinary Officer of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The cafe is a social enterprise of the award-winning NGO Conservation Through Public Health. . Included meals: Breakfast.

Today we leave Entebbe for arguably the most beautiful protected area in Uganda: Murchison Falls National Park. It is a journey that will take the day, with a worthwhile stop en route at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is home to the only wild rhinos in Uganda after they became extinct in the country in 1982. Accompanied by a guide, we have the wonderful opportunity to track and observe the rhinos in their habitat at a close, but safe, distance. Enjoying lunch here also, we then continue on to Murchison Falls National Park. The southern part of the park is mostly covered by dense woodlands and is one of the most varied forest faunas in East Africa. The northern area is grasslands with scattered acacia trees, borassus palms and riverine woodlands. The Victoria Nile passes through the Falls National Park and we will visit Murchison Falls themselves this afternoon - not to be missed!We stay this evening at an Eco Safari Lodge in an area of Murchison Falls National Park called Budongo Forest, the largest natural rainforest in the whole of East Africa. It is one of the best areas for chimp tracking in Uganda (tomorrow's exciting activity!). We will be staying in Twin or Double eco-log cabins which enjoy an en-suite shower, ash-based eco-loo and a private verandah overlooking the forest. We will be eating on the terrace restaurant. . Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.