African Big Five Wildlife And Gorilla Trekking In Uganda 21 Safari

Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC)

Stop At: Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, Plot 56/7 Lugard Avenue, Entebbe Uganda
Your 21 days pearl of Africa safari adventure will begin with a professional driver-guide picking you from Entebbe airport. On your first day, you will pay a visit to the celebrated Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC), famously known as the ‘Entebbe zoo’. You will spend the entire afternoon exploring the zoo and its tamed wildlife residents. You will see animals like; snakes, cheetahs, rhinos, the elephant, camel, ostrich, monkeys and chimps, in their semi-natural environment.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Birding in Mabamba bay – tour Kampala city – transfer to Jinja

Stop At: Mabamba Swamp, Uganda
You will begin the second day of your pearl of Africa safari tour with a birding excursion in Mabamba bay. The wetland is situated on the edge of Lake Victoria, Northwest of the Entebbe peninsula. You will see bird species like; the shoebill stork, blue swallow, papyrus gonolek, yellow warbler, kingfisher, lap wines, herons and egrets. As the evening approaches, you will drive to Jinja – a major town in the Eastern region. You will retire to your choice accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Visit the source of the Nile – tour Jinja town

Stop At: Jinja, Jinja, Eastern Region
One of the major highlights of your pearl of Africa safari excursion in Jinja is visiting the source of the Nile. After having breakfast, you will head out to explore the source of the world’s longest river. Besides boat riding, there are many safari activities to engage in while at the Nile; you can go bungee jumping, kayaking, white water rafting, horseback riding, quad biking and visiting the Itanda falls. You will later retire to your lodging for dinner and overnight.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Transfer to Kapchorwa – explore the Sipi falls en route

Stop At: Sipi, Sipi, Eastern Region
After having breakfast, your pearl of Africa safari adventure will continue as you embark on a drive to Kapchwora’s most outstanding tourist attraction – the Sipi falls. The falls are situated on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park near the Kenyan boarder. The Sipi falls are a series of 3 falls and are a starting point for many hikes up Mount Elgon.

Later in the early evening, you will embark on a community tour. The area around Sipi is a home to the Gishu people – a tribe of indigenous coffee growers. You will also have the opportunity to interact with the locals and see how they go through the daily routine of living.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park – explore the Nyero rock painting en route

Stop At: Kidepo Valley National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Northern Region
After having breakfast, the pearl of Africa safari excursion will continue as you embark on a drive to Uganda’s celebrated Kidepo National Park situated in Karamoja region in the North-eastern Uganda. On your way to the park, you will make a brief stop in Kumi district to explore the famous Nyero rock paintings. These peculiar paintings date back to the Stone Age and are believed to have been in existence before 1250 CE.

You will continue your drive to Kipedo, enjoying the breath-taking beauty of a rustic countryside. Although it is Uganda’s most remote national park, Kidepo Valley ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses. It is a habitat to an innumerable number of mammals and wildlife species. When you arrive at the park, you will check in at your choice lodging for the night. The Park is a major highlight among Uganda’s best safari destinations.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 6: Game drive in Narus Valley – encounter the native Karamojong people

Stop At: Kidepo Valley National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Northern Region
You will begin your day’s safari adventure with an early breakfast before heading out for a game drive in the park’s famous Narus valley. A guided game drive through this prized area is your chance to see amazing wildlife, among other carnivores species unique to Kidepo. The other great mammals to see on your safari experience in Kidepo include; the African elephant, Rothschild’s giraffe, cape buffalo, bushbucks, zebras, oribi, Jackson’s hartebeest and Bush babies.

After having lunch, you will embark on a cultural trail to the native Karamojong community. A safari excursion in Kidepo is incomplete without encountering the nomadic Karamojong community. Cattle keeping and pastoralism is the life of the Karamojong people. You will be inspired by their culture and way of life. Your day’s safari activities will end as you drive back to your lodging in the late evening.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 7: Birding & guided nature walk in the park

Stop At: Kidepo Valley National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Northern Region
Your day’s safari activities will begin with a birding excursion in one of the park’s famous bird watching spots. Birding can be done at Apoka rest camp, on the fringes of the Narus or in Namamkweny valleys. After having lunch, your safari expedition will continue as you hike up the Lomej Mountains or have a guided walk through the Narus valley. Later in the evening, you will visit the park’s Kanangarok hot springs located at the extreme north of the park. A safari in Kidepo offers limitless possibilities for avid adventurer.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 8: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park – drive to the top of the falls

Stop At: Murchison Falls National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Western Region
Your day’s safari activities will begin as you depart from Kidepo and drive to Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda’s largest national park and the location of the prized Murchison Falls. The park is located in North-western Uganda and is a habitat to over 76 mammal species and 450 bird species. Once there, your guide will drive you to the top of falls. You can later on embark on a nature walk before retiring to your accommodation to unwind, enjoy dinner and have a good night’s rest to be fit for the next day’s fun-filled safari adventures.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 9: Game drive in the park – boat cruise along the Victoria Nile

Stop At: Murchison Falls National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Western Region
Your day’s safari excursions in Murchison Falls National Park will begin with a game drive at 6:30 am, after having breakfast. You will embark on a game drive in one of the park’s famous game viewing tracks; the Albert track, Buligi track and the Victoria track. Also, the area around Nyamsika gorge and its cliffs has a high concentration of game. You will see various animals including four of the big fives; lions, elephants, leopards, and the cape buffaloes.

After having lunch, you will continue your safari adventure with a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile. The sight and sound of the gushing and rushing waterfalls is soothing and breath-taking. As you sail upstream to the bottom of the falls, you will spot herds of hippos and crocodiles along the river banks. The boat cruise is also the ideal adventure for the avid birder. Murchison Falls National Park is nature’s hub.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 10: Birding and guided nature walk in the Park

Stop At: Budongo Forest, Northwest of Kampala, Kampala Uganda
The day’s safari experiences will include birding and nature walks through the park. Places to be explored include trails through Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo forests, the area around the Nile – Lake Albert delta, Mubako junction, the Southern and Northern banks along the Nile, Nyamusika cliffs, the various thickets and woodlands. While trailing through these areas, you will see many of primate and bird species. You will spot a variety of water birds, Savannah forest birds, and Albertine rift endemics.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 11: Chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo - Pabidi – transfer to Kibale National Park

Stop At: Kibale National Park, Kibale National Park, Western Region
A safari trip to Murchison Falls National Park is incomplete without visiting Kaniyo – pabidi eco-tourism site for a chimp trekking excursion. After having breakfast you will report to Kaniyo – pabidi, have a briefing about chimpanzee tracking etiquette and then hit the one of the trails to begin your quest for a habituated chimp family. Chimpanzees live in communities of about 100 individuals each and tracking them can take between 2-6 hours. Once you encounter a community, you will spend an hour observing its members undertake their daily routine. After the excursion, you will lunch and then embark on a drive to Kibale National Park – the ideal safari getaway for the primate lover.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 12: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park – guided nature walk in Bigodi wetland sanctuary

Stop At: Kibale National Park, Kibale National Park, Western Region
Your day’s safari excursions in Kibale will begin will begin with the park’s major highlight – chimpanzee trekking. After having breakfast, you will head out to Kanyanchu Visitor Center for a briefing from the park authorities after which you will be allocated a chimp community to track. Kibale National Park has the highest concentration of chimp population in Uganda.

After your chimpanzee tracking experience, you will go for a guided nature walk in Bigodi wetland sanctuary in the late afternoon. The swamp is a habitat to over 200 bird species, and a variety of primate and mammal species including; the various kinds of monkeys, otters, bush pigs, bush bucks, sitatungas, and mongooses. You will spend the entire evening enjoying Kibale’s bountiful wildlife, bird species and plant life.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 13: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – visit the Katwe salt lake en route

Stop At: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Region
After having breakfast, you will depart from Kibale and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park to encounter another series of awaiting safari adventures. On your way, you will make a brief stop in the crater lakes region to specifically explore the famous Katwe crater lake – Uganda’s largest salt mine. You will then proceed to Queen Elizabeth and arrive their in the early evening, just in time for a game drive. You will check in at an accommodation of your choice for dinner and overnight.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 14: Game drive in Kasenyi plains – boat cruise on Kazinga channel

Stop At: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Region
Your day’s safari excursion will begin with a game drive at 6:30 am after an early breakfast. You will head out to the renowned Kasenyi plains with an experienced game ranger. The plains are a mass of African savanna known for harboring the largest concentration of game as compared to any other section in Queen Elizabeth Park.

Later in the afternoon you will embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel. You get to sit back and enjoy the sight of elephants, buffalo, bush bucks, kobs and large herds of hippos on the riverbanks. Occasionally, visitors are able to spot leopards, lions and forest hogs. Besides the various mammals, the channel is a habitat for various species of water birds. After the boat cruise, you can embark on a nature walk before returning to your lodge for the night.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 15: Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge – game drive in Ishasha region

Stop At: Kyambura Game Reserve (Kyambura Gorge), Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda
Your day’s safari adventure will include chimpanzee trekking Kyambura gorge. After having breakfast you will have a briefing and begin your quest for an encounter with a chimp community. Besides see in the chimpanzees, the gorge is a habitat to many other primate species and an inexhaustible number of bird life. You will then head out to the park’s famous Ishasha region for another safari tour excursion. Ishasha is situated in the Southern part of the park and is most known for its resident tree-climbing lions.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 16: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Batwa trail experience

Stop At: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Western Region
After having breakfast, you will depart from Queen Elizabeth, embarking on a drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to continue with your safari expedition across the pearl of Africa. When you are in Bwindi, you embark on a Batwa trail experience. This includes visiting the community where the Batwa – native forest dwellers live. You will return to your choice lodge in the late evening for dinner and overnight. After the Batwa community visit, you can go for a guided nature walk in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where you will encounter a variety of wildlife and bird species.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 17: Gorilla trekking excursion in Bwindi Impenetrable forest

Stop At: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Western Region
A safari trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is incomplete without a gorilla trekking excursion. After having breakfast, you will report at the park headquarters at around 7:30 am. You will be briefed about the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ while on a gorilla trekking excursion. Once you encounter a gorilla family, you will spend an hour observing its members. Besides other males, you will also see the caring mothers tending to their little ones. You will be allowed to take photos and video recording of the experience. Bwindi forest harbors more than half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 18: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – visit the Batwa & Abaheesi communities

Stop At: Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda
After having breakfast, you will embark on a transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for another gratifying safari excursion. Once you reach the Lake, you will embark on a boat cruise to tour the islands that are spread across the lake. For the avid birder, a boat cruise on Lake is a time to spot a variety of bird species including those that are endemic to the region. Lake Bunyonyi and its surroundings are a habitat to over 200 bird species.

In the late afternoon, you will embark on a community tour to encounter the pygmy Batwa and the Abaheesi – a black smith community that have inhabited the area for many years. You will learn about their way of life and enjoy a series of performances from them. As the day wanes you can choose to go fishing, canoeing or cycling. Lake Bunyonyi is the ideal safari destination for the nature lover and avid birder.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 19: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park – game drive in the park

Stop At: Lake Mburo National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Western Region
After having breakfast, you will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park to continue with your pearl of Africa safari excursion. As you drive to the park, you will sight the famous long-horned cattle which are endemic to the Western region, the rolling hills, and the savanna grasslands dotted with the humble homesteads of the countryside dwellers. Upon reaching the park, you will embark on a game viewing drive. A safari game drive in Lake Mburo is incomplete without seeing the; impalas, burchell’s zebras, elands, bushbucks, warthogs, reedbucks and topis.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 20: Boat cruise on Lake Mburo – guided nature walk through the salt lick area

Stop At: Lake Mburo National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Western Region
You will have breakfast at around 8:30 am and then embark on a safari boat cruise along Lake Mburo. As you sail on the lake, you will spot; herds of hippos, buffaloes, and crocodiles at the banks. The area around the lake is also a habitat to many bird species including the rare shoebill stork. After the boat cruise, you will go for a guided nature walk through the salt lick area where you will find various wildlife licking the salty soil found there. The UWA erected a raised platform where you can stand and have a splendid view of the animals. You will retire to your lodging in the late evening.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 21: Return to Kampala – visit the equator en route – end of safari

Stop At: Kampala, Kampala, Central Region
On the last day of your 21 days Pearl of Africa safari adventure, you will go out for a guided nature walk in the park before returning to your lodging for breakfast in the mid-morning. You will then park your bags and embark on your journey back to Kampala. On your way, you will make a brief stop at the equator, take photos at the monuments, do an experiment or two and then visit the curio shops in the area.

You will have lunch in Masaka and then drive on to Kampala. Once you arrive in Uganda’s capital, your guide will drop you at a suitable location or drive you to the airport if you have a flight to catch. This will mark the end of your safari holiday tour across the pearl of Africa.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.