14 DAY & 13NIGHTS UGANDA SAFARI EXPEDITION TOUR

Our guide from Nungi Safaris will pick you up from Entebbe airport and transfers you to the guest house, lodge or hotel in either Entebbe or Kampala. Depending on the time of your arrival, you might be able to explore Entebbe town. There are many options in Entebbe and can easily be organized on request like visiting the botanical gardens, visiting craft shops, lake shores, zoos, and shopping malls. Please ask your guide to take you around if you wish to move around Entebbe.

Today we drive to Murchison Falls National Park one of the oldest conservation areas in Uganda. This is a long but rewarding journey through various landscapes of Northern Uganda. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s best-known and biggest nature reserve. With the impressive and powerful Murchison waterfall and its remarkable animal populations, this is a must-visit in the Pearl of Africa. There are superb activities on offer such as a boat safari or Delta safari on the Nile. The river divides the park between a Northern and Southern section as it makes its way through multiple rapids and waterfalls to Lake Albert. Unfortunately, during the war years, poachers and troops wiped out the majority of wildlife. Except for the park’s rhino population, fortunately, all other wildlife has recovered fast since. A game drive in the park allows you to be eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom and you will be amazed by the amount of elephants. Also, giraffes, lions, antelope, waterbucks, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles can all be spotted. Game drives take place on the tracks in the northern section which you reach by taking a ferry across the river. This park guarantees adventure!

After an early breakfast, it is time to explore the park. On your Game Drives you of course need a fair share of luck and very good eyes to try and spot as many animals as possible. While driving through the park you can come eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom. Hopefully, you see them all; elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. They are all there! A professional ranger with extensive knowledge of the park and its inhabitants will join you in your car. The park is especially known for its massive elephant population, the huge array of bird species and big herds of buffalo. You will discover some of the parks' ecosystems and different scenery with dense woodland, extensive savannahs and rolling grasslands. As this is a private game drive you can ask your guide to tailor your trip towards specific birdlife and/or wildlife if you like. The afternoon boat safari towards the Murchison Falls is a very special activity; it takes approximately 3 hours and goes along the Victoria Nile to the base of the Falls. You can imagine; this boat safari will show you breathtaking scenery. Cold drinks are for sale on board when you get thirsty for a local beer or a soda. Carefully watched by crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys and all the other (also thirsty) wildlife that the Nile attracts you go to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls. If you like hiking, the boat can drop you near the waterfalls and you can hike up to the top (this takes around 1 or 1, 5 hours). The views are amazing! Later head back to the lodge for dinner and overnight

The Nile Delta is the area where the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert. The banks of the delta are home to hundreds of bird species including the rare and prehistoric-looking shoebill stork and papyrus endemic species. A boat safari through the delta is a “must-do” for every birdwatcher. During this (approximately) 5-hour boat tour you enjoy breakfast while enjoying the peaceful scenery and while approaching Lake Albers you may see more fishermen in canoes catches of tilapia fish and local people fetching water from the Nile and if lucky wild game along the banks. You may also see many hippos, and crocodiles and if lucky you can witness elephants bathing in the river. Also, keep an eye on the treetops as you can often spot monkeys such as eastern fringed monkeys and baboons. The boat trip starts early in the morning during the soft light, golden hours for photographers. This light lasts till about 10 am when the light becomes brighter You can do an evening game drive looking out for more exciting wildlife scenes in the park or you can decide to relax at the swimming pool.

Today, you will undertake the journey to the green Kibale Forest. The drive is incredibly scenic, passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda. Upon arrival at the forest, you will enter a completely different world… some serious monkey business! Kibale Forest National Park lies just outside the colonial town of Fort Portal and is made up of dense tropical rainforest. This park is considered one of the big highlights of Uganda due to some serious monkey business going on here. A big number of primates residing can be found here and particularly a visit to one of the habituated chimpanzee groups is a very memorable experience. The rare red colobus as well as the black and white colobus, red-tailed monkey, olive baboon, the blue Monkey and l’hoest’s monkeys are also regularly seen here. Where would you find a better spot to experience encounters with nature; smell the forest and listen to the many sounds? Your safari tent or cottage is surrounded by lush green diversity filled with countless bird species and butterflies At your Lodge, you will have a unique jungle experience at the border of Kibale Forest National Park with the most stunning view over the forest canopy and the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. You will stay at a modern quiet location in the forest. In the restaurant and lounge areas you’ll be welcome to try tasty meals meanwhile you have high chance of spotting the Red Colobus and Grey Cheeked Mangabey monkeys on the premises

Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes making them our closest living relatives. They are found in 21 countries throughout Africa but are most easily sighted in Uganda due to their dense populations. Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild. The Chimpanzee Trekking experience here is done on several well-maintained walking trails. There is also a wonderfully diverse concentration of other primates, more than any other forest in East Africa, in fact. Besides our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees, you can find red colobus, red-tailed guenon, white-nosed monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey. In addition, you may see olive baboons, bush babies and nocturnal pottos. In the afternoon, you will go for a walk in Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary which features 8 primate species, over 200 bird species and many reptiles. During the walk – which takes 2 to 3 hours – you have a chance to many animals but the highlight is catching a glimpse of a famous bird; the Great Blue Turaco

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and is most often included in visitors’ itineraries. It is the second largest park in the country and is located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, next to Lake Edward and Lake George which are joined by the Kazinga channel. Few reserves in the world have such high biodiversity with landscapes including savannah, bushland, wetlands and lush forests. On your first game drive, it is time to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park with its 200 kilometres of well-maintained game viewing tracks. We advise you to be alert and proactive on your game drive to help the ranger spot as many animals as possible. With an astonishing 5000 hippos, 2500 elephants and over 10,000 buffalo thriving in its grasslands and shorelines, this park guarantees sightings of some of Africa’s most iconic species. All being well you see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, different species of antelope and just maybe some of the exciting predators such as; lion, leopard, civet, genal and serval cats. Ten species of primates enjoy the park’s diverse habitats. Vervet and black-and-white colobus monkeys are easily spotted in the trees and of course the boldest species; baboons!

The morning is the best time for a game drive as the African animal kingdom tends to be most active when during the golden hours of the first sunlight touching the savannah. You will continue the search for all the wildlife; elephant, buffalo, lion, waterbuck, leopard, Uganda kob, warthog and do not forget about the birds and the primates. In the afternoon will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. Here, you will see a lot of hippos more than you can imagine as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see: Buffalo, crocodiles, bathing elephants, and a range of beautiful birds.

After the hike, you will drive in about 2,5 hours to the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This part is famous for its’ tree-climbing lions. While lion cubs around the world frequently climb trees for fun, adults rarely do. However, these lionesses enjoy spending the hot afternoons snoozing in fig trees to get away from the tsetse flies and to enjoy a cool breeze. This is the most memorable sight in the park as you have never seen such photogenic lions posing for your camera before. During a game drive, you will try your luck! Meanwhile don’t miss the stunning scenery and superb birdlife in this southern remote section of the park either. There is amazing birdlife and many herds of elephants, buffaloes and antelopes are regularly spotted. Vervet monkeys, baboons, and black- and white colobus have become residents of the lodge

Lake Mutanda is close to the borders of Rwanda and Congo. You cross a beautiful part of the country often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’. You will see a great country-side, bamboo forest and have great views over the Virunga Mountains. For lunch, you will stop at a local restaurant on the road (lunch is not included). Situated between Kisoro town, Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks the Lake Mutanda Resort makes a perfect base for gorilla trekking, volcano hikers, and bird-lovers as well for those looking for a secluded magical place in nature. Don’t forget to take your chance to dip in the lake as it is Bilharzia-free, so safe to swim, paddleboard or canoe.

Today is the big day… Prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare Mountain Gorilla. For most people, this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a highlight for many visitors as this is where they will be visiting the home of the gentle giants. The park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests lie on the mist-covered hillsides. This magnificent forest dates back over 25,000 years, even surviving the last Ice Age (most forests disappeared). Bwindi forest has an incredible diversity of flora and fauna and is the only forest in Africa which can make a claim to hosting both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. In fact, half the world’s population of gorillas live here divided over nine habituated family groups. Also, 5 other primate species, 120 species of mammal, over 220 butterflies and 360 bird species call Bwindi home. This is the place to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas up close for your very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ moment. Your gorilla encounter will be an exciting (for some also challenging) journey along forested (sometimes slippery) slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gentle giants. En route, your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity. Think of dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The time to complete the gorilla trekking can be as little as 2 hours to as much as 7 hours!

Today we will take you to another exciting lake Bunyonyi a lake of many small birds” this stunning location offers some wonderful optional activities. The southwestern part of Uganda is known as ”Little Switzerland”, a lush, mountainous region dotted with freshwater lakes, which makes it the perfect base for a number of activities beyond gorilla tracking. The area is great for walking, hiking, mountain biking, cultural village tours, and bird watching or water sports activities.

Lake Mburo is a small national Park (on the route from Bwindi National Park back to Entebbe) but should certainly not be underestimated. This is the only place in southern Uganda to see zebras and the only park in the country with impalas, slender mongoose and giant bush rats. You can also look for hyenas, leopards, topis, elands and the beautiful Rothschild’s giraffes, not to mention the lake itself which is teeming with hippos and crocodiles!. There are a lot of wonderful activities on offer, such as horse riding, bush walks, a boat safari on the lake and a mountain bike safari. It is exciting to approach the wildlife at such close range, especially combining the fresh air with the beautiful scenery of Lake Mburo National Park. Today’s lodge is the ultimate place to breathe in the essence of wild Uganda. This lodge’s aim is to ensure responsible tourism in every way. Zebras, warthogs, impalas and bushbucks often gather around the lodge to drink water beneath the dining area

Lake Mburo National Park is one of the two parks in Uganda where it is permitted to go for a safari walk with an experienced ranger. Footprints and animal droppings tell which animal has been here and how long ago. It is exciting to approach the wildlife at such close range. This activity is included this morning.