.14 Days Uganda Wildlife, Primates and Cultural safari
Overview
This 14 Days Uganda Wildlife Primates & Cultural safari will take you to some of the best safari destinations that the Pearl of Africa has got to offer. During this tour, you will get a chance to visit Sipi Falls in the East, Kidepo Valley National Park in the North East, Murchison Falls National Park in the North West, Kibale National Park in the West, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park as well as Lake Mburo National Park in the South West. Expect to enjoy various safari activities such as chimpanzee and gorilla trekking, wildlife viewing, boat cruises, hiking and cultural experiences. This entire safari experience will surely turn your life around!
Day 1: Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel
This day will mark the beginning of your 14 Days safari adventure in Uganda. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will warmly welcomed and received by one of our professional tour guides. He will give you a short briefing about your safari before transferring you to your hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
In the event that you arrive during the early hours of the day, you may first go for a city tour in Kampala – Uganda’s capital city before proceeding to your hotel. Some of the places that may be exciting to visit include; the Kabaka’s palace, the Uganda Museum, some restaurants (for the delicious local and international cuisines), the crafts market and several others.
Accommodation:
ViaVia Hotel (below budget)
Cassia Lodge (on budget)
Protea Hotel by Marriott (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 2: Transfer to Kapchorwa-Sipi Falls and a sun downer
After a good night’s rest, you will wake up to an early sumptuous breakfast and then check out of your hotel to embark on your journey to the famous Sipi Falls.
The drive will take you through exciting places such as Jinja which is one of Uganda’s commercial cities and a hot spot for tourists. This city is famous for being the source of Africa’s longest river, River Nile and the symbol of life for all the countries that it travels through before reaching Egypt. As you continue with your road trip, you will encounter various people going on with their day to day activities. Additionally, you will get an opportunity to spot extensive rice and sugarcane plantations and the natural wetland system that stretches to Lake Kyoga.
When you arrive at Sipi, you will check into your lodge, have lunch and relax as you prepare for a spectacular sun downer experience later in the evening.
This will be one of the most memorable experiences of your trip as you will have a wonderful combination of a delicious meal out in the wild and a view of the breathtaking sunset.
Accommodation:
Crowns Nest Campsite (below budget)
Lacam Lodge (on budget)
Sipi River Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 3: Hiking to the falls and the Sipi coffee experience
Early in the morning, you will get ready for this day’s activities. First, you will have your breakfast. Then, you will prepare and pack all the necessary hiking gear before heading out for your adventure. Your guide will give you a short briefing about hiking, providing you with information about the safety precautions and rules. Afterwards, you will embark on your hike to explore the stunning views of Sipi falls. During this hike, you will also have a glance at the agricultural farmlands of the Bagisu as well as Mountain Elgon.
There are various levels of this hike, so one can go as far as their energy can take them. While hiking, you will also enjoy the roaring sounds of the water as it plunges against the rocks.
After your hiking experience, you will return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. Later in the afternoon, you will head out for a coffee plantation visit/experience. Get an opportunity to learn about the story of coffee all the way from the seed to the cup. Did you know that Sipi Falls Arabica Coffee is one of the world’s best coffee? During this experience, you will meet local coffee farmers, tour their plantations and learn about the life cycle of the crop and the role that they play in the process. You will also get to tour the local processing plant to see the selected coffee beans before shipment, learn the traditional art of roasting coffee and finally enjoy a delicious cup of coffee to sum it all up!
Optional activity: abseiling (at an extra cost)
Dinner and overnight stay:
Crowns Nest Campsite (below budget)
Lacam Lodge (on budget)
Sipi River Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park with an en-route game drive in Pian Upe game reserve
After having your breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and embark on your drive to Kidepo Valley National Park. Along the way, you will experience an en-route game drive in Pian Upe game reserve- one of the most impressive and diverse wildlife habitats in Uganda. During this game drive, expect to have an encounter with various animals such as jackals, spotted hyenas, leopards, cape buffaloes, water bucks, the Uganda kobs, topis, primates like olive baboons and vervet monkeys and so on. After enjoying these gifts of Mother Nature, you will have a stop-over for your lunch before proceeding to Kidepo Valley National Park.
Dinner and overnight stay:
Apoka Rest Camp (below budget)
Nga’moru Wilderness Camp (on budget)
Apoka Safari Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 5: Morning game drive and Karamojong cultural visit
Having finished your breakfast, early this morning, you will go for your morning game drive in the park. You will drive through the mind blowing landscapes of the park that are usually dotted with plenty of wildlife. The Narus valley, which is the best location for wildlife viewing, will offer you an exceptional wildlife experience as you will view animals such as lions, buffaloes, cheetahs, elephants, elands and Rothschild giraffes. All these animals tend to congregate around the water points that are located along the Narus Valley. As you continue to the Kidepo Valley, you will get a golden chance of viewing the ostrich – one of the unique features of the park.
After the game drive, you will return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Later on, you will head out for the Karamojong Cultural visit. This visit will reward you with their traditional dances/performances and a feel of their art and crafts. Also, you will be able to explore their Manyattas (where they stay) and learn about their traditions and cultures.
Dinner and overnight stay:
Apoka Rest Camp (below budget)
Nga’moru Wilderness Camp (on budget)
Apoka Safari Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park and top of the falls visit
You will wake up to an early delicious breakfast and check out of your lodge. Thereafter, you will embark on your journey to Murchison Falls National Park.
When you arrive at the park, you will drive straight to the top of Murchison Falls which is also known as Kabalega Falls. This is where the Nile forces its way through a gap in the rocks that is only 8 meters wide, and tumbles 43 meters before flowing Westward into Lake Albert. You will also learn that the outlet of Lake Victoria sends around 300 cubic metres per second of water over the falls, squeezed into a gorge less than 10 metres wide. Take photographs while standing in close proximity with the world’s strongest waterfalls and enjoy the breeze while watching the gushing waters.
Finally you will return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Red Chilli Rest Camp (below budget)
Pakuba Safari Lodge (on budget)
Paraa Safari Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 7: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise
After having your morning coffee/tea, depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the opportunity of viewing lions, giraffes, hartebeests, buffaloes, elephants among others. For any birder, this area supports the secretary bird and black chested snake eagle to mention but a few.
Return to your lodge for a relaxed delicious breakfast. Later, after having lunch, you will go for a boat cruise on the Nile where you will spot lots of animals including elephants, buffaloes, hippos, Nile crocodiles and several water birds. 14 Days Uganda Wildlife Primates & Cultural safari, The large mammals near the river banks are usually seen drinking and bathing from the channel. Ensure to enjoy each moment on the cruise as these memories with keep their glow forever! After the boat cruise, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Red Chilli Rest Camp (below budget)
Pakuba Safari Lodge (on budget)
Paraa Safari Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: All meals and drinking water
Day 8: Transfer to Fort Portal and visit to the crater lakes
After getting yourself up and running for the day, you will check out of your lodge and drive out of the park through the Southern gate heading Southwards to Fort Portal, which is known as Uganda’s tourism city. On arrival, you will have lunch and thereafter proceed to the Crater lakes region for the crater lakes exploration.
Fort portal is famous for its numerous crater lakes that attract a large number of tourists all over the world. The scenery around these lakes is actually breathtaking! More to that, your visit to the beautiful Mahoma Falls will be a life changing experience. You will be rewarded with refreshing views of the waterfalls stumbling over the rocks with a gush, a lush green environment, an impressive birdlife and a serene atmosphere. Also, do not miss out having a power shower under the waterfalls!
Accommodation:
City View Hotel (below budget)
Koi Koi Fort Portal (on budget)
Kyaninga Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 9: Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru caves visit and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After waking up to the heart warming sunrise and the chirping of the birds, you will have breakfast, check out of your lodge and drive to the Tooro King’s palace. This grand establishment stands on Harukoto hill, the tallest hill within the heart of Fort Portal city giving a clear and scenic view of the entire palace building and the city. During your visit to will learn more about the culture and traditions of the Batooro as well as their kingdom’s history. The leader of the mighty Tooro kingdom is called Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV and the royal palace is his home.
After this visit, you will proceed to Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru caves. This is a unique tourist attraction that is located 10 km away from Fort Portal town in Kabarole near Nyakasura School. 14 Days Uganda Wildlife Primates & Cultural safari, The direct translation of Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru is “breasts of the mother of a slave”. According to legends, the caves acquired the name after King Bukuku of Bunyoro chopped off the breasts of his daughter Nyinamwiru and had them thrown inside these caves, following a prophecy that the daughter would one day get married and have a son, Ndahura, who would kill the king and take over his throne.
However, the king was not pleased to hear this prophesy so cutting off her daughter’s breasts was an attempt to deform her so that men wouldn’t be attracted to her. Little did he know that she was already pregnant with a boy child. Upon giving birth, the king made a second attempt to avert this prophecy by ordering the child to be killed. However, the people who were instructed to execute these orders just dumped the child in the caves where her mother’s breasts had been earlier dumped. You will explore these cultural-historical caves together with the refreshing Mabere waterfalls.
Later you will leave Fort portal and continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park and check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Pumba Safari Camp (below budget)
Twin Lakes Safari Lodge (on budget)
Mweya Safari Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 10: Morning game drive, afternoon boat cruise and night game drive
The mere thought of having a morning game drive on this day will probably give you wonderful dreams as you rest the previous night. You will wake up early, have your hot cup of coffee and head out for a morning game drive in the Northern section of the park “Kasenyi planes”. During your wildlife viewing adventure, you will have an amazing encounter with the early risers. Such as the leopards, hyenas, lions, elephants, buffaloes, a variety of bird species and so on. The game drive might take about 3 hours after-which you will return to your lodge for a relaxed delicious breakfast.
Later, in the afternoon, after having lunch, you will go for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Which will offer you one of the greatest wildlife experiences ever. Expect to see countless hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, water birds and other park animals drinking from the channel and bathing in its cool refreshing waters.
After relaxing at the lodge and having your dinner. You will head out for a night game drive – one of the most fascinating safari experiences for any wildlife enthusiast. During this experience, you will need to have your flash lights on as you search for the nocturnal animals out in the wild. While enjoying the safety and comfort of your safari vehicle. Night game drives are done in the Mweya Peninsula and as you move through the savannah. You will hear the chirping of crickets and squeals, screams, grunts and growls from other creatures all around. Some of the animals that you meet along the way will include lions, leopards, jackals, hyenas, serval cats, hippos and many others.
Accommodation:
Pumba Safari Camp (below budget)
Twin Lakes Safari Lodge (on budget)
Mweya Safari Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: All meals and drinking water
Day 11: Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After reminiscing about the astonishing events of the previous night and having breakfast, you will head out to Kalinzu forest for chimpanzee trekking. This will be an adventurous activity, as you will be able to see humans’ closest cousins; the chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest. First, you will have a briefing session from your tour guide at the park headquarters. Furthermore, you will be told about the safety precautions, rules and regulations of the activity. Then, you will proceed to the forest for chimpanzee trekking. Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve is a habitat to over 300 chimpanzees and around 40 chimpanzee communities have been habituated for tourism purposes.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest takes 3 to 4 hours before you meet the chimpanzee community depending on the trail that you take. 14 Days Uganda Wildlife Primates & Cultural safari, This is also because chimpanzees keep moving from one place to another in search for food.
After the exciting chimpanzee trekking experience, you will go for lunch and then transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. When you arrive, you will check in at your lodge for relaxation and overnight stay as you prepare for Gorilla trekking the following day.
Accommodation:
Broadbill Forest Camp (below budget)
Gorilla Mist Camp (on budget)
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 12: Gorilla trekking experience and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
On this adventurous day, you will wake up to an early morning breakfast and report to the park headquarters for a short briefing with the lead tracker/ranger guide before you start on the day’s activity. From there, you will head into the montane forest for an encounter with the mountain gorillas.
The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular and it offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape which is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. You will look for these endangered species and finding them will depend on their last nesting location the previous night.14 Days Uganda Wildlife Primates & Cultural safari, The time taken to track the gorillas can range from 1 to 7 hours. Once you locate a gorilla group, you will be allowed only one hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is a once in a lifetime experience to be long savored. Finally after tracking, you will have your packed lunch and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National park. Later on arrival at your lodge, you will check in for relaxation as you wait for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Traveler’s Rest Hotel (below budget)
Mutanda Lake Resort (on budget)
Mount Gahinga Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 13: Golden monkey tracking and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
You will wake up very early in the morning for breakfast and head out to the park headquarters. Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park involves travelers hiking through the forest in search of the golden monkeys in their natural habitat. Furthermore the activity starts at 8am with a briefing from the ranger guide or lead tracker. You will then head out in search of the golden monkeys using the Gahinga trail. Once you locate the Golden monkeys, you will be given only one hour in their presence and then head back to your starting point.
The trekking may takes about 2 to 4 hours depending on where they last nested the previous night. After trekking, you will return to board your safari vehicle and embark on your journey to Lake Mburo National park.
You will drive through the hills of Kisoro and Kabale. And have lunch on your way as you reach the park. When you arrive at Lake Mburo National park. You will check in at your lodge and relax as you wait for an evening nature walk to see the gentle mammals of the peaceful park. The nature walk will give you an opportunity to see a lot of animals. Like the Zebras, giraffes, antelopes, hippos, buffaloes, topis, elands, waterbucks and bushbucks among many other animals. You will later return to the lodge for dinner and a good night’s rest.
Accommodation:
Eagles Nest Camp (below budget)
Rwakobo Rock Lodge (on budget)
Mburo Safari Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 14: Morning nature walk and transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe International Airport
After a relaxed breakfast at the lodge, you will check out of the lodge and go for a guided nature walk with a ranger guide. Lake Mburo national park is an ideal place to do guided nature walks. You will begin with a drive, then walk on foot to have an adventure closer to nature. Expect to have a close view of zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, hyenas, topis, to mention but a few. 14 Days Uganda Wildlife Primates & Cultural safari, The activity can take about 1 or 2 hours after-which you will set off for Kampala.
During your journey, you will stop-over at the Equator for lunch, photographs and souvenir shopping. Then, you may proceed to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home.
End of safari
Inclusions
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- Golden monkey trekking permits
- Gorilla trekking permits
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional English speaking guide
- A comprehensive safari vehicle
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- Fuel for the entire journey with unlimited milage
- All Taxes/VAT
- Round-trip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water (On all days)
Excluded
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc)
- The government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
NB:
The inclusions and exclusions of the safari can be handled depending on your preferences.
We can provide a professional tour guide that speaks any other language (of your choice) apart from English.
Ensure to follow all the necessary COVID 19 and Ebola travel guidelines. To ensure that you are in a safe and healthy condition during your safari with us. One of our major priority is to provide the best possible safety and comfort during your tour. To please rest assured that you will be in safe hands.
Some of the travel guidelines include wearing and carrying a sufficient number of surgical masks. Moving with an alcohol based hand sanitizer, vaccination against COVID 19 or taking a PCR test and several others. Book with us today and get the safari of your dreams!
