Arrive by plane in Entebbe, then spend the night at the reserved lodging. Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park the next day, stopping along to track rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Head towards Kibale Forest’s edge. Expedition to the Bigodi Wetlands and link to Queen Elizabeth NP. After that, drive to Bwindi through Ishasha. Experience Bwindi gorilla trekking, then unwind in Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo National Park. You will finally get back at Entebbe Airport.
Day 1: Travel to Murchison falls national park – Ziwa Rhino tracking and top of the falls.
There will be breakfast and then we embark on a transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – a successful conservation effort that was set to save the near-extinct rhino population in Uganda. Today, visitors to Uganda have a chance to encounter rhinos thanks to this effort. Once in Ziwa, we will proceed for an hour of on-foot rhino tracking. From the rhino tracking, we will drive off to Masindi where you will have a lunch stop. After lunch, we will embark on the last leg of our journey for today that will see us overnight at the booked accommodation in Murchison NP. You can decide to do a game drive first and then finally, proceed to the booked accommodation. Otherwise, we can go straight to the accommodation, check in and stay at leisure.
Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation:
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2: Exploring Murchison NP – Morning and Afternoon game drives/safari
Today you will have a full packed game viewing opportunity in the park. Murchison Falls NP is a home to different wildlife species such as; Buffalos, Jackson hartebeests, elephants, Lions, Giraffes, leopards, Hyenas, among others. They are widely spread all over the Savannah grasslands, grazing or hunting for prey. These make the park’s landscape so amazing for game viewing/game driving. After the lunch, we can move back for the second leg of our game viewing. After a satisfying day’s encounter, we shall head back to the lodge to freshen up – awaiting dinner and the overnight stay. #Optional (extra cost 30$ pp): If interested, you may consider the 11am boat trip upstream towards the falls that also offers the opportunity to hike (extra 15$ pp) to the top of the falls. Common sighting along the banks are ; Hippos, crocodiles and a few bird species.
Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation:
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
We will have breakfast and then drive to Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic – passing through villages, lush green countryside and hills dotted with tea plantations that characterize this part of Uganda. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way. Upon arrival at the accommodation, check in and just relax. If interested, you can proceed for the crater lakes excursion. You will enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and the stunning views all over. Else, just enjoy your rest at the facility.
Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps)
Accommodation:
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP, game drive.
Have breakfast and move out for the Bigodi wetlands excursion. The Bigodi wetland boasts of extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primates’ species like the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, and baboons. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. *Optional (extra cost 230$ pp): If interested, you can consider chimpanzee tracking (Kibale Forest) in place of the Bigodi wetlands excursion. Please, take note that permit for chimp tracking needs to be secured prior to the actual date. From the Bigodi (or Kibale Forest), embark (right away) on a transfer (about 2hrs) to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will reach Queen with some time available to move out for game viewing. During the game drive/viewing, look out for wild animals like; lions, the elusive leopard, herd of elephants, buffaloes to mention but a few.
Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation:
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 5: Morning game drive and afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel
Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. *After the boat tip, you can decide either to return to the lodge to rest or first proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge.
Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation:
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 6: Transfer through Ishasha, to the Batwa and getting ready for gorilla trekking the next day.
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then travel to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park – famously known for tree-climbing lions frequently seen in the area. The chance of spotting these lions stands at about 60-70% but sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get to spot them up in the tree, the sight is picturesque and memorable. From Ishasha, we shall embark on the final leg of our journey taking us to the accommodation situated right at the edge of Bwindi National Park. Once at the lodge, we can choose to just relax or (at extra cost) move out for the late afternoon-to-evening local community and cultural encounter. This involves cultural dances from the local people of the community and also participating in some activities e.g. traditional cooking, weaving among others.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation:
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and forest and transfer to Mgahinga
Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during gorilla trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the forest for your adventure and encounter. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular! The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken (4-8 hours) and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The time with these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation, and rest after a strenuous trek. #Optional (extra cost): In case you finished early and the body is willing to go out again, you can request your guide to arrange; a community visit, or some short nature walk.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation:
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 08: Golden monkeys tracking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi island to relax
You shall have breakfast at the lodge and thereafter, you will transfer for briefing as you go for the tracking. After the activity, you shall drive off to Lake Bunyonyi. The lake is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of (2,200 – 2,478m) but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical — you could admire them all day with the rich history you will be told.
Main Destination: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation:
Meals & Drinks: 0All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 09: Transfer to Lake Mburo NP and enjoy afternoon (evening) game drive
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then, check out of the rooms, go for the canoe ride activity on lake Bunyonyi after which you shall set off to Lake Mburo National Park. This is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah National Parks but home to so many bird species as well as animals such as: Giraffes, Zebra, impala, eland, buffalo, and the elusive leopard among others. We shall arrive and check in for some rest before heading out for a late afternoon-to-evening game drive that will bring us up close with the Mburo inhabitants. Finally, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Main Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation:
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 10: Morning game drive and Transfer to Mpogo dairy farm
Enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo morning game drive park (bush) walks in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger-guide. Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda is a stunning destination for game drives, offering the chance to see a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat. During game drives in Lake Mburo National Park, visitors can expect to encounter animals such as impalas, zebras, elands, buffaloes, and giraffes. The park is also known for its rich birdlife with over 300 species of birds including the rare shoebill stork.
The landscape of Lake Mburo National Park is diverse and includes rolling hills, open savannas, acacia woodlands, and lush wetlands around the various lakes within the park.
Main Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation:
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 11: Morning dairy farm experience and transfer to Kampala
After having an early breakfast, go for a morning farm experience to experience how mild is naturally produced from a cow, cooled and prepared for breakfast. On this day you shall have a chance to mild the cow yourself or see how it is done and you shall have this as your mild tea if you wish. After this you shall transfer to Kampala via the equator monument around Masaka Kayabwe.
Main Destination: Kampala
Accommodation:
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 12: Shoebill experience and transfer to Entebbe international airport.
After your last breakfast with Amakula African Safaris guide, you shall be transferred to Mabamba Bay Wetland located in Entebbe, Uganda is a prime location for the shoebill stork in its natural habitat. The wetland offers excellent opportunities to observe this unique bird species as it hunts for fish and navigates through the swampy waters. Visitors can take guided boat trips or canoe excursions to explore the wetlands and increase their chances of spotting the elusive shoebill stork. This area is renowned for its rich birdlife, making it an ideal destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts looking to experience. After this activity we shall drive you to Entebbe international airport to conclude our 12-Day Gorillas And Chimps Budget Safari With Amakula African Safaris.
Main Destination: Entebbe international airport.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast and lunch are included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
End of tour
Total trip cost Includes
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- Gorilla permits (One per person, non-resident)
- Chimpanzee permits (One per person, non-resident)
- Golden monkey permits (One per person, non-resident)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water (On all days)
Total trip cost Excludes
- 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.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
