9 DAYS MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
all the way to BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Day 1
TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Early pick up from the hotel in Entebbe or Kampala, and by 7am we will be on our way on a long 7 to 8 hour journey through various landscapes in northern Uganda to Murchison Falls National Park.
On our way, we will stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking. The rhinos roam freely on 3,500 acres of land, however they are closely monitored 24 hours a day to protect them from poachers. Tracking and viewing the rhinos usually involves a short drive followed by 1.5 to 3 hours walking and viewing with a ranger. Closed shoes, long trousers and insect repellent are strongly recommended.
We continue to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s most well-known and largest nature reserve. With the impressive, powerful Murchison waterfall and its remarkable animal populations, this is a must see while visiting the Pearl of Africa. An exceptional boat or delta safari on the Nile River offers water viewing up close and personal. Always make sure you have your camera ready! The Nile divides the park between the northern and southern sections as it makes its way through multiple rapids and waterfalls to Lake Albert. A game drive through the park allows you to be eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom. Be prepared to be astounded by the sheer number of elephants you will encounter, along with giraffes, lions, antelope, waterbucks, water buffalo, hippos and crocodiles. This park guarantees adventure!
Day 2
GAME SAFARI AND BOAT SAFARI ON VICTORIA NILE
An early start is important this day, as we start at 6:30am for a 4 hour game drive to explore the park and see early risers and predators coming from their hideouts. This drive will take your breath away, and a professional ranger with extensive knowledge of the park and its inhabitants will join you for the drive. You will see an incredible variety of wildlife, and discover the park’s ecosystems as we drive through dense woodland, expansive savannahs and rolling grasslands. We will be viewing Jackson’s hartebeests, lions, giraffes, waterbucks and different species of antelope. Murchison Falls National Park is note worthy for its huge elephant population, including vast numbers of bird species and large herds of water buffalo.
On the 3 hour afternoon boat safari to Murchison Falls, we travel down the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls. You will experience breathtaking scenery and all king of wildlife from the moment you step onto the launch to the moment you step off. You will be watched closely by crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, water buffalo, birds (over 450 different species), monkeys and all the other (also thirsty) wildlife along this world renowned waterway. For those who enjoy hiking, step off the launch near the falls and hike to the top (takes about 1 hour) to be guaranteed breathtaking, heart stopping views of the Pearl of Africa. Your tour guide will be waiting at the highest point to drive you back to the lodge for dinner.
Day 3
BOAT SAFARI ON DELTA AND GAME SAFARI
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 shoebill stork and papyrus endemic species. This boat safari through the delta is a must do for every birdwatcher. While on this approximately 5 hour tour, you will be served “brekkie” while enjoying beautiful scenery as we head to Lake Albert. You will see fishermen in canoes with catches of tilapia fish, local people fetching water from the Nile and of course wild game. Keep an eye out for elephants, hippos and crocodiles too, as the river is their bathtub! Remember also to look up, as the treetops are full of monkeys – eastern fringed monkeys and baboons. This early morning boat trip starts during the soft light, which are golden hours for photographers, and the light lasts until about 10am when it becomes brighter. Now is the time to relax, sit back & enjoy!
Another game drive in the afternoon searching for more exciting wildlife might be exactly what you want, or you can relax at the lodge
Day 4
TRANSFER TO KIBALE FOREST & SWAMP WALK
The drive to Kibale Forest is indescribably beautiful, passing through tea plantations and lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda. On arrival at the forest, you will enter a completely different world… some serious monkey business is afoot!
Kibale Forest National Park lies just outside the colonial town of Fort Portal and is a dense tropical rainforest. This park is considered one of the highlights of any trip to Uganda, as huge numbers of primates inhabit this area. A visit to one of the habituated chimpanzee groups is a must see, and the rare red colobus, black and white colobus, red tailed monkey, olive baboon, blue monkey and l’Hoest’s monkeys are regularly see here.
Late afternoon, we visit the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary which features 8 primate species, over 200 bird species and many reptiles. During this 2-3 hour walk, there will be many animals to see, however, the highlight of this particular walk, will be catching a glimpse of the famous Great Blue Turaco. This sanctuary is operated by KAFRED, a registered community-based organization, with the fee charged for the walk used to support community development programs such as schools, and hospitals.
Day 5
CHIMPANZEE TRACKING AND TRANSFER TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes which makes them our closest living relatives. In Uganda there are approximately 5,000 chimps left in the wild. The chimpanzee tracking experience takes along well maintained walking trails, and we will also see a wonderfully diverse concentration of other primates, more than in any other forest in East Africa: red colobus, red-tailed guenon, white-nosed monkey, gray-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey and the black and white colobus. During this tracking and swamp walk adventure you may see olive baboons, bush babies and nocturnal pottos. A one hour, professionally guided eye-to-eye contact experience with the chimpanzees in this jungle will be a life-changing experience for many.
Transfer to scenic Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is the 2nd 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 diverse landscapes including savannah, bushland, wetlands and lush forests.
Day 6
It will be an early breakfast today as we are in for a long game drive in time to see the sunrise. Morning is the best time for spotting as the African animal kingdom tends to be most active during the golden hours of the first sunlight which touches the savannah. All the wildlife can be seen here: elephant, water buffalo, lion, waterbuck, leopard, Uganda kob, warthog, birds & primates.
After lunch, a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel assures sightings of hippos – so many you will never be able to count them! – and a great variety of other animals as well: expect to see water buffalo, crocodile, elephant and magnificent birds, all of which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. After this exciting expedition it’s back to the lodge to relax before dinner.
Day 7
TRANSFER TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
Today our drive takes us to Kisoro in southwestern Uganda close to the borders of Rwanda and Congo. We will cross a beautiful part of Uganda often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’. We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant on the way.
Mutanda Lake Resort offers one of the best views in Uganda! Perched on a peninsula in Lake Mutanda, this lodge offers comfortable accommodation in a unique corner of the country. Situated between Kisoro, Mgahinga and Bwindi National Park, the resort makes a perfect base for gorilla trekking, volcano hikes and bird-watching. This is the ideal stop for those looking for a magical paradise secluded in nature. Don’t forget to take a dip in the lake as it is bilharzia free. Paddle board or canoe amongst the locals going about their daily business on the lake. Sunset scenes are spectacular so make sure to be on one of the verandas with your camera in hand.
Day 8
GORILLA TREKKING AND SUNDOWNER CRUISE
This is a unique experience to trek, and meet at close quarters the rare mountain gorillas. There are only around 1200 of these magnificent creatures left in the world with1/3 of those living in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest.
After an early breakfast we will drive to the park headquarters, to be educated on gorilla behaviour and then assigned into groups. This trek can take between 2-6 hours depending on the movements of these primates, and is over rugged terrain. Once you find your gorilla family you will have one hour to spend with these magnificent primates. This is one the greatest animal encounters in the world.
Now it is time to return to the lodge to freshen up, have lunch and then choose between relaxation, a visit to the Batwa community or swimming. We end the day with a sundown cruise on Mutanda Lake.
Day 9
TRANSFER TO KIGALI, RWANDA
After breakfast, we will drive to Kigali, Rwanda (4.5 hrs scenic drive). If you desire, your guide will stop at Kigali Genocide Memorial which commemorates the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Say goodbye to your guide at your hotel or at Kigali airport.
OR
TRANSFER TO ENTEBBE, UGANDA
After breakfast, we will drive to Entebbe (8 hrs scenic drive). Say goodbye to your guide at your hotel or at Entebbe airport.