DETAILED ITINERARY

 

Day 1: 30th April 2015, Drive to Murchison Falls, Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Meet and greet with your tour guide. We then transfer to Murchison Falls National Park having a break at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola to track and view the Rhinos.

Uganda's Rhinos became extinct in the early 1980s, after a period of civil unrest and heavy poaching. This sanctuary has now been established to breed black and white rhino, and restore Rhino populations in Uganda's protected areas in a later stage.
We stop for lunch in Masindi town and thereafter continue to Murchison Falls National Park stopping at the top of the falls which is a fantastic sight. Here the Nile, the longest river in the world, is forced through a narrow gap in the rock (only 7 meters wide), before ferociously plunging down 43 meters. From here we will continue onto our accommodation place along the Nile River.

Overnight at the Red Chilli Restcamp  (Sheltered cottages) for basic;

Fort Murchison Lodge for moderate;
Paraa Safari Lodge for luxury
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

(Driving time ± 5hrs on mainly surfaced roads)

Day 2: 1st May 2015, Safari game drives Murchison Falls National Park looking for wildlife; Boat Trip to the Falls
After an early breakfast, you enjoy a game drive through rolling plains of the park. Watch the parade of Elephants, Hartebeest, Giraffe, Buffalo, and many species of Antelope pass you by and try to spot a Lion or Leopard relaxing in the sunshine.

In the afternoon, you will take a relaxing boat trip along the Nile to the foot of the falls. Here, you will spot Hippos, a dazzling array of birdlife along the banks, and of course those Nile Crocodiles! Listen out for the thunderous and electrifying sound of the famous waterfall as you approach its base.

This is where the Nile thunders through a small 7-meter gap, or down river to the delta where the Nile empties into Lake Albert. This is an experience not to be missed! The banks of the Nile are home to many species. You may see huge Nile Crocodiles, big Pods of Hippos and other wildlife that may come down to drink from the river.

Overnight at the Red Chilli Restcamp  (Sheltered cottages) for basic;

Fort Murchison Lodge for moderate;
Paraa Safari Lodge for luxury
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

 

Day 3: 2nd May 2015, Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
Leave Murchison Falls N.P for Bwindi impenetrable N.P via the Lake Albert escarpment, having a good view of the lake. Traveling on both asphalt and unpaved roads with lunch enroute, you pass through traditional Ugandan Villages where you see people at work tending their traditional crops of millet, sorghum, beans and maize. The lush rolling hills of this region provide good "photo opportunities". As you approach Fort Portal in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, you enter Uganda's famous tea plantation region. A carpet of green spreads before you, as far as the eye can see, and seems an unusual contrast to the countryside through which you have just passed. We will drive through Queen Elizabeth known as we head towards the breathtaking adventures of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.  

While most of today's forests are no more than 12,000 years old, Bwindi's vegetation has been weaving itself into tangles over at least 25,000 years, in the process accumulating a lengthy species list. This includes 310 species of butterfly, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths and an exceptional 120 types of mammal including 10 primates. The latter includes chimpanzee, L'Hoest's, red tailed and blue monkey, black and white colobus, baboon, and Bwindi's most famous resident, the mountain gorilla. Bwindi is a prime destination for birdwatchers. Its 350 species include seven which are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift endemics, species which are difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa.

Overnight at Engagi Lodge/ Silverback Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge/ Lake Kitandara Camp (Moderate)
Buhoma Lodge/ Mahogany Lodge/chameleon hill (Up-market)
Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

 Driving time ± 9hrs on surfaced and un-surfaced roads)

Day 4: 3rd May 2015, Gorilla trekking (Bwindi Impenetrable NP) other primates and after we drive to lake Bunyonyi
You will surely enjoy this day! After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip- Gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day. We trek through the rainforest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 metres from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.
 Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It's difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas. After the gorilla tracking we shall  take a scenic drive to Kabale taking you through the beautiful terrain of the rolling hills with terraced landscape. A short drive leads us to the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi where we can relax and enjoy some reflection time. With its fresh water, bilharzias-free and beautiful landscapes, Lake Bunyonyi is a small paradise for travellers.  Overnight Accommodation options available (all on full board basis) 
Moderate: bird’s nest lodge
Luxury: Gorilla mist camp

 

Day 5: 4th May 2015, Lake Bunyonyi activities and visiting Pymies
Wake up to relaxed adventures from Lake Bunyonyi, sounds of birds in the air, fresh breeze by the serene lake and the like. After breakfast, we visit the nearby pygmies and experience their life style both current and the historical, participate in the cultural performances thereafter if time allows we come at our lodge for take nature walk, canoe ride or bicycle ride around the lake that was named after its many migrant and resident birds such as the rare shoebill stork, malachite kingfishers, bee-eaters, little sunbirds and several Albertine rift endemics. Sail across the lake to its spectacular islands and retire to the comfort of your lodge. For overnight Overnight Accommodation options available (all on full board basis) 
Moderate: bird’s nest lodge
Luxury: Gorilla mist camp

 

Day 6: 5th May 2015, drive to Kampala
Early breakfast before embarking on our return to Kampala, driving down the grassed and terraced escarpments of southwestern Uganda while taking in the breathtaking sights of the hills of the region dubbed ‘the little Switzerland of Africa’. This area is a highly fertile, mountainous region with steep sided hills covered from top to bottom in neatly terraced cultivated rows. Not to miss as we traverse Mbarara are the impressing long horn Ankole cattle. A remarkable highlight of this journey is the Equator line and surely you will cross it as we have a brief stop here. We will be in Kampala in the evening before for your flight back home.

Driving time ± 9hrs on surfaced and un-surfaced roads)

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