Pearl of Africa

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Region: North-East and South-East of the country

Duration: 10 days

Type: Nature & culture

Activities:

- - Game-drives: 2 days in Queen Elisabeth National Park, 2 days in Murchison Falls N.P.
  - Walking Safaris: 1 day in Kibale Forest, 1 excursion in Nkuruba Crater Lake Reserve and another in Bigodi swamp, 2 days in Mgahinga National Park
  - Boat Safaris: 1 on Kazinga Channel in Queen Elisabeth N.P. and 1 on Victoria Nile to Murchison Falls

Physical level: Easy

Comfort: Nights in lodges***(*)

Period: All year long, but preferably avoid april & november (risk of rains)

Sneak preview:

Exploring the Western Rift Valley, whose deep lakes and fierce mountains border Congo, our itinerary offers an incredible variety of ecosystems and animal species: likewise primates (mountain gorilla, Schweinfurth chimpanzee, guereza colobus, Patas and L’Hoest monkeys…) plus incredible bird variety, making this small country immensely endowed with 1060 species in total!

The country named « Pearl of Africa » is also rich in 35 ethnic groups of Bantu and Nilotic origins. Introduced into the communities of our friends, the Acholi, Batwa and Banyankore, we participate in various meetings, meals on the farm and dancing sessions…

We will also find all the African great fauna in Queen Elisabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks for example, elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles, bufaloes, lions, leopards, hyenas, warthogs, mongooses and many different antelopes… Besides that, we might observe:

- - endemic or specific animals to Uganda: 14 primates species, Rothschild giraffes, Ugandan kob, Ross’s and great blue turacos, saddle-billed and shoebill storks, great white pelicans, gray crowned cranes, brown and African grey parrots, to mention but a few.
  - monkeys and great apes: mountain gorillas, Schweinfurth chimpanzees, golden monkeys, baboons, colobus, mangabeys and other monkeys.

Strong points:

- - A phenomenal variety of landscapes and ecosystems: semi-arid savannas in Murchison Falls, dry and rain forests in Kibale and Mgahinga-Bwindi, lakes and swamps of the Rift Valley.
  - Queen Elisabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks offer us the African alluring fauna: buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, lions, leopards, hyenas and elephants.
  - In the forests of Kibale, Nkuruba Crater Lake and Mgahinga-Bwindi, we observe primates and many colorful forest birds and butterflies.
  - Our boat trips to the Murchison Falls on the Victoria Nile and to Lake Edward on Kazinga Channel give us the opportunity to observe many water birds, hippopotami, crocodiles, monitor lizards, buffaloes and elephants…
  - A very experienced passionate guide and biologist established in Uganda.

Pure Charm

Uganda

From our gallery

Tour Plan

Day 1: Europe > Entebbe > Murchison Falls National Park, transfer to your lodge:

On arrival at Entebbe Airport, connection to Murchison Falls (1h flight). Short transfer and installation on the Nile River bank for 2 nights. Mind the hippopotamus! Lunch and a first game-drive in the Uganda's largest National Park, offering 450 recorded bird species and 76 mammal species! Baker’s Lodge**** www.ugandaexclusivecamps.com

Day 2: Murchison Falls National Park:

We go for a sunrise game-drive and a walking safari with a ranger: sensations guaranteed! After lunch, we embark on a private boat-cruise on the Nile waters to the bottom of Murchison Falls (crocodiles, hippos and birds). The ride finally reveals the spectacular Falls. At this point, we leave the boat and take an approximately 45 minutes hike to the top of the Falls.

Day 3: Murchison Falls > Acholi land > Pakwach

After a morning game-drive along the Nile Albert, we proceed to Gulu, capital of the Acholi people, a beautiful ethnic group renowned for its frienzied dances and incredible percussionists. We are warmly welcomed in a family farm of our guide's friends for an Acholi lunch and to attend a dancing performance: a great festive and cultural moment! Transfer to Pakwach, to check-in near the Nile Albert. Fort Murchison Lodge: www.naturelodgesuganda.com

Day 4: Pakwach > Kibale Forest National Park:

After an early morning game-drive, we reach the escarpment. Stopping en-route for panoramic views on the Lake Albert and Congo. We then proceed to Toro region: to settle-in at our lodge for 2 nights, with the natural soothing Kibale Forest breeze. We engage in a birdwatching session: the birdlife is prolific here, with approximately 400 species recorded for the area. www.primatelodge.com

Day 5: Kibale Chimpanzee Habituation Experience:

This very early morning, we enter the sanctuary for our Chimpanzee Habituation day (14 years old minimum ; otherwise alternative program with Eric). Back to our lodge in the afternoon, we relax or embark on a Bigodi Swamp 2 hours stroll, to see more primates and birds, including black and white colobus, red colobus, mangabey, red tail and vervet monkeys great blue turaco, etc. Same Lodge.

Day 6 : Kibale > Queen Elisabeth National Park:

Early walk in Nkuruba Crater Lake Reserve (amazing dracaena, quinine and ficus trees, arboreal monkeys and birds) with a Mutooro biologist. We follow snaking routes via villages and Crater Lakes dominated by snowy peaks of the Rwenzori chain. After lunch, we enter the famous Queen Elizabeth N.P. Check-in at our lodge and look-out for the African great fauna. www.kingfisherlodge.co.ug

Day 7 : Queen Elisabeth National Park:

We undertake a sunrise game-drive. After lunch, we brace ourselves for our afternoon private boat-ride on Kazinga Channel: a 33 km long thread of water linking Lake George to Lake Edward, which is a lifeline to crocodiles, a high concentration of hippos and a wide range of birds. We then return and spend the remaining part of the day in the wild. Same Lodge.

Day 8 : Queen Elisabeth > Kisoro:

We proceed to the Ishasha section, renowned for its open savanna landscapes and its tree-climbing lions, hanging in Fig and Acacia trees. After picnic lunch, we continue to Kisoro, via the mountainous scenic road crossing the Bwindi Forest, famous for its mountain gorillas. Settling in near a lake, at the bottom of 3 fierce volcanoes making the Mgahinga National Park. www.mutandalakeresort.com

Day 9 : Mgahinga Gorilla tracking or Bwindi habituation day*:

A chilly and misty morning, we follow our ranger-guide into the gorilla sanctuary. On sight of the gorillas, we keep calm and watch them feed, play and rest. Their familial groups of 8 to 20 units are under protection of a sylverback, reaching 250 kg for 1,70 meter height! Back to our lodge, we can rest or go for a scenic walk along the lake. Same Lodge. *OPTIONAL: « Gorilla habituation » in South BWINDI Forest (1 hour drive from our lodge): instead of 700$ for 1 hour interaction with the group of gorillas, if « gorilla tracking » in Mgahinga, you spend more time with the gorillas during this 4h interaction – 1500$. This habituation experience restricts the persons to a maximum of 4.

Day 10: Mgahinga golden monkeys > Kisoro > Entebbe:

We go about tracking the rare Golden Monkeys. After picnic, we meet the original inhabitants of the forest: 2 to 4h experience with our Twa pygmy guide, learning how his people use medicinal plants, hunt, cook, pray, build their huts and dance, etc. Transfer to Kisoro Airfield for your flight to Entebbe (scheduled flight or chartered flight on Cessna//Caravan aircrafts). Connection with your international fllight back home. OR direct flight Entebbe > Masai Mara if you choose our « Kenyan Big migration extension ». Possible extension in Uganda: KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, please consult us...