Uganda Explorer

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Region: from extreme South to North-West of the country

Duration: 13 days

Type: nature & culture

Activities:

Game-drives: 2 days in Queen Elisabeth National Park, 2 days in Murchison Falls National Park
Walking Safaris: a half-day walk in the footsteps of Samuel Baker explorer in Acholi sub region, 1 hour hike to Murchison Falls, 1 day in Kibale Forest (chimpanzee habituation), 2 hours hike in Bigodi swamp, 2 days in Mgahinga National Park
Boat trips: 1 on Kazinga Channel in Queen Elisabeth N.P. and 1 on Victoria Nile to the Murchison Falls

Physical level: easy

Comfort: nights in guesthouses & lodges**(*)

Period: all year long, except april and from 20th october until 10th december

Group: 3 to 8 participants (maximum 2 vehicles)

Sneak preview:

We set off to discover the « Pearl of Africa », an amazing country with its endearing people which conceals about 200 volcanoes, beautiful savannas, primary forests and numerous lakes scattered throughout the Western Rift.

Uganda’s ecosystems are home to 1060 species of birds, the African amazing fauna and unique animals, including the impressive mountain gorillas and the mischievious chimpanzees. The country is also rich in 35 ethnic groups of Bantu and Nilotic origins. There is an introduction into the communities of our friends Acholi, Batwa and Banyankore where we participate in various meetings, meals on the farm and dancing sessions…

All the African great fauna, we will find in Queen Elisabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks: elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hyenas, warthogs, many different antelopes and mongooses…

Besides, we might observe:

– endemic or specific animals to Uganda: 14 primates species, Rothschild giraffe, Ugandan kob, Ross’s and great blue turacos, saddle-billed and shoebill storks, great white pelican, gray crowned crane, brown and African grey parrots, etc.
– monkeys & great apes: mountain gorilla, Schweinfurth chimpanzee, golden monkey, red colobus, eastern black-and-white colobus, mangabeys, L’Hoest & Patas and red-tailed monkeys.

Strong points:

An anthology safari in Murchison Falls & the great fauna of Queen Elisabeth approached in both places by vehicle, foot and boat-cruise
The 3 unique days in the forests to meet chimpanzees, golden monkeys and mountain gorillas
Receptions in different communities: the stunning Batwa pygmies, the proud Banyankore and the Acholi ethnic group, renown for its spectacular dances and incredible percussionists
An experienced passionate guide, biologist living in Uganda

14 or 19

Adventure Safaris

Uganda

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Tour Plan

Day 1: Meet > transfer to hotel:

Meet upon arrival at Entebbe International airport for transfer to your hotel near Lake Victoria, booked on Bed & Breakfast basis. In case of a morning arrival in Entebbe Airport, we proceed to Ssese Island by speed boat (1hour), to enjoy the Lake Victoria sceneries. On the next day, we take a 30 minutes boat ride to meet our driver for a short transfer to Masaka & Lake Mburo.

Day 2: Kampala > Lake Mburo National Park:

We embark on a long scenic ride via Kampala and an unusual equator stop. On arrival, we go for a sundown game-drive: an occasion to see elands, zebras, impalas, buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, bushbucks and reedbucks among other mammals. The birdlife is rich with 332 recorded species in this park. Nestle-in at our lodge.

Day 3: Lac Mburo > Kisoro:

After an early breakfast, we inaugurate a walking safari with a ranger (2 to 3 hours on flat open savanna ground), maintaining silence while approaching wildlife. 7h transfer to Kisoro via the mountainous Bunyankore kingdom; check-in for 3 nights near a lake, close to the 3 volcanoes of Mgahinga N.P. bordering Rwanda and Congo.

Day 4: Mgahinga National Park, Golden Monkey tracking & Pygmy experience:

After our Golden Monkeys tracking time, in addition to the multiple naturalistic aspects (black-and-white colobus, giant forest hogs, bushbucks and buffaloes also live there), unusual encounters with the Batwa pygmies. With our pygmy guide, we learn how the Batwa use medicinal plants, hunt, cook, build their huts, sing and dance, pray, etc.

Day 5: Mgahinga day to track and observe Mountain Gorillas:

A chilly and misty morning, after the briefing, we follow our ranger-guide into the gorilla sanctuary. On sight of the gorillas, we keep calm and watch them feed, play... Mgahinga forests are ancient forests with a diversity of flora and fauna for you to see, feel and experience. Back to our lodge, we can rest or go for a scenic walk along the lake. *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 of Bwindi during this 4h interaction – 1500$. This habituation experience restricts the persons to a maximum of 4.

Day 6: Mgahinga National Park, Sabinyio volcanoe:

Our objective is the Sabinyo (3669 meters high), bordering both Rwanda and Congo ! Our 1300 meters ascent takes 8 hours there and back, passes through montane forest, bamboo zone and moorland, offering us amazing vegetal landscapes and fantastic views on the neighbouring 5 Virunga volcanoes from the top ridge.

Day 7: Kisoro > Queen Elizabeth National Park:

After a picturesque transfer via Bwindi Forest to Queen Elizabeth N.P., we access this famous park via its southern gate. The Ishasha section of QENP is renowned for its wilderness character and its tree-climbing lions, hanging in Fig and Acacia trees. After a picnic lunch near the river, we proceed to our lodge, observing birds, elephants en route…

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park:

We set about on a sunrise game-drive through the savanna plains, swamps and forests of Queen Elizabeth. After lunch at the lodge, we go for our afternoon boat-ride on Kazinga Channel: a thread of water which is a lifeline to crocodiles, a high concentration of hippos and a wide range of birds. Return and spend the remaining part of the day in the wild.

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth > Kibale Forest National Park:

After our morning Chimpanzee tracking session, we proceed to Kibale Forest, home to 13 species of primates and over 400 species of birds ! We settle-in at our lodge in cottages with a natural forest breeze. Birdwatching session before dinner as the birdlife is prolific here ; OR we engage in a 2 hours walk on Bigodi swamp to see more primates and birds.

Day 10: Kibale Forest > Murchison Falls National Park:

After an early walk in the rain forest of Nkuruba Crater Lake (amazing dranceinas, quinine and ficus trees, arboreal monkeys and colorful birds), we following snaking routes on our way to Murchison Falls N.P., the Uganda's largest National Park, offering spectacular views of the mighty Murchison Falls, 451 recorded bird species and 76 mammal species!

Day 11: Murchison Falls N.P.:

We go for early morning game-drive. At 2PM, we set about on a boat-cruise on the Nile waters to the bottom of Murchison Falls (crocodiles, hippos and birds on the way). The ride finally reveals the spectacular falls as the gigantic spillage from a height of 44 metres. At this point, we leave the boat and take an approximately 45 minute hike to the top of the Falls.

Day 12: Murchison Falls N.P. > Gulu:

We enjoy our last game-drive en-route to Gulu, in Acholi sub region, renowned for its superb huts, its many frenzied dances and its excellent percussionnists. We are warmly welcomed in a family farm of our friends for lunch and to attend a dancing performance: a great festive and cultural moment ! Installation at the hotel** in Gulu.

Day 13: Gulu > Ziwa Sanctuary > Kampala:

Stop en-route at « Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary », a 70 km² exemplary conservation ranch: this is a special occasion to track and observe the extremely endangered white rhinoceros. After lunch at Ziwa, we proceed to Kampala and Lake Victoria beaches & curio shops. We later proceed to Entebbe Airport for your flight departure.

Uganda Explorer