Ugandan Expedition
/ per person
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Region: central Uganda to extreme North and South of the country
Duration: 14 or 19 days
Type: treks, nature & culture discoveries
Activities:
- Game-drives: 2 days in Kidepo Valley National Park, 2 days in Queen Elisabeth National Park, 2 days in Murchison Falls National Park
- Treks and Walking Safaris: 2 half-day walks in the footsteps of Samuel Baker (in Acholi sub region and in Murchison Falls N.P.), a 2 hours safari in Kidepo Valley N.P., 1 hike to Murchison Falls N.P., 1 day in Kibale Forest N.P. (chimpanzee habituation), 2 hours in Bigodi swamp, 2 days in Mgahinga National Park, 1 gorilla tracking either in Mgahinga or Bwindi Forest N.P.
- Boat trips: 1 on Lake Victoria (Jinja), 1 on Kazinga Channel in Queen Elisabeth N.P. and 1 on Victoria Nile to the Murchison Falls
Physical level: easy to moderate (the optional volcanoe)
Comfort: nights in guesthouses, bandas & lodges**(*)
Period: all year long, except from 20th october until 30th november
Group: 3 to 8 participants (maximum 2 vehicles)
Sneak preview:
With Eric, French, and Abia, Ugandan, both biologists, we set off to discover this unique country with its endearing people which conceals some 200 volcanoes, beautiful savannas and primary forests, numerous lakes scattered throughout the Occidental Rift Valley. Following this Rift Valley, whose lakes and mountains border Congo, our itinerary offers an incredible variety of ecosystems and animal species: the African great fauna, plus many primates (the impressive mountain gorillas, the mischievious Schweinfurth chimpanzees, red colobus, guereza colobus, mangabeys, Patas & red-tailed and L’Hoest monkeys…) and incredible bird variety, cumulating East African and Virunga & Ituri West African species (1060 species in total)!
Uganda named « Pearl of Africa » is also rich in 35 ethnic groups of Bantu and Nilotic origins; introduced into the communities of our friends Karamojong, Acholi and Batwa, we participate in various cultural meetings, meals on the farm and dancing sessions…
Strong Points:
- A stunning variety of ecosystems: semi-arid and woodland savannas in Murchison Falls, dry and rain forests in Queen, Kibale and Mgahinga-Bwindi, volcanoes, lakes and swamps of the Occidental Rift Valley.
- Reception in friendly communities: the very traditional Karamojong, the Batwa pygmies, the proud Banyankore and the beautiful Acholi ethnic group, renowned for its frienzied dances and incredible percussionists.
- Kidepo Valley, Queen Elisabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks offer us the African great fauna: buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, big cats and elephants, etc.
- Walking in the forests of Mabira, Kibale, Ndali and Mgahinga-Bwindi we will observe primates and different forest bird species.
- Our boat trips in Murchison Falls National Park and on Kazinga Channel give us the opportunity to observe a variety of water birds, hippos, crocodiles, monitor lizards, buffaloes and elephants…
- 2 extremely experienced passionate guides, both biologists living in Uganda.
14 or 19
From our gallery
Tour Plan
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Day 1: Meet > transfer to hotel:
Meet at Entebbe International airport, on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, for a transfer to our hotel near the lake at an altitude of 1140 meters, booked on Bed & Breakfast basis.
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Day 2: Kampala > Mabira Forest Reserve > Lake Victoria:
After a brief city tour in Kampala, we proceed to Mabira Forest for an excursion; an occasion to admire gigantic trees, observe primates, colorful butterflies and birds. After lunch in Jinja, we proceed for our boat-ride on Lake Victoria, from the Source of the Victoria Nile to our amazing « hotel-island »...
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Day 3: Lake Victoria > Mbale > Sipi Falls:
We boat back to the mainland to visit a colorful market before our transfer to Mbale, at the foot of Mount Elgon (4321m). Bypassing it to the west, we discover the 4 stunning waterfalls of the Sipi river, staged on cliffs located on the Elgon volcanoe: we go hiking about 3 hours from waterfall to waterfall with a Mugisu local guide, through farms and plantations.
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Day 4: Sipi > Karamojong community > Moroto:
Following the north trail, the manyattas soon confirm to us our entry into the territory of the formidable Karamojong warriors. A Visit to a village of friends is assured and will be accompanied by a warm welcome punctuated by frienzied songs and dances by women with colorful skirts. Continuation to Moroto for a beautiful dancing session of another group of our friends.
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Day 5: Moroto > Kidepo Valley National Park:
We head north for the sub-desert savannas and mountains of north eastern Uganda, where Kidepo Valley N.P. covers 1500 km² of superb savannas ranging from 900 to 2800 meters altitude, bordering Kenya and Sudan. We set in bandas and go for our first safari on foot with a ranger: thrills guaranteed when approaching wildlife…
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Days 6 & 7: Kidepo Valley National Park:
2 full days exploring the valleys of the Kidepo river & Narus river, lost alone on the borders of Sudan and Kenya. Their many distinct biotopes conceal a multitude of animal species: in addition to the « great classics » of lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and spotted hyenas, we meet the majestic greater kudu, the elusive serval cat, the imposing eland, the facetious bat-eared fox, the astonishing aardwolf amongst 77 species of mammals, plus 463 of birds (many raptors, bee-eaters, weavers, rollers, storks, etc.).
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Day 8: Kidepo > Gulu > Acholi village immersion:
5h transfer to Murchison Falls N.P., the largest Ugandan Park with a stop on the way 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 ! We overnight in Gulu.
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Day 9: Gulu > Murchison Falls National Park:
1h transfer to Fort Patiko, a historical place built on a splendid plateau of rock by Samuel Baker in 1872, to protect the Acholi peoples from the cruel slave traders. A gentle hike through this beautiful countryside will take us to villages of huts and plantations, stopping for lunch by our friends. 1h transfer in the afternoon to our lodge near Murchison Falls N.P.
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Days 10 & 11: Murchison Falls National Park:
Walking again in the footsteps of Samuel and Florence Baker, who came to confirm the Nile course in 1863, we discover with our ranger the amazing savannas of Murchison Falls N.P. Reaching the falls’ north rim, we continue exploring the park by 4x4, on our way to our lodge.
Second day of safari, according to our animal encounters. We will also embark on a cruise on the Victoria Nile towards Murchison Falls south rim (many hippos, crocodiles, birds…). Drop off downstream from the falls and hike 40 minutes to admire the scenery: the Nile here is 80 meters wide and rushes with a crash into a narrow canyon 6 meters wide and 44 meters deep !
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Day 12: Murchison Falls > Kibale Forest National Park:
direction due south towards Hoima and Toro sub region; along the way, plantations of bananas and coffee trees, fields of sorghum and yams. We arrive in Kibale Forest; huge tea plantations are dominated here by the great Kibale forest and the snow-capped Rwenzori summits. We take a birdwatching walk in the park of our lodge & the edge of the forest.
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Day 13: Chimpanzee Habituation Experience:
Kibale Forest is home to 13 species of primates and over 400 species of birds! We leave early to approach the chimpanzees, see them swinging from tree to tree, feeding, having fun and progressing on the ground, right in front of us. Later we engage in birdwatching in the lodge park or, depending on the timing, discover the surrounding stunning Ndali crater lakes.
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Day 14: Kibale: (Make a choice to either fly back or continue)
AT THIS STAGE, EITHER YOU FLY BACK HOME
Day 14: Kibale > Entebbe: Departure for Kampala, lunch en route and continue to Entebbe (6h tarmac road liaison). Transfer to Entebbe airport and flight back to Europe...
OR WE CONTINUE SOUTHWARDS AS FOLLOWING:
Day 14: Kibale > Queen Elisabeth National Park: After a stroll to discover other calderas, we reach the famous Queen Elisabeth National Park (3h tarmac road). This magnificent Western Rift Reserve offers a wide variety of landscapes of extinct volcanoes, marshes and open savannas dotted with giant candelabra euphorbias. Lunch on the way in Kasese and afternoon safari in search of big game. After an afternoon safari, we settle in at our lodge.
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Day 15: Queen Elisabeth National Park:
Morning safari in search for lions, leopards, hyenas and other animals. In fact, we have listed here 600 species of birds and 95 species of mammals. After lunch, we cruise on Kazinga channel, where buffaloes and elephants come to drink, and observe from our boat many hippos and crocodiles, various herons, egrets, terns, pelicans, storks, fishing eagles, etc.
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Day 16: Queen Elisabeth > Mgahinga National Park:
After a morning safari, we leave the Mweya sector for the plains of Ishasha, famous for their open landscapes and their lions dozing in acacias and ficus trees ! After our picnic near Ishasha river, we head to Kisoro, via Bwindi Forest and cross the mountainous Bunyankore kingdom; check-in for 3 nights near a lake, close to the 3 volcanoes of Mgahinga N.P.
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Day 17: Mgahinga National Park, Golden Monkey tracking & Pygmy experience:
After our Golden Monkeys tracking time, in addition to the multiple naturalistic aspects, unusual encounters during this day with the Batwa pygmies. With our pygmy Twa guide, we learn how the Batwa use medicinal plants, harvest honey, hunt, cook, build their huts, sing and dance, pray, etc.
Possible OPTION for good hikers with Eric or Abia: ascent volcanoe either Sabinyo, Mgahinga or Muhavura without any supplement, within 7-10h00. Fantastic views on the Virunga volcanoes from the tops, and amazing vegetal landscapes while climbing.
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Day 18: Mgahinga Day to track Gorillas or Bwindi « gorilla 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 and 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 Bwindi gorillas during this 4h interaction – 1500$. This habituation experience restricts the persons to a maximum of 4.
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Day 19: Kisoro > Entebbe:
Departure for Kabale then Mbarara, lunch en-route in the Banyankore sub-region, a people of breeders known for their superb « long horned » or « ankore » cattle. Unusual stop at the equator and continuation to Entebbe (7h tarmac road liaison). Transfer to Entebbe airport for your onward flight back home.
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