TOUR UG10: JEWELS OF UGANDA (14 Days)

This safari starts and finishes in Entebbe. [The Bwindi gorilla permit is included in the safari cost but the other gorilla trackings require a supplement to be paid at time of booking.]

Our longest safari, this tour visits 8 of Uganda’s 10 National Parks. Six of these – Murchison Falls, Semliki, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Mgahinga are in the Western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley! Your trip starts with Murchison Falls Conservation Area, the largest in the country, with chimps, birds, crocodile, and game. Visit the dramatic Falls from which the park derives its name.

Drive the long journey westwards to Semliki Game Reserve for chimps, birds and game. Kibale Forest, nearby, is home to thirteen species of primates – the highest in tropical Africa. Animal species such as red, black and white colobus, blue monkeys and baboons and a large number of chimpanzees can be seen. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains: a half day walk into the mountains is possible.

The launch trip along the Kazinga Channel in QE is especially good for viewing hippo, buffalo, elephant and a large host of birds. The beautiful steeply forested Kyambura Gorge nearby, is home not only to chimpanzees but also the red-tailed monkey, black and white colobus and many bird species. Around Ishasha go on the hunt for the famous tree-climbing lions which lounge nonchalantly on old fig trees. Further south in Bwindi go gorilla tracking and see other primates, birds and butterflies before continuing to Mgahinga, which is part of the Virunga Conservation Area, known for its gorillas and breathtaking volcanoes.

Have an opportunity to track gorillas again or climb a volcano, go birding or take in the breathtaking landscape. Return to Kampala via Lake Mburo, one 0of Uganda’s most conspicuous parks rich in birds, hippo, buffalo, and zebra.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe airport. Meet, greet and transfer to Imperial Resort Beach Hotel for overnight (BB).

Day 2: Briefing from you guide before leaving for Murchison Falls Conservation Area through Luwero. Lunch en route and continue to the park. Visit the top of the stimulating Murchison Falls, crashing through a narrow gorge. Game viewing in the evening, time permitting. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours] O/N: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Camp (FB).

Day 3: An early morning game viewing north of the Nile. Launch trip to the bottom of the mighty exciting Falls, with crocodiles, and a vast array of birds including the rare shoebill stork, lounging on the banks of the Nile. Hippos are everywhere! Evening game drive. O/N: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Camp (FB).

Day 4: An early start. Game drive on your way to Pabidi in Budongo Forest carrying a packed lunch. Go for a guided nature walk to track chimpanzees. Budongo is also known for its many plant and bird species. [Approximate driving time: 2 hours] O/N: Masindi Hotel/Court View Hotel (FB).

Day 5: Drive south to Fort Portal, past big tea plantations, lunch en route. Proceed to Semliki Safari Lodge. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours] O/N: Semliki Safari Lodge (FB).

Day 6: An early morning game drive. Boat trip on one of the lakes. Hippos, crocodile and a vast array of birds can be seen. Evening game drive on your way out of the park to Ndali Lodge in Kibale. Either explore a crater lake nearby or relax at your lodging. [Approximate driving time: 1-2 hour(s)] O/N: Ndali Lodge/Mantana Kibale Camp (FB).

Day 7: A guided nature walk in Kibale Forest, which has the highest number of primates in Africa - including red, black and white colobus, blue monkeys and baboons and a large number of chimpanzees. A forest walk provides a high possibility of seeing and hearing a vast number of chimps and other primates crashing around through the forest. Birdlife is also fabulous, with over 300 species recorded in the forest. An afternoon walk in Bigodi wetland gives the opportunity of seeing the unusual birds, baboons, chimpanzee and other primates which live around the swamp. O/N: Ndali Lodge/Mantana Kibale Camp (FB).

Day 8: Leave for Queen Elizabeth Park, passing via the Rwenzoris, or “Mountains of The Moon” as they are sometimes called. Time permitting, half day walk to the foothills. Continue to QE. A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a rewarding experience. Evening game drive, time permitting. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours] O/N: Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge (FB).

Day 9: Visit Kyambura gorge to track chimpanzees, man’s closest relation. In the afternoon, a game drive on your way out of the park. Leave for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We may drive via Ishasha, weather conditions permitting – where you may see tree-climbing lion - or drive through farmland to Buhoma. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours] O/N: Bwindi Tented Camp or Buhoma Homestead (FB).

Day 10: Go gorilla tracking (subject to availability of gorilla permits at time of booking), carrying a packed lunch. You will be accompanied by a guide and porters who will carry your shoulder pack for you. You will then set off to the thick forest in search of gorillas. The terrain can be difficult, with steep slopes covered in dense vegetation that gives the park its name. In addition, the altitude of 5200 feet and more means participants do need to be physically fit. The time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 8-9 hours before one returns to camp. Difficulty, however, is not impossibility and coming face to face with the great primates is well worth it! O/N: Bwindi Tented Camp or Buhoma Homestead (FB).

Day 11: Leave for Kisoro, stopping at Kanaba Gap to view the spectacular Virunga volcanoes and stunning terraced hills. Either visit the natural, beautiful-looking Lake Mutanda, surrounded by the volcanoes, take a walk on the shores or continue directly to Mgahinga. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours] O/N: Mount Gahinga Rest Camp/Mgahinga Safari Lodge (FB).

Day 12: Either track gorillas (on payment of US$360 gorilla permit supplement at time of booking) or go for a guided nature walk in the forest for butterflies, plant and bird species; or climb a volcano or simply relax at the camp! O/N: Mount Gahinga Rest Camp/Mgahinga Safari Lodge (FB).

Day 13: After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National Park via Kabale. Boat trip and an evening game drive. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours] O/N: Mantana Mburo Camp (FB).

Day 14: ime permitting, early morning game drive. Return to Kampala via Masaka, and on to Kampala arriving late afternoon, lunch en route (HB). [Approximate driving time: 4-5 hours]. Tour ends.

More Uganda Tours

TOUR UG1 GORILLAS & WILDLIFE - BWINDI & LAKE MBURO (5 Days)	TOUR UG2 GORILLAS IN BWINDI & MGAHINGA (7 Days)
TOUR UG3 GORILLAS AND GAME BWINDI, QUEEN ELIZABETH & LAKE MBURO PARK (7 Days)	TOUR UG4 BIRDS & GAME IN QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK (4 Days)
TOUR UG5 CHIMPS & BIRDS IN KIBALE FOREST (4 Days)	TOUR UG6 CHIMPS ON NGAMBA ISLAND (3 Days)
TOUR UG7 WILDLIFE, CHIMPS & BIRDS IN KIBALE & QE (6 Days)	TOUR UG8 WILDLIFE, CHIMPS & BIRDS IN MURCHISON FALLS (4 Days)
TOUR UG9 BIRDING IN UGANDA (15 Days)	TOUR UG10 JEWELS OF UGANDA (14 Days)
TOUR UG11 CLIMBING THE RWENZORI MOUNTAINS (11 Days)	TOUR UG12 CLIMBING MOUNT ELGON (8 Days)
TOUR UG13 ECO TOURISM IN THE PEARL (16 DAYS)	TOUR UG14 CULTURAL TOURISM IN UGANDA (14 Days)
TOUR UG15 BUTTER FLIES IN UGANDA (17 Days)	TOUR UG16 BIRDING UGANDA (8 Days)
TOUR UG17 BIRD WATCHING IN UGANDA (15 Days)	TOUR UG18 BEST FOREST BIRDING (20 Days)

For all categories of accommodation, ALL drinks (except bottled water) are excluded in the safari cost and clients are to pay for them direct to the hotels/Camps / Lodges. Clients could choose to fly out the following day in cases where there are no flights for their departure on the last day of the itinerary. A supplement for the extra night will be required.

Flights

Merit Safaris will advise the most appropriate airlines to use to fly to Uganda. We could book your flights; alternatively you can contact your tour operator or travel agent.

Safaris start and end either in either Entebbe or Kampala in Uganda; or Kigali in Rwanda.

For those who wish, a visit for an extra three days by air, to the Karamojong nomadic farmers/cattle rustlers in the North, can be arranged. Please contact us for details.

Unless otherwise stated, prices quoted include a safari car for the itinerary stated, accommodation on a shared basis and meals (in Kampala/Kigali bed and breakfast only and on safari full board), 1 boat/launch trip, park fees, chimpanzee permits and one gorilla permit.

Prices do not include airfares to Uganda/Rwanda, entry visas and airport taxes, all personal expenditure such as tips, telephone calls, laundry and drinks. For single rooms, the supplement (SRS) has to be paid. Fees for mountain climbing, fishing and other specialist activities will attract an extra charge where not stated.

Prices are quoted in US Dollars. At the time of booking, clients should confirm with us the prevailing exchange rates for Pounds and Euros, if they wish to pay in those currencies. At the time of booking, the client(s) will need to pay for all gorilla permits needed in full otherwise a deposit equivalent to 20% of the cost of a safari paid, whichever is higher.

Key to Itineraries: