INDELIBLE CLIMAX OF UGANDA SAFARI /16 Days and 15 Nights Safari

16 DAY UGANDA SAFARI & INDELIBLE CLIMAX DETAILS

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be warmly greeted by a NjagiSMC guide who will escort you to your pre-arranged accommodation for an overnight stay. At Friends Hotel, nestled on the shores of Lake Victoria, you’ll find a welcoming haven during your Uganda Safari. This charming retreat offers comfortable rooms, excellent services, and a touch of luxury, ensuring you feel right at home. Enjoy the friendly hospitality of the staff, delicious cuisine, and breathtaking views. It’s the perfect base to explore both Kampala and Entebbe, promising an unforgettable start to your adventure.

Day 2: Gulu, Slave traders, Sir Samuel Bakers fort

You will meet your tour guide in the morning at your guest house on this second day of your Uganda tour, have a welcome talk to ask questions and get to know each other. Then, your Uganda safari will begin! You’ll drive to Gulu, today’s stopover, a region where rebel groups formed in the late 80s. The LRA (“Lord Resistance Army”) conducted brutal attacks in the 90s, but was expelled by the government in 2007, bringing peace to the region.
Accommodations: 1 Night Stay (B/L/D).
Categories: (Baker’s Lodge – Budget & Mid-Range. African Roots Guest House – Gold).

Baker’s Fort Hotel: offers complimentary wireless Internet access, private bathrooms, a bar/lounge, and a daily continental breakfast from 7 AM to 9:30 AM. The hotel provides mid-range and budget rooms.

African Roots Guest House: is located between Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley National Parks in Uganda. African Roots Gulu features 14 en-suite rooms, a Tiki hut restaurant, a garden, and a coffee shop.

Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park and Evening game drive on a Uganda Safari

On day three of your Uganda Safari adventure, the morning begins with a hearty breakfast before embarking on a journey to the breathtaking Kidepo Valley National Park. This hidden gem is celebrated for its remote, rugged landscapes featuring expansive open plains, rocky ridges, and serene grasslands. Established in 1962, Kidepo remains one of Africa’s most pristine and secluded national parks.

Your evening unfolds with an exhilarating game drive, offering glimpses of majestic lions roaming against the backdrop of distant hills. Immerse yourself in the raw beauty and rich biodiversity of this unique wilderness, where every moment promises an unforgettable safari experience.

Accommodations: 1st Night out 3 (B/L/D).
Categories: (Kidepo Savannah Lodge – Budget & Mid-Range. Kidepo Savannah Lodge – Gold).

Kidepo Savannah Lodge: offers spacious tents with private verandas and stunning savannah views. The tents have 1 double or 2 single beds, ensuite bathrooms, and there are also 9 non-self-contained tents furnished with 2 single or 1 double bed, each with a power outlet.

Apoka Safari Lodge: located in the remote region of Kidepo National Park in Uganda. The lodge offers breathtaking views of the savannah stretching for miles, interrupted by rising mountains on the horizon. It provides all the comforts of a luxury lodge, excellent service, and a wild East African experience.

Day 4: Kidepo Valley National Park, Kanangorok hot springs & Karamajong tribe

After your morning coffee, your guide will take you to the hot springs, offering breathtaking views of the park and the chance to see ostriches, kudus, antelopes, and possibly a leopard. After returning to the lodge for breakfast and a relaxed morning, you will visit the Karamojong people, semi-nomadic shepherds in the dry northeast of Uganda, known for their reliance on cattle as a central part of their lifestyle.
Accommodations: 2nd Night out 3

Day 5: Kidepo Valley National Park, Nature walk & Game drive

Experience the beauty and wonder of the Narus Valley with an early morning drive and a guided walk through the grass savannah. Get up close to herds of grazing animals and witness the incredible wildlife of Uganda in the afternoon. As indicated in your travelogue, look out for elephants, zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, buffalos, various antelopes, and majestic big cats such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards on an unforgettable safari adventure.
Accommodations: 3rd Night

Day 6: Fly to Murchison Falls National Park

Start your day with a hearty breakfast before embarking on an unforgettable journey to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most diverse wildlife sanctuary. The park’s northern region showcases sweeping savannahs dotted with majestic borassus palms and acacia trees, alongside vibrant alluvial forests. In the south, immerse yourself in captivating forests and woodlands alive with an astonishing array of wildlife including buffalo, lion, elephant, goblin, and Rothschild’s giraffe.

For those seeking adventure, the southern part of the park offers the chance to track chimpanzees in the enchanting Budongo Forest. Don’t miss the awe-inspiring Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile River squeezes through a narrow 7-meter gap before plunging 43 meters into the verdant landscape below. A visit to Murchison Falls National Park promises an unforgettable wildlife experience that will leave you in awe.

Accommodation Options:

Murchison River Lodge: A charming budget lodge run by a local family. Although it lacks river views, it offers essential amenities including showers, toilets, and cooking facilities. It’s a picturesque and affordable choice.

Nile Safari Lodge: Experience luxury and eco-friendliness on the banks of the Nile River, adjacent to Murchison Falls National Park. This lodge provides a premium retreat with stunning views and top-notch facilities, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay.

Day 7: Murchison Falls National Park, Sunrise Safari, Boat cruise, Waterfall Hike

After an early breakfast, you can choose between a sunrise safari or a hot air balloon safari. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip on the Nile to see hippos, birds, and Nile crocodiles, and then hike to the top of the waterfalls for a spectacular view. Optional activity at an extra cost: Hot Air Balloon Safari, including a bush breakfast. 
Accommodations: 2nd Night

Day 8: Enchanting Journey to Kibale Forest National Park

Today, embark on a captivating journey to Kibale Forest National Park, a jewel of Uganda known for its rich biodiversity. This sanctuary hosts over 1,000 chimpanzees, among which around 80 are habituated for intimate encounters with visitors. The park is also home to various monkey species and offers a chance, if fortune smiles, to glimpse the elusive forest elephants.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp (Budget), Turaco Treetops (Mid-Range), or Ndali Lodge (Gold).

Kibale Forest Camp offers a rustic charm with African-style tents featuring en-suite facilities, hot water, and private balconies. Guests can relish sightings of rare birds and mammals, including the captivating Red Colobus.

Turaco Treetops presents a semi-luxurious escape nestled within the forest, providing splendid vistas, opportunities for chimpanzee trekking, delectable cuisine, a cozy fireplace, nature-themed activities, games, and a refreshing pool.

For those seeking the pinnacle of luxury, Ndali Lodge, set amidst the scenic Rwaihamba Cluster, offers an ambiance reminiscent of an English country estate. Guests are treated to breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountains, ensuring a serene and unforgettable stay.

Optional Activity: Bush Baby Night Walk (additional cost).

Embrace the allure of Kibale Forest National Park, where every moment promises a glimpse into the wonders of Uganda’s natural heritage.

Day 9: Kibale Forest National Park/ Bigodi Swamp Walk

A safari can be tiresome, so today is your chance to take it easy and sleep late. Later in the day you will take an exciting walk in the Bigodi Swamp (approx. 2-3 hours). This tour takes you through pastures, small villages, tea plantations and other impressive landscapes where the locals will warmly welcome you by waving enthusiastically.

It is normal to see up to three or four different types of monkeys on this hike, but the highlight of the tour certainly is spotting the Great Blue Turaco, an unbelievably beautiful bird! In the afternoon you can hike around one of the many crater lakes in the area if you are up to it. Otherwise relax, read a good book or simply do nothing and let the impressions of the first week in Uganda go by.
Accommodations: 2nd Night (B/L/D).
Categories: (Kibale Forest Camp – Budget. Turaco Treetops – Mid-Range. Ndali Lodge – Gold).

Day 10: Kibale Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Tinka House

Day 10 begins with an exhilarating chimpanzee trek through the lush Kibale Forest, renowned for its rich diversity of primates. Guided by local experts, immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this vibrant ecosystem, where chimpanzees swing through the canopy and elusive monkeys play hide and seek in the foliage.

After the forest adventure, indulge in a traditional Ugandan lunch at Tinka House, a charming retreat nestled in the heart of the countryside. The flavors of local cuisine will delight your palate, offering a taste of authentic hospitality.

Journey onward to Queen Elizabeth National Park, traversing the scenic Explosion Crater Drive. This route showcases the dramatic landscapes sculpted by ancient volcanic activity, each crater offering a unique vista over the park’s sprawling plains and distant horizons.

Accommodations await you at the Bush Lodge, where rustic charm meets comfort amidst the indigenous bush. From your raised wooden Banda, enjoy sweeping views over the Kazinga Channel, with its bustling wildlife and serene waters. Refresh under the stars in your en-suite outdoor shower, a tranquil end to an adventurous day.

Optional activities such as Chimpanzee Tracking are available for those eager to further explore the park’s diverse wildlife, at an additional cost. Choose your adventure and let the spirit of Africa guide you through this unforgettable journey.

Accommodations:

Bush Lodge: Immerse yourself in nature with 12 self-contained Bandas offering panoramic views. Experience the essence of the wild with en-suite outdoor showers, perfectly blending comfort with the rugged beauty of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Tomorrow awaits with more wonders as you continue to uncover the treasures of Uganda’s wilderness.

Day 11: Activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari and Kazinga Channel Boat Tour

Prepare for an extraordinary day of adventure! Begin with an exhilarating game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the morning light unveils the secrets of the wild. Keep watch for majestic lions, possibly lounging in the warmth of the rising sun after a night of thrilling pursuits.

In the afternoon, embark on a captivating boat tour along the Kazinga Channel, a natural link between Lake Edward and Lake George. Glide through waters teeming with life as hippos wallow lazily, buffalo gather at the shorelines, and a symphony of birds fills the air. Don’t miss the chance to witness elephants gracefully bathing in the channel, a scene straight out of an explorer’s dream.

This boat safari promises to be a highlight of your journey through Uganda’s diverse landscapes and wildlife.

Accommodation Options:

Bush Lodge: Perfect for budget-conscious travelers seeking comfort amidst the wilderness.
Marafiki Safari Lodge: Ideal for those looking for a mid-range experience blending luxury with nature.
Elephant Plains Lodge: The ultimate in luxury, offering unparalleled views and service in the heart of the park.

Day 12: Queen Elizabeth National Park-Ishasha Sector

Get ready for an extraordinary experience at Ishasha, located in the southern part of the park. This area is famed for its unique tree-climbing lions, a rare sight in Africa. The lions climb trees to relax and escape the sun during the hottest time of the day. You’ll have a great chance to spot these lions at the tops of African fig trees, offering you a unique opportunity for stunning photo shots.
Accommodations: 1st Night (B/L/D).
Categories: (Enjojo Lodge – Budget. Enjojo Lodge – Mid-Range. Ishasha Wilderness Camp – Gold).

Ishasha Wilderness Camp: offers a luxurious tented camp experience on the banks of the Ishasha River, at the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Enjojo Lodge: offers 7 luxury en-suite cottages, a safari house for larger groups, and budget options like safari tents and bamboo huts.

Day 13: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Embark on an extraordinary adventure at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unparalleled wildlife encounters. This sanctuary harbors half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, offering a rare opportunity to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

Beyond gorillas, Bwindi is a haven for chimpanzees and a rich diversity of primates, mammals, butterflies, and birds. The park’s stunning natural beauty is enhanced by features like the Sagatwe Caldera, Mutorere Parish, and picturesque lakes, creating a captivating backdrop for your journey.

Accommodation options cater to every preference and are situated across the park’s four sectors. Luxuriate in the comfort of Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, where stone and timber suites offer breathtaking forest canopy views named after individual gorillas. Alternatively, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp provides a luxurious stay immersed in nature, supporting local community projects.

For a lakeside retreat, consider Chahafi Lake Resort in Kisoro, ideally located near Lake Chahafi and the Rwanda border. This boutique hotel offers a tranquil setting connecting you effortlessly to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Kisoro town, enriching your experience with easy access to the region’s natural wonders.

In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, every moment promises a blend of wildlife wonder and natural splendor, ensuring an unforgettable African adventure.

Day 14: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Embark on an unforgettable cultural journey in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla NP and discover the fascinating heritage of the Batwa (Pygmy) people. The Pygmies, an endangered community, once inhabited the very forests of Mgahinga before it was designated as a national park. Forced out in the early 1990s, they can now only guide visitors through the Batwa trail—an exclusive experience.

The Batwa Trail Tour commences at the Ntebeko Visitors’ Center at 8 am, promising a 5-6 hour immersion in the exceptional culture of the Batwa. Led by seasoned Batwa guides, you’ll witness captivating demonstrations of their traditional customs, survival techniques in the forest, and remarkable skills, including identifying medicinal plants, harvesting wild honey, crafting bamboo cups and tree houses, and showcasing hunting prowess.

This one-of-a-kind cultural odyssey culminates with a spellbinding display of traditional dance and songs of the Pygmies at the Ngarama cave, a site steeped in Batwa history. Prepare for an unforgettable and enlightening encounter with the Pygmy people!. 
2 Night: 

Day 14: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park-Gorilla Trekking

Indulge in the ultimate adventure of gorilla trekking in Bwindi, a once-in-a-lifetime experience where you can encounter the gentle giants in their natural habitat. Your Uganda safari tour begins with an early breakfast and a briefing at the park headquarters at 8 am, followed by an enthralling journey into the mystic Bwindi Impenetrable Forest accompanied by expert guides, trackers, and porters.

The trekking can be a 2 to 8-hour escapade, depending on the movement of Mountain Gorillas, culminating in the mesmerizing encounter with these shy forest giants. Witness their natural behaviors, from feeding to grooming, and savor a full hour of observation and photography under the lush canopy of the forest.

Furthermore, keep your eyes peeled for other fascinating wildlife, such as colorful birds and rare animal species like Forest Elephants and Buffaloes, amidst the diverse plant life in the forest.

As the day winds down, return to receive your well-deserved gorilla trekking certificate and retreat to your lodge for a sumptuous lunch and relaxation. Then immerse yourself in the evening with captivating traditional performances by the Bakiga or Batwa people, providing you with enchanting tunes and vibrant dance moves that will leave you with unforgettable memories. 
3rd Night: 

Day 16: Departure, end of 16 Day Uganda Safari

Like we ushered you while arriving, our 16-day Uganda Safari & Indelible Climax Safari.