A Uganda safari itinerary

Day 1

Depart from London’s Heathrow Airport to Entebbe.

Days 2 to 13

Over the next twelve days you will be taken on a private safari in a fully equipped four wheel drive vehicle with radio and a highly experienced driver/guide.  You will have the flexibility to go where you wish, when you wish, and can vary your activities to include walking where possible as well as unlimited game drives, while visiting some of Uganda's most famous national parks and conservation areas (fully inclusive of meals and activities). 

Day 2 to 4

On arrival you will be met by your private guide for a pre safari briefing before departing with a picnic lunch for Masindi, stopping en route to visit the Rhino Sanctuary (on payment of supplement).  After lunch you will visit the top of the dramatic Murchison Falls, crashing through a marrow gorge, before continuing onwards to Nile Safari Lodge where you stay for three nights.  You will be taken on a brief game viewing drive in the evening.

A short distance west of Murchison Falls Park boundary, on the southern bank of the Nile, is the Nile Safari Camp. 

This small luxury camp, is situated just outside Murchison Falls National Park on the southern bank of the Nile.  The terrace, under the shade of an old Fig Tree overlooks the river whilst on the opposite bank, elephant, buffalo and Rothschild's giraffe roam undisturbed.  Well integrated in the natural vegetation of the area, eight large tents, (with twin beds and en suite bathrooms with flush toilets) covered with shingles and built on raised platforms overhanging the river banks, offer comfortable accommodation.

Game viewing and bird watching is undertaken on foot and by vehicle, and by launch on this beautiful stretch of the upper Nile.

Day 3 – After spending the day game viewing north of the Nile you will be taken on a launch trip from Paraa to the bottom of the mighty frothy falls.  Game viewing along the river is stunning, with some of the largest crocodiles left in Africa, hippos, elephants and birds, including the rare shoebill stork, basking on the banks of the Nile.

Day 4 – In the morning you will be taken to visit the delta circuit, north of the river with its giraffe, lion and Ugandan kob.  The evening will be spent game viewing.

Day 5

In the early morning depart for Pabidi in Budongo forest for a guided nature walk to track chimpanzees.  You will then return to Kampala where you stay for one night at The Emin Pasha Hotel.

The Emin Pasha Hotel is a family business, run by people with a true love and affinity for this country, its people and its natural resources.

Set in two acres of leafy landscaped gardens, this is a tropical version of the country house hotel. Centrally located and within walking distance to Kampala's business district, it is amazingly tranquil and peaceful. Amenities include twenty bedrooms in a lovingly restored old colonial building, swimming pool, massage rooms, restaurant featuring fusion cuisine and a wine bar offering a selection of South Africa's finest wines (not available anywhere else in Uganda), a private meeting/conference room, library and two private lounges.

The Main House, where the reception, library and sitting rooms are located, was originally built in the 1920's as a private residence for a British entrepreneur. It is tastefully and classically furnished with rich hardwood furniture, deep soft armchairs and sofas and features a wonderful collection of Ugandan artwork, some of which were selected for the hotel, others were commissioned.

Days 6 and 7

In the morning depart with a picnic lunch for Fort Portal via the town of Mubende set in rolling hills.  Continue to Kibale where you stay for two nights at Ndali Lodge.  Either relax during the afternoon or time permitting, explore nearby crater lake.

The 766 sq. km Kibale Forest National Park lies a short distance south east of Fort Portal, where it meets the Queen Elizabeth National Park.  It was gazetted in 1993 to protect the extensive Kibale Forest, arguably the most accessible large rain forest in Uganda.  The prime attraction for visitors to this area are the chimpanzees and it is particularly rich in primates, with thirteen species recorded - the highest total for any Ugandan national park.  The dominant vegetation is rainforest, interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp.

Although not an easy place to view the larger mammals, lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, hippo and warthog do exist here, among others.  Also approximately 335 bird species have been recorded in the forest

Ndali Lodge is set among beautiful wooded hills on a private 1,000 acre estate about seven miles from the Kibali Forest.

It is one of the most luxurious of the smaller Ugandan lodges, with up to sixteen guests being accommodated in the main house and four cottages.  The main house is very comfortable with a spacious sitting room and dining room, and views of a 250 acre crater lake which lies 300 ft below. The guest cottages are well furnished, each with en suite bathroom and a verandah with views of the snow capped 'Mountains of the Moon'.

Day 7 – Today you will track the noisy chimps and other primates crashing around through the high canopy of the forest with colourful birds squawking nearby.  In the afternoon (after enjoying a packed lunch) you will taken on a walk to Bigodi to see swamp birds and to see some of the community projects financed by tourism.

Days 8 and 9

Today you leave for Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying a game drive en route to Jacana where you stay for two nights.

Jacana Lodge takes sixteen guests in eight large cabins, each with proper beds and en suite w.c. and shower.  It is located in Queen Elizabeth National Park on the edge of the Maramagambo Forest - a vast pristine region of woodland well known for its primates and spectacular bird life - overlooking Lake Nyamusingire.

The Queen Elizabeth National Park is a 2,000 square kilometre area with a wide array of scenery, including maramagambo forest, savannah, crater lakes and swamps.  It supports an excellent range of wildlife including elephant, buffalo, plains’ game, hippopotamus as well as tree climbing lion.  Bird life is equally diverse with 500 species including the rare shoebill stork.

During your time here you will be able to take a morning boat trip on the Kazinga Channel between Lake George and Lake Edward, and will then drive along the channel banks in search of waterbuck, buffalo, elephant and bushbuck.  Uganda cob as well as lion and leopard are also often seen.   

You will also visit the beautiful crater area in the north of the park, where you will have an opportunity to walk along one of the crater rims.  During your time here you will also take walks in the Maramagambo Forest.

Day 9 – Today you will be taken on an excursion to the nearby Kyambura gorge to track the fast moving elusive chimpanzees, one of man's closest relations. The chimp population is quite mobile and viewing is unpredictable. The walk in this "lost world" is nevertheless enchanting. Alternatively go for a nature walk in Maramagambo Forest. This forest harbours some unusual species - red-tailed and L’Hoest’s Monkey, potto, giant forest hog, pygmy antelope, and giant elephant shrew. You can also visit the bat caves and the blue lake. Time permitting, visit the Tropical Bee Care Centre to see their range of community projects from bee keeping, honey making to the community nursery for children. In the afternoon a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel which is especially rewarding for viewing a variety of game, especially hippo, buffalo, elephant and a vast array of birds.

Days 10 and 11

Start for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.  Either drive via Ishasha (roads permitting), the home of the tree climbing lion, or take the alternative route through cultivated expanses. Staying for two nights at Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge.

Set in a delightful spot overlooking the primeval Bwindi Forest, which is home to gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees and a myriad of colourful birds, Bwindi Eco Lodge comprises eight comfortable bandas, each with private facilities.

The lodge is warm and welcoming where guests are well looked after by carefully trained staff.  Fresh meals are prepared, combining the best of local cuisine and western tastes

The Bwindi National Park is an area of low land rainforest and Montane Forest, with dense undergrowth, vines and bamboo, the huge trees and exotic vegetation provide a perfect habitat for primates with colobus monkeys, chimpanzees and several hundred gorillas.  Tracking these gorillas is a rewarding but sometime arduous activity which may involve walking for several hours and the viewing is strictly regulated by permits.

During your stay at Bwindi Eco Lodge there will be opportunities for nature or community walks. 

Day 11 – In the morning take a guided walk into the forest to the waterfalls, keeping an eye out for primates and butterflies and some of the rich bird life, arriving back at the lodge in time for lunch.  In the afternoon enjoy a walk in the village and visit the community projects in operation there, such as the Bwindi Community Hospital and the AMAGARA market garden project.  Relax at the lodge in the evening, and watch the canopy from the terrace.

Day 12

Depart for Lake Mburo, arriving in the afternoon at Mihingo Lodge where you stay for one night.  Either relax by the pool at the lodge or take a boat trip on Lake Mburo.

Situated between Lake Victoria and the Rwenzori Mountains, the Lake Mburo National Park comprises fifteen lakes forming an extensive wetlands system.  Almost a fifth of the park’s area consists of wetlands – both seasonally flooded and permanent swamps and as a result the region is home to a wide variety of wetland birds and the shy rare sitatunga antelope.  Its sculptured landscape with rolling hills and idyllic lake shores creates a variety of wildlife habitats and there are forest galleries, seasonal and permanent swamps, rich acacia woodland and grassy valleys which all support a wealth of wildlife.

Mihingo Lodge is a peaceful tented lodge on the edge of the Lake Mburo National Park and features ten spacious rooms which are built on wooden platforms with stilts covered by a thatched roof.  Suspended under the thatched roof is a roomy and comfortable tent equipped with an en suite bathroom and each tented room enjoys stunning views.  From the dining room and pool area guests can enjoy the view across the valley, a favourite place to witness the stunning evening sunsets over Lake Mburo National Park.

Day 13

Today depart for Kampala, (time permitting) stopping en route to stand on the Equator, bargain at the roadside markets and see the royal drum makers.  Continue onwards to Emin Pasha where you stay for a further night.

Day 14

In the morning you will be transferred to Entebbe Airport where you board a day flight to London’s Heathrow Airport.