13 Days Classic Uganda Wildlife Safari Adventure

After an early morning breakfast, we drive south via Hoima road to Fort Portal district through verdant countryside traversing through traditional homesteads and farms. Fort Portal district rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon and was named after a British Special Commissioner to Uganda Sir. Gerald Portal, whose statue graces the main street/road,.

Kibale forest National Park being one of East Africa’s primate rich parks, with 13 species of primates including chimpanzees, and 375 species of birds, stand out as a primate and birders paradise. Having an inside look into this forest is therefore a must hence we continue our journey by road traversing through the traditional Villages rest assured to catch a glimpse of the local people in their gardens nurturing their traditional crops such as: millet, sorghum, beans and maize. Along the way also keep your eyes open for some bird species such as: Long-Crested Eagles, Double-Toothed Barbet, Black-headed Gonolek, Fan-tailed Widowbird, sunbirds and weavers as we travel.

We shall have a stopover in Fort portal town for late lunch, and after continue to our accommodation, check-in and rest for the next days’ activities.

Drive time: ± 8 hours.
Budget accommodation: Rwenzori View Guest House or Chimpanzee Guest house
Luxury accommodation: Primate Lodge or Ndali Lodge

After breakfast we will visit Kibale Forest National Park, which has got a solid reputation for having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa, the most popular primate of the 13 primate species being the Chimpanzee (our closest relative). Kibale has got Uganda’s largest Chimpanzee population with about 1450 individuals. It is also home to the rare I’Hoest’s monkey. Other primates include: the Black and white Colobus monkey, Blue monkey, Grey cheeked mangabey, Red tailed monkey, Olive baboon to mention but a few. With this much variety, you will enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild Chimpanzees, Red-tailed monkeys, Black and white colobus monkeys and many others.

After the chimpanzee tracking/habituation experience we head for lunch after which we explore the Crater Lake region, which has got many crater lakes.

After our morning breakfast, we again hit the road headed to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain Range. Queen Elizabeth being extensively covered by savannah vegetation, volcanic craters and is home to an abundance of Wildlife. Enroute to the park headquarters, we will a game drive. Watch out for animals such as: the African Lion, Leopards, Giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, Elephants, Waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Bushbuck, and a variety of birds among other wildlife. After hotel checking in and lunch, we could enjoy a unique 2-hour drive through a fishing village as we head to the biggest salt lake in the country (Lake Katwe).

We return to our lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Driving time: ± 3 hours
Budget Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge or Simba Camp.
Luxury Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana safari Lodge.

Upon an early morning rise, we embark on an extensive early morning game drive in the Park pursuing the most wildlife congested tracks such as the Kasenyi Track. Expect to see; Elephants, Buffalos, Lions, Bush bucks, Kobs, the rare Giant forest hogs, Hyenas and Waterbucks. After the game drive we return to have breakfast at the lodge and relax a bit before the next activity. For the afternoon we’ll take a launch cruise along the amazing Kazinga channel, an experience not to miss!! Here you will appreciate the scores of Hippos, Buffalos, and Crocodiles close to the waterside as well but if lucky enough you could catch sight of the rare Leopard prowling. A wide variety of bird species that include: Pelicans, Cormorants, egrets, herons and Jacana amongst others may be spotted while on the cruise.

When the launch cruise is done, we then return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

We drive through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth known as Ishasha, famous for its tree- climbing lions. Ishasha is a remote and beautiful extension of Queen Elizabeth National Park. There is an opportunity to view Buffaloes, Topi, Hippos and many more Wildlife species on the drive. We then head to the lodge checking in, have lunch and have some time to relax. After which we will have an afternoon game drive which will provide opportunities to see Spotted Hyena, Buffalo, Uganda Kobs, Waterbucks, Elephant, Leopard (if lucky), antelopes, Lions and several bird species.
Driving time: ±2 hours
Budget Accommodation: Savannah Resort or Students dormitory/Bandas.
Luxury Accommodation: Ishasha Wildness camp or Savanna Resort.

The second half of this exciting Classic Uganda Wildlife Safari begins with an early breakfast, followed by a second game drive before embarking on the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We drive through lush savannah grasslands with scattered homesteads, large banana plantations and sights of herds of Long-horned Ankole cattle. There after we ascend into the Kigezi highlands, with terraced farming and mountain scenery into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. On arrival we check in to the lodge, rest, have dinner and overnight.

Driving time: ±7 hours
Budget Accommodation: Buhoma community Rest camp or Wagtail Eco-safari camp.
Luxury Accommodation: Silverback lodge, Buhoma lodge or Lake Kitandara Tented camp

With an early rise and an early breakfast we will head out to the briefing point at the park headquarters where you will be briefed about the dos’ and don’ts while in the forest with the gentle Giants. You will be provided with walking sticks and you are also advised to carry your packed lunch and enough drinking water with you as you embark on this gorilla trekking experience. With a close to human DNA of 94%, getting close or starring into the pondering eyes of the endangered mountain Gorillas remains an unforgettable and an overwhelmingly and incredible experience in ones life.

At the end of the Gorilla trekking experience, we drive back to the lodge, relax, dine and overnight.

Equip yourself with knowledge about gorillas before your trip. Read – What you should know about gorillas & gorilla trekking.

After breakfast we depart the Bwindi Impenetrable forest headed to Lake Mburo National Park. It is likely that we will spot some wildlife as we enter the park, so keep on the look out. Onarrival at the lodge we will check in, after which we will go on an evening game drive. Expect to see Cape buffaloes, Impalas, Zebras, Elands, Bushbucks, Warthogs, and Hyenas amongst others.

At the end of the game drive we return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Driving time: ± 4 hours
Budget Accommodation: Rwonyo Camp, or UWA bandas,
Luxury Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge, Skyblue Motel or Mantana Luxury Tented camp

With an early rise, we will start our day with a morning Nature walk guided by a ranger from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Lake Mburo is the only national park where one can experience a walking safari. It is also rich in birds and bird lovers will definitely enjoy this due to the park’s rich bird diversity.

After the nature walk we return to the lodge for breakfast and lunch, and in the afternoon go on a boat cruise on Lake Mburo to enjoy sightseeing of the rich bird life, crocodiles and the hippos cooling off. After which we return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, drive without rush back to Kampala. Along the way we will have a stop-over at the Equator and another one at the Mpigi Royal Drum makers. Here you get to watch the ceremonial drums being hand crafted using local methods passed down from previous generations.

After which we again embark on our journey back to Kampala. Arrival in Kampala will be in the late afternoon.