13 Days / 12 Night Ultimate Uganda Driving Safari

DAY ONE

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, VIP Meet & Greet services then meet your Agasaro safari guide.Drive to Murchison Falls National Park, approx. 6-7 hours. This is Uganda’s largest national park, named for the dramatic Murchison Falls where the Nile, the world’s longest river, explodes violently through a narrow cliff in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 40 meters below. The Nile River is home to one of Africa’s highest hippo and crocodile populations as well as a dazzling array of water birds, including the rare and elusive shoebill stork. The lush borassus grassland to the north of the river offers frequent sightings of elephants, buffalos, giraffes, a wide variety of antelopes and sometimes even an encounter with lions or leopard. Rabongo Forest in the southeast part of the park provides a lush tropical habitat for chimpanzees, monkeys and many other rainforest species. En-route to your lodge visit the Top of Murchison Falls and embark on a short hike to the Murchison Falls where the force of the mighty Nile River narrows to flow through a seven meter gap, cascading down a forty meter cliff to the vast gorge below. The power of the falls and the scenic views from the top are breath taking. Walk along the top of the falls and feel the spray of the water and bask in the cool mist around you.

Overnight: Nile Safari Lodge

DAY TWO

In the morning depart with your guide to the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park for a game drive, this area rich in wildlife including lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, oribi, hartebeest, and countless reptiles and birds, including one of the park’s more difficult species to spot, the rare shoebill stork. Crocodiles are also plentiful in this park. After your morning Game drive return to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon embark on a four hour waterfalls and sundowner cruise from Nile jetty to the head of Fajao Gorge at the base of Murchison Falls. The river offers a spectacular opportunity for bird watchers, with a wide range of water birds and vibrant bee eaters nesting in the cliffs along the river’s banks. Drift along the Nile while the sun sets with a cold beverage and light snacks.

Overnight: Nile Safari Lodge

DAY THREE

After breakfast, embark on a half day boat trip into the Victoria Nile Delta, a 20 km cruise downstream from the park’s headquarters. Home to a wide variety of wetland and papyrus endemic bird species, including the elusive shoebill stork, this three to five hour cruise offers a unique opportunity to spot rarely found birds and animals such as hippo, elephants and large crocodiles. Travelling through the center of Murchison Falls National Park, guests can experience the constantly changing scenery of the Nile River as it winds its way to Lake Albert. In the afternoon depart with your guide to the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park, an area rich in wildlife including lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, oribi, hartebeest, and countless reptiles and birds, including one of the park’s more difficult species to spot, the rare shoebill stork. Crocodiles are also plentiful in this park.

Overnight: Nile Safari Lodge

DAY FOUR

After breakfast depart Murchison Falls National Park and drive along the western arm of the Great African Rift Valley to Kibale Forest, approx. 5-7 hours.Kibale National Park, known for its superb chimpanzee tracking and bird watching, is home to over 60 different mammal species. With the greatest variety and concentration of primates of any forest in East Africa, the 766 sq. km park extends south from Fort Portal all the way to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Dominated by tropical forest, interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp, the park reaches altitudes of 1100-1590 meters. This diverse habitat and climate provides the perfect environment for Kibale’s rich primate populations including nine diurnal primates. Visitors to the park have the opportunity to encounter vervet, red tail, H’oest and blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, red and black and white colobus, olive baboon, chimpanzees and a wide variety of birds and other mammals.

Overnight: Papaya Lake Lodge

DAY FIVE

Travel to National Park Headquarters, approx. 30-40 minutes to meet your guides for the day and begin your chimpanzee tracking experience. Experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek into the forest to view wild chimpanzees as well as several other species of primates in their natural habitat. You will have an opportunity to be within meters of these amusing and very social apes, sharing in their daily lives and experiencing their day-to-day activities. Chimpanzees, our closest cousins, are extremely endangered with only an estimated 5000 remaining in Uganda.After your trek return to your lodge for an afternoon of relaxation at the lodge.

Expert Tips Please note: Tracking may be fairly strenuous as the chimpanzees are highly mobile as they search for food throughout the forest. Also, chimpanzees are wild animals and, as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed. However viewing success rates are over 70%.

DAY SIX

Depart Kibale Forest and drive to the northern Mweya sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, approx. 3-4 hours.In the afternoon enjoy a guided walk from the lodge into the dense tropical jungle of the steep Kyambura Gorge.Kyambura is well known stunning scenery and a vast bio-diversity and should you miss the Chimps, your guide will still point out the Black & White Colobus, Red Tailed Monkey and the Grey Cheeked Mangabeys as well as Pittas & different bird species and provide details of the trait of the plant species within the forest. Chimpanzee walks embark morning and afternoon and usually lasts 2 to 3 hours with approximately 4-6 people in a group each led by a Ugandan Wildlife Authority specialist guide.

Overnight: Kyambura Gorge Lodge

DAY SEVEN

Early this morning the predator researchers join your vehicle as you venture into the grasslands in search of the larger cats on this fantastic predator tracking experience. This is an amazing opportunity to get close to one of the more exclusive but favored residents of the Africa savannah and be a part of an ongoing research project to study the habits of the grassland predators including lion, leopard and hyenas. In the afternoon a leisurely boat cruise along the spectacular Kazinga Channel in the Mweya sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You may encounter herds of elephant, buffalos and antelopes, families of warthogs, large groups of hippos, and crocodiles basking on the shore. Kazinga’s shores are a haven for numerous birds, including many migratory species as they make their way south to warmer climates. The cruise also provides a remarkable view of the beautiful Mweya Peninsula and life in local fishing villages set along the banks.

Overnight: Kyambura Gorge Lodge

DAY EIGHT

Depart the northern Mweya sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and drive 2-3 hours to the southern Ishasha sector. Set out for the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park, rich with wildlife including warthog, water buck, bush buck, leopard, Ugandan kob, elephants, countless bird species and even the rare giant forest hog. The Ishasha sector of the park is known for its famous tree climbing lions sometimes found lying about in the branches of the native fig trees. The Sundowner drinks & snacks are a fantastic way to round your day off! At the end of your afternoon game drive, you will be taken to a prearranged location inside the national park, where you will find a small buffet with freshlymade snacks and ice-cold drinks. This is set up with comfortable chairs, overlooking the beautiful African savannah plains. The Sundowners are held in an area where you have a combination of the beautiful African sunset, as well as having a quiet location from which to enjoy viewing the wildlife. The Sundowners last as long as you choose, so there is no pressure to return to Camp before watching the sun set fully. The selection of drinks on offer include: water, sodas, beers, house wines, as well as local gin.

Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp

DAY NINE

Day Itinerary Spend the morning on game drives in search of the tree-climbing lions and other wildlife and enjoy a private Bush Breakfast experience on the savannah plains. Continue to Bwindi Forest, approx. 3-4 hours.Bwindi National Park, located in south western Uganda on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, is considered the most diverse forest in Uganda. The area, one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa. Home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies, and 160 species of trees, Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems.

Overnight: Bwindi Lodge

DAY TEN

Following breakfast at the lodge, travel to National Park Headquarters to meet your guides for the day and begin your gorilla tracking experience. Experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek into the dense rain forest on the mountain slopes. The journey, through dense foliage and up steep climbs, is abundantly rewarded with the lifetime experience of viewing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. You will have an opportunity to be within meters of these magnificent apes, sharing in their daily lives and experiencing their day-to-day activities. Mountain gorillas are extremely rare with only an estimated 880 remaining in the wild. This is an experience you won’t soon forget!

Overnight: Bwindi Lodge

DAY ELEVEN

In the morning go for second Gorilla Trek or enjoy a community walk through the local villages surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Optional activities include visits to Ride 4 A Woman, traditional home, local orphanage or school, banana brewing demonstrations and even meeting traditional medicinal healers. This three to four hour walk is easily tailored to your individual schedule and interests.In the afternoon participate in a three to four hour hike to a Batwa village in the midst of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This amazing encounter will allow you the opportunity to meet Batwa elders and their families and learn about their daily lives. Through the assistance of a skilled interpreter you will discover the unique traditions and practices the Batwa people including their deep attachment to the forest, the cuisine they enjoy, how they harvest their food, the style of their homes, and their burial rites. Visitors are even given the chance to learn how to light a fire with just a stick and how to shoot a target with traditional weapons.

Overnight: Bwindi Lodge

DAY TWELVE

Depart Bwindi Forest and drive to Kihihi Airstrip, approx.2-3 hours for your scheduled morning flight to Entebbe. Arrive at Entebbe International Airport where you will be met by Agasaro representative and transferred to your accommodation.Entebbe is a small, quiet town located on the shores of Lake Victoria and is easy to explore on foot or local transport on motorbikes known as “boda bodas” or local taxis. Visit the local markets to buy clothes and crafts, curio shops for souvenirs, and the Botanical Gardens on Lake Victoria where you can walk among beautiful trees, watch monkeys moving through the canopy above, and spot many indigenous bird species. Entebbe has a wide variety of restaurants serving many different cuisines.

Overnight: Boma Guest House

DAY THIRTEEN

Day at leisure, vehicle at your disposal for sightseeing and shopping. In the afternoon enjoy a sunset cruise in the waters of beautiful Lake Victoria to visit the Equator Island. Depart late afternoon and travel out towards the equator and the lake’s many local islands as fishermen cast their nets. Share a glass of soft drinks or beer and light hor d’ouvres with your party as you watch the sun set over the horizon. Transfer to Entebbe International Airport to connect to your international flight out.

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