Best of Uganda Safaris (Comfort) 13 Days

Day 1: Entebbe – Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda

In the early morning hours of 08:30 we leave our hotel in Entebbe to head south west through verdant hills and countless villages to begin our adventure in Uganda. At the equator, we will have an opportunity to observe how water drains from a bath, as well as stop frequently at local markets. There will be a lunch break at the equator (own expense). Our camp is reached in the late afternoon. An upgrade to accommodations is possible, but must be pre-booked in order to ensure availability.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Camping – Two man dome tent
Included Highlights: Equator, Local market, Lake Mburo National Park
Distance: 230 km

Day 2: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

In the morning, we will embark on a game drive within the Lake Mburo National Park. There are several lakes clustered together as if they were jewels among the hills in the park. It is famous for its herds of plains game, and in particular for its hippos.

In the days following our departure from Lake Mburo, we travel through a lush tropical landscape of rolling green hills sprinkled with banana plantations and surrounded by a patchwork of market gardens. Make sure to observe the long-horned Ankole cattle. On our way to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, we pass through remote villages that are often veiled in mist.

The following day, we prepare for the gorilla trek and set up camp for the night near the edge of the forest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping in Bwindi Forest – Two man dome tent
Included Highlights: Game Drive in Mburo Park National, Scenic Drive to Bwindi
Distance: 250 km

Day 3 – 4: Bwindi Gorilla Trek, Uganda

It is without a doubt the highlight of the trip to observe gorillas. Visiting the mountains and tropical forests is a spectacular experience in its own right, but being able to spend time with a group of mountain gorillas is something that cannot be described in any way. Many people feel an affinity for these magnificent creatures due to their apparent kinship with humans. Each small group is led by a local guide, and we trek up into the forest in search of a different gorilla family. The terrain is uneven and challenging, and you should bring appropriate footwear for a hike through a dense forest on steep, muddy paths.

In order to minimise the impact on the gorillas, gorilla permits are limited and strictly enforced to ensure that everyone has a chance to trek. Trekking is limited to two days so that all tourists may participate. Your trek should be flexible in terms of the timing and location. There are times when permits can only be obtained for Day 4, however we will visit Lake Bunyonyi on Day 3. In the case of permits that are only available for Days 3 and 4, participants can visit a local village with a local guide. This area is also renowned for its birding opportunities.

Meals: Breakfast X2, Lunch X2, Dinner X2
Accommodation: Camping in Bwindi Forest – Two man dome tent
Included Highlights: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Gorilla Tracking (Permit paid separately), Bwindi Forest
Optional Activities: Forest Walks, Birding Walks, Pygmy Village Visits

Day 5 – 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha, Uganda

Our route departs the mountains and forests behind and descends into the grasslands of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Known for its tree climbing lions, Ishasha is also home to an abundance of bird life, numerous primates, and plains game including kobs that the lions prey on. During our two-night stay here, we will enjoy game drives extensively, including searching the tall fig trees for lions.

Meals: Breakfast X2, Lunch X2, Dinner X2
Accommodation: Camping – Two man dome tent
Included Highlights: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Full Day Game Drive, Camp on the Ishasha river, 2 Nights within the Park, Tree Climbing Lions
Distance: 150 km

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth Nat. Park – Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda

This morning we travel from south to north within the park, looking for wildlife all the way, through the Maramagambo Forest and over the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George to Lake Edward, to exit the park in the north. After passing through the town of Kasese, we stop at a viewpoint where we enjoy lunch with a view of the Rwenzori Mountains. In spite of their proximity to the equator, the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ rise over 5000m above sea level with tropical forests covering the slopes and snow-capped peaks permeating the highest peaks, a bizarre sight considering their elevation. Glaciers high in the mountains provide one of the sources of water for the Nile River. We will be camped near Fort Portal tonight, among tea plantations.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping – Two man dome tent
Included Highlights: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Drive through Maramogambo Forest, Kazinga Channel,  Outskirts of Lake Edward, Ruwenzori Mountains, Tea plantations
Distance: 120 Km

Day 8: Masindi, Uganda

Our journey today will involve a lengthy drive over some rough roads, so we will depart early today. Passing through the luminous green tea plantations surrounding Fort Portal, we then go via Hoima to Masindi, where we will stay the night. Since it is such a long drive and the roads are in poor condition, we will not camp tonight. We will stay at a local hotel or lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel / Lodge
Included Highlights: Masindi, scenic drive
Distance: 300 Km

Day 9 – 10: Murchison Falls National Park / Victoria Nile, Uganda

We will be spending the next two nights at Murchison Falls National Park, which we will enter this morning. On this excursion, we shall be tracking chimpanzees on foot, taking a game drive in the park, viewing Murchison Falls, and taking a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile River. We can adapt the program according to the season, road conditions, and availability of reservations, but all of the activities will be included.

We drive through the northern part of the park, where open savannah is abundant with plains game, including the latter, a relatively rare species of giraffe. The southern part of the park is heavily forested, making it an ideal habitat for chimps. To reach the northern part of the park, visitors must take the ferry across the Nile at Parra, an adventurous experience in itself.

Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch x2, Dinner x2
Accommodation: Camping – Two man dome tent
Included Highlights: Chimpanzee Trek with included permit, Murchison Falls, Northern Part of Murchison Falls National Park, Wild Camping in big game area, Victoria Nile boat cruise

Day 11 – 12: Kalagala Falls, Uganda

In the early hours of this morning, we leave the park and drive towards Jinja, where the White Nile originates and flows southward in a torrent of water.

Jinja, situated in the heart of east Africa’s adventure capital, offers a variety of adventure activities, including white water rafting, bungee jumping, boat cruises, horseback riding, as well as the chance to visit local community projects (own expense).

Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: ??
Included Highlights: Jinja (adventure Capital of Uganda)

Day 13: Jinja To Entebbe, Uganda

After breakfast this morning, the tour officially ends. In order to complete the post-tour responsibilities, the crew and vehicle usually depart for Kampala immediately after breakfast. There is no charge for you to ride along to Kampala, but please be aware that the exact timing of the trip is not guaranteed.

As an alternative, you may also choose to extend your stay in Kalagala Falls or participate in further optional activities as well as take a later transfer directly to Entebbe, all of which we can arrange for you.

Meals: Breakfast

Please note that the day-by-day descriptions provided here are intended only as a guide. The nature of adventure travel is unpredictable. For example, weather patterns, game migrations, and road conditions, among others, may lead to itinerary changes for the client’s benefit. Clients must be open-minded and flexible in this regard.

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.