8 Night Uganda Highlights Safari
With this 9 day itinerary you will have just enough time to see Uganda's finest National Parks together with the countries full spectrum of wildlife, from mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park to prides of lions on the Savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
On arrival at Entebbe Airport you will be met by your driver/guide for the journey to Mantana Camp at Lake Mburo, with a transfer time of approximately 3 hours. The flat river valleys of Lake Mburo National Park feature dense thickets of vegetation offering a facinating environment for wildlife viewing. Depending on when you arrive you should have time for afternoon safari activities such as game drives, canoeing or walking.
Accommodation: Overnight Mantana Camp, Lake Mburo NP
Day 2
This morning you will be taken on a safari to some of the parks best locations for game viewing. After your safari you will be driven through the Western Highlands of Uganda onto Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, this drive should take between 7-10 hours based on road conditions. Depending on when you arrive there should be time for an evening walk on one of the many trails in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Accommodation: Lake Kitandara Camp, Bwindi National Park
Day 3
You depart this morning for a trek into the depths of Bwindi National Park. You will be led by experienced trackers who will bring you amongst a family of mountain gorillas. The incredible primates are extremely rare; with only 700 remaining in the wild very few people in the world are lucky enough to see them in their natural habitat. After your gorilla trek you will return to the camp for a late lunch. All meals included.
Accommodation: Lake Kitandara Camp, Bwindi National Park
Day 4
This morning you will depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, be prepared for some incredible scenery along the way. This park protects 200km² of Rift Valley Savanna, interspersed with patches of forest and crater lakes, an idea location for a safari. You will arrive in the Park in time for an evening safari boat trip along the beautiful Kazinga channel. The boat cruise is a great location for photography, bird watching, or game viewing with such diversity of life supported by the channel; including hippos, water birds, elephants, buffaloes, nile crocodiles and the occasional leopard.
Accommodation: Hippo Hill Camp, Queen Elizabeth NP
Day 5
The Kyambura Gorge will be your first destination today. This 100m deep gorge is drained by the Kyambura river creating a microclimate that supports a dense tropical forest, very different to the savannah landscape that surrounds the gorge. Your guide will take you on a trek into this gorge, home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including groups of wild chimpanzees which you might be lucky enough to see. In the afternoon your driver/guide will show you around the highlights of Queen Elizabeth National Park, giving you a chance to enjoy some of Ugandas finest game viewing.
Accommodation: Hippo Hill Camp, Queen Elizabeth NP
Day 6
This morning after your breakfast you will be driven to Kibale Forest National Park, along the way with the help of your personal driver/guide there will be some great opportunities for game viewing. Within Kibale Forest National Park is an area known as the Bigodi Wetlands, this is a community tourism initiative established to protect the Magombe Swamp. The papyrus chocked wetland is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife including 8 primate species and 140 bird species. In the afternoon you will visit the Bigodi Wetlands bird and primate sanctuary, where you might just come across a rare shoebill stork or perhaps a Central African red colobus.
Accommodation: Kibale Camp - Kibale Forest NP
Day 7
This morning you will be taken chimpanzee tracking, through Kibale Forest National Park. During this walk you will have a very good chance of seeing many of the 13 primate species native to Kibale. Your guides have years of experience within the forest and are certain to be able to answer any of your questions. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Kampala.
Accommodation: Kibale Camp - Kibale Forest NP
Day 8
Morning transfer to Kampala. If you have time perhaps take in an optional visit to Ngamba Island. Alternatively spend the afternoon visiting the Botanical Gardens or the craft market.
Accommodation: St Bruno Tented Camp - Entebbe
Day 9
Transfer to Entebbe airport for departure.
Note: This is simply a suggestion of how you can spend your time. Mahlatini will tailor make the itinerary specific to interests and budget. There is usually something to suit everyone's budget. Should you wish to have the car hire delivered or if you would prefer transfers this can easily be arranged.