9 Days Kibale, Queen Bwindi, Mburo Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After arriving at the Entebbe International Airport, you’ll meet our safari guide who will transfer you to Kibale Forest National Park. The driving time will be 4 to 5 hours with lunch in between at Fort Portal. Then you’ll continue on to Kibale where you’ll have a nature walk in the Bigodi Wetlands which is well known for accommodating a variety of bird and monkey species. Dinner and overnight will be arranged at a lodge of your choice.

• Dinner and overnight will be at your reserved lodge.
• Luxury: Ndali lodge/Primate lodge/Kibale forest/Kyaninga lodge
• Moderate: Mountains of the moon/Kibale forest camp
• Budget: Rwenzori travelers/Kibale forest camp/Chimpanzee forest guest house
• Meal plan: Dinner

Day 2: Chimp tracking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you’ll have to report to the Kanyanchu Tourist Center at 8 am. You’ll receive a briefing on the rules and then start your chimpanzee tracking. Kibale National Park accommodates the highest variety and concentration of primates in entire East Africa. There are a total of 13 species, the most famous of which is the chimpanzee which is a delightful ape. The trek will take about two to three hours and will get to see variety of other primates and wild animals along with birds, butterflies, and insects. Later, you’ll make your way to the lodge for lunch and then to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

• Luxury Lodge: Mweya Safari Lodge: Katara Lodge/ Jacana Lodge
• Mid-range moderate: Bush Lodge (in rooms) / Simba Safari Camp in rooms/ Buffalo Safari Resort/ Enganzi Lodge/ Ihamba Safari Lodge
• Budget facility: Kazinga Channel View Lodge/ Simba Safari Camp in tents/ Bush Lodge in tents
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

After having your morning breakfast, you’ll go for an early morning game drive and get to see lions, leopards, cape buffalos, Defassa waterbucks, topis, elephants, giant forest hogs, bushbuck among others. In the afternoon hours after lunch, along the Kazinga Channel you’ll go for a two hour boat cruise ride. This channel connects Lake George to Lake Edward and accommodates the highest concentration of hippos, elephant, and crocodiles. At the water shores, you can spot many bird varieties; upwards of 500. Dinner and overnight at your reserved lodge.

• Luxury Lodge: Mweya Safari Lodge: Katara Lodge/ Jacana Lodge
• Mid-range moderate: Bush Lodge (in rooms) / Simba Safari Camp in rooms/ Buffalo Safari Resort/ Enganzi Lodge/ Ihamba Safari Lodge
• Budget facility: Kazinga Channel View Lodge/ Simba Safari Camp in tents/ Bush Lodge in tents
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4: Game Drive in the Ishasha sector and transfer to Bwindi

You will wake up early for a morning game drive in the park to see Lions, Elephants, Topis, Leopards, Bush bucks, Cape Buffaloes, Defassa Waterbucks, Giant Forest Hogs, Uganda Kobs, among others. You will later transfer to the Ishasha sector of the Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will go for another game drive in the afternoon in search of tree climbing lions. You will drive south to Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park. Enroute you will see a great country-side, bamboo forest and have great views of the scenic landscape characteristic of the western rift valley. You will have dinner and overnight at a lodge booked for you in this Ishasha sector.

• Lower Budget: Buhoma community Rest camp / Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp / Travellers Rest Hotel Kisolo / Gorilla Valley Lodge
• Moderate: Gorilla Resort Bwindi /Gorilla Safari Lodge / Silver Back Lodge / Lake Kitandara Camp / Chameleon Hill Lodge / Lake Mutanda Resort.
• Up market: Mahogang Lodge / Buhoma Lodge / Rushanga Gorilla Satari Lodge.
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

You will have an early morning breakfast and move to the Park headquarters to join other trackers in a briefing about the gorilla trekking rules at 7:45 am. Through thick creepers and undergrowth, you’ll track the gorillas accompanied by a tour guide which can take anywhere between 1 to 8 hours. The forested landscape is incredibly dense and steep, but is intersected by numerous animal trails which allow an easy access for tourists. A maximum of one hour is permitted to stay with the gorilla family after which you’ll be transferred to Lake Bunyonyi. You’ll drive through a gorgeous section of the country which is referred to as “The Switzerland of Africa” because of the unique cool weather even after being located near to the equator. The lake is among the most beautiful of its kind in western Uganda and is the second deepest lake in Africa with a depth of 900 meters. As it is bilharzias free, you can swim safely in the lake. Dinner and overnight will be at your lodge of booking.

• Lower Budget: Bushara Island Camp
• Moderate: Bird's Nest
• Up-market: Bird's Nest/ Archadia Cottage
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Canoe ride, swimming and hiking to the view point

Buunyoni which in the local language means “place of little birds,” provides an excellent opportunity to spot plenty of birdlife around the lake. The landscape surrounding the lake is made up of terraced hills which seem to protrude through the edges of the water. You will spend the whole day in the Lake Bunyonyi area taking boat rides, swimming if you like and hiking the hills around the lake to get views of the beautiful scenic landscapes.

• Lower Budget: Bushara Island Camp
• Moderate: Bird's Nest
• Up-market: Bird's Nest/ Archadia Cottage
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Bunyonyi and transfer to Lake Mburo

Morning breakfast, nature walk and a great view of Lake Bunyonyi. In the afternoon after lunch we shall head to Lake Mburo National Park and spot some zebras. Dinner and overnight will be at your lodge of booking.

• Luxury: Mihingo Lodge/ Mantana Lake Mburo Camp/ Arcadia Cottages
• Moderate: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge/ Rakobo Rock
• Budget: Eagles Nest Camp
• Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 8: Game drive in the Mburo Park and boat cruise on the Lake

You will wake up early and set off for a morning game drive to enjoy the rich biodiversity of this small park that boasts of the large herds of zebra, impala, gigantic eland, topis and a variety of bird species. You will return to the lodge for a late breakfast and in the evening you will do another game drive where you will have a chance to see a variety of animal species. Dinners and overnight will be at the lodge of your booking

• Luxury: Mihingo Lodge/ Mantana Lake Mburo Camp/ Arcadia Cottages
• Moderate: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge/ Rakobo Rock
• Budget: Eagles Nest Camp
• Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 9: Travel to Kampala

You will after breakfast go for another game drive before setting off on your return journey to Kampala. You’ll make a stopover at the equator where you’ll be standing in two hemispheres simultaneously and snap some photos. Another stopover at Mpigi Royal Drum Makers’ center where you can witness the traditional crafting process of the ceremonial drums that have passed through the generations. You will arrive in Kampala in the late afternoon for a well deserved overnight rest.

• Accommodation: Anderita Beach Hotel

End of the service

What to Bring

• Given that Gorilla tracking involves a lot of walking on rough, mountainous terrain, a tracker is advised to:
• Bring shoes with good traction, suitable for steep muddy slopes.
• Carry rain gear, sunscreen and a hat, as the weather is unpredictable.
• Carry enough water and food.
• Carry binoculars
• Carry a good camera that can take photographs of black animals in dim light without a flash. A monopod can also be very helpful.