Tour Code: NLS-020
Introduction:
This safari is considered to be the best of the very best Uganda and Rwanda can
Offer. Major highlights include: wildlife viewing and photography, chimp and gorilla
tracking, cultural tours, nature walks, birding, hiking, boat cruises, rafting and
scenic viewing. The trip enables you to track gorillas both in Uganda & Rwanda while
staying in the best selected upmarket hotels/Lodges/Camps. This safari is customized
rather than with a group and you will have no regrets. Setting your own pace and
itinerary are the reasons one can select this kind of safari and is suitable for
couples.
Day One: Airport Arrival.
You will be met by our company representatives who will pick you from the Airport
and transfer you to Cassia Lodge overlooking Lake Victoria in Kampala. Meal Plan:
Dinner
Day Two: Murchison falls National Park.
At 7.30 am,begin the panoramic drive north-west through the famous Luwero Triangle
and, travel to Masindi via Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. Excursion of the ranch with our
guide. After lunch, drive to Murchison falls national park, the most beautiful
protected area in Uganda. You will take a drive to the top of the falls where you
will enjoy and marvel at the mighty Nile being forced in a seven meter crevice to
thunder 45 meters below in a series of cascades that can be viewed at different
points at the summit. Proceed to the lodge for evening relaxation. Dinner and
overnight at Nile Safari Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch& Dinner.
Day Three: Murchison Falls National Park.
After an early cup of African Coffee , embark on a thrilling game drive on the
northern bank of the Nile , escorted with a game ranger expect to see elephants,
Giraffe, Antelope , Hartebeest, Lion, Oribi,leopard,Waterbuck and a variety of
savannah woodland birds. After Lunch, go for a launch trip down stream on River Nile
for game viewing at close range .Here expect to spot the hippo,buffalo,waterbuck and
crocodile. Abundant avian life can also be sighted like the rare shoebill stork, Red
fronted bee eater, silver bird and Blue mantled coucal. Upon reaching the bottom of
the falls, get off your boat for the hike up to the top of the falls.Your awaiting
car will bring you back to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at Nile Safari Lodge or
Paraa Safari Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day Four: Murchison-Kibale National Park.
After breakfast, with your packed lunch set of for Kibale National Park. It take
about 9 hrs drive south via Hoima to Fort Portal through verdant countryside and
past traditional homesteads and farms along Albertine Rift escarpments. Fort-Portal
rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon, a stunning location
overlooking a dramatic Crater Lake and the fabled "Mountains of the Moon. On arrival
at Fort portal you will have an optional visit to the Toro Kingdom palace,
coronation site and burial grounds or foot walk near the crater lakes. Dinner and
Overnight at Ndali Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day Five: Chimp Tracking-Kibale National Park.
After breakfast, report to the Park Headquarters for a briefing. The National Park
is a home of the endangered Chimpanzee and boosts of having one of the highest
concentrations of primates in East Africa. Half day search of chimpanzee and 10
other primate including phoestes, red colobus, blues, red tailed and grey cheeked
mangabey. The guide will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates, but
also on all the forest fauna and flora and will ensure that your walk is both
informative and enjoyable. This walk is excellent for viewing bird life and seeing
primates at close quarters. After lunch, have a nature walk to the Bigodi Wetland
.Bigodi swamp is a community based activity that was set up to sustain the local
community projects in the area. Dinner and Overnight at Ndali Lodge. Meal plan:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day Six: Fort Portal-Semuliki.
Have an early breakfast and transfer to Semiliki National Park in Bundigyo . Go for
a nature walk up to Sempaya Hot springs. On your way to the the Lodge, Visit the
Pygmies just adjacent to the Park Forest. They can perform for you a traditional
dance and teach you how to use local herbs to heal different ailments.Later, drive
to Semuliki Safari Lodge in Semuliki wildlife reserve. A night drive and explore
nocturnal species like leopard, lion, spotted genets, white tailed mongoose, eagles,
owls, night jars is a mazing. Dinner and overnight at Semliki safari lodge. Meal
plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day Seven: Semliki- Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After Breakfast, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. After lunch, proceed to
Queen Elizabeth National Park following the mystical Ruwenzori Mt. Range via the
Crater Lake region and baboon cliffs. A game drive en route to view lion, elephant,
leopard, buffalo, hyena and a variety of antelope species. In the evening, go for a
study of local salt mining by the Local communities around Lake Katwe. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge overlooking the dramatic crater lakesl.Meal plan:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Eight: Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Dawn game drives today. Queen Elizabeth National Park's diverse eco-system of
grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home
to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive
Rwenzoris as a backdrop provides excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, giant
forest hog, cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi and bush
buck. These game drives and the boat trip are a memorable method of discovering a
vast array of wildlife. In the afternoon, enjoy the unique 2 hour boat cruise on the
Kazinga Channel into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest
concentration of hippos. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for
photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colourful and
stupendous with well over 550 resident species. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari
Lodge .Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Nine: Queen-Ishasha
After breakfast visit Kyambura gorge for a chimp trek along the 16km long gorge.
Here expect to see the chimps, giant forest hog and baboons. Later, drive to Ishasha
sector. This is the lushest highland rain forest on earth, filled with primates and
exotic birds. The afternoon is spent on a game drive around the Ishasha Sector
looking for the rare tree African climbing lions. Dinner and over night at Ishasha
Wilderness Camp.(Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Ten: Ishasha
In the morning, go for another game drive to look for the rare tree African climbing
lions. The afternoon is spent on a walk along Ishasha River to watch the hippos and
other game. Return to the camp for relaxation, Dinner and over night at Ishasha
Wilderness Camp. (Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Eleven :Ishasha-Bwindi
Today's drive is through what is probably East Africa's most spectacular scenery,
the highland rain forests and tea plantations which reach to the volcanoes in which
live the mountain gorillas. Dinner and over night at Gorilla Forest Camp/Ruhija
Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Twelve: Gorilla Trek
Begin the day with breakfast ready for trekking, which begins at 8:00am with a
briefing from the UWA staff. Ensure to carry along with you rain jacket, drinking
water, snacks, jungle boots etc The guides will lead you inside the jungle to see
the shy Primates for a group you have been booked for. You may see the gorillas
eating, sucking ants from a tree, swinging on vines, playing and sleeping. Do not
forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare
Mountain Gorilla, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. It
is most rewarding animal-based experience that clients get and others would
definitely do it again if given the opportunity. There are now only 650 left in the
world! The tracking may take between 2 and 6 hours but its well worth the effort.
There is always an option to hire a local porter (highly recommended as it supports
the local economy) who will carry your bag and literally, push you up the hills if
necessary! Dinner and over night at Gorilla Forest Camp/Ruhija Lodge. Meal plan:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Thirteen: Bwindi-Lake Bunyonyi
Begin your day with a drive to Lake Bunyonyi via Kabale a region popularly known by
many tourists as the 'Switzerland of Africa'. You will be taken by the scenery of
winding road, hills and valleys, terraced landscape and friendly people. Here, you
will notice that the landscape changes constantly from magnificent green rolling
hills, city to small towns, to grassy plains etc. Relaxing the whole afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at Heritage Lodge/Arcadia cottages. Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinner.
Day Fourteen: Lake Bunyonyi
The day begins with a boat trip for sight seeing and birding along Lake Bunyonyi.
Experience Uganda's breathtaking sceneryand feel the wonders of nature as you will
see big terraced hills, big valleys, big everything including nice people and
forests! Return to the camp for lunch.An option of free swimming in the lake. Dinner
and overnight at Heritage Lodge/Arcadia cottages. Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and
Dinner.Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Fifteen: Lake Bunyonyi - Park National Des volcans.
Set off in the morning after breakfast and proceed to Parc National Des volcans in
Rwanda via Cyanika border.Enjoy the rolling hills of Kisoro . Arrive in the
afternoon in time for lunch, check in your place of accommodation. Dinner and
overnight at Mt Gorilla View Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Sixteen: Park National des volcans.
After an early breakfast, drive to Ruhengeri/Kinigi.
Second Gorilla trek. Gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (subject to
permit availability at the time of booking). Tracking the gorillas through the light
mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are
lucky you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base
in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families, however, are more elusive, and
tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. Dinner and
overnight at Mt Gorilla View Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Seventeen: Ruhengere-Mburo National Park.
Have an early breakfast and transfer to Mburo via Mbarara for lunch.The park is
renowned for zebras, impalas, buffaloes, hippos, topi and elands including the rare
shoebill, crested crane, pelicans, fish eagle, heron and many water birds. Evening
boat cruise amidst the Hippos is amazing. Dinner and overnight at Mihingo
Lodge/Arcadia .Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Eighteen:Mburo
Morning game drive in the Park which is an is an extension of the Tanzanian Plains
with big herds of Zebra, Impala, Eland , Warthogs ,buffalo and other savannah
species. For birders, this is one of the best place to find African Fin foot,
Papyrus, Bush Shrike, etc. The evening is spent on relaxing at the Lodge observing
game moving in the park. Dinner and overnight at Mihingo Lodge. Meal plan:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Nineteen: Transfer to Ssese Island.
After breakfast with a packed lunch, drive to Bukakata for your transfer to Ssese
Islands. Enjoy the cruise as you pass via a series of Islands and fishing villages
to Ssese Islands inside Lake Victoria. After your lunch, relax at the beach or take
a nature walk inside the forest. Overnight at Ssese Habitat Resort. Meal plan:
Lunch and Dinner
Day Twenty: Ssese Islands-Entebbe.
After your early breakfast, you are driven to Pier for a cruise inside Lake
Victoria. Enjoy the cruise as you pass via a series of Islands and fishing villages.
You will then land into Nakiwoko in Entebbe in time for lunch .Relax at the hotel to
recount memories of your African trip. An option of nature walk to the lake shore
can be done. Dinner and overnight at Lake Victoria Hotel Entebbe. Meal plan:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Twenty one: Departure.
Transfer to the Airport for your flight back home or to the next destination. Meal
plan: Breakfast. End of services.
The safari package to include:
Transportation by a 4wd safari vehicle.
Accomodation and meals as per the itinerary
Boat trips
Two Gorilla permits per person to be secured and paid for in advance
All Park fees
Primate Walk in Kibale
Kyambura Chimp trek
Ziwa sanctuary Rhino Tour
Services of English speaking Driver/guide.
Enroute lunches
Game drives
Nature walks
Airport transfers.
Price Excludes:
- Airfares
- Visas or Insurance
- Tips to local guides
- Porterage or Laundry
- Soft or alcoholic drinks or mineral water (excl. water in the vehicles)
- Items of a personal nature
- Any meals not indicated above
-Any tours not mentioned from the itinerary above
Nature Link Safaris, Uganda Eco Tourism Safari Company "The quality sustainable tourism company amid the Pearl of Africa" For Safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.
For either classic rates or budget rates about this tour, send e-mail to: sales@naturelinksafaris.co.ug or naturelinksafaris@yahoo.com