This safari experience will take you to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to visit the reintroduced white rhino, Kidepo Valley National Park, besides the expected wild game drive across the park where you shall see lions and other animals, you can enjoy activities include hiking trips, sightseeing tours, bird watching, and the rich culture of the Karimajongs, Murchison Falls National Park and boat trips to the Murchison Falls and the Victoria Nile delta. In the delta there is a chance to see the strange shoebill, Kibale Forest during a chimp walk and see lots of birds and smaller primate species when walking through Bigodi Swamp. Look for lion, leopard and the unique Uganda kob during game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park. See lots of African buffalo, hippo, bushelephant and other mammals when sailing on the Kazinga Channel, but don’t forget to look for birds and large Nile crocodiles. Meet a small group of chimpanzees in the untouched Kyambura Gorge and look for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha Sector, enjoy the highlights of this safari; gorilla tracking. Visit the last mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and spend an hour amongst these gentle giants. Have an extra day to explore Kisoro and surroundings. Spend time at a coffee tour or climb for example Mount Gahinga and game drives in Lake Mburo and watch for impala, plains zebra, eland antelope and topi, but don’t forget the wide variety of birds.
The Summarized, 19 Days Pearl of Africa Safari Itinerary
- Day 1:Travel to Kitgum via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Day 2: Travel to Kidepo Valley National Park
- Day 3:Game drive Kidepo Valley National Park
- Day 4:Whole Day Game drive and Hot springs
- Day 5: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 6: Game drive and Boat Launch in Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 7:Boat trip to the Delta in Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 8:Travel to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 9: Chimp walk and Bigodi Swamp Walk
- Day 10: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 11:Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura and Tree Climbing Lions inIshasha.
- Day 12: Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura and Tree Climbing Lions inIshasha.
- Day 13: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 14: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 15: Travel to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 16: Travel to Lake Mburo National Park
- Day 17: Guided game walk, Boat cruise and evening game drive in Lake Mburo National Park
- Day 18: To Kampala / Entebbe
- Day 19: Departure
Day 1: Travel to Kitgum via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Early morning after breakfast, you will leave for Kitgum which is in the northern part of Uganda. You will stop at Ziwa Rhinos Sanctuary for Rhino tracking. You will have a lunch and then proceed to Kitgum staying overnight at the Lodge.
Luxury: Bomah Hotel/ Acholi Pride Guest Houses / Hotel de Carols
Budget: Lonely Planet / Kitgum Holiday Rentals
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner.
Day 2: Travel to Kidepo Valley National Park
Early morning after breakfast, you will leave for Kidepo Valley National Park which is in the northern part of Uganda. You will have a lunch and then proceed for an evening game drive in Kidepo.
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Nga’moru Wilderness Camp
Budget: Apoka Hostel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Game drive Kidepo Valley National Park
After an early breakfast you will head inside the Kidepo Valley National Park for a game drive. Kidepo ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses. From Apoka, in the heart of the national park, a savanna landscape extends in all directions, far beyond the gazetted area of 1442km2, towards horizons outlined by distant mountain ranges.
In the afternoon you will go for a cultural visit of the Karimajong tribe.
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Nga’moru Wilderness Camp
Budget: Apoka Hostel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Whole Day Game drive and Hot springs
Start with an early breakfast and then go for a game drive along the trails of Kidepo Valley. The park inhabits one of the most exciting faunas of any Ugandan parks, with over 80 species of mammals several of which are endemic to Kidepo National Park like the cheetah, the striped hyena the caracal and over 465 bird species including the ostriches.
In the afternoon visit the Karamojong village to learn more about their culture, music and dance Karamoja has a cattle culture and the Karamojong are notorious as cattle raiders. Unlike most other Ugandans, many Karamojong shun western-style clothes and instead wear “traditional” dress of a blanket -like shawl, often in red and black. The women wear elaborate beadwork.
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Nga’moru Wilderness Camp
Budget: Apoka Hostel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park
Early in the morning after breakfast, and then leave for Murchison falls national park the northern sector with lunch along the way. The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centerpiece of the park and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river’s energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert. There are a lot of animals to see on your way to the hotel through the park such as elephants, giraffes and buffaloes; while hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds are permanent residents. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/ Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/Bwana Tembo Safari Camp
Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Game drive and Boat Launch in Murchison Falls National Park
In the morning we will go for the game drive, special are here the lions, giraffes, Elephants, Leopards, Uganda Kobs and many more animals and birds.
In the afternoon you will have an impressive launch trip on the Nile to the fall. Hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, elephants and many birds will be seen
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/ Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/Bwana Tembo Safari Camp
Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Boat trip to the Delta in Murchison Falls National Park
Early morning the boat will take us downstream to the delta where the Nile enters Lake Albert. This trip of 5-6 hours will show us all the beauty of this national park especially the delta with all the different birds. Here is a good chance to see the elusive Shoebill stork!
In the afternoon, you will have a visit to the top of the falls for a wonderful view.
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/ Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/Bwana Tembo Safari Camp
Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Travel to Kibale Forest National Park
Early in the morning, you will departure for Kibale Forest National Park. You will pass close to Lake Albert, on a clear day the view from the top of the Albert rift is spectacular. In the afternoon we will arrive at Kibale Forest, sleeping with the noises of the tropical rainforest.
Luxury: Primate Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge/Kyaninga lodge
Moderate: Isunga Lodge/Kibale Forest Cottages/Primate Lodge
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Guest House
Meal plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Chimp walk and Bigodi Swamp Walk
Early in the morning, you will start with the chimp trekking, 10 other primates can be seen!! The park is also known for all the butterflies and birds.
In the afternoon a walk through Bigodi Swamp (community based project)
Luxury: Primate Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge/Kyaninga lodge
Moderate: Isunga Lodge/Kibale Forest Cottages/Primate Lodge
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Guest House
Meal plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Early morning, you will departure for Queen Elizabeth National Park via Fort Portal; you will reach in Queen Elizabeth NP with a stunningly beautiful view over Kazinga Channel.
In the late afternoon we will make a game drive.
Accommodation options
Luxury Lodge:Mweya Safari Lodge/Katara Lodge/ Jacana Lodge
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 and Dinner
Day 11: Game drive and Boat launch in Queen Elizabeth National Park
In the morning, you will go for a game drive on the plains of Queen Elizabeth with thousands of Ugandan kobs, lions, elephants and many more without forgetting a variety of bird species.
In the afternoon, go for a two hours launch trip on the Kazinga channel where we will see all the animals and bird species from the waterside.
Luxury Lodge:Mweya Safari Lodge/Katara Lodge/ Jacana Lodge
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 and Dinner
Day 12: Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura and Tree Climbing Lions inIshasha.
Very early in the morning after a breakfast, you will go to Kyambura Gorge for a 3-4 hour walk into the Gorge for meeting the chimpanzees.
After the Gorge, you will drive to Ishasha Sector and have an evening gamedrive in search for the tree climbing lions.
Luxury: Ishasha wildness Camp
Midrange: Ishasha Jungle Lodge
Budget: Enjojo Lodge/@ The River Ishasha Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
In the morning after a breakfast,you will leave forBwindi, the bad road takes us through a beautiful landscape called the “Switzerland of Africa”. We pass mountains,hills and lakes with cultivated terraces and tropical rainforest and bamboo forest. On the last hill the landscape unfolds beneath us, in the vast plane of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, the Virunga volcanoes dominate the view.
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Spring Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Bwindi Jungle Lodge/Silverback Lodge/Chameleon Hill Lodge
Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp/ Mutanda Lake Resort/Rushaga Gorilla Camp/Gorilla Valley Lodge/Engagi Lodge
Budget: Travellers Rest Hotel/Gorilla Friends Lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp/Buhoma Community Rest Camp/ Haven Lodge Buhoma Community.
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Day 14: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
On this day you will have come to the highlight of your safari; Gorilla tracking. Early in the morning, you will be taken at the Offices of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for pre-briefing and at 8:30 you will start the trek after finding the Gorillas you will spend with maximum 1 hour. Later in the afternoon after gorilla experience, you will go for Batwa visit. Then dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Spring Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Bwindi Jungle Lodge/Silverback Lodge/Chameleon Hill Lodge
Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp/ Mutanda Lake Resort/Rushaga Gorilla Camp/Gorilla Valley Lodge/Engagi Lodge
Budget: Travellers Rest Hotel/Gorilla Friends Lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp/Buhoma Community Rest Camp/ Haven Lodge Buhoma Community.
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Day 15: Travel to Lake Bunyonyi
In the morning after a breakfast, you will leave for the stunning lake Bunyonyi which is known as a deepest lake in Africa and the 29 historical islands. There you have canoe or boat ride to explore the beauty of the Lake. Dinner and overnight at the lodge
Luxury: Bird Nest Resort
Midrange: Arcadia Lodge Lake Bunyonyi
Budget: Bunyonyi Overland Resort/Crater Bay Cottages and Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Day 16: Travel to Lake Mburo National Park
Early in the morning,you will leave for Lake Mburo National Park. You will have lunch in Mbarara before you continue to Lake Mburo, a smaller but unique park, and the only one in the Western part of Uganda with impalas and zebras. You can go for the village/cultural walk or evening game drive.
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Moderate: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge/ Rwakobo Rock
Budget: Eagles Nest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17: Guided game walk, Boat cruise and evening game drive in Lake Mburo National Park
Early morning we will go for a game walk. In the afternoon a boat trip on Lake Mburo followed by another game drive in the evening. This little park hosts a variety of animals, that is to say 68 mammal species, including a large number of impalas (the antelope from which “Kampala” is named after), zebras Uganda kobs, duikers bushbucks, Ankole cattle topis, buffaloes, leopards, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, warthogs, oribi. There are 315 bird species including; shoebill stork, red faced barbet, crested crane, papyrus yellow warbler. The vegetation is mainly open Savannah of Acacia trees, Olea and Boscia.Lake Mburo is a natural haven for fauna and flora. The bank teems with animals and birds. Crocodiles and hippopotami are permanent residents, and buffalos come to drink during the dry season. Others include; impalas (the antelope from which “Kampala” is named after), zebras Uganda kobs, duikers bushbucks, Ankole cattle topis, buffaloes, leopards, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, warthogs, oribi. The wide variety of resident birds includes Malachite Kingfishers, Pied Kingfishers, African Fish Eagles, Rufous Long-tailed Starlings, Blue-headed Weavers, Green-necked Doves, Hammerkops, Pelicans, Herons, Cormorants and even rare Shoebills.
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Moderate: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge/ Rwakobo Rock
Budget: Eagles Nest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18: To Kampala / Entebbe
After breakfast the last part of the journey will bring us back to Kampala. On the way back you will have lunch at the equatorwith an opportunity to a stop at the Equator for photo shoots and buying souvenirs and have tea or coffee. Then proceed to Kampala city for a tour to visit historical places like Bahia tample, Gadhafi mosque, kasubi tombs, owino market and many more.
Accommodation options
Luxury Lodge: Serena Hotel/ Sheraton Hotel/Munyonyo Speke Resort/Pearl of Africa Hotel
Moderate: Cassia Lodge/ Speke Resort Hotel/Protea Hotel/Hotel Africana/Cassia Hotel/Golf Course Hotel
Budget facility: Airport View Hotel/ Namirembe Guest house/Forest Cottages/Karibu Hotel/ Airport GuestHouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Day 19: Departure
In the morning, you will visit botanical garden and Uganda Wildlife education center (zoo) and then proceed to the airport.
INCLUSIONS
- 18 nights’ Accommodation as per the itinerary
- 4*4 safari vehicle with popup roof famous for off-the-beaten-track Big 5 Safaris
- Bottled drinking water
- Bwindi Gorilla trekking permit – $600 per person
- Services of an English Speaking Driver/guide.
- Community visit fees
- Pickup and Return airport transfers
EXCLUSIONS
- International & Domestic flights (if not mentioned above)
- Personal insurance and baggage insurance
- Visa fees wherever applicable.
- All drinks & meals unless stated above.
- Porter fees while trekking Gorillas
- All tips and porterage.
- Laundry, massages and other personal expenses e.g. mini-bar & telephone unless otherwise stated
- Any other services not mentioned above and other optional/additional activities.
