Classic Uganda Safari in Luxury

Welcome to Uganda, the “pearl of Africa”! Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport a representative will be waiting for you to drive you to Uganda’s capital city of Kampala for your included stay at the Lake Victoria Serena Hotel. Enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep in this majestic hotel overlooking Lake Victoria in preparation for the adventures that lie ahead.

Overnight stay at the Lake Victoria Serena Hotel with breakfast included.
Budget and standard accommodation option: Cassia Lodge

Today your adventure truly begins and after an early breakfast at your hotel you will be collected by your English speaking driver and guide to begin your journey through some of Uganda’s most remarkable National Parks. Travelling in a comfortable 4wd safari land cruiser your 350km journey to your first stopover, Murchison Falls National Park, will begin. The journey is likely to take in the region of 7 hours but the spectacular scenery along the way is sure to keep you more than occupied.

Along the way we will stop for lunch before reaching Murchison Falls, the most beautiful protected area in Uganda. If time permits we hope to make a visit to the top of the falls for your first view of these magnificent waterfalls, before checking in to the exclusive Baker’s Lodge and enjoying a delicious welcome dinner.

2 nights accommodation at Baker’s Lodge with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Budget accommodation option: Fort Murchison
Standard accommodation option: Murchison River Lodge

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest and most beautiful protected area in Uganda and its most striking feature is the electrifying sight of the waterfall after which the park is named. Yet it’s not just the waterfall that attracts visitors to this remarkable area. With a diverse landscape of dense woodlands in the south and green grasslands in the north, the park harbours one of the most varied wildlife populations in East Africa. Wildlife you can expect to see here includes lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, hartebeests, oribis and Uganda kob, whilst the part of the park which lies alongside the River Nile is thronged with hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks and buffaloes. The park is also a premier site for birdwatchers.

Today we will have the chance to experience all of this for ourselves as we awaken early for breakfast before setting off on a half-day game drive along the northern bank of the Nile in search of the area’s fantastic wildlife encounter opportunities. After lunch back at the lodge we will enjoy a Nile cruise to get even closer to the remarkable animals that reside here.

After breakfast this morning your driver will collect you for your journey to Kibale Forest National Park. The journey is likely to take in the region of 10 hours but the spectacular scenery along the way is sure to keep you more than occupied.

Along the way we will stop at Fort Portal for lunch. Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled “Mountains of the Moon” and is famous for its many tea plantations and you will have time for some photo opportunities before continuing on to Kibale. Kibale Forest is home to the greatest variety and concentration of primates found anywhere in East Africa, including over 1000 chimpanzees. Tomorrow you will have the chance to get up-close to these intriguing animals so after a delicious dinner at the lodge a good night’s rest is in order in preparation for a new day of adventure.

2 nights accommodation at Kibale Primate Lodge in a luxury cottage with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Budget accommodation option: Kibale Forest Camp
Standard accommodation option: Kibale Primate Lodge standard cottage

Today it’s time for one of the highlights of your trip as we take the short walk into the forest to begin your chimpanzee tracking experience! Kibale Forest is home to the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa, and is renowned as being the best place to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat. After a pre-tracking briefing you will begin your hike into the forest to visit a large habituated family of chimps that consists of over 120 individuals. Along the way you are likely to spot some of the forest’s fascinating residents including other primates and bird species such as the blue breasted Kingfisher, black billed Turaco, Pied Hornbill, Chestnut winged Starlings, and your informative guide will tell you all there is to know about this beautiful forest and its unique flora and fauna.

Upon sighting the chimpanzees you will have an hour to observe them, soaking up their captivating behaviour as they climb through the trees, groom, growl, feed, and take care of their young. An unforgettable experience that will no doubt leave a lasting impression.

After your exciting morning tracking the chimpanzees you will head back to the lodge for lunch before travelling to the nearby Bigodi Swamp for a very different nature experience. Here you can enjoy a guided swamp walk, an initiative of the local community, to discover the area’s rich diversity of birds and primates. The 4km walk is likely to take in the region of 3 to 4 hours and gumboots are recommended as the paths and board walks may be slippy and muddy underfoot. All proceeds from this eco-tourism initiative go back into the local community so this is a very worthwhile activity. In the early evening we return to the lodge for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

After breakfast at the lodge you will set off for the next stop on your itinerary, Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your journey will take in the region of 3 hours across the majestic foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon”. En route we will enjoy some time exploring the scenic crater lakes region that surrounds the dense forest of Kibale National Park before reaching the exceptionally beautiful Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This remarkably scenic national park’s landscape is as diverse as its abundant wildlife population, with its green savannah plains with small acacia and euphorbia trees giving way to sunken crater lakes and swamps, bounded by the snow-covered peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. Home to 95 different species of mammals including lions, elephants, Uganda Kobs, elephants, hippos and crocodiles, the area also has the highest number of bird species found in any national park in Africa with over 600 having been recorded.

Upon arrival at the beautiful Mweya Safari Lodge you can enjoy a welcoming dinner before settling into your luxury tent for the evening.

2 nights accommodation at Mweya Safari Lodge in a luxury tent with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Budget accommodation option: Simba Safari Camp
Standard accommodation option: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge

This morning we begin bright and early and head into the park for an exciting game drive experience to the mating ground of the Uganda Kobs. As we drive through this scenic park you will be on the lookout for lions, elephants, buffaloes and other wild animals in their natural habitat.

After an adventurous morning we will take a relaxing afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George, to enjoy sightings of the world’s highest concentration of hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and a multitude of birds. This 2 hour boat ride with snacks and beverages included will take us along a 14km stretch of the channel before we return to the lodge to enjoy a delicious dinner and some relaxation after what will have been an adventure-filled and memorable day.

This morning you can choose to go for a hike in the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve in search of the chimpanzees that are frequently seen here. It is a beautiful walk through the river valley, completely covered with tropical rainforest.

In the afternoon it will be time to pack up your things and start your journey to our next destination, the remarkable Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home of the endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi is home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorilla population and is quite simply the best place to observe these gentle giants at a close distance. The park is also home to 9 other primates and features spectacular scenery of trails, rivers and waterfalls.

The journey to Bwindi will take approximately 5 hours and upon arriving at the luxury Mahogany Springs Lodge you can enjoy a delightful welcome dinner before settling into your luxury “banda” which features 2 double beds, an en-suite bathroom and a private terrace with panoramic views of the forest and surrounding land. Set back on the pristine waters of the Munyanga River, Mahogany Springs is located just 2 minutes drive from the Bwindi National Park headquarters where we will be heading to tomorrow for our gorilla tracking experience.

2 nights accommodation at Mahogany Springs Lodge with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Budget accommodation option: Buhoma Haven Lodge
Standard accommodation option: Silverback Lodge

Get ready for the experience of a lifetime! After an early breakfast you will join your transfer to the offices of the National Park where upon arrival you will be allocated a gorilla family, an 8-person group and a gorilla trekking guide. After a briefing into what lies ahead, including safety precautions and an introduction to the behaviour of the gorillas, you will be driven to the trailhead for the start of your thrilling adventure.

Depending on the gorilla family that you have been allocated the trek to see them can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 6 hours so patience and an average fitness level are required. The terrain can be muddy, and rainy weather is likely, but as you trek through the jungle the anticipation of seeing these gentle giants in the wild, along with the spectacular views and likely bird sightings on offer, is likely to be more than enough distraction from that. And we can almost guarantee that when you come face to face with these majestic animals the trek will soon become a distant memory!

Upon sighting the gorillas your group will be allowed one hour with them to watch them as they go about their daily lives; feeding, moving, playing, wrestling and feeding their young – this will be a totally unique and unforgettable experience!

Gorilla trekking experiences in Bwindi have been designed to ensure that numbers are kept to a minimum whilst still offering the experience of seeing these animals in the wild so that more can be done to protect them and ensure the species’ ongoing survival. The vast majority of your gorilla permit cost goes to protecting these vulnerable animals and ensuring that their population thrives. Thanks to these conservation efforts, in the last few years the mountain gorillas population in Bwindi NP alone has increased from 300 to 400! Without tourist visits there would be substantially less funds available to do this. Each of the habituated families of mountain gorillas are only allowed to be visited by one group of eight people per day, and only 72 visitors are allowed each day.

After your thrilling experience of witnessing the famous mountain gorillas up-close, your guide will lead you back to base where you will be transferred back to the lodge for a delicious dinner and the chance to reflect on what may well have been the greatest wildlife experience of your life.

After an exhilarating but strenuous time in Bwindi it’s time for some relaxation as we head to the Lake Bunyonyi area for 2 days of tranquillity along the shores of Africa’s deepest lake. The drive to Lake Bunyonyi will take approximately 4 hours and upon arrival at the fantastic Bird Nest Resort you can enjoy lunch on the terrace and some time at leisure to do what you please. Many will choose to simply wind down for a couple of days lazing by the pool, but if you’re itching for more adventure there are many options available for canoeing, birding, nature walks and swimming.

2 nights accommodation at Bird Nest Resort in a deluxe room with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Budget accommodation option: Bunyonyi Overland Camp (cottage)
Standard accommodation option: Arcadia Cottages

After breakfast this morning we will make our way to the final national park of our tour as you jump back into the land cruiser and head towards the beautiful Lake Mburo National Park. The 250km journey to Lake Mburo will take approximately 3 hours. A relaxing game drive through this beautiful park will take us to Mihingo Lodge and you are likely to see lots of wildlife including impalas, topis, warthogs, zebras and buffaloes along the way. After lunch you can enjoy a boat ride on the lake to discover the area’s rich birdlife and see the hippos cooling off along the shores.

After a tasty evening meal you will have the opportunity to partake in an included night-time game drive. Lake Mburo is the smallest of the Ugandan national parks but it certainly packs a punch in terms of dramatic scenery and fascinating wildlife, and it is also one of the few parks in Uganda where you can watch wildlife after the sun has set.

An exciting night game drive offers an unusual twist on regular game drives and allows you to search for a variety of animals that you would not easily see during the day, such as bush pigs, genet cats and white tailed mongoose. The elusive leopards and spotted hyenas are also best seen at night and with some luck you will be able to spot the one male lion in the park who resides down by Lake Mburo!

Overnight stay at Mihingo Lodge with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Budget accommodation option: Rwakobo Rock
Standard accommodation option: Mantana Tented Camp

As your truly memorable luxury Uganda safari comes to an end there’s time for one last adventure as you enjoy an early morning guided bush walk. Lake Mburo National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including impalas, zebras, gigantic elands and giraffes. There are also excellent birding opportunities here, with over 315 species having been recorded in the area. Experiencing a safari on foot will allow you to notice the smaller, often overlooked details and usually brings you much closer to the wildlife than when in a car.

After returning to the lodge for breakfast your driver will be waiting to take you back to Kampala. The journey back to Kampala will take approximately 5 hours and as you relax and soak up the surrounding scenery filled with memories of your unforgettable experiences, make sure to keep an eye out for the black-and-white colobus monkeys that will be hiding along the road. En-route we will make a stop at the Uganda Equator for lunch, some souvenir shopping and some photo opportunities before arriving back at the Lake Victoria Serena Hotel for your last night in Uganda. The following morning your included transfer will take you to the airport for your homeward or onward flights.

Overnight stay at the Lake Victoria Serena Hotel with breakfast included.
Budget and standard accommodation option: Cassia Lodge