Uganda Detailed ItineraryPrint this page


Best of Uganda

Multiple departures.


Day 1 Arrival Entebbe - Ngamba Island:
Arrive Entebbe Airport where you will be met and transferred to the Lake Victoria Hotel, or the Boma Guest Lodge, Entebbe.

Depending on your time of arrival, you may be transferred (time to arrange locally) to the Entebbe Pier for your half day trip to Ngamba Island. (This activity can also be done at the end of the safari).

Depart from Entebbe Pier on the mainland, after a short briefing and travel by boat approximately 45 minutes by speedboat or 1½ hours by motorised traditional boat), to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria, where orphaned chimpanzees have been relocated under the management and guidance of a group of dedicated conservationists including the Jane Goodall Institute.

Lunch on the island is optional - to be paid directly to the island staff, and cool drinks, tea and coffee are also available on the island. Please take along some cash for curios etc - all of which helps toward the upkeep of the island and its chimpanzees.

Ngamba Island is part of the Koome group of islands located on Lake Victoria 23km south of Entebbe, Uganda. It consists of approximately 100 acres, 98 of which are forested and separated from the visitors area by an electric fence. Ngamba Island was officially opened to visitors in October 1999 and is currently home to 35 orphaned chimpanzees, 15 of which have been confiscated and brought to the island since it's opening.

Ngamba Island is a project of the Chimpanzees Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT), established in 1997 by the Born Free Foundation (UK), International Fund for Animal Welfare (USA), the Jane Goodall Institute (Germany and Uganda), The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Trust (UWECT) and the Zoological Board of New South Wales (Australia) and it provides these orphaned chimpanzees with a secure home to live out their lives, since a return to their natural habitat is not possible, while educating visitors and local communities about their remarkable species and the importance of conserving their fragile forest habitat.

You can help support this project by visiting. The entrance and activity fees paid goes directly towards helping cover the recurring costs of the island sanctuary and ensuring the well-being of the chimpanzees.

Return to Entebbe by boat and transferred to your hotel/lodge. Overnight with breakfast included.

Entebbe is a small town, located on the edge of Lake Victoria. Depending on your time of arrival, you may like to spend some time exploring the town on foot. In Entebbe there is the Wildlife Education Centre, and you can see close up the large slow-moving Shoebill Stork as well as the Botanical gardens which are great for bird-watching.

Day 2 Lake Mburo National Park:
Today we will head in a south-west direction to Lake Mburo National park, from Entebbe approx 5 hours drive.

Arrive around lunchtime at Lake Mburo, and overnight at Mantana Tented Camp, or Mahingo Lodge with all meals included.

Mantana Tented Camp
Situated high up on a hillside within the national park, and off the main route to the park headquarters is this tented camp with views stretching far and wide. Each en-suite tent, on a wooden deck, caters for two persons and has it's own bathroom area with hot showers, an eco friendly toilet and a private dressing area. A central area provides dining and bar facilities. Meals are generally of a high standard with several courses for most.

Mihingo Lodge
Mihingo Lodge is a peaceful and luxurious retreat adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park. Situated on over 200 privately owned acres, it features ten rooms which are built on wooden platforms and stilts, covered by a thatched roof. Suspended under the thatched roof is a spacious and comfortable tent equipped with en-suite bathrooms, including hot and cold running water, showers, and flush toilets.

Each luxury tented room is nestled on a private piece of the lodge's property, enabling guests to enjoy the tranquil environment in complete seclusion. Placed in varied settings, some rooms are situated in a forest setting, some with a lake view, and some on rock outcrops.

The main dining area is a large thatched structure built from rocks, the wood of dead olive trees found on the land, and native grasses. Below the dining area, an infinity swimming pool stretches out from the rocks and seems to disappear into the vast landscape beyond. From the dining and pool area, guests can enjoy the view of a westward oriented valley and its stunning evening sunsets over Lake Mburo National Park. Animals gathering in the valley will provide guests with fantastic game viewing opportunities or a chance to relax and watch wildlife at water hole and salt lick below the pool. Lake Mburo is home to many different animal species, including zebra, eland, and impala, who are not found in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is also a favourite birding spot.

Aside from lounging by the pool, enjoying the sounds of nature, or watching nearby wildlife, guests can also avail themselves of the numerous activities offered by Mihingo Lodge and Lake Mburo National Park. Guides from the lodge can accompany guests on nature walks to Lake Kachera.

In appreciation of its fragile surroundings, Mihingo Lodge is an environmentally friendly accommodation. The buildings are constructed in such a way as to melt into the rocky outcrops and savannah landscape around them. Electricity is provided by solar panels and there is a natural water catchment system to take advantage of the rains.

Employees of Mihingo Lodge have received training in hospitality services, and the management is dedicated to providing an exceptional safari experience for every visitor.

Rooms: 10 tents on fixed platforms

LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Lake Mburo, 260km2 was gazetted in 1982 as Uganda's fourth national park. It is composed primarily of grassland, wetland, and acacia woodland habitats. At the centre of the park lies Lake Mburo, which together with 14 other lakes in the area forms part of an extensive wetland system. The park has topi, eland, kilpspringer, zebra, buffalo, oribi, sitatunga, leopard, an excellent variety of water and acacia savannah bird species, like crested crane, marabou stork and bronze-tailed starling.

During your time at Lake Mburo, you will be able to enjoy game drive and/or a guided walk, or possibly take a local canoe or boat around the actual lake. Discuss the options with your guide.

Day 3 Arrival Bwindi:
After breakfast, continue west through an area of great beauty, often referred to the Little Switzerland of Africa, you will travel on mountainous roads into the highlands of Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, this takes approximately 4-5 hours.

Buhoma Lodge
Situated on the original "homestead" site at Bwindi, adjacent to the National Park, this exclusive lodge has been extensively renovated and upgraded to take full advantage of the convenient location and offers uninterrupted views towards the pristine rain forest canopy.

The lodge has a total of eight beautifully appointed, large cottages, spaciously set out along the mountainside. Each cottage has large windows fully netted and its own private verandah to take advantage of the spectacular views. Large comfortable beds ensure a good nights rest after a tiring day of gorilla tracking! The en-suite bathrooms are spacious with flushing toilets and piping hot showers, and the honeymoon cottage even has its own 'cuddle-tub'. Lighting throughout the lodge is by solar. The spacious upper level lounge, bar and dining area has fireplaces to provide warmth in the cool evenings, where guests may dine and relax discussing the day's events

As part of commitment to the local infrastructure, staff are recruited from the local communities of the area and they provide a welcoming environment and excellent service levels for guests. Whenever possible, supplies including local fresh produce, are purchased through local residents and businesses in the area.

Meals are wholesome, freshly prepared and generous quantities are served. A variety of international dishes are served as well as local specialities such as matoke and g-nut sauce.

Unlimited hot beverages are available all day on a self-serve basis and are delivered to your cottage with early morning wake up calls as required. Sitting on your private verandah watching the sun-rise over the forest in the early morning as you sip your tea, offers a very relaxing way to embark on the day.

Rooms:3 x en suite double cottages, 5 x en suite twin cottages

BWINDI IMPENTRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
The park is located in South-western Uganda, covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro, and Kabale Districts. It is situated in a hilly countryside, which, together with some remnant lowland forest outside the boundary, constitutes an important water catchment area for many rivers, supplying the agricultural land of the surrounding region. This is the richest forest in Uganda, in terms of the number of plant species, as the area is one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa where lowland and montane communities merge. The valley bottoms contain a dense ground cover of herbs, vines, and shrubs with only a few trees hence its name, the impenetrable forest. This is one of the richest faunal communities in East Africa. There exists about one half of the world's population of the endangered mountain gorillas. There are also several endangered species of birds with limited ranges. Gorilla tracking began on 1st April 1993. It is advisable to make reservations at least 3-6 months before your intended date of visit.

Overnight at Buhoma Lodge with all meals included.

Please note that on certain departures, due to Gorilla Permit availability, this section of the safari may be undertaken in RWANDA. A similar standard of accommodation will be utilized in Rwanda, but there may be a surcharge depending on availability. Please check at the time of booking.

Day 4 Gorilla Trekking:
After breakfast you will be escorted to the National Parks headquarters to meet your guides for the day for your gorilla tracking experience.

An early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers will bring you amongst a family of Mountain Gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare, only approximately 650-700 remaining.

You will get within metres of the family, and be privileged to spend time amongst them. Time permitting return to the camp for a late lunch, we have an opportunity for forest walks with the guides, or just to relax.

Overnight Buhoma Lodge, as above, all meals included.

The trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to six hours or longer is not uncommon - at relatively high altitude. Please refer to our information sheet. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals, as such sightings cannot be guaranteed, however the success rate is well over 90%.

Day 5 Bwindi:
Today you may enjoy a community walk which will include some curio shopping, visiting the Batwa pygmy tribes, the local orphanage and school. Or, enjoy an early morning forest walk to look for the local birdlife and other forest species found at Bwindi.

For those with pre-purchased permits, a second gorilla tracking experience will be undertaken today. Please discuss the day's activities with your guide.

Overnight Buhoma Lodge with all meals included, or possibly overnight Ishasha Wilderness camp, QENP.

Day 6 Queen Elizabeth National Park:
Today we enjoy a short drive (2-3 hours) to the southern part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park to the Ishasha sector to be welcomed at our newly established luxury tented camp nestled under trees alongside a river.

Overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp with all meals included.

Ishasha Wilderness Camp
This exclusive tented camp offers the only quality accommodation in this un-spoilt remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for it's tree climbing lions that can sometimes be spotted resting in the branches of the large fig trees in the area. Combined with excellent game viewing for buffalo, elephants, kob, topi and other species of antelope, the camp provides the ideal location between gorilla viewing in Bwindi and the Mweya area of QENP. On a clear day views from the area stretch to the ice-capped Rwenzori Mountains to the north, and the Virunga volcanoes to the south, there are few places on earth to rival the scenery in this park. 'Birders' wont be disappointed with the enormous range of species in the area.

There are a total of ten spacious safari tents alongside the wooded area beside the Ntungwe river. Each tent has its own private en suite bathroom and dressing area providing hot water "bush" showers and an eco friendly toilet.

A central dining area, also under canvas, provides a comfortable environment for meals, plus there is a shaded outdoor lounge area beside the river, and evening "fireplace" for guests to discuss the day's activities.

QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
The park spreads over an area of 1978 km2 in the western arm of the Great East Rift Valley. It is a home to a variety of wildlife including elephant, lion, hippo, buffalo, and Uganda kob, baboon, and birds, all typical of riverine and savannah habitats. In the southern part of the park is the Ishasha are with tree climbing lions and the Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda. The northern part of the park is traversed by the equator and is dominated by the scenery of crater lakes often with flamingos on some of them. A launch trip from Mweya along the Kazinga channel, which joins Lake Edward and Lake George, provides one of the most memorable experiences of the park.

Day 7 Kazinga Channel boat cruise - hippos, water birds and buffalo:
Today, apart from enjoy game drives, you will also be able to take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel - where you will often see hippos, buffalo and a large array of water birds.

It is also possible to visit the Maramagambo Forest, for a short walk, and to visit the bat caves in the area - home to a rather large python!

Nearby Chamburu Gorge offers chimpanzee tracking which is generally a morning's activity - and should ideally be booked in advance.

Tonight we may overnight at either Ishasha Wilderness Camp, or at Mweya Lodge, with all meals included.

Mweya Lodge
Located on a peninsula overlooking the Kazinga Channel on one side and with spectacular views towards the Ruwenzori Mountians on the other, this recently upgraded and renovated lodge now provides some of the best accommodation and service facilities in Uganda. Amenities include a swimming pool, the Tembo bar and an elegant air-conditioned restaurant with a gobal cuisine. Breakfast is taken on the alfresco terrace adjacent to the Kazinga Channel.
Rooms:22 x en suite double / twin, 6 single en suite, 12 delux e suite rooms, 2 suites, 1 Royal cottage, 1 Presidential Suite, 2 disabled rooms.

Day 8 Return to Entebbe:
Return to Entebbe, via the equator and the busy city of Kampala, stopping en route to shop for curios and at the Royal Drum makers at Mpigi if desired.

Please note that the safari returns to Entebbe late afternoon (generally around 4pm) so DO NOT book a flight out prior to 20h00, to allow time for any delays and also check in at the airport.

Ideally, spend another night in Uganda, in Entebbe, or possibly explore Kampala or spend a night on Ngamba Island to take advantage of either the Chimpanzee Caregiver programme, or the forest walk. For the adventurous, Jinja is beckoning - the adventure centre of Uganda - offering grade 5 whitewater rafting, and quad biking or bungee jumping!

For those interested in CHIMPANZEES, we have a short 'extension' to the above itinerary AFTER this safari (refer to CHIMPANZEE ENCOUNTER) - whereby you would spend two nights at Kibale Forest with chimp tracking and forest walks included, and then one night on Ngamba Island. This is available as a scheduled departure, minimum two persons, or as a private safari.


Includes:
Airport transfers
Transport with local driver/guide as above
Accommodation and meals as set out (full board on safari, but bb as indicated in Entebbe).
All park entrance fees, 1 x forest walk at Bwindi, 1 x boat cruise on Kazinga Channel, game drives in QENP, 1 x walk in Lake Mburo NP.
Services of a driver/guide.

Excludes:
Gorilla Permit of USD500 Bwindi & Rwanda- must be prebooked/prepaid.Permit price reduced for low season USD350 May, Oct, Nov, Mar and Apr
Flights and airport taxes
Chimp trekking permits (USD 50 pp payable directly) - Chamburu.
Meals not stated, drinks, tips, visas, travel insurance, items of a personal nature.
Services/activities not mentioned above.

Travel Insurance:
Please ensure you have sufficient medical cover for the duration of your trip

Health:
Yellow fever & malaria prophylactics.
For gorilla/chimp trekking it is imperative that you are healthy and free of any disease or virus - officials do have the right to refuse entry if you are sick.

Should you opt to spend a night on Ngamba Island, and partake in the forest walk or caregiver programme, please request the full document for this activity, and it MUST BE BOOKED WELL IN ADVANCE.

Visas:
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Uganda & Rwanda which you can obtain on arrival for USD50-60 depending on passport, per person, single entry.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FROM TIME TO TIME THIS ITINERARY MAY GO TO RWANDA TO TRACK GORILLAS DUE TO PERMIT AVAILABILITY. FURTHER, THE ITINERARY MAY BE REVERSED TO SUIT PERMIT AVAILABILITY. PLEASE ENQUIRE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING.


SCHEDULED DEPARTURES 2012

Fri 6 - 13 January 2012
Fri 20 - 27 January 2012
Fri 10 - 17 February 2012
Fri 2 - 9 March 2012
Fri 23 - 30 March 2012
Thu 5 - 12 April 2012 (Easter)
Fri 20 - 27 April 2012
Fri 1 - 8 June 2012
Fri 15 - 22 June 2012
Fri 29 June - 6 July 2012
Sat 14 - 21 July 2012
Fri 27 July - 3 August 2012
Fri 10 - 17 August 2012
Fri 24 - 31 August 2012
Fri 7 - 14 September 2012
Fri 21 - 28 September 2012
Fri 5 - 12 October 2012
Fri 19 - 26 Oct 2012
Fri 2 - 9 November 2012
Fri 23 - 30 November 2012
Fri 14 - 21 December 2012
Fri 21 - 28 December 2012

Valid:
1 January - 31 December 2012
(excluding Christmas & Easter supplements)

Per person sharing USD 3,495
Single room supp USD 475
Gorilla permits excluded USD 500 per person USD350 low season
Chimp permis excluded USD 50 Chamburu
Christmas supplement USD 195 per person sharing

PRIVATE SAFARI
Valid:
1 January - 31 December 2012
(excluding Christmas & Easter supplements)

Two persons USD 4,395 pp sharing
Three persons USD 3,795 pp sharing
Four persons + USD 3,495 pp sharing

Single room supp USD 475
Gorilla permits excludedUSD 500 per person / per trek USD350 low season
Christmas supplement USD 195 per person sharing

Duration: 7 Nights

Max Group Size: 15

Accomodations: lodge, hotel, permanent tented camp

Price: USD 3495.00 per person based on twin based on min 2 people. Check itinerary for private rates.