106: Wildlife Spectacular

Ref: 106, 18 days

106: Wildlife Spectacular

$8890 per person

Visit some of Uganda’s finest natural spaces, where you’ll encounter wildlife including gorillas, chimps, lions, rhinos and a host of birds. The Wildlife Spectacular Safari allows time to really explore each fascinating place.

This really is a spectacular wildlife safari! You’ll visit some of  Uganda’s finest national parks and nature locations. And because you’ll spend enough time in each place, you’ll discover what it truly has to offer. Expect some very special wildlife experiences, including rhino and gorilla tracking and joining the lion researchers. Uganda boasts well over 1,000 bird species, too – paradise for birders – and there will be lots of chances to spot some of them. In addition, there is an opportunity to meet the Karamojong people and explore their fascinating culture – a rare privilege.

 

Highlights

  • Gorilla, rhino & chimpanzee tracking
  • Lion research experience
  • Visit a variety of national parks and other habitats
  • Enjoy the wildlife by air, road, boat and on foot

 

Overview

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Day 2: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Continue to Murchison Falls national park.
Day 3: Game drive. River Nile boat cruise. Hike to the top of the falls
Day 4: Game drive. Transfer to Gulu
Day 5: Transfer to Kidepo Valley NP. Night game drive in the valleys of Kidepo
Day 6: Karamojong tribal experience. Game drive
Day 7: Nature walk. Flight to Entebbe
Day 8: Transfer to Kibale National Park. Swamp walk
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking. Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP
Day 10: Lion tracking experience. Boat ride on Kazinga Channel
Day 11: Game drive in Ishasha and transfer to Bwindi
Day 12: Gorilla tracking
Day 13: Bwindi Impenetrable forest
Day 14: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Game drive
Day 15: Lake Mburo National Park
Day 16: Ankole Cow Conservation Association. Relaxed afternoon.
Day 17: Transfer to Entebbe via the equator. Botanical Gardens
Day 18: Mabamba swamp and free afternoon

 

When is the best time of year to visit Uganda?

Although Ugandan seasons have become less predictable in recent years, peak tourist seasons usually coincide with dry seasons. When choosing your dates consider:

  • Uganda is an all-year round destination with a pleasant climate and temperatures averaging in the mid 20s0C. The huge variety in altitude means temperatures vary around the country (but this also means increased biodiversity)
  • Flight prices often increase in European/American holiday seasons
  • There are fewer tourists in low seasons so you can have the place to yourselves!
  • Many hotels offer all-year prices so the price of your visit may not change much between seasons
  • Most major roads going from the capital, Kampala, up-country are tarmac. Conditions on murram roads may worsen, to varying degrees, in rainy season
  • Rainy season can be good for birding as there is more food (bugs) available
  • If you are targeting certain birds, ask our advice on breeding and migration seasons
  • Should you plan to climb the Rwenzori mountains, dry seasons are best
  • Hiking may be better in rainy seasons when it is cooler

 

Please note

Permits are required to track gorillas. The minimum ages is 15 years. Gorilla permits are limited to eight people per gorilla family. Permits are also required to track chimps and the minimum age is 12 years.

Please read the information about primate tracking on our primates web page and remember to look at our suggested packing list.

 

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Our gallery

Mother and baby Rhino at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary Uganda
Zebra relaxing Lake Mburo national park spotted on a safari in Uganda
Boat Queen in Uganda looking at hippos.
Chimps near Lake Kyaninga in Uganda.
Ankole Long Horned cows.
Students at the Equator in Uganda.
1
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by your guide who will take you to your hotel to relax.
Accommodation: Boma Hotel – Entebbe Meal plan: D
2
Day 2: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Continue to Murchison Falls national park
Drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will track the southern white rhino and learn about the sanctuary's conservation activities. Enjoy a scenic 4-hour drive to the park. Cross the River Nile onto the north bank and continue to your lodge in the heart of the park, enjoying the wildlife along the way.
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge  - Murchison Falls national park Meal plan: B, L, D
3
Day 3: Game drive. River Nile boat cruise. Hike to the top of the falls
Enjoy a game drive in the park to spot wildlife including elephants, giraffes and buffalo. After lunch, relax and enjoy a 3-hour boat cruise along the Nile to the falls, seeing the animals and birds along the river banks as you go. Alight at the falls and hike to the top (45 mins) for spectacular views over the falls and across the park.
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge  - Murchison Falls national park Meal plan: B, L, D
4
Day 4: Game drive. Transfer to Gulu
Take a last short game drive in Murchison Falls National Park and, after lunch, transfer to Gulu, around 2-3 hours away.
Accommodation:  Bomah Hotel – Gulu Meal plan: B, L, D
5
Day 5: Transfer to Kidepo Valley NP. Night game drive in the valleys of Kidepo
Drive to Kidepo in northern Uganda. On arrival, if time allows, take a night game drive in the plains of Kidepo, exploring the country’s most remote national park, accompanied by a ranger guide. The best way to discover night life of the African Animal Kingdom.
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge – Kidepo National Park Meal plan:  B, L, D
6
Day 6: Karamojong tribal experience. Game drive
Spend some time visiting a Karamojong village and learning about this fascinating culture, before enjoying the huge variety of wildlife and game that dwell in this true African wilderness.
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge – Kidepo National Park Meal plan: B, L, D
7
Day 7: Nature walk. Flight to Entebbe
On your last morning in Kidepo, take a guided nature walk to experience the wildlife from a different vantage point. Lodge staff will take you to the airstrip. A domestic flight enables you to enjoy stunning aerial views of the Ugandan countryside as you journey back to Entebbe, where hotel staff will collect you from the airport.
Accommodation: Boma Hotel – Entebbe Meal plan: B, L, D
8
Day 8: Transfer to Kibale National Park. Swamp walk
A 5-hour drive westwards, with a stop in Fort Portal for lunch, will take you to Kibale. Visit a community wetlands conservation project to see primates and birds.
Accommodation: Turaco TreeTops– Kibale national park Meal plan: B, L, D
9
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking. Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
What better way to start the day than with chimp tracking? After an early briefing, your guide will lead you into the tropical rainforest; once you have found the chimps, you will spend an hour with them as they go about their daily activities in their beautiful natural habitat. You will then drive through the breath-taking crater lakes region towards Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park Meal plan: B, L, D
10
Day 10: Lion tracking experience. Boat ride on Kazinga Channel
Set out early to join researchers for a fascinating lion research experience. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing boat ride to see the rich wildlife along the Kazinga Channel, which include hippos, crocodiles and a wealth of Ugandan birds.
Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park Meal plan: B, L, D
11
Day 11: Game drive in Ishasha and transfer to Bwindi
As you head south, take one final game drive around Ishasha in search of tree-climbing lions and large herds of antelope. Continue through the Ugandan countryside to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Accommodation: Engagi Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Meal plan: B, L, D
12
Day 12: Gorilla tracking
An exciting day lies ahead as you join your group for a briefing before tracking through the forest to find a family of gorillas. When you find them, you will enjoy a magical hour, watching them in their natural habitat.
Accommodation: Engagi Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Meal plan: B, L, D
13
Day 13: Bwindi Impenetrable forest
There is more to see in Bwindi so enjoy some amazing bird watching, see the beautiful falls and a village walk to see how tourism is supporting the community to value and protect the gorillas.
Accommodation: Engagi Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Meal plan: B, L, D
14
Day 14: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Game drive
A scenic 4 to 5-hour drive takes you through this beautiful and atmospheric part of the Ugandan countryside to Lake Mburo National Park, where you will enjoy a game drive on arrival.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock - Lake Mburo National Park Meal plan: B, L, D
15
Day 15: Lake Mburo National Park
This action packed day starts with a guided safari walk, followed by a boat ride to see the hippos, crocodiles and birds, including the African Fish Eagle, African Finfoot and perhaps the sought after Shining Blue Kingfisher. Later, you’ll enjoy an evening game drive in search of elusive animals such as the aardvark, pangolin, honey badger and more.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock - Lake Mburo National Park Meal plan: B, L, D
16
Day 16: Ankole Cow Conservation Association. Relaxed afternoon
Spend the day with the tribal cattle keepers in the bush bordering the park and learn about their fascinating culture and pastoral way of life. You will visit the calves and the milk processing room where wooden milk pots are smoked and milk is turned to ghee. In the afternoon, feel free to have a relaxed moment at the lodge/poolside.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock - Lake Mburo National Park Meal plan: B, L, D
17
Day 17: Transfer to Entebbe via the Equator. Botanical Gardens
The 5-6-hour drive back to Entebbe enables you to take in the Ugandan landscapes and stop at the equator en route. Back in Entebbe, you can take a walk at the beautiful botanical gardens in the late afternoon to relax, enjoy great views of the lake and the rich array of tree species and spot monkeys and birds.
Accommodation: Boma Hotel – Entebbe Meal plan: B, L, D
18
Day 18: Mabamba swamp and free afternoon
Spend the morning relaxing on the water in a local fishing boat looking for birds including the famous and iconic Shoebill. The afternoon is free to unwind and ensure you go home refreshed. Your guide will then transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
Meal plan: B, L

Guide price: from US$ 8,890 per person

Based on 2 adults sharing a double room, in mid-range accommodation and travelling in a safari Land Cruiser (all our safaris and tours can be adapted to high-end, mid-range or budget versions)

 

The price for every safari depends on the number of people travelling, their ages, the time of year, whether or not international flights are included, the type of transport and accommodation used and the activities undertaken.

 

We calculate according to the specific dates of your booking because after we publish our itineraries some things may change. For example, hotels may increase their prices, exchange rates fluctuate, the government may introduce new taxes or some discounts may become available. Unfortunately, we also have to pass on surcharges imposed on us by, for example, airlines when fuel prices or airport taxes are unexpectedly increased.

 

We would be happy to prepare a quotation, based on your requirements. We normally include most costs in the price so all you need to bring with you is ‘pocket money’ for items like drinks, tips and personal shopping e.g. souvenirs.

Price includes

1 domestic flight each

1 gorilla and 1 chimp tracking permit each

A double room in mid-range, non-air-conditioned accommodation with a full board meal plan

Private safari vehicle with driver and fuel for this itinerary

All entrance and other fees for the activities included in the itinerary

Mineral water in transit

All government taxes

Price does not include

International flights

Visas

Travel insurance

Personal expenses: alcohol, laundry services and souvenirs

Tips (normally 5–10% and around $10 per day for your guide).