15 days Uganda classic safari trip

This 15 days Uganda Classic Safari Trip will serve as an introduction for all the Pearl of Africa has to offer in a nutshell.

Some activities you may expect to take part in or see:

  • Visit historical and geographic monuments in the capital city, Kampala such as the Kasubi Tombs, Namugongo Shrine

  • Chimp tracking in Kibale Forest national park

  • Game drive in Murchison falls national park where you’ll see giraffes, tree climbing lions, buffalos, chimps

  • Hippo watching in the Kazinga channel

  • Serenading nature walks through the various rain forests as you enjoy the views of the numerous flora and fauna.

  • Swimming and canoeing on the deepest lake in Africa

Highlights of the Trip

  • Day 1: Arrival and Airport Pick Up

  • Day 2: Kampala to Murchison falls National park

  • Day 3: Murchison falls National park

  • Day 4: Murchison falls National Park to Fort Portal

  • Day 5: Semliki National Park

  • Day 6: Kibale National Park & Bigodi Swamp

  • Day 7: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park

  • Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park

  • Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi

  • Day 10: Bwindi Gorilla Safari

  • Day 11: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi

  • Day 12: Lake Bunyonyi

  • Day 13: Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park

  • Day 14: Lake Mburo National Park to Kampala

  • Day 15: Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Airport Pick Up

Arrival and Airport Pick Up: Depending on your time of arrival and current location, you’ll be welcomed by your designated tour guide who will pick you up from either Kampala or Entebbe airport. You’ll then be briefed about what to expect throughout the trip after which you’ll take a city tour and have lunch enroute. As part of the city tour, you’ll visit various historical and geographical landmarks such as the Namugongo Matyrs Shrine, Kabaka’s place, Uganda Museum to mention but a few. After this, you’ll be checked into Cassia Lodge where you’ll spend your night in preparation for departure the following morning.

Meal plan: Lunch , Dinner

Day 2: Kampala to Murchison falls National park

Kampala to Murchison falls National park: Following an early breakfast, we’ll depart for Murchison falls national park and enjoy a lunch stop in Masindi town before entering the park. We’ll visit the magnificent falls where you’ll enjoy and marvel at the mighty River Nile. The famous waterfall is being forced into a seven meter crevice, to thunder 45 meters below in a series of cascades. This particular scenary can be viewed from different points up at the baler’s summit. Dinner and an overnight stay at Paraa Safari lodge.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Murchison falls National park

Murchison falls National park: Following an early breakfast, you’ll enjoy a half-day garme drive on the Northern bank of the Nile escorted by a ranger. Here you’ll see many wild animals such as the elephant, Rothschild giraffe, Jackson Hartebeest, lions, oribis, waterbucks and a variety of savannah woodland birds. You’ll head back to the lodge for lunch after which we’ll go on a Nile cruise for game viewing at close quarters. You’ll watch how Hippos take a bath, Elephants come to drink and crocodiles lying lazy at the shores. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Paraa Safari Lodge.

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Murchison falls National Park to Fort Portal

Murchison falls National Park to Fort Portal: Following breakfast, we’ll depart for Murchison falls and head for Fot Portal. On this 8 hour drive, you’ll enjoy the stunning views as you pass small villages and banana plantations. The lovely town of Fort portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the moon and here you’ll see many Tea plantations. Dinner and an overnight stay at cottages of Primate lodge Kibale.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Semliki National Park

Semliki National Park: After breakfast, we’ll drive to Semliki National Park. The scenic winding road will lead us through green mountains and offers you a magnificent view of River Semliki plus the Democratic Republic of Congo. After arriving in the park, a ranger will accompany you through a nature walk in the Inturi Rain forest. Enjoy the peacefulness of the forest, look out for rich birdlife at the swamp and boil and egg in the reknowned Sempaya Hotsprings. A picnic lunch will then be provided by your designated tour guide as you explore the nearby land. Later in the afternoon, we’ll return to Kibale Forest. Dinner and overnight stay at the cottages of Primate Lodge Kibale.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Kibale National Park & Bigodi Swamp

Kibale National Park & Bigodi Swamp: Today the forest opens its doors for Chimp tracking. Kibale forest is reputed for having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rain forest in search of the wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey and many others. After a hearty lunch, we transfer to Bigodi swamp for another completely different nature walk. The Bigodi Swamp is an initiative of the local community and takes approximately 2 hours. The swamp is known for its rich diversityof birds and primates. Dinner and overnight stay at the cottages of Primate Lodge Kibale.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park: We transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s a beautiful route via Kasese with the rwenzori mountains on your right side and the green valley on the left. A game drive on our way to the accomodation in the middle of the Ntional Park gives us the chance to spot waterbucks, warthogs and other wildlife. Following lunch, we embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel, a natural connection between Lake Edward and Lake George. Thanks to the elephanst, buffalos, and hundreds of hippos, this cruise will definitely be one of the highlights of your safari. Dinner and overnight stay at Simba Safari Camp.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park: Following breakfast, we’ll head for the mating ground of the Ugandan Kob(the official country emblem visible on its flag). Be prepared to see tree climbing lions, elephants, giraffes, chimps and so many more wild animals that inhabit this area before returning for lunch. In the afternoon, following lunch, a guided nature walk through Maramagambo Tropical Rain forest awaits. This forest is known for the Blue Lake and the Bat and Hunters Cave. You’ll get a chance to look at the bats, and maybe even the rock pythons and forest cobras that feed on the bats. In addition to this, views of primates, various bird species and magnificent flora awaits. By the end of this walk, it goes without saying that you’ll be rejuvenated all together. Dinner and overnight stay at Simba Safari Camp.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi

Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi: After breakfast, you may choose the optional activity of exploring Kyambura Wildlife reserve(NOT INCLUDED). Driving through this grassland area, you’ll come across an amazing gorge of one hundred meters deep, covered in tropical rain forest. You’ll then hike though the river valley in search of wild chimpanzees as well as various bird and butterfly species that inhabit the area. Following this, we’ll set off for Bwindi. Dinner and overnight stay at Haven Lodge Buhoma.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Bwindi Gorilla Safari

Bwindi Gorilla Safari: Another highlight of your safari will be meeting with the gentle giants of Bwindi, the Silver back Gorillas. For experienced hikers and the like, this part of the safari will provide a memorable experience. A few things to keep in mind is that first and foremost, foreseeing the number of hours you’ll hike for is a rather difficult feat, and you should expect to take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours. Secondly, expect to walk a long distance in the steep and muddy conditions, without seeing any gorillas. For this reason, it goes without saying that carrying rain gear is absolutely necessary. Thirdly, a ranger will brief you on how to behave with the Giant apes and for conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to an hour. This is one of the most challenging and most rewarding part of this Safari trip, it’ll definitely be worth it when you finally get to see those gigantic creatures in their natural habitat. Dinner and overnight stay at Haven Lodge Buhoma.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi

Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi: After breakfast, you can take part in a guided village walk for a closer meeting with the local community. Here you’ll learn more about their ways of living while enjoying the magnificent views of the Banana and Tea plantations. Thereafter following an enroute lunch, we’ll set off for Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest lake in Uganda. This area is often referred to as the “Little Switzerland of Uganda” and has one of the most relaxing sceneries in the nation. The marvellous views of the lakes’s tranquility will definitely put you in a relaxing mood. Dinner and overnight stay at Arcadia Cottages.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi: Following your challenging hike in Bwindi, a relaxing day is not only needed but very much welcomed. Here, you may take part in Canoeing on the lake, engaging with the local tribe known as the Batwa people, Bird watching, Swimming, Nature walks as well as Zip lining(NOT INCLUDED). Dinner and overnight stay at Arcadia Cottages.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park: After breakfast, we’ll drive to Lake Mburo National Park which akes us about 4 hours with lunch en route. As we enter the park and head towards the accomodation, it’s likely that you’ll see some wildlife like Impalas, topis, warthogs, zebras and buffaloes. After checking in, you’ll go on a boat ride on the lake and enjoy the rich birdlife and the hippos that are cooling off. Dinner and overnight stay at Rwakobo Safari Lodge.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Lake Mburo National Park to Kampala

Lake Mburo National Park to Kampala: At the crack of dawn, you’ll take a guided nature walk guided by a ranger. Lake Mburo is the only national park where you’ll take a safari on foot. You’ll then have breakfast, after which you’ll head to Kampala, with a stop at Kayabwe for a photographic session at the Equator. Expect to arrive in Kampala later on in the day. Dinner and overnight stay at Orchidea guest house.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Departure

Departure: Congragulations on making it thus far. It’s been a 15 days of fun, adventure and wonder in the Pearl of Africa Savannah. Depending on your time of departure, you’ll be transferred to the airpot for your flight back home. We’re looking forward to seeing you again.

Tour Includes:

  • Kampala/Entebbe Airport Pick up and drop off
  • Full board accomodation for all nights included as part of the itinerary
  • An English speaking driver/guide
  • Meals as described in the itinerary
  • Well serviced 4 x 4 Safari Vehicle with Fuel
  • Bottled water in the Safari Vehicle
  • Ground Transport
  • Entrance fees and ranger fees for national parks
  • Permit for Chimp tracking in Kibale Forest
  • All mentioned activities throughout as part of the itinerary

Tour excludes:

  • International flight ticket fees
  • Accomodation before and after the trip
  • Optional activities
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned above
  • Tips, souvenious and any other personal expenses
  • Visa Fees
  • Laundry services
  • Tips to helpers and porters
  • Travel Insurance

Interested in this trip, contact us by filling the form contact page or by emailing us directly at info@ngavutours.com

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