15 DAYS UGANDA “PEARL OF AFRICA” SAFARI
Itinerary Overview
The Slogan Uganda being the “Pearl of Africa” was made famous by Winston Churchill in his book “My African Journey” about his trip to Uganda. Uganda is a country of beautiful scenery and offers diverse activities like gorilla trekking, safaris, multiday mountain treks among others.
Join us as we discover the country’s mesmerizing beauty with this 15 Days Uganda “The Pearl Of Africa Safari as we experience wildlife in the savanna, primates in East Africa’s Primate city; Kibale Forest NP, aquatic wildlife during the boat trips, scenic views from diverse landscapes that encompasses wetlands, swamps, crater lakes and misty forests for the magnificent mountain gorillas. The safari also focuses on Uganda’s culture.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Transfer To Hotel In Entebbe
When you reach Entebbe, you will be welcomed and picked by your guide who will transfer you to a hotel in Entebbe. In the evening we can go for a walk in Botanical gardens for some nature viewing.
Overnight:
Tilapia Lodge (Budget)
Karibu Guesthouse (Midrange)
Hotel No. 5(Luxury)
Day 2: Transfer To Lake Mburo, Afternoon Game Drive
After a hot cup of tea or coffee, we start our journey towards Lake Mburo National Park which is famous for the highest population of zebras. We shall have a stopover at the Equator for some photo and video moment and proceed with our journey, reach the lodge in time for lunch, check in and prepare to go for an afternoon game drive in the vast savanna dotted with acacia and shrubs for a chance to view Zebras, Topis, Warthogs, cape buffaloes and Impalas. Return to the lodge for a relaxed evening.
Overnight:
Eagles Nest Lodge (Budget)
Rwakobo Rock Lodge (Midrange)
Mihingo Lodge (Luxury)
Day 3: Morning Safari Walk, Transfer To Lake Bunyonyi
On this day, we shall enjoy a unique safari walk getting you close encounters with wildlife go about their morning routine in the jungle. We shall visit the hyenas den, with a possibility to see Leopards, zebras, waterbucks, birds and buffaloes. We shall then return to the lodge for breakfast ahead of our journey to Lake Bunyonyi with beautiful views. Enjoy an evening relaxation with small resident and exotic bird species singing.
Overnight:
Bunyonyi Eco Lodge (Budget)
Bird Nest Resort (Midrange)
Arcadia Lodge (Luxury)
Day 4: Leisure At Lake Bunyonyi
Enjoy a leisure day by the lake with number optional activities such as swimming, zip lining, hiking, canoeing and visiting other islands which can be organized
Overnight:
Bunyonyi Eco Lodge (Budget)
Bird Nest Resort (Midrange)
Arcadia Lodge (Luxury)
Day 5: Transfer To Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Community Walk
Wake up to a relaxed breakfast ahead of your journey to Bwindi Forest NP which is, home to the magnificent mountain gorillas. The journey is a beautiful drive through the scenic cultivated hills. When we reach the lodge, we shall go for a community walk in the village to experience the culture and traditions of the forest people the Batwa Community. Enjoy endless music, dance and drama during this cultural encounter. We shall then return to the lodge for an evening relaxation and an overnight.
Overnight:
Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget)
Mahogany Springs Lodge (Midrange)
Buhoma Lodge (Luxury)
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking, Transfer To Ishasha; Queen Elizabeth NP
Enjoy an early breakfast and get ready to explore the highlight of this 15 Days Uganda, Pearl Of Africa Safari. Drive towards the park headquarters for a briefing about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking, get allocated a gorilla trekking family as well and a ranger guide for your trek into the jungle. Apart from the mountain gorillas the forest is also home to birds, butterfly and plant species plus forest hog; forest Elephants, Statungas and Duikers which you meet during your trek.
When you meet the gorilla family, you are allowed one hour to spend in the presence of the gorillas as you learn about them and capture photos. After the trek your guide will pick you and transfer you to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, you will embark on your journey to Ishasha sector; the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park driving through cultivated hills, villages. We shall arrive in the evening, check in and enjoy a sundowner by the lodge.
Overnight:
Topi Lodge (Budget)
Enjojo Lodge (Midrange)
Ishasha Wilderness Lodge (Luxury)
Day 7: Morning & Afternoon Game Drives In Ishasha
Wake up early, have breakfast and start driving for another highlight in the pearl of Africa on an adventurous safari in search for the tree climbing lions which are usually spotted lazily relaxing in the fig trees. During the game drive, you have an opportunity to see Topis, buffaloes, elephants among others. After the morning game drive we drive shall drive back to the lodge for lunch and refreshments, rest before it is time to head out again for another safari for a chance to search for lions and more wildlife we might have missed during the first game drive. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Overnight:
Topi Lodge (Budget)
Enjojo Lodge (Midrange)
Ishasha Wilderness Lodge (Luxury)
Day 8: Transfer To Northern Of Queen Elizabeth, Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
After breakfast we start the journey to the North of Queen Elizabeth NP as we explore the pearl of Africa. Along the road trip, we have a chance to site elephants, monkeys and even big cats. We shall arrive at the lodge on time for lunch, check in and prepare for a rewarding boat cruise on the famous Kazinga channel, which links Lake George to Lake Edward.
During the boat cruise, you have a chance to spot both land and water adapted Hippopotamuses yawning with some slashing canines to each other, the Nile Crocodiles along the banks, Warthog. Along the peninsula you have a stunning view of birds and animals that come to swim, sunbathe and quench their thirst.
Overnight:
The Bush Lodge (Budget)
Elephant Hab Lodge (Midrange)
Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Day 9: Chimps Trekking In Kalinzu Forest, Afternoon Village Walk
We continue exploring the pearl of Africa and today after breakfast we shall drive to the park offices for dos and don’ts of chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest. The tropical rain forest is home to 80 habituated chimps, birds and other forest creatures. Enjoy your trek in the forest as you search for chimpanzees that are close relatives to humans.
When you meet the chimps, you will be allowed one hour as you learn more about these creatures. After trekking, your guide will pick you and drive you back to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we shall go for a village walk with another chance to experience the life style of the local people. We shall stop by the twin lakes for a beautiful sundowner.
Overnight:
The Bush Lodge (Budget)
Elephant Hab Lodge (Midrange)
Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Day 10: Transfer To Kibale Forest NP, Walk To Crater Lake
After breakfast, we shall transfer to Kibale Forest National Park which is also nicknamed the primate city. We shall leave Queen Elizabeth NP with the crater lakes area as our aim driving through local markets. We shall reach the lodge in time for lunch and check in and prepare to go for a walk with a chance to see beautiful views of a crater lake and some interesting primates for example Black and white colobus , red colobus and red tailed monkey plus colorful butterflies and various Bird species like the native Great blue Turaco. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Overnight:
Lake Nkuruba Lodge (Budget)
Isunga Lodge (Midrange)
Chimpundu Lodge (Luxury)
Day 11: Transfer To Murchison Falls NP
After breakfast, we bid farewell to the primate city and embark on our journey to Murchison Falls NP. It is a long day’s drive and we aim to have lunch in Hoima town. The journey takes us through villages as people go about their life, we can stop by a market to buy some fruits and stretching at beautiful tea plantations. As we come towards the end of our safari exploring the pearl of Africa, experience Uganda’s biggest national park.
Overnight:
Fort Murchison Lodge (Budget)
Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange)
Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Day 12: Morning Game Drive, Nile Boat Cruise To The Bottom Of The Falls
After breakfast, we drive out to explore the park at sunrise with high chances to encounter big cats hunting, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes. In the afternoon you will go for a boat cruise on the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls with a chance to see Hippos Nile Crocodiles, Elephants and beautiful bird species along the banks. After the boat your guide will pick you to make the drive back to the lodge.
Overnight:
Fort Murchison Lodge (Budget)
Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange)
Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Day 13: Transfer To Jinja Via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After a delicious breakfast we check out of the lodge and embark on our journey to Ziwa rhino sanctuary where they are working on reintroducing rhinos to Uganda. Go trekking the rhinos with a specialized guide on a walking track and after rhino tracking, we shall go for a lunch break before we continue with our journey to town Jinja.
Overnight:
Kingfisher Resort (Budget)
2 Friends Guesthouse (Midrange)
Lemala Wild Waters (Luxury)
Day 14: Visit Source Of The Nile (Optional white water rafting), Transfer To Entebbe
As we get to the end of our Uganda; the pearl of Africa safari, we will visit the source of the mighty River Nile and enjoy a boat trip on the river. We shall proceed for lunch in Jinja and then embark on our journey to Entebbe taking you through Kampala seeing major city attractions as we continue with our drive to Entebbe in the evening for an overnight.
Overnight:
Tilapia Lodge (Budget)
Karibu Guesthouse (Midrange)
Hotel No. 5(Luxury)
Day 15: Transfer To Entebbe For Flight Back Home
Wake up to an early breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight back home. This day marks the end of our adventure for the 15 Days Uganda “Pearl Of Africa” Safari.
(In case you have an afternoon departure flight it is possible to arrange some activities in Entebbe)
