14 days best of Uganda safari

Best of Uganda safari  (Gorillas, wildlife and chimps tour)

This best of Uganda safari explores the Gorillas, chimps and birds in nature. On this  14 days Uganda safari, we go to five different national parks. These are Murchison falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi forest and Lake Mburo. The parks blend the savannah and forest habitats. Here, the Gorillas, chimps, big cats, elephants and birds of Uganda thrive. 

Day 1: Arrival at airport, starting the best of Uganda safari

Today you arrive at the airport in Uganda then drive to the hotel.

Accommodation with meals is at the Cycads Guest House

Day 2: To Murchison Falls national park and rhinos

We begin the best of Uganda safari to the north when the sun rises. This drive is through villages and small towns of Uganda. We reach the Ziwa rhino sanctuary. The rhino sanctuary in Uganda is the best place to watch white rhinos in the wilderness. The morning is the best time to see the rhinos as they actively graze and play around. We take a walk through the bushes as we follow the rhinos closely. Their life and behaviors are interesting to observe. We then relax to lunch. In the afternoon, we reach the top of the Murchison falls. Here, the whole of the River Nile flows through a narrow rock path. The waterfall is spectacular as it forms rainbows and the river falls in a gorge below. We continue through the Murchison falls national park to the lodge.

Accommodation with meals is at the Pakuba Lodge

Day 3: Exploring the Murchison falls park

As the sun rises, we do a safari through the Park. We start the day joyfully with a sunrise safari to see the many animals of the park. On the famous tracks we see the lions, leopards and hyenas do their hunting. In the valleys, Elephants, Giraffes and antelopes eat the shrubs and grasses. The birds are found everywhere. We make a picnic break at the hippos’ pool. In the afternoon, we go down to the river Nile for the boat safari along the river Nile. This is the right time to see the animals that come to the river every day. The hippos, crocodiles and water birds are permanent residents of the river. This safari ends at the rocks below the falls. The sight of the water falls from below is amazing. We return to the Lodge for the sunset.

Accommodation with meals is at the Pakuba Lodge

Day 4: To Kibale Forest national park

We start this journey to the south as the sun rises. Our destination is the hills and forest below the Rwenzori mountains. There are local fields and tea plantations along the way. These form part of Uganda’s greenery and beauty. We stop for lunch in the tourism city of Fort Portal. It is possible to explore the city and the colorful local market. In Fort Portal, there are true reflections of the local life in Uganda. We continue to the Lodge to relax. The lodge has a large garden. It is on a hill overlooking the tea plantations, the Kibale forest and crater Lake below.

Accommodation with meals is at the Chimpanzee forest Lodge

Day 5: To Kibale Forest with chimps on a Uganda tour

The day begins as we ready ourselves to enter the forest and to see the chimpanzees. This forest is indeed a primates’ paradise with 13 monkey species. We hike on the numerous paths around the forest as we pay attention to the calls of the chimpanzees. The sounds of the primates and birds are unmistakable all over the forest undergrowth. When we meet the Chimps as they play or feed, we spend approximately one hour with them. The time spent in the forest can be between 3 to 4 hours depending on the whereabouts of the chimpanzees. After lunch and relaxation, we may go to the Bigodi swamp on a nature walk for monkeys and bird watching. Furthermore in the neighboring Bigodi community, the locals make banana beer and brew coffee. Feel free to participate in how the local people live.  

Accommodation with meals is at the Chimpanzee forest Lodge

Day 6: Crater Lakes, the Equator and snow Mountains

This morning, we move south towards the Equator. This is a scenic drive through green hills dotted with many crater lakes. We visit some of the crater lakes and drive along the snow Mountains of Rwenzori. We then cross the several rivers that flow high up from the mountains down into Lake George. Before we reach the park and the lodge, we stop at the Equator for photos. There is a special feeling when you stand on the Equator line which divides the world into two parts. It is obviously warmer here!

Accommodation with meals at the Kasenyi Camp

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth Park, the big cats and Kazinga Channel

Today is a packed day full of action as we explore this paradise for wildlife. We embark on an early morning game drive for the lions and leopards. The area in the north of the park is where the carnivores hide and look for prey. Herds of elephants move between Lakes George and Edward. After lunch, we get on the boat trip along the Kazinga channel. This channel is a natural water flow from Lake George into Lake Edward. The boat trip brings you close to the animals of the channel. Hundreds of hippos laze in the waters. However, many elephants and buffaloes come to drink and cool off in the afternoon heat. Meanwhile crocodiles lie undisturbed on the channel banks. Many water birds flock here like the beautiful Fish Eagle, Kingfishers and plovers. We enjoy the sunset at the Lodge.

Accommodation with meals is at the Kasenyi Camp

Day 8: Going to the tree climbing lions

Ishasha is an interesting part of this Uganda safari. Here we look for the awesome tree climbing lions. We drive southward through the park and the maramagambo forest. This forest is a beautiful place. The people of long ago where lost for words whenever they entered this African jungle. We reach the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we take a safari drive to search for the tree lions. In the whole world, it is only in Uganda and Tanzania where the lions climb trees. When it is hot, the lions lazily lie and stretch out on tree branches. They look down and in a distance for prey.

Accommodation with meals at the Enjojo lodge

Day 9: Visiting the Mountain Gorillas

We drive further south to the Gorillas on the hillsides of southwest Uganda. We end the day at the lodge with stunning views of Bwindi Gorilla forest. Bwindi forest is one of the oldest ecosystems in the world. The forest is a unique home to the Gorillas and the chimpanzees. Forest elephants live here too. There are beautiful birds like the Green breasted Pitta and black billed Turaco.

Accommodation with meals is at the Rushaga Gorilla Camp

Day 10: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest

This morning, we take the short drive to the park. Before the Gorillas, we register and enjoy a cultural performance. We begin the hike to the Gorillas on the trails that cross the Bwindi forest. The forest undergrowth is full of life from primates to forest elephants, birds and butterflies. We follow the marks left by the Gorillas in order to find them. The best moment is when we meet the Gorillas on the ground. These unique animals live in a family of up to 15 individuals headed by the Gorilla silverback. They feed, play and sometimes fight. We spend an hour with the Gorillas as they go about their daily lives. They can even come close to you! In the afternoon, we relax at the lodge or take a community tour.

Accommodation with meals is at the Rushga Gorilla Camp

Day 11: The journey to Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest lake

We wake up at leisure and move to Lake Bunyonyi. This beautiful lake is 25 kilometers long and 9 kilometers wide. In addition, the lake has twenty seven Islands. This historical lake is Uganda’s deepest. It is also Africa’s second deepest after Lake Tanganyika. In the afternoon, we take a relaxing boat trip on this beautiful lake. The Different islands such as the punishment island dot the lake.

Accommodation with meals is at the Arcadia Lodges Bunyonyi 

Day 12: To Lake Mburo savannah park

After our breakfast, we move northwards to Lake Mburo park. This is the smallest savannah national park that should not be missed on a Uganda tour. The landscape and vegetation is an extension of the Tanzanian savannah. There are five lakes in this park, the biggest being Lake Mburo. We reach the lodge in the early afternoon. The expansive views of the park below are picturesque. You can take a swim in the pool to cool off.

Accommodation with meals is at the Kigarama wilderness Lodge 

Day 13: A day in Lake Muburo national park

We spend the cool morning in the park on foot. A safari out of the vehicle brings you closer to nature and the animals.  Giraffes, Leopards and warthogs roam the bushes. There are no lions and elephants so walking is safe. In the afternoon, as the sun sets, we do a game drive around the bushes. We drive to the lake to see the sun setting on the lake and the surrounding hills.

Accommodation with meals at the Kigarama wilderness Lodge

Day 14: Return and end of Safari

This day, we drive back to Kampala or Entebbe. Along the way, we stop for lunch and cross the Equator the second time. This is the end of the 14 days best of Uganda safari. END