5-Day Best of Uganda Safari.
Overview
Tour Itinerary
Overview
Overview
5-Day Best of Uganda safari to southwestern Uganda offers an unparalleled adventure through some of the continent’s most exceptional wilderness areas, promising encounters with a spectacular array of wildlife, the majestic mountain gorillas, and the serene beauty of Lake Bunyonyi.
Your journey begins with the wildlife-rich savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where game drives reveal elephants, lions, and many other species thriving in their natural habitat. A cruise down the Kazinga Channel adds to the experience with up-close views of hippos, crocodiles, and a kaleidoscope of birds along the banks. The park’s diverse ecosystems offer a fascinating display of biodiversity, from its open grasslands to its sprawling wetlands.
As the safari continues, the thrill of gorilla trekking in the ancient rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park awaits. Trekking through the misty mountain terrain to encounter the gentle giants of the forest is not just a wildlife sighting; it’s a vibrant, awe-inspiring experience that deeply connects you to the heart of the wild. The Batwa cultural experience further enriches this leg of the journey, offering a window into the traditions and heritage of the local communities.
The trip culminates in the tranquil embrace of Lake Bunyonyi, a place of respite and natural beauty. With its terraced hillsides and dotted islands, activities here can include canoeing, bird watching, or simply relaxing by the water’s edge. This safari not only showcases the best of Uganda’s wildlife and landscapes but also provides moments of reflection and relaxation in one of Africa’s most picturesque settings. It’s a journey that captures the spirit of adventure and the profound tranquility of nature, leaving travelers with memories that last a lifetime.
Highlights for the safari
- safari destination is in the southwestern part of Uganda
- Safari journey starts and ends in Entebbe
- adventure takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable, Queen Elizabeth, and lake bunyonyi
- transfer from and back to Entebbe International Airport
- additional accommodation before the tour and the day after can be arranged at an extra cost.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Morning: Your Ugandan adventure begins with your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, where your guide will welcome you and lead you to a comfortable safari vehicle to start the scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. En route, make a stop at Mpabire to observe the traditional Ugandan craft of drum making. Then, pause at Kayabwe for a quintessential photo opportunity at the Equator line and a chance to experience the Coriolis effect in action.
- Afternoon: After savoring the local cuisine for lunch in Mbarara, continue through the beautiful Ugandan countryside, where the landscape transitions to the savannas and wetlands that signal your approach to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arrive at the park by late afternoon and, if time allows, embark on an initial game drive to catch the first glimpses of the park’s rich wildlife and stunning vistas.
- Evening: Settle into your lodge, located ideally within the park, providing panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. Enjoy a dinner under the expansive African sky, accompanied by the distant calls of the wild. Drift off to sleep in the comfort of your lodge, with the excitement of the safari experiences that await in the days ahead.
Day 2: Queen Elizabeth National Park Exploration
- A morning game drive offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the untamed beauty of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s wildlife. The dawn chorus of the African savannah is an alarm clock like no other. As the first rays of sunlight spill over the horizon, the park comes alive. The open savannah teeming with acacia and euphorbia trees provides perfect camouflage for leopards, while lions might be seen perched atop rock kopjes. An experienced guide not only leads you to these majestic creatures but also shares insights into their behavior and the intricate ecosystem they inhabit. After the drive, a leisurely breakfast at the lodge with views of the park sets a serene tone for the mid-morning.
- Afternoon: The afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel is a highlight of any safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The channel, a natural link between Lake George and Lake Edward, boasts one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippos and numerous Nile crocodiles, making it a hub of animal activity. As your boat glides through the water, elephants, buffalo, and antelope are often spotted quenching their thirst at the water’s edge. This excursion also offers a birdwatcher’s paradise with a spectacle of waterfowl, raptors, and the vivid flashes of kingfishers. The boat ride becomes a tranquil contrast to the morning’s land-based adventures, providing up-close encounters with the park’s aquatic life and panoramic views of the stunning Mweya Peninsula.
- Evening: returning to your tranquil safari lodge, where you can have a campfire as an option, or a rest and dinner at the lodge’s restaurant accompanied by interaction with colleagues about the adventure so far covered.
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Morning: As you depart the northern realms of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the landscape unfolds with a patchwork of banana plantations, homesteads, and the distant view of the Rwenzori Mountains. The drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park provides not only a change of scenery but also a shift in ecosystem, from open savannah to dense tropical rainforest. The journey through the Ishasha sector offers a chance to witness the park’s famed tree-climbing lions, an unusual and captivating sight as these regal predators lounge in the branches of large fig trees.
- Afternoon: Arriving in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the air feels cooler and the landscape more rugged. You will check in into your lodge have lunch and then get introduced to the forest that speaks tones about its habitants the mountain gorillas. Here, the ancient rainforest holds an aura of mystique, and the lodge provides a cozy retreat at the edge of this primeval woodland.
- Evening: you can join The optional cultural experience of visiting the Batwa pygmies in the afternoon introduces you to the original forest inhabitants who have a rich heritage deeply connected to this forest. Their traditional dances and stories offer a poignant glimpse into their unique way of life that has been largely untouched by time. This cultural interlude serves as a gentle prelude to the thrilling gorilla trek that awaits, grounding your adventure in the human history that is interwoven with this wild place.
Day 4: Encounter with the Mountain Gorillas and Serenity at Lake Bunyonyi
- Morning: Led by skilled rangers, your group moves in quiet anticipation until you encounter one of the park’s habituated gorilla families. The thrill of gorilla trekking in Bwindi starts with the first crunch of the forest underfoot, a sensory invitation to one of the most intimate wildlife experiences imaginable. Following paths forged by forest elephants, the trek through Bwindi’s impenetrable growth is a journey back in time, to an untamed world before human dominion. Observing these gentle giants at close quarters, you witness their human-like expressions, their social interactions, and the sheer presence of the silverback, an encounter that transcends wildlife viewing and becomes an emotive, personal connection.
- After the emotional high of meeting the gorillas, you wil go back ot the lodge and have lunch then join the journey to Lake Bunyonyi; offers a serene counterpoint. Known as the ‘Place of Many Little Birds’, its tranquil waters reflect the terraced hillsides and dotted islands, each with its legend and lore. The late afternoon is perfectly spent on a traditional dugout canoe, meandering between the islands and the local communities that call them home.
Day 5: Lake Bunyonyi – Return to Entebbe
- Morning: Your final day begins with the tranquil beauty of Lake Bunyonyi greeting you at sunrise. After a hearty breakfast, you might opt for a refreshing swim in the lake, known to be bilharzia-free and safe for swimming. Alternatively, take a nature walk around the lake’s perimeter to appreciate the diverse flora and fauna one last time. This is also a moment to reflect on the peaceful harmony of the region, taking in the terraced hillsides and the morning mist that often shrouds the islands, before embarking on the journey back to Entebbe.
- Afternoon: The drive back is a chance to unwind and process the plethora of experiences from the past few days. As you pass through the rolling hills and verdant landscapes, there will be a stopover for lunch at a local restaurant, offering a selection of Ugandan cuisine that will serve as a flavorful recap of your journey. Post-lunch, as the vehicle hums along the highway, the scenic drive allows for contemplation or sharing stories and pictures with fellow travelers.
- Evening: Your arrival in Entebbe is timed for the late afternoon or early evening, depending on the pace of your journey and any final stops you choose to make. Your guide will ensure you are comfortably settled back into your accommodation in Entebbe, or if your flight schedule demands, they will escort you to the airport, ensuring a smooth departure process. As you prepare for your onward travel or your flight home, the memories of misty mountain gorillas, the diverse tapestry of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the tranquil waters of Lake Bunyonyi remain vivid in your mind, marking the end of a truly remarkable Ugandan safari.
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Park fees
- Gorilla permits
- Chimp permits
- All activities as stated in the day by day
- Accommodation on a full-board basis.
- A professional driver/guide
- All Transportations
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- The game drives in a 4x4 safari vehicle.
- Bottled drinking water during the safari.
Excluded
- International Fligths (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
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