14 Days Uganda Ultimate Safari
Fly into Entebbe and overnight. Visit Zziwa rhino sanctuary and head to Gulu City. Connect to Kidepo Valley NP for a typical African safari. Head to Murchison Falls and experience the roaring rapids of the Murchison & more safari. Proceed to Kibale area for Bigodi wetlands excursion and then into Queen Elizabeth NP for more safari. Transfer to Bwindi via the Ishasha area known for tree-climbing lions. Gorilla trekking and then head to Lake Mburo. On the 14th Day, return & fly out from Entebbe.
Arrival for 14 Days Uganda Safari
You’ll be collected from the airport.
Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe Airport, pick up and transfer to the booked Hotel
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, a Nextgen Safaris assigned English-speaking Professional Tour Driver-guide will receive and welcome you to Uganda – the Pearl of Africa. Thereafter, you will transfer to the booked accommodation. You will check in and take your rest – recovering from jet lag, adjusting to time difference.
#Optional (extra cost): Just in case you reached early and interested in some activity, you may consider; a). excursion to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens to sight a few primates and birds, b). excursion to Mabamba wetland in search of the prehistoric shoebill stork. Otherwise, check in and just take your rest.
Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)
Accommodation: ViaVia Uganda Entebbe
Budget guest house located in or near Entebbe
Day 2: Drive to Zziwa for on-foot rhino tracking (1hr)and then, continue to Gulu City
After breakfast, the assigned Tour driver-guide will pick you and hit the road to Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Once in Zziwa, you will proceed for an hour of rhino tracking. From there, head to Gulu City. After the Joseph Kony’s rebels were forced out of Northern Uganda, a giant was awaken. Gulu City is what we are talking about. Gulu is bustling town/city in this once war ravaged region.
As you will witness, the beauty of life here plays from dawn to dusk – extending deep into the night. You get the sense of people who have moved past their pain and just want to enjoy life (the best they can). Enjoy your time and later overnight at the booked Hotel.
Main Destination: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Accommodation: Bomah Hotel Gulu
Mid-range hotel located in or near Gulu
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Travel to Kidepo NP, lunch and then afternoon-to-evening game drive
Have breakfast and drive off to Kidepo Valley National Park, arriving in time for some rest and lunch before going out for game viewing. You will proceed for game viewing in the Narus Valley in the south sector of Kidepo. Narus is the sector of Kidepo that has savannah grasslands mixed with acacia woodland.
It is also the area of the park with permanent water sources throughout the year and for that matter, most of the animals are in this part of the park. Be on the look for large herds of Buffaloes, elephants, many Zebras, antelope species and the lions, the elusive leopards. You will return to the accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
Main Destination: Kidepo Valley National Park
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Budget Tent)
Budget lodge bordering Kidepo Valley NP without fences
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4: Morning game drive and later, Karamojong community encounter
Enjoy your breakfast then embark on a sunrise game drive/safari where you will have the opportunity to encounter wildlife including; lions, herds of buffalos, elephants, zebras, or the elusive leopard among others. Return to the lodge for lunch and afternoon relaxation. After a good rest, move out for the Karamojong community, cultural encounter where you will spend a wonderful afternoon (evening) with the Karamojong people and have an insight on their way of life and beliefs. Dinner and overnight at the booked accommodation.
Main Destination: Kidepo Valley National Park
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Budget Tent)
Budget lodge bordering Kidepo Valley NP without fences
Day 5: Exploring Kidepo NP – morning nature walk and afternoon game drive/safari
This morning we will have breakfast and then move out to explore the African savannah on foot. Accompanied by an armed ranger-guide, you will venture along dry river beds, over rocky outcrops and through bush land to track the resident wildlife. If you end up in Kidepo River Valley, a stroll on its wide bed of white sand or in the borassus palm forest which feels like an oasis in the Sahara, is a fascinating attraction. Later (afternoon session), we shall return to the Narus Valley for more African wildlife encounters. Return for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: (Kidepo Savannah Lodge-TENT-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time:.
Main Destination: Kidepo Valley National Park
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Budget Tent)
Budget lodge bordering Kidepo Valley NP without fences
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls NP and late afternoon/evening game drive/safari
We will enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the lodge and thereafter, embark on a transfer to the Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison Falls, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, leopards, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. Then surely, the concentration of hippos and the Nile crocodiles here will fascinate you.
At about 3 or 4pm, we can move out for wildlife sightings till about 6:30/7pm. Optional (extra cost 40$): You may consider a breathtaking night game drive to have a rare encounter of the night life in the wild.
Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Fort Murchison (Tent)
Budget tented camp located just outside Murchison Falls NP
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 7: Murchison game drive and afternoon boat trip upstream to the falls
Have your breakfast, depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park and be on the look for wildlife including: lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. For any birder, there are quite a number of birds to sight too during the drive. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch.
After lunch, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls where you will also be able to catch sight of more animals including Hippos and Crocodiles and several water birds. Optional (extra cost 15$): If interested, continue with a hike to the top of the falls. The hike may be a strenuous one but the thrill on reaching the top is unforgettable. Return to your accommodation and relax.
Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Fort Murchison (Tent)
Budget tented camp located just outside Murchison Falls NP
Day 8: Drive to the top of the falls and transfer to the edge of Kibale Forest NP
We will have breakfast and then drive to the top of the falls to truly appreciate the beauty and magnificence of the Murchison Falls. From the top, we shall embark on a transfer that will see us overnight at edge of Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic – passing through villages, lush green countryside and hills dotted with tea plantations that characterize this part of Uganda. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way.
Upon arrival at the accommodation, check in and just relax. Optional (extra cost 15$): If interested, you can proceed for the crater lakes excursion. You will enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and the stunning views all over. Else, just enjoy your rest at the facility.
Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps)
Accommodation: Rweteera Safari Park
Budget lodge located just outside Kibale NP
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 9: Bigodi wetlands excursion and transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP, game drive
Have breakfast and proceed for the Bigodi wetlands excursion. The Bigodi wetland boasts of extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primates’ species like the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, and baboons. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. Among the major bird species within the area is the Great Blue Turaco. From Bigodi, we shall embark on a transfer (about 2hrs) to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
You will reach Queen early enough to have lunch, rest and then proceed out for game viewing. During the game drive, look out for wild animals like reedbuck, bushbuck, kob, warthogs, elephants, lions and buffaloes to mention but a few. Alternatively, you could choose to go for the Queen’s breathtaking explosion crater drive (instead). Return to the accommodation and take your rest.
Accommodation: (Irungu Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: 2-3 hrs.Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NPMeal Plan: Full Board
Day 10: Chimp tracking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve, afternoon boat trip – Kazinga Channel and some game drive
Be up early, have breakfast and drive out to the nearby Kalinzu Forest Reserve. The Forest is home to habituated Chimpanzees plus other primates including baboons, monkeys and also bird species. Today, you will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees here. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch.
After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. After the boat trip, you can proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge.
Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
Day 11: Sunrise game drive – Kasenyi plains and head to Ishasha sector, then connect to Bwindi
Be up early and proceed for an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains. Be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants, lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the lodge and check out then head to Ishasha sector in search of tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey).
Should you get to spot them, the sight is picturesque and memorable. From Ishasha, we shall continue to the accommodation at the edge of Bwindi National Park (Ruhija sector) – arriving in the evening (5 or 6pm).
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp
Budget tented camp located just outside Bwindi NP
Day 12: Gorilla trekking Bwindi Forest and take the afternoon/evening relaxing
Breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from a ranger guide) on the dos and don’ts during trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence.
The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation and have some good rest after a strenuous trek. #Optional (extra cost 20$): If interested, you may consider a late afternoon-to-evening encounter with local community to experience firsthand the indigenous lifestyle in this part of the world.Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp
Budget tented camp located just outside Bwindi NP
Day 13: Transfer to Lake Mburo NP and enjoy afternoon (evening) game drive
Have breakfast and set off to Lake Mburo NP via Mbarara City. You will arrive at the accommodation in Lake Mburo in time and rest before moving out for an afternoon-to-evening game drive. On the game drive, expect to see the gigantic eland antelopes, zebras, topi, impalas, Uganda kob and Cape buffalos among others.
Later, relax at the accommodation where you will spend the night. #Optional (extra cost 30$): If interested, you may consider the night game drive to encounter nocturnal creatures which will be a rare sighting compared to the regular daytime sightings.
Accommodation: (Hyena Hill Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 4-5 hrs.
Main Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation: Hyena Hill Lodge
Budget lodge located just outside Lake Mburo NP
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 14: Morning walking safari in the park and return to Entebbe to catch flight
Enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo morning park (bush) walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger-guide. On this early morning guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter (at close range): Zebras, Giraffes and Eland, Topi and other antelope, Cape buffaloes among others.
Take the Trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of 9 of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo NP. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe airport to catch flight (1800hrs or later).Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)
End of 14 Days Uganda Safari
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
You’ll be dropped off at the airport.
Included
- Park fees(For non-residents)
- Gorilla permits(One per person, non-resident)
- Chimp permits(One per person, non-resident)
- All activities(Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation(Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation(Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water(On all days)
Excluded
- International flights(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
- Some meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)
