DISCOVER TRUE AFRICA'S WILDERNESS WITH SARANIA ADVENTURE SAFARIS

With just one week in Uganda– the Pearl of Africa, you can see most of the beautiful country’s unmissable highlights. You will explore the crème de la crème of Uganda’s National Park system- Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks then culminate it with a visit to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation through a canoe and Island tour. You will track the endangered mountain gorillas, seek out the endangered chimpanzees (the closest relatives of mankind in the animal Kingdom), enjoy lion tracking, and take a canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi.

Highlights

• Enjoy a canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi to explore the stunning Islands.
• Launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel to see Hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a wide array of bird species.
• See part of the 13 primate species in Kibale National Park.
• Look for chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
• Enjoy lion tracking and see the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Hang out with the endangered mountain gorillas in the densely forested and misty hillsides of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup from Hotel – Transfer to Kibale National Park.

Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP.

Day 3: Queen Elizabeth NP Lion tracking – Launch cruise along the Kazinga channel.

Day 4: Ishasha tree climbing lions – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Day 5: Mountain gorilla trekking – Visit Batwa Pygmies.

Day 6: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – Canoeing and island tour.

Day 7: Transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala / Kigali for drop off.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup from Hotel – Transfer to Kibale National Park

Early morning, have breakfast, and head to western Uganda, home to Kibale Forest National Park. Go through Mityana, Mubende, and Fort Portal areas, then to your booked accommodation around the Protected Area. This 795-square-kilometer National Park is a haven to 13 primate species that include the endangered chimpanzees, L’Hoests monkeys, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, and Olive baboons among others.

Check in at the Lodge, have lunch, and spend the afternoon at leisure. You have an option of relaxing at the Lodge or having a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to search for and meet one of the 8 primate species and over 200 bird species.

Overnight accommodation;

• Kyaninga or Ndali Lodge (high-end).
• Turaco Treetops or Crater Safari Lodge (midrange).
• Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.

Travel time: 6-7 hours

Activities: Bigodi wetland walk.

Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP

Enjoy breakfast and start the transfer to the briefing point at Kanyanchu Visitor Center for the mandatory pre-tracking registration and briefing on the guidelines to be followed by tracking and spending time with these endangered Great Apes. Venture into the dense forest and start searching for the chimpanzees and this will last 1-3 hours before they’re finally located. Spend one hour watching them play, fight in the trees, groom each other, feed, or rest.

Return to the Lodge, pack your bags and have a quick lunch before proceeding to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey lasts 3 hours and involves taking in breathtaking views of Crater Lakes, banana plantations, and many others.

Overnight accommodation;

• Elephant Plains Lodge (high-end).
• Mweya Safari Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge (midrange).
• Bush Lodge (Tents) or Bulbul Safari Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Activities: Chimpanzee tracking.

Day 3: Queen Elizabeth NP Lion tracking – Launch cruise along the Kazinga channel

Arise and shine, and head for an early morning lion tracking adventure through the Northern Plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Unlike ordinary game drives, you have a chance to drive off-track with the lion tracking tour. You will see several lion prides, together with African bush elephants, cape buffaloes, Defassa waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, Topis, and others. Return to the Lodge for breakfast, siesta, and lunch.

In the afternoon, transfer to the Mweya pier for the start of your 2-hour launch cruise on Kazinga Channel, which connects Lakes George and Edward. The guide and Captain will lead you to the wildlife and bird hot spots, where you will see lots of Hippos and Nile crocodiles as well as Pelicans, African fish eagles, and many others.

Overnight accommodation;

• Elephant Plains Lodge (high-end).
• Mweya Safari Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge (midrange).
• Bush Lodge (Tents) or Bulbul Safari Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Activities: Lion tracking and Kazinga Channel launch cruise.

Day 4: Ishasha tree climbing lions – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This is the day you leave Queen Elizabeth National Park behind and proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will drive via the Ishasha sector, on the southern side of Queen Elizabeth for a short game drive. This game drive introduces you to the mysterious tree-climbing lions that are found in only two places (Lake Manyara National Park and Ishasha sector). You will stop for lunch at Savannah Resort Kihihi, then continue to Bwindi, arriving late afternoon.

Overnight accommodation;

• Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge or Buhoma Lodge (high-end).
• Engagi Lodge or Mahogany Springs Lodge (midrange).
• Gorilla Bluff Lodge or Ride 4 a Woman Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Activities: Ishasha game drive.

Day 5: Mountain gorilla trekking – Visit Batwa Pygmies

This is probably the best or long-awaited day of your 7-Day Uganda Safari as you get to meet the Giant Apes of the Ugandan jungles. Meet other visitors, and Ranger guides at the Park Headquarters for briefing on the guidelines to be followed while searching or spending time with mountain gorillas. The actual trek starts at 8:00 am with a search for the allocated gorilla family and this walk lasts 1-6 hours. When located, you will have to leave your bags behind before approaching the Giant Apes and you will spend only one hour observing and taking photos of them.

In the afternoon you have a chance of visiting the Batwa pygmies, original occupants of Central African forests to learn about their ancient lifestyle and culture. Learn about their traditional bamboo cup making process, honey harvesting, use of bow and arrow while hunting, fire making by rubbing sticks, and others. Retire to the Lodge late afternoon to relax, have dinner and overnight.

• Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge or Buhoma Lodge (high-end).
• Engagi Lodge or Mahogany Springs Lodge (midrange).
• Gorilla Bluff Lodge or Ride 4 a Woman Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Activities: Gorilla tracking and Batwa cultural walk.

Day 6: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – Canoeing and island tour

Bid farewell to the gorillas, people, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as you proceed to Lake Bunyonyi. Break up the 4-hour drive with stops for photography and when you arrive, check into the Lodge and start your adventures.

Have lunch and in the afternoon head for a canoeing and Island hopping adventure on Lake Bunyonyi where you will be introduced to the natural beauty of this gem. Expect to see lots of bird species, beautiful Islands and surrounding rolling hills.

Overnight accommodation at;

• Arcadia Lodges Lake Bunyonyi or Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort (high-end).
• Bunyonyi Safaris Resort (midrange).
• Hawk’s Eye Bunyonyi (budget).

Activities: Canoeing.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 7: Transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala / Kigali for drop-off

After breakfast, you will start the journey back to Kampala or Entebbe. On the way, enjoy breathtaking views and have fun taking photos. Our Airport representative will help you with check-in procedures and wish you safe travels.

Our 7-day Uganda safari package includes;

• Ground transportation in one of our 4X4 open-roofed safari vehicles.
• Bottled water.
• Services of a professional safari guide.
• Gorilla tracking permit/s.
• Chimpanzee tracking permit/s.
• Bottled water.
• National Park entry fees for both vehicles and visitors.
• Ranger fees.
• Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi.
• Lion tracking fees.
• Relevant Government taxes and levies.
• All meals as indicated on the itinerary.
• 6 nights’ accommodation as indicated on the itinerary.
• Airport and Hotel transfers as long as they’re within the safari period.

Our 7-day Uganda safari package excludes

• Extra accommodation at the Hotel/s pre or post-safari.
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Domestic and International airfares.
• Gratuities to Lodge/Hotel staff, Safari guide, Park Rangers, and porters.
• Visa fees.
• Travel and medical cover.
• Telephone calls.
• Souvenir shopping.
• Laundry fees.