Panorama of Uganda Safari - 9 Days 8 Nights
Tour Code – AVU03

This is an active and interesting safari that will involve many types of activities, from photographic game drives in national parks, primates trekking and other trekking, boat trips in the river Nile and Lake Bunyonyi , the amazing Kazinga Channel, to cultural experiences.

The Itinerary:

Day 1 - Entebbe
On arrival, you will be met at the Entebbe International Airport and our representative will transfer you for overnight to your hotel in Kampala, Protea Hotel or similar (C) or budget hotel (E). BB
Optional: Depending on the time of the flight you will visit Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria in the afternoon to view the feeding of the chimps and hear an informative talk by the sanctuary staff

Day 2 – Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast your adventure in Uganda will begin with a drive Northwest to Masindi and Murchison Falls National Park, stopping over at the many stalls on the road to try the typical roasted cassava and other local food. First activity is the nature walk in Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, the conservation project which has brought back to Uganda the rare white and black rhinos and you will see them closely while walking freely. Lunch. Proceed to the national park, the largest in the country and you reach the river Nile where the beautiful Murchison Falls creates a narrow canyon of thunderous water. You will have a view from the top of the falls. Before evening you check in to your lodge for dinner overnight, Paraa Safari Lodge / Nile Safari Lodge (C) or Red Chilli Rest Camp (E). Today transfer is about 6 hours drive, part of it through marram road within the park. FB

Day 3 – Murchison Falls National Park
After a cup of coffee, you will depart for an early morning game drive using our safari vehicle to explore the savannah, in the region of the delta of the Nile on Lake Albert, Northern bank. Among other animals in the wild, you might find elephants, lions, buffalos, giraffes, hartebeests, waterbucks, oribis, bushbucks, spotted hyenas and leopards. Be ready with your camera for the best snaps. Relax as you drive back to the lodge where you will have breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon, another safari will be organized, by boat along the river Nile to the base of the Murchison Falls. It is amazing the concentration of wildlife in the bank of the river Nile, including hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds species, like African eagles, the rare shoebill stork, pelicans, kingfisher, Egyptian geese and much more. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. FB

Day 4 – Albertine Rift Valley and Fort Portal
After breakfast you leave the National Park proceeding Southwest along the Lake Albert and Rift Valley escarpment for panoramic view points. You pass via Hoima the capital town of Bunyoro kingdom for stop over. Lunch en route. You will pass through sugarcane, tea, banana, coffee and cocoa plantations. Reach Fort Portal the capital town of Tooro kingdom on the shadow of Rwenzori Mountains, the biggest mountain range in Africa. Dinner and overnight at Nyinabulitwa Country Resort / Mountains of the Moon Hotel or similar. Today transfer is long, about 6 hours. FB
Optional: Dinner with a local family where you will learn about the Batooro traditional food, dances and life style. Overnight at Kafred community homestead in Bigodi.

Day 5 - From Fort Portal to Queen Elizabeth
After breakfast depart from Fort Portal heading Southwest to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You have a game drive en route as you are going to the lodge for lunch time. In the afternoon, from Mweya peninsula the most exciting safari by boat will take you along Kazinga channel, one of the most popular sites in Uganda for its concentration of wildlife and opportunities of goods photographs. This cruise will introduce you to the bird life, and you will be in a position to view birds endemic to the channel, prominent among them the Great Rwenzori turacco. Moreover, you will see plenty of hippos, buffaloes and elephants. Return at lush to your lodge for dinner and overnight, Mweya Safari Lodge / Jacana Safari Lodge (C) or Hippo Hill Camp (E). FB

Day 6 – Queen Elizabeth National Park
After a cup of coffee, be ready for a game drive along the tracks of the national park, in the Northern sectors and towards Lake George and Kasenyi village, using our safari vehicle. Expect to see lions, elephants, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, Ugandan kobs, perhaps the leopard though is shy and rare to be seen. The wildlife population in Queen Elizabeth has much recovered from the dark period of the Seventies, and now the park is a good place to spot animals and it enjoys unique landscapes and views of crater lakes and the Albertine Rift Valley, which make this area special and unforgettable. Go back to the lodge for breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon drive to Kyambura Gorge for the trekking to see the chimpanzees in the wild. The gorge is over 16 km long and 100 meter deep following Kyambura river and the Albertine Rift Valley Escarpment. Dinner and overnight, Mweya Safari Lodge / Jacana Safari Lodge (C) or Hippo Hill Camp (E). FB

Baby mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, courtesy of Giovanni Mari
Day 7 –Bwindi Forest National Park
After breakfast, you leave the Northern sector of Queen Elizabeth and proceed to the South West of Uganda, where are found the rain tropical forests which are hosting the remaining world population of the endangered mountain gorillas. The choice of the area of the gorilla safari depends on the availability and allocation of the permits to secure this activity. According to the road and climatic conditions, you will pass via Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth, the Southern region of the park, where can be found a rare population of so called “tree climbing lions”. During the hot hours of the day, lions of this area enjoy resting lying on top of Figs trees and it is exciting to see this spectacular spot. Lunch en route. You reach by evening Bwindi National Park in Buhoma via Ishasha or in Kisoro for dinner and overnight, Bwindi Gorilla Resort – Nkuringo Safari Lodge (C) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp – Kisoro Tourist Hotel (E). FB
Note: Today transfer is very long approximately 5 to 8 hours and road conditions are variable. FB

Day 8 - Mountain gorilla safari
Early in the morning you enter the rain tropical forest of Bwindi for the gorilla safari (note: in case the allocation of the permits are in Rwanda Volcanoes National park, this will be communicated and the program changed accordingly). The activity starts at 8AM and you will follow the ranger guide in a group of maximum 8 people as you search for the location of the habituated family of mountain gorillas which was allocated according to the permits. Bwindi forest in Uganda has a population of about 370 gorillas, which is half the world population for the 2007 gorilla population surveys. Only some of the families have been habituated to receive visitors and this opportunity helps to support the conservation project. It is not predictable the time you will spend to find the gorillas. You have one hour for observing the primates and their behaviors, while taking photographs. Ensure you take the packed lunch and water with you in the bag. dinner and overnight, Bwindi Gorilla Resort – Nkuringo Safari Lodge (C) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp – Kisoro Tourist Hotel (E). FB

Day 9 –
After breakfast, return to Kampala, lunch en route and reserved for departure from Entebbe International Airport in the evening. HB

Possible extensions:
3 days to Ssese Island Bugala Island
1 day Ngamba Island and Entebbe (first or last day)
1 day Semliki National Park (after day 4)
4 to 7 days trekking in Rwenzori Mountains
1 day trekking Muhavura mountain Virunga

Tariff per person 2009 (including Gorilla Permit):

1 COMFORT (C)
Each of 2 people sharing: USD 3.200
Each of 4 people sharing: USD 2.700
Each of 6 people sharing: USD 2.550

Single room supplement: 300 USD
Supplement Serena Hotel Kampala: 90 USD per person per day
Hotels: hotels and lodges standard category and bandas, double room accommodation.

2 ECONOMY (E)
Each of 2 people sharing: USD 2.600
Each of 4 people sharing: USD 2.100
Each of 6 people sharing: USD 1.870

Single room supplement: 140 USD
Hotels: hotels and lodges budget category and bandas, double room accommodation.

The tariff includes:
- Airport transfers
- Full board accommodation excluding drinks
- Ground transportation by 4x4 tourist Land Cruiser or minibus
- English speaking Driver/Guide
- Gorilla and chimpanzee permits
- Entrance fees, taxes
- Water on board

 The tariff does not include:
- International Air tickets
- Tourist insurance/ local health insurance AIG / UAP
- Entrance visas: Uganda 50 USD directly from Entebbe Int. Airport
- Drinks and tips.