DAY 1: ENTEBBE – LAKE MBURO NAT. PARK.
Our Uganda adventure begins on departure from our hotel near Entebbe at 08h00 on Day 1 of the tour. We make our way through the outskirts of the vibrant capital city, Kampala, before starting our journey west. On our route today, we visit a drum market and we will stop at the equator. This afternoon we enter the Lake Mburo National Park, known for its plains game and large hippo population. We camp the night on the lake shore.
DAY 2: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST.
We start the day with a game drive/walk and then exit the park to travel through a landscape of rolling hills alive with banana plantations and herds of impressive long-horned Ankole cattle. Though the roads are rough, this afternoon we travel on some of the most scenic roads in Uganda, passing remote villages often shrouded in mist, toward the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We set up camp for the night at the edge of the forest and it is with great excitement that we prepare for the following day.
DAY 3 – 4: BWINDI GORILLA TREK.
Undoubtedly the highlight for all – trekking in a true wilderness to spend time with the majestic mountain gorilla. We split up into small groups and with local guides, trek up into this true jungle to locate and spend time with a family of the few remaining wild Mountain Gorillas. The hike in the jungle is a real adventure and forms part of the overall experience. Guests should come prepared for a hike through dense forest and uneven terrain. As the gorilla permits are limited, we will allow two days for the entire group to partake. Should all permits be available on day 4 we will visit Lake Bunyonyi on Day 3. Whilst not gorilla trekking, guests have the option to go on a local village walk led by a local guide. The forest offers fantastic birding and guests can also choose to spend time searching for the magnificent birds inhabiting the fringe of the forest.
DAY 5 – 6: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK – ISHASHA.
Leaving the mountains and forests behind us, we drop down to the grasslands of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here we will spend two nights camping at a remote location within the National Park. Besides abundant mammal, reptile and bird species, Ishasha is renowned for its huge Tree Climbing Lions. Fantastic bird life as well as numerous species of primates can be found in this area. We will game drive extensively searching the tall fig trees for lion and the savannah for other game. Our guide will take time to give us more information on the various wildlife encountered in the park that covers over 1900 km².
DAY 7: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK – RWENZORI MOUNTAINS.
Packing up camp, we travel the length of the park and through the Maramagambo Forest and make our way to the Rwenzori – “Mountains of the Moon”. After an easy walk through numerous rural villages and up to the base of the forest to the Rwenzori lookout point, we have a picnic lunch. Rising some 5000m above sea level, the slopes of these mountains are covered in tropical forest and yet the peaks are often snow-capped; a bewildering sight considering their proximity to the equator. After lunch we proceed down the mountain with our vehicle towards the outskirts of Fort Portal.
DAY 8: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK.
An early start, we leave the mountains behind us and travel through the luminous green tea plantations surrounding Fort Portal. We cover vast distance today and mostly on rough roads. Our destination tonight is the Kaniyo-Pabidi camp in Murchison Falls National Park and provides relatively comfortable facilities.
DAY 9 & 10: MURCHISON FALLS / VICTORIA NILE.
Early this morning we set off on a guided walk in search of a group of habituated chimpanzees. We hope to spend an hour with the group before returning to camp. Depending on where these chimps were last seen, we may have to drive a short distance where we can then start our chimpanzee track. Then it’s off to Murchison Falls, a narrow gap through which the Nile River falling 40m into the Rift Valley. We will spend some time here exploring the falls. Next, we travel downstream to cross the Nile in order to enjoy two nights in the northern part of the park. In this section, the park opens up to wide open spaces, rolling hills, scenery of a different kind and also gives you an opportunity to see a different species of giraffe known as the Rothschild Giraffe. We will camp two nights in a big game area.
DAY 11: ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY.
Rising early, we board a boat that will then take us on a leisurely cruise slowly down the Nile River. Along the way, we hope to catch a glimpse of the rare Shoebill Stork, as well as a multitude of other animals. At times it may not be possible to travel by boat, we will then drive by road. Reunited with our vehicle, we exit the park and travel to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary; a project established to reintroduce rhino into their original habitat in protected areas. Camp the night.
DAY 12: JINJA.
This morning, clients who wish to, may partake in tracking rhino on foot through the thick bush (own expense). After packing up camp for the last time, we set off for Jinja where we spend our last night in relative comfort at Adrift camp. Tonight, we enjoy an own expense dinner at the restaurant to celebrate our adventures.
DAY 13: JINJA to ENTEBBE.
The tour ends after breakfast this morning. The truck will head back to Entebbe at 14:00 to miss the peak hour of Kampala traffic. Clients are welcome to jump on this transfer at no additional cost, however, we cannot adjust this time as the guide has post-tour responsibilities to attend to. Alternatively, the Nile River offers some of the wildest one-day white water rafting in the world; a day’s adventure not to be missed. From the Adrift camp clients are also able to spend a day exploring a local community project. Both of these activities are optional and own expense. We advise those that would like to catch our 14:00 transfer back to Entebbe to organize Half day trip on this day. If you wish to wish to simply relax at the “Source of the Nile” or spend an extra night at the camp, you are more than welcome to book a post night in Jinja.
