Wildlife Explorer

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.
Meals: D (Lunch own expense)
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Drum market
– Equator
– Lake Mburo National Park

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.
Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Game Drive on the way out of the Mburo Park
– Scenic Drive to Bwindi

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 trekking to insure everyone gets their chance. Should all permits be available on day 4 we will visit Lake Bunyoni 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 guest can also choose to spend time searching for the magnificent birds inhabiting the fringe of the forest.
Meals: B L D; B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
– Gorilla Tracking
– Bwindi Jungle

DAY 5 – 6: QUEEN ELISABETH NAT. 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.
Meals: B L D; B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Queen Elizabeth National Park
– Camp on the Ishasha river
– 2 Nights within the Park
– Tree Climbing Lions
– Massive Hippo Population

DAY 7: QUEEN ELIZABETH NAT. PARK – RWENZORI MOUNTAINS

Packing up camp, we travel the length of the park and through the Maramagambo Forest and make our way towards the Rwenzoris – “Mountains of the Moon”. 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. Today we find a suitable place to enjoy our lunch while admiring these towering mountains over the surrounding landscape.
After lunch our guide will find a suitable place for guests to enjoy a walk as we proceed towards the outskirts of Fort Portal.
Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Drive through Maramogambo Forest
– Outskirts of Lake Edward
– Ruwenzori Mountains
– Village Walk

DAY 8: MURCHISON FALLS NAT. 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 towards the town of Masindi. From here we will enter the renowned Murchison Falls National Park. Tonight we spend in accommodation and enjoy a catered meal after the long day.
Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Scenic drive
– Masindi

DAY 9 – 10: MURCHISON FALLS / VICTORIA NILE

Early this morning we enter the Murchison Falls Park and 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 our vehicle. 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 though 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 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.
Meals: B L D, B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Chimpanzee Trek with included permit
– Murchison Falls
– Northern Part of Murchison Falls National Park
– Wild Camping in 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.
Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Victoria Nile Boat Cruise
– Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
– Scenic Drive

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.
Meals: B L
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Drive through many villages
– Jinja (adventure Capital of Uganda)

DAY 13: JINJA to ENTEBBE

The tour ends after breakfast this morning. The truck will head back to Entebbe this morning 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 organise HALFDAY TRIPS 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.
Meals: B
The day by day descriptions published are intended as a rough guideline only. Adventure travel by nature is unpredictable, weather patterns, game migrations, road conditions and a multitude of other factors may necessitate itinerary changes that ultimately are for the client’s benefit. It is essential that clients are flexible and open minded in this regard.