12 Days grand Uganda - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )

12 Days grand Uganda: Africa Natural Tours (For Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Zanzibar) Tanzania safari company in Moshi

Specialized in:  Wildlife safaris, Mountain climbing, Cultural tourism and Beach holidays in East Africa

Contact +255 653 679 958

Email: info@africanaturaltours.com Website: www.africanaturaltours.com

12 Days grand Uganda

Safari Highlights:

- Murchison Falls national park; at 3,840sq Uganda’s largest park home to predators and herbivores, The Murchison falls; the most powerful natural flow of water anywhere on earth
- River Nile boat cruise

- Kibale forest and nature walk tracking various primates; l’ Hoest’s, red Colobus, blue, red-tailed monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

- Queen Elizabeth National Park – photography, bird watching and game viewing. Look out for tree-climbing lions

- Gorilla tracking in Bwindi national park

- Boat ride on Lake Mburo in search of crocodiles and hippos

- Cultural visit to Mpigi Royal Drum Makers

Day 1: Murchison Falls National Park [L, D]

 From Kampala, start the scenic drive north-west to Murchison Falls National Park via the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Covering 3,840 sq km of savannah, rainforest and hills, this is Uganda’s largest park.  In the afternoon we will visit the “top of the falls” for your chance to view the magnificence of the Nile. The park is cut into half by the famous River Nile where it has to squeeze itself through the legendary Murchison Falls, an impossibly narrow 7 m gap in a cleft rock creating a powerful explosion of white water. The Falls are believed to be the most powerful natural flow of water anywhere on earth. Lookout for the Rock pratincole and African Skimmery.
Overnight Red Chilli Rest Camp / Sambiya River Lodge / Paraa Safari Lodge

Day 2: Murchison Falls [B, L, D]

Enjoy the early morning game drive via the Nyamsika Plateau, where you may see elephant, lion, buffalo, giraffe, hartebeests and many other animals. Afternoon boat cruise upstream to the foot of the mighty falls. En route, you will see hippos, crocodiles, waterbuck and lookout for the dazzling red throated bee-eaters, goliath heron, and if fortunate, the very unusual shoebill stork. The boat stops just tens of meters from the “Devil’s Cauldron”. Take pictures of the photogenic and majestic Murchison Falls.

Overnight Red Chilli Rest Camp / Sambiya River Lodge / Paraa Safari Lodge

Day 3: Kibale Forest National Park [B, L, D]

Have all day drive south via Hoima to Fort Portal through verdant countryside and past traditional homesteads and farms. Fort-Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon. Overnight Kibale Forest Bandas / Primate Lodge / Ndali Lodge

Day 4: Kibale Forest [B, L, D]

Have all day search for the chimpanzees and 10 other primates including l’ hoestes, red Colobus, blues, red tailed and gray – cheeked mangabey. The guide will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates, but on all the forest fauna and flora and will ensure that your walk is both informative and enjoyable. This walk is excellent for viewing bird life and seeing primates at close quarters.

Overnight Kibale Forest Bandas / Primate Lodge / Ndali Lodge

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park [B, L, and D].

We have morning visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to search for smaller mammals and primates. Look out for the rare red Colobus monkey and the Sitatunga. The guided 4.5km circular trail through the swamp is also one of the best guided bird trails in East Africa as well as offering a realistic opportunity to see up to six different primate species in a space of a few hours.

Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the mystical Ruwenzori Mountain range for much of the journey. A game drive en route may be rewarded with views of lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena and a variety of antelope species. Enjoy the unique 2 hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and many animals may be seen drinking at the water’s edge. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colorful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species.
Overnight Simba Safari Camp / Jacana Safari Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth [B, L, D]

We have two game drives today. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Ruwenzori’s as a backdrop provides excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephants, Defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kobs, Topi and bush buck. These two game drives and the boat trip (taken prior) are a memorable method of discovering a vast array of Ugandan wildlife Overnight Simba Safari Camp / Jacana Safari Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 7: Ishasha Sector Queen Elizabeth [B, L, D]

Early morning transfer to Ishasha Area of Queen Elizabeth national park. Game drives in Ishasha sector, home to the famous [tree-climbing lions] and the large herds of game. The scenic beauty, the size of the euphorbia and combination of riverine forest, Savannah plain and equatorial forest makes this a memorable day, only found in Africa.

Overnight Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp / Ishasha Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 8: Ishasha Sector Queen Elizabeth [B, L, D]

Game drives in Ishasha sector, home to the famous tree-climbing lions and the large herds of game. The scenic beauty, the size of the euphorbia’s and combination of riverine forest, Savannah plain and equatorial forest makes this a memorable day, only found in Africa.
Overnight Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp / Ishasha Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 9: Bwindi National Park [B, L, D]     

 Drive through the “Switzerland of Africa” area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi.

Overnight Buhoma Bandas / Engagi Lodge / Buhoma Lodge

Day 10: Bwindi, Gorilla Tracking [B, L, D].

We have early morning entry into Gorilla sanctuary. This rainforest is spectacular.
It offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crises-crossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. Mammals recorded include the endangered mountain gorilla, rare golden monkey, buffalo, elephant, black-fronted duiker, bushbuck, leopard, giant forest log and others. This park is best known for the fascinating gorillas. The time taken and the terrain vary according to the movements of these marvelous primates. The thrill of spending time and observing the gorillas is a rare, moving, awesome and exciting adventure. The gorilla is a shy and peaceful animal and it is unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they interact.

Overnight Buhoma Bandas / Engagi Lodge / Buhoma Lodge

Day 11: Lake Mburo National Park [B, L, D].

After an early breakfast, we drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Enjoy the boat ride on Lake Mburo and get quite close to crocs and hippos. This is the only park where you are not entirely imprisoned in a vehicle. Rather refreshing!!

Birdwatchers will enjoy the more than 250 species of birds found in Lake Mburo including Papyrus Gonolek, Brown faced Lapwing, Caruthers’s Cist cola, the extraordinary White winged Warbler and Bare-Faced-Go- Away bird and evening game drive along the Lakeshore track. With its own system of game trails and cleared walkways the “Kigambara Loop” offers interesting guided lakeside walks. Find here are herds of zebra, Cape buffalo and eland. Oribi and topi are easily approached.

Overnight Rwonyo Rest Camp / Lake Mburo Tented Camp / Mihingo Safari Lodge

Day 12: Kampala [B, L]

After breakfast, proceed for a game drive or a safari walk under the escort of an armed ranger. The Kopjes are particularly interesting and camouflage klipspringers’ and topes. Due to cattle herding in the area it is amusing to see zebra grazing alongside the long horned Ankore Cattle peaceably. Return for lunch which should be taken leisurely enjoying the view of the lakes in this park.

After lunch, drive back to Kampala stopping at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers en route where you will be able to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted. There will also be time to stop at the equator for photographs. You arrive at Kampala in the early evening.

Included in Tour Price
·    All tour highlights
·    Ground transportation in exclusive 4×4 safari vehicle
·    Services of an experienced English speaking driver / guide
·    Bottled water through the safari
·    01 Gorilla permit per person [where applicable]
·    Park fees
·    Meals as indicated
·    Activities and accommodations as mentioned in the itinerary.

Excluded
·    Airfare to and from Uganda
·    Visa to and from Uganda
·    Airport tax
·    Travel / Medical / Baggage insurance
·    Airport transfers
·    First and last night’s accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe
·    All beverages [both alcoholic and nonalcoholic]
·    Any activity, meal or accommodation NOT mentioned in the itinerary
·    Tips
·    Telephone bills
·    Souvenirs, items of a personal nature

NB: Please note that prices are subject to change without notice

Accommodation
Up Market: Paraa Safari Lodge: Ndali Lodge: Mweya Safari Lodge: Ishasha Wilderness Tented Camp: Buhoma Lodge: Mihingo Safari Lodge

Mid-Range: Sambiya River Lodge: Primate Lodge Kibale: Jacana Safari Lodge: Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp: Engagi Lodge: Lake Mburo Tented Camp

Budget: Red Chilli Rest Camp: Kibale Forest Bandas: Simba Safari Camp: Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp: Buhoma Community Bandas: Rwonyo Rest Camp

Notes on Gorilla tracking

 - Gorilla trekking is a strenuous activity and one should be physically fit to enjoy this tour.
 - Minimum gorilla tracking age is 15 years.
-  Minimum chimpanzee tracking age is 12 years
 - Anyone with signs of communicable diseases will NOT be allowed to track.
 - While possession of a gorilla permit is a guarantee of tracking and sighting the gorillas, the quality of the gorilla tracking cannot be guaranteed.
 - Maximum time allowed with the gorillas will NOT exceed ONE hour.

We strongly recommend the following:

 - Rain poncho (lightweight)
 - Long-sleeved shirt
 - Waterproof trousers
 - Sturdy hiking boots
 - Leather gardening -type gloves
 - Sunscreen,
 - Insect repellent and any necessary medications must be brought by you either from your home town or Kampala.
 - Still Cameras and Camcorders are allowed, but bring batteries and film from your home town or Kampala.

For more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com