15 DAY ULTIMATE UGANDA 4X4 ODYSSEY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN UGANDA

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our Guest Representative welcomes you to Uganda. Each guest receives a welcome bag and our representative assists you to transfer your luggage to the waiting safari jeep and proceed to resort for a night – a thirty minutes to an hour drive from Entebbe itself. Meals and overnight at Lake Victoria Serena resort Entebbe (BB)

Visa to travel to Uganda

Yes – Visa required

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Uganda. The old system of obtaining visas on arrival has been phased out. Tourists now need to obtain e-visas 7 days in advance of travelling to Uganda. Please confirm with your local travel agency or airline before you purchase your flight ticket.

DAY 2: DEPART FOR MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK (Takes 5hrs by road)

This scenic drive from Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziiwa Rhino Sanctuary will take approximately 7hours. Abiding by the park rules, it would be advisable to depart Entebbe or Kampala between 7am-10am arriving at Chobe safari lodge main entrance gate before 7pm. Enroute to your host lodge, you will track white rhinos at Ziiwa Rhino Sanctuary followed by hot lunch. Ziiwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is located in Nakasongola district and is the proud home of the only wild rhinos in Uganda. The Rhino re-introduction project is a project of Rhino Fund Uganda and Uganda Wildlife Authority. Presently the sanctuary is home to fifteen (15) southern white rhinos. The sanctuary has become increasingly popular with tourists; for rhino trekking, bird watching, nature walks and relaxation. Proceed to Chobe Safari Lodge for meals and overnight.

DAY 3: GAME DRIVE & BOAT TRIP TO THE BOTTOM OF MURCHISON FALLS

Breakfast will start at 6.30am followed by early check out. Embark on a morning game drive enroute to Paraa Safari Lodge through the unexplored area of Murchison Falls National Park. Driving through Tangi gate to the northern bank of the River Nile enables you to watch herds of wild animals grazing and these include; Elephant, Giraffe, Buffaloe, and with chances of seeing lions hunting too. On arrival at the lodge, check in your rooms and return back to the restaurant for hot lunch.  After lunch, you will be picked by your naturalist guide for a transfer to the pier in time to join your crew on the boat for a trip of a life time to the bottom of the falls. If you choose to hike to the top of the falls, expect to be refreshed by fresh spray of the Nile.  And on arrival at the top of the falls – time permitting, join your driver/guide for another rewarding game drive enroute to the lodge.

DAY 4: BOAT TRIP TO THE NILE DELTA AND AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE

Early wake up with coffee or tea served in your rooms. Walk to the lobby and join your naturalist driver guide for another transfer to the pier for your water safari to the Nile delta. This half day water safari activity in search of the elusive shoebill stock starts at exactly 7am with hot breakfast served on the boat. This half day activity ends at 1200hrs. Disembark off the boat and walk to your waiting safari jeep before you transfer back to the lodge for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure with an option of relaxing by the poolside reading one of your favourite or join your naturalist driver guides for another sunset game drive on the shores of Lake Albert and the Nile delta giving you high chances of spotting a Leopard and other cats you could have missed the previous day. Meals and overnight at the Lodge

DAY 5: DEPART MURCHISON FALLS FOR KIBALE NATIONAL PARK (Takes 8-10hrs by road)

Early breakfast, check out and start for Kibale National Park. This section of your journey covers approximately 8 to10hrs and you will be driving through the countryside along the Albertine escarpment of the Western Rift Valley and Bunyoro Kingdom. As you see in the photos, Bunyoro Kingdom is blessed with people that have maintained their cultural heritage. Meals and overnight at Primates Lodge or Papaya Lake Lodge

Remark: Consdering the long hours on the raod, we are happy to suggest an option of a scheduled flight from Pakuba airstrip (MFNP –Kibale/Queen Elizabeth National Park – flying every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and requires a minimum of 4passengers.

DAY 6: FULL DAY CHIMPANZEE HABITUATION EXPERIENCE IN KIBALE NP (Takes 4-6hrs)

After your breakfast, prepare to report to the ranger station in Kibale National Park for the chimpanzee habituation experience. A life time experience with these delightful apes, more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, are tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees, follow them throughout the day they make their nests in the evening. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

DAY 7: DEPART KIBALE –QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK (Takes 3-4hrs by road)

Check out and start for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Driving at your own space, you stop at the imaginary equator line for a photography moment. You will also drive with drive through the Kasenyi sector on the northern sector of park. Kasenyi is best known for the lions which prey on large population of Uganda Kob that live in this area. Later proceed with your sunset game drive enroute to the lodge arriving in time for dinner. Check in at the lodge and spend some time on   your room verandahs that offer panoramic views of the park and enjoying the cool breeze of the Kazinga Channel. Meals and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge/Mazike Lodge

DAY 8: FULL DAY GAMES & WATER SAFARI ON THE KAZINGA CHANNEL

A wakeup call at 6 .00 am, drink some coffee/tea and join your naturalist driver guides for an early morning game drive which is usually most rewarding. The Kasenyi sector on the northern side of park is best known for the lions which prey on large population of Uganda Kob that live in this area. Another common- but unexpected-sighting with in Queen Elizabeth is the Giant Forest Hog, Africa’s largest pig, which is usually associated with dense forests rather than semi-open thickets. Head back to the lodge for lunch and later in the afternoon embark on one of the boats for a water safari on Kazinga Channel. The 36km Channel connects two Rift Valley lakes: Edward and George. These are named after Queen Victoria’s son and heir, Edward VII and his own successor,George V. Early explorers in Africa often had to cope with inhospitable terrain and travel by boat was especially difficult. You will also have an opportunity to experience the sights and sounds that greeted these early pioneers in comfort. Meals and overnight Mweya Safari Lodge /Mazike Lodge

DAY 9: DEPART QUEEN ELIZABETH FOR BWINDI via ISHASHA SECTOR (Takes 3-4 hrs by road)

Today you will start for Bwindi, passing through the southern sector of the park, known as Ishasha. This remote and beautiful extension of Queen Elizabeth National Park is famed for its tree-climbing lions. It is a fabulous sight to see the lions draped from the trees and nowhere in Africa do you stand a better chance of seeing this than in the large low limbed fig trees of Ishasha. After hot lunch break on the bank side of the seasonal Ishasha river, then proceed with your journey Bwindi enjoying an evening sunset drive and arriving in time for dinner at your host lodge in Buhoma. Meals & Overnight at Engagi Lodge/ Mahogany Springs Lodge

DAY 10: GORILLA TRACKING IN BWINDI NATIONAL PARK (Takes 1-7hrs)

There is an early morning entry into the gorilla sanctuary of about 900+ of these beautiful creatures in the world. Arrive before 8am for registration and a brief with tracking guidelines. The guides will then take you through the bush pushing your way through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track the gorillas. The trek can take from half an hour to 7 hours – a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes. These apes are shy and once you are close to the group the guides will ask you to leave behind your bags as no food items should be carried close to them. It is an experience you can share through your camera lenses as you watch and photograph what Africa has to offer. Meals and overnight at the Lodge

DAY 11: DEPART BWINDI FOR LAKE BUNYONYI ( Takes 3-4hrs by road)

This morning,you will check out and transfer to Birdnest Resort, Lake Bunyonyi. Set in lush gardens, a tranquil haven away from the bustle of town but within easy walking distance of the main attractions. The main lodge offers indoor and outdoor dining, a cosy lounge and beautiful verandah opening out onto the surrounding gardens. Facilities include a swimming pool, activities desk and a curio shop

In the late afternoon, set off on a sundowner cruise on Lake Bunyonyi on board a dugout canoe. The guide takes you around the islands of Lake Bunyonyi where you will have the opportunity to see birdlife. Meals and overnight at Birdnest Resort.

DAY 12: HIGHLIGHTS OF BUNYONYI/KISORO

Another day of exciting safari activities, relaxation and great food awaits! Time permitting, visit the Batwa community and take sightseeing tours around Kisoro returning back to Bunyonyi in time for dinner & overnight.

DAY 13: DEPART BWINDI FOR LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK(Takes 4-5hrs by road)

Another early set with hot lunch enroute. Along the route, you will get a comprehensive insight into the way of living of people in Uganda. Agriculture plays vital part in the economy of Uganda and you will see evidence of this as you drive past huge farms. On Arrival at Lake Mburo National Park is in the afternoon and proceed to the lodge. There is an option of having a late afternoon is reserved for a game drive through the park with the aim of observing nocturnals. Meals and overnight at Kimbla- Mantana Tented Camp/Mihingo Lodge

DAY 14: GAME DRIVE/NATURE WALKS AROUND LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK

At 260 km2, Lake Mburo National Park is small in comparison with many other East African parks, but with its mosaic of habitats – dry hillsides, rocky outcrops, bushy thickets, open and wooded savannas, forest, lakes and swamps – are home to a surprising diversity of plants and animals. There are some fantastic drives around Lake Mburo National Park. There are viewpoints and picnic spots along some of the tracks. The national park runs boat trips on the Lake Mburo every couple of hours throughout the day. The scenery and birdlife are spectacular. You are likely to get quite close to hippos and crocs. The guides will make the cruise very entertaining with their stories of the wildlife and the local folk tales. The birdlife on the hill is prolific with numerous large fig trees to attract them. Some of the resident birds include green pigeons, parrots, red-faced barbet, amongst many. Meals and overnight at Lodge/Camp

DAY 15: TRANSFER BACK TO ENTEBBE FOR ONWARD FLIGHT (Takes 3-4hrs by road)

Early breakfast at the lodge, enjoy a game drive en route to the exit of the national park for your journey back to Entebbe airport. You will also have stop at the Kayabwe imanigary Equator line for coffee/tea and photo moment. This marvel that is found in only 12 countries is identified by the white circular concrete blocks stand at either side of the road along the Kampala-Masaka highway. The Uganda Equator -reads the black signage at their top. A yellow line runs across the road, joining the two concrete circles, a representation of the imaginary line in Kalagala-Kikutuzi village near Kayabwe Town, Nkozi Sub-county in Mpigi District. Later proceed with your drive to Entebbe arriving in time for lunch at Protea Hotel/2friends Beach Hotel.

After a relaxing lunch break, you will be transferred to the pier for a sunset cruise on Lake Victoria. Enjoy your water safari to the equator island with drinks and a snack served on the boat. Later return back to drop off point and transfer to Entebbe International Airport in due time for your onward flight.

Please note that check-in for international flights should be done 2 hours prior to departure of the flight. In the departure hall (after check-in) you will find a small restaurant, a sitting area and several duty-free shops for your convenience.