Trip Info
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Suitable for solo travelers and groups
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This tour has been designed to start and finish in Entebbe.
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Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle
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Pre and post accommodation can also be arranged for an additional cost.
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Can start any day
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Shared tour
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All meals included
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English
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15
Overview
Explore a 10-day Pearl of Africa Primates and Wildlife Safari adventure with thrilling primate encounters, including gorillas and chimps, plus unforgettable wildlife experiences in Uganda’s top parks.
This is a 10 days pearl of Africa tourist circuit that will take you through Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, Murchison falls national park, Kibale forest national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Lake Bunyoni & Lake Mburo national park. Most of the big five can be viewed in the wild, there are boat trips along the Nile River and the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Highlights
- Can start any day
- Shared tour
- Mid-range tour
- Cannot be customized
- Suitable for single travelers
- Minimum age of 15 years
- A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Itinerary
Today, on the first day, you will be met by our driver-guide either at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport. After the breakfast, you will start a journey that will take you five hours to reach Murchison Falls National Park through Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. After rhino tracking you will move to Murchison Falls National Park through the Masindi district while entering through the Chicumbanyobo gate. As a starting point, you will go to the top of the falls destination that features the most powerful waterfall worldwide. At the top of the falls, there is a thrilling sight where water passes through a 7 meter interval before defying the force of gravity and tumbling down a further 43 meters. As you leave the top of the falls, you will have to get back to the car and then head for the lodge where you will spend the night with meals.
Main Destination:
Murchison Falls National Park
Climate: The best time to visit is during December to February because it is eaiser to spot animals.
High SeasonJune to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best WeatherJune and July (Less rain and lower temperatures)
Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP
Chimpanzee, Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Buffalo, Hippo, Leopard, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Cheetah, Zebra, Wildebeest, Wild Dog
Accommodation:
Parkside Safari Lodge
- Classed as a mid-range lodge with a picturesque location, this accommodation is situated just outside the Murchison Falls National Park.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
On this day, you will take your breakfast at 6:00am and start the morning game drive at 6:30am. Your guide will come to pick you up at 6:30am to take you for game drive in the expansive Plain of savannah grasslands to view some animals like lions, giraffes, kobs, leopards and some types of birds etc. After the morning game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch. After this, you can take the 2:00 pm boat to the bottom of the falls on the Victoria Nile. You will have the opportunity to observe how the Nile River comes out of the approximately 8-meter deep valley and widen its borders. At some areas, you will find many animals that have come to drink water during the hot hours of the day like buffalos, giraffes, warthogs, antelopes among others. You will also notice other animals like the Nile crocodile which will be lying in wait to capture the reckless prey in a bid to quench its thirst. After, you will go back to the lodge to rest, have some meals and spend the night.
Main Destination:
Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation:
Parkside Safari Lodge
- Classed as a mid-range lodge with a picturesque location, this accommodation is situated just outside the Murchison Falls National Park.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Accommodations will be at primate lodge kibale, where you will be served breakfast at 0700hrs, before you pack your bags and with our guide, proceed to Kibale Forest national park through Bugungu gate. You will journey through the one expansive landscape of Bunyoro escarpments. The reward here is scenic with increased views of Lake Albert and beautiful scenes of tea plantation which are perfect for photography. Over lunch, you will be allowed to leave Fort Portal City to head to the lodge where dinner and overnight accommodation will be provided.
Main Destination:
Kibale National Park (Chimps)
The best time to visit is January to February and June to July but Chimpanzee tracking is easy throughout the year.
High SeasonJune to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best WeatherJanuary to February and June to July (Least rain)
Wildlife in Kibale NP
Chimpanzee, Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Hippo, Giraffe, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Cheetah, Zebra, Wildebeest
Accommodation:
Kibale Forest Lodge
- Medium sized accommodation based in Kibale NP (Chimps).
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
In the morning after our breakfast we will be transferred by our guide to Kanyachu Visitors Centre where you will be briefed on what one is supposed to do and what one is not supposed to do when tracking the chimpanzees. You will be divided into small groups at exactly 8:30 am and each group will be assigned a guide who will accompany you to the forest and back from the forest to track certain chimpanzee group. There is so much fun in finding them and then taking photos of them as well as watch their behaviors. Following the chimps tracking activity, you will have the Bigodi Swamp Walk in the afternoon. Besides seeing the other types of primates including black-and-white colobus monkeys and baboons, you will also be able to spot some bird species such as the Great Blue Turaco during the walk. You will also discover the involvement of the local communities in the conservation of tourism natural resources Before then, you will be served dinner and spend the night at the lodge.
Main Destination:
Kibale National Park (Chimps)
Accommodation:
Kibale Forest Lodge
- Medium sized accommodation based in Kibale NP (Chimps).
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast, you will check out from your accommodation and set off to the crater lake region of Tooro to Queen Elizabeth National park. This drive will take approximately three hours to complete. Upon arrival, clients will be checked in at the camp, and lunch will be served to them. In the evening you will proceed for the evening game drive in the park after an afternoon relaxation. You will be able to spot various late browsing animals such as elephants, bushbucks, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, among others. Later, go back to the lodge for food and spend the night.
Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Best Time To VisitJanuary to February and June to July (Dry seasons)
High SeasonJune to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best WeatherJune to July and January to February (Less rainfall)
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP
Chimpanzee, Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Hippo, Leopard, Giraffe, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Cheetah, Zebra, Wildebeest, Wild Dog
Accommodation:
Enshama Game Lodge
- Modest, clean accommodation about a blend lodging found a few kilometers apart from queen Elizabeth NP
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
You will be taken for breakfast at 6.30 am and then go on a game drive to the Kasenyi plains to look for such animals as Lions, Buffaloes, Leopards, Elephants, and Waterbucks among others. During the morning game drive you will get a chance to visit Bunyapaka salt wells for a salt mining experience. You will then have lunch and then take a short rest back at the lodge. You will then proceed on a boat trip in the afternoon on the Kazinga Channel. The channel has the highest density of hippos in the world. You will also come across other animals such as buffalos, elephants, warthogs, and other species. After that, you will go back to the lodge for rest and to enjoy your meal before you spend the night there.
Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation:
Enshama Game Lodge
- Modest, clean accommodation about a blend lodging found a few kilometers apart from queen Elizabeth NP
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
In the morning after breakfast you will pack all your luggage/bags and set out to travel in a car. You will be transferred to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by road. You will do a game drive in the vast Ishasha sector, which is famous for the tree-climbing lions. In this region, lions climb trees to get a vantage point to track their prey, find some shade and to also conceal their kills. Next you will head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, but for lunch, it will be anywhere that will be convenient. You will travel to Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge where you will check in and spend the night at.
Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Recommended Period: June to August and December to February but trekking to see the gorillas is easier.
High SeasonJune to September (It is difficult to find the gorilla tracking permits)
Best WeatherJune to July and December to February (Less rainfall)
Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Elephant, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Lion, Giraffe, Leopard, Cheetah, Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hippo
Accommodation:
Rushaga Gorilla Haven's Lodge
- No frills lodging offered only a few hundred meters away from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where Mountain of the Gorillas is situated.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
You will take your breakfast at around 6:30 am, and then proceed to the park where you will be briefed. Following this, you will be divided into groups of 8 members in each group. You will have your own ranger guide who will help you get to the forest and take you back as well. You will begin by trekking through the wild in order to find these friendly giants. It may take 30 minutes to 6 hours to locate them and this can depend on how they move from one place to another. After finding them, you will spend an hour in their company. When gorilla tracking is done, then you will return to the lodge to shower etc. Then, you will go to Lake Bunyonyi for some rest.
Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation:
Paradise Eco-Hub
- This is a low cost lodge with facilities situated at Lake Bunyonyi.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After morning breakfast take a short boat trip on the Lake Bunyonyi. Next, you will proceed for an evening game drive at Lake Mburo National Park. You will have a stop-over for lunch at Mbarara. In the afternoon, you will move to the lodge. You will be picked up from the lodge to the launching site for the boat safari on Lake Mburo at 3:00 p.m. During this boat trip, you will be able to view a variety of animals such as zebras, buffalos, giraffes and many others who shall be found on the shores of Lake Mburo. Then, you will go back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination:
Lake Mburo National Park
Best Time To VisitJanuary to February and June to August (Dry seasons)
High SeasonJune to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best WeatherJune to August and January to February (Little rainfall)
Wildlife in Lake Mburo NP
Giraffe, Buffalo, Zebra, Hippo, Leopard, Hyena, Elephant, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Lion, Cheetah, Wildebeest, Wild Dog
Accommodation:
Hyena Hill Lodge
- This is a low budget lodge that lies outside the boundaries of the Lake Mburo National Park.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
This will be followed by a short morning drive after taking an early morning breakfast. Subsequently, you will proceed for lunch, and a photo shoot at the Equator marked in Kayabwe, before proceeding to Entebbe. After lunch, you will then board your car and be transferred to Entebbe International Airport to wrap up the tour.
Main Destination:
Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
End of tour
- There will be an addition cost for extra accommodation.
- That is, you’ll be transported to the airport.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- • Park fees (For non-residents)
- • Gorilla permits (One per person, non-resident)
- • Chimp permits (One per person, non-resident)
- • All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- • A professional driver/guide
- • All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All Taxes/VAT
- • Roundtrip airport transfer
- • Meals As indicated in the day by day plan section
- • Drinking water (On all days)
Cost Excludes
- • International flights (From/to home)
- • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- • Tours and souvenirs, insurance, visa, and other incidental expenses.
- • Hike in taxes/tariffs/fees levied by government/RD offices surcharges
FAQs
Services included in the 10-Day Pearl of Africa Primates and Wildlife Safari are accommodation, meals, park fees, game drives, boat trips, permits for the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas, guide services by an English-speaking driver/guide, and use of a 4-wheel drive vehicle. This is coupled with bottled drinking water during drives and guided nature walks where appropriate. However, international flights, personal expenses, travel insurance, and whatever is additional like cultural trips or hot air balloon tourism are not included.
The 10 Day Pearl of Africa Primates and Wildlife Safari invite you to explore the beauty of Uganda through various national parks. Some of the attractions to explore include the Murchison Falls, the wildlife, water fall, Chimpantzees in Kibale national park, game and boat cruize in queen Elizabeth Natonal park, as well as Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National park. The safari also includes a visit to the Lake Mburo National Park that has zebras and impressive grounds.
For the 10-Day Pearl of Africa Primates and Wildlife Safari, you should pack casual, loose and dry fitting clothes obviously in camouflage colors, good hiking boots, waterproof coat and hat for protection against sun. A pair of binoculars and a camera with zooming functions are crucial for any wildlife experiences. Other necessary items include insect repellent, sunscreen, a source of purified water on the go, and a convenient bag for carrying items during hikes. So, since gorilla and chimpanzee trekking involve a lot of climbing which can be rather tiring, it is advisable to wear full armed clothes like shirts and trousers to avoid being scratched by bushes and bitten by insects.
For the Pearl of Africa Primates & Wildlife, 10-Day Safari, it is advisable to visit Uganda during the dry season, although this can be to either June-August or December-February. During these months, it is easy to spot wildlife since most are around water bodies and it is also the best time to track the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees since the trekking trails will not be muddy. However, the safari is open throughout the year, and experiencing it in the low seasons, which are March to May and September to November, can be the best , considering that the parks will be less congested and the environment will be green.
Gorilla trekking during the 10-Day Pearl of Africa Primates and Wildlife Safari may require a lot of physical strength, endurance, and time since clients traverse through a very dense forest, steep slopes and unpredictable weather conditions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The trek can take between 2-6 hours owing to the geographical location of the gorilla families. The level of physical fitness required is moderate to high, however porters are available for hire, for the carrying of equipment etc. Circuit trekkers should expect to encounter many areas of mud and should wear proper hiking boots at all times.
The 10-Day Pearl of Africa Primates and Wildlife Safari is a perfect blend of nature and wildlife at its best in Uganda’s oldest parks. When visiting Murchison Falls National Park you will come across with wild animals such as elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, and crocodiles. Other primates that can also be viewed in Kibale include the Kibale chimpanzees and the colobus monkeys. Among the attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, one can watch tree climbing lions, hippos, and various antelopes. For instance, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is popular for mountain gorillas while the Lake Mburo National Park is known to have some of the largest herds of zebras, giraffes & elands among other species.
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