Discover the Central, Western, and Southern regions of the ‘Pearl of Africa’.
Spend your night’s camping under the starry African skies
Trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Track a troop of wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest NP on foot
Rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on foot
Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Parks
Game walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park
Search for the tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth Park
Boat cruises on Nile River, Kazinga Channel, & Lake Bunyonyi
Photoshoots at the Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe
Day 1 & 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Murchison Falls National Park
Day 3: Kibale National Park
Day 4 & 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 6 & 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi
Day 9: Lake Mburo National Park
Day 10: Kampala
This 10 days Uganda camping safari tour is a richly-rewarding 9 nights/10 days camping safari in Uganda that begins in Kampala. From there, you move northwest with a stop at Ziwa Sanctuary for an opportunity to track the endangered rhinos in the wild on foot.
Continue into Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s biggest nature reserve named for the dramatic Murchison Falls, where the world’s longest river explodes through 7-meter wide gorge and plunges into a frothing pool 45m below. Visit the “Top of the falls” for a perfect view of the impressive falls and the river snaking below. Enjoy a game drive in search of giraffes, elephants, buffalos, lions, and leopards, as well as a soothing Nile launch cruise to the bottom of the falls – keep an eye out for hippos, crocodiles, and the rare shoebill storks.
Next, move to Kibale National Park which is a fantastic rainforest, hosting an incredible 13 primate species including our closest relatives, chimpanzees. Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives in search of its famous tree-climbing lions as well as big game like elephant, buffalo, hippos, and Uganda kobs. Cruise on the Kazinga Channel to view the world’s densest concentration of hippo, crocodiles, and several of the park’s 610 bird species.
Then drive to the wonderful Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Forest for a life-changing trekking adventure to find the gentle and shy mountain gorillas – the world’s most endangered, impressive, and biggest primates. From Bwindi, go relax on Lake Bunyonyi (place of little birds) which is a magical, stunningly beautiful lake, dotted with 29 emerald islands.
Having relaxed and rejuvenated, drive to Lake Mburo National Park for a boat cruise and a game walk with a ranger guide to learn about the details of this amazing park and view the resident Zebras, Buffalos, Impalas, Giraffes, Waterbucks, Topis and Elands close up. End off your 10 days Uganda camping safaris with a drive back to Kampala. Make a stop at the Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for a “one foot in each hemisphere” photo opportunity.
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Make a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking en route & visit the top of the falls on arrival.
Day 2: Morning game drive & afternoon launch cruise along the Nile River.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park.
Day 4: Morning Chimpanzee Tracking & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 5: Morning game drive in Kasenyi plains & afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do game drive in Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions en route.
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi & relaxation at the lodge. Optional evening village walks.
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi & have a whole day recreational encounter.
Day 9: Transfer to Lake Mburo Park & do an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo on arrival.
Day 10: Do a morning game walk in Lake Mburo National Park & transfer back to Kampala
After an early breakfast at around 6.30 am, undertake a 311km (5 – 6 hours) drive northwest to Murchison Falls National Park which is the largest national park in Uganda, featuring a high diversity of habitats, the world’s most powerful waterfalls, the Nile River, 451 bird species and 76 species of mammals.
On the way to Murchison, enjoy amazing views of the flat landscapes of central Uganda, before branching off at Nakitooma for a 7km drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the proud home of the only wild rhinos in Uganda. Here you get the opportunity to undertake 2 hours on-foot rhino tracking expedition. The sanctuary is endowed with over 22 re-introduced Southern white rhinos. The activity begins with a briefing from an expert ranger and thereafter you proceed to track the Rhinos.
While at the sanctuary you may also encounter a range of other wildlife species including Uganda kobs, oribis, bushbucks, waterbucks among others, and several bird species. This activity is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and should not be missed!
After the activity, settle for lunch at Kabalega dinner and continue to Murchison Falls National Park. Arrive in the evening and visit the top of Murchison Falls. These falls are arguably the world’s most powerful! They’re not very big or wide like some you may have seen before but think of the world’s longest river which is 50 meters wide squeezing through a narrow cleft of up to 7 meters and fall 45 meters down. The site is impressive for photography.
After this incredibly exciting activity, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Paraa Safari Lodge – Safari Tents
Midrange/Standard: – Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Safari tents
Budget/Basic: – Red Chilli Rest Camp/Murchison River Lodge campsite/Shoebill campsite
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Start your day with an early breakfast at 6.00 am. After breakfast, set off on a 3-4 hours morning game drive in the northern section of Murchison, a beautiful portion of the park with rolling savanna grassland dotted with impressive stands of Borassus palms, acacia trees, and riverine woodland.
During your drive, look for Lion, Leopard, Buffalos, Elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, Spotted hyenas, Oribi, Warthogs, Jackson’s hartebeests, Defassa waterbucks, Uganda kobs, Hippos, Patas monkeys, Olive baboons, and Nile crocodiles.
You’ll also encounter a variety of birds including the rare Shoebills, Goliath heron, Grey-crowned cranes (Uganda national bird), Abyssinian ground hornbills, Secretary birds, Saddle-bellied storks, Denham’s bustard, Squacco Heron, Kingfishers, Black-billed Wood Dove, Silverbird, Western Black-headed Batis, Orange-breasted and Grey-headed Bushshrike, White-crested Helmetshrike, Western Violet-backed and Beautiful Sunbird, Fawn-breasted and Black-rumped Waxbill, to name just a few.
You return to the lodge for relaxation and a good lunch. After lunch, you’ll get together for what will surely be one of the highlights of the entire trip: an afternoon 3-hours boat cruise along the historic Nile River to the bottom of the Murchison Falls which starts at 2 pm.
As you cruise, marvel at hundreds of hippos, giant Nile Crocodiles, herds of buffalos, elephants, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, unique birds such as Piapiac, Shoebill, Rock Pratincole, Goliath heron, African jacana, African fish eagle, Pel’s fishing eagle, pied and malachite kingfishers, African skimmer, Saddle-billed stork and much more. After this incredibly exciting activity, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Paraa Safari Lodge – Safari Tents
Midrange/Standard: – Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Safari tents
Budget/Basic: – Red Chilli Rest Camp/Murchison River Lodge campsite/Shoebill campsite
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After an early breakfast at around 6.30 am, embark on an early in the morning after breakfast embark on the transfer to Kibale National Park 441km about 9 hours’ drive driving through rural landscapes of Hoima and Kagadi before approaching Kyenjojo in the evening. The lunch stop is made in Hoima and you arrive in Kibale in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Papaya Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Kibale Forest Camp
Budget/Basic: – Camping at Primate Lodge/Nkuruba Nature Reserve/Rwetera Safari Park
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wake up for breakfast at around 6.00 am. After breakfast, pack your lunch and transfer to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre to meet the expert local ranger guide. At around 8.00 am, the guide gives you a short briefing on the chimpanzee tracking experience as well as dos and don’ts. Top on the list: avoid getting too close. This is not only for your safety but also for the safety of Chimps as our diseases and virus can easily spread to them due to shared DNA.
After the briefing, you’re accompanied by the ranger guide into the forest to see Chimps in their natural habitat and marvel at how similar they are to humans. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale lasts 2-5 hours. Contact time with chimpanzees is limited to one hour; group size is limited to 6 visitors and participants must be aged 12 or over. As you track in the depth of the lush green forest, you’re surrounded by bird songs, colorful butterflies, and monkeys. Finally, you approach the chimps which have been fully habituated and thus offering you an opportunity to draw closer, watching them (from a safe but intimate distance of 8-10 meters), and take pictures.
Right after the encounter, you will embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park driving past the Rwenzori Mountains with impressive magical sights before arriving in Queen Elizabeth NP in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight
The highlight of the day: – Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
Luxury/Upmarket: – Mweya Safari Lodge – Luxury Safari Tents/Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Midrange/Standard: – Kasenyi Safari Camp/Bush Lodge – self-contained tents
Budget/Basic: – Bush Lodge – non -self-contained tents/Camping at Twin Lakes Campsite/Kazinga Channel View Resort
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy breakfast at 6.00 am and then embark on a 3-4 hours game drive in the classic savannah plains of the Kasenyi sector in search of Elephants, Buffalos, Lions, Leopards, Hyenas, Waterbucks, Bushbucks, Warthogs, Giant forest hogs, Uganda kobs, Hippos, and various smaller creatures. This section, apart from the great wildlife, is also one of the prettiest in the park, especially in the golden light of the morning.
While a major attraction for you is of course the mammals, birding within Queen Elizabeth is superb. You spend some time ticking a good number of special species including Grey-crowned crane, Red-throated spurfowl, Yellow-throated longclaw, White-backed vulture, White-headed vulture, Long-crested Eagle, Black-bellied bustard, African Skimmer, and Brown Snake Eagle, to name just a few. Return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch.
In the afternoon, drive to Mweya Jetty for another remarkable, unforgettable activity planned; the 2-hour boat trip on the 40 Kazinga channel which flows between Lakes George and Edward. One of the world’s densest concentrations of hippo lives here, as well as large numbers of elephants, crocodiles, and water birds like African Open-billed, Yellow-billed, and Saddle-billed Storks; Water Thick-knee and Pelicans. Retreat from the activity and do a game drive along the channel track as you connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Camping at Twin Lakes Campsite / Kazinga Channel View Resort
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Have your breakfast at 8.30 am and set off on a 4-7 hours’ drive south to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Before leaving Queen, enjoy a short game drive in the Ishasha Plains in search of the plain’s well know tree-climbing lions. After seeing these brilliantly adapted creatures, exit the park and travel through the rolling hills of southwestern Uganda as you make your way to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Despite its rather forbidding name, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a tropical forest wonderland. It has been declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecological significance. Covering 321 km², the rugged landscape features dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys, and steep ridges.
Bwindi is world-renowned for excellent gorilla trekking opportunities, harboring nearly half of the Mountain Gorillas on Earth. Aside from the majestic Mountain Gorillas, there are other drawcards including over 120 mammal species, 10 species of primates, over 350 species of bird to spot, 1000 species of flowing plants, and a variety of colorful butterflies.
Camping at Gorilla Mist Camp/Nshongi Camp/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 130-220km or 4-7 hours
Today, experience what some people define as a life-changing event: a meeting with the gentle giants of Bwindi of Impenetrable Forest! Wake up very early in the morning (at around 6.00 am). Have a hearty breakfast, pack your lunch and then embark on a short drive to the respective park headquarter where you meet the expert local ranger guides. At 8.00 am, the guides give an informative briefing on how the gorilla trekking experience is conducted.
After the briefing, embark on a trek to find the gorillas. A Gorilla trek in the dense forest of Bwindi is relatively difficult and needs some stamina. It usually takes 2- 6 hours and may reach altitudes of almost 2000m above sea level. The forest also can sometimes be wet, muddy, and uncomfortable, but the sheer thrill in coming across a habituated family group of gorillas, dominated by a giant male Silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty.
An adult male can weigh up to 220kg and reach 6 feet in height but gorillas are placid and gentle; watching their movements are like seeing a mirror image of yourself. Contact time with gorillas is limited to one hour but coming face to face with a family of mountain gorillas is indeed a life-changing experience that will be etched on your mind forever.
You retreat from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Gorilla Forest Camp/Nkuringo Gorilla Camp
Midrange/Standard: – Gorilla Mist Camp/Nkuringo Gorilla Camp/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Budget/Basic: – Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy your breakfast at 7.30 am and then embark on a drive to Bunyonyi. You pass through the fascinating Highlands of Kigezi where locals apply a terracing method to cultivate their slopes, making for an impressive and scenic landscape.
Lake Bunyonyi (meaning “place of many little birds”) is popular for its green and lush terraced islands that hold over 200 bird species. It is also a good spot for water activities like swimming, canoeing, and boat cruises.
Upon arrival, you embark on the wooden engine boat cruise exploring the calm waters of Bunyonyi – the second deepest in Africa intercepted by counts of 29 Islands some of which are inhabited.
You disembark your boat to explore some of the Islands and their communities including the Batwa populations with their rich heritage not forgetting the Bakiga natives. The traditions including the food preparation, dances and performances, and other stories make your encounter rewarding. Retreat to relax at the lodge for relaxation and overnight
The highlight of the day: – Cruising on the magical Lake Bunyonyi
Luxury/ Upmarket: – Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort
Mid-range/ Moderate: – Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort/Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: – Approx. 55-85 km or 1-3 hours
Have a relaxed breakfast today and then embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park 199km about 5 – 6 hours’ drive. You drive through impressive south western Uganda landscapes before making a stop at Igongo Cultural Center 12km past Mbarara town the largest in the sub-region for traditional lunch.
Proceed to Lake Mburo National Park and undertake a 2-3 hours evening game drive. Lake Mburo is home to 350 bird species as well as Plains Zebra, Impala, Common Eland, African Buffalo, Oribi, Defassa Waterbuck, Hippopotamus, Spotted Hyaena, Topi, Reedbuck, and Banded, Slender and Dwarf Mongoose.
Some of the avian gems of the park we will look for include the localized Red-faced Barbet, Rufous-bellied Heron, African Marsh Harrier, White-backed, Lappet-faced and White-headed Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, African Hawk-eagle, Bateleur, Coqui Francolin, Grey Crowned Crane, Black-bellied Bustard, Red-headed Lovebird, Ross’s Turaco, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Green Wood Hoopoe, Common Scimitarbill, White-headed Barbet, Nubian Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike, Long-tailed Cisticola, Yellow-breasted Apalis, White-winged Tit and African Finfoot. Retire overnight.
The highlight of the day: – The traditional lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Centre & evening game drive in Lake Mburo.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Mihingo Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Rwonyo Camp
Budget/Basic: – Camping at Eagles Nest
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy your breakfast at around 6.30 am and then team up with the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide at Rwonyo, setting off to the extensive savannah stretches of Lake Mburo National Park on foot gaining possible views of Burchell’s Zebra, Rothschild’s Giraffe, Cape Buffalos, Common Elands (the world’s second-largest antelope), Impalas (only found here in the whole of Uganda), Defassa waterbucks, Warthogs, and other wild games as the checklist of mammals reach 68 species. Also, look out for several of the park’s bird species.
Retreat from the 3-hour activity and embark on the drive to Kampala 240km about 4 hours’ drive. Make a stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for photo shoots and water experiments explaining the geographical divide between the north and southern hemispheres that may not be missed. It is also an impressive site for purchasing memorabilia to take back home as a remembrance of this safari in Uganda
The highlight of the day: – Walking among the wild mammals of Lake Mburo National Park and the Uganda Equator experience.
Accommodation:-
Luxury/Upmarket: – Serena Lake Victoria Resort/Protea Hotel Entebbe
Mid-range/Moderate: – 2 Friends Beach Hotel Entebbe/Lake Heights Hotel Entebbe
Budget/Basic: – Acacia Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: – Approx. 199km or 4 hours
End of the 10 Days Uganda Camping Safari Tour
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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