7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari − DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1 of the 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari: Drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park, Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Enroute.

At around 6.30am, after an early breakfast at a hotel in Kampala, we will embark on 311km (5hours) drive to Murchison Falls National Park. On your way, we will pay a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track the precious wild white Rhinos on foot (in company of an experienced ranger). Ziwa rhinos are very habituated, since they are protected by armed ranger 24/7, so it is often possible to approach them to within 30m. The sanctuary has a rhino population of 22 (and growing) and it is the only place in Uganda to see these members of the Big Five in the wild.

Aside from rhinos, there are around 20 other large mammal species, most conspicuously warthog, vervet monkey, bushbuck while an impressive checklist of 200-plus bird species include the shoebill, Giant Kingfisher, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Double-toothed Barbet, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill and Great Blue and Ross’s Turaco. After rhino tracking, we will settle for lunch at Kabalega dinners and then continue on the drive to Murchison Falls National Park Uganda arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Highlight of the day: – Tracking wild rhinos on foot in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Accommodation:-

 

Exclusive/Top-notch:- Bakers Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge

Upmarket/Luxury: – Paara Safari Lodge– Deluxe room

Moderate/Mid-range:- Fort Murchison Safari Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge

Basic/Budget: – Hornbill Safari Lodge

 

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive distance & time: – Approx. 375km or 7-8 hours

 

Activities & Services

• Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
• Tracking wild rhinos in Ziwa sanctuary

 

Day 2 of the 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari: Do Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Nile Launch Cruise & Hike to the Top of the fall.

After an early morning breakfast at around 6.30am, we will head to the northern section of Murchison Falls National Park for an exciting game drive. This 3,840km² park is the largest national park of Uganda, characterised by open savannah rolling combretum with patches of Borassus palms. The park also hosts over 76 mammal species including four of the iconic Big 5 gems (elephants, buffalos, lions, and leopards), large counts of Rothschild’s giraffes, primates and numerous antelopes plus much more. There are also over 451 bird species including the shoebill, the most eagerly sought of all African birds.

Several tracks have been designed to allow us explore the park in detail. The game drive will take 3-4 hours after which we will relax at the lodge up to lunchtime then gather at Paraa Jetty for a stunning boat cruise on the World’s longest river – The River Nile. The 3 hours boat cruise will take us to the bottom of the Murchison Falls (the most powerful waterfall) where animals like Buffaloes, Hippos, Crocodiles, Elephants and plenty of water birds can be viewed from the peaceful sailing boat.

The base of the fall is an awe-inspiring moment. We will equally take a hike to the captivating top of the fall for an awesome moment; watch and listen to the roar of the 50 meters wide Nile River as it squeezes itself through a 7 meter wide cleft in the rift valley escarpment before falling 45 meters below to what has been termed as the devil’s Cauldron forming a plume of spray marked by a thunderous roar and trademark rainbow. Here you will taste the spray on your face and feel the rock shake beneath your feet. Sheer sensory overload! After this exciting encounter, you will link up with the guide and the vehicle at the top of the falls and transfer to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Highlight of the day: – A stunning boat cruise on the Nile River to the bottom of Murchison Falls.

 

Accommodation:-

Exclusive: – Nile Safari Lodge/Bakers Lodge

Luxury: – Paara Safari Lodge– Deluxe room

Mid-range:- Pakuba Safari Lodge/Fort Murchison Safari Lodge

Budget: – Hornbill Safari Lodge

 

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner  

Activities & Services of the day:-

• Morning game drive
• Afternoon boat cruise along the Nile Rive
• Hike to the top of Murchison Falls

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day:-

• Bush Breakfast
• Sport fishing along the Nile delta
• Hot air balloon safari
• Night game drive
• Birding
• Chimpanzee tracking in the nearby Budongo forest
• Cultural visits

 

Day 3 of the 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari: Transfer From Murchison Falls National Park to Hoima & Visit the Kibiro Salt Gardens.

After breakfast at around 8: 00 am, we will embark on a drive to Hoima. On your way, we will undertake an adventurous steep short but hiking encounter to the Kibiro Salt Gardens that has supplied the local people in Bunyoro with salt for centuries. Indeed glass beads discovered here by archeologists indicate that salt was bartered here in the 13^th century and possibly earlier.

The salt gardeners of Kibiro employ a clever technique to obtain an unusually pure product. The gardens are actually patches of salty ground from which all grass and topsoil have been removed. These mineral rich depressions are saturated with water diverted in earthen channel from a searingly hot stream fed by a spring hidden deep within a cleft in the rift valley escarpment.

This already slightly salty water dissolves addition salts in the soil. Loose dry soil is then scattered across the ‘garden’ into, which over a week or so, the salty water is drawn up by capillary action. When the enriched earth changes colour, it is scraped into jars to be repeatedly leached by a further quantity of spring water. The result is a concentrated solution of 14% salt which is boiled off to produce crystals of 97.6% of pure sodium chloride. Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Hoima arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Highlight of the day: – Exploring the ancient Kibiro salt gardens.

Accommodation:–

• Hoima Cultural Lodge

 

Meal Plan:-Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive distance & time: – Approx. 120km or 4 hours

 

Activities & Services:-

• Transfer to Hoima
• Kibiro Salt Gardens visit

 

Day 4 of the 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari: Transfer from Hoima to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy Bigodi Swamp Walk Enroute.

After an early breakfast at around 7.00am, we will transfer from Hoima to Queen Elizabeth National Park driving through impressive rural landscapes of Kyenjojo and Kagadi before approaching Fort Portal town about 5 hours for early lunch and then proceed to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary which is about 6km from Kibale National Park for an exciting swamp walk. Bigodi swamp walk is an initiative of local community. It is an admirable example of conservation and tourism having a direct mutual benefit at grassroots level. This award winning programme is run by Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED) and all profits are used to support education-related and other project in Bigodi trading centre.

On this walk, you will see several of the 200 bird species in Bigodi including the Great blue turaco, Hairy-breasted barbet, Yellow-billed barbet, Double-toothed barbet, Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, and hornbills. You will also have a chance to spot primates such as red colobus, red-tailed, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. The swamp-dwelling sitatunga antelope might also be encountered.

A community walk can also be arranged on this tour which includes a visit to traditional healer and clan elders, as well as to a school, church and the local trading center. Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the Rwimi road to Kasese. Arrive at the lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Highlight of the day: – An exciting swamp walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Mazike Valley Safari Lodge

Mid-range/ Moderate: Marafiki Safari Lodge/Enganzi Game Lodge

Budget/ Basic: Bush Lodge/Pumba Safari Lodge

 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive distance & time: – Approx. 315km or 7-8 hours

 

Activities & Services of the day:-

• Morning Bigodi Swamp walk
• Afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
• Evening game drive

Other optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Night game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Cultural encounters

 

Day 5 of the 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari: Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise & Evening Game Drive.

After early morning Breakfast, we will drive to Kasenyi plains for morning game drive which will give you the best African safari experience. Queen Elizabeth National Park was founded in 1952 and named Kazinga National Park, but was renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II.

Situated on the equator, Queen is one of the world’s most biologically diverse parks, protecting a fabulously diverse landscape of tropical habitats: rolling grassland, moist acacia woodland, tropical rainforest, and a variety of wetland habitats including open waters and swampy shores of Lake Edward and George, the 40km-long Kazinga Channel that them and several fresh and saline crater lakes. This park has an impressive birdlist of over 600 species and 96 mammal species including the uncommon Tree-climbing lions, Savannah lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffalos, Hippos, Crocodiles, Chimpanzees and plenty of antelopes.

The game drive in Kasenyi sector will take 3-4 hours after which will connect to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, we will drive to Mweya Jetty for an afternoon boat cruise on the impressively scenic Kazinga Channel which starts at 2 pm. This wonderful boat cruise along this famous channel offers a chance to cruise just meters from hundred hippos, buffalos, elephants, crocodiles, along with numerous waterbirds such Great cormorant, pied kingfisher, African fish eagles, pelicans, Saddle bellied storks, Yellow-billed storks, White-billed storks, African jacanas and ducks. Retreat from the 2-hour activity and do a game drive along the channel track as you connect back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Highlight of the day: – A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Mweya Safari Lodge/ Mazike Valley Safari Lodge

Mid-range/Moderate: – Marafiki Safari Lodge/Enganzi Game Lodge

Budget/ Basic: – Bush Lodge/Pumba Safari Lodge

 

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services of the day:-

• Morning game drive in Kasenyi sector
• After boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
• Evening game drive along the channel track

Other optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Night game drive
• Lion tracking
• Birding
• Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge/Kalinzu Forest
• Cultural encounters

 

Day 6 of the 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari: Ishasha Game Drives in Search of the Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.

We will have breakfast at around 7.00am, then set off for  Lake Bunyonyi 289km about 7- 8 hours’ drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park−famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions.

The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Hoping you get the chance to spot them, the sight will be spectacular! Continue on the drive passing through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands to arrive at Lake Bunyonyi in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Highlight of the day: – Encountering the rare tree climbing lions of Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth Park.

Accommodation:-

Luxury/ Upmarket: – Birds nest @ Bunyonyi

Mid-range/ Moderate: – Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort

Budget/ Basic: – Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort

 

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive distance & time: – Approx. 289km or 7- 8 hours

 

Activities & Services of the day:-

• Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
• Ishasha game drive

 

Day 7 of the 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari: Do an Early Morning Lake Tour (Boat Cruise & Island Walk) & Transfer to Entebbe.

After an early morning breakfast, embark on the morning lake tour by taking a boat cruise exploring the impressive waters of Lake Bunyonyi Uganda noted as the second deepest in Africa, dotted with 29 iconic islands. We will take a walk on one of the main Islands  such as:- Bucuranuka (Upside down) Island which is believed to have buried a group of male revellers who refused to share their abundant stock of beer with an old lady who had embarked on a canoe to join them. Unfortunately for the drinking party, the woman was a sorceress. She returned to her canoe, paddled a safe distance away, and then used her magical powers to overturn the island-drowning everybody in the party-and then flip it back the right way up as if nothing had happened. You can also visit the Akampane (Punishment) Island where unmarried Bakiga girls who became pregnant would be exiled to starve to death.

Retreat from 2-hour activity and embark on the transfer to Kampala 437km about 7 hours’ drive driving through impressive countryside landscapes of south western Uganda making a traditional lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Center for typical African buffet and another stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for amazing photo shoots where one leg would be in the southern hemisphere and the other in the northern hemisphere. Arrive in Kampala/Entebbe in the afternoon to mark the end of the tour.

Highlight of the day: – Exploring by boat the magical lake Bunyonyi.

 

Meal Plan: – Breakfast & Lunch

Drive distance & time: – Approx. 437km or 7 hours

 

Activities & Services of the day:-

• Early morning boat cruise and island walk in Lake Bunyonyi
• Transfer to Entebbe
• Amazing photo shoots at Uganda equator

End of the 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari:

7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari: − INCLUSIONS

  Full time English professional safari driver guide

  4×4 safari van/ 4×4 Safari land cruiser with poop up roof for game viewing with functional A/C

  Full board accommodation

  Boat cruise fees

  Wi-Fi Internet on board the safari vehicle

  Bottled water

7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari: − EXCLUSIONS

  International &domestic flight fees

  Visa fees

  Laundry services

  Items of personal nature

  Gratuities and tips

  Other beverages/ drinks

  Other extras not mentioned in the itinerary above

7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari – PRICE PER PERSON 

Number of people against price per person

2 – $na pp

3 – $na pp

4 – $na pp

5 – $na pp

6 – $na pp

Links of related safari accommodation in the featured safari destinations

RELATED 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari: ITINERARIES  – Tour Packages

Gorilla Safaris Uganda

• – Gorilla Safari in Uganda 3 days
• – Bwindi Gorilla Safari & Wildlife 4 days
• – Gorillas & Wildlife Uganda Safari Tour 5 days
• – Primate Trekking Uganda Safari 6 days
• – Gorilla trekking Safari Tour 8 days
• – Rwanda Uganda Gorilla trekking Safari 8 days
• – Uganda Safari tour 9 days
• – 9 days Wilderness Camping Gorilla safari in Uganda
• – Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda & Chimps 10 days
• – Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Safari 11 Days
• – Uganda & Rwanda Safari 13 days
• – Birding & Gorilla trekking Uganda Safari 14 days

Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris In Uganda

• – Chimpanzee Trekking Uganda Safari-Kibale 3 days
• – Uganda Safari Tour-Chimpanzees & Wild Life 5 days
• – Primate Safari in Uganda 6 days
• -Chimps Trekking & Wildlife Safari in Uganda 6 days
• – Gorilla Trekking & Chimps Safari in Uganda 10 days

Wildlife Safaris In Uganda

• – Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari in Uganda 3 days
• – Murchison Falls National Park Uganda safari Tour 3 days
• – Kibale Forest National Park Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Uganda 3 days
• – Bwindi & Queen Elizabeth Uganda safari 4 days
• – Game Viewing Safari in Uganda 5 days
• – Murchison Falls & Kibale Uganda safari- 5 days
• – Chimpanzee trekking & Wildlife safari in Uganda 6 days
• – Wildlife Tour in Uganda 8 days
• – Enjoy Agro Safaris in Uganda
• – Mountain Elgon Hiking Uganda Tour -8 days
• – Rwenzori Mountain Hiking safari in Uganda 9 days
• – Wildlife Camping Safari in Uganda 14 days
• – Birding Safari in Uganda 7 days
• – Birding Africa Safari in Uganda 21 days

Luxury Uganda Safaris

• – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Safari Trek in Uganda 3 days
• – Queen Elizabeth Uganda Safari 3 days
• – 3 days Murchison Falls Park
• – Chimpanzee trekking Safari in Uganda 5 days
• – Gorilla Tracking safaris in Uganda 6 days
• – Chimps & Wildlife Safari in Uganda 6 day

Short Safaris in Uganda

• – Bwindi Gorilla Tracking Safari in Uganda 3 days
• – Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda Kibale-3 days
• – Gorilla Trekking safari & Wildlife in Uganda 5 days
• – Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Uganda- 5 days
• – Uganda Primate Safari 6 days
• – Chimpanzee Tracking & Wildlife safari in Uganda 6 days

Long Safaris in Uganda

• – Uganda Rwanda Gorilla trekking Safari 8 days
• – Wildlife Safari in Uganda 8 days
• – Wildlife & Primates trekking Uganda Safari 9 days
• – Wilderness Camp Safari 9 days
• – Uganda Safari to Gorillas & Chimpanzee trekking- 10 days
• – Uganda & Rwanda Gorilla safari- 13 days
• – Birding Watching Safari in Uganda- 14 days
• – Uganda Birding Watching Safari -21 days

Day Tours in Uganda

• – Kampala City Tour
• – Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Day Tour
• – Entebbe City Short Tour
• – Jinja Source of the Nile Tour
• – White Water Rafting
• – Uganda Short Safari to Lake Mburo NP
• – Sipi Falls safari in Uganda
• – Mabamba Swamp Birding Excursion

Fishing Safaris In Uganda

• – 1 Days Fishing trip to Lake Victoria in Uganda
• – 1 Day Jinja Fishing Tour in Uganda
• – 3 Days Uganda Fishing & Wildlife Safari
• – 4 Days Luxury Fishing and Wildlife safari in Uganda
• – 5 Days Uganda Fishing Safari to Lake Victoria and Ssese Islands
• – 7 Days Luxury Fishing Safari in Uganda
• – Fishing Safari to Lake Victoria, Ssese Islands & Murchison Falls NP
• – 9 Days Nile Perch Fishing Safari in Uganda

Cultural Safaris

• – 3 Days Short Cultural tour in Uganda
• – 7 Days Culture Safari in Uganda with Gorilla trekking
• 8 Days Uganda Cultural Tour
• – 20 Days Grand Cultural Tour in Uganda

7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari – GORILLA TREKKING TIPS

•   Mountain gorillas sometimes nest far from the start of your gorilla trek, you should ready yourself for a long walk and drink plenty of water.
•    Eating, drinking and smoking near the gorillas is forbidden – designated time and place will be communicated.
•    Smoking while inside the forest is strictly forbidden
•    Bwindi being a tropical forest, it can rain anytime so we encourage you to carry a rain poncho
•    Waterproof walking shoes or hiking boots are essential.
•    Gardening gloves for protection against stinging plants
•    Long trousers and long-sleeved sweaters or shirts while in the forest to avoid insect stings.
•    Photography is permitted, although you must not use flash
•    Porters are available to help you carry your day pack for a small charge
•    As you prepare to come for your Uganda gorilla adventure, please do some exercises so that you prepare your body for gorilla trekking which can last between 3-8 hours
•    In case you can’t walk for a very long time, you shouldn’t really worry about not being able to do gorilla trekking because there are potters who can carry you throughout at a small extra cost.
•    Carry your sunscreen lotion to keep your skin safe from the tropical heat & sun rays
•    When you get to the gorillas, don’t make noise because this agitates the gorillas
•    For more information about gorilla trekking tips please follow these links to read more about gorilla trekking tips and advice.

At Prime Safaris and Tours Ltd, your safety is our utmost priority. We have thus undertaken the necessary safety measures in compliance with the approved Standard Operating Procedures by the Governments of ALL African countries in which we operate with a goal of protecting our customers while travelling and on their Africa safari. The following guidelines will be applicable for your  Safari in Uganda, Rwanda, Congo and other African Countries.