Safari Overview
The 10 Days Uganda magical safari takes you on a captivating wildlife and primate experience. Booking this extensive Uganda safari provides you with a unique opportunity to witness chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, and the Big 5 game. Expect to visit up to 4 premier National Parks in Uganda, with 2 offering exceptional game drive and boat cruise that is Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. The primate safari destinations you should be prepared to visit include Bwindi and Kibale, where you will experience the best of gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking, respectively.
Your magical Uganda safari also encompasses rhino tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary lies in Nakasongola district, the same route that connects to Murchison Falls National Park. This trip plan is generally flexible in that it can be customized to fit your travel desires.
The Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive & transfer to the hotel (Entebbe town)
Expect to find your driver guide already at the Entebbe International Airport. After you have cleared with the airport authority, expect to exit the airport and connect to your hotel in Entebbe town. Our safari expert will be present to walk you through the 10-day Uganda safari itinerary, and later, you can have dinner.
Day 2: Entebbe to Murchison, experience a rhino trek en route
Get up early to have a yummy breakfast at the hotel, and after that, your driver guide will be present at the hotel grounds to pick you up. Leave Entebbe early and enjoy the 6-7 hours’ drive to Murchison without missing the en route visit to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The rhino trekking session will involve winding through the savanna plains, and it comes with sightings of not only rhinos but also many other animals. From Ziwa, transfer to Masindi town to settle for lunch in one of the hotels or restaurants. From Masindi, expect easy connectivity to the Southern gate of Murchison Falls National Park.
Day 3: Early morning game drive & scheduled/private boat cruise
Early morning in Murchison today will involve embarking on a game drive. A guided game drive through the Northern game tracks promises you great sightings ranging from giraffes, lions, buffaloes, leopards, and many antelopes like oribis.
Day 4: Leave Murchison for Kibale, western Uganda circuit
It is time to exit the Northwestern circuit for Kibale National Park in the far Western part. A road trip from Murchison to Kibale will run for about 7-8 hours, and as you pass the Hoima area, you will have breathtaking views of the countryside, rift valley escarpments & homesteads. Arrive at Fort Portal early so you can have a lunch break, and after, continue to the lodge near or inside Kibale within about a 30-minute drive.
Day 5: Chimp trekking + Bigodi guided walk
A treat to a delicious breakfast will begin your day and then you can proceed for orientation, which involves clearing with Uganda Wildlife Authority staff on ground. You will be directed to the briefing room in Kanyanchu and expect to get insights about rules or regulations that have been designed to protect chimps & humans. The actual journey to find chimpanzees will be expected to start at around 8:00 am, and you will enjoy 2-4 hours in the jungle. A maximum of one hour will be availed for you to have a chance to observe at a close range these apes.
Walk back, and our driver guide will be present to return you to your lodges for a lunch break session. Proceed to the Bigodi wetland, an excellent spot to explore more about eco-tourism practices.
Day 6: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth –experience the Kazinga boat cruise
Join the experts from Queen Elizabeth National Park for a quick briefing and later, board the boat for your memorable experience on the Kazinga channel. Expect to have 2-3 hours on Kazinga channel and several species await for you to sight, but focus on aquatic life. After the Kazinga boat cruise experience, get back to enjoy the rest of your time at the lodge.
Day 7: Game drives (Kasenyi & Ishasha) & drive to Bwindi
A hefty breakfast will be enjoyed, and then you will continue to the Kasenyi track. Today, you will focus on exploring the wonders in the Northern circuit of Queen Elizabeth National Park, including hippos, crocodiles, and antelopes. Retreat from the Northern track and have an early lunch at the lodge, or carry it packed. Continue towards the Southern end to indulge in a quick game drive and be attentive as you search for the tree-climbing lions. From the Southern end of Queen, you will make your final journey to the lodge in or around Buhoma.
Day 8: Gorilla trekking + Batwa experience
Following a sumptuous breakfast, continue to Bwindi park offices and carry with you some lunch and adequate drinking water. At the briefing center, you will also get the gorilla family to visit and the ranger guide to escort you. Gorilla trekking session today may extend for about 2-6 hours, which includes one hour of a face-to-face moment.
Visit the Batwa pygmy community or village so that you get a chance to learn more about the original traditions, practices, and cultural practices of the Batwa pygmies. Get back and relax in your luxurious accommodation.
Day 9: Bwindi- Lake Bunyonyi, motor/speed boat cruise
After a delicious breakfast, leave Bwindi for Lake Bunyonyi. Arrive early so you can check in at the lodges and have lunch. Late in the afternoon, you can proceed with the boat cruise experience. A boat ride on this lake involves visiting one of the islands, which totals up to 29.
Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi to Entebbe with an en route stop at Kayabwe
Enjoy a heavy breakfast and be prepared to exit Lake Bunyonyi. Return to Entebbe, and en route, you still have multiple places to visit, including the Kayabwe Equator crossing.
End of Magical Uganda Safari.