Arrival Entebbe Airport - meet and greet by your driver guide, road transfer to your hotel
Transit time: Approx. 15 mins, 7 kms
After breakfast we depart by road to Murchison Falls, with a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is the proud home of the only white rhinos in Uganda. Located in Nakasongola district, not only can you find rhinos, but a wide variety of bird species and other wildlife. The Rhino Re-introduction Project was a joint project between Rhino Fund Uganda and the Roy family. Six southern white rhinos were introduced to Ziwa back in 2006. But, since then we have had many successful births, bringing our number to 42. Whilst rhino trekking at Ziwa, you will enter the territory of the southern white rhinos on foot. Our well-trained rangers will guide you through the bush to wherever the rhinos are at the time. This adventure will give you the opportunity to watch these endangered, magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. All the rhinos at Ziwa are free to move around the 27 square miles within the ranch. Therefore, it is often necessary to drive to the areas where the rhinos are, before continuing the trek on foot.
After lunch proceed to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s biggest National Park
Transit time: Approx. 6 hours, 364 km
After an early breakfast, depart for our Big 4 game drive - drive across savannah, Borassus Palm Forest and grassland down to Lake Albert where the Albert Nile heads north. Drive in the open African savannah in search for Lions, Leopard, Hyena, Buffalo, Elephant, Jackson Hartebeest. Oribi, Waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, and enjoy spotting various Bird species such as the Secretary Bird, Black Chested Snake Eagle, Tawny and Marshal Eagles Carmine and Swallow-Tailed Bee-Eaters, and many more.
In the afternoon, join a boat ride up the Nile River, to Murchison falls, enjoy these spectacular falls by hiking to the top of the falls where the Nile squeezes through a 7meter gap and at the bottom you will see Huge Nile Crocodiles basking in the sun.
After breakfast, we will embark on a memorable boat ride to the Nile Delta, where the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert. This area offers abundant wildlife and bird-watching opportunities, including a chance to spot the rare shoebill.
Following this, you will enjoy a bush breakfast on the banks of the Nile. Later, a game drive takes you across the beautiful African savannah, palm forest and grasslands down to Lake Albert. You will have the opportunity to spot lions, leopards, hyenas, buffalos, elephants, Jackson’s hartebeests, oribi, waterbucks, Ugandan kobs and a variety of bird species.
In the afternoon, you will visit the top of the falls, marvel at the impressive falls where the river narrows through a 7-meter gap, and below, you might spot large Nile crocodiles basking in the sun
Return to the lodge
Breakfast
If taking optional flight (recommended) - depart for Pakuba airstrip for your flight to Fort Portal Kibale National Park (Kasese airstrip)
Check into Chimpundu Lodge - you can choose to do one of the optional activities at the lodge like visiting one of the local communities and getting to learn about their different lifestyles or take a crater lakes walk or visit one of the Tea farms. (additional cost)
- Transit time: Approx. 2 hours Kasese airstrip - Lodge
- Flight time: 1 hour
Alternatively transfer time by road is approximately 8 hours plus stops
Today we will track the most famous inhabitants of Kibale National Park, the chimpanzees. With over 1,450 individuals protected within the park, Kibale forest is home to the largest number of the endangered chimpanzees in Uganda, as well as the threatened red colobus monkey and the rare Lhotse’s monkey. The forest has one of the highest diversity and density of primates in Africa totaling 13 species including the black and white colobus, blue monkey and grey-cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkey, bush babies and pottos.
In the afternoon, join a cultural walk and experience the Bigodi swamp area. Explore the atmospheric village of Bigodi accompanied by one of the field-guides. The walk will take up to 3 to 4 hours depending on the pace of the group. You will visit a traditional healer who will share his knowledge about spirits, herbs, plants and local medicines. Then proceed to the homes of elderly men and women who tell interesting stories about birth, marriage, ceremonies, clans and their traditional life. Learn more about the history and issues that they face as a developing community of rural Uganda. Along the way, you will also visit Bigodi’s trading center, a hub of rural life and activity.
Return to the lodge
After breakfast we will drive today to the world-famous Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing the equator along the way. Named after her Majesty the Queen of England, it is Uganda's most popular and most scenic game reserves. It stretches from the crater-dotted foothills of the Rwenzori range in the north along the shores of Lake Edward to the remote Ishasha River in the south, incorporating a wide variety of habitats that range from savanna and wetlands and lowland forest. Enjoy an evening game drive in the park.
Transit time: Approx. 2-3 hours, 120 km
Early Morning Game Drive
There are over 100 mammal species in the park that include Lions, Hippos, Buffaloes, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Elephants and the elusive Giant Forest Hog. The Primates include Chimps, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Blue, Black faced Red Colobus, and Red tailed monkeys and Olive Baboons.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Kazinga Channel. Queen Elizabeth boasts one of the highest bio diversity ratings of any game park, from the open Savannah to Rain Forest, dense Papyrus Swamps and Crater Lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward .
After breakfast, we head out early morning for Lion (Predator) tracking in the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, led by a lion researcher. Here you will a chance to observe lions up close and learn about their biology, habitats and threats. You will also see other game; the park hosts over 100 mammal species, including hippos, buffaloes, leopards, spotted hyenas, elephants and the elusive giant forest hogs.
In the afternoon, have a game drive in the park or spend the afternoon at leisure.
After breakfast depart for Bwindi National park - on your way you will have a chance to have a game drive in Ishasha Sector where the tree climbing lions are found. You will have lunch at
Ishasha Wilderness Camp and then continue to the home of the mountain Gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is best known for gorilla Tracking, but it also provides refuge to elephants, chimpanzees, monkeys and various small antelopes, as well as 23 bird species restricted to the Albertine.
Transit time: Approx. 2.5 hours, 119 km
GORILLA TREKKING!
This morning you will get up very early for gorilla trekking. Trekking the Mountain Gorilla is one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. The trek will take between 2 and 6 hours, but is well worth the effort. You will be led by an experienced ranger who will tell you interesting facts about flora and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas.
Return to the lodge to freshen up and enjoy your last evening in Uganda! Visit the local village and we highly recommend visiting the Charity Organisation - Ride for a Women
Sadly, our incredible time together has come to an end. After breakfast, transfer to Kihihi Airstrip for your flight to Entebbe airport to meet your flight home or wherever your next adventure may take you!
- Transit Time: 1.5 hrs drive from the lodge to the Airstrip
- Flight: 09:45 – 11:25
