8 Days Uganda Big 5 wildlife safari with Mabamba Shoebill, chimpanzee tracking and Gorilla Trekking experience

8 Days Uganda Big 5 wildlife safari with Mabamba Shoebill, chimpanzee tracking and Gorilla Trekking experience

Day by Day itinerary

Day 1: Shoe bill experience in Mabamba Swamp

You will be picked up at 7am or earlier depending on where you are staying in Entebbe or Kampala. Drive to Nakiwongo landing site for a boat transfer to Mabamba in Buwaya which is about 1 hour, longer if we go birding along the way, Where Cultivations, gardens, marshes and bushlands that we drive past can provide some good bird sightings.

On arrival our boat man and site guide shall be waiting, we will immediately get into the motorized wooden boats/canoes and begin exploring the water channels to find the Shoebill as first priority. The search may not last an hour before finding the Shoebill. Local fishermen who go out at dusk may help provide information if they spotted the Shoebill.

Early morning is the best time to look for the Shoebill because at this time it is hunting for the lungfish. It hunts by standing still in one place for long periods waiting for fish to cross so it catches it with its big powerful shoe-shaped beak! This way the Shoebill gives great display/views as you can get within a couple of meters of it and it won’t mind as its attention is focused on getting fish.

After spending time with the Shoebill we may proceed to explore different water channels and tick off several wetland species for an hours time or less.

Then return to the landing site to embark on a transfer to the next destination or your hotel in Entebbe

 Day 2: Transfer from Entebbe to Murchison falls National Park Via Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.

Your 7 days Uganda Big 5 safari and gorilla trekking experience will begin with our guide picking you up from the Airport or your hotel in Entebbe and transfer to Murchison falls national park via Kampala-Luwero-Masindi route with a stop at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to track Rhinos.

There after proceed to Murchison falls national park for an evening game drive depending on time of arrival in Murchison falls national park.

Travel time: 6-7 hours

Dinner and Over night:

Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Red Chilli, Hornbill Bush lodge, Gipir and Labong lodge

Moderate: Ikorom Safari Lodge

Luxury: Tilenga safari lodge, Sambiya River Lodge

Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner.

 Day 3: Early morning game drive, afternoon boat cruise on the Nile and top of the falls hike.

Have breakfast by 6am and thereafter proceed to the wilderness in search of the early morning raisers, the morning game drive starts at about 6:30am,   look out for animals such as; the giraffes, lions, hyenas, water bucks, elephants, buffalos, antelopes- many species of birds such as; egrets, ibis, shoebill stock, marabou stock, king fisher, egrets to mention but a few. As you have your game drive, you may relax and have a picnic on the river bank as you listen to the groans of the Hippos.

After the game drive, you will transfer to the lodge and enjoy your lunch either way you may take packed lunch with as you prepare to have an afternoon boat cruise on the Nile River. This cruise is spectacular as it allows you to get up close to the aquatic animals such as; the hippos, crocodiles, water bucks, buffalos, elephants etc. Among the birds commonly sited on the boat cruise include the goliath heron, king fisher, weaver birds, bee eater, cattle egrets and the beautiful scenery along the bank. At the bottom of the falls, you will trek to the top of the falls or choose to take photos at the rocks below the falls.

Dinner and Over night:

Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Red Chilli, Hornbill Bush lodge, Gipir and Labong lodge

Moderate: Ikorom Safari Lodge

Luxury: Tilenga safari lodge, Sambiya River Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park

Check out of your accommodation in Murchison falls national park and transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park

The drive from Murchison falls national park to Queen Elizabeth national park takes 7-9 hours

Dinner and Over night:

 Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Enshama Lodge, Kazinga wilderness lodge, Pumba safari cottages, Bush lodge (tents)

Mid-range: Ihamba Lakeside safari Lodge, Kikorongo Safari lodge, Bush lodge, Simba safari camp

Luxury: Elephant hab lodge, Buffalo safari Lodge,

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 5:  Morning chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge, afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise and evening game drive

You will wake up at 6:30 and have breakfast by 7:00am. And transfer to Kyambura gorge for briefing as you prepare for chimpanzee trekking.

Join other visitors and start the walk down the gorge in search of chimpanzees. Chimpanzee tracking takes 1-4 hours and you spend an hour with the chimpanzees.

Return to Kazinga channel for lunch or an afternoon 2 hours boat cruise to see various wild animals by the water.

After lunch, you will be transferred to Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park for a late afternoon game drive. During the game drive, you will drive via the various channel tracks in search of Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Leopards, antelopes and several bird life.

You shall also have a view of the salt mining lakes within Queen Elizabeth as you relax and stretch. You will then be transferred to your Lodge for your Lunch. In the afternoon you will go on a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel where you will spot various bird life and wild life.

You will later return to the lodge for the evening relaxation, dinner and an overnight.

Dinner and Over night:

 Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Enshama Lodge, Kazinga wilderness lodge, Pumba safari cottages, Bush lodge (tents)

Mid-range: Ihamba Lakeside safari Lodge, Kikorongo Safari lodge, Bush lodge, Simba safari camp

Luxury: Elephant hab lodge, Buffalo safari Lodge,

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

 Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Early morning, your drive guide will pick you and drive you through Queen Elizabeth national park to the country side down to the south in Kisoro. Arrive in the late afternoon and check in your accommodation.

 Accommodation Options (full board):

 Budget: Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp / Karungi camps/ Buhoma community Rest camp/ Bwindi Guesthouse /

Mid range: Rushaga gorilla lodge, Bweza lodge, Bakiga Lodge

Luxury: Engagi Lodge, Ichumbi Lodge, Lake Mulehe safari Lodge

 Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

 Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Batwa community visit

You will have an early morning breakfast and thereafter be transferred by your driver guide to the park headquarters where park rangers will brief you about the regulations for gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park and also you will be divided into a group of 8 visitors. You will be led by a ranger to start trekking of these gentle giants. After you encounter these gentle giants, you are allowed to spend an hour with these magnificent mountain gorillas close up in their natural habitat. Principally hikers will love the trek in the beautiful ecosystem of the park. But overall, this will be a unique and unforgettable experience! After the gorilla trek, you will be given a certificate for succeeding a gorilla trek in Uganda/bwindi then transfer back to your lodge.

You will have an afternoon Batwa community visit to experience the forest life of the Batwa (Pygmy people).

Accommodation Options (full board):

Budget: Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp / Karungi camps/ Buhoma community Rest camp/ Bwindi Guesthouse /

Mid range: Rushaga gorilla lodge, Bweza lodge, Bakiga Lodge

Luxury: Ichumbi Lodge, Lake Mulehe safari Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 8: Transfer to Entebbe for departure

Check out of your accommodation in Bwindi forestr and get ready to transfer through the misty hills of southern Uganda back to Entebbe for your departure flight or for an overnight.

The transfer from Bwindi forest to Entebbe takes 8-9 hours depending on the traffic.

 END OF SAFARI