Transitioning from the dense forests to the enchanting bamboo groves of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, golden monkey tracking unveils a mesmerizing world of playful antics and vibrant colors, as travelers witness these endangered primates in their mountainous sanctuary. Amidst the captivating primate encounters, the 10 Days Best of Uganda safari unfolds like a mesmerizing tapestry of wildlife wonders, with game drives through the iconic savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park offering glimpses of Africa’s famed Big Five and a myriad of other species, from graceful giraffes to majestic elephants.
Each day of this Uganda tour is a symphony of sights and sounds, with sunsets painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson as travelers gather around campfires to share tales of the day’s adventures. From the misty mountains to the vast plains, the 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari is a testament to the country’s unparalleled biodiversity and natural splendor, leaving travelers with cherished memories and a profound appreciation for the wonders of the Ugandan wilderness.
Kibale Forest National Park, situated in Western Uganda, is famous for its high density of primates, breathtaking crater lakes, and thick, beautiful jungle. Thirteen primate species inhabit the beautiful tropical forest, including red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red colobus, and black and white colobus monkeys. Visitors may spot some of the 300 bird species and 250 butterfly species, and buffalo, forest elephants, leopards, bushbucks, and sitatungas also live in the park but are generally shy. The area is decorated by around 50 enthralling crater lakes and numerous pristine hiking trails. Several cultural tours are on offer which delve into the rich traditions of the Batoro people, giving travellers a chance to see Batoro dancing, singing and traditional healing up close.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a community development enterprise located on the fringe of Kibale National Park where guided 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari is conducted along a path through the wetland at time along boardwalk trail. Bigodi is a birder’s paradise with 138 bird species having been identified there including the crowd please Great Blue Turaco. The sanctuary is also home to 8 primate species including the black and white colobus, red colobus, mangabey, red tail, vervet, and L’Hoest.
- Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
- Activity: Scenic Drive to Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi Wetland Walk
- Accommodation: Turaco Treetops (Mid-Range), Kyaninga Lodge (Up Market)
- Meal Plan: Lunch, Diner, Drinking Water
Located in southwestern Uganda, the Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the county’s most popular parks. Volcanic craters, grassy plains, tropical forest and giant lakes connected by a channel inhabited by abundant hippos, are what you will see at the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park has almost 100 types of mammals and 606 different bird species, including the peculiar shoebill.
The 40-kilometre-long Kasinga Channel alone is said to contain the world’s largest concentration of hippos, and a guided boat trip here is a popular way to see the wildlife. Other species to spot include buffalo, the rare aquatic sitatunga antelope, giant forest hog, Uganda kob, Defassa waterbuck and elephant. Don’t miss the chance to explore the dramatic Kyambura Gorge, is home to habituated chimpanzees.
The Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth takes place in the open grasslands of Kasenyi in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is a primary game viewing area due to the variety of wildlife which includes antelopes, elephants, buffalos, and lions. Visitors will be accompanied by an experienced 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari guide able to track down these animals.
- Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Activity: Chimpanzee Tracking & Scenic Drive to Queen Elizabeth
- Accommodation: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge (Mid-Range), Mweya Safari Lodge (Up Market)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner, Drinking Water
The Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth takes place in the open grasslands of Kasenyi in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is a primary game viewing area due to the variety of wildlife which includes antelopes, elephants, buffalos, and lions. Visitors will be accompanied by an experienced 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari guide able to track down these animals.
- Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Activity: Scenic Game Drives, Boat Cruise and Culture in Queen Elizabeth
- Accommodation: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge (Mid-Range), Mweya Safari Lodge (Up Market)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner, Drinking Water
Located in southwestern Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is said to be Africa’s oldest rainforest. It is world-renowned for its excellent gorilla-sighting opportunities – the forest is home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas on earth. This gorilla experience takes place among a rugged landscape of dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys, and steep ridges. The untouched forest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecological significance, and aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are other drawcards such as a network of forest walks, over 340 species of bird to spot, and a variety of brightly-coloured butterflies to identify. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes, three of which are still active.
- Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Activity: Adventure Tree Climbing Lions & Scenic Drive to Bwindi Forest
- Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp (Mid-Range), Kiho Gorilla Lodge (Up Market)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner, Drinking Water
Wake early for a hearty breakfast to give you the energy needed for gorilla trekking. Before 8:00 am, report to the ranger station for registration and a talk by one of the rangers. The 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari guide will then take you through the bush, pushing your way through the undergrowth, to track the gorillas. (Please note this trek can take from 30 minutes to 5-6 hours). A reasonable degree of fitness is required, as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes. Sit in the forest among the gorillas, listening to them ‘talk’ to one another, and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male, the Silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas. It’s amazing to think there are only about 650 of these beautiful creatures left.
Batwa Cultural Village
The Batwa Cultural village is where the Batwa (Pigmies) still live in the same way they used to years ago in tree houses. The Batwa only began leaving their forest homes around 15 years ago and they have been able to remain on this land thanks to the support of a generous American benefactor who donated the land back to them and created a cultural program. The fees from visiting tourists and are given to the Batwa project and they delight in welcoming visitors to their village and demonstrating how they make weapons, dance, make fires using sticks and cook.
- Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Activity: Enjoy Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp (Mid-Range), Kiho Gorilla Lodge (Up Market)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner, Drinking Water
Situated in Uganda, Lake Mutanda is a small freshwater lake sandwiched between the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the Virunga Mountains. Set against a misty mountain backdrop, the picturesque lake is dotted with islands, and the surrounding landscape is scattered with wetland ecosystems and lakeside forests stretching up the mountain slopes which provide a safe habitat for the endangered mountain gorilla. Visitors can look forward to gorilla tracking, bird watching, lake lounging, volcano hiking, and paddling in a traditional dugout canoe.
- Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Activity: Enjoy Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Accommodation: Lake Mutanda Resort (Mid-Range), Kiho Gorilla Lodge (Up Market)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner, Drinking Water
With only a small number remaining in the world, the Golden Monkey can be found in the foothills of the volcanic mountains of Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Characterised by its bright golden body, cheeks and tail, with contrasting black limbs, crown and tail end, these playful primates are a pleasure to watch. Whether you choose to do this on the Rwandan or Ugandan side, the walk will take you from the bamboo stands and forested gorge on the lower levels of the volcanoes to the elevated heath and moorland higher up.
- Destination: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Activity: Enjoy Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Accommodation: Lake Mutanda Resort (Mid-Range), Kiho Gorilla Lodge (Up Market)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner, Drinking Water
Situated in the southwestern region of Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park is an easily accessible, compact little gem. Renowned for its impressive biodiversity, Lake Mburo National Park shelters almost seventy mammal species and over 300 avian species in its forests, swamps and grasslands. This spectacular landscape features open plains of savanna interrupted by rocky ridges, forested gorges and lush dense woodland. Crocodiles, hippos and a myriad of water birds are found in and around the five lakes, of which Lake Mburo is the largest. Other commonly spotted wildlife include: impala, oribi, eland, zebra, buffalo, Defassa waterbuck, leopard, hyena, hippo and reedbuck.
- Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
- Activity: Enjoy Scenic Drive from Kisoro to Lake Mburo National Park
- Accommodation: Mpogo Safari Lodge (Mid-Range), Rwakobo Rock Lodge (Up Market)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner, Drinking Water
Unusually, the whole park is open to walkers as long as they are accompanied by a ranger 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari guide. At Rwonyo, a guided walk leads to a salt lick where many animals are attracted to the salty rocks. Walks on the western side of the lake begin in the morning, making it easier to encounter hyenas returning to their dens and hippos retreating to the lake. Hikes through the woodland provide an opportunity to sight forest birds and mammals, while the walk to the top of the hill rewards visitors with a spectacular view of 9 of the region’s 14 lakes.
- Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
- Activity: Enjoy Game Drives and Boat Cruise in Lake Mburo
- Accommodation: Mpogo Safari Lodge (Mid-Range), Rwakobo Rock Lodge (Up Market)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner, Drinking Water
As the sun sets on the final day of the 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari, travelers find themselves immersed in a tapestry of unforgettable experiences and memories. From the lush jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where encounters with majestic mountain gorillas left hearts pounding with excitement, to the serene waters of the Nile River, where the rhythmic splash of hippos provided a soothing soundtrack to the journey, every moment has been a testament to Uganda’s natural wonders.
As the group gathers around a crackling campfire under the vast African sky, sharing stories of encounters with lions, elephants, and elusive leopards, there’s a palpable sense of gratitude for the unparalleled beauty and diversity of Uganda’s wilderness. With cameras filled with snapshots of breathtaking landscapes and hearts brimming with the joy of adventure, the travelers bid farewell to this remarkable journey, carrying with them memories that will last a lifetime.
- Destination: Entebbe Airport
- Activity: Scenic Drive to Entebbe Airport via Equator Crossing in Kayabwe
- Accommodation: No Accommodation
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Drinking Water
Cost Includes
- Airport transfers.
- Transportation by a 4WD safari land cruiser
- Accommodation and meals are as per the itinerary.
- All boat trips.
- One Gorilla Trekking Experience permit per person is to be secured and paid for in advance US$ 800.00.
- Park fees.
- Bigodi Wetland walk
- Kibale Chimpanzee permit US$ 250.00
- Community visits.
- Services of English-speaking 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari driver/guide.
- Enroute lunches.
- All Game drives.
- All Boat trips.
- Batwa Cultural Experience.
- Golden Monkey trek permit
- Canoeing on Lake Mutanda
- Bush walk Lake Mburo
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
- All government taxes.
- Our assistance
Cost Excludes
- Other drinks.
- Tips to local guides.
- Telephone expenses.
- Porter fees while trekking Gorillas and chimpanzees.
- Personal insurance.
