OVER VIEW OF THE TRIP:
6 days safari in Murchison Falls, Bwindi and Kibale National Park takes you to arguably the best destination in Uganda. Prepare to see the Chimpanzees, Gorillas and all the big five mammals. A little about the game parks. The Murchison falls National Game Park is the largest wildlife conservation area in Uganda. The river Nile divides the park into two leaving behind the famous Murchison and Karuma falls. 76 species of mammals and about 450 of birds can be found in the park.
Kibale National Park on the other hand is referred to as the primate’s capital of the world. It is the best place to spot Chimpanzees anywhere. The chances of seeing chimps are almost 100%. While tracking chimps, you are bound to encounter over
7 other species of primates such as buffalos, elephants, forest hogs and the occasional lion. Some of the most enchanting crater lakes and birding spots are found in Kibale National park.
Uganda is a host to half of the remaining population of Mountain Gorillas in the wild.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has most of the primates and arguably the best place to go and see Gorillas.
DAY BY DAY ACTIVITIES:
Day1: Pick-up and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
The driver from Muganzi Safaris will pick you up from your hotel or at the airport, start the journey to Murchison falls national park. You will have a stopover at Masindi for lunch and then proceed to the national park. On reaching there, you will be taken to view the amazing famous Murchison falls. Watch as the Nile river squeezes through a narrow gorge before pouring its water downstream in a thunderous roar. After this experience, the driver will lead you to the hotel/lodge for refreshment and relaxation as you wait for dinner.
Day2: Morning Game Drive and afternoon Boat Cruise
Wake up early and take breakfast as you wait for the guide to take you for the morning game drive to see animal going out for the day and others retreating to their dens after a busy night of hunting.
Murchison Falls National Park has an amazing collection of wild. Expect to see, lions, buffaloes, hyenas, giraffes, elephants, water bucks and many others. There are more rockslide giraffes here than any other national park in east Africa.
Once you finish up the driver/guide will take you back to the lodge for lunch before going for the afternoon boat cruise on the river Nile. The boat cruise starts at the lower stream and ends at the very foot of the Murchison Falls. While here you will be amazed by the sheer beauty of the area, the animals and the mighty water fall, expect to see crocodile, hippos, buffaloes, water bucks and elephants drinking and bathing the river banks.
Later you will drive back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day3: Transfer to Kibale National Park.
You will wake up at your leisure to begin along but fascinating journey through Uganda’s country side. The journey takes you through several towns and major trading centers where you will be able to experience life in Uganda’s rural areas. Prepare to drive past schools, country homes, markets, major tea/banana plantations, cattle farms, rivers, lakes and much more. You will reach your hotel towards evening, check in and freshen up as you prepare for your meals and relax while waiting for the next day’s activity.
Day4: Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Bwindi:
Wake up early to take your breakfast and wait for guide to take you to the park office for briefing. You will be told what to expect and how to prepare for the activity. Tracking chimpanzees is done in groups. The rangers will lead you all the way. The experience in tracking chimpanzees is different from gorilla trekking
in many ways. Chimps are very vocal, stubborn and unpredictable. They spend a lot of time on top of trees when compared to gorillas (they prefer to stay on ground). Chimps are very mobile and you will have to follow them as they swing on top of the trees even after locating them. Eventually they will settle down. You will be allowed for some good time to be with the chimps and it will be more exciting, that is you can find them in a good clearing and on the ground. You will observe members of the community grooming, breastfeeding, fighting and playing. After being with the chimps, the ranger will lead you back to the park offices. You will find our guide to take you back to the hotel for lunch and then start the journey to Bwindi. You will reach Bwindi in the evening check in the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi:
Begin the new day with heavy breakfast as you wait for the guide to take you to the park offices for briefing. Briefing is carried out by the park warden to ensure that visitors are there for all aspect of gorilla trekking. The warden and rangers will ensure that you have carried everything you need for comfortable experiences such as drinking water, hiking boots, rain jackets and hiking sticks.
Gorilla groups are allocated based on several factors among which include age, level of fitness and the overall choices of the individual traveler. It is important to note that Bwindi Impenetrable forest is large. Do not expect to see only gorillas. We are talking about over 345 species of birds, chimpanzees, baboons, forest antelope, bush pigs and elephants to mention but a few.
Tracking Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi can take between 30 minutes to 8 hour depending on the location of the gorilla group, once you find the group, you are allowed to be with the primates for some good time. Gorillas are very peaceful and organized primates, they are not as stubborn as chimps, they are too heavy to climb trees and prefer to foliage on the ground.
After spending time with these majestic relatives of ours, you will drive back to the hotel for relaxation, have dinner and overnight stay.
Day6: Transfer Departure to Kampala or Entebbe:
After 5 days of much activity, you should be tired and eager to go home with good stories about Uganda (the pearl of Africa). Wake up in the morning have breakfast as you prepare for departure. There will be a stop for lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara. Another stop will be at the equator crossing for photos and refreshment before continuing to Kampala or Entebbe