Like the name suggests, Uganda is indeed a “Pearl of Africa” and one of the most sought after safari destination in the African continent and world over. The 7 days safari is characterized by switching from one national park to another and doing one activity after the other.
It involves traveling through dramatic roads accompanied by views of plantations, green savannah vegetation and rolling hills. The safari starts and ends in Kampala city and Entebbe International airport.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Kampala city tour and transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.
Having arrived in Uganda / Entebbe international airport, you will be picked by our professional guide / driver and be led to a tour around Kampala city. It is from here that you will visit historical places such as the Uganda museum, Kasubi royal tombs, and religious centers such as the Bahai temple, Namirembe Cathedral, Namugongo martyrs shrine and Gadhafi National Mosque.
Grab some snacks and embark on a long journey to Murchison falls national park – the largest and oldest national park in Uganda via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – a gazetted area for breeding and protecting rhinos.
Stop to have a glance at the giant rhinos in Ziwa sanctuary for a few hours and then continue to Masindi town for a lunch stopover before making your way to Murchison falls national park. Check in to any lodge of your choice for dinner, relaxation and overnight as you wait for what the following day will present.
Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise.
After delicious morning breakfast, the ranger will lead you to the morning game drive and discover the beauty of Murchison falls national park; get to see a number of bird species and animals species such as elephants, lions, giraffes, waterbucks, buffaloes, antelopes, etc. It is at Murchison falls national park that you will get a chance of seeing the big five animals in one area.
Return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch before embarking on the afternoon boat cruise which takes you to the bottom of the mighty Murchison Falls. You will get to see crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and birds like Abyssinian ground horn bill, secretary birds, black-bellied bustards, open-billed stork and the widow birds, etc. The driver will lead you to the top of Murchison falls from where you will get to see water make dramatic movements and roaring sounds.
Return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Transfer from Murchison falls national park to Kibale forest national park.
After delicious breakfast, pack some lunch and embark on an 8 hours’ drive journey to Kibale forest national park via Biso – Hoima – Kyenjojo – Fort Portal road with lunch stop over along the way.
The road is characterized by spectacular views of plantations, natural forests, tea plantations, rolling hills, trading centers, to mention but a few. As you get close to the park you will be welcomed by views of baboons, black colobus monkeys and other animal species.
Check in to the lodge of your choice for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After an early morning breakfast, you will go park offices for briefing about the dos and don’ts of chimpanzee tracking. You will then be attached to a game ranger with another five members and the activity begins there and then. Kibale forest national park is a home to thirteen primate species such as olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, to mention but a few. It is also a reliable destination for bird lovers since it hosts a number of bird species some of which are endemic to the area. You will meet chimpanzees and spend an hour with them as you enjoy them play, mate, feed and socialize.
Return to your lodge for lunch and start your journey to Queen Elizabeth national park. You will pass via Fort Portal city and get to see mountains of the moon – the Rwenzori Mountains from a distance.
Check in to the lodge of your choice as soon as you arrive at the park. Relax, have dinner and spend a night.
Day 5: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise along Kazinga channel.
Every day is a brand new day! Here you are at the home of climbing lions and the big 4. After a cup of coffee, you will embark on a morning game drive that introduces you to a number of animal species such as lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, Uganda kobs, bush pigs, waterbucks, etc. visit the Ishasha sector – the home of tree climbing lions before returning to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
After a few hours of lunch break, you will join the afternoon boat cruise at Kazinga channel – meeting point of animals and birds. Birds here include the great white and Pink-backed pelicans, African shoebill, yellow billed stork, great and long tailed cormorants, open-billed stork, Saddle Bill Stork and Jacana. Crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, waterbucks, etc. are some of the animals seen during this boat trip.
If time allows, you can visit Katwe salt mining area and get to see how traditional salt mining is done and admire views of the magical mountains of the moon before returning to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Transfer from Queen Elizabeth national park to Lake Mburo National Park.
After a delicious morning breakfast, start your journey to Lake Mburo National Park via Kasese – Mbarara highway. The journey is characterized by rolling hills, views of the tea plantations, the historical “mahembe ge’nte” monument in the middle of Mbarara city. You will also have a lunch stop over at Igongo Cultural Center from where you will visit the Ankole museum and get to know about the history of the natives.
Enter the park via Sanga gate from where you will see a number of animals on your way to the park such as buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, eland, topis, etc. If you happen to reach on time you can embark on an afternoon boat cruise along the giant Lake Mburo and get to see a number of bird and animal species such as bush pigs, giraffes, crocodiles, etc.
Check in to the lodge of your choice for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Morning game drive and transfer to Kampala city – departure.
After a morning breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive and explore the deeper parts of the park and get to see a number of animal species, birds, beautiful land scape, rolling hills and savannah vegetation.
Continue and exit via Nshara gate and embark on the four hour drive back to Kampala via Mbarara-Masaka-Kampala highway. You will have a pictorial stop over at Kayabwe in Mpigi district – a point where the equator line crosses the country. You can as well visit the craft shop and grab something to remind you of the safari always.
Depending on your departure time, drive through the Entebbe express highway and board a plane from Entebbe International Airport, hence coming to the end of your 7 days safari in the Pearl of Africa.
