15-Day Big Five African Safari - Uganda

>> Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, a Vibrant Holidays Safari tour guide will welcome you to Uganda—the “Pearl of Africa.” You’ll then be transferred to your accommodations for check in and some rest.

If you arrive early enough and are interested in an activity, you may consider a) an excursion to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or b) an excursion to the Mabamba Wetland in search of the prehistoric shoebill stork (cost not included).

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: ViaVia Uganda Entebbe Budget guest house located in Entebbe (City)

>> After breakfast, your driver-guide will pick you up and hit the road to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Once in Ziwa, you will spend an hour rhino tracking. From there we’ll head to Gulu City. After Joseph Kony's rebels were forced out of Northern Uganda, a giant was awakened here. Gulu is a bustling town/city in this once war-ravaged region. As you will witness, the beauty of life here plays from dawn to dusk—extending deep into the night. You can feel the energy of a people who just want to enjoy life (the best they can). Your overnight stay will be at the hotel.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Amuka Safari Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Ziwa Rhino Ranch

>> After breakfast, you will drive to Kidepo Valley National Park and arrive in time for some rest and lunch before going out for a game drive. You will explore the Narus Valley in the south sector of Kidepo. Narus has savannah grasslands mixed with acacia woodland. It is also the area of the park with permanent water sources (and therefore most of the animals). Be on the lookout for large herds of buffaloes, elephants, many zebras, antelope species, lions, and the elusive leopard. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge/tent.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Budget Tent) Budget lodge bordering Kidepo Valley NP without fences

>> After breakfast, you will embark on a sunrise game drive, where you will have the opportunity to encounter wildlife such as lions, herds of buffalos, elephants, zebras, or the elusive leopard (among others). Later you’ll return to the lodge for lunch and afternoon relaxation. After a good rest, we’ll spend the remainder of the evening with the Karamojong people. You'll get an insight into their way of life and beliefs. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge/tent.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Budget Tent) Budget lodge bordering Kidepo Valley NP without fences

>> After a relaxed breakfast at the lodge, you will transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this area include the roaring rapids of Murchison Falls and the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest national park. Here you will have the chance to see, leopards, giraffes, hartebeests, buffalo, and elephants. The concentration of hippos and Nile crocodiles here will fascinate you! We’ll also go on a late afternoon game drive.

For an extra $40, you can go on an evening game drive.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Fort Murchison (Tent) Budget tented camp located just outside Murchison Falls NP

>> After breakfast, you will depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest national park. Be on the look for wildlife including lions, leopards (though hard to spot), and a variety of bird species. After some rest and lunch at the lodge, you will head out on a boat ride to the base of Murchison Falls. Here you will also be able to catch sight of hippos, crocodiles, and several water birds.

For an additional $15, you can continue with a hike to the top of the falls. The hike may be a strenuous one, but the thrill of reaching the top is unforgettable. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the tented camp.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Fort Murchison (Tent) Budget tented camp located just outside Murchison Falls NP

>> After breakfast, you will drive to the top of Murchison Falls to truly appreciate their beauty and magnificence. From the top, we'll begin our transfer to the edge of Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic. We’ll pass through villages, lush green countryside, and hills dotted with tea plantations that characterize this part of Uganda. The beautiful scenery will amaze you the entire way. Upon arrival at the lodge, you’ll check in and relax.

For $15 extra, you can go on an excursion to the crater lakes. You will enjoy the beauty of these numerous small lakes surrounded by gentle hills and stunning views.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp (Safari Tent) Mid-range tented camp located just outside Kibale NP (Chimps)

>> After breakfast, you will go on an excursion into the Bigodi Wetlands. This wetland boasts an extensive array of biodiversity, including several primate species such as the black and white Colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, L'Hoest's monkey, and baboon. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. The great blue turaco can be found here. From Bigodi, we will drive two hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will arrive early enough for lunch, rest, and then go out on a game drive. During the game drive, look out for wild animals like reedbucks, bushbucks, kobs, warthogs, elephants, lions, and buffaloes—just to mention a few. Alternatively, you could choose to go on a drive to the crater. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: After an early morning breakfast, you will drive out to the nearby Kalinzu Forest Reserve. The forest is home to habituated chimpanzees and other primates—including baboons and monkeys. You will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees he

>> After an early morning breakfast, you will drive out to the nearby Kalinzu Forest Reserve. The forest is home to habituated chimpanzees and other primates—including baboons and monkeys. You will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees here. Later you’ll return to your accommodations for some rest and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, you’ll catch sight of giant hippos, elephants, and crocodiles (among others). You will also see many varieties of birds on the shore. After the boat trip, we’ll go on a late afternoon game drive before returning to the lodge.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: After an early morning breakfast, you will drive out to the nearby Kalinzu Forest Reserve. The forest is home to habituated chimpanzees and other primates—including baboons and monkeys. You will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees he

>> We’ll be up early for a morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains. Animals we might see today include Cape buffalos, elephants, lions, leopards (though hard to spot), and others. After returning to the lodge for check out we’ll make our way into the Ishasha Sector in search of tree-climbing lions. Our chances of of spotting these lions is about 70%—though sometimes they are hard to find (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). It’s a memorable occasion if you do get to see them! From Ishasha, we will continue to our accommodations on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: Meals at own expense Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp Budget tented camp located just outside Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas)

>> After breakfast, you will move to the rangers’ post to participate in a briefing on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. You will then enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure. The time taken and the terrain traveled varies with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Later you’ll check out of your accommodations and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of 2,200-2,478m, but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical—you could admire them all day!

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort Mid-range resort located at Lake Bunyonyi

>> Today is reserved for relaxing after your strenuous gorilla trek and long drives. All meals will be served at your accommodations.

For an extra cost you may consider going on a tour of the historical islands or the Nyombe swamp, pay a visit to the Batwa/Pygmies’ community, or go mountain biking, zip lining, canoeing, or kayaking on the lake. These activities can be arranged onsite with the help of your driver-guide.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort Mid-range resort located at Lake Bunyonyi

>> After breakfast, you will set off to Lake Mburo National Park via Mbarara City. You will arrive in time to rest before your afternoon game drive. On the game drive, expect to see the gigantic eland antelope, zebra, impala, Uganda kobs, and Cape buffalos (among others).

For an extra $30 you may consider going on an evening game drive to encounter nocturnal creatures that are rarely sighted during the day.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Mburo Safari Lodge Mid-range lodge located inside Lake Mburo NP

>> After an early morning breakfast, you will make your way to Lake Mburo for a morning bush walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide. On this guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter zebras, giraffes, elands, topis (and other antelope), and Cape buffaloes at a close range. We’ll take the trail to the top of the hills to see out over Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of nine of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo National Park. You’ll then return to your accommodations for check out before returning to Entebbe for your return flight.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)