Best of Uganda

Dossier

Uganda is known as one of the most stunning countries in Africa, and with good reason. On this tour we visit some of its most beautiful areas in search of incredible wildlife, much of which has long since disappeared from the rest of the continent. From the bustling capital Kampala we head north to Murchison Falls National Park to search for elephant, lion and buffalo on game drives, then search for chimpanzees in the Kibale Forest. From there we head to the spectacular Queen Elizabeth National Park, with its plains, forest, swamps and lakes – a wide diversity of landscapes means that wildlife viewing here is varied. But the highlight of this trip is perhaps one of the highlights of all of Africa – tracking a family of gorillas in their natural habitat through the forests of Bwindi National Park. Make no mistake, this is a truly astonishing wildlife experience that will leave you lost for words.

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Day 1 – Entebbe / Kampala
Arrive in Entebbe and transfer to Kampala. Time permitting a short city tour of Kampala. Overnight Hotel Africana or similar.

Kampala
Uganda’s capital Kampala was built on a collection of hills and was the political centre of the kingdom of Buganda. Its name comes from a corruption of the term ‘hills of the impala’, a reference to the species of antelope that was once found here in abundance. It was expanded by British settlers following the ratification of a treaty between the traditional king, or kabaka of Buganda and the colonialist and explorer Frederick Lugard, and developed into a trading centre from which animal produce such as skins and ivory was sent to Mombasa along a newly constructed railway. Kampala has few sights as such, but as a busy and bustling city provides a good insight into contemporary urban Africa. It has a great selection of restaurants, bars and clubs and has a fairly hectic and enjoyable nightlife. It’s worth making a trip to the Kasubi tombs, the burial places of former traditional rulers of Buganda which are still maintained by female relatives of the deceased today, where one can see royal artefacts from days gone by.

Day 2 - Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park
Drive to Murchison Falls National Park, where we visit the top of the falls to enjoy the magnificent views. Overnight Paraa Lodge. (BLD)

Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda’s largest protected area and dissected by the Victoria Nile, Murchison Falls is named after its magnificent waterfall, caused by the Nile forcing its way through a narrow gap in the rocks, which in turn was named after Sir Roderick Murchison, president of the Royal Geographical Society at the time that they were ‘discovered’. Wildlife here suffered greatly during Uganda’s succession of bloody conflicts in the 1970’s and 1980’s, with various armies slaughtering game to either eat or sell, and during this time many animals, including rhino, became extinct. Today numbers are recovering and Murchison Falls has good numbers of elephant, lion and buffalo, among other species. Other animals to be found here are giraffe, various species of antelope including waterbuck and bushbuck, leopard, hyena and chimpanzees in the Rabongo Forest. The birdlife here is even greater, with approximately 460 species being recorded in the park, including the shoebill stork.

Day 3 - Murchison Falls National Park
Half day game drive on the northern bank of the River Nile. Escorted by a game ranger you have the option for a game walk. Game in the area includes giraffe, elephant, lion, Ugandan kob and a variety of savannah and woodland birds. Afternoon Nile cruise to view hippo and crocodiles. Overnight Paraa Lodge. (BLD)

Day 4 - Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest
After an early breakfast we spend the day driving to Kibale Forest. Overnight Kibale Safari Lodge or similar. (BLD)

Day 5 - Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park
Morning walk in search of chimpanzees and monkeys followed by an afternoon game drive in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Overnight Mweya Safari Lodge. (BLD)

Kibale Forest and Chimp Tracking
Bordering Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest is one of the best places in all of Africa to see chimpanzees in the wild. In addition to chimps it is also home to another twelve primate species, with around sixty mammal species in total, including lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and the giant forest hog although these tend to be difficult to see. The chimpanzees here are habituated to the presence of humans, and although sightings are not guaranteed, the chances of encountering them are good. Closely related to humans, chimpanzees live in large communities headed up by an alpha male. Although they eat mainly fruit, there have been cases of them hunting monkeys in groups as well as using tools to catch termites. Once widely spread throughout Africa, their habitat has been reduced by deforestation and the encroachment of human settlements, and chimpanzees can now be found in twenty one countries.

Day 6 - Queen Elizabeth National Park
Early morning game drive to the northerly parts of the park along the Kasenyi track, followed by an afternoon cruise on the Kazinga Channel, to view buffalo, hippo and other animals at the edge of the channel as they cool off. European migratory birds, including flocks of terns and gulls can also be seen in the area. Overnight Mweya Safari Lodge. (BLD)

Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is almost two thousand square kilometres in size, pressed up against the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mostly made up of savannah grassland, it also contains forest, swamp and lakes. Almost 100 mammal species and a remarkable 606 bird species makes this superb safari territory, with elephant, a profusion of hippos, the elusive giant forest hog and handsome Uganda kob all regularly sighted around the Mweya Peninsula - which also boasts a marvellous waterfront setting in the shadow of the Ruwenzori Mountains. Like Murchison Falls, the park’s wildlife declined dramatically in the 1970’s and 80’s but is now on the increase once more.

Day 7 - Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi National Park
Travel by road through beautiful mountain scenery often referred to as 'little Switzerland' to Bwindi.Overnight Kitandara tented camp or similar. (BLD)

Day 8 - Gorilla Tracking
After a briefing with the park ranger guides, we commence our trek for the reclusive mountain gorilla. We generally start our search in an area where the gorillas were known to be the previous night. Nonetheless the trek can be strenuous and take up to a total of 8hrs. On locating the gorillas we can spend up to one hour viewing in very close vicinity, before returning to camp. This is one of the undoubted highlights of travel in Africa – to spend time with these unique and powerful creatures in their natural habitat is an experience not easily forgotten. Overnight Kitandara tented camp or similar. (BLD)

Gorilla Tracking
Deep in the heart of central Africa, the volcanic mountains that straddle the border of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are home to the last surviving mountain gorillas in the wild. Numbering roughly 650 in total, the population has dwindled due to pressure of a shrinking habitat, poaching, and the effects of war in the Congo and Rwanda. Today numbers appear to be stabilising, but the gorillas are still seriously endangered. Actually tracking the gorillas is an adventure in itself and can take all day. Please ensure you have the right hiking boots and clothing, are reasonably fit and able to walk in challenging terrain. Sightings are not guaranteed, although chances are good. Sitting high in the dripping forests just a few yards away from a family of mountain gorillas is a truly remarkable experience. Watching them feed is to feel an extraordinary bond with these hugely powerful creatures – the fact that they will calmly tolerate a group of humans nearby is a testament to their placid nature, and it engenders an extraordinary feeling of trust. At times it is easy to see how closely related we are, but always you are aware that you are in the presence of a group of completely wild animals; a knowledge that fills you with awe.

Day 9 - Kampala
After breakfast we have a long drive back to Kampala, stopping en-route at Mbarara, for lunch at the Lake View hotel. Overnight Hotel Africana or similar. (BL)

Day 10 - Source of the Nile and Bujagali Falls
Transfer to the source of the Nile in Jinja, with excursions to Ssezibwa Falls and Mabira forest, followed by an afternoon visit to the Bujagali Falls. Return to Kampala. Overnight Hotel Africana or similar. (BL)

Jinja
Jinja, situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, is in a spectacular setting surrounded by natural lush vegetation with the Bujagali Falls (a series of white water rapids) nearby. It is a major station on the Ugandan Railway and a port for the Lake Victoria Ferries. The legendary source of the River Nile, the longest river in the world, is 4km away, first identified after much effort and controversy by the British explorer John Speke. Speke had however not seen the actual source, but based his assertion on a set of untested assumptions, which led to the mystery remaining unsettled until the great explorer Stanley confirmed it some years later.

Day 11 - Entebbe
Tour ends. (B)

Tour style: Traveller

Inclusions:
Arrival and departure transfers
All accommodation on twin share basis
Services of English speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Excluded:
International flights
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visas
Drinks

Please note that you should also read the Country Notes in association with this itinerary for practical information about your trip and the destination you will be visiting.The itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and does not form part of a contract between the client and Undiscovered Destinations.