17 days Western & Eastern Chauffeur Guided safari
17 Days Western & Eastern Self drive Uganda safari, starts and ends in Entebbe. It includes 1 gorilla permit of $700 per person and 1 chimpanzee permit for $200 per person in the final costing. The safari will give you a chance of visiting Jinja town and you will enjoy some cultural tribes like basoga, bagishu, you will also get a chance to view the romantic sipi falls that bubble up to 48 degrees.
This safari will take you to Bwindi impenetrable national park in western Uganda. This park has got over 340 mountain gorillas making it half of the mountain gorillas remaining in the whole world. While on this safari, you will visit Murchison falls national park which is famous for a variety of wildlife and boat cruises, the animal species in this park include, lions, elephants, bush buck, antelopes, kobs, birds among others.
Your safari will continue to Queen Elizabeth national park famous for the Kazinga channel and many animal species including the tree climbing lions found in the Ishasha sector of the park. The other animal species found in the park include the birds, elephants, kobs, antelopes among others. You will also get a chance to visit Kibale forest national park which is famous for chimpanzee trekking. Lastly, you will visit Lake Mburo national park for several game drives and wildlife species. Lake Mburo is the smallest national park in Uganda is commonly known as the “zebra hearted land”.
Detailed Itinerary For 17 Days Western & Eastern circuit Self Driie Safari
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe international airport and transfer to Jinja.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and greeted by our representative who will escort you to your tour vehicle where you will meet your friendly and professional guide who will be willing to help you with anything throughout the safari. Before you know it, you will be transferred to Jinja for the long waited source of the Nile experience. Jinja is the past industrialized town of Uganda. On your way to Jinja, you find the Asian quarters, the colorful gardens as well as the brewery industries. You will also visit the source of the Nile where the Nile emerges from Lake Victoria making the starting point of its 6400 miles journey which ends within the Mediterranean Sea as well as the Gandhi’s monument.
Upon arrival at Jinja, you will check-in at your hotel where you will have late lunch relaxation, dinner and overnight as contemplate on the adventure that lies ahead of you.
Accommodation options: Jinja Nile resort/ wild waters lodge
Day 2: White water rafting and quad biking at the Nile
After an early morning breakfast at the hotel, you will go for white water rafting on the high rapids of the mighty Nile which is the second largest river. After lunch, you will prepare for quad biking experience. To do quad biking you don’t need any experience. In Uganda, this sport is mainly done in Jinja in the villages along river Nile. When you go for it, you will get free training or practice before the safari begins. While quad biking, you will go into the deep heart of the countryside, visiting scenic and isolated places that many tourists rarely see. During this safari, the rainier the better as muddy ground offers a real life experience. This is an exceptional African experience for age categories. Quad routes and tracks cater for all levels of people like children, beginners, adults, experienced plus expert riders.
Accommodation options: Jinja Nile resort/ wild waters lodge
Day 3: Transfer to sipi falls
Have breakfast and transfer to sipi falls that are found in Kapchorwa which is north to Mbale. The other neighboring districts in relation to sipi falls are Sironko and Mbale. As you move towards the Kenyan border, there Lays Mountain Elgon National Park and it is at its edge that you will embrace the sipi falls. A series of three of these waterfalls makeup the sipi falls. Upon arrival, you will check-in at the lodge where you will have dinner and an overnight stay as you wait for the adventure and fun that awaits you the following day.
Accommodation options: Sipi valley resort/ Rafiki lodge
Day 4: Hiking to visit all the three waterfalls at Sipi
After an early morning breakfast, you will meet your local guide and start off the hike to visit all the three waterfalls. You will follow a trail 7to 8km along that goes through the local communities and their farmlands of tea and banana plantations which are the main cash crops grown in the area. Between visiting the waterfalls, you are treated to breath taking landscape scenery from the green slopes of mountain Elgon to the distant flat plain plains of Karamoja in the distance. Each waterfall offers an experience from another, from the plunge, beautiful views, cakes, to rainbows. The entire hike will 3 to 4 hours, visiting the first waterfalls from to descending down the second and finally to the third at the end of the trail which is the biggest and the main one. At the end of the fun, you will return to the lodge for lunch and afterwards proceed to visit the caves.
Accommodation options: Sipi valley resort/ Rafiki lodge
Day 5: Transfer to Murchison falls national park
After breakfast you will checkout of the lodge and take all day drive north via Hoima to Murchison falls, through verdant country side past traditional homesteads and farms.
You will gaze at the Nile which is the longest in the world, it is forced through a small gap which is just 7m wide and it flows 43 meters down making it look very beautiful to the viewers.
Murchison falls is the largest national park in Uganda and it covers an area of 3840 sq. Meters. The park has a variety of animal species and vegetation which ranges from swam p land, savannah to riparian forests. The wildlife species include leopards, lions, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes, crocodiles and many bird species including blue throated roller, the shoebill, turi Ibatis, Uganda woodland warbler, yellow billed and grey throated. The main tourist activities carried out in this park include game viewing, boat trips along river Nile. You will then cross with a ferry and drive to the lodge.
Accommodation options; Chobe Safari Lodge/ Baker’s Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba lodge/ Murchison River lodge (Moderate), Red Chili Rest Camp (Budget)
Day 6: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise
With your packed breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive with your guide who will help you spot the a big number of wildlife found in the Park, you will be able to spot a lot of the African animal wildlife for example: elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. After the game drive, you will drive back to the hotel for lunch as you prepare to enjoy the boat cruise on River Nile. This boat will allow you get close to the water animals which include over 4000 hippos as well as the Nile crocodiles. The Nile has got many stunning bird life which is also enjoyed while taking your boat trip; these include; the bee eaters, colored king fishers, shoebill stork, grey throated and the yellow billed birds. After the boat cruise, you will go for a rest at the lodge in the Evening as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation options; Chobe Safari Lodge/ Baker’s Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba lodge/ Murchison River lodge (Moderate), Red Chili Rest Camp (Budget)
Day 7: Transfer to Kibale forest national park
After breakfast you will checkout of the lodge and drive to Kibale forest national park. You will be able to enjoy am impressive sight of the legendary “mountains of the moon” which you will clearly see on the road to fort portal. You will as well pass through many traditional villages as you enjoy local people carrying out agriculture.
You will as well enjoy fort portal which is in the foot hills of mountain Rwenzori filled with tea plantations filled with tea plantations, after enjoying this platform of green tea, you will continue to Kibale forest national park which is one of the great rain forests in Africa. This forest is mainly famous for around 13 primate species with chimpanzees being the main tracked chimpanzees. The other primate species include the golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, as well as the bird species. The park is also next to Bigodi wetland which is managed and own by the local people in the area, this place is famous for primate watching as well as birding.
On arrival at the park, you will check into your lodge and after proceed to visit the scenic crater lakes plus the terraced tea plantations around the hill of fort portal. This Crater Lake sits on Lake Nyinambuga where tourists can take a walk as they enjoy the cool breeze of this lake. After, return to the lodge to enjoy lunch as you relax and wait for your dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options; Ndali lodge (Luxury), Kibale Forest Camp/ Kibale Guest Cottages (Moderate)
Day 8: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland visit
Wake up so early and head to Kanyanchu by 8:00 am to start your chimpanzee trek in Kibale forest. Chimpanzees are considered to be the closest relatives of human beings since they share 98% of their DNA with that of human beings. As you proceed with the search of these beautiful chimps, you will view many other primate and animal species including the LHoests monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkey, grey cheeked mangabeys, bush babies and many bird species including yellow spotted nictor, ramped tinker, crowed eagle, as well as the elephants which are mammals.
This national park is on an average of 3,300 feet in elevation and it’s a rain forest with many chimpanzee communities, each troop of these chimpanzees has over 100 individuals which are a competed social structure. In their groups, the adult males dominate the group and always defend the whole community against any danger and incursions by the female from outside. These primates are located by listening to their pant hooting calls, and then hurry to the place where they are calling from. You get a chance to observe them as they play, feed; socialize as well as jumping around the trees.
Immediately after the long trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch as you prepare to visit Bigodi wetland sanctuary where you will view more primates like the blue monkeys, baboon, otters, bush bucks, mangoose, bush pigs and many more. This place is also known for many species like the great blue turaco and the green breasted pitta.
Accommodation options; Ndali lodge (Luxury), Kibale Forest Camp/ Kibale Guest Cottages (Moderate)
Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
After breakfast, you will checkout of the lodge and drive to Queen Elizabeth national park. This national park is famous for a variety of wildlife and chimpanzee species. This famous conservation area is bordered by Lake Edward in the south west an in the north east, it’s bordered by Lake George. This park was named after queen Elizabeth the second and it has a variety of animal species including the impalas, kobs, forest hogs, elephants, buffaloes, tree climbing lions, and the cape buffaloes. This national park is also filled with many volcanic calderas which harbor many flamingos on several seasons.
Upon arrival at queen Elizabeth, you will have lunch and then do the afternoon set out for boat cruise on Kazinga channel where you will see various of animals like crocodiles, hippos, water bucks, buffaloes as well as birds like the storks, king fishers among others.
Accommodation options; Katara Lodge/Mweya safari lodge (Luxury), Kasenyi Safari Camp/Ihamba Safari Lodge (Moderate), Simba safari camp (Budget)
Day 10: Game drive- Queen Elizabeth
Arise early enough and after breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive where you will see various animals like elephants, elands, antelopes, buffaloes, lions among others. After having your lunch at the lodge, you will transfer to Ishasha to see the famous tree climbing lions which can only be sighted at Queen Elizabeth in the Ishasha sector. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options; Katara Lodge/Mweya safari lodge (Luxury), Kasenyi Safari Camp/Ihamba Safari Lodge (Moderate), Simba safari camp (Budget)
Day 11: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, you will checkout of the lodge and embark Bwindi forest a home to mountain gorillas covering an area of 331.sq.km. Pass through the Ishasha sector where you will take the pleasure in watching tree climbing lions, also enjoy various spectacular landscapes on your way. Arrive in the park and have a guided nature walk, have dinner and an overnight stay at any lodge of your choice.
Saying goodbye to Queen Elizabeth national park is never easy. It has uncanny ability to charm visitors with its peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, stunning landscapes and great wildlife viewing. The safari will continue westwards leaving the Ankole kingdom, heading to Bwindi and the Kigezi kingdom, home the heavy weights!
Accommodation options; Chameleon hill lodge (Luxury), Four Gorillas lodge (Moderate)
Day 12: Gorilla trekking- Bwindi Impenetrable
On this day, you will have a great time meeting with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest! After a tasty breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the lodge, head for briefing and later enjoy the fullness of the mist forest as you see the gentle giants and other wild life species like buffaloes, elephants, monkeys, butterflies, and different bird species. Only one hour is permitted to you with the gorillas. Locating gorillas can take a few hours or the whole day depending on how far they moved from the place they spent the previous night. After the trek, in the evening you could go for a guided nature walk or a community visit.
Accommodation options; Chameleon hill lodge (Luxury), Four Gorillas lodge (Moderate)
Day 13: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park
After an early morning breakfast at the lodge, you will be picked up by your driver guide and transfer to lake Mburo national park which is the among Uganda’s smallest savannah national parks. It was upgraded as a national park in 1983 and it is a home to 332 bird species, animals like buffaloes, Oribis, kobs, warthogs, zebras among others.
Upon arrival at the park, you will check in at the lodge, have lunch and then you will have a preparation for an unforgettable experience of the boat cruise along the lake. Still a lot of animals will be seen like crocodiles, hippos among others and then after the boat cruise you will head back to the lodge. The boat cruise can be done at the dawn or dusk depending on your safari itinerary and normally it takes around 2 hours.
All rides begin at Rwonyo jetty, it will not take you long before you begin to see large groups of crocodiles and buffaloes lining on the banks of the lake. The lake is also famous for its bird life, majestic fish eagles, and colorful kingfishers. If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse with the rare shoebill storks.
Accommodation options; Mihingo Lodge (Luxury), Rwakobo Rock (Moderate), Eagles nest/ Leopard’s rest camp (Budget
Day 14: Game drive and transfer to Entebbe.
In the morning, you will have breakfast at your lodge, thereafter set out for the game drive through the park where your eyes will be fed with amazing sights and wildlife such as impalas, kobs, antelopes, also bird species.
Lake Mburo has a variety of antelopes including topi, duiker, Oribis, reedbuck and klipspringer and Rothschild giraffe have recently been reintroduced. However, the heights of the park have to be the Burch ells zebra and eland which are only found in two national parks in Uganda.
Saying goodbye to Lake Mburo national park is never easy. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch as you enjoy the beautiful views. After lunch, you will check out of the lodge and transfer to Entebbe arriving in the evening.
Accommodation options; Mihingo Lodge (Luxury), Rwakobo Rock (Moderate), Eagles nest/ Leopard’s rest camp (Budget
Day 15: Transfer to Ssese islands
After an early morning breakfast at the lodge, you will checkout and transfer to Uganda wildlife education center which is found in Uganda’s past colonial administration town Entebbe. This tour will take you through different exhibits and help you obtain much information that concerns Uganda’s mammals, birds, reptiles. After the tour, you will take a ferry to Ssese islands located on Lake Victoria. This navigation will take you to the very beautiful bay of Lutoboka in Bugala Island.
Accommodation options; Brovad sands lodge/ Mirembe resort
Day 16: Relaxation at Bugala Island
Have breakfast at your hotel and then spend the whole day relaxing and chilling at the white sandy beach. The other activities also include swimming in the water, birding, fishing in the waters of the lake victoria that are characterized by many fish species, or you might hire a bicycle to explore the island and the forest. You will also get surprised by the atmosphere. The other optional activities are spot fishing.
Accommodation options; Brovad sands lodge/ Mirembe resort
Day 17: Transfer to Entebbe international airport.
After a good night sleep and breakfast at your lodge, it will be time for your final transfer to Entebbe international airport for your flight back home. There will also be time for a brief city tour before arriving at the airport.
We truly hope that you had a memorable experience that you will remember for many years to come. Have a safe onward journey and we hope that Uganda will always be close to your heats!