19 Days Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife Safari and City Tour |Uganda

DAY 1: KAMPALA CITY TOUR

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our guide will welcome you and then transfer you to your accommodation in Kampala. In case you reach in the morning, you will enjoy a city tour to the various fascinating sites around Kampala. Basically Kampala is popularly known as a ‘city on the 7 hills” as the city initially covered only 7 hills which offered the major pointers of direction as well as distinctiveness; the majority of these hills are strongly connected to Uganda’s colonial history.   Among these is Rubaga hill – the catholic seat of the Rubaga Catholic Cathedral, Namirembe hill- seat of the Namirembe Anglican Cathedral and Makerere hill where the legendary Makerere University Kampala which is the oldest university in the country, Kololo hill- a diplomatic area which offers administrative offices for various diplomatic missions, Mengo hill- the seat of the Kabaka’s palace – king of the Buganda kingdom as well as Buganda’s Central government, Kibuli the Islamic seat and Mbuya hill which holds the largest army barracks.  You may opt to take on the Kabaka’s trail; which will take you to historical Nagalabi coronation site, the burial ground of the Buganda kings – the Kasubi tombs, Katereke prison ditch, the kabaka’s man-made lake as well as the Ssezibwa falls. Alternatively you may choose to visit the Uganda Museum, African markets within town, the National Theater, creative local art and craft markets, Namugongo Uganda Martyrs Shrine, the Bahai temple, Makerere University and the Ndere Center, as well as do some shopping within the city center. Dine and overnight at Cassia lodge, or Speke Hotel, or Sheraton Hotel or Hotel Africana

DAY 2: JINJA TOUR | RIVER NILE

Have breakfast and Transfer to Jinja. Along the way, you will visit Mabira for a forest walk and then transfer to Bujagali Falls a place with great cultural performances. Proceed to Jinja the source of the mighty Nile- The Longest river in Africa. You may go white water rafting; visit the local communities to enjoy some cultural experiences.
Dinner and overnight at Jinja Resort Hotel, or Gately on the Nile, or Kingfisher resort.

DAY 3: SIPPI FALLS | MOUNTAIN ELGON NATIONAL PARK

Following breakfast, transfer to Sipi Falls on Mt. Elgon. Spend the entire afternoon exploring the different caves and the nearby villages and even interact with the friendly locals. Their varied cultural values – like the Female Genital Mutilation, are quite fascinating! Dinner and overnight at Sipi Falls Rest Camp, or Lucum lodge

DAY 4: KARAMOJA | GUIDED WALK

Following breakfast you will be head to Pian Upe driving through Namalu sub-county. Have a guided walk and meet the amazing Karamajong people. Their culture is one of the most amazing in uganda. See the handicrafts at Namalu. Return to Kampala for dinner and overnight at Cassia  Lodge .

DAY 5:  ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY | MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL

Following an Early breakfast, the guide will transfer you to the Ziwa Rhino Fund Centre a rhino conservation reserve to see these giants before reaching Murchison Falls. Continue to the top of the falls. Enjoy beautiful view of various wild animal species including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, red-tailed monkeys and black & white colobus monkeys plus several birds.
Dinner and overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge, or Nile Safari Lodge, or Sambiya River lodge, or Red chillis

DAY 6: GAME DRIVE | NORTHERN BANK OF THE NILE

Early in the morning you will set out for a game drive. Some of the animals you will see include: Giraffes, antelopes, bush bucks, water bucks as well as several others. Head back to the lodge for a late breakfast and later lunch. In the afternoon, you will set off for a launch cruise on the Nile up to the bottom of the falls. During this amazing voyage, you will see large schools of hippos, waterbucks and giant crocodiles plus various birds along the river banks. Dinner and over night at Masindi town in New Court View Hotel, or Masindi Hotel.

DAY 7: FORT-PORTAL | CULTURAL TOUR

Following breakfast, drive to Fort Portal. After lunch you will spend time interacting with the locals and enjoy their cultural entertainments. Visit the beautiful Tooro Palace.
Dine and spend the night at Ndali lodge, or Rwenzori View Guest House, or Chimps Nest Lodge

DAY 8: CHIMPANZEE TRACKING | BIGODI SWAMP WALK

Early morning, have breakfast, then trekking chimpanzees, after lunch have a nature walk within Bigodi Swamp. Dinner and overnight at Ndali Lodge, or Rwenzori view guest house, or Chimps Nest Lodge

DAY 9: SEMLIKI NATIONAL PARK (Lake Albert)

Following breakfast, enjoy a walk within the tropical rainforest of Semliki National park. Enjoy views of the beautiful River Semliki. Have a picnic lunch at the spectacular hot springs and later visit the local community.  Dinner and overnight at Semliki Safari lodge.

DAY 10: HOT SPRINGS – GAME DRIVE | SEMLIKI RESERVE

After breakfast,  you will be transferred to Semliki Wildlife reserve. Take a game drive through Semliki National Park to Lake Albert where you will enjoy a boat cruise. In evening visit the local communities for some interaction and entertainment.
Have a dinner and overnight at Semliki safari Lodge

DAY 11: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK | GAME DRIVE

After breakfast, you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park where you will enjoy an evening game drive.Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge, or Jacana, or Albertine Camp

DAY 12: LAUNCH CRUISE – KAZINGA CHANNEL

Have an early breakfast and set out on a morning game drive, explore the crater lakes region as well as visit the Katwe salt to see salt extraction from the lake. After lunch have a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel to see numerous birds and wild animals including hippos, buffaloes and elephants. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge.

DAY 13: GAME DRIVE | ISHASHA SECTOR

This morning you will go for a safari game drive in the Ishasha sector area to see the tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a picnic lunch and later you will drive to transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park the home of the mountain gorillas. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Homestead.

DAY 14: GORILLA TRACKING | BWINDI

After breakfast set out to go gorilla trekking in the depths of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. In case the tracking ends early, you will visit the Batwa community (Optional activity). Their hospitality will definitely be rewarding.  Go back to your lodge for dinner and the overnight

DAY 15: KABALE | LAKE BUNYONYI – BIRDING

Following breakfast, drive to Kabale and visit Lake Bunyonyi popular for its bird species. Visit the amazing Bakiga Museum within Kabale Where you will get a detailed explanation about the bakiga culture. Later dine and overnight at White Horse Inn, or Arcadia cottages

DAY 16: BOAT-RIDE | LAKE BUNYONYI

In the morning after breakfast have a boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi. Visit the nearby local community and enjoy some traditional entertainment.Head back to your Lodge for dinner and the overnight

DAY 17:  LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK | GAME DRIVE

After breakfast transfer to Lake Mburo arriving by mid-day. Have lunch and later a game drive to see several antelope, leopards and zebras. Overnight and dinner at Mantana Camp Luxury Tented Camp.

DAY 18:  MUSAMBWA ISLAND – RAKAI

In the morning after breakfast transfer to Musambwa Island within Sango Bay Ramsar Site in Rakai District. This island is home to some human-friendly reptiles as well as migratory birds which seasonally move between Uganda and Russia. In the evening depart from the Islands for overnight at Hotel Brovad in Masaka

DAY 19: DEPARTURE

After your morning breakfast transfer to Entebbe for your departure flight. End of 19 Days Uganda safari holiday.

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