21-Day Wildlife Trip Exploring the Pearl of Africa

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, a Home to Africa assigned driver (guide) will receive and welcome you to Uganda – the Pearl of Africa. Thereafter, you will transfer to the booked accommodation (Kampala). In case you have had an early landing into Uganda, you can proceed for a ride around the city. Places to visit may include the Buganda Royal Mile, the Gaddafi National Mosque, the Uganda Museum and with enough time the Bahai Temple and Namugongo Martyrs’ shrine among others. Else, just relax at the accommodation.

Accommodation: Nexus Resorts Hotel | Meals: Dinner | Drive Time: 50mins – 1hour.

Have breakfast and drive off to Kidepo Valley National Park, arriving early for some rest and lunch before going out for game viewing. You will proceed for game viewing in the Narus Valley in the south sector of Kidepo. Narus is the sector of Kidepo that has savannah grasslands mixed with acacia woodland. It is also the area of the park with permanent water sources throughout the year and for that matter, most of the animals are in this part of the park. Be on the look for large herds of Buffaloes, many Zebras, antelope species and the lions. You will return to the accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: 4-5 hours.

Be up early, have breakfast and set off to hike Mount Morungole, located in the northern hills of Karamoja. You will find stunningly beautiful Scenery the higher your climb takes you, simply breathtaking scenes in the valleys below you and into the Eastern Rift Valley of Kenya and over to Southern Sudan. While in Morungole, expect to encounter the smallest tribe of Uganda called the Ik. The Ik have always lived in nowadays Kidepo Valley National Park but have been displaced 50 years ago whereby they now live on the mountain ridges. Visiting the IK gives you a rare insight of a very unique tribe in Africa. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Have your breakfast, depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park and be on the look for wildlife including: lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. For any birder, there are quite a number of birds to sight too during the drive. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. OPTIONAL: If interested, you may opt for the hot air balloon safari (instead) at an extra cost (on ground).

After lunch, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls where you will also be able to catch sight of more animals including Hippos and Crocodiles and several water birds. Continue with a hike (if you like) to the top of the falls. The hike may be a strenuous one but the thrill on reaching the top is unforgettable. Miss it only if you must. Return to your accommodation and have a relaxed evening.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After breakfast at the accommodation, depart right away for Kibale Forest National Park. The drive time is 3-4 hours, arriving in time for lunch and some rest at the booked accommodation. Later, proceed out to explore the crater lakes, crowned with a hike to the “top of the world”. You will enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and the stunning views. Take a hike to Lake Nkuruba where you will encounter different species of primates and birds. Meet and interact with the local people as you walk through their villages and enjoy the panoramic views of the Kibale area.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: 3-4 hours.

Have breakfast and head to the rangers’ post where you will receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimp trekking. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the chimps in the Kibale Forest. An experienced ranger guide will take you chimp tracking (Kibale Forest) and the presence of primates here will surely amaze you. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have a full hour in their presence.

Return to your accommodation for some rest time and lunch. Later, go out for the Bigodi swamp walk. The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a fascinating area, located in Magombe swamp. This area boasts of extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primates’ species like the baboon, black & white colobus monkey. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. Among the major bird species within the sanctuary is the Great Blue Turaco.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Have a relaxed breakfast at the accommodation and drive off to Queen Elizabeth NP. You will reach Queen early enough to relax, have lunch and in the afternoon proceed out for game viewing. During the game drive, look out for wild animals like reedbuck, bushbuck, kob, warthogs, elephants, lions and buffaloes to mention but a few.

Alternatively, you could choose to go for the Queen’s breathtaking explosion crater drive (instead). The drive is sightseeing with very spectacular view of the breathtaking scenery in and around Queen. There are also some wildlife to see along the drive although commonest are sights of Cape Buffaloes plus Elephants. Return to the accommodation for relaxation, dinner and the overnight stay.

Accommodation: Pumba Safari Cottages | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: 2-3 hours.

Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive to the Kasenyi plains and be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus the big cats: lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the accommodation for some rest time 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, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. You will have dinner and overnight at your accommodation.

Accommodation: Pumba Safari Cottages | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Have breakfast then set off (about 2 hours) for a breathtaking game viewing experience in the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park – famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Hoping you get the chance to spot them, the sight will be spectacular! You will also be able to see other wildlife such as the Uganda kob, Cape buffalos, elephants and warthogs in addition to the tree-climbing lions. Thereafter, head to the accommodation for relaxation, dinner and later overnight.

Accommodation: Enjojo Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: about 2 hours.

Be up and have your breakfast served. Go for more tree-climbing lions’ sighting and thereafter transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (about 3 hours’ drive). Bwindi is a big habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda (harboring an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population), including several habituated groups, which you will trek. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check-in your accommodation, relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.

Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: about 3 hours.

After an early breakfast and a briefing by a ranger guide, you will enter the gorilla sanctuary for your adventure. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular! The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you locate a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is unforgettable. Return for some rest at the accommodation and then drive off to Kisoro (booked lodge) for an overnight stay awaiting next day’s activity.

Accommodation: Traveler’s Rest | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: 2-3 hours.

Although not well known by most travelers, golden monkeys are yet the second, most interesting attraction in Mgahinga after the mountain gorillas. Scientifically, these species are (Cercopithecus Kandti) and exploring them is what makes a full tourism package in Mgahinga gorilla national park. The activity starts with a briefing by the ranger guide and thereafter you continue to trek this awesome but endangered species of monkeys.

Thereafter, you will return to the accommodation for checkout then drive off to Lake Bunyonyi. The lake 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.

Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: 2-3 hours.

After breakfast, you will have the option of visiting and interacting with the local community who inhabit areas surrounding Lake Bunyonyi. Alternatively, you could opt for a canoe trek on Lake Bunyonyi which will introduce you to the major islands and their rich history but also there will be some great time spent in the traditional dugout canoe. Return to your accommodation for lunch and relaxation probably reflecting on your trip so far…

Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Have breakfast and set off to Lake Mburo NP via Mbarara town. You will arrive in the early afternoon and take some rest before proceeding out for the late afternoon (evening) game viewing. On the game drive, expect to see the gigantic eland antelopes, zebras, topis, impalas, Uganda kob and Cape buffalos among others. Later, relax at the accommodation where you will spend the night. OPTIONAL: In case you are interested, you may go out for the breathtaking Mburo night game drive (at an extra cost on the ground). During the night game drive, expect to sight nocturnal creatures including huge snakes, python, hyena, owls and the elusive leopard (on a lucky day) among others.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: 5-6 hours.

Enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo morning park (bush) walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger/guide. On this early morning guided walk; you will have the opportunity to encounter (at close range): Zebras, Giraffes and Eland, Topi and other antelope, Cape buffaloes among others.

Take the Trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of 9 of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo NP. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe airport for your flight out (recommended for 18:00 onward). We hope to see you (or any referral) when next, you visit and thanks for choosing Home to Africa!

Accommodation: Excluded | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Drive Time: 5-6 hours.