Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with a Stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, our company driver will pick you up from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. The journey to Murchison Falls National Park begins, taking you through the picturesque Ugandan countryside and vibrant towns like Luwero. As we travel, you’ll witness the lush landscapes, expansive farmlands, and bustling roadside markets that define this region.
Luwero holds significant historical importance as the site where the current NRM regime launched a rebellion that eventually brought them to power. Our knowledgeable guide will share fascinating insights about the events that transpired during the rebellion and other points of interest along the way. You’ll also have the opportunity to observe the long-horned Ankole cattle grazing in vast farms and peasants diligently working in their gardens.
A key highlight of the journey is a visit to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This sanctuary is home to Uganda’s last remaining white rhinos, making it the only place in the country where tourists can see these majestic creatures. Historically, Uganda’s national parks were inhabited by thousands of black and white rhinos, but rampant poaching nearly drove them to extinction. In response, the government and wildlife conservation agencies relocated the remaining rhinos to this sanctuary to protect and breed them. During your visit, a resident guide will take you to observe the rhinos and explain the sanctuary’s breeding program. There is hope that, once their numbers are sufficient, some of these rhinos will be reintroduced into the wild.
Lunch will be served either at a restaurant within the sanctuary or in the nearby town of Masindi. After a satisfying meal, we will continue our journey to Murchison Falls National Park. Upon arrival, you’ll be taken directly to the top of the Murchison Falls, where you’ll have the opportunity to marvel at the breathtaking views and capture stunning photographs.
Your accommodation for the night will be at one of the following lodges:
- Budget: Red Chilli Rest Camp
- Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge
- Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Nile Boat Cruise
Rise early for breakfast in preparation for an exciting day of wildlife exploration. Our guide will pick you up for a morning game drive in the northern section of Murchison Falls National Park. The early hours are ideal for spotting a variety of wildlife as the animals are most active before the heat of the day sets in. Look out for waterbucks, giraffes, warthogs, leopards, lions, hyenas, hartebeests, elephants, buffaloes, and many more species.
After the game drive, you’ll return to your lodge for lunch and some rest. In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a boat cruise along the Nile River, a highlight of the safari. The Nile attracts a plethora of wildlife, making it an excellent spot for photography and wildlife viewing. The cruise begins downstream and takes you upstream, ending at the base of Murchison Falls. From there, you’ll disembark and hike to the top of the falls, where your driver will be waiting.
During the cruise, you’ll encounter one of Africa’s largest concentrations of land and aquatic animals. Be on the lookout for kingfishers, shoebill storks, elephants, hippos, and crocodiles.
Your accommodation for the night will be at one of the following lodges:
- Budget: Red Chilli Rest Camp
- Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge
- Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park and Visit the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out of your lodge. Your driver will meet you in the lobby to begin the journey to Kibale National Park. The drive offers scenic views of the East African Rift Valley, local farms, schools, trading centers, towns, traditional markets, churches, forests, large plantations, and rivers.
Upon reaching your lodge in Kibale, you’ll check in and have lunch if you didn’t stop along the way. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary for bird watching and a tour of the nearby community.
Your accommodation for the night will be at one of the following lodges:
- Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
- Mid-range: Primate Lodge
- Luxury: Ndali Lodge
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Wake up early and head to the park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking. The park rangers will provide essential information about Kibale Forest, its inhabitants, the chimpanzee communities, and guidelines on how to conduct yourself during the trek. Once briefed, you’ll venture into the forest to search for the chimpanzees. Observe these fascinating primates as they play, groom each other, mate, swing through the trees, and communicate with loud hoots.
Chimpanzee trekking is distinct from gorilla trekking as it is more demanding. Chimps are highly active, spending much time in trees, making them more challenging to photograph. Their dynamic social interactions are full of excitement and drama.
In addition to chimpanzees, Kibale is home to over 12 other primate species. Keep an eye out for red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, pottos, bush babies, baboons, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. After the trek, you’ll return to the park offices and then head back to your lodge for lunch.
After lunch, you’ll check out and embark on a three-hour journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route offers spectacular scenery, including crater lakes, escarpments, and views of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Your accommodation for the night will be at one of the following lodges:
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp
- Mid-range: Kyambura Game Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 5: Morning Game Drive and Boat Ride at the Kazinga Channel
Start your day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is known for its abundant wildlife, including lions, hyenas, elephants, warthogs, buffaloes, and various antelope species. After the game drive, you’ll return to your lodge for lunch and a brief rest.
In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George to Lake Edward. The channel is a hotspot for wildlife viewing, attracting numerous animals to its shores for drinking and bathing. Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled by the diverse species present, such as pelicans, kingfishers, and saddle-billed storks. Keep an eye out for hippos, elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, and possibly even predators like hyenas.
Your accommodation for the night will be at one of the following lodges:
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp
- Mid-range: Kyambura Game Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 6: Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha and Transfer Back to Entebbe or Kampala
Wake up early and prepare to depart for Kampala. En route, you’ll pass through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its tree-climbing lions. This unique behavior is rare among lions and adds a fascinating dimension to your safari experience. Typically, these lions can be seen lounging in large fig and acacia trees during the afternoon, waiting for their next hunting opportunity.
Despite extensive research, the exact reason for this tree-climbing behavior remains unclear. Some suggest that it helps the lions avoid biting insects on the ground, but this does not fully explain why lions elsewhere do not exhibit the same behavior.
After exploring Ishasha, you’ll continue your journey back to Entebbe or Kampala, bringing your incredible 6-day Uganda safari to a close.
