14 days birding Special African Safari
$700 per person
14 days birding Special African Safari to Murchison Falls National park, Kibale National park, Semliki National park, Queen Elizabeth National park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Gorilla), Lake Bunyonyi & White water rafting in Jinja. Uganda is a land of contrast, dappled with wildlife, serene undulating hills of tea plantations, lush but orderly, give way to tangled jungle and rainforest with the musical accompaniment of chaotic, cacophonous birdlife. Uganda is alive with these contrasts: yet silent elephants, disappearing like a vapour behind the trees, the chimpanzees crashing about the forest canopy, the lugubrious gorilla, chewing thoughtfully in the bamboo thickets. Let us show you Uganda with all its contrast and wildness.
Murchison Falls National Park:
Murchison falls national park is the largest of Uganda’s national parks covering a total area of 5,308 km with a pleasant wilderness area of rolling grasslands and wooded savannah, it’s also one of the most spectacular parks in Africa. Renowned for its scenic beauty and spectacular falls from which it gets its name. It also has an abundant flora and fauna that never ceases to amaze visitors and residents alike, no visit to Murchison fall national park is complete without a visit to the top of the falls where its narrows from 50 meters to crash through a 7 meters gorge falling 45meters to the rocks below, other residents in this park are lions, the Uganda kobs, antelopes, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, hippos, baboons, leopards as well as over 650 different species of bird have been recorded here making it a prime target for birdwatchers. In the Southeast, Rabongo Forest is home to Chimpanzee and rainforest creatures. The Nile it’ self hosts one of Africa’s densest Hippo and Crocodile populations and a dazzling variety of water birds including rare shoebill stork which are easily seen along the banks of river Nile.
Queen Elizabeth National Park:
Is one of the outstanding treasures of Uganda, QNP has recently been designated a Biosphere Reserve for Humanity under UNESCO. The park covers 2000 sq. km, and includes a remarkable variety of Eco-systems, from semi deciduous tropical forest to green meadows, Savannah and swamps. It is the home of the famous tree- climbing lions, the Uganda kobs and other antelopes as well as elephants, buffalo’s, hippos, baboons, leopards, and chimpanzee. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded here making it a prime target for birdwatchers. Species recorded include the shoebill stork, black bee-eater, 11 types of king fishers and variety of raptors includes several falcons and eagles. In the crater lakes, spectacular flocks of flamingos gather creating the image of a moving pink carpet. The launch trip along the Kazinga channel between the Lake George and Edward is a memorable way to view the abundant game in Queen Elizabeth national park. North of the main gate is the crater area, one of the most scenic parts of the park. To the east, in kyambura gorge, visitors can climb through tropical forest and catch a glimpse of a variety of primates including the chimpanzees. In the most isolated Ishasha sector of the park, search the woodlands for the tree-climbing lions perching on the boughs of ancient fig trees. To the southeast, travellers can explore newly opened trails in maramagambo forest.
View Full Travel Itinerary Day By Day
Day 01: Entebbe
Upon arrival at Entebbe, you will be met at the airport by our company representative who will then transfer you to the hotel for relaxation. This afternoon is free for you to relax at the hotel. If time allows, you may visit Uganda Wildlife Education Centre/Botanical Gardens
DAY 02: KAMPALA – MURCHISON FALLS
We pick you up at the hotel at 6:45 in the morning and begin the panoramic drive northwest through the famous Luwero triangle. On the way we stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where we see the rhinos which are close to extinct by vigorous pursuit of their horns. We stop for lunch at Masindi hotel where Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn lived during the filming of African Queen. Ernest Hemingway lived there during his visit to Uganda in 1954. Then we put the nose towards the safari park and to the top of the waterfalls, where you can see the Nile perfected, marvel at the Nile with its thunderous roar and beautiful rainbow. We end the day with dinner and overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge.
DAY 03: MURCHISON NP
We start the day with an early morning game drive, in search of lions, buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, hartebeest, the unusual shoebill stork, and many more. In the afternoon you will proceed for a three hours boat trip along the placid Victoria Nile up stream to the base of the falls. The boat stops just ten meters from the ‘Devils cauldron’. Take pictures of the majestic Murchison falls, it’s the photographer’s paradise and pleasure. Overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge.
DAY 04: MURCHISON FALLS – KIBALE NP
After your breakfasts depart from Murchison Falls N.P and proceed to Kibale National park through the villages of Hoima have the opportunity to interact with the local communities, dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge.
DAY 05: KIBALE NP
Early morning visit to Kibale forest for chimpanzee trekking. The forest also houses other primates like grey-cheeked mangabeys, baboons and velvet monkeys. Relax in the evening, dinner and over night at Primate Lodge.
DAY 06: KIBALE NP – SEMLIKI NP
After having an early morning breakfast drive to Semliki national park. Start with a fascinating trail to the hot springs to be stunned by Sempaya Hot-springs near the Ituri Forest. On this safari you will spot varieties of birds and primates in the rain forest along the trek. The trek is overwhelming especially if you have a lot of interest in birds, primates, butterflies and plants. Semuliki Valley National Park is bursting with fascinating jungle life featuring rainforest vegetation, Palm Trees, primates like Mangabeys and Blue Monkeys, mammals such as forest buffaloes, elephants, sitatungas, leopards, pygmy hippopotamus, as well as many different types of bird species. This is a birdwatcher’s paradise with birds like the Hornbills, Honey guides Palm nut Vultures, blue-breasted kingfisher, red rumped and yellow - throated tinker bird and Frasier's ant thrush. Drive back to Fort Portal have dinner and spend the night at Cornerstone Hotel.
DAY 07: FORT PORTAL - QUEEN ELIZEBETH NP
Depart from Fort Portal and proceed to Queen Elizabeth N.P. This park with its diverse Eco-systems of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers and swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to incredible abundance of wildlife. Lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffalos, forest hogs, Uganda kobs, giant forest hogs, bush backs, water backs, with this vast arrays of Uganda wildlife. Dinner and overnight Parkview safari lodge
DAY 08: QUEEN ELIZABETH NP
Start your day with the excitement of an early morning game drive. Then visit the volcanic crater area of Queen Elizabeth N.P. with its many salt lakes and extinct craters. In the afternoon enjoy the boat trip along the Kazinga Channel, birds and lots of wildlife come along the channel to drink water. This park is also home to different types of bird species. Dinner and overnight at Parkview safari lodge
DAY 09: QUEEN ELIZABETH – BWINDI NP:
After you breakfast enjoy your ride to the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park to Ishasha sector, View the amazing Contrast in the scenery as you move from a dense forest to open grassland dotted with flat-topped acacia and primeval euphorbia trees. Famous for its ‘tree-climbing lions’ this part of the park is also known for large herds of buffalos and kob, enjoy a game drive Dinner and overnight at Mantana Luxury Tented Camp.
DAY 10: GORILLA TREKKING
Early morning your guides will brief you before you head into the dense forest on your search of the gorillas and an intimate interaction with these gentle and endangered animals. The forest also affords viewing of other primates including blue monkeys, L'oehst monkeys, red tailed monkeys and chimpanzee, along with a variety of bird life. The time spent trekking in this unspoiled tropical forest and watching the gorillas is certainly worth the effort. In the evening relax back at Mantana Luxury Tented Camp.
DAY 11: BWINDI – LAKE BUNYONYI
Enjoy your morning breakfast and thereafter enjoy your scenic drive through Ruhija to lake bunyonyi, arrival in time for your lunch break, in the afternoon take a boat ride or relax and enjoy the stunning view dinner and overnight at Arcadia.
DAY 12: LAKE BUNYONYI
Take a boat ride with your picnic lunch and visit the islands which make up Lake Bunyonyi, dinner and overnight at Arcadia
DAY 13: LAKE BUNYONYI - KAMPALA
Early morning departure from Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala. Relax, have dinner and overnight at Le Bougainviller Hotel.
DAY 14: WHITE WATER RAFTING - ENTEBBE
You are being picked up at the hotel early in the morning. You travel by minibus towards Jinja to "Starting point" where you get a brief instruction and training in the use of the floats. We continue down the Nile rapids on the rafts. After a lot of fun, you will be driven back to Kampala with a transfer to Entebbe where there are opportunities for a shower and freshening up before we eat dinner by the shores of Lake Victoria, with the subsequent departure to the airport.
END of the Safari: Packages for Murchison falls national park, kibale National park, Queen Elizabeth NP, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP. Based on 4people.
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