8 days best of Uganda safari is a time for you to adventure, thrill and relaxation all in one with activities like gorilla trekking, game drives, boat cruises, nature walks and community tours, the safari will have you creating memories for a lifetime. Inclusive of the Big 5 expect to see lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes and leopards and other animals like hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, bushbucks, giant forest hogs; primates like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys; birds like hornbills, shoebill storks, king fishers, stranger weavers, regal sunbirds, fly catchers, green pigeons, robin chats, warblers; the beautiful scenery with the impenetrable forest, world’s most powerful falls, lakes, crater lakes, the Rwenzori mountains and the vegetation. The trip will start from Kampala, to Murchison via Luweero to Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi and back to Kampala.
Day 1: Drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park
Upon arrival to your agreed point you will be met by a driver guide from Glory Summit Tours who will brief you on how you will move for the next 7days, after which you will set off for Murchison Falls National Park at 7:30am through Luweero and your first stop will be at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to trek some black and white Rhinos with a guide which takes about 2-3hours depending on their location. Then you will have lunch and exit the sanctuary and continue to Murchison Falls National Park where you spend the night. You will check into a lodge in time for dinner after which you will rest and reset for the next day.
Day 2: Morning game drive and Boat cruise
An early breakfast will be enjoyed, then you will be driven to the park by the guide to enjoy a game drive where you expect to see animals like leopards, hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, kobs, bushbacks, oribis, grey duikers and many more and pictures will be taken for memories. After the game drive you will head back to your hotel for lunch and relaxation before the boat cruise. With lunch out of the way, you will head to out onto the Nile to enjoy the afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the falls which takes about 2-3hours to see water animals like crocodiles, waterbucks, hippos, warthogs, and bird species like the rare shoebill stork, hornbills, fly catchers, herons and king fishers with a guide to answer any questions you might have. After the cruise you will hike to the top of the Falls, where you will experience the pressure of the falls, with a view to die for, a rainbow and perfect spot for pictures. When done you will head back to the hotel in time for dinner after which you will retire for the night.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
You will have breakfast, checkout and exit Murchison for Queen Elizabeth national park which will take about 5-6hours via Hoima road, with one stopover in Fort Portal town for lunch. During the drive you will enjoy the beautiful views of the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake George and some wildlife like antelopes and elephants. You will get to Queen Elizabeth and check into your lodging for the night; have dinner and then rest for the night.
Day 4: Morning game drive and Boat cruise
You will have breakfast and then head out for the morning drive through Queen Elizabeth with a guide and expect to see 4 of the big five: elephants, buffaloes, lions, bush backs, kobs, leopards, hyenas, antelopes, giant forest hogs giraffes, colobus monkeys as well as several bird species, then return to your lodging to relax as you wait for lunch. After lunch you will prepare for the Boat cruise at the Kazinga channel. The cruise will take 2-3hours with a guide ready to answer any questions you might have about the channel or animals and birds along the banks. Animals like hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, water bucks and antelopes to be seen; birds like spoonbills, fish eagles, king fishers, herons and the rare shoebill stork can also be expected. After the cruise you will return to the lodging for the night, have dinner and wind down as you will.
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and exit Queen Elizabeth for Bwindi, on route you will track the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector to track the tree-climbing lions. You will get a chance to monitor the Lions in their habitat and how they behave and also see other animals like kobs, water bucks, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs and various birds. After lunch you will then continue to Bwindi and arrive in the evening in time for dinner and check in.
Day 6: Gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural tour
You will wake up early and have breakfast and head to the briefing spot by 7:30am where you shall be given the guidelines and safety precautions to be followed by a guide to ensure a smooth trek before you head into the forest to experience it. Depending on the targeted Gorilla families given to you to trek, the trekking will take between 30minutes-6hours, it’s in this time that you shall get to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, how they live, care for each other, care for their young, how and when they eat, all this will be done with a guide and armed ranger on route with you. During the trek you will be given water and a snack for when you need it. When done with the trekking, you will go back to your lodge and freshen up then have lunch, then visit the Batwa people for a community cultural experience. With the help of a local guide, you will be involved in different community activities like music, dance and drama, crafting and honey harvesting. Story telling will also be key as a way to learn the Batwa people’s history and what makes them an interesting group people. You will the return to the hotel, have dinner and end the day.
Day 7: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
You will wake up in time for breakfast and checkout, after which you will exit the park for Lake Bunyonyi which will take about 3-4hours. During this time you will enjoy the green scenic views and also have some picture moments as beautiful views must be captured for memories. You will get to your lodge at Lake Bunyonyi in time for lunch, after which you will check and rest before you set out for some canoeing and relaxation by the lake. You will head out for canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi with 29 islands to be visited, you will not miss out on the most popular island which is ‘Punishment Island’ and you will also get to see some birds like the grey shrikes, king fishers, herons, sunbirds, raptors, bee-eaters, widow birds and weavers and after you will relax by the lake and enjoy the sunset and this is breathtaking for a view. You will return to the lodge in time for dinner, after which you can relax and retire at will.
Day 8: Checkout and departure
You will wake up to a beautiful breakfast, and then check out of the lodge and prepare for your departure for Kampala and this will take about 9hours. You will have a stopover in Mbarara for lunch and at the equator, for stretching, picture taking moments and exploring the craft village after which you will continue to Kampala and will be dropped off at the agreed upon point which will mark the end of your 8 days safari.
