9 Days Uganda Safari Tour- Overview

The 9 Days Uganda safari tour takes you through the memorable white Rhino tracking in Ziwa Sanctuary, game viewing, a Nile launch cruise, a hike to the top of Murchison Falls, Gorillas & Chimpanzee trekking, community, and beautiful scenery viewing.

You will do Chimpanzee trekking in the primate capital of the world, Eco-encounters in Bigodi wetland, game reviewing including tree climbing lions, and a thrilling boat cruise the 45km long Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The 9 Days Uganda safari will take you Mountain Gorilla trekking in the hilly forested landscapes of Bwindi dibbed the Impenetrable, recreational boat encounters on Lake Bunyonyi known as the lake of a thousand islands and the amazing photo shoots and amazing water experiments at the Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe.

9 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Highlights

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhinos Sanctuary en route

Day 2: Do game drive & Nile launch cruise

Day 3: Visit the top of the falls & transfer to Hoima. Explore Kibiro Salt Gardens & hot springs en route

Day 4: Transfer to Fort Portal near Kibale National Park & do Bigodi wetland walk

Day 5: Do chimpanzee trekking & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 6: Do game drive & Kazinga channel launch cruise

Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable NP. Drive through Ishasha in search of tree climbing lions

Day 8: Do gorilla trekking & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for an evening boat cruise & relaxation

Day 9: Transfer to Kampala, traditional lunch at Igongo Cultural Center & a stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe.

9 Days Uganda Safari Tour- Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhinos Sanctuary En route

Transfer after breakfast to Murchison Falls National Park in the north west of Uganda 311km about 5 hours’ drive excluding stops en route.

You will pass through the flat Savannah landscapes of Nakasongora before branching off a little at Nakitoma 115km from Kampala for 7 km drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track white rhinos that only thrive at this place in the whole of Uganda.

You will have lunch at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and depart in the afternoon for Murchison Falls National Park for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury) / Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange/Standard) Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).

Day 2: Do Game Drive & Nile Launch Cruise

Wake up very early for a cup of coffee and then head to the park in the northern section entering through Tango gate where game drives are carried out.

The possible sights of various wildlife including; elephants, buffalo, Jackson hartebeest, Kobs, lion, leopard, giraffe among other wildlife will leave you with a taste of African Savannah wilderness. The activity takes 3 – 4 hours after which you will return to your lodge for relaxation and memory sharing.

After your stimulating lunch, gather at the Paraa for an after boat cruise on the Nile at 02:00pm. This boat trip has got captains and guides who have cruised on this waters for years and will be glad to share with every piece of information that you would wish to gather on this trip including any bird species and wildlife both aquatic and land that might present its self.

The shoe bill stork can be luckily seen on this boat while the great sights of Nile crocodiles – the second largest reptile in the world and the Hippos would make up your trip up to the base of the falls. The boat takes 3 hours after which you will have marked the end of your day’s adventures.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury) / Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange/Standard) Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).

Day 3: Visit The Top of The Falls & Transfer to Hoima. Explore Kibiro Salt Gardens & Hot Springs En route

After breakfast, transfer through the park to catch up with the ferry crossing at 9am to the south of the park.

In the south, you will embark on the exploration of the top of Murchison Falls which is the powerful waterfalls in the world to marvel at the Nile River which is the longest River in the world squeezing itself to pass through an 8m ravine before falling 43m to what has been termed as the Devils Cauldron forming a thunderous roar with a plume of spray marked by trade mark rainbow.

Sir Samuel Baker was the first European to marvel at this feature on 14^th March 1864 on his Nile expedition from the north and named after the then president of the Royal Geographical society – Sir Roderick Murchison.

After this encounter, you continue on the drive to Hoima passing via a scenic murram road along the Albertine rift. A stop en route at Kibiro Salt Gardens and hot springs will expose you to impressive local methods of fine salt extraction.

The views of the scenic Lake Albert and the views of the Blue Mountains on the Democratic Republic of Congo are very rewarding. From here, you will embark on the drive to Hoima for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Kontik Hotel

Day 4: Transfer to Fort Portal Near Kibale National Park & do Bigodi Wetland Walk

After an early breakfast, embark on the drive to Fort Portal area. After an approximate 5 hour drive on a rough murram road always preferred and named by the European travelers as African massage, you will arrive in the Fort Portal Area welcomed by the impressive scenic views of the Mpanga Tea Estates before continuing to Fort Portal town for Lunch.

After lunch, you will drive to Bigodi wetland for an afternoon walk to have possibilities of encountering primates, swamp animals like Sitatunga and a range of birds including the famous Great Blue Turaco. Return to Fort Portal for overnight.

Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury)/ Chimpanzee Forest Guest House (Midrange/Standard) Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic)

Day 5: Do Chimpanzee Trekking & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu tourism center for briefing at 08:00am from the park rangers about the Chimp trekking conduct. Set off to this forest of Kibale after the short briefing in quest of Chimpanzees.

The 2 – 5 hour trek will expose you amazing tree species and wildlife including other 12 species of primates like Colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, Red tailed monkeys and olive baboons.

The sights of Birds cannot be avoided while their songs will offer you natural entertainment through the jungle. You will marvel at the Chimpanzees as the roll themselves on tree branches, munch fruits and make their pant – hooting calls.

After utilizing your one hour, you will have a picnic lunch and return to the starting point for short relaxation before embarking on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km from Kibale about 3 hours’ drive.

The drive will expose you to the scenic Mountains of the moon – the Rwenzoris towering up to 5,109m high with snowcapped peaks before approaching the rolling savannah plain of Queen Elizabeth & eventually at the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury) / Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Basic/Budget)

Day 6: Do Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Launch Cruise

Wake up very for a cup of coffee before setting of for the game drive activity in the savannah game park of Queen Elizabeth.

The early departure at 06:00 gives you an opportunity to see night hunters like hyenas getting back to their hiding places and early risers setting off to look for what to eat.

The drive through the Kasenyi and channel tracks gives a probable opportunity to see a range of game including; Lions, buffalo, elephants, elusive leopard (if too lucky), defassa water bucks, Uganda kobs, Oribis, side stripped jackal among other wildlife.

Return to the lodge after this 3 -4 hour game drive and relax till lunch time. After lunch, you will gather at Mweya for a recreational afternoon launch cruise leaving at 03:00pm taking 2 hours exploring the magical offerings of Kazinga Channel including the sights of water birds and wild game drinking on the channel side, the Nile crocodile and the Hippos.

The 45m channel that stretches from Lake George to Lake Edward has tranquil waters that always give pleasure and psychological satisfaction to any traveller on Uganda safaris. Retire from the boat at 5 pm for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury) / Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Basic/Budget)

Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable NP. Drive Through Ishasha in Search of Tree Climbing Lions

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to the gorilla trekking haven of Bwindi south (Ruhija) 218km from Mweya.

You will pass through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and do simple game drives in search of the unique tree climbing lions that tend to rest on fig tree branches during day time – something that you can only find in Queen Elizabeth National Park Ishasha sector – Uganda and Lake Manyara National Park in southern Tanzania. Proceed with the journey, have lunch en route and arrive in Ruhija in the evening for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange/Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget/Basic)

Day 8: Do Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi For an Evening Boat Cruise & Relaxation

It is this long waited date when you will come across the critically endangered mountain gorillas that only exist in Bwindi and Virunga Volcanoes.

You will wake up early for a heavy breakfast before gathering at the Park headquarters Ruhija for briefing at 08:00 about the conduct of gorilla trekking.

You will head to the forest after briefing in search of these apes and though the trek is a bit challenging, it is one of those activities that you will never forget to have done in Uganda.

The 2 – 8 hours activity involves hiking up the hills, descending down the valleys, walking through swamps and maneuvering the way through thickets which have formed the background of this Impenetrable forest before coming in direct contact with gorillas.

The one full hour is at your disposal to maximize your experience with gorillas as you them forage, play, socialize and also gaze at you in a sign of welcoming and saying good bye.

The opportunity to take as many photos as you can is availed to you while asking questions to your guide about these apes is up to your discretion.

The experience is rewarding and worth undertaking. Your picnic lunch will take you through the activity after which you will descend to the starting point and embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi 48km passing through the scenic landscapes of Kigezi highlands.

Upon arrival, do a recreational evening boat cruise exploring the beauty of Lake Bunyonyi dubbed the lake of a thousand hills because of its 29 islands amidst the scenic Kigezi highlands dubbed the Switzerland of Africa. Retire for overnight.

Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket /Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Midrange/Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget/Basic).

Day 9: Transfer to Kampala, Traditional Lunch at Igongo Cultural Center & a Stop at Uganda Equator Crossing Kayabwe.

After your breakfast, embark on the journey back to Kampala 437km about 7 hours’ drive excluding stops en route.

The drive will expose you to country side scenery and economic activities that have sustained the lives of the local communities for centuries past among which include extensive Banana plantation and cattle keeping. You will make a stop for lunch at Igongo cultural center 12km past Mbarara.

After this encounter, you will continue on the drive to Kampala. Another stop will be made at the Equator crossing Kayabwe 77km to Kampala for photo shoots and water experiments that justify the geographical divide between the northern and southern hemispheres if time permits. You will arrive in Kampala in the evening.

End of The 9 Days Uganda Safari Tour