Itinerary Highlights
- The thundering Murchison Falls
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa
- Big cats and big game in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks
- Chimp tracking in Kibale Forest
- Gorilla tracking in Bwindi
- Walking the beautiful Ivi Trail
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Travel Guide
- Transfers
14 nights from £8,420 per person
Derek Schuurman
Travel Specialist
This wonderful itinerary can be done almost year-round and takes in a selection of the country's most appreciated protected areas: start with a visit to the spectacular Murchison Falls National Park, which, with a stop for rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route, means you have the chance to see the Big 5 during your trip.
From Murchison Falls, travel to the luxuriant tropical forest of Kibale Forest, famed for its Chimpanzees and other primates which include several monkey species.
From Kibale, continue to the Mweya sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where aside from game drives, you will be taken for a morning launch cruise on Kazinga Channel. Travel south to magical Ishasha, to enjoy the Wilderness Ishasha Tented Camp.
From Ishasha, its a quick drive to Buhoma in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, from where you then do the awe inspiring 5 - 6 hour walk known as the Ivi Trail. The walk takes you to Nkuringo, the southern sector of Bwindi. Here you have the opportunity to visit one of the resident, habituated groups of Mountain gorilla - an awe inspiring end to a wonderful adventure! Transfer afterwards to Kisoro air strip for the internal flight back to Entebbe, where you have day room use before the late night flight home.
Itinerary
Day 1 London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports) -
Fly from London Heathrow or selected other UK airports in the early morning, via Amsterdam to Entebbe where you arrive in the late evening. You will be met and transferred to Papyrus Guesthouse to stay overnight with breakfast included.
Day 2 Entebbe - Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary - Murchison Falls N
After breakfast, depart with your driver-guide in your comfortable 4WD to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, (about 3hrs,30min) where you have the opportunity to see White rhinos. Continue on to Murchison Falls National Park, where you stay for three nights in the highly-rated Murchison River Lodge with all meals included.
Day 3 Murchison Falls National Park
After an early morning game drive in the magnificent Murchison Falls National Park, enjoy lunch at Bakers Lodge. Take an afternoon boat cruise along the Nile River, during which you'll be able to look for game and an abundance of birdlife. With luck, you may see the nationally scarce Shoebill. The cruise culminates at the bottom of the Falls.
Day 4 Murchison Falls National Park
Another day in which to savour the delights of Murchison Falls National Park with its abundant wildlife and varied habitats as well as some of the country's most impressive scenic highlights. Today's activities will once again include a boat trip and game drives. During your time in the park you will also be taken for a guided walk to the top of the Falls
Day 5 Murchison Falls National Park - Fort Portal - Kiba
Depart after breakfast with your dedicated, professional driver-guide in your private 4WD vehicle to Fort Portal, where you make a lunch stop. Continue on to the beautiful tropical forest at Kibale Forest National Park. Arrive in the afternoon at Primates Kibale Lodge for a 2 night stay, all meals included.
Day 6 Kibale Forest National Park
This morning depart for a full day of Chimpanzee tracking in the morning, with a nature walk in the afternoon***.
During walks in Kibale, expect to see a variety of other monkeys and wonderful Equatorial African birdlife.
*** Alternatively, you may wish to go on a Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, which involves spending the day with members of the research team, following the movements of one of the resident groups of Chimpanzees. (Ask us for details; there is an additional cost included for this activity).
During the habituation excursion, you can expect to see the chimps de-nesting between 05.30 to 06.30 and follow them throughout the day till they make new nests in the early evening.
Return to the camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Staying at
Primate Lodge Kibale
Day 7 Kibale Forest National Park - Queen Elizabeth Nati
Drive to Mweya, the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park (approx. three hour drive), with optional stops en route at a honey project, basket weavers' workshop and a crafts stall.
Mweya offers very rewarding game viewing, with sightings including African elephant, Cape buffalo and African lions. The boat rides along Kazinga channel linking lakes George and Edward affords plenty of opportunity to see some of Africa’s highest densities of Hippos as well as plenty of enormous Nile crocodiles. Of course birdlife here is abundant.
Stay 2 nights at Katara Lodge, which is well located for game drives in Mweya, as well as launch cruises on the Kazinga Channel.
Day 8 Queen Elizabeth National Park - Mweya Sector
In the morning, enjoy a game drive in wildlife-rich Mweya. After lunch, embark on a launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which links Lakes Edward and George. The area is in particular, known for its concentrations of hippo and also, huge Nile crocs.
Please note that on the launch cruise, you may share the boat with other tourists (the same is the case with Chimpanzee and Gorilla tracking where you will invariably be with other tourists).
Staying at
Katara Lodge
Day 9 Queen Elizabeth National Park - Mweya Sector - Ish
Today, you drive southwards to the Ishasha sector of the national park. Take a game drive in the southern (Ishasha) sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, looking for the tree-climbing lions and other game found in this part of the park
Overnight in the stylish and beautifully located Wilderness Ishasha Tented Camp with all meals included.
Day 10 Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha Sector) - B
After a morning of game driving in Ishasha for the tree climbing lions, you continue southwards to the beautiful Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park where you will stay for three nights at the lovely Buhoma Lodge, all meals included.
Day 11 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (Buhoma
You will be taken to the Park HQ for a briefing at 07h00 on conduct during gorilla tracking. Head into the dense rainforest with experienced trackers to seek out one of the resident, habituated groups of Mountain gorilla. The hour you may spend with these magnificent primates is one of the most memorable wildlife experiences to be had anywhere in the world. Overnight in Buhoma Lodge.
Staying at
Buhoma Lodge
Day 12 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (Buhoma
Today you have the opportunity for a second gorilla trek*** in the Buhoma section of the National Park.
*** Second gorilla permit is US$ 700 per person
Staying at
Buhoma Lodge
Day 13 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (Buhoma S
After breakfast, you check out of your room and use the facilities in the main lodge area. You enjoy lunch at the lodge before your transfer to the Kihihi Airstrip for the afternoon domestic flight back to Entebbe.
Here you have the use of a day room at Papyrus Guesthouse. After dinner at the guesthouse, you enjoy an evening transfer for the KLM flight departing late at night back to Amsterdam.
Staying at
Papyrus Guest House
Day 14 Arrival: London or selected other UK airports
On your early morning arrival in Amsterdam, connect with the KLM flight to London Heathrow or selected other UK airports.
Derek Schuurman
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
14 nights from £8,420 per person
Itinerary Dates
Pricing
1st Jul 2022 -
30th Sep 2022
30th Sep 2022
£8,420
Derek Schuurman
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
* Return international flights from London Heathrow or selected other UK airports to Entebbe via Amsterdam (economy class seating)
* Air taxes
* Domestic flight Kisoro - Entebbe
* All accommodation based on double or twin room occupancy, with meals as specified (Full Board everywhere except in Entebbe).
* All road transfers as indicated in comfortable 4WD vehicle
* Services of an English speaking driver- guide
* Park fees/ permits
* One Chimpanzee tracking permit per person
* One Gorilla tracking permit per person
* All other excursions and activities described in the itinerary
* Mineral water, tea and coffee in the vehicle
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
* Beverages other than those in the vehicle
* Visa (US$50, must be applied for on line prior to travel)
* Expenses of a personal nature; gratuities
* Chimpanzee habituation (ask us for details); Gorilla habituation experience (ask us for details) and second gorilla permit.
Pricing Notes
* Price is based on two people travelling together and sharing in twin or double room accommodation.
* Should you wish to Travel on your own as a Single Traveller staying in One Single Room it will cost an additional £3,160
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
