This 8 Day into Nature’s Spotlight Safari is a remarkable journey into the wild heart of Uganda’s premier national park, where majestic landscapes and rich biodiversity come together. This safari provides an unforgettable experience filled with thrilling wildlife encounters, unforgettable scenic landscapes, and an awe-inspiring up-close view of the legendary thunderous Murchison Falls, one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls, Kibale National Park renowned for its high population of chimpanzees and End your Safari with a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to more than half of the world’s remaining population of these endangered mountain gorillas.
8 Day into Nature’s Spotlight Safari Highlights:
- Game Drive Through the Savannah plains.
- Boat Safari on the Nile to the bottom of the falls.
- Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls.
- Tree climbing Lions.
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Batwa Community Visit.
- Rhino tracking.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by our meet-and-greet lounge host who will ensure a seamless transition from the airport, and aid you through fast-track assistance with VISA, and luggage collection. After the immigration and baggage collection process, you will then be handed over to our driver guide to start your safari journey. You will transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Number 5 (Luxury), Protea Hotel by Marriott (Midrange) Airport Guest House.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 2: Transfer To Murchison Falls National Park Via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Today’s adventure begins with an early breakfast at 0600hrs. You then travel through Kampala, Uganda’s bustling capital. The scenic 6-7-hour drive to Murchison Falls National Park offers an introduction to Uganda’s diverse countryside, showcasing picturesque villages, lush farmlands, and glimpses of local life. You’ll make a stopover at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en-route to the park to engage in on-foot rhino tracking. The sanctuary, located halfway between Kampala and Murchison Falls, is home to Uganda’s only wild white rhinos, offering an up-close experience of these majestic creatures. Upon arrival, we enter the park through the Kichumbanyobo gate and visit the top of the falls for magnificent, picturesque moments before checking in at your lodge.
Covering over 3,800 square kilometers, Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park, renowned for its sprawling savannah, riverine woodlands, and vibrant wildlife. Murchison Falls National Park has over 76 mammal species and 451 bird species. Reptiles like the Nile crocodile, hippo, and the rare semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelope. You may glimpse the big 5 mammals: Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffes, warthogs, giant forest hog, Uganda Kob, topi, and waterbuck.
Dinner and overnight at Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange), Red ChilliCamp (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 3: Game Drive – Boat Cruise – Optional Hike to the Top of the Falls
Begin with a cup of coffee at 0600hrs before stepping out for an early morning game drive, a perfect time to spot some of Murchison Falls’ iconic animals. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll explore the Buligi Game Tracks that stretch between the Victoria and Albert tracks. This area is ideal for seeing large herds of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and the occasional predators like lions and leopards. You will also spot numerous giraffes, Hartebeest, Bushbucks, Jackal, hyenas, oribis, Uganda kobs, etc. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy sightings of species like the Goliath heron, Abyssinian ground hornbill, and African fish eagle. After an exciting morning on the safari, you’ll return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
A short rest at the lodge allows for a smooth transition to an afternoon boat safari along the Nile at 1400hrs. The boat safari provides stunning views of the Nile River to the bottom of the Murchison Falls, the longest river in the world, and introduces the safari’s first sightings of large schools of hippos, crocodiles, and diverse bird species like rare shoebill stork, Fish Eagle, African Skimmer, Grey-crowned Crane, Black-headed Gonolek, Goliath Heron, Green-winged, Long-toed Plover, Saddle-billed Stork. Avid photographers will love the opportunity to capture these remarkable animals in their natural habitat, backdropped by the park’s lush vegetation.
Optional Adventure: ($15 Per Person).
For those up for the challenge, a guided hike to the top of the falls reveals awe-inspiring views and an up-close look at the mighty Nile plunging through a narrow 7-meter gorge. The roar of the waterfall and the mist in the air create a memorable and immersive experience of nature’s raw power.
Dinner and overnight at Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange), Red ChilliCamp (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Kickstart your day with breakfast at 06h00. After a briefing, you’ll begin the scenic drive to Kibale National Park. This 6-7-hour journey takes you through breathtaking scenic landscapes, lush greenery, rolling hills, tea plantations, and the lively town of Fort Portal. Upon reaching Kibale, you will be welcomed by the serene beauty of one of the most bio-diverse regions in East Africa. You will transfer to your lodge fully surrounded by the mystical calls of the monkeys followed by an evening at leisure whilst utilizing complementary activities offered by the lodge. Over a dozen primates inhabit this national park, and various types of monkeys grace the trees around your verandah. Close your eyes, and the soundtrack will provide an incredible appreciation for how remote you are.
Dinner and overnight at Kibale Lodge/Primate Lodge/ Chimpundu Lodge (Luxury), Turaco Tree Tops (Midrange), Bweza Kibale Lodge (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking – Community and Cultural Experience.
After a paradisiac breakfast at 06h30, prepare for an exhilarating chimpanzee-tracking adventure in the lush forests of Kibale. Kibale National Park is home to about 1,500 chimpanzees, along with 12 other primate species such as the black-and-white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, and grey-cheeked mangabey. You will transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing by expert guides and rangers about the park’s rules, tracking techniques, and chimpanzee behaviors. Led by an experienced ranger guide, you will venture into the dense forest looking for chimpanzees. The tracking duration can vary from 1-4 hours depending on the movement of the chimpanzee groups. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you’ll have a precious one-hour window to observe these magnificent animals as you watch them swing through trees, groom one another, and communicate through vocalizations.
After lunch at 14h00, you will go for a village walk to immerse yourself in the interesting cultures of the community. This immersive activity features coffee plantation tours, a traditional healer experience, Basket weaving, and a cultural performance, wrapped by local banana beer/Gin production and tasting.
Dinner and overnight at Kibale Lodge/Primate Lodge/ Chimpundu Lodge (Luxury), Turaco Tree Tops (Midrange), Bweza Kibale Lodge (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
After breakfast, check out at 0700hrs and drive heading to the southwestern part of the country. Your destination is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (+7hours drive). You will travel through the rolling hills, terraced farms, and rural villages, gaining a glimpse of local Ugandan life. Once you arrive in Bwindi, you’ll check into a carefully selected lodge that offers both comfort and proximity to the park, allowing you to recharge for the next day’s adventures.
Dinner and overnight at Bwindi Lodge (Luxury), Mahogany Springs Lodge (Midrange), Gorilla Bluff Lodge (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking Adventure – Batwa Cultural Experience
After a hearty breakfast at 0600hrs, your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience begins. You’ll transfer to the park reception for a briefing at 0730hrs about gorilla behaviors, family structures, and conservation efforts, making this an educational encounter as well as a thrilling one. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides and following the advance trackers team, you’ll enter Bwindi’s ancient forest in search of a gorilla family. Treks can range from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the location and movement of the gorillas, but each moment is priceless, filled with anticipation and excitement as you follow signs of these gentle giants. Once you reach the gorilla family, you’ll have the rare privilege of spending an hour observing as you capture stunning photos of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. You’ll watch as gorillas groom each other, play, and interact under the watchful gaze of the silverback. After this mind-blowing activity, you will return to the lodge for lunch.
At 1400hrs, you will visit the Batwa also known as the “Keepers of the Forest,” for a cultural experience. Through a guided cultural experience, you’ll learn about their history, traditions, and lifestyle, which are deeply intertwined with the forest. You’ll enjoy traditional dances, songs, and demonstrations of Batwa hunting, honey, and medicine-gathering techniques, enriching your understanding of the local heritage.
Dinner and overnight at Bwindi Lodge (Luxury), Mahogany Springs Lodge (Midrange), Gorilla Bluff Lodge (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 8: Return Journey to Entebbe – Departure
On the final day, we’ll embark on a scenic drive back to Entebbe (10hrs drive) where you can reflect on the unforgettable memories created during your Uganda gorilla safari. Our team will ensure a comfortable return, including stopovers at picturesque locations, allowing you to savor Uganda’s beauty one last time before departure. Depending on the time of departure you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
End of the 8 Day into Nature’s Spotlight Safari.
The 8 Day into Nature’s Spotlight Safari includes;
1. All Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking permits.
2. All entrance fees.
3. All ground transportation in a 4WD Vehicle with a pop-up roof for easy game viewing and photography.
4. All Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary.
5. English-speaking Experienced Safari guide.
6. Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
7. Game Drive Through the Savannah plains.
8. Boat Safari on the Nile to the bottom of the falls.
9. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.
10. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
11. Batwa Community Visit.
12. Equator line crossing tour.
13. Refreshments and snacks in the vehicle.
Exclusions.
1. All Tips to Hotels/Lodges/Camps staff and Safari Guide.
2. Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls.
3. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that are not accompanying meals.
4. International flight/s and departure taxes and other taxes.
5. Visa fees. Visas are available online or upon arrival at all Entry points.