8 Days Classic Uganda Safari

Duration

8 Days 7 Night

Tour Type

Boat Cruise
Chimpanzee Tracking
Gorilla Trekking
Nature
Wildlife

Group Size

Unlimited

Tour Guide

Professional

8 Days Classic Uganda Safari

This 8 Days Classic Uganda Safari will expose you to Ugandan cultures ranging from the Batwa, Batooro and Bakiga. It will also take you to Uganda’s pristine forests – Kibale and Bwindi to watch chimpanzees and mountain gorillas respectively. Enjoy a game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth national park, with an opportunity to see savannah wild animals and birds including lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, warthogs, spotted hyenas, crocodiles, hippos and many more. You will visit Semuliki national park to witness the wondrous Sempaya hot springs and hike to the Amabere Ga’Nyinamwiru caves in Fort Portal tourism city.

Destination	Kibale and Bwindi National Parks
Depature	Yes Required
Departure Time
Return Time
Included	Specialized Guide Private Transport Park Entrance Fees Accommodation Safari Insurance Wi-Fi on board Lunch, Water, Dinner and Snacks
Excluded	Alcoholic Drink Personal Shopping Flight Tickets
Travel With a Private Vehicle

Details

The 8-Day Classic Uganda Safari offers a captivating journey through Uganda's most famous national parks and cultural heritage sites. This immersive experience combines wildlife adventures, primate tracking, cultural encounters, and scenic landscapes, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking to explore Uganda's diverse natural beauty and rich traditions.

Highlights:

Cultural Encounters with the Batwa, Batooro, and Bakiga:
- Discover the vibrant cultures of Uganda by visiting the Batwa, Batooro, and Bakiga communities. Gain insight into their unique traditions, customs, and ways of life, enriching your safari with authentic cultural experiences.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest:
- Trek through the Kibale Forest, known for being home to over 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees. Enjoy an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience as you observe these intelligent creatures in their natural habitat.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest:
- Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you will spend time with the endangered mountain gorillas in their lush, misty forest environment. This intimate experience will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Game Drives and Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park:
- Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most diverse parks. Go on thrilling game drives to see lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and more, alongside a rich variety of bird species.
- Take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, offering close encounters with wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species.
Semuliki National Park – Sempaya Hot Springs:
- Visit the unique Semuliki National Park and witness the Sempaya Hot Springs, natural geothermal springs located in a stunning rainforest setting. The sight and sound of the bubbling hot springs are a remarkable experience.
Amabere Ga'Nyinamwiru Caves in Fort Portal:
- Explore the Amabere Ga’Nyinamwiru caves near Fort Portal. These caves are steeped in history and local legend and offer a fascinating hike through the lush surroundings. The caves are famous for their geological formations and cultural significance.

Itinerary Summary:

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe and transfer to Kampala.
Day 2: Explore Kampala's cultural sites and history.
Day 3: Drive to Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking.
Day 4: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives and a boat cruise.
Day 5: Continue exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 6: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for gorilla trekking.
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and cultural experiences.
Day 8: Visit Semuliki National Park, Amabere caves, and return to Entebbe.

Best Time to Visit:

The best time to go is during the dry season, from June to September and December to February, when wildlife viewing and trekking are more accessible.

Duration:

This 8-day safari provides a balanced mix of wildlife, cultural exploration, and scenic experiences, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in Uganda’s diverse natural wonders and cultural heritage.

You will arrive and go through the immigration process at the airport in Entebbe which will be followed by a transfer to Kampala at the booked hotel. Have an option of taking a night life in the city of Kampala and this can will be after having dinner. Night life will involve visiting night clubs, casinos, cinema halls, and street food tasting among others.

A road transfer from Kampala or Entebbe to Bwindi takes almost whole day (9-11 hours) and you will therefore wake up early and start your journey after having breakfast. You will have a stop over at Kayabwe for the equator experience, have lunch in Mbarara town and proceed, traverse through the Kigezi terraced land to the park arriving in the evening.

Gorilla trekking will commence immediately after briefing whereby the park ranger guide, fully armed will lead the group of trekkers to trek the assigned gorilla family. This may involve walking long distances, hiking, and encountering other residents of the forest apart from the mountain gorillas. The trek may take 2 to 5 hours depending on the location of the great apes and an hour will be spent to wit them after they have been spotted. Head back to the lodge for your lunch followed by visiting the nearby Batwa community where the people of this tribe will take you through cultural entertainments, and show you their skills in making fire making using sticks, traditional medicines and much more.

Enjoy a morning breakfast and set off to Queen Elizabeth national park located in western Uganda. You will drive through Ishasha sector to give yourself a chance to spot the tree climbing lions which have made this sector famous. Other animals you are likely going to spot include elephants, buffalos, warthogs, and Uganda kobs among others. Head straight to Kazinga channel and embark on the afternoon boat cruise that lasts for about 2 hours. The water body is renowned for a high hippo concentration. Crocodiles and water birds are common. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

After an early morning breakfast, go for a game drive to catch up with wildlife residents of Queen Elizabeth national park; Uganda kobs, waterbucks which attract predators like the lions, spotted hyenas, leopards. You will transfer to Kibale national park after the 5 hours game drive. Kibale national park is renowned for a high concentration of chimpanzees and its other 12 primate species. Head to Isunga cultural community office on your arrival and engage in the traditional dances and music for both Batooro and Bakiga cultures that live at the edge of this forest park.

This day will start with an yummy breakfast at the lodge followed by a transfer to Kanyanchu Information Center to attend a briefing about chimpanzee trekking. Walk through the forest which may surprise you with an encounter with grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkey or blue tailed monkey as you search for the chimpanzees. Once they are spotted, you will have an hour with them and return to the lodge. You will go for a nature walk around Bigodi swamp sanctuary. This is another chance to see more primates alongside interesting bird species including the Great blue turaco.

You will have a 2.5 hours’ drive traversing through the foot hills of Mt. Rwenzori to Semuliki National Park. On arrival, take a guided walk able to the Sempaya hot springs. The guide will guide you on how to boil eggs and other foods which get ready in the shortest time possible and there you will enjoy your eggs or banana. Your presence in this park gives you a chance to spot primates such as black and white colobus monkeys, Vervet monkeys, mangabeys among others. Return to Fort Portal and visit Amabere Ga’Nyinamwiru caves, Nyakasura falls and hike Mweganywa hill. This area has a historical significance relating to the Bachwezi people and the hilltop offers best view of Fort Portal city, three crater lakes, the Rwenzori mountain ranges and the surrounding communities.

Have breakfast in the morning and transfer to Kampala. You will be dropped off at the airport in Entebbe and this will mark the end of your 8 days Uganda safari.