Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVAL
You will be welcomed by a representative of Great Lakes Safaris who will transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe. Depending on the time of arrival you might spend the afternoon at UWEC, home to captive animals and over 170 species of birds. This includes 7 species of weavers, such as the rare Northern Masked Weaver and Orange Weaver, etc. Dinner and overnight at Sophie's Motel.

Day 2

HERITAGE TRAILS
On the first day you can enjoy a delicious breakfast and then continue for a transfer to the Heritage Trails, situated about 10 km from Entebbe. Here you will enjoy 4 hours of birding on the best trails around Kampala, with over 170 species of birds! Look out for the Brown Twin Spots, Moustached Warbler, Fain Tailed Widow bird, Striped Kingfisher, Black Bishop and many more. Lunch at the park, relax while birding and later in the afternoon return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at Sophie's Motel.

Day 3

ENTEBBE : MABAMBA SWAMP : KAMPALA
Early transfer to Mabamba Swamp, 50 kms west of Kampala. Look out for many different birds on our way to the swamp, like the Papyrus Gonolek, White Winged Warbler and Weyns Weaver. Mabamba Swamp is one of the best places to spot the rare Shoebill Stork. But also many other species can be found here, like the Allen's Gallinule, Purple Gallinule (swamp hen), Grey herons, a variety of egrets, ducks etc. The best way to enjoy the rich bird life is by canoe and you might even have the luck to encounter the elusive Sitatunga Antelope, adapted to swampy habitats. Later in the afternoon continue to Kampala to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at Olympia Hotel.

Day 4

KAMPALA : MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast we will depart for the most beautiful protected area in Uganda, boosting over 450 species of birds: Murchison Falls National Park. Enjoy a lunch stop in Masindi before we enter the park. We will visit the magnificent falls where you will enjoy and marvel at the mighty Nile. The famous waterfall is being forced into a seven meter crevice to thunder 45 meters below in a serie of cascades. This spectacular scenery can be viewed from different points up at the baler's summit. Also birds like the African Pied Wagtail, Rock Pranticoles and a mixed flock of swifts can be viewed. Dinner and overnight at Red Chilli Rest Camp.

Day 5

MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
After an early morning breakfast you will enjoy a half-day game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, escorted by a ranger. Not only you go in search of the wildlife, including the Rotschild Giraffe, elephant, Jackson's Hartebeest and waterbucks, but you will also encounter a rich variety of savannah woodland birds: the Grey Crowned Cranes, Saddle billed Stork, Silver bird, Chestnut Capped Weaver, Spotted Morning Thrush, Common Drongo, Bruce's Green Pigeon, Black billed Dove and Namaqua Dove. After lunch we will go on a Nile cruise for game viewing at close quarters. Watch how hippos take a bath, crocodiles lying lazy at the shores and many colourful Bee-Eaters flying. Dinner and overnight at Red Chilli Rest Camp.

Day 6

MURCHISON FALLS : FORT PORTAL
We depart Murchison Falls and head towards Fort Portal. The drive is almost eight hours but will provide you with some stunning views as you pass small African villages and banana plantations. The lovely town of Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon and is famous for the many tea plantations. Dinner and overnight Rwenzori View Guesthouse, excellent accommodation with view at the Rwenzori Mountains.

Day 7

CRATER LAKES & BIGODI SWAMP
Early in the morning transfer to the small village Bigodi for a beautiful nature walk. The Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the local community and takes approximately 2 hours. The swamp is known for its rich diversity of birds and is often called “Home of the Great Blue Turaco”, a beautiful coloured bird that you can't miss. After lunch we will pass the region of the Crater Lakes for some more birding. Enjoy the beauty of hundreds of small lakes and some stunning views, while you pass little African villages. Dinner and overnight at overnight at Rwenzori View Guesthouse.

Day 8

FORT PORTAL : LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, we drive to Lake Mburo National Park via the city Mbarara. As we enter the park and head towards the accommodation it is likely you will see some wildlife, like impalas, topis, zebras and buffaloes. Look also for birds such as the Crested Francolin, Emerald Spotted Wood Dove, Bare faced Go-Away and the Common Scimitarbill. After checking in you will go on a boat ride on the lake and enjoy the rich bird life and the hippos that are cooling off. Dinner and overnight at Rwonyo Camp.

Day 9

LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK - KAMPALA
Early start of the day as we will go for a nature walk guided by a ranger. Lake Mburo is the only national park where you can experience a safari on foot. You will encounter several species of wetland and savannah birds, impalas and other wildlife. After breakfast we transfer to Kampala with a stop at the equator for photos and some shopping. Late in the afternoon arrival in Kampala where you will be dropped at Olympia Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 10

DEPARTURE
Enriched with an experience of a lifetime and unforgettable memories you will say goodbye to the Pearl of Africa. Depending on the time of departure you will be transferred to the airport for you flight back home. We are looking forward to seeing you again!

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Mineral water throughout the safari

Exclusions -

Meals and drinks not mentioned above

Extras -

Upgrading: If you wish to stay in luxury accommodation please notify so we can inform you about the upgrade fees. Tailor-made: If you wish to make some adjustments in the proposed itinerary please let us know. We are specialised in tailor-made safaris, so we will reply to any request.
For more details and tailor-made safaris please contact us!