25-Days Best of Uganda Wildness Holiday. - GTD Afrika Tours & Travels

25- Days Best of Uganda Wildness Holiday!

Day 1 – Arrival at Entebbe Airport and Transfer to to your hotel.

On arrival you will be transferred to your Lodge for dinner and relaxing. You will be welcomed by GTD Afrika Tours’ driver/Guide.

Day 2. Rare Shoebill experience and kampala city tour.

Early in the morning after your breakfast set off for rare shoebill experience and after start your tour of Kampala city. You will visit the Kasubi Tombs. The Kasubi Tombs are a World Heritage Site. They serve as a burial ground for some of the kings of Buganda. In Buganda it is believed that the King does not die but rather disappears. You will hear more tales from your guide and see some of the Buganda regalia at the tombs. You will then visit the Gadhafi Mosque. This is the national mosque in Uganda and it was built with support from the late Libyan leader, Muammar Gadhafi. It has a rich history with its location on the original colonial capital and one of the original ‘seven hills’ of Kampala. Climb up the many steps of the mosque to see Kampala through a bird’s eye view. You will visit the Uganda Museum which is a one-stop place for a historic tour of Uganda over the years. Different sections in the museum introduce you to nature, culture, technology, tools used by Ugandans over the years and traditional music instruments. Go to the Baha’i Temple Located on Kikaya Hill in the suburbs of Kampala, this is the only Baha’i Temple on the African continent. Enjoy the sight of the magnificent building and learn about the Baha’i faith in Uganda. Apart from the religious aspect of the temple, it sits on a vast piece of land with beautiful gardens with bird watching opportunities. Uganda Martyrs Shrine serves as a remembrance for the Ugandans from the Buganda Kingdom who died for their faith. The shrine offers the opportunity to learn about the history of Christianity in Uganda. Visit the Craft markets, and off course later in the day visit Ndere Centre. Ndere Centre is located in Kisasi, a suburb of Kampala. It is a cultural Centre where you are able to experience a mixture for all the cultures of Uganda is one boiling pot. The Centre offers cooking lessons for traditional Ugandan meals, traditional dance classes, and amazing performances in Kampala city.

Main Destination: Kampala

Accommodation: Cassia Lodge

All meals and Drinking water included

Day 3 – Transfer to Jinja (Source of the River Nile)

You will be picked up very early by GTD Afrika guide in the morning and start your journey to Jinja. Along the way you will see Mabira Forest, Sugar plantations in Lugazi and finally the World’s longest river Nile. Jinja lies on the shore of Lake Victoria, about 3 hours East from Kampala. This town is famous as the historic source of the river Nile .Besides enjoying peaceful sunsets, birdlife and tranquility, this is also where visitors get their adventurous fix. Enjoy activities such as white-water rafting, tubing, quad biking, mountain biking and horse riding or relaxing by shores. Jinja has a gorgeous natural setting with crumbling colonial architecture. It also has a vibrant downtown and broad leafy residential streets set next to the Nile River that you will also enjoy.

Main Destination: Jinja

Accommodation: 2 Friends Lodge

All Meals and Drinks water included.

Day 4 – Transfer to Sipi Falls

You will start your journey to Kumi to the sipi falls on this day. A drive through the north-eastern part of Uganda, to the foothills of Mt Elgon you reach a plateau 1800m above sea level where the beautiful Sipi Falls are located. These green area has a spectacular series of waterfalls , surrounded by village walking trails and lush green coffee-producing hills. There are three falls separated by steep hillsides. It is quite cool here compared to the other parts of Uganda with temperate weather conditions. You will relax and enjoy the fresh air and the calm environment away from city hustles and traffic. Later in the day, a coffee tour and community visits are some of the activities you can enjoy besides the hikes.

Main Destination: Sipifalls Kapchorwa

Accommodation: Sipi river Lodge Luxury hotel

All meals and drinking water included.

Day 5 – Nature Hikes and Visit the Traditional Kraal. GTD Afrika strives to be innovative and takes its responsibility by bringing you to places where no one else will go. One of these examples is Karamoja; an area in North-Eastern Uganda where you can learn about traditional life of the Karamojong, the most traditional tribe still living in Uganda. In the early morning breakfast, you will leave for Moroto the area occupied by the Karamajongs. On reaching, you will have a scenic nature walk through the highest mountain of Karamoja. During the walk we will set camp at a traditional village of the So Tepeth mountain people. After this, you will meet the Karamajong living in a Kraal, better known as Manyatta or Boma in Swahili. A Kraal is basically a village made out of huts surrounded by fences made of wood and thorns. These are put up to keep the cattle in and to protect them against rival tribes and wild animals. Some of the Kraals are permanent and others are temporarily.

Main Destination: Karamoja

Accommodation: Karatunga Moroto

All meals included and Drinking water

Day 6 – Transfer to Kidepo National Park

Wake up to the sights, sounds and smells of pastoral life and after breakfast we will continue our journey north through the rugged Karamoja scenery towards Kidepo Valley. In the morning you can still enjoy this unique opportunity to spend more time with the Karamojong tribe. After this thrilling experience it is time to travel to the most remote and pristine national park in the country: Kidepo Valley National Park.

In the rugged semi-arid valleys in the extreme northeast of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park lies hidden away in a lost and not frequently visited corner between Uganda’s borders with Sudan and Kenya. It is a long but very rewarding journey to get to this area with some of the most beautiful scenery in Uganda. You will experience an afternoon game drive in the wild Narus valley where herds of elephants and buffalos as well as beautiful sights of lions and leopards sitting on various valley rocks can be spotted.

Main Destination: Kidepo National Park

Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge

Meals and Drinks included .

Day 7 – Game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley national park is one of the few parks in Uganda where you can do a walking safari. An armed ranger is joining you for your safety and you will explore the wilderness on foot. During this activity you get the chance to experience the wildlife up-close, a totally different experience than game-viewing by car. Buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe, warthog, zebra, bush-buck and of course the naughty baboons can be seen all year round as well as many different bird species. The guide stops regularly, not merely searching for game, but telling you about birds, insects, trees, animal droppings, flowers, the medicinal use of plants and which animals eat which plants. This game park has a profusion of big game and hosts 475 bird species and over 80 mammal species, of which 28 were not known to occur or very rarely in any other Ugandan park. For example; ostriches, zebras, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves, caracals, cheetahs, and greater and lesser kudus.

Main Destination: Kidepo Valley National Park

Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge

All meals and Drinking water included.

Day 8 – Transfer from Kidepo to Murchison falls National Park

After an early breakfast we will leave the camp and have one last chance to enjoy the beauty of Kidepo and maybe get a sight of any animals we missed. From the park gates it is a two-hour drive through the rugged landscape and roads! of northern Uganda to Kitugum and then a further hour to Gulu where we will stop for lunch. From Gulu we will head south on good roads to the northern gates of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s best-known and biggest nature reserve. With the impressive and powerful Murchison waterfall and its remarkable animal populations, this is a must visit in the Pearl of Africa We will have the opportunity to take a slow drive in the late afternoon through the park before setting up camp in the delta area of the park.

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation: Fort Murchison

All Meals and Drinking water included .

Day 9- Game Drive and the Mighty Falls

After an early breakfast, it is time to explore the park. On the Game drive, you will spot as many animals as possible. While driving through the park you can come eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom. Hopefully you see them all; elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. They are all there! A professional ranger with extensive knowledge on the park and its inhabitants will join you in your car. The park is especially known for its massive elephant population, huge of bird species and big herds of buffalo. The afternoon boat safari towards the Murchison Falls is a very special activity, it takes approximately 3 hours and goes along the Victoria Nile to the base of the Falls. If you like hiking, the boat can drop you near the waterfalls and you can hike up to the top this takes around. The views are amazing!

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation: Fort Murchison

All meals and Drinking water included .

Day 10 – Visit the Top of the Falls and Transfer to Semulik National Park

After breakfast at your accommodation you will depart right away and travel to Semuliki National Park approximately on the road from Murchison falls national park. Have lunch along the way; later reach the park check in at the lodge.

Main Destination: Semliki National Park

Accommodation: Semiliki Safari Lodge

All meals and Drinking water included

Day 11- Sempaya hot springs, Hiking | Crater Lakes Tour | Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Caves then transfer to Kibale National Park.

After your delicious breakfast, set out and visit the Sempaya hot springs which are the most attention-grabbing attractions in Semuliki. These springs have a geyser that shoots up from the 8 meters hole, and the water is at a high temperature. The most interesting part about the springs is that one can boil matooke and eggs in the springs and the can get ready for eating in a few minutes. In fact this is the largest hot spring in Uganda. Still along the trail where the hot springs are located you will be in line to see a number of birds such as the Blue breasted Kingfisher and various primates such as the red tailed monkeys, and the grey cheeked mangabey.

You will visit the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Caves and the three surrounding Explosion Crater Lakes and learning about the local culture and legends. Then after you will transfer to Kibale National Park.

Main Destination: Kibale Forest National Park

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp

All meals and Drinking water included

Day 12 – Chimps Tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk in Kibale.

Today you will track the most famous inhabitants of Kibale National Park, The Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes making them our closest living relatives. They are found in 21 countries throughout Africa, but are most easily sighted in Uganda due to their dense populations. There is also a wonderfully diverse concentration of other primates, more than any other forest in East Africa.

Besides our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees, you can find red colobus, red-tailed guenon, white-nosed monkey, gray-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey. In addition, you may see olive baboons, bush babies and nocturnal pottos. You will have Bigodi swamp walk in the afternoon.

Main Destination: Kibale Forest National Park

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp

All Meals and Drinking water included

Day 13-Kibale National Park.

This is a relaxation day for you after your breakfast ,relax and enjoy hotel amenities and then afternoon visit the community for banana experience. “No banana No party”.

ccommodation : Kibale Forest camp.

All meals and Drinking water included.

Day 14 -Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

. Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national Park with stops for everlasting flowers, carex, the mimulopssis eliotti flowers and the giant lobelia. You then cross to Mahoma Lake, After Mahoma Lake you will drive straight to Queen Elizabeth national park.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge

All meals and Drinking water included.

Day 15- Queen’s Morning game drive and the afternoon explosion crater drive.

Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the park, along the Kasenyi plains and be on the look for Lions, Elephants, Leopards , Bushbucks, Cape Buffaloes, Waterbucks, Giant Forest Hogs, Uganda kob among others. Return to your accommodation for some rest time and lunch. In the afternoon you will go for the explosion crater drive. The drive is basically sightseeing with very spectacular view of the breathtaking scenery in and around Queen. There is also plenty of wildlife to see along the drive although commonest are sights of Cape Buffaloes plus Elephants. Return to the accommodation for relaxation, dinner and the overnight stay.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge

All meals and Drinking water included.

Day 16 – Morning Game Drive and Boat Cruise

After you have enjoyed your breakfast you will be taken for a morning game drive in time to see the sun rise. The morning is the best time for a game drive as the African animal kingdom tends to be most active when during the golden hours of the first sunlight touching the savannah. You will continue the search for all the wildlife; elephant, buffalo, lion, waterbuck, leopard, Uganda kob, warthog and do not forget about the birds and the primates.

After lunch, you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. Here, you will see a lot of hippos more than you can possibly imagine, as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see: Buffalo, Crocodile, bathing Elephant, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge

All meals and Drinking water included.

Day 17– Proceed to the southern part of Queen – to the Ishasha area

Have breakfast then set off for a breathtaking game viewing experience in the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park , famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are really hard to spot most especially when they’re down in the grassland looking for prey. Hoping you get the chance to spot them, the sight will be spectacular! You will also be able to see other wildlife such as the Uganda kob, Cape buffalos, elephants and warthogs in addition to the tree-climbing lions. Thereafter, head to the accommodation for relaxation, dinner and later overnight.

Main Destination: Ishasha Sector.

Accommodation: Topi Lodge

Meals and Drinking water included.

Day 18- More Ishasha game viewing and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Be up and have your breakfast served. Go for more tree-climbing lions’ sighting and thereafter transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is a big habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda including several habituated groups, which can be tracked. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check-in your accommodation, relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla lodge.

Meals and Drinking water included.

Day 19 – Gorilla trekking and Transfer to Mgahinga National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a highlight for many visitors as this is where they will be visiting the home of the gentle giants. The park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests lies on the mist-covered hillsides. Bwindi forest has an incredible diversity of flora and fauna and is the only forest in Africa which can make claim to host both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. In fact, half the worlds’ population of gorillas live here divided over nine habituated family groups. Also 5 other primate species, 120 species of mammal, over 220 butterflies and 360 bird’s species call Bwindi home. This is the place to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas up close for your very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ moment. After Gorilla Tracking you will transfer to Mgahinga National Park.

Main Destination: Mgahinga National Park

Accommodation: Travellers Rest Hotel

All Meals and Drinking water included.

Day 20- Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation

Today you will leave your lodge after an early breakfast and your driver guide will transfer you to the briefing point where the golden monkey trekking starts. A ranger guide will receive you and offer you a briefing with information on what to expect while in the park as you search for the golden monkeys. After this short brief, you will then start your hike up in search of the golden monkeys, which are only in the Virunga Volcanoes. You are encouraged to take with you a porter because the hike can be steep in some areas and they will be helpful. You will be joined by enforcement officers to help in case you meet the wild buffaloes and Elephants. The golden monkeys are generally more active than the gorillas and you will follow them as they move all over the place and feed.

Just like gorilla trekking, you are only allowed to spend 1 hour with the golden monkey before you start your descent back to the starting point and your lodge. They love feeding on bamboo shoots among other foods like fruits, vegetation and sometimes ants.

Thereafter, Start the Batwa experience then transfer to lake Bunyonyi.

Main Destination: Lake Bunyonyi.

Accommodation: Bird nest Hotel.

All meals and Drinking water included

Day 21 – Explore Lake Bunyonyi: enjoy canoe ride, interact with the community and sight birds.

After breakfast,Have a boat cruise at Lake Bunyonyi which will introduce you to the major islands and their rich history but also there will be some great time spent in traditional dugout canoe. Return to your accommodation for lunch and relaxation probably reflecting on your trip so far

Main Destination: Lake Bunyonyi.

Accommodation: Bird nest hotel.

All meals and Drinking water included.

Day 22- Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and enjoy afternoon game viewing.

Have breakfast and set off to Lake Mburo National Park. Drive past the intensely terraced Kigezi hill slopes into Mbarara town and finally Lake Mburo National Park. A stopover at Kabale Market for Ugandan Fruit testing and continue to the park in the early afternoon and take some rest , swim or enjoy the wonderful views from the hotel .

Main Destination: Lake Mburo National Park.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock

Meals and Drinks:

All meals included

Drinking water

Day 23 – Mburo park nature walk and Boat cruise

Enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo morning park/nature walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide. On this early morning guided walk, you often encounter hyenas that are returning to their dens after a night of being on the prowl. Also, you will have the opportunity to encounter at close range

Zebras, Giraffes and Eland, Topi and other antelopes, Cape buffaloes among others.

Take the Trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of 9 of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo National Park. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for lunch and drive back to the Boat for the afternoon boat cruise.

Main Destination: Lake Mburo National Park.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock

Meals and Drinks:

All meals included

Drinking water

Day 24- Safari walk in Lake Mburo National Park and transfer to Kampala

Early morning safari walk, get early up to visit the hyenas den, chance to see Leopards, zebras, water-bucks, birds buffaloes in there day break jungle life! Get back for breakfast and start the drive to Kampala. Have early lunch in Masaka and a stopover at the Equator. we continue to Kampala and have accommodation there.

Main Destination: Kampala

Accommodation: Emin Pasha Hotel.

All meals and Drinking water included .

Day 25 . Transfer to Entebbe Airport .

This day will mark the last day of your safari, after breakfast relax , and enjoy the environment and then after Transfer to Entebbe Airport for your flight.

Price Includes

•All Parks entry fees

•All activities

•All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade.

•Gorilla Permit

•A professional driver/guide

•All transportation

•Chimpanzee permit.

•All Taxes/VAT

•Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

•Drinking water

•Golden Monkey Permit