Entebbe * Murchison Falls * Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Gorillas)
This is a simple tour which combines TWO of Uganda's top parks into a wonderful six-night flying safari. Murchison Falls offers you Nile River boat cruises, game drives, birding, fishing and chimpanzee trekking at Budongo. Whilst Bwindi is the home of gorilla trekking in Uganda. Being only six nights it is easy to combine with a Big Five or migration safari in either Tanzania or Kenya.
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest park. So it is many visitors' favourite. Not only does it shelter elephant, buffalo and, lion. But the River Nile, an attraction in itself, is also home to hippo and the huge Nile crocodile. Plus the Budongo Forest, part of Murchison Falls National Park, has chimpanzees which are habituated to visiting trekkers. And the river delta offers you the chance to see the weird and rare prehistoric-looking Shoebill stork. Chimp tracking in nearby Budongo Forest is also available (as an optional extra).
You stay on the River Nile and enjoy game drives and a memorable boat cruise up the Nile River to the thunderous foot of the waterfall. Here the full force of the river is thunders through a small 8 metre gap in the rocks. Then you'll view this spectacle from above. As the walk to to the top gives an even greater sense of the immense force of nature.
The more tranquil side of the riverbank is enjoyed on a Delta cruise downstream by boat. Game viewing and birding on the banks of the river is excellent. As many species rely on daily visits to the river to drink. Back on land, you enjoy game drives within the national park.
The second full day includes chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest
Included Activities
Feel free to add on a third night in Bwindi if you wish to either do a second Gorilla trek, or spend some time visiting the community or doing a forest walk.
4 or 6 people - The price below shows the Indicative price at our Premier level (main price) and Luxury level (Upgrade) and assumes 2 people travelling. However if there are 4 or more of you, the price does decrease a little (by approx 10% to 12%). So ask us for a tailor-made quote. The indicative price is based on high season and so it may be a little cheaper at other times of year.
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On arrival in Entebbe, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Depending on the time you arrive, you may choose to go for a sunset cruise on Lake Victoria, watch the sun set with refreshing views of the lake.
Private transfer to the airport for your flight to Murchison Falls National Park. There is a 15 kg baggage allowance, per person.
Note: There is also the option to drive to Murchisons if you prefer. In this case you would leave early and visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route. Here you have a walking Safari to the Southern Park to trek White Rhinos that have been re-introduced in Uganda
Later in the day, take a game drive to the top of the Murchison Falls and enjoy a walk around the top.
Upgrade Option: Nile Safari Lodge, Fully Inclusive
Two full days are spent exploring Murchison Falls National Park. A cruise on the Nile to view the Delta area and the base of the falls and game drives are included.
After an early breakfast, you can opt for the scheduled boat ride to the Nile Delta (for a supplement). Another interesting, but more placid activity, is through the extensive papyrus delta through which the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert. Here again there are plenty of animals and birds to see with an excellent chance of seeing the rare Shoebill stork, thereafter you will proceed for a bush breakfast on the Nile.
After breakfast you enjoy a game drive (included in the price). This is a beautiful drive across savannah, Borassus Palm Forest and grassland down to Lake Albert where the Albert Nile heads north. Drive in the open African savannah in search for lions, leopard, hyena, buffalo, elephant, Jackson hartebeest, oribi, waterbuck and Uganda kob. Enjoy spotting various bird species such as the secretary bird, black-chested snake eagle, tawny and marshal eagles, carmine and swallow-tailed bee-eaters, and many more.
In the afternoon, go for a private sundowner boat ride up the Nile (at supplemental cost), to Murchison Falls, from whence the park derives its name. Enjoy these spectacular falls where the Nile squeezes through a 7meter gap and at the bottom you will see huge Nile crocodiles bask.
Today you will experience Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest National Park. You will arrive at the Park Headquarters at 7:30 am for briefing. Led by an experienced Ranger Guide, you will start off into the forest to find the Chimps as they awake from their Nests. There are 4950 chimpanzees within Uganda; It is also home of 8 species of primates, including the Black and White Colobus, Red Colobus, Red Tailed Monkey, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Olive Baboon, L’hoest Monkey, Vervet Monkey and the Blue Monkey.
Afterwards you will proceed for your visit to the top of the Murchisons falls and have a spectacular view of the falls from above, descend half way the trail to have a view from below, hike back to the top and proceed to the lodge.
Later in the evening, you will go for an evening game drive.
Morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, then take a scheduled afternoon flight from Murchison Falls National Park to Kihihi Airstrip. On arrival, you will meet your guide and then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas. This fascinating mountain forest hosts chimpanzees and spectacular birds. There are 23 of the 24 Albertine Rift endemic bird species including blue-throated broadbill, bar-tailed trogon and other beautiful forest species.
Head to bed early this evening so that you are ready for gorilla trekking the next day.
Upgrade Option: Bwindi Lodge, Fully Inclusive
This morning you will get up very early for gorilla trekking. Trekking the Mountain Gorilla is one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. The trek will take between 2 and 6 hours, but is well worth the effort. You will be led by an experienced ranger who will tell you interesting facts about flora and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas.
Depending on the time you return from the Gorilla trek, and your energy levels, you may choose to visit the Ride for a Woman Project in Buhoma sector an organization that has helped to equip widows and orphans with skills such as craft making sewing etc, which they sell in turn to earn a living and look after their families. Additional cost of $30 per person.
After breakfast, you will transfer to Kihihi Airstrip and fly back to Entebbe enjoying the beautiful aerial view of south western Uganda, the hills and thick vegetation as well as the farming practiced by the locals.
This is a set tour using specific camps. However many tours can be adapted. Chat to us about your options. It excludes international flights but includes an estimate for all domestic or regional flights within the tour.
Accommodation and meals as in the proposal, domestic flights, packed lunches when travelling, english-speaking guide, transport in a 4x4 Land-cruiser Jeep with pop-up roof, all entrances and game drives, chimpanzee trekking permit in Budongo, mineral water in the vehicle, Amref flying doctors insurance, House drinks on safari (Upgrade Option)
EXCLUDES$800 gorilla permit per person (will add at quote stage), international flights, any optional activities (such as Delta boat ride, Village walk and Sunset boat cruise) plus items of a personal nature (tips, curios, drinks, personal purchases)
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