9-Day Pearl of Africa Uganda - Guided Tour

Entebbe

Welcome to Uganda! Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. For the next nine days, you will be accompanied by a professional English-speaking driver-guide who will guide you across the best of Uganda. Take this evening to relax and settle in after your flight.

Entebbe is an attractive, verdant town situated on a peninsula in Lake Victoria. Serving as the capital city during the early years of the British protectorate, its modern charm lies in its relaxed pace of life and lush natural attractions rather than colonial relics. Framed by inviting beaches with soft sand along the lake shores, Entebbe offers a peaceful, welcoming introduction to the "Pearl of Africa."

Your accommodation tonight is located just 10 minutes from the airport. Set on the historic grounds of a former presidential residence, this boutique property blends personalized hospitality with a tranquil atmosphere, making it a favorite retreat for travelers beginning their Ugandan safari.

Main Destination:
Entebbe (City)

Accommodation:
Karibu Entebbe

• Boutique mid-range guesthouse located in Entebbe

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park

This morning, you will head directly toward Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way, you will make a stop at the amazing Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Here, you will go on a guided trek to encounter magnificent rhinos on foot and enjoy lunch before continuing your journey. After checking into your lodge, you will have the afternoon to relax and enjoy the hospitality of the friendly staff.

Murchison Falls (also known as Kabalega Falls) is a spectacular waterfall nestled between Lake Kyoga and Lake Albert on the Victoria Nile. At the top of the falls, the entire Nile River forces its way through a tiny gap in the rocks only 7 meters (23 feet) wide, tumbling 43 meters (141 feet) below before flowing westward into Lake Albert. The outlet of Lake Victoria sends an incredible 300 cubic meters of water per second surging over the falls, squeezed into this narrow gorge.

Main Destination:
Murchison Falls National Park

Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP

• Hippo: Abundant
• Elephant: Common
• Giraffe: Common
• Lion: Common
• Buffalo: Common
• Chimpanzee: Occasional

Accommodation:
Twiga Safari Lodge

• Mid-range tented lodge located just outside Murchison Falls National Park

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Murchison Falls National Park

After an early breakfast, you will depart for an exciting full-day 4x4 safari with a packed picnic lunch to explore the scenic north bank of the Victoria Nile. You will traverse the park's rolling savannah plains, which host an incredible variety of wildlife. Keep your camera ready for elephants, lions, Cape buffaloes, Ugandan kobs, elegant Rothschild's giraffes, and an array of colorful birds. If fortune favors you, you might even spot a solitary leopard resting in the branches of a sausage tree or stalking through the golden grass.

In the afternoon, you will board a boat for a classic river safari, allowing you to take in the dramatic landscapes and riverine wildlife along the mythical River Nile from a unique perspective. Watch for massive pods of hippos, giant Nile crocodiles basking on the sandbanks, and elephants coming down to drink at the water's edge. Later, you will return to the lodge for a relaxing dinner.

Main Destination:
Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation:
Twiga Safari Lodge

• Mid-range tented lodge located just outside Murchison Falls National Park

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale National Park

After breakfast, you will depart with your driver-guide and embark on a scenic overland journey heading south toward Fort Portal in western Uganda. A stop for a relaxing lunch break is included along the route to stretch your legs and refresh.

Fort Portal is beautifully situated in the shadow of the legendary Rwenzori Mountains—historically known as the "Mountains of the Moon"—and is surrounded by miles of sweeping green tea plantations. From Fort Portal, you will continue your drive into the lush canopy of Kibale National Park, arriving at your lodge in the afternoon to settle in and listen to the sounds of the surrounding forest.

Main Destination:
Kibale National Park (Chimpanzees)

Wildlife in Kibale National Park

• Chimpanzee: Common
• Elephant: Occasional
• Buffalo: Occasional
• Hippo: Rare
• Lion: Very Rare
• Leopard: Very Rare

Accommodation:
Turaco Treetops

• Luxury mid-range jungle lodge directly bordering unfenced Kibale National Park

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you will prepare to travel south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park on an approximate three-hour drive. If you prefer to head straight to the park, you can enjoy a leisurely morning before departure.

Alternatively, you can choose an exciting optional morning activity: a guided chimpanzee trekking excursion in Kibale Forest (available at an extra cost of $255 USD per person, which includes the official Uganda Wildlife Authority permit fee). Accompanied by expert park rangers, you will track a habituated community of chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Along the forest trails, you may also encounter black-and-white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and an array of exotic forest birds and butterflies. Following the trek, you will return to the lodge for a freshly prepared lunch.

In the afternoon, your journey continues to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kasese. This scenic route offers dramatic views of the Rwenzori Mountains rising to your right and the sweeping rift valley unfolding to your left. As you enter the park gates, your driver-guide will pop the safari roof for an afternoon game drive en route to your lodge, offering your first chance to spot the park's famous wildlife.

Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Hippo: Abundant
• Elephant: Common
• Lion: Common
• Buffalo: Common
• Chimpanzee: Occasional
• Leopard: Occasional

Accommodation:
Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

• Mid-range rustic lodge offering panoramic valley and crater views just outside the park boundary

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, you will set out with your driver-guide for a morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains. This is the prime time to witness predator activity; look for lions and leopards returning from their night hunts before the sun gets too hot. You will also encounter large herds of Cape buffaloes, elephants, Ugandan kobs, and defensive warthogs scattered across the savannah. After a rewarding morning, you will return to the lodge to rest and enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, you will head down to the water for a classic boat safari along the famous Kazinga Canal, a natural 32-kilometer channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. This boat trip offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa. You will cruise past massive schools of huffing hippos and giant Nile crocodiles basking along the shore, while elephants, buffaloes, and waterbucks line the banks to drink. The canal is also a paradise for birdwatchers, attracting hundreds of species including kingfishers, pelicans, and rare saddle-billed storks.

Declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 1979, Queen Elizabeth National Park covers an incredibly diverse ecosystem that includes sprawling savannah plains, dense tropical forests, natural crater lakes, and rich wetlands that shelter roughly 95 mammal species and more than 600 species of birds.

Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation:
Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

• Mid-range rustic lodge offering panoramic valley and crater views just outside the park boundary

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, you will depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and head south toward the ancient rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Your route will take you through the scenic rolling hills and rural villages of southwestern Uganda. Upon arriving at the park boundary, you will instantly notice the dramatic shift in landscape as the open savannah transitions into dense, mist-covered mountain ridges.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to one of Africa's oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back more than 25,000 years. The park protects roughly 400 species of unique plants and serves as a vital sanctuary for more than half of the world's remaining wild mountain gorilla population.

You will check into Mahogany Springs Lodge, a premier luxury property beautifully perched on a hillside overlooking the pristine forest canopy. Spend your afternoon relaxing on the panoramic terrace, listening to the rushing waters of the Munyaga River, or enjoying a premium drink as the mist settles over the ridges. Dinner will be served in the main restaurant, featuring excellent internationally inspired cuisine.

Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Mountain Gorilla: Common
• Chimpanzee: Rare
• Elephant: Rare

Accommodation:
Mahogany Springs Lodge

• Luxury eco-lodge bordering the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, you will head to the Uganda Wildlife Authority park headquarters for a mandatory pre-tracking briefing. You will be assigned to a specific habituated mountain gorilla family in a small group of no more than eight travelers, and paired with an expert park ranger and armed trackers. Please remember to bring your passport for registration, wear sturdy waterproof hiking boots, and pack a light raincoat.

This exclusive, optional activity is available at an extra cost of $800 USD per person (which covers the official mountain gorilla conservation permit). The trek through the steep, densely forested ridges is unpredictable, lasting anywhere from two to eight hours depending on where the gorillas nested the previous night. Once your trackers locate the family, you will spend an unforgettable hour observing them from a safe distance as they feed, groom, play, and interact. A small waterproof daypack is highly recommended for carrying your packed lunch, bottled water, and camera protection.

Alternatively, you can choose to relax at the lodge, enjoy the peaceful mountain views from your private balcony, or take a guided nature walk along the river trail.

Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:
Mahogany Springs Lodge

• Luxury eco-lodge bordering the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Entebbe (Departure)

Following breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and take a scenic morning transfer to the nearby Kihihi Airfield. You will board a scheduled domestic flight back to Entebbe International Airport, soaring over the rolling terraced hills of southwestern Uganda.

Upon arrival in Entebbe, a representative will meet you to assist with your transit, conduct a brief tour debriefing, and ensure you are safely checked in for your onward international departure flight. This marks the conclusion of our safari services.

Main Destination:
Entebbe International Airport (Departure)

Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast included (Lunch and dinner not included)
• Drinks not included