10-Day Uganda Fly-in Safari

Arrival in Uganda and Fly to Kibale National Park

The 10-Day Best of Uganda Fly-in Safari adventure begins as you arrive at Entebbe International Airport. After clearing customs and immigration, you will be whisked away to a scheduled flight to Kasese Airstrip, near Kibale National Park. This flight allows you to bypass the long drive from Entebbe, ensuring that your safari starts with comfort and efficiency. Upon arrival at Kasese Airstrip, your knowledgeable safari guide will meet you and transfer you to Kibale National Park, located in the lush highlands of western Uganda.

Kibale is renowned for its population of chimpanzees, with over 1,500 individuals calling it home. The park, along with its surrounding area, also boasts an incredible array of primate species, including the endangered red colobus monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the grey-cheeked mangabey. As you drive towards Kibale, you will pass through picturesque landscapes, including rolling farmlands and communities nestled beneath the towering peaks of the “Mountains of the Moon,” the Rwenzori Mountains.

Upon arrival at your lodge, take some time to unwind and enjoy the tranquil setting. In the late afternoon, you may choose to go on a leisurely bird walk around the lodge’s vicinity, where you can spot some of the park’s fascinating birdlife.

Accommodation Options (Full Board):

• Upscale: Ndali Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge
• Mid-range: Isunga Lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Ensuite tents at Kibale Forest Camp

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

After breakfast, your 10-Day Best of Uganda Fly-in Safari guide will take you to the park headquarters, where you will meet your ranger and receive a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. Kibale National Park is home to three large chimpanzee communities, and this experience provides a unique opportunity to spend time with these intelligent and social primates. The tracking experience can take several hours, as the chimps tend to move through the forest in search of food, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

Kibale’s forest is a rich biodiversity hotspot, and aside from chimpanzees, you will have the chance to spot other primates like black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys. The forest is also home to a remarkable array of bird species, including the yellow-spotted nicator, green-breasted pitta, and crowned eagle.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area. The sanctuary is an excellent spot for birdwatching and offers a chance to see more primates, including blue monkeys and baboons. The walk through the sanctuary provides an immersive experience of Uganda’s lush rainforests.

Accommodation Options (Full Board):

• Upscale: Ndali Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge
• Mid-range: Isunga Lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Ensuite tents at Kibale Forest Camp

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After a hearty breakfast, you will drive through the picturesque landscapes of western Uganda, passing by the charming town of Fort Portal and the iconic crater lakes in the region. The drive provides a stunning introduction to the varied landscapes of Uganda, where lush rainforests give way to open savannah plains. Upon arrival at Queen Elizabeth National Park, the 10-Day Best of Uganda Fly-in Safari truly begins.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most celebrated wildlife reserves, teeming with diverse wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, lions, and over 600 species of birds. In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive through the park’s varied habitats, from the savannah to the wetlands, in search of wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for herds of Uganda kob, impala, and Cape buffalo, as well as predators like lions and leopards.

Accommodation Options (Full Board):

• Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge
• Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge, Bush Lodge

Game Drives and Boat Trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Start your day early with a game drive through the park. Queen Elizabeth is famous for its variety of ecosystems, and a safari here offers the chance to spot many species of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, hyenas, and warthogs. The park’s diverse habitats, including wetlands, forests, and grasslands, attract a rich variety of animals.

In the afternoon, embark on a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel, a waterway that links Lake Edward and Lake George. This boat cruise offers a unique opportunity to view wildlife up close, including hippos, buffaloes, and a variety of bird species such as pink-backed pelicans, saddle-billed storks, and kingfishers.

Accommodation Options (Full Board):

• Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge
• Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge, Bush Lodge

Optional Activity: Lion Tracking

For a truly unique experience, you may opt to participate in a lion tracking excursion. This activity allows you to track and monitor lions using GPS devices, contributing to important conservation efforts. This hands-on experience provides valuable insight into the behavior and ecology of these magnificent creatures, with a high chance of spotting them in their natural habitat.

Ishasha Sector and Tree-Climbing Lions

After breakfast, take a scenic drive through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its unique tree-climbing lions. These lions are often seen lounging on the branches of fig trees, a rare behavior not commonly observed in other parts of the world. The Ishasha sector is also home to other wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, and various antelope species.

In the afternoon, enjoy a bushwalk through Maramagambo Forest. This large forest offers a diverse range of flora and fauna, including primates, butterflies, and birds. The walk concludes with a visit to volcanic caves that are home to thousands of bats, and occasionally, pythons that prey on the bats.

Accommodation Options (Full Board):

• Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Campsite
• Mid-range: Enjojo Lodge

 Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Batwa Pygmies Experience

After breakfast, you will transfer to Kihihi Airstrip for your flight to Kisoro Airstrip, followed by a short drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Upon arrival, you will check in to your lodge before embarking on an afternoon cultural experience with the Batwa Pygmies, an indigenous group with a rich history intertwined with the forest. The Batwa were traditionally forest dwellers and hunters, but today they are often marginalized. This cultural experience provides insight into their way of life, including music, dance, and traditional rituals.

Accommodation Options (Full Board):

• Luxury: Four Gorillas Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
• Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is the highlight of your 10-Day Best of Uganda Fly-in Safari: gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early morning briefing, you will embark on a thrilling trek through the dense rainforest, guided by expert trackers and rangers, to locate one of the park’s habituated mountain gorilla families. The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, depending on the gorillas’ movements, and requires a good level of physical fitness.

Once you encounter the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watching these gentle giants interact with one another is a truly transformative experience. The time spent with the gorillas is limited to ensure their conservation, but the memories of this rare encounter will last a lifetime.

Accommodation Options (Full Board):

• Luxury: Four Gorillas Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
• Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge

Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

After breakfast, travel to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in the southern part of Bwindi. Here, you will embark on a golden monkey tracking expedition. The golden monkey is another primate species endemic to the Virunga Mountains. This experience provides a unique opportunity to observe these elusive and playful monkeys in their high-altitude bamboo forest habitat.

Accommodation Options (Full Board):

• Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge
• Moderate: Mgahinga Lodge

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive through the breathtaking landscapes of the southwestern Uganda highlands. This picturesque journey takes you to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda‘s most stunning lakes, known for its many islands, crystal-clear waters, and lush surroundings. Enjoy a boat ride on the lake and discover the numerous islands, each with its own unique history and charm.

Accommodation Options (Full Board):

• Luxury: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Bird’s Nest Resort

Fly Back to Entebbe

After a relaxing breakfast at your lodge, you will be transferred to Kihihi Airstrip for your flight back to Entebbe, where you will be transferred to your international flight. This concludes your unforgettable 10-Day Best of Uganda Fly-in Safari.

End of Safari

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