14-Day Uganda Safari: Shoebill, Rhino, Chimps, and Gorilla Adventure

Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our professional driver-guide who will assist you with your luggage and ensure a smooth transfer to your hotel in Entebbe. You’ll relax in the comfort of our well-maintained vehicle as you take in the sights of this vibrant city. Entebbe, nestled on the shores of Lake Victoria, offers a serene and picturesque start to your Ugandan adventure. Whether you’re arriving during the day or at night, we ensure a safe and seamless transition to your accommodation. For dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, you’ll head out on a remarkable birding excursion at Mabamba Swamp, a renowned bird-watching destination near Entebbe, famed for its population of the elusive shoebill stork. This early morning adventure begins with a scenic boat ride through the tranquil papyrus marshes, where expert local guides lead you to the prime spots for observing these prehistoric-looking birds. The swamp is not only home to the shoebill but also hosts a diverse array of bird species, making it a paradise for bird enthusiasts. As you navigate the waterways, you’ll have ample opportunities to capture stunning photographs and witness the unique behaviors of the shoebill in its natural habitat.

This unforgettable experience at Mabamba Swamp offers a perfect blend of serenity and excitement, providing a captivating glimpse into Uganda’s rich avian life have Lunch and continue your tour to Rubaga Cathedral which is one of the first roman catholic churches in Uganda and is visible from all angles. You are at such liberty to attend a mass here, and this can be arranged by your guide.

You will head to Namirembe Cathedral, which is an Anglican church that is also frequented. You will also visit the Bahai temple which is is only temple for the Bahai faith in Africa.

You will then head to the Gadhafi Mosque for the Muslim faith in the country. You will head to the King’s parliament in Mengo and if there is still some time, visit the Kasubi tombs, which is a spiritual and political site for the Baganda people. Dinner later and an overnight stay.

Day 3 of the 14-Day Uganda Safari: Shoebill, Rhino, Chimps, and Gorilla Adventure starts with a pick-up from your hotel.  Our driver guide from Paradise Adventure Vacations will meet and greet you, he will brief you about the entire journey, and from there you will embark on a drive to Murchison Falls National Park with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino trekking, here you will encounter not only the white rhinos but also some antelopes and birds. Return for a special lunch and later continue with the drive to the park for your dinner and overnight.

Wake up for an early morning breakfast, and prepare yourself for another exciting encounter. Day 4 of your 14-Day Uganda Safari: Shoebill, Rhino, Chimps, and Gorilla Adventure starts with an early morning game drive through different trails of the park like the Albert Trail, Buligi Trail, and the Victoria Trail. Here, you will meet eye to eye with different mammal species like Buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, bush barks, and giraffes among others, and return to your lodge for relaxation and lunch. Later in the afternoon, embark on an afternoon boat cruise upstream to the bottom of the falls, while on the cruise, you will see the Nile crocodiles resting on the shores, herds of hippos while in water, bird species like the black bee-eater, grey crowned crane, marabou stork and many others. After the cruise, you will then hike to the Top of the falls where you witness the strength of the magnificent Murchison Falls as it roars and pours itself out through a narrow 8m gorge. While here, you will enjoy the soft splashes as they feel like little drizzles falling on your face from heaven. You will then return back to your lodge for relaxation as you await your dinner and overnight.

You can have the Option for a Night Game Drive: which comes at an Extra Cost of $100 per person. This drive is done with an armed ranger guide and also spotlight torches which will enable you to spot the predators as they hunt like hyenas, leopards, lions, bush babies, and hippos among others.

After your heavy morning breakfast on day 5 of your 14-Day Uganda Safari: Shoebill, Rhino, Chimps, and Gorilla Adventure, you will drive to Kibale National Park which is located in the Western region of Uganda in Kabarole district. This drive will take about 5 hours and it will offer you magnificent scenic views of Uganda’s landscape as you drive to the park. Enroute to your destination, you will have a lunch stopover in Fort Portal Tourism City.

Then you will proceed to the park’s Bigodi wetland for a swamp walk and during this walk you will spot some butterfly species and birds like the Black-crowned Waxbill, White-spotted Fluff tail, White-breasted Negrofinch, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Black Bishop, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Black & white Shrike-flycatcher, Western Nicator, Superb Sunbird, among others. You will then proceed for a community walk where you will see and taste the Gins brewed from bananas, craft making, and coffee processing, and then you will return back to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Wake up early in the morning and start your Day 6 of the 14-Day Uganda Safari: Shoebill, Rhino, Chimps, and Gorilla Adventure with a heavy delicious breakfast and prepare for the famous Chimpanzee Trekking experience. Wear appropriate clothing for the activity like a long-sleeved shirt, a pair of kinky or jean trousers, waterproof boots, a round cap, and a heavy sweater to protect you from the tree branches and also in case of bad weather. Carry in your backpack some snacks and drinking water to help keep you hydrated during the trek since it may take about 1 to 5 hours to find these Chimpanzees depending on their location.

Chimpanzee Tracking: Proceed to the Kanyachu visitor center where you will be briefed about the Do’s and the Don’t’s of the park, you will be assigned a chimpanzee group to look out for and also a park ranger to help you during the trek. During the trek, you will encounter various primates like the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, Olive baboons, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Red colobuses, Mantled guereza and also various bird species like flycatchers, hornbills, black billed turaco, kingfisher, cuckoos, purple breasted sunbird, crowned eagle, black-capped waxbill, and black collard Apalis among others. On finding the chimpanzees, you will be allowed to spend 1 hour with them to learn about their behaviors, social life, and how they communicate among others. You will then return to your accommodation for lunch and relaxation.

Option: For Chimpanzee Habituation: Extra Cost of $100 Per Person: drive to the park’s tourism headquarters at Kanyanchu Visitor’s Center. Here, you’ll meet the ranger guides and researchers who will accompany you on the chimpanzee habituation experience. This immersive adventure allows you to spend 4 to 6 hours in the forest, observing the chimpanzees and learning about their behaviors and reactions to human presence. The knowledgeable guides and researchers will provide fascinating insights into the habituation process, offering a deeper understanding of these incredible primates.

You’ll transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most renowned wildlife reserves, celebrated for its diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife. Upon arrival, you’ll experience the park’s breathtaking landscapes, from sprawling savannahs to lush wetlands. A highlight of your visit will be the boat trip along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway that links Lake Edward to Lake George. This leisurely cruise offers unparalleled opportunities to observe a rich array of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and countless bird species, all thriving along the channel’s banks. The Kazinga Channel boat trip provides an intimate and unique perspective on the park’s vibrant life, making it an essential part of your Queen Elizabeth National Park adventure.

You’ll begin your day with the exhilarating experiential lion and leopard tracking adventure, guided by expert trackers and researchers in the heart of Uganda’s wilderness. This unique experience offers a rare opportunity to follow and observe these majestic predators in their natural habitat, learning about their behaviors, hunting strategies, and territorial dynamics. As the day progresses and the excitement of tracking reaches its peak, you’ll capture unforgettable moments of these elusive big cats.

In the late afternoon, you’ll unwind with a picturesque sundowner. You’ll find a serene spot with sweeping views of the savannah as the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape. You’ll enjoy beverages and light snacks, reflecting on the day’s adventures and soaking in the tranquil beauty of the African sunset. This combination of thrilling wildlife encounters and serene relaxation creates a perfect balance, making for an unforgettable safari experience.

You’ll start your day with a guided game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, where experienced guides will lead you through the diverse landscapes teeming with wildlife. As you traverse the park’s savannahs, forests, and wetlands, keep your eyes peeled for sightings of elephants, buffalos, antelopes, and a variety of bird species. The knowledgeable guides will share fascinating insights about the park’s ecosystems and the behaviors of the animals you encounter.

After an exhilarating morning of wildlife viewing, you’ll transfer to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its tree-climbing lions. The combination of a guided game drive and the transfer to Ishasha ensures a day filled with memorable wildlife experiences and breathtaking natural beauty.

Your adventure begins with a morning game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famed for its unique population of tree-climbing lions. You’ll witness the extraordinary sight of these majestic predators resting in the branches of large fig trees, a behavior rare among lions. This remarkable experience provides excellent photographic opportunities and deepens your understanding of these fascinating creatures’ adaptive behaviors. Following the excitement of observing tree-climbing lions, you will embark on a scenic transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The journey takes you through diverse landscapes, from rolling savannahs to lush highland forests, showcasing Uganda’s rich ecological variety. Upon arrival at Bwindi, you’ll be greeted by the dense, mist-covered forest that is home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

You’ll embark on a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, immersing yourself in the enchanting world of mountain gorillas. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides and trackers, you’ll journey deep into the heart of the forest in search of these gentle giants. As you trek through dense vegetation and rugged terrain, the anticipation builds until you finally encounter a gorilla family in their natural habitat. You’ll witness these magnificent creatures up close and observe their social interactions and behaviors.

After the exhilaration of gorilla trekking, you’ll return to your lodge for a well-deserved relaxation. Nestled amidst the tranquil surroundings of Bwindi, your lodge offers the perfect sanctuary to unwind and reflect on the day’s adventure. You’ll indulge in delicious meals, rejuvenate with a spa treatment, or simply soak in the natural beauty of the forest from the comfort of your silver, gold, platinum, and diamond accommodation.

After your gorilla trekking adventure, you’ll embark on a scenic transfer to the picturesque Lake Bunyonyi for a well-deserved relaxation. As you journey through the verdant hills and valleys of southwestern Uganda, the landscape unfolds like a vibrant tapestry, revealing the tranquil beauty of the region. Arriving at Lake Bunyonyi, you’ll be greeted by the mesmerizing sight of the serene lake, dotted with lush, green islands resembling emerald jewels in a sapphire sea.

For those seeking adventure, Lake Bunyonyi offers a variety of optional activities to complement your relaxation. You’ll glide across the glassy waters in a traditional dugout canoe, tracing the contours of the lake’s intricate shoreline. Alternatively, you’ll embark on a guided tour of the lake’s enchanting islands, each with its unique charm and history. From the lush vegetation of Kyahugye Island to the cultural heritage of Punishment Island, each stop unveils a different facet of Lake Bunyonyi’s rich tapestry.

Upon waking up on day 13 of the 14-Day Uganda Safari: Shoebill, Rhino, Chimps, and Gorilla Adventure, you will proceed with your Safari to Lake Mburo National Park where you will have a hearty lunch. You will spend the entire afternoon relaxing at the lodge as you await an evening to-night game drive with an armed park ranger and spotlight torches to help you see nocturnals in the night like hyenas, hares, porcupine, honey badgers, white-tailed mongoose, jackals, serval cats, bush pigs, civets, galagos, leopards and also hippos while grazing on short grass. You will then return back to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight.

Upon waking up on your final day of the 14-Day Uganda Safari: Shoebill, Rhino, Chimps, and Gorilla Adventure, you will have an early morning heavy breakfast and then you will proceed for a Nature walk or horse riding within the park which will take about 2 to 3 hours, this experience in Lake Mburo national park will take you off the main paths and you will go deep into the bush trails to enjoy the park and see herds of zebras, giraffes, Elands, impalas, buffalos, Defassa waterbucks, oribis, leopards, hippos, hyenas, topis and reedbuck among others.  After this unique experience, you will then drive to Entebbe International Airport or your Hotel with a lunch stopover and also a stopover at the Equator line. Thank you so much for specifically choosing Paradise Adventure Vacations on the 14-Day Uganda Safari: Shoebill, Rhino, Chimps, and Gorilla Adventure!

Location: Kampala (City)

Accommodation Option: No

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey