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ITINERARY 10 DAYS AND 9 NIGHTS

Day 1: Welcome to Uganda, The Pearl of Africa!

Arrival at Entebbe International Airport where we shall be waiting to welcome You! According to your arrival time it will be possible to organize some small activity. Later transfer to Kampala for dinner and overnight at Metropole Hotel (or similar) / Ature Guesthouse (or similar).

Day 2: The Rhinos of Ziwa and The Top of the Falls

After an early breakfast depart for Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way you will come across lots of children going to school, men pushing very loaded bicycles, women meticulously preparing their piles of fruit and vegetables to set up their colorful markets.. all excellent subjects for great photos! After about 3 hours (wou will be now in Nakasongola District where you will no longer see the welfare of Kampala...) it will be already time to focus on the first animals on the list for today: the rhinos of Ziwa! You will experience the thrill of walking nearby these huge mammals in this piece of wooded savanna, making pictures of them from few metres.
After leaving Ziwa you will find yourself immersed in the middle of african villages, enjoing beautiful colors and lanscapes (here it’s one of the best places where to photograph the famous Ankole cows); you will soon reach Masindi town, where you will stop for lunch.

Later you will enter the biggest (and perhaps the most beautiful) national park of the country: Murchison Falls. You will pass inside Budongo Forest (rich of primates and old mahogany) before to reach the spectacular Top of The Falls. Finally you will attain Paraa Safari Lodge/ Red Chilli Rest Camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: The northern sector of Murchison Falls!

This will be the day entirely dedicated to the exploration of the park! After an early breakfast (6:30 a.m.) you will start the day with a game drive which will take you slowly trough the elegant giraffes, the heards of buffaloes, the numerous species of antelopes, the elephants (alone or in group) and the colorful birds (saddle billed stork and shoe bill among others) to reach to Delta of the Nile in the Lake Albert; here most often lions and leopards are spotted, waiting to ambush their prey nearby the water! Return back to the lodge in time for lunch.

In the afternoon take a 3 hours boat ride on the Nile to the bottom of the falls; enjoy the view of many animals icluding hippos, crocodriles as well as elephants and antilopes coming to drink to the river, and of course plenty of colorful birds (African Darter, Giant Kingfisher, African Jacana, Goliath Heron, sunbirds, bee-eaters, etc.). Return for dinner and overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge/ Red Chilli Rest Camp.

Day 4: Toro Kingdom

After breakfast you will leave the chaotic Kampala to enjoy the green countryside of Uganda!! In 5 hours you will reach Fortportal town, where you will enjoy the magnificent view of the green tea plantations! Have lunch.

In the afternoon you can decide to take a nature walk in Bigodi swamp, to enjoy the many species of birds (Great Blu Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill among many others) and 6 types of primates; or again to go for a village walk to interact with local people: here you will be able to visit the primary school and some private houses in order to get an idea of the real life conditions of people!
Finally, in the evening, you will go back for dinner and overnight at Mountains Of The Moon Hotel/ Chimpanzee Forest Guest House.

Day 5: The chimps trekking in Kibale Forest

After an early breakfast head to Kibale National Park, in the picturesque region of the crater lakes (around 30), for the chimps trekking; this activity starts at 8 a.m. Half day in search of chimps and other primates (12 species in total, including the nocturnal ones) like the Guereza, the Guenons, the Grey Cheeked Mangabey, the Black and White Colobus, the Red Colobus, etc. while swinging and jumping on the branches of the tall trees; plus birds, colorful butterflies and small insects.. The guide will provide detailed explanations on the whole fauna and flora of the forest.

Today, if you wish, for lunch you will test the genuine local food (very interesting experience)! In the afternoon you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, via Kasese town on the shade of the Rwenzori Mountains. Game drive in arrival.

Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge (or similar)/ Simba Safari Camp.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park: The Kazinga Channel

After a cup of tea or coffee, at 6:30 a.m. you will leave for game drive: this is the best time to spot hyenas, lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, hippos coming back to the rivers, huge heards of buffaloes and elephants, ugandans cobs and crested cranes (both national animals in Uganda) among others. Return in time for lunch.

In the afternoon enjoy a 2 hours boat trip in the Kazinga Channel: this real documentary will allow you to see many animals (elephants, hippos, crocodriles, antelopes etc. )and plenty of birds (African Spoon Bill, African Opened Bill, Yellow Billed Stork, Malachite Kingfisher, African Skimmer, African Fish Eagle, Squacco Heron, Hamerkop etc.); it’s an excellent and unique opportunity to take wonderful pictures!

Optional: small evening game drive around the peninsula of Mweya trying to spot the shy leopards and to enjoy the colors at the sunset.
Back for dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge (or similar)/ Simba Safari Camp.

Day 7: The tree climbing lions in Ishasha and Bwindi

After breakfast departure for the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha, famous for the tree climbing lions.
On arrival you will start a game drive trying to spot these amazing cats, the “small” but stubborn forest elephants and the numerous species of antilopes found here. Have your packed lunch at the charming campsite, at the border with Congo... In the afternoon you will transfer directly to Bwindi.
Dinner and overnight at Engagi Lodge/ Buhoma Community Bandas.

Day 8: The Mountains Gorillas

This will be the most important day: the gorilla trekking! After a briefing from the UWA rangers (Uganda Wildlife Authority) it will be already time to set off for the impenetrable forest...

The time you will spend in the forest is unpredictable, as it depends on the movements of gorillas in that day. You will carry enough food and water; it is advisable to be in good fisical conditions, even if you will be helped by the porters (extra service: recommended!). Among the animals living in the forest, the golden monkeys, buffaloes, forest elephants, duikers and bushbacks, leopards, giant forest hogs etc.

You will first reach the trackers; after leaving bags and walking sticks you will soon reach the gorilla family, where you will spend one full hour in their company!! The excitement caused by the presence of these gentle primates it’s an amazing and rare adventure that for sure you will remember for ever! They are really animals lacking only the words... It is for sure an unforgettable experience to see and photograph them as they interact amongs them. Dinner and overnight at Engagi Lodge/ Buhoma Community Bandas o in Rwanda a La Palme Hotel.

Day 9: The Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast begin the transfer to lake Bunyonyi; the narrow road passes in the heart of Bwindi forest, to exit on the opposite side in the Switzerland of Africa. Arrival at lunch time.

In the afternoon you will take a relaxing boat ride in Bunyonyi, this volcanic lake, the deepest of the country, the only one bilharzia-free, rich of small islands with many histories that the guide will be happy to tell you... Return for dinner and overnight at Arcadia Cottages.

Day 10: Ankole, Buganda and Good Bye

After breakfast head back to the capital Kampala. You will first pass trough the very busy Kabale town and then enter in the Ankole region, famous for its cows’s horns (impressively long!) and for its green, rolling landscapes.
After Mbarara, one of the most developed and richest town (according to the ugandan standards) you will find Masaka, in the Buganda Kingdom, where you will stop for lunch. Later you will stop at the equator for the last shopping of souvenirs.

Finally reach Entebbe where at the convenient time you will be transferred to the Airport for your return flight.