Country: Uganda
Destinations: Entebbe, Murchison Falls National Park, & Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Itinerary at Glance
Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe
Day 2: Fly to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 3: Game drive, boat cruise and hike to the top of falls in Murchison Falls National Park
Day 4: Boat cruise to the delta in Murchison Falls National Park
Day 5: Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 7: Fly back to Entebbe for departure
Trip Overview
Experience the ultimate adventure with our 7-day Murchison Falls Wildlife and Bwindi Gorilla flying safari. This thrilling journey takes you deep into the heart of two remarkable Ugandan national parks: the lush tropical rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the vast savannahs of Murchison Falls National Park. Prepare to be captivated by the abundant wildlife and bird species as you embark on game drives and boat cruises. Your time in Murchison Falls will be filled with incredible wildlife encounters, while Bwindi offers a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience. Get ready for an unforgettable expedition through these remarkable ecosystems.
Trip Highlights
- Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Batwa cultural experience
- Countryside experience
- Wildlife experience at Murchison Falls National Park
- Game drives experience at Murchison Falls National Park
- Boat cruise to the delta in Murchison Falls National Park
- Hike to the top of falls
- Flight experience
Day 1: Welcome to Entebbe – Uganda!
Day Itinerary
Upon landing at Entebbe International Airport, you will go through the immigration protocol and on getting done, as you exit the tunnel, your driver/guide, will warmly welcome you to Uganda, and he will pick you up from Entebbe airport and transfers you to your booked accommodation for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay. You will have the opportunity to rest and prepare for your safari adventure the following day. Our driver will ensure that you are comfortable and ready for an exciting and unforgettable experience exploring the beautiful landscapes and wildlife of Uganda.
Overnight stay at: Entebbe Forest Lodge (Luxury) or Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe (Mid – range)
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Fly to Murchison Falls National Park.
Day Itinerary
Following your relaxed morning breakfast, you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport, to catch up with your flight at 1200 hrs. For your journey to Murchison Falls National Park, one of the oldest conservation areas in Uganda. This is a long but rewarding journey through various landscapes of Northern Uganda, as you explore the beautiful countryside setting, with a flat topography.
You will arrive at Bugungu/ Pakuba Airstrip, and be welcomed by your safari guide, who will be waiting for you, and transfer you, to your booked accommodation with an en route game drive. You will reach the lodge, and have lunch. In the afternoon, opt for a game drive or just relax at the lodge.
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s best-known and biggest nature reserve. With the impressive and powerful Murchison waterfall and its remarkable animal populations, this is a must visit in the Pearl of Africa. There are superb activities on offer such as a boat safari or Delta safari on the Nile. The river divides the park between a Northern and Southern section as it makes its way through multiple rapids and waterfalls to Lake Albert. Unfortunately, during the war years poachers and troops wiped out the majority of wildlife. Except for the park’s rhino population, fortunately all other wildlife has recovered fast since. A game drive in the park allows you to be eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom and you will be amazed by the amount of elephants. Also giraffes, lions, antelope, waterbucks, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles can all be spotted. Game drives take place on the tracks in the northern section which you reach by taking a ferry across the river. This park guarantees adventure!
Overnight stay at: Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury) or Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid – range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3: Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
Day Itinerary
After an early breakfast, it is time to explore the park. On your game drives you of course need a fair share of luck and very good eyes to try and spot as many animals as possible. While driving through the park you can come eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom. Hopefully you see them all; elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. They are all there! Lost in nature, stretching your neck, to spot the best out of the drive. The park is especially known for its massive elephant population, huge array of bird species and big herds of buffalo. You will discover some of the park’s ecosystems and different scenery with dense woodland, extensive savannahs and rolling grasslands. As this is a private game drive you can ask your guide to tailor your trip towards specific birdlife and/or wildlife if you like. You will later have your picnic lunch served, take some relaxation, as you have a break.
The afternoon boat safari towards the Murchison Falls is a very special activity, it takes approximately 2 – 3 hours and goes along the Victoria Nile to the base of the fall. You can imagine; this boat safari will show you breathtaking scenery. Cold drinks are for sale on board for when you get thirsty for a local beer or a soda. Carefully watched by crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys and all the other (also thirsty) wildlife that the Nile attracts you go to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls. If you like hiking, the boat can drop you near the waterfalls and you can hike up to the top (this takes around 1 or 1,3 hours). The views are amazing! You will later return back to your lodge, with a slow en route game drive, and spend the afternoon at leisure swimming or dinning.
Overnight stay at: Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury) or Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid – range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4: Boat Safari to the Nile Delta
Day Itinerary
The Nile Delta is the area where the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert. The banks of the delta are home to hundreds of bird species including the rare and prehistoric-looking shoebill stork and papyrus endemic species. A boat safari through the delta is a “must do” for every birdwatcher. During this (approximately) 5 hour boat tour you enjoy a breakfast while enjoying the peaceful scenery and while approaching Lake Albers you may see more fishermen in canoes catching tilapia fish and local people fetching water from the Nile and if lucky wild game along the banks. You may also see many hippo, crocodiles and if lucky you can witness elephants bathing in the river. Also keep an eye on the treetops as you can often spot monkeys such as eastern fringed monkeys and baboons. The boat trip starts early in the morning during the soft light, golden hours for photographers. On a good lucky day, shoebills can be spotted. These lights last till about 10 am when the light becomes brighter. Relax, sit back & enjoy!
In the afternoon you can go for another game drive searching for more exciting wildlife scenes in the park or you can decide to relax and go for a dip in the swimming pool. You can as well opt to go fishing on the Nile, in case you’re a fan of fishing.
Overnight stay at: Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury) or Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid – range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5: Fly back to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day Itinerary
Following your wonderful delight breakfast, today you may opt to head for an early morning game drive, or relax at the lodge. You will be transferred to Pakuba/ Bugungu Airstrip, with an en route game drive, where you will catch up with your flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Kihihi Airstrip, where you will find your guide waiting for you, to transfer you to your booked accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Uganda. It’s known for its diverse flora and fauna, with over 350 bird species and over 400 gorillas. Bwindi offers a unique birding experience for bird enthusiasts, as well as gorilla trekking for wildlife enthusiasts. The park’s thick forest makes for an exciting and immersive adventure, attracting tourists from all over the world. It’s best to visit during the dry season for optimal bird watching and gorilla trekking experiences
Overnight stay at: Gorilla Forest Camp (Luxury) or Buhoma Haven Lodge (mid – range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day Itinerary
Today, have your early morning breakfast, meet your guide and transfer to the park headquarters’ for briefing, and later head for the gorilla trekking.
During your Gorilla Trekking, experienced wildlife guides along with trackers and porters will accompany you through the ever-green forest. The journey, through dense foliage and up steep climbs, leads you to a lifetime experience of viewing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. After finding the Gorillas, you will have an opportunity to be within meters of these magnificent apes, sharing in their daily lives and experiencing their day-to-day activities. With an estimated 850 Gorilla population in the world, spending one hour with a Gorilla family is a once in a lifetime experience! In the afternoon, you have the option to visit the batwa.
The Batwa Community visit is a mind-opening adventure you will never forget as you go for an incredible day hike in the rain forest with the elderly Batwa (pygmy) guides. See how the Batwa lived and hunted, learn about medicinal plants, and watch for animals and birds. You will share traditional dances with the Batwa, hear ancient legends and traditional songs, and join in on a mock hunting party. You can even test your skill with a Batwa bow and arrow and participate in traditional dances.
Overnight stay at: Gorilla Forest Camp (Luxury) or Buhoma Haven Lodge (mid – range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7: Fly to Entebbe for departure
Day Itinerary
Meet your driver guide after breakfast at the lodge, and after you will be transferred to the Kihihi airstrip for your onward flight via light aircraft to Entebbe International Airport. Here you will connect with your onward flight home. End of service!
Meal Plan: Breakfast only.
This safari package includes.
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop up roof for game viewing
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- On ground transportation on a 4 WD
- 1 Gorilla permit ($700) per person
- Safari game drives as mentioned
- Boat cruises as mentioned
- Return domestic flight ticket
- Boat cruise to the Nile delta
- Hike to the top of falls
- Park entrance fees
- Services of English speaking driver/guide
- Bottles of mineral water per day during safari
- Unlimited bottles of mineral water
The package excludes expenses of personal nature like:
- Visa Fees & flights
- Optional activities
- Tips & gratuities
- Laundry
- Alcoholic drinks
- International vaccinations
- Health test requirements
- Personal travel Insurance
- Personal shopping bills
- Phone call bills
- Extras while at the hotel
- Items of personal nature
Please contact us for a free detailed quote on the option of your choice. We can tailor a request that suits your interests, and budget, as well as we can change or upgrade the lodge options. Write to us with more details about your safari