18 Day Explore the Pearl of Africa

The 18 day Explore the Pearl of Africa is an adventure Tour that takes you on the journey of a lifetime through the spectacular national parks along with wildlife, nature, and community visits.  Join us on an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures of Uganda, famously known as the Pearl of Africa.

Highlights of 18 Day Explore the Pearl of Africa

• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: A Conservation Success Story
• Mighty Murchison Falls: Scenic Boat Cruise Adventure
• Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve: Quad Biking Thrills
• Sempaya Hot Springs: Nature Walk in Semuliki National Park
• Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale and the Crater Lakes Region
• A Unique Lion Experiential Project in Queen Elizabeth Park 
• Discover the iconic tree-climbing lions of Ishasha Sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Rushaga Community Walk and Blacksmith Experience
• Stay at Handpicked Midrange Lodges that support local communities.

Itinerary for the 18 Day Explore the Pearl of Africa

Day 1: Arrival

Upon your arrival in Entebbe, you will be picked up by a company representative and transferred to your hotel at the start of your 18 day Explore the Pearl of Africa in Uganda.   Accommodation at the Papyrus Guest House

Day 2: To Rhino Sanctuary – Murchison Falls (7 hrs)

After breakfast at 7:00 a.m., you will be on your way North to Murchison Falls National Park. You will have a stop-over at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to the only wild rhinos in Uganda.

The Rhino trek takes 1-2 hours to get an opportunity to view them at close quarters. Have lunch then proceed to the park arriving late in the evening for relaxation.

Accommodation and meals at Fort Murchison

Day 3: Game drive and launch cruise

After breakfast, you will continue to Murchison Falls National Park with a game drive, look out for giraffes, elephants, lions, hartebeest, and different species of birds.  In the afternoon, you have a boat trip to the base of the falls. Look out for the Nile crocodile, hippos, waterbucks, and a variety of bird species on the 18 Day Explore the Pearl of Africa Tour Experience.

Accommodation and meals at Fort Murchison

Day 4: Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve- Nature walk 4hrs

After breakfast, head out to Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, this reserve has one of the most scenic views in the Rift Valley escarpment. You will arrive in time for lunch.

In the evening, have a nature walk along the Albertine Rift Escarpment with breathtaking views of scenery and some games like antelopes, warthogs, and waterbucks among others.

Accommodation and meals at Lake Albert Safari Lodge.

Day 5: Game safari and Quad bike ride

After breakfast. You will head out for a game safari in the reserve, and look out for the Antelopes such as Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, Bushbucks, bush duikers, Jackson’s hartebeests, and Impalas among others.

After lunch, head out for a quad biking session in the reserve with a guide taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Wildlife reserve on this 18 day Explore the Pearl of Africa Tour Experience.

Accommodation and meals at Lake Albert Safari Lodge.

Day 6: Transfer to Fort portal 5hrs

After a leisurely breakfast head toward Fort Portal, named after Sir Gerald Portal, a British Special Commissioner for Uganda in the late 19th century, boasts a rich colonial history intertwined with the vibrant traditions of the Batooro people. The town is home to the Tooro Kingdom, one of Uganda’s four traditional kingdoms, where you can visit the royal palace and learn about the kingdom’s heritage and customs arriving in time for lunch and evening relaxation at the lodge.

Accommodation and Meals at Isunga Lodge

Day 7: Semuliki Park – Hot Springs and Forest Walk

Breakfast and then head out to the Sempaya hot springs. The Sempaya hot springs are divided into two which were named by local people as male and female hot springs. You will visit the female hot spring Nyansimbi with the spring boiling at around 2m high.

You will then have a picnic lunch and thereafter have a forest walk, look out for primates such as the Grey-cheeked mangabey, black-and-white colobus, Central African red colobus, baboon, blue monkey, red-tailed monkey, de Brazza’s monkey, vervet monkey, and birds along the trails.

Accommodation and Meals at Isunga Lodge

Day 8: Fortportal – Kibale 3 hrs

After breakfast, (Optional activity) head out for 9km out of town to the Amabere Caves on a guided nature walk (these rocks and caves are called stalagmites and stalactites). Visiting the Amabere cave gives you a chance to check out the waterfalls and three nearby crater lakes. Many colobus monkeys can also be seen around.

Thereafter transfer to Kibale National Park arriving in time for lunch in Kibale National Park, home of the primates arriving in the evening for relaxation.

Accommodation and meals at Isunga Lodge

Day 9:Chimpanzee Tracking and Crater Lakes Region

Today the forest opens its doors for sensational chimp tracking. Kibale Forest is reputed to have the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa.

Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, and many others.

Have lunch and then head out for the Crater Lakes region. Take a tour of the Ridge of Lake Kyaninga Crater Lake which overlooks the Lodge for Scenic Viewing taking in the amazing scenery.

If you can, take a hike to Kyengangwa Hill for a panoramic view of the 3 crater lakes, and the Rwenzoris -mountains of the moon.

Later return to the camp for relaxation at Isunga Lodge

Day 10: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today you will head out to Queen Elizabeth National Park arriving in time for lunch. Thereafter take on a scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, on a scheduled 2 hrs boat ride.

Look out for the multitudes of hippopotami, Nile crocodiles, wallowing buffaloes on its reedy banks, elephants, and multitudes of birds including many endemics.

 Accommodation and meals Bush Lodge

Day 11: Lion Experiential Project – Ishasha Sector

This day will start with a lion experiential project. This experience allows visitors to actively participate in monitoring the pride in the park, using locator devices and learning habituation calls, as well as monitoring weather, surroundings, and behavior.

Later check out and head to Ishasha Sector – the southern part of the park arriving in time for lunch. Thereafter head out for a game viewing session in search of tree-climbing lions on the 18 Day Explore the Pearl of Africa Safari
Accommodation and Meals at Ishasha Jungle Lodge

Day 12: Game Safari and Nature Walk

This morning, once again head out for the tree-climbing lion search. Return to the camp for lunch.   Thereafter, have a nature walk to the river Ishasha. Look out for the hippos, elephants, and buffaloes along the river, and spot different bird species. In the evening, you will have sundowner drinks while you enjoy the sun setting over the Ishasha.
Accommodation and Meals at Ishasha Jungle Lodge

Day 13: Ishasha Sector – Bwindi National Park

Today you will have a bush breakfast then head to Bwindi National Park, the home of the mountain gorillas with lunch en route taking time to look at the amazing scenery and homesteads of the local communities. You will arrive in the early evening for relaxation on the 18 Day Explore the Pearl of Africa Safari.

Accommodation and meals at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Day 14: Gorilla Trekking

Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the gentle giants of Bwindi! After breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family in groups of 8 as well as a gorilla tracking guide.

After a pre-tracking briefing, you drive or walk to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure.  Expect to trek from 2-6hrs depending on where the gorillas are located. You will have a packed lunch from the lodge for this hike.

Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life.  Afterwards, you hike back to base from where you will be transferred back to the lodge for a well-deserved shower, some time to relax, and a great dinner.

Accommodation and meals at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Day 15: Batwa Community Walk and Blacksmiths of Abaheesi Clan.

Day 16: Bwindi National Park – Lake Mburo National Park

Breakfast and then head out to the Rushaga Batwa Cultural Center. This experience will allow you to learn more about their age-old culture with the Batwa guides, see how they lived and hunted, hear ancient legends, and learn about medical plants.

Later head to Lake Mburo National Park arriving in time for lunch. As you enter the park you will likely spot some wildlife, like impalas, warthogs, zebras, and buffaloes.

In the afternoon you can go on a boat ride on the lake and enjoy the rich birdlife and the hippos that are cooling off.

Accommodation and Meals at Rwakobo Rock.

Day 17: Nature walk and Evening game drive

Early start of the day as you head out for a bushwalk guided by a ranger for a 2-hour hike. Lake Mburo National Park is renowned for its rich birdlife and beautiful lakes.

Enjoy a nature walk searching for zebras, warthogs, buffalo, and impala, and look out for one of Africa’s largest antelope, the beautiful Eland. Return to the camp for relaxation.

After lunch, you will embark on an evening game drive in the park OR a cycling session around the local communities close to the park. This unique cycling adventure allows you to explore the area at a leisurely pace, interact with the local people, and gain insights into their daily lives and traditions.

Accommodation and Meals at Rwakobo Rock.

Day 18: Lake Mburo – Entebbe 6hrs

After breakfast, head back to Entebbe with a stopover at the Equator for a demonstration of the water flowing in the northern and southern hemispheres. You may visit some shops and craft centers at the Equator. Arrive early in the evening in Entebbe for relaxation at the end of your 18 Day Explore the Pearl of Africa Safari.  Optional Refreshment Room at Papyrus Guest House before heading to the airport.

Enriched with an experience of a lifetime and unforgettable memories, you will say goodbye to the Pearl of Africa.

Included in the 18 day Explore the Pearl of Africa

• Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Landcruiser with gasoline/fuel,
• Accommodation and Meals
• All Park Entrance Fees
• Refillable Water Bottle
• English-speaking Tour Guide,
• Chimpanzee Trekking Permits  USD 250 per person 
• Gorilla Trekking Permits USD 800 per person
• Batwa Community Projects 
• Nature walks and Quad Biking 
• Boat cruises
• Rhino trekking 
• Game drives

Excluded in the 18 day Explore the Pearl of Africa

• International Airfares;
• Visa Fees are USD 50 per person;
• Room service,
• Drinks, and Beverages,
• Tips and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and hotel staff,
• Optional activities unless specified as included,
• Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.