OVER VIEW
This 9-day adventure offers intimate encounters with playful chimpanzees in the lush Kibale Forest and thrilling bird-watching experiences in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Semuliki National Parks.
Immerse yourself in nature as you spot rare and colorful bird species, trek through dense tropical forests, and witness Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes.
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Upon your arrival in Entebbe, a company representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Dinner depending on time of arrival.
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Start your day with a hearty breakfast before setting off on a scenic westward drive to Fort Portal. Along the way, enjoy a delicious lunch stop as you take in the changing landscapes. Nestled in the foothills of the legendary "Mountains of the Moon," Fort Portal welcomes you with its lush surroundings and picturesque tea plantations. From here, continue southwest to Kibale National Park, where breathtaking views of the western arm of the Great Rift Valley.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Today start your day with breakfast followed with a pre-tracking briefing at 7:30 a.m. Then, journey to the trailhead for an unforgettable guided primate walk through the lush tropical rainforest. Encounter the wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, and more as you delve into the heart of nature.
With treks typically lasting 3-4 hours, prepare for remarkable chimp sightings in their natural habitat. Join a small group of up to 6, led by a seasoned forest ranger, on an exhilarating chimpanzee tracking experience. Spend an awe-inspiring hour observing these fascinating creatures in their daily routines.
Afterward, return to the lodge for a delicious lunch before venturing to the Bigodi Swamp Walk. Managed by the local community, this initiative boasts a remarkable array of birdlife and primates. Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled by the presence of over 200 species, including the magnificent Great Blue Turaco.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Head to Semuliki Park for a 3 hrs drive and begin your day amidst the enchanting lowland rainforest. Your journey will lead you towards the hot springs region, nestled within a lush patch of forest where a diverse array of bird species thrive. Look out for bird species such as the White-crested Hornbill, White-spotted Flufftails, Black-casqued Hornbills, African Green Pigeons, Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, and the elegant White-napped Pigeon, among others.
Within this protected area, a staggering 441 bird species have been documented, showcasing a rich tapestry of avian life, including numerous West African forest species and an impressive nine hornbill species. Explore deeper into the forest's depths, and be on the lookout for endemic treasures like the Red Rumped Tinkerbird and Palm Greenbul. Additionally, keep an eye out for captivating species like the Yellow-throated Cuckoo and the vibrant Yellow-footed Flycatcher.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Head out on a scenic 13 km walk along the Kirumia River, a renowned spot for birdwatching. The trail offers exceptional opportunities to spot a wide range of bird species, including the White-bellied Kingfisher, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Congo Serpent Eagle, and Grey-throated Rail. Other highlights include sightings of the Nkulengu Rail, Long-tailed Hawk, Spot-breasted Ibis, Yellow-throated Nicator, Northern Red-chested Owlet, and Western Bronze-napped Pigeon.
You’ll also have the chance to see the Black-collared Lovebird, Zenker’s Honeyguide, White-throated Blue Swallow, Bate’s Nightjar, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, and Orange-tufted Sunbird. After this birding adventure, proceed to back to the lodge for relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Start your day with a symphony of birdsong at the lodge, followed by a delightful breakfast as the sun rises. Then, head out for an adventure to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you’ll encounter iconic wildlife such as hippos, buffaloes, elephants, kobs, and a myriad of bird species.
After your lunch break, head for a scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway teeming with diverse birdlife, majestic elephants, and herds of buffaloes. This 40-kilometer-long natural waterway connects Lake George and Lake Edward, offering an excellent location for waterbird watching. Common sightings include African Skimmers, Pied Kingfishers, and Yellow-billed Storks.
Cap off your day with a captivating coffee tour, immersing yourself in the art of coffee processing. During the tour, you will get to learn how the whole process of growing coffee seeds, production stages until the final stage of consumption or market stage. Have a tangible experience by yourself and feel the taste of African coffee while supporting the lives of orphans and other vulnerable children and elderly in the community.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: The Bush Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Today, head to The Maramagambo Forest, a lush rainforest within the park, this forest is home to unique species like the White-napped Pigeon, Hair-breasted Barbet, and the African Green Broadbill. Have lunch and thereafter head to Kyambura Gorge.
The gorge's rich forested landscape is home to a variety of fascinating bird species, like the elusive Blue-headed Coucal, the vibrant White-cheeked Turaco, and the Chestnut-winged Starling. Other notable species include the Grey-throated Barbet, African Blue Flycatcher, Brown-capped Weaver, and Red-chested Cuckoo.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: The Bush Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
After a delightful breakfast, begin your journey back to Entebbe, with a scenic lunch stop along the way. Take a memorable pause at the Equator, where you can stand on the world’s prime meridian and take photos before continuing your drive. Arrive back in Entebbe by evening, reflecting on the unforgettable experiences and wildlife encounters from your safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Depart the park on this day after a relaxed breakfast. You will have lunch en route and arrive in the early evening in Entebbe. A day room option is available if your flight is late in the evening.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
• Comfortable hiking boots and lightweight clothing.
• Rain jacket and a warm sweater for cooler evenings.
• Insect repellent and sunscreen.
• Reusable water bottle.
• Binoculars and a good camera.
• Personal medications and a small first-aid kit.
• Nature blending clothes
Uganda, deservedly dubbed the Pearl of Africa, is in the Great Lakes Region in central Africa and boasts an ecological diversity that rivals that of many larger countries. Here, the Eastern Savannah meets the West African jungle. Uganda offers visitors incredible diversity through its multitude of varying ecosystems. Bordered by the Rwenzori Mountains (often called the Mountains of the Moon, the third highest in Africa), the Virunga Mountains, and Africa's largest lake, Lake Victoria, it's a beautiful country bursting with birds and wildlife.
In no other African destination can one see a comparable variety of primates with so little effort - not just the great apes but also more than ten monkey species. And, if Uganda had primate enthusiasts grinning with satisfaction, it would have birdwatchers doing cartwheels. Uganda is, by far, the smallest of the four African countries in which more than 1,000 bird species have been recorded, and it is particularly rich in western rainforest specialists - undoubtedly the finest birdwatching in Africa.
For most, the highlight is found amongst the forests in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where facing endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is one of the most profound wildlife encounters you will ever experience. Discover tree-climbing lions around Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park, trek chimps in Kibale Forest or Kyambura Gorge, or snatch massive Nile perch up north at Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile cascades through a gap just seven meters wide. Adrenaline junkies will find Jinja simply exhilarating with its white-water rafting, kayaking, and bungee jumping activities. Jinja is rapidly emerging as East Africa's answer to the more southerly "adrenalin capital" Victoria Falls.
We invite you to explore Uganda, a diverse landscape with abundant wildlife, plenty to discover, and unique experiences. When recounting your time in this jewel of a country, you'll struggle to find the words that do justice to it.
Your passport must have a minimum of at least two full clear pages for visas and stamps and be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.
Please check visa requirements prior to travel with your booking agent or Bush Wander, as requirements are regularly changed with little notice.
Most passports require a single-entry visa (US$55). Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. You must apply and pay for them online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug at least two weeks before your arrival.
You must upload clear copies of your current passport, a yellow fever certificate, and a passport photo.
Only Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted for visa payments. Once payment is made, the system will process your application and send you a barcoded email. Print out this email and bring it with you to Uganda. Upon arrival, you should present the barcoded email to the immigration officer, who will scan the barcode, take your fingerprints and photo, and place a visa in your passport.
Alternatively, the Ugandan High Commissions may issue visas where such commissions are located.
The following nationalities do not require a visa to enter Uganda: all nationalities from East African countries (Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi), all nationalities from COMESA countries (Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe), and passport holders from OTHERS (Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent-Tonga and Ireland).
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If you are planning an East Africa trip to Uganda, Rwanda, and/or Kenya, it may be better to apply for a multiple-entry visa, which is valid for 90 days for tourists only. The cost is USD100 per visa. For more information go to: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/apply if you are entering Uganda first, or alternatively, the Government visa site for the East Africa country you will be first entering.
US Dollars cash is widely accepted and, in most cases, preferred as the currency that travellers should use to EXCHANGE into UGX on arrival for spending money on the road e.g. for drinks, curios, tips. Please note that USD bills older than 2009 are not accepted. Ensure your USD bills are 2009 or younger. Small USD bills are difficult to change – use Uganda shillings for small tips.
Credit cards can be used at some lodges and hotels, but a transaction fee of up to 5% may be charged. Ask first.
Travel, Transport, and Getting Around Flights:
Note that baggage allowance on all domestic flights is max 15 kgs in soft bags
Travellers require a Yellow Fever inoculation more than 10 days prior to your departure. The certificate will be checked on arrival in Uganda. If you have a history of liver disorders (hepatitis etc.), consult your physician first.
Tetanus and Cholera inoculations are recommended but not compulsory. Hepatitis inoculation is at the discretion of the traveler.
Malaria prophylactics are a must and can be purchased from your local pharmacy. Please consult your pharmacist/doctor.
Diarrhoea / Giardia - Bottled water is readily available throughout Uganda, however, it’s advisable to bring medicine just in case.
This is a guide only. Please check with your doctor or travel clinic for the latest information