NKIMA SAFARIS TOURS & TRAVEL
THE BIG CIRCUIT (6 PARKS, 12 - 14 DAYS)
(LAKE MBURO, GORILLAS, QUEEN ELIZABETH, KIBALE, SEMULIKI, MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK)
DAY
1: Depart from Kampala
for south-western Uganda. Cross the Equator, driving through savannah and
scattered bush country. Enter Lake Mburo N.P., the only park in Uganda that
surrounds an entire lake. See herds of zebra and other savannah mammals. This
park also acts as home to over 300 species of birds. Enjoy a game drive and
boat ride on the lake. Dinner and overnight at Rwonyo Rest Camp or Mantana
Camp.
DAY 2: From Lake Mburo, drive
through the mountainous and heavily terraced area of Kigezi, aptly named
"the Switzerland of Africa". Stop at beautiful Lake Bunyonyi – Lake
of Little Birds – before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla
N.P. The evergreen forests combined with excellent service are relaxing
after the day’s journey. Overnight at a luxury camp or lodge.
DAY
3: Early morning your
guides will brief you before you head towards the dense forest on your search
for gorillas and an intimate interaction with these gentle and endangered
animals. The forest also affords viewing other primates including blue monkeys,
L'oehst monkeys, red tailed monkeys and chimpanzee, along with a variety of bird life.
The time spent trekking in this unspoiled tropical forest and watching the
gorillas is certainly worth the effort. In the evening relax back at your
luxury camp or lodge.
DAY 4: Leave the gorilla sanctuary for the
Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. View the amazing contrast in
scenery as you move from dense forest to open grasslands dotted with
flat-topped acacia and primeval euphorbia trees. Famous for its tree-climbing
lions, this part of the Park is also known for large herds of buffalo and kob.
Continue to Mweya Safari Lodge on the shore of Lake Edward for dinner and
overnight.
DAY
5: Start your day with
the excitement of an early morning game drive. Then visit the volcanic area of
Queen Elizabeth N.P. with its many salt lakes and extinct craters. In the
afternoon, cruise the Kazinga Channel, which joins Lakes George and Edward.
From the comfort of your boat you can watch for elephant and other game on the
shore. Hippopotamus, crocodiles and water birds can be seen along the banks.
Overnight Mweya Safari Lodge with dinner.
DAY
6: Early morning
departure for exploration of Semuliki N.P. and Sempaya Hot Spring. This area is
largely untouched by man. As an extension of the vast forest of the Congo,
several species of birds and animals are unique to this park. Overnight at the
Semuliki Safari Lodge.
DAY 7: Spend the morning exploring
the lush forest filled with primates and birds. After lunch search for
chimpanzee and other primates. Dinner and overnight at Semuliki Safari Lodge.
DAY
8: Leisurely drive to
Kibale Forest. This mature hardwood forest harbours 11 species of primates and
a variety of birds and butterflies. Lunch upon arrival and the afternoon is
free for short hikes and exploring the surroundings. Dinner and overnight at
Ndali Lodge or Rwenzori Guesthouse.
DAY 9: Early morning visit to
Kibale Forest for chimpanzee trekking (persons must be of a minimum age of 15
years). The forest is also home to other primates like grey cheeked mangabeys,
baboons and vervet monkeys. Picnic lunch at Bigodi Forest Camp. In the
afternoon, walk through the swamps to see birds and primates at close range.
Dinner and overnight at Ndali Lodge or Ruwenzori Guesthouse.
DAY 10: After breakfast depart for Murchison
Falls N. P. through the village towns of Kagadi and Hoima with lunch enroute.
Visit the top of Murchison Falls, late afternoon and then proceed to Sambiya
River Lodge, which is centrally located in the Park. With its picturesque
setting and reputation for good service the lodge is a perfect base for your
last two nights of safari.
DAY
11: Cross the Nile for
an early game drive on the northern bank of the river. Animals frequently
spotted here include Uganda kob, hartebeest, elephants, Rothchild's giraffe,
Cape buffalo, topi and lion. After lunch at the Lodge, relax by the pool or
experience nature close-up on a forest walk with a ranger guide. Overnight at
Sambiya River Lodge.
DAY 12: Depart Murchison Falls through Masindi.
See traditional homesteads and farms en-route. Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to
go see the last of the African Big Five game (the only wild rhinos to be viewed
in Uganda. The sanctuary is breeding a new rhino population after they became
extinct in the early 1980’s). Go for a game drive with a guide to track the critically
endangered rhinoceros in pristine bush country. The 70 km. square sanctuary, of
wooded grassland and open wetland, is also home for many bird species including
crowned hornbills, grey hornbills and more! Arrive in Kampala early
evening. End of safari.
NB.1. For those who would like to end
their safari on a relaxing note, and spend one or two extra days in Murchison,
the following itinerary can be followed:
Day 11: Sleep in and enjoy a cup of coffee or
tea on your verandah and then breakfast in the open sided Lodge. Experience
nature up close.. Enjoy a late afternoon visit to the top of Murchison Falls
where you will see the Nile crash through a 6 meter gorge. Visit the bat caves
to see thousands of bats leaving for their nocturnal flights! Return to Sambiya
River Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Cross the Nile for an early game drive
on the northern bank of the river. Animals frequently spotted here include
Uganda kob, hartebeest, elephants, Rothchild’s giraffe, Cape buffalo and lion.
IF YOU ARE LUCKY YOU MAY EVEN SEE LEOPARD! After a packed lunch enjoy an
afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls. Large crocodiles,
hippopotamus, numerous water birds and other game can be spotted from the boat.
Return to Sambiya River Lodge for dinner and overnight.
NB.2. For those who would like to explore eastern Uganda, the following
itinerary is possible:
Day 12 (above): Instead of arriving in Kampala early
evening, drive to Jinga, the “East African Adventure Capital”.. In route view
numerous sugar cane and tea plantations. Overnight at Nile Porch (a mid range
accommodation) or Jinja Nile Resort (an upper range accommodation).
Day 13: After breakfast, go white water
rafting on the River Nile. (Note: For those who do not want to experience this
activity, you can relax along the Nile, visit the famed Source of the Nile, see
Bujagali Falls and visit a Fishing Village at Masese.) Overnight at your
accommodation in Jinja.
Day 14: After breakfast, leave Jinja for
Mbira Forest. Take a nature walk, viewing bird species including as well as
other flora and fauna. Drive to Sezibwa Falls and lunch at a local resort
overlooking the Falls. Take a nature walk and stop off and visit a traditional
healer. Drive to Entebbe for your onward evening flight.
NB.3. The Uganda Wildlife Authority increased the
price of gorilla tracking permits to US$500- for all new bookings taken to
track gorillas after the 1st July 2007. Gorilla tracking fees in the reserves
in the DR. Congo and Rwanda are also to increase inline with those in Uganda on
the same date.
NB.4. Remember to bring heavy leather gloves, stout
hiking boots, long sleeves shirts, long pants, a light back-pack, and water-bottle
for those tracking gorillas.
NB.5. Please note that there are limited gorilla
permits available for each day of the year. We recommend that you start
planning for this safari well in advance (ie. At least 6 months to one year or
more….) so that permits can be applied for.
To apply for your gorilla permits we need to have a 50% deposit on the safari
and know your nationality, passport number, date of issue & expiry (valid
passport is necessary), as well as your date of birth. Trackers MUST be at
least 15 years of age.
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