Impenetrable Uganda safari

Header photo by Anne Kelland
Safari Reference Id  u2
  • 9-days
    Safari
  • Easy
    Access
  • Adapted
    Vehicles
  • Pool (*)
     
  • Free
    Wi-Fi (*)

Ask for a Quote

Impenetrable Uganda (u2)

A 9-days safari through Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha, Bwindi and the Impenetrable Forest

Safari highlights

During Impenetrable Uganda (u2) you will driven to explore these superb african spots:

Programme

Day 1 - Arrival Entebbe Airport
Arrival at Entebbe Airport, you will be met by our driver/guide on arrival, transfer of about 50 min to your hotel - Overnight at the Lake Victoria Serena Resort

Day 2 - Entebbe - Queen Elizabeth National Park (8 hours)
After breakfast we proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park. As you enter the park you will come across one of the many Soda Ash Lakes that have a very pungent sulphur smell. Such lakes are very characteristic of the volcanic lakes on the floor of the Rift Valley. Many animals, particularly buffalo congregate along the shores of these lakes to lick the mineral salts left by the evaporating waters. Mweya Safari Lodge is the only accommodation unit built on what is know as the "peninsular" and has the most spectacular views of the Kazinga Channel to the East and Lake Edouard to the West. This makes for the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Both are no to be missed when staying here. Check in at the Mweya Lodge, have lunch and enjoy the stunning scenery and views all around you! In the afternoon we take on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which takes you within meters of elephants, buffaloes and hippos that are cooling off at the shores, this cruise will definitely be one of the your highlight! At the end of the boat ride you come across a fishing village that is in the middle of the park, and a demonstration of how important the balance between humans and wild animals is. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Lodge.

Day 3 & 4 - Queen Elizabeth National Park
Spend two full days at Queen Elizabeth National Park with lots of activities to take part in. One day you could wake up early - enjoy a cup off coffee or tea with a cake before you head our to the mating grounds of the Uganda Kobs. We search for lions, elephants, buffaloes and other wild animals in their natural habitat before returning for full breakfast. In the afternoon, relax at the lodge and later in the evening head out for an evening game drive around the leopard loop with high chances of spotting one or two and many other species of animals. The other day you could do a tour of the salt lakes around the park. One of the most famous lookout points in Uganda is in the Katwe-Kabatoro community on Katwe Salt Lake where traditional salt mining has been practiced since the 16th century. The neighboring Lake Munyanyange is a bird sanctuary, as well as a migratory location for the lesser flamingo from august to november. This drive will take about 4 hours and then return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, relax at the lodge and enjoy the views! Dinner and overnight at Mweya Lodge.

Day 5 - Queen Elizabeth NP - Ishasha
After breakfast at Mweya, you will head to the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park known as Ishasha, named so because of the Ishasha River that forms the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC). This remote southern region enjoys fewer visitors than the north, but very special because it is home to the very special tree climbing lions. The cats have adapted to climbing trees for two main reasons; first to escape the tsetse flies that are plentiful, and second to see above the long Spear Grass in search of their prey. The lion like to climb fig trees and the location of these trees is well marked so finding them and the lions is relatively easy. The area is also Home to many buffalo and elephants as well as the rare shoebill. Lunch, dinner & overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp. The camp only has 8 tents which are very well laid out; it is a fully-fledged eco lodge and is run 100% on solar power.

Day 6 - Ishasha
Spend the day at Ishasha with game-drives. Northen Part, vast open field comes alive in the morning with lots of wildlife roaming the plains. These plains offer visitors lots of opportunities of spotting the elusive leopard and lots of hyenas around their den or hunting. You will also visit the Ishasha River that separate's Uganda and the Virunga National park in Congo. This River is home to huge schools of hippos. Southern part, you will head to the Edouard flats in the Ishasha sector. Ishasha is one of the best and most convenient places to see the elusive shoebill. After a few minutes drive through the vast acacia vegetation, the papyrus reeds opens up into a flat grassy wetlands where a number of shoebill can regularly be seen. The bird is easiest seen in the morning when they stalk their main prey, the mudfish or frogs, but may be spotted all day. They may stand absolutely still for long periods awaiting the movements of their prey and then suddenly strike with a marvellous speed. Lunch, dinner and overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp.

Day 7 - Ishasha - Bwindi (4 hours)
Travel southwards to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. A drive of about four hours to Buhoma, a town on the edge of the forest and the center of most of the accommodations. The park is 330 square km and ranges in altitude from 1.160 mt to 2.600 mt above mean sea level. This forest is home to half of the world's Mountain Gorillas. There are estimated to be around 900 individuals left in the wild between Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, so seeing them is a very special event. Afternoon time to rest and enjoy the view onto the forest. Lunch, dinner and overnight at Mahogeny Springs Lodge.

Day 8 - Bwindi - Gorilla Tracking
After an early quick breakfast you will go to the park Headquarters for a briefing by the Ranger guide and there you will be separated into trekking groups based on your permit. From here you will head into the Impenetrable forest and there you will come across various primates, birds plus colored butterflies in addition to various plant species. It will be a very amazing day. Gorilla trekking requires some good fitness because of the climbing and lengthy walking normally involved before meeting the gorillas. It's rather tiresome however very memorable especially when you finally come to face these very peaceful giant Mountain Gorillas. You may hire porters to carry your bags. You can watch these gorillas at a 5 meters distance as the feed and the young ones play. Travelers with limited mobility can make use of the local stretchers to be able to enter the forest. Kindly get in touch with us for more detailed information on how it would work. Mahogeny Springs Lodge for to dinner and overnight

Day 9 - Bwindi - Entebbe
Travel back to Entebbe. To limit long driving distances we recommend to fly back to Entebbe, however - for those who don't mind long distances - we also offer travel by road.

POSSIBLE EXTENSION PROGRAMS:

  • first option (if any), for example: Beach holiday Zanzibar- flight from Nairobi to Zanzibar
  • second option (if any), for example: Short road safari extension to the Kenyan coast with visits to Amboseli and Tsavo National parks