13 Days Luxury Classic Wildlife Safari in Uganda

This 13 Days luxury classic wildlife safari in Uganda starts and ends in Entebbe International Airport. Meet eye to eye with the amazing gorillas of Uganda in either Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park depending on availability of you the permits upon your booking. This close encounter with these amazing giant primates is simply breathtaking for lifetime memorable safari experiences. Also get a close encounter with other diverse African wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and amazing culture.

13 Days Luxury Classic Wildlife Safari in Uganda Highlight 

Day 1: Arrive, Meet and Greet – Transfer to the Hotel

Day 2: Fly to Kidepo Valley National Park – Afternoon Relaxation

Day 3: Whole Day guided Game drives to the Narus Valley & Kanangorok hot Springs

Day 4: Morning Relaxation

Day 5: Chatter Flight to Semiliki National Park

Day 6: whole Day Game Drives in the Reserve

Day 7: Walking Safari to the Hot springs

Day 8: Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Boat Transfer on Lake Mutanda to the Lodge

Day 9: Private Batwa Pygmy Safari

Day 10: Gorilla Habituation Experience

Day 11: Private Road Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park – After noon Guided Game Drives

Day 12: Morning Game Drive – Afternoon Optional Boat Safari at an extra Fee

Day 13: Walking Safari to the Hyena Den – Private Transfer to Entebbe for Out Bound Flight Back home

Day 1: Arrive, Meet and Greet – Transfer to the Hotel

Meet and greet at Entebbe International Airport where your luxury classic wildlife safari in Uganda starts by our representative who will warmly welcome you and facilitate seamless arrival formalities.  Your will then be transferred to your hotel where you will be briefed about your adventure safari.

Depending on the time of arrival you are advised to have money Changed on this day and time allowing you may go for city tour with the help of our driver/guide, visit the shopping Malls around town and craft villages to get items which you may need while in upcountry

Overnight: Protea Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Fly to Kidepo Valley National Park – Evening Game drive in Kidepo

Wake up for breakfast and head to Entebbe airport to catch up with your domestic flight to Kidepo national park. Arrive in time for a late lunch, relax and go for an evening game drive and sun downer. Return to the lodge for Dinner and overnight.

Apoka Safari Lodge is located in the middle of Kidepo Valley National Park. It offers ten big tented rooms with hardwood floors, hot running water (solar heated) and comfy furniture located around a dramatic rocky kopje each with the most astounding views out across the plains to the jagged mountains in the distance.  Outdoor bathtubs are carved out of the rock face, the furniture is handmade, the staff is from the local community – the Apoka experience is truly unique, indigenous and natural.  While the décor is uncluttered – a minimal aesthetic that uses the dramatic scenery and light as its inspiration and adornment – comfort is de riguer. Oversized armchairs, king size beds, cushions in little private nooks, soft summer weight duvets, Egyptian cotton towels and wonderful fusion cuisine. It is just a short drive from the airstrip to the lodge. From the pool, carved into the rocks, you can observe animals at the below waterhole. Meals are served from a set menu but please do speak with our chef should you have special wishes.

Overnight: Apoka Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Whole Day guided Game drives to the Narus Valley & Kanangorok hot Springs

Game drives and walks at Apoka are directed by nature not time! Take a walking safari along a sandy dry river bed fringed with palm trees, climb to the top of a rocky outcrop and take in the views! We move slowly along isolated tracks to fully appreciate all around us, looking for tracks and signs of the animals movements we can stop at any point to investigate further. We may take a walk to track the lions, or even cheetah, always surrounded by Zebra, Waterbuck, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Warthogs, Patas monkeys and BIG herds of Buffalo.

Afterwards, relax in your outdoor bathtub under the stars, take a dip in the big rock swimming pool overlooking the savannah and a waterhole frequently visited by animals before having dinner at the main building.

Overnight: Apoka Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Morning Cultural Experience – Afternoon Relaxation

In the morning go to visit one of the communities, a Karamojong manyatta. Get an insight of their daily lives, the way their homes are constructed and much more. Return to the lodge for Relaxation and dinner.

Overnight: Apoka Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Fly to Semiliki National Park

Take a guided walk this morning to check out the plant life, the birds and the wild animals in the park on foot. Back at the lodge, have an early lunch before your onward chatter flight to Semiliki National Park

Overnight: Semiliki Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: whole Day Game Drives in the Reserve

This Park is Magical with so much to offer, dotted with Antelopes and curious monkeys, you will have a game drive through the park biodiversity, return to the lodge for lunch. You may relax in the afternoon or have another game drive.

Overnight: Semiliki Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Walking Safari to the Hot springs

Depart early after breakfast for the hot springs tour. Enjoy a full day pursuing the Semiliki Valley Wildlife Reserve; The Park is dominated by the easternmost extension of the great Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin. This is one of Africa’s most ancient and bio-diverse forests; one of the few that survived the last ice age, 12-18,000 years ago. Your guide will point out and explain the park’s diversity of wildlife and flora and fauna. The Sempaya hot springs are Semliki’s most famous attraction. There’s a “male” spring, known as Bintente, measuring 12m in diameter and is set in a lush swampy clearing. The “female” spring Nyasimbi, meaning “the female ancestors”, is a boiling geyser (103°C) which spurts bubbling water and steam up to two meters high – the steam cloud can be seen from as far as 2km away. Local residents used to cook their food in these boiling pools.

Crown the day with a visit to the local Batwa community located in Ntandi. The community dancers put on traditional performances for visitors. The visit to the villages has proven to be an interesting cultural experience. The guide will have lunch arranged for you to be served as a picnic while you experience the “Real Africa”.  Return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.

Overnight: Semiliki Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Boat Transfer on Lake Mutanda to the Lodge

After early morning breakfast transfer to Semiliki Airstripe to catch a domestic flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.  The flight takes approximately one hour; you will meet our representative who will transfer you to the lodge.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, dating back over 25,000 years and contain almost 400 species of plants. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” is home to half of the remaining Mountain Gorillas in the world. After lunch, you can either relax at the lodge or take a guided community walk around near lodge.

Overnight: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Private Batwa Pygmy Safari

After Breakfast, enjoy Batwa pygmy trail Experience– here we shall experience the culture of the ancient Batwa People who live in these forests, See the forest through the eyes of the first People who have lived here for over 500,000 years! Experience the lives of the Batwa People on the Interactive Batwa Trail in Mgahinga Gorilla Park and learn more about their hunting tricks, blacksmith, making of fire from sticks, herbal collections, weaving of Baskets, making bamboo cups, clothing beyond this generation among other interesting thrilling activities. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Day 10: Gorilla Habituation Experience

Today is a highlight of your 13 Days Luxury Classic Wildlife Safari in Uganda! After an early breakfast depart to the starting point for briefing about your gorilla Habituation adventure after which you will be led by experienced gorilla researchers on the slopes of the volcanoes. You will start from the site where the gorillas were encountered the day before and from here the gorilla Habituation begins. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is amazing, and the beauty of the gorilla forest and its inhabitants are fascinating. One of Africa’s major highlights is when you encounter these gentle apes. It is a humbling experience to stand just meters from man’s distant cousins as they eat rest, play and bond with their young ones. Follow the mountain gorillas as they range freely in the impenetrable forest, and discover their gorgeous natural habitual and the many species they share it with. You will move along the Gorillas for over four hours with the before finally sloping down back to your lodge. If your trek was relatively short, you may have a guided nature walk around the lodge and the surrounding communities in the evening. Return to the lodge where you will enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers before getting a good night’s rest for tomorrow’s safari adventure.

Don’t forget to carry your rain gear, packed lunch, plenty of water, gloves, hat, and water proof bag for protection of your camera in case of rain

Overnight Accommodation:  Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan:  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park – After noon Guided Game Drives

After breakfast, at 08.00 hours you will travel to L. Mburo National Park, one of the smallest National Park of Uganda. Though being small, it has a lot offer!!  Centered on a series of swamp-fringed lakes its birdlife is very rich.  The green acacia woodland harbors wildlife like Zebra, warthog, Eland, Impala, not to mention the lake itself, which is home to schools of hippos and crocodiles! Furthermore, Uganda Wildlife Authority recently brought 15 giraffes from Murchison falls to Lake Mburo.

Overnight Accommodation:  Mihingo Lodge
Meal Plan:  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12: Morning Game Drive – Afternoon Optional Boat Safari at an extra Fee

Enjoy another Game Drive combing Uganda’s smallest and yet Beautiful Park, After Lunch enjoy an Optional Private boat ride at an extra Fee on Lake Mburo and get quite close to the croc and hippos. As you return to your Lodge, you may have an evening game drive as you return to your lodge.

Overnight Accommodation:  Mihingo Lodge
Meal Plan:  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13: Walking Safari to the Hyena Den – Transfer to Entebbe

After breakfast have a safari walk under the escort of an armed ranger. The Kopjes are particularly interesting with the camouflage kilspringers and topis. Due to cattle herding in the area it is amusing to see zebra grazing alongside the long horned Ankole cattle peaceably.  It is exciting to approach wildlife at such close range.

Later drive to Entebbe with a stopover at the Equator for water experience, here you will too have an opportunity to stand in 2 hemispheres at the same time.  Take some photos, then another stop over at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers where you will be able to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through the generations arriving in the afternoon.

Depending on your Flight Time, you may Have a Cheese and wine Sunset Cruise at an extra Fee of $75 per person on waters of Lake Victoria – this will perfectly sum up your luxury classic wildlife safari in Uganda!

Tour Inclusions as per the Request

• All ground private transportation in A 4×4 safari pop up roof Land Cruiser vehicle with all fuel
• Field Coordinator at all Times
• Chatter Flight from Apoka Airstrip to Semiliki National Park
• Scheduled flight from Entebbe to Apoka Airstrip
• Scheduled Flight from Semiliki to Bwindi
• Return Boat Transfer on Lake Mutanda to Clouds Mountains Gorilla Lodge
• Guided Gorilla Habituation Permit on your Luxury Safari in Uganda
• Guided Hot springs walking Safari
• Guided Walking Safari in Lake Mburo
• Guided Walking Safaris in Kidepo Valley National Park
• Guided Unique Cultural Encounter
• Guided Game Drives on your Luxury Safari in Uganda
• Guided Equator Water Experience
• Guided Royal Drum Factory
• Well Bottled mineral water for drinking

Tour Exclusions                              

• Air Tickets apart from a Domestic Air ticket
• Visas
• Meals in Kigali and Entebbe
• Personal insurance
• Personal expenses (tips, souvenir shopping, laundry etc.)
• All optional/Alternative activities