14 Days Big Five & Rafting

14 Days Big Five & Rafting  takes you to Murchison Falls National Park,  Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Bunyonyi region, Lake Mburo National Park and Rafting on River Nile – Jinja.

Day 1: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park-Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Depart early after breakfast and proceed through Bombo to Murchison Falls National Park. With a stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary in Nakasongola, after which, we travel to the Murchison falls national park arriving late in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight at  Paara Safari Lodge/Sambiya River Lodge.

Day 2: Murchison Falls National Park 

Breakfast, and then take a morning game drive with a park ranger/guide on the northern bank. The game likely to be encountered include; Elephant, Buffalo, Uganda Kob, Hartebeest, Oribi, Giraffe, Leopard and other game. It is only here that you can trail wildlife with an armed ranger guide. Return to the Lodge for lunch, after which, we take a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. Lookout for Hippos, Nile crocodile, Waterbuck and a host of water birds. Return for dinner and overnight at Paara Safari Lodge/Sambiya River Lodge.

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park

On this day we drive to Paraa and take a launch boat to the base of the falls viewing game and birds en route. We enjoy the 3 hour ride past several hippo schools and Nile crocodile plus aquatic bird including a chance a good chance to see a Shoebill stock. Then drive to top of The Falls with your picnic lunch. After lunch walk in the area to obtain excellent views of the Falls where the Nile is forced through a 20-foot wide gap and then drops 145ft over the escarpment. This is believed to be the largest natural force of water in the world creating a sight of a boiling Caldron of water. Dinner and overnight at Paara Safari Lodge/Sambiya River Lodge.

Day 4: Travel to Kibale National Park 

Leave Murchison Falls heading for Kibale forest National Park, we travel through Fort Portal take lunch along the way. Arrive late evening for a nocturnal walk in the Kibale forest lookout for Galagos, Pottos and Bush babies. Dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge or Chimp’s nest

Day 5: Kibale – Chimpanzee Tracking Walk 

After breakfast, we drive to Kibale forest starting point to embark on a morning forest walk in search of chimpanzee. As we trail we may also encounter other primates in this forest which include among others, Gray Cheeked Mangabeys, Red-tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Black and White Colobus, etc. Return for lunch and after, visit the Bigodi sanctuary. Dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge or Chimp’s nest

Day 6: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park 

After breakfast, check out and depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes us via the slopes of the Rwenzori and slope down south wards to Mweya Safari Lodge. We take an afternoon launch cruise on Kazinga Channel, a place believed to host the largest concentration of Hippopotamus in Africa. Also seen are buffalos, kobs, the occasional Nile crocodile (which up to recently could not be seen) and a spectacular bird viewing opportunity. Dinner and overnight at Parkview Safari Lodge or Irungu Forest Safari Lodge

Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking in Kayambura – Queen Elizabeth National park.

After an early tea/coffee, drive to Kyambura gorge with packed breakfast. We enter the Kyambura gorge for another yet different experience with the primates. Kyambura Gorge is a natural home for habituated chimpanzees; this area also supports mammals similar to those in the bush area of the park and three saline crater lakes, which attract large numbers of Flamingos. We return to our lodge and relax the rest of the evening. Dinner and overnight at Parkview Safari Lodge or Irungu Forest Safari Lodge

Day 8: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through Ishasha.

After an early morning breakfast, check out ready to depart south with picnic lunch through the famous Ishasha sector for a game drive in search of tree climbing lions. After our lunch we then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest arriving early evening. Dinner and overnight Mahogany Springs lodge or Gorilla mist camp.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking – Bwindi 

Early breakfast, and with our picnic lunch, we then head to the park offices for briefing prior to tracking the mountain gorillas. Later, start your trek with a ranger and other gorilla trackers to find the gorillas. Trekking may take anything between an hour to 10 hours depending on the family and the terrain, encountering rain and muddy conditions along the way so be physically fit, come with sturdy hiking boots, long pants, gloves and raincoat. Maximum time spent with the gorillas is 1 hour. Dinner and overnight at Mahogany Springs lodge or Gorilla mist camp.

Day 10: Bwindi/Lake Bunyonyi 

After breakfast, drive through the scenic Little Switzerland of Uganda to the edge of Lake Bunyonyi one of the Crater Lakes in this part of Uganda. Here, there are various optional activities such as Canoe rides, swimming in the Bilharzia free Lake, community walk or hiking on one of the Islands. Dinner and Overnight at Birdnest or Bunyonyi eco resort

Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park –Evening game drive

Morning breakfast then take a canoe ride on this beautiful Lake to visit the Island that acted as a Leper asylum in the 1950’s. After lunch travel to Lake Mburo National Park. You will have a chance of walking in the park which hosts, Impala, Zebra, Topi, Buffalo, Crocodile, Hippo and a variety of bird and plant life. Dinner and Overnight Mihingo Lodge or Rwakobo Rock

Day 12: Lake Mburo National Park/ Jinja

After breakfast take a game drive then transfer to Kampala for lunch then proceed to Jinja, Source of the Nile. Dinner and Overnight at Jinja Nile Resort/Gately on the Nile/Kingfisher Resort.

Day 13: Jinja/Entebbe

After breakfast, travel to the Bujagali Falls where White Water Rafters enjoy rides through the Big Grade 5 white water rapids, then head for our starting point for the rafting craze! Spend the entire day rafting with lunch on the river island, transfer to Entebbe later in the evening. Dinner and Overnight at Protea hotel Entebbe or Lake Victoria guest house

Day 14: Entebbe

After breakfast at your pace, check out and be transferred to Entebbe international airport to end your Big Five & Rafting package and catch your flight back home as you say farewell to the pearl of Africa!!

What is included?

• Gorilla permit
• Accommodation on your Big Five & Rafting tour
• All meals
• Chimpanzee permit
• Transport in 4×4
• Guides & Park fees

What is not included?

• International flight ticket
• Tourist Insurance
• Beverages