A breathtaking 12-day journey through Uganda’s most stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity. Start in the serene town of Entebbe, then venture to Kibale National Park, renowned as the “Primate Capital of Africa,” where you’ll track chimpanzees and explore lush wetlands.
Next, ascend the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, immersing yourself in the diverse ecosystems and stunning vistas of the “Mountains of the Moon.” Continue your adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park, seeking out Africa’s Big Five and experiencing the remarkable Kazinga Channel.
Finally, connect with the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, before concluding your trip with a tranquil walking safari in Lake Mburo. This itinerary promises an unforgettable blend of wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and awe-inspiring natural beauty.
At Nandi Adventures, we believe in creating all-inclusive Ugandan safaris that maximize your experience and minimize your worries. Unlike other companies, we prioritize transparent pricing with no hidden costs. Our meticulously crafted itineraries include a variety of activities, attraction entrance fees, comfortable accommodations, reliable transportation, and the services of our expert guides. This ensures you can focus on what truly matters: making unforgettable memories in the heart of Africa.
We understand that dietary needs can vary, and we’re happy to cater to vegetarians, vegans, and pescatarians. Simply let us know your preferences during the booking process, and we’ll ensure your meals are delicious and tailored to your dietary restrictions.
Ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure?
Welcome to Uganda! Your guide will meet you at Entebbe International Airport and you to your accommodation. Entebbe is a cool and green garden on the shores of Lake Victoria, the second biggest freshwater body in the world. Take some time to relax, or even a game of golf as you prepare for the adventure ahead.
Today transfer to Kibale National Park in western Uganda. The park is known for its diversity and abundance of primate species. Some call it the primate capital of Africa, the primatologist’s dream. After checking in, explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area near Kibale National Park. It covers an area of about 4.5 square kilometers and consists of a mosaic of wetlands, grasslands, and forests.
The sanctuary is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including a variety of bird species, primates, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Birdwatching enthusiasts particularly enjoy Bigodi for its numerous bird species, including the Great Blue Turaco, and the Papyrus Gonolek.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is managed by the local community as a conservation and eco-tourism project. The revenue generated from tourism activities, such as guided nature walks and birdwatching tours, directly benefits the community and supports conservation efforts in the area.
Enjoy breakfast before you before going out to track chimpanzees in this tropical forest. Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda, near the town of Fort Portal. It is one of the best places in Africa to track and observe chimpanzees in the wild due to its large population of habituated chimpanzees. While tracking chimpanzees, visitors may also encounter other wildlife species inhabiting Kibale National Park, including other primates such as red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys, as well as various bird species and forest mammals.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park offers a unique and memorable wildlife experience, allowing visitors to connect with these remarkable animals in their natural environment while supporting conservation efforts in Uganda..
Later in the day, transfer to Kasese. Check into your hotel to rest or explore town as you prepare for the next day’s start of the mountain trek.
Today is you embark on your hike into the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. After an early breakfast at your hotel in Kasese, your guide will drive you to the trek starting point at Trekkers Hostel at the foothills of the mountains.
The Rwenzori Mountains, often referred to as the “Mountains of the Moon,” offer a truly unforgettable mountaineering experience. These majestic peaks, second only to Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, are renowned for their stunning beauty, diverse ecosystems, and challenging terrain. Ascend through lush rainforests, traverse across glaciers, and summit towering peaks, all while being surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The Rwenzori Mountains offer a unique blend of adventure, natural beauty, and cultural immersion, making it a must-do for any avid mountaineer or nature lover.
Start Point: Trekkers Hostel, Kyanjuki (1,450 meters), 12 km from Kasese.
Begin your trek through the Afro-Montane Forest, home to a variety of birds and wildlife like blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys. There’s also a chance to spot L’Hoest monkeys and hear wild chimpanzees.
Along the way, you’ll pass through bamboo thickets and moss-covered vines. Don’t miss Enock’s Falls, just 200 meters from Sine Hut, a perfect spot for a photo.
Overnight: Sine Camp, with rustic wooden huts surrounded by tall trees, offering views of a waterfall.
Height Gain: 1,146 meters | Distance: 9.5 km
Hike to Mutinda Camp at 3,588 meters (11,752ft), giving you a height gain of 992m (3,255ft). The trek ends in Mutinda Camp, which sits near a small waterfall. You will be staying here for the night. You can now wash, refresh and simply enjoy being in the Mountains of the Moon. Or if you do have what it takes, climb up to the Mutinda Lookout -3975m (13,041ft) – which is one and a half hours up, and one hour down. You will be rewarded with great views of Kasese town and on a clear day, even Lake George in the savanna plains farther away in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. This afternoon trek is also good for acclimatization.
Start the day by climbing along a rocky riverbed and passing through boggy areas. You’ll reach the top of a high waterfall before descending through Hunwicks Pass. The trail leads through the Twin Peaks, where you can spot hawks, eagles, and possibly Hyrax or Red Diker. After crossing bogs and passing giant lobelias, you’ll arrive at Kiharo Camp at which is situated in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation.
On the way down the valley after each bog you will climb over a ridge of stones and earth which seems out of place but actually was pushed there by slow moving glaciers which eventually stopped moving, melted and left a pile of rocks and debris in front of where the glacier once stood.
Overnight: Kiharo Camp, located near a beautiful waterfall cascading down moss-covered rocks.
Height Gain: 387 meters | Descent: 545 meters | Distance: 5 km
It is time to say goodbye to Africa’s greatest secret and botanical garden. Enjoy the sunrise before breakfast and the trek back to base. The Nyamwamba Valley offers stunning scenery, with cascading waterfalls, moss-covered rocks, and some of the best forests in the Rwenzori Mountains. After passing several Duiker clearings and breathtaking waterfalls, you’ll climb up and over a ridge before descending through dense forest. Stop at Forest View Camp for lunch before completing the final leg of your adventure at Trekkers Hostel.
From Kiharo Camp, you’ll trek 16 kilometers downhill to the park gate, plus an additional 2.8 kilometers to Trekkers Hostel. It takes about 5 to 8 hours to do the trek. Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers will debrief you before you exit the national park.
Your Nandi Adventures guide will then transfer you to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s oldest and most visited nature reserve. Rest in your comfortable accommodation as you prepare for next day’s Big 5 adventure. Queen Elizabeth is home to 4 of the Big 5, with its most iconic resident being the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most famous and diverse protected areas, located in the western part of the country. The park covers an area of about 1,978 square kilometers (764 square miles), making it Uganda’s second-largest national park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is renowned for its incredible biodiversity, encompassing a variety of ecosystems such as savannah, wetlands, forests, and lakes. It’s home to an impressive array of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and over 600 bird species.
Another of the park’s key attractions is the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, offering excellent opportunities for boat safaris and wildlife viewing.
Morning game drive seeking out four of Africa’s big 5 – lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards. In the afternoon go for a water safari on the Kazinga channel.
After breakfast, transfer to Bwindi through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This section is home to the tree-climbing lions. While lions do often climb trees around Africa, the lions of Ishasha prefer to spend most of their day in the trees. Once at your accommodation, settle in and prepare for the next day’s great trek. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in southwestern Uganda. It is renowned for its dense and pristine tropical rainforest, which is home to one of the most endangered species on Earth—the mountain gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park stands as a testament to the importance of conservation efforts in preserving endangered species and their habitats. It offers a unique and immersive experience for visitors seeking encounters with mountain gorillas in their natural environment. In trekking here, you contribute to the conservation of the mountain gorillas.
Track mountain gorillas in Bwindi. There are only about 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the world. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a captivating and transformative experience that allows visitors to come face-to-face with one of the most majestic and endangered creatures on Earth—the mountain gorilla.
Our safari offers you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend time with a gorilla family. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is a life-changing experience that not only allows for an intimate connection with these remarkable primates but also contributes to the conservation of the species and the well-being of the local communities. It is an adventure that blends the thrill of exploration with the responsibility of protecting our planet’s endangered species.
The road transfer to Lake Mburo National Park on a birding safari offers a scenic journey through Uganda’s diverse landscapes. As you leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you’ll pass through rolling hills, farmland, and rural communities. En route, there are opportunities to spot various bird species, especially in forested and wetland areas.
Even though Lake Mburo National Park is just 260 square kilometres in size, the different landscapes are alive with intrigue and colour on even a short trip. As you look for the diverse array of animals that these habitats sustain, you will travel through gallery forests, open savannah, acacia woodland, rocky kopjes, seasonal and permanent wetlands, and open water.
Upon arrival at Lake Mburo National Park, you can choose to enjoy a relaxing moment in this quiet wilderness or immerse yourself in the life of the cattle-keeping community here. Get to know their ways of life and culture.
End your Ugandan journey with a memorable birding safari in Lake Mburo National Park. Explore the park’s diverse ecosystems on foot, guided by experienced rangers. Spot a variety of wildlife, including herbivores, birds, and smaller mammals. Learn about the park’s biodiversity, ecosystems, and conservation efforts from your knowledgeable guide.
At least 313 bird species have been recorded in the park. Some include the Red faced barbet, Long tailed Cisticola (Tabora), Papyrus yellow warbler, African finfoot, Northern Brubru, Rofous bellied and white backed night heron, Black collared barbet, Brown chested plover, White winged tit, Northern brown throated weaver, White winged warbler.
Visit the Equator Line:
Before heading to Entebbe, make a stop at the equator line, a unique geographical landmark dividing the northern and southern hemispheres. Take a photo and experience the fascinating phenomenon of water swirling down different drains on either side of the line.
