Safari Uganda

During our two-week journey through fabulous Uganda we will visit humid mountain forests, long grassy savannahs, rolling plains, and picturesque bodies of water such as the Nile River and Lake Victoria. We will encounter unique wildlife in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks. Uganda is home to rare and unique species such as mountain gorillas, southern white rhinos, tree lions. Enrich your cultural experience in the rural village of Bukakata, learning about Uganda’s multifaceted rich culture, which is a reflection of the country’s many ethnic groups and traditions. We will immerse ourselves amidst the splendour of nature beyond man’s control at Virunga Volcano. Trek through Ziwa Reserve and Bwindi Forest, experience rafting on the majestic White Nile and enjoy the romance of stargazing during an overnight stay in the Sses Islands. At the end of our journey in Uganda, we will take with us many precious memories, unique shots, fascinating stories and new friends!

Day 1. Entebbe. Arrive in the authentic town of Entebbe, located in an incredibly picturesque location – on a peninsula on the northern shore of Africa’s largest lake – Victoria. Entebbe is the intellectual and political centre of Uganda – it is home to the Uganda Wildlife Centre, the official residence of the President, and the National Botanical Gardens with access to the shores of Lake Victoria, where the Tarzan movies were filmed! Explore the local colour and prepare for the upcoming adventures in the world of Uganda’s wildlife! Dinner and instructing the group. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2. Ziwa Game Reserve. A 200km drive through Uganda’s outlandish landscapes awaits us to Ziwa Reserve, located in the 180km Kafa River basin. We pick up the activity with a 2-hour trekking tour of the reserve in search of majestic representatives of traditional African fauna – the Southern White Rhinos, endangered due to poaching of the animal’s horn. In addition to rhinos, the 3,840 square kilometre Reserve is home to at least 40 species of mammals and reptiles, including monkeys, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles and numerous species of birds. The best time to see rhinos is between 8am and 10am and 4pm and 6pm. We consolidate our impressions with a canoe safari in the setting sun. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 3. Murchison Falls. An early rise in the best tradition of Morning Magic! We wake up at 6am and start the day with an Instagram-worthy 4-hour canoe trip – greeting the sunrise, admiring the waking equatorial nature, observing in the natural habitat of the animals that come to the river for watering, and just enjoying the freedom of wild Uganda! After the canoe, an hour of rest, we need to recover, because we have to drive 200 km north-west of the country to one of the most beautiful parks in Uganda – the huge Murchison Falls National Park, divided in half by the White Nile. This unspoilt corner of the planet will delight us with the opportunity to see the animals of the African Five and, of course, the 40 metre high Murchison Falls, the largest in Uganda! You will be able to admire the view from below and climb to the top to see the rocks of the waterfall, the picturesque coastal steeps and the swampy lowlands of the river mouth. Beautiful shots are guaranteed! If you wish, you can take a hot air balloon ride, choose rafting, fishing and other activities.It is simply impossible to enjoy all the beauty of Murchison Falls in a day, which is why our tour includes a reserve day, which we can spend in the park. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 4. Murchison Falls – Kasese. We dedicate the morning to the final chords in Murchison Falls Park and then drive south-west! 413 kilometres along the scenic shores of Lake Albert, through the green beauty of rural Uganda, traditional farms and tea plantations. On the way we stop at Fort Portal, a historic fortress that commemorates Uganda’s colonial era. Our final destination is the town of Kasese, nestled in the shadow of the Moon Mountains. We enjoy the unique scenery of mountain ranges, blue lakes and tea plantations, immerse ourselves in the spirit of ancient tribes and learn the sincere hospitality of the local people. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5. Congo – Virunga Park. We start a new day and a new chapter of our journey through Central Africa. Ahead is Congo and the vast expanse of Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as Africa’s oldest reserve covering almost 8000 square kilometres. Wet forest and wetlands, grassy savannahs and dense green bamboo thickets, the Ruwenzori Mountains (Moon Mountains) and endless plains… Explore the shores of Lake Edward, the jewel of Virunga Park, framed by powerful volcanic protrusions. Virunga National Park is a true treasure trove of nature, with families of mountain gorillas at its heart. Stay in the park until sunset and enjoy the spectacle of red-orange clouds merging with the silvery waters of the lake to the whisper of leaves, the quiet murmur of waterfalls and the cries of exotic birds. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6. Virunga Volcano. Dedicate the day to climbing the majestic Virunga Volcano to the largest active lava lake in the world! During the trekking we pass through dense forests, winding trails, steep slopes. After reaching the summit, we finish the day looking at the vast panorama of the volcanic landscape from above: smoking craters, spacious plateaus and stunning panoramas of the unique natural landscape. The bowl-shaped funnel of the lava lake and streams of hot lava, which are constantly moving and changing their shape, will leave no one indifferent. We share our impressions and spend the night at the height of 4500 m! Night in tents.
Day 7. Virunga Volcano – Queen Elizabeth Park. We meet dawn at the top of the Virunga massif, just like in the Pinterest pictures! Move down from the volcano and proceed to Queen Elizabeth Park, a protected area of Uganda, at the foot of the Ruwenzori mountain range between Lakes George and Edward. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8. Queen Elizabeth Park – Bwindi. A full day awaits us in Queen Elizabeth Park, which is a harmonious blend of wildlife and African cultural heritage. The protected area of the park includes different natural zones from savannah and wetlands to floodplain forests. Embark on a safari where we observe elephants, buffalo, hippos, mongoose, antelope, chimpanzees, olive baboons, lions, hyenas, leopards and other mammals – an unforgettable experience and breathtaking footage of animals in their natural habitat is assured! In the evening we set off to the south-west of Uganda – past the familiar Lake Edward, through the highlands of Kigezi – the “Swiss of Africa”, on roads winding among green hills. We arrive in Bwindi and settle in for the night. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 9. Bwindi. Bwindi Forest is an old, incredibly species-rich ecosystem declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main attraction of the protected area is the population of mountain gorillas, whose sightings we seek as we trek through the impenetrable jungle! Our search starts from the spot where the animals were sighted the previous day. Although it is impossible to predict in advance the time at which the gorillas will leave, experienced rangers will endeavour to predict their location. During the trek we will almost certainly encounter forest elephants, chimpanzees and birds of prey.Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10. Bukakata. We travel to Bukakata, a rural settlement located in southern Uganda, to experience the unique culture of the villagers. Here we get to know the locals and learn about the habits and traditions of the Ugandan rural population. We will try our hand at local crafts, traditional dancing and singing. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11. Sses Island. Take a ferry to Sses Island on Lake Victoria. Here we will take a boat ride around the islands, enjoy views of the archipelago beaches, see buffalo, bushbuck antelope, taste traditional dishes with fresh Ugandan catfish. In the evening we will go fishing as Lake Victoria is famous for its rich fish life. We summarise the day on the night beach, lit by bonfires and beach parties under a huge starry sky. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 12. Jinja. In the morning return from the islands and drive to Jinja, a town at the source of the White Nile. The source of the White Nile in Uganda is remarkable because most of the rivers are formed from small streams that gradually build up and merge. But we will see a rare example in nature of how spectacularly a great river can originate – flowing out of Lake Victoria, the Nile almost immediately acquires the incredible power of a stream. In the evening we relax and prepare for the upcoming rafting on the Nile. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13. White Nile – Kampala. In the morning we excite the nervous system by rafting on the rushing waters of the White Nile. Overcome rapids and whirlpools, pass the most unpredictable sections of the river, immersing ourselves in a world of wild adventure in the heart of the African continent. In the evening we move to the capital of Uganda – Kampala. The city surprises with the brightness of modern graffiti and the heritage of the colonial era. We visit the Kabaka Palace on Mengo Hill, the residence of the Buganda king, and the Kasubi Royal Tombs, the burial place of the last kings of Buganda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14. Reserve Day. Having a reserve day when travelling in Africa is useful because of the changeable weather. But even if it doesn’t throw up any unpleasant surprises, we have an extra 24 hours of spectacular scenery, unbridled nature and outdoor activities!
Day 15. Transfer to the airport, departure. We conclude our Uganda journey full of unforgettable experiences that we can’t wait to share with friends, family or on social media. Uganda is breathtaking to tour and the memories are sure to stay with you for a lifetime.

• Russian-speaking and English-speaking guide
• All transfers on the program
• All hotels and lodges on the program
• Breakfasts/lunches/dinners on program
• Entrance fees to parks, individual and jeep fees
• Permits for overnight stays in the park

• International flight
• Medical insurance
• Kenya visa
• Lunches, snacks in Entebbe
• Single accommodation
• Tips
• Any costs associated with changes to the program

Documents:

• Passport
• Plane tickets
• Medical insurance
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate
• Malaria prophylaxis

Clothing and footwear:

• Boots/sneakers, 2 pairs
• Fleece suit or similar warm clothing set.
• Bandana or buff
• Hat/sun hat
• Long sleeve shirts/t-shirts
• Lightweight trekking trousers
• Shorts
• T-shirts

Miscellaneous:

• Powerbank (optional)
• Sunglasses
• Mackintosh
• Sun cream spf 50
• Hygienic lipstick spf 10-15
• Personal first aid kit
• Personal hygiene products, wet wipes, flip-flops.
• Insect repellent
• Bathing accessories
• Mosquito net for bed