7 Days Lake Mburo, Kibale Forest, and Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari

Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park

• Morning:
  • Depart from Kampala early in the morning for a scenic drive to Lake Mburo National Park (approx. 4-5 hours drive).
  • En route, stop at the Equator for a photo opportunity and refreshments.
• Afternoon:
  • Arrive at Lake Mburo, check into your lodge, and enjoy lunch.
  • Afterward, embark on an afternoon game drive. Lake Mburo is known for its large populations of zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, and giraffes.
• Evening:
  • Optional night game drive to see nocturnal wildlife such as leopards and hyenas.
• Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge, Rwakobo Rock, or Mantana Tented Camp.
• Meals: Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2: Lake Mburo National Park – Game Drive & Boat Safari

• Morning:
  • After breakfast, go on a game drive to spot more wildlife, including zebras, warthogs, antelopes, and giraffes. The park’s small size and rolling hills make wildlife viewing easier and more intimate.
• Afternoon:
  • After lunch, take a boat cruise on Lake Mburo to view hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds like fish eagles and kingfishers.
• Optional Activities:
  • Go on a guided walking safari for a close-up view of wildlife or take a horseback safari for a unique experience within the park.
• Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge, Rwakobo Rock, or Mantana Tented Camp.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park

• Morning:
  • After breakfast, depart for Kibale National Park (approx. 5-6 hours drive), passing through lush scenery and tea plantations.
• Afternoon:
  • Arrive in Kibale in the late afternoon and check into your lodge.
  • Relax and enjoy the natural surroundings or take a crater lake walk to explore the nearby crater lakes region.
• Accommodation: Primate Lodge Kibale, Kyaninga Lodge, or Kibale Forest Camp.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park

• Morning:
  • After an early breakfast, head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking. Guided by expert trackers, you’ll venture into the forest to find a troop of wild chimpanzees. Spend one hour with the chimps, observing their behavior, interactions, and playful antics.
• Afternoon:
  • After lunch, visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a nature walk. The sanctuary is known for its rich birdlife, butterflies, and other primates like red colobus monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys.
• Accommodation: Primate Lodge Kibale, Kyaninga Lodge, or Kibale Forest Camp.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Game Drive

• Morning:
  • After breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park (approx. 2-3 hours drive) via the scenic Fort Portal route.
• Afternoon:
  • Arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park and check into your lodge.
  • Enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, which are home to elephants, lions, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, and many other animals.
• Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, or Enganzi Lodge.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

• Morning:
  • Start the day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, a prime area for wildlife viewing. Spot elephants, hippos, lions, buffaloes, and a variety of antelopes, as well as several bird species.
• Afternoon:
  • After lunch, take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This boat safari offers excellent opportunities to view large pods of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and various waterbirds such as African fish eagles, kingfishers, and herons.
• Evening:
  • Optional night game drive or relax at your lodge.
• Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, or Enganzi Lodge.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 7: Transfer Back to Kampala

• Morning:
  • After breakfast, enjoy one last morning game drive or optional activity like a visit to the Katwe salt lakes before heading back to Kampala (approx. 6-7 hours drive).
• Afternoon:
  • Stop for lunch en route and continue to Kampala or Entebbe, arriving in the late afternoon or evening.
• Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

Inclusions:

• Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle.
• Accommodation (full-board basis).
• Park entry fees for Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, and Kibale National Parks.
• Game drives in Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth.
• Boat cruises on Lake Mburo and Kazinga Channel.
• Chimpanzee trekking permit.
• Bigodi Wetland nature walk.
• Bottled water in the vehicle.
• Professional English-speaking guide.

Exclusions:

• Travel insurance, visas, and international flights.
• Domestic flights (optional).
• Tips and alcoholic beverages.
• Optional activities (e.g., horseback riding, nature walks, crater lake visit).

This 7-day itinerary offers a diverse experience of Uganda’s wildlife, including chimpanzee and big game safaris, birdwatching, and boat safaris. It’s ideal for nature lovers who want to explore Uganda’s unique and varied ecosystems in a short time.