17 days, 16 Nights of Uganda and Kenya Luxury Primate and Wildlife Safari

Welcome to East Africa!

It is without doubt that you have chosen the best destinations to travel to! Uganda and Kenya are incomparable but rather complement each other for the best experience there is, in an African vacation. This combined trip involves a cocktail of activities like Gem safaris, Boat Cruises, Nature Walks and Hikes, cultural experiences, Rhino tracking, Birding, Gorillas and Chimpanzee tracking, Shoebill experience, diving and snorkeling and so many other experiences.

Day 1

Destination: Entebbe

Activity:

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your driver guide will drive you to your accommodation and brief you about the trip and the day’s activity depending on the time of your arrival. It is very understandable that after a long flight, you may need to rest. However, this will be your call or choose from the available activities as mentioned below.

Accommodation

Hotel No.5

Activities to choose from are as follow:

Nature walk at Entebbe Botanical Gardens. The gardens were laid out in 1898 and cover an area of 40 hectares of different vegetation zones including the tropical rain forest. A variety of bird species like eagles, Owls and vultures, among many others can be sighted. Primates like Black and white colubus monkeys, vervet and Red tailed are also habitants.

Sunset cruise.  A private evening boat cruise on Lake Victoria as the sun is setting down, bonds you with Nature as the water whispers in your ears and the sun creating beautiful orange color on the lake. All this happens as you are sipping the Nile beer to remind you that you are on the largest lake in Africa and not far away from the source of the Nile.

Day 2

Destination: Mabamba Swamp

Activities: Shoebill experience

By use of a local speed boat, the 45 minutes cruise on Lake Victoria will lead you to a remote swamp called Mabamba. The swamp is famously known for inhabiting the pre historic Shoebill Stork. This ancient looking bird that derives its name from the resemblance of a shoe-like bill is a rare sighting that only inhabits in East Africa, with higher chances of sighting it being in Uganda. The narrow paths within the swamp to get to it, make the experience more enticing as a variety of other bird species like Kingfishers, Eagles, Herons, Cormorants, Jacanas, weaverbirds and more are sighted.  Later in the day, you will have lunch and relax.

Accommodation

Hotel No.5

Day 3

Destination: Ziwa Rhino sanctuary

Activities: Rhino tracking

The Journey starts early as we head to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for Rhino tracking. This will see us go through the country side hence an opportunity of viewing different communities and farmlands before getting to our final destination. Guided by a ranger on foot, the experience gets real as you walk in the wilderness in search of the second largest mammals on land! When sighted, they are usually viewed at a closer range of 10 to 15 meters. Other animals to encounter are, warthogs, bushbucks, Oribis, and Uganda Kobs, waterbucks and a variety of bird species, among others.

After lunch, the journey will continue to Murchison falls National Park.

Accommodation

Nile Safari Lodge

DAY 4

Destination: Murchison falls national park

Activity: Sunrise safari and Sunset Boat Cruise

Sunrise Safari

Early in the morning as per the briefing of your Guide, you will resume your gem safari. Murchison falls National Park is the largest in the country. It inhabits large numbers of mammals ranging from Nubian giraffes whose concentration is the highest in the world, lions, leopards, oribis, hartebeests, elephants and a variety of bird species. Later in the day you will have lunch and prepare for the boat cruise.

Sunset Boat Cruise

The cruise resumes at exactly 2:00 PM and lasts for 3 hours. During the activity, animals like Hippos, Giraffes, Crocodiles, Nile Monitor Lizards, Buffalos, and lots of bird species like Kingfishers, Eagles, Pelicans and Bee eaters among others are sighted up close and personal at a comfort of your seat while cruising on the Nile River.

The falls are another exhilarating experience to watch as the White Nile plunges 43 feet beneath after passing through a narrow gorge of 7 meters wide for which always leaves a trademark of a rainbow as it continues its long Journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Murchison falls are regarded as the most powerful falls in the World! The falls will be viewed from both the bottom and top.

Accommodation:

Nile Safari Lodge

Day 5

Destination: Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve

Activity: Relax

Drive through the Western Rift Valley while enjoying the scenic landscapes of Lake Albert as you encounter primates like Baboons, Black and White colobus Monkeys, view community settlements and their farmlands as you approach your final destination. Regardless of how unique and relaxing Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve is, the visit is meant to cut short the long Journey and experience a private treat in an isolated setup surrounded by wildlife. At dusk, you will be driven in the wilderness at a private candle light bush dinner. While at your dinner table overlooking Lake Albert and listening to different sounds of nature, your private Chef and waiter or waitress will be on standby to serve you drinks of your choice as you enjoy your five course meal.

Accommodation

Lake Albert Safari Lodge

Day 6

Destination: Kibale National Park

Activities: Local market experience

The journey to kibale national park will take you through tropical rain forests, Tea plantations and scenic views of Mount Rwenzori. Kibale National Park known by the nickname of the primate capital of the world inhabits 13 species of primates for which it includes Chimpanzees that are of the highest population in the world. It is also one of the few protected areas left in the world with both montane and lowland forests. No better place to track chimpanzees than this park! Other wildlife to encounter are Forest Elephants, Leopards, different species of butterflies and forest endemic birds among others.

Local Market Experience

As you are nearing to the final destination, your guide will lead you to a local market. Here, you will have an opportunity of witnessing the local products like agricultural, artifacts and fashion of the local people.  The experience is meant for you to explore and compare on how things are done away from your home country. Some of the products to expect are different kinds of fruits, vegetables, animal products, local clothing, crafts, to mention but a few.

Accommodation

Primate Lodge Kibale

Day 7

Destination: Kibale National Park

Activity: chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi swamp walk and community experience

Chimpanzee tracking

The activity will resume in the morning at 8: AM by being briefed and assigned a group. You will be guided by an armed ranger in company of other security personnel and tourists. Tracking may take 2-3 hours depending on how far or close the chimpanzees can be sighted. In most cases, you are back by 11: AM. Your Guide will brief you on the day before the activity on your dressing code and what to carry. You will be joined by other tourists since every group is comprised of 8 members.

Bigodi Swamp Walk.

During tracking, emphasis is always put on chimpanzees hence leaving other attractions unattended to. The Swamp walk therefore offers an opportunity to look at other primate species like the black and white colobus monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, vervet, Red colobus, grey cheeked mangabeys, Lhost monkeys, Baboons, a variety of bird species and reptiles.

Community experience

The areas surrounding the Park are inhabited by local people of the Batooro and Bakiga tribe. While on a guided walk in the community, part of the experience will include visiting farmlands of coffee, Tea, Banana plantations, Local Herbs men and the local Banana brewery homestead. When in the plantation of coffee, you will participate in harvesting, roast, grind and make a cup of coffee. The banana Home stead will illustrate on how banana beer, Juice, Wine and Vodka is produced from bananas. Different plants will be shared with you and their medicinal uses. The experience will end with a buffet of local cuisines that you are to have for lunch.

Accommodation

Primate Lodge Kibale

Day 8

Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Activity: Afternoon Safari

After breakfast, the journey to Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park resumes, for the search of tree climbing lions. This rare behavior is found in few places in the world and Uganda is lucky to be one of them. On a hot day, chances are higher to find them lying on branches of figs seeking for a shade from the scorching sun. Other animals to encounter are Elephants, Buffalos, Topis, Uganda Kobs, Hyenas and, Leopards and others. you are expected to arrive in time for lunch and embark on an afternoon safari.

Accommodation

Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Day 9

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Activity: Sunrise safari

Early in the morning you will embark on a sunrise safari before travelling to your next destination. Ishasha’s morning safari is known for being fruitful with sightings of Hyenas and Leopards. However, other animals like Topis, Elephants, Buffalos, Uganda Kobs and a variety of bird species are always in abundance. Bush Breakfast will be served after the safari, then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Accommodation

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Day 10

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Activity: Gorilla Tracking and Batwa Experience

Gorilla Tracking

Gorillas for such a long time have been the highlight of almost every trip in Uganda. These distant cousins that we share DNA of 98% are so adorable to watch that it’s hard to withhold tears of joy after encountering them up close and personal!

The tracking begins early in the morning at 8: AM after being briefing and assigned a group. Each group or family of gorillas is tracked by a total of 8 Tourists. A porter is highly recommended to hire so as to get helped with your back pack during the trek. The activity may take 2-6 hours depending on how far or close the family you are tracking may be. Your guide will brief you on the eve of tracking day so as to be aware of the requirements. You may need to carry with you hiking boots, nature friendly clothing, rain gears and a hat. Long sleeved shirts or blouse and trousers is a must wear when going for the activity. After tracking, you will relax and prepare for community experience later in the day.

Batwa Community experience

Batwa and Bakyiga cultures dominate in the land of Gorillas. Spending time with them would expose you to a completely different lifestyle away from what you are used to.

The Batwa community still hold onto their cultural lifestyle that they used to live before their eviction from the forest in 1991. Sharing their cultural experiences with the rest of the world gives them joy since it earns them a living. They showcase different herbs that cure different kinds of illnesses, hunting skills, traditional dances, storytelling of their previous life and share Knowledge of local beer brewing. Women share their skills in making different kinds of Hand crafts like weaving Baskets, Mats, and Clothing among others.

Accommodation

Sanctuary Gorilla Camp

Day 11

Destination: Arrival at Moi International Airport

Activity: Sunset Dhow Cruise

The domestic flight is to transfer you from Kihihi Airstrip to Entebbe International Airport for your flight to Mombasa. On arrival, your Guide carrying a placard will be waiting at Moi International Airport. From the airport to the accommodation facilities is an hour away. The selection of the premises a distance away from the noisy city is intentional. This is meant to offer you totally a different ambiance away from the city.

Sunset Dhow Cruise

Depending on the time of your arrival, a sunset dhow cruise is set to relax your mind while enjoying the silence and the fresh breeze of the ocean as you watch the sun setting. A variety of drinks and snacks are on board.

Later in the evening, enjoy a candle light dinner at the gaze of the stars that may include sea foods and local delicacies before heading back to your resort.

Accommodation:

Southern Palm Beach Resort

Day 12

Destination: Wasini Island

Activity: Diving and Snorkeling, Dhow cruise and Visit to Slave Caves

After breakfast, as per the time communicated by your guide, you will head out for snorkeling. While you are cruising on the dhow, there are higher chances of seeing Dolphins, birds among others. During the activity, you are exposed to marine life under the ocean like the sea plants, coral reefs, and different kinds of fish, Dolphins and other reptiles.

After lunch, you will visit the slave caves on the main land of Shimon village where Slaves were first kept before transportation to Zanzibar in the slave market.

Accommodation Southern Palm Beach Resort

Day 13

Destination: Masai Mara

Activity: Sunset Safari

Fly out from Diani Airport to Masai Mara National Reserve. The Guide will be waiting for your arrival and transfer to the Camp. On arrival, relax, have lunch and prepare for the sunset safari.   

Sunset Safari

Endless plains of Masai Mara’s unspoilt and authentic eco-system runs through your mind and soul as you witness nature at its best! Masai Mara’s wildlife is like no other as animals are sighted in Herds, Prides, packs, Harems, Towers and families among other groups! Without doubt, the sunset safari will unveil a variety of wildlife and in big numbers. Such animals include; Lions, Elephants, Buffalos, Hyenas, Wildebeests, Giraffes and others.

Accommodation

Entim Mara Camp

Day 14

Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve

Activity: Full day Safari

Take a full day out in the vast plains of Masai mara to sight the best that the park can offer ranging from Rhinos, huge herds of Elephants, zebras, Wildebeests, Leopards, Cheeters, Prides of Lions, Hippos in the salty waters and crocodiles in Mara river ready to pounce on other animals trying to cross. Lunch is to be served in the wilderness surrounded by wildlife! When time is due, you will return to the lodge, relax and prepare for dinner.

Accommodation

Entim Mara Camp

Day 15

Destination: Nakuru National Park

Activity: Masai community experience and Sunset Safari

Before departing Masai Mara, the visit to Masai village for Masai cultural experience is one to look out for. Indulge in the firsthand authentic masai experience that involves traditional dances, learning on how to use a spear, bow and arrow while shooting on a stationery target. Visit their homesteads and get to learn more of their architectural housing designs that require less or no funds at all but use natural materials like grass for roofing, sticks, mud and cow dung. The local artifacts like traditional clothing, shoes and Jewelry among others are part of the masai attractions and up for sale in case interested. After the experience, the Journey to Lake Nakuru National Park will commence.

 Sunset Safari

Later in the afternoon after relaxation at the lodge, the search of the best that Lake Nakuru National Park can offer will resume. You are likely to encounter Rhinos and thousands of flamingos as the main highlight of the visit to the Park. However, other animals to encounter are the Rothchild’s Giraffes, Lions, Zebras, Leopards and many others.

Accommodation

The Cliff

Day 16

Destination: Nairobi

Activity: Sunrise Boat cruise

In the morning as per the time briefed by your guide, you will go for the boat cruise on Lake Nakuru. A variety of bird species are expected to be encountered most especially tens of thousands of lesser and Greater flamingos that paint the water pink! Other wildlife to encounter are hippos, Zebras, Hyenas, Buffalos and more on the shores of lake while seated in the comfort of your boat. Breakfast will be served after the cruise in the wilderness surrounded by sights and sounds of nature. After breakfast, the Journey to Nairobi resumes.

Accommodation

Sarova Stanley Nairobi Hotel

Day 17

Destination: Jomo Kinyatta International Airport

Activity: Flight

Depending on the flight time, it is important to relax at the lodge in preparation of the long journey back home. A short tour within the city is recommended for those that may wish to explore the city lifestyle of the local people. However, it is important to notice the hotel personnel so as to advise accordingly for the sake of your safety. Other places to visit are;

The Giraffe Centre. You get up close and personal with the Giraffes by hand feeding them. This provides an opportunity to know details of this magnificent creature.

National Museum. Get to know more of Kenya’s cultural, Political and Natural history. This is exhibited in recreation of rock art, Hominid fossils, Kenyan tribal culture, wildlife and others.

At the time of your flight, your guide or the Hotel Taxi will drive you to the airport and bid farewells until we meet again.

Thank you for traveling with us.