18 Days Rafting and Primates Tour

After breakfast our guide will pick you up from the agreed place (07:00 am), then we drive to Jinja (80km). We’ll have a stopover at the mighty Ssezibwa falls. Your guide will explain to you the secrets behind the formation of the falls and more about the traditional coronation of Buganda kings (Kabaka). You will have some nature walk in Mabira Forest and then also visit the Source of the Nile.

Have your breakfast at the briefing point after which you will be briefed by the rafting experts who will be with you on the boat. You will then board your boats for water rafting on the Nile. It is an amazing and adventurous time rafting on these falls. Later have your lunch, and we drive back to the hotel and relax.

Early departure from Jinja to Murchison Falls, which is about 7 to 8 hours journey including some interesting stops. Looking at the Big Five, we shall be introduced to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a natural habitat for Rhinos in Uganda. The 2 -3-hour tracking of these special endangered Rhinos not found elsewhere in Uganda Parks is so rewarding and captivating. Time allowing continue to Amuka Safari Lodge for lunch or you can have it at the Rhino Fund Restaurant. Proceed to Murchison Falls National Park arriving in the evening. *At extra fees, there’s an option of stopping over at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking. *

Clients can choose to take an early coffee or tea then head on for the game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, with chances of seeing lots of wildlife in search for food; on the list you may find giraffes, elephants, lions, hartebeest and different species of birds. You will return for breakfast, then relax until lunch and in the afternoon the Safari will be continued with a boat cruise on the River Nile for game viewing at close quarters. The boat cruise takes you to the bottom of the falls which is a nice view and also to see are lots of Nile Crocodiles and Hippos. Return for dinner and overnight at the lodge. *At extra fees there’s an option of boarding off from the bottom of the falls, and hike to the Top of the falls, here you are picked by your driver.*

Clients can choose to take an early coffee or tea then head on for the game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, with chances of seeing lots of wildlife in search for food; on the list you may find giraffes, elephants, lions, hartebeest and different species of birds. Another interesting but more placid activity is the boat trip through the extensive papyrus delta through which the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert. Here again, there are plenty of animals and birds to see with an excellent chance of seeing the rare Shoebill. This trip takes four to five hours.

We depart Murchison Falls and head towards Fort Portal which is about 8 hours, less or more. This long journey will be rewarded with stunning views as you pass small villages and local markets with an en route stop for lunch. Arrive early evening, check in and relax at the lodge.

This day is full of exciting walks! In the morning we go to the forest to search for the chimpanzees, also to see are the red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and many other primates in Kibale Forest. The walk in the forest may last for the whole morning, returning only for lunch and then later we can take you for another local but interesting walk in Bigodi Village, we will visit the swamp, known for its rich diversity of birds, butterflies, and rare plant species. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. *At extra fees there’s an option of FULL day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience.*

Get a relaxed breakfast then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. A view of the crater lakes is stunning then continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Depending to where you are sleeping tonight, a game drive as you enter the park can be rewarding.

Early coffee then begin your day by heading for the mating ground of the Uganda kobs where we may be lucky to spot some lions and leopards hunting. We will also look out for elephants and other wild animals in their natural habitat. Return for lunch, and in the afternoon we take on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which gives you the opportunity to enjoy some more of the African wildlife. The Kazinga Channel is the place where we find the highest concentration of Hippos in East Africa. It’s a highlight of the safari and a must-do activity as well.

Enjoy your breakfast and head southwest of Queen Elizabeth national park in search of tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector where on a lucky day, you will be able to spot many of them lounging on trees and enjoying the sun.

Early coffee then you will begin your day by heading to the park where we may be lucky to spot the Hyenas, lions before they climb the trees to relax. We shall head to the hotel for lunch and then return late evening for another game drive in the park.

The morning options are either a forest walk in Maramagambo or a chimp trek in Kyambura Gorge before we head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The forest is famous for the blue lake, unique trees, and bat caves while the Kyambura Gorge is famous for its view and wild chimpanzees. One can choose to go in and search for the chimpanzees in Kyambura Wildlife Reserve which is a beautiful gorge completely covered with tropical rainforest (this option comes at an extra fee). By late morning we will depart for Bwindi with packed lunch; arrive at the home of the endangered mountain gorillas early evening then check in for overnight.

Early breakfast, then with packed lunch head for the briefing about your gorilla trekking. This is the highlight of your safari indeed. Today you will meet with the gentle giants of Bwindi Impenetrable National park! Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas and so you must be physically fit. It’s definitely worthwhile observing the gorillas closely while they feed, play and relax.

The day is dedicated for village walks, birding and visiting several communities and we shall crown it with a hike up to the Pygmies (very short people) and enjoy their entertainment.

After breakfast, get on board for a scenic journey through the beautiful terrain of the rolling hills with terraced landscapes, an area referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa.” Observe the systematic cultivation of the Bakiga people along the mountain slopes and enjoy the experience of what has been referred to as the ‘Switzerland of Africa’ because of its cool nature. Along the way, break off for hot lunch, and then proceed to Kampala reaching the capital late afternoon, then drop off at the Hotel.

After breakfast, we will have a city tour where we will visit major places. We will head out to Kasubi Tombs, the burial grounds of the legendary Buganda Kingdom Kabaka (kings). Then to the Uganda Museum for optimum exposure to Uganda’s history and culture, then proceed to either Martyr’s shrine Namugongo, Namirembe or Lubaga cathedrals as well as the Old Kampala mosque which are the “meeting corner of faiths and civilizations.” Then finally to the Kampala business Centre.

This marks the end of the ‘18 day Rafting & Wildlife Tour with Primates ‘and the airport transfer of today will be given to you by our friendly drivers at the time of your flight. If the airport transfer is late, then we shall also offer a city tour around Kampala’s famous and historical sites then drop you off to the airport in time for your flight and see you off.