Grand Ug Expedition

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, a concierge from Bushman Safari receives us and takes us to our lodging for a restful night in anticipation of the ultimate tour experience in the pearl of Africa.

Meal plan: H/B

After breakfast, we journey east towards Jinja. Remember, the journey is as important as the destination and we make the most of it with a tranquil forest walk and zip-lining in Mabira Forest.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation: Griffin camp

From the intimate depths of Mabira Forest, we emerge, and head to the open waters of the world’s longest river. After breakfast and briefing, we launch our rafts into the rapids. Once the thrill of paddling the powerful River Nile has passed, we break for a hearty lunch and wind up the day drifting in the calm waters with a refreshing drink as the sun-sets.

Meal plan: full board

Accommodation: Nile resort.

Today, our expedition heads further east to Kapchorwa, a stunning landscape settled at the slopes of Mt. Elgon. After checking into our booked lodge and recharging with lunch, we embark on a scenic hike through the abundant vegetation towards Sipi Falls, the jewel of the east.  The falls relentlessly shimmer in the distance and give way to the most magical sight in full closure of their thunderous torrents. Kapchorwa, which translates to “a friend’s place” is a lush landscape full of breathtaking vistas which shimmer in the setting sun as we make our return journey to the lodge.

Meal plan: H/B

Accommodation: Lacam lodge

An early breakfast prepares us for a morning game drive that takes us north into Pian Upe, one of Uganda’s exclusive treasures. Unknown to most, Pian Upe is the second largest conservation area in Uganda; a secluded and expansive landscape inhabited by elusive wildlife, like the Roan Antelope. Birders will enjoy a diverse array of species that speckle the grasslands and rock formations. From Pian Upe we return to our lodge to rest up for the coming expedition.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation: Lacam lodge

After breakfast, we check out of our lodge and embark on a drive to the northernmost corner of Uganda. Our destination is Kidepo National Park; an expanse of pristine wilderness that borders Kenya and Sudan. On arrival, we check into our lodging and settle in for the night.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation:  Nga Moru wilderness camp.

Our game drive starts at the break of dawn to ensure an encounter with the wildlife grazing and gallivanting in the cool hours before the sun peaks. We return to the lodge for a late breakfast and a brief respite before lunch. In the afternoon, we enjoy a cultural experience with the local community of the Karamajong, a nomadic group of pastoralists who pride themselves on the preservation of their land and culture.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation: Nga Moru wilderness camp

It’s time to lace up our boots and pack plenty of water, snacks and lunch. Today, we venture on a hike to a rare destination, Lomeji Mountain. Our determined hiking is rewarded with a vantage point that lets us, on one side, see the far reaches of Kidepo Valley National Park, and on the other side, peer over the border into South Sudan. We descend and hop into our vehicle for an evening game drive before returning to our lodge.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation: Nga Moru wilderness camp

After breakfast, we head southwest to Murchison Falls National Park which cradles the world’s strongest waterfalls and is home to a dizzying array of wildlife and birds. The day’s journey ends when we check into our lodge for the night.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation:  Fort Murchison

Before dawn breaks, we venture into the populous north side of the park where the diverse wildlife keeps us alert in hopes of spotting as many species as possible; from elephants, giraffes and lions, to the elusive, nocturnal leopard. After lunch, we set out for a launch trip to the base of Murchison Falls. Buffaloes, crocodiles and hippos lounge along the banks in the company of aquatic birds like the Dwarf Kingfisher, the Goliath Heron, and the hornbill. We dock at the foot of the falls and hike to the top to witness the breathtaking scene created where the Nile surges through a narrow opening and pours out into the devil’s cauldron, crowned by a permanent rainbow.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation: Fort Murchison

Our journey takes us further southwest to Kibale National Park. The winding road reveals divine landscapes, including a stop for lunch in Fort Portal; a town cradled in the foothills of Mount Rwenzori From the famed land of the “mountains of the moon”, we venture on into the forests of Kibale National Park where we check into our lodge for the night.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation: Kibale forest camp

Breakfast is followed by a briefing at the Kibale National Park headquarters in preparation for today’s chimpanzee tracking expedition. We follow in the footsteps of tracking experts to get a glimpse into the habits and habitats of our closest primate relatives. From the forest, we return for a lunch break and then make our way to Lake Nkuruba where we are greeted by idyllic scenes of the crater lakes

Accommodation: Kibale forest camp.

In the morning, we’re dropped at the entrance of Bigodi Swamp and delve into the vegetation for a tranquil nature walk that brings us into contact with a multitude of Uganda’s unique bird species. After lunch at the lodge and check-out, we manoeuvre back to the foothills of the Rwenzori range for a spectacular sunset.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation: Wild tracks overland camp

With packed lunches, we set off early in the day to Trekkers Hostel Kilembe. Here we rendezvous with a seasoned guide who leads us on a forest trail along with Munyamubuli Hill, pointing out the tree and plant species that populate the verdant landscape of Rwenzori.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation: wild tracks overland camp.

A brief drive takes us to Queen Elizabeth National Park where we check-in and enjoy a relaxing morning before taking on the best the park has to offer. After lunch, we head to Mweya where we launch an afternoon boat cruise along Kazinga Channel. This cruise offers the best view of aquatic birds, hippos, buffaloes and other wildlife at the water0side. In the evening, we enjoy splendid vistas of the crater lakes en-route to a game drive in Kasenyi before returning to the lodge for the night.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation: Bush lodge

We depart from Queen Elizabeth National Park after breakfast and head for the open grasslands of Ishasha, the favoured habitat of the tree-climbing lions. This route gives us a chance to spot one of these rare creatures on the way to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where we check-in for the night.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation: Buhoma community rest camp.

Today we undertake a trek into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on one of Uganda’s most treasured travel experiences: gorilla tracking. Forest guides have identified families ahead of our journey and led us through the undergrowth to their dwellings. Here we get to watch the gorilla families we so easily relate to in their natural habitat. In the comfort of the forest, we look on as juveniles play around the adult females, protected by the presence of a formidable silverback. After our descent, we make our way into the local communities to enjoy a cultural encounter with the Batwa people, the Pygmies of Ituri Forest.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation: Ride 4 A Woman Lodge

As the tour winds up, we head to Lake Bunyonyi for a day at Africa’s second deepest lake. We relax and unwind at the shore or enjoy an array of activities like canoeing, swimming, bird-watching, or biking.

Meal plan: F/B

Accommodation: Bunyonyi overland resort

On the last day of our adventure, we journey back to Kampala, enjoying the landmarks and culture we encounter along the way. We stop for lunch at the Igongo Cultural Center and a photo opportunity at the Uganda Equator, giving us a chance to collect a few more souvenirs and gifts to complement 19 days worth of adventure stories. The journey ends in Kampala or onward to Entebbe to catch a plane that is homeward bound.

Meal plan: H/B