21 Days Experience The Pearl

Overview:

Experience Ugandans in their everyday errands and ice it up with plenty of wildlife and scenic landscapes. You will have rich culture engagements where you will have opportunities of cooking the tribal delicacies, participate in tribal dances, and purchase or make crafts. These experiences will have Gorilla, and Chimp trekking experiences, several waters falls, boat cruises, and game drives that will bring you close to Rhinos, Lions, Hippos, Buffaloes, Elephants and several bird species thrown in to spice up your cultural tour.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival.
Day 2 Mabamba swamp – Jinja
Day 3 Quad Biking / Rafting.
Day 4 Sipi falls.
Day 5. Hiking and coffee tour.
Day 6. Moroto.
Day 7. Kidepo valley.
Day 8. Kidepo Valley National Park.
Day 9. Murchison falls National Park.
Day 10. Game drive & Boat cruise.
Day 10: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary / Kibale forest National Park.
Day 11: Chimpanzee Tracking
DAY 12: Kibale Forest national Park / Semuliki National Park.
Day 13: Semuliki National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 14: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 15: Ishasha
Day 16: Ishasha – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
DAY 17: Gorilla Tracking
DAY 18: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
DAY 19: Golden monkey experience / Lake Bunyonyi.
DAY 20: Lake Bunyonyi / Lake Mburo National Park.
DAY 21: Lake Mburo National Park/ Entebbe.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Meet and greet with our ecoplace tourist guide at Entebbe international airport who will help you through the seamless travel formalities and after transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 2: Entebbe – Mabamba Swamp – Jinja.

Depart Papyrus guest house and head over to Mabamba Swamp in the morning to search for the prehistoric Shoebill Stork. After a wonderful excursion at mabamba you will have lunch and then head to Jinja. The adventure capital of Uganda. Arriving in the evening in time for dinner and relaxation.

DAY 3: Jinja.

Breakfast, depart the lodge and head for quad biking. Start times every day between 8.15am and 4.45pm. We tailor our safaris to suit each group. Easy trails make up the start of the trip and then there are options of more challenging and technical sections if suitable or your focus is more on sightseeing and cultural aspects. Follow the Nile downstream from Bujagali Falls and then away from the riverbanks, through farmland, forest, and small villages in rural Uganda. Together with your guide, you will stop at various viewpoints and points of interest. For the more adventurous we have a trail ride down the steep banks to the water’s edge below the Bujagali Dam. Along the routes that we choose to give you the best possible safari, there are great photo opportunities. You have the opportunity for brief stops in some of the small villages and trading centers for a chance to meet the people living in the area. Your guide(s) carry bottled water and money to buy cold drinks at one of the Trading Centers that you will ride through. Return to the hotel for lunch. After you have relaxed and digested head to out for a boat cruise on Lake Victoria to the starting point of the longest River in the World and internationally unique attraction.

• Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
• Optional Activity

Full day rafting

For Adrenaline lovers, after breakfast you will go for white water rafting this is our most popular adventure activity in Jinja and for good reason. With eight major rapids, including two grade 5 rapids, this is easily one of the most fun stretches of river that you’ll ever raft. Why? Because of its profile and its high volume, The Nile is a safe river to raft on and this means our guides can accommodate everyone’s wishes, from those wanting to go as hard as possible, to those wanting to avoid swimming. Have a barbeque at the Nile before returning to your lodge.

Day 4. Jinja – Sipi falls.

Arise early in the morning for a sumptuous breakfast before heading northeast to sipi falls. Make a stopover in Mbale for hot lunch before proceeding to the foothills of Mount Elgon with a spectacular landscape with impossibly green Micro scale coffee plantation and banana grooves. Arriving late in the evening.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

DAY 5: Hiking, Nature walk, coffee tour.

After an early morning breakfast, your guide will brief you before starting the hike The famous waterfall in Sipi Falls is actually three different falls — Upper, Middle and Lower. The hike to the Falls starts from behind Sipi River Lodge. You’ll pass through a clearing and cross a small stream before you get an early sighting of the falls. But don’t stop there — instead, follow the path after the footbridge to climb up to the falls. The path starts tame, then gets steeper with a set of stairs, then turns into a sloppy, muddy, slippery mess as you finish the climb to the top of the waterfall. Wear good hiking boots and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you come to the cave behind the waterfall. The reward is a gorgeous view of the Mount Elgon Region. Continue up the trail to reach the Upper Falls. It flattens out considerably and becomes less treacherous. You’ll reach the waterfall after 15-20 minutes. This waterfall is the least impressive of the three — it’s less of a cascade, more like a river tumbling down over some rocks. It’s still a very pretty spot and you can wade into the water to cool off.

DAY 6: Sipi Falls – Moroto

Depart Sipi for Moroto after breakfast this journey will take you through a very remote area with a scenic reserve of Pian Upe via Nakapripirit and later arrive in Moroto. Check in and relax after a long and bumpy ride (African massage).

DAY 7: Moroto – Kidepo Valley National Park

After breakfast we start the drive to Kidepo Valley National Park in a landscape of vast plains and semi-arid savannah framed by jagged mountains and wooded hills, Kidepo is one of the wildest and most spectacular reserves in Africa. The landscape throughout the park is studded with small hills, rocky outcrops and inselbergs from which one can obtain stunning views in all directions enjoy panoramic views of the Narus River Valley and photographic opportunities of wildlife from all corners. An evening game drive along the Narus River Valley for game viewing and photography of elephants, herds of buffaloes, jackals, Jackson’s Hartebeest, klipspringer and possibly Lions.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

DAY 8: Kidepo Valley National Park

Rise and shine to an early morning breakfast thereafter go for a morning game drive to Kanangorok hot spring The Beauty of Kidepo valley National Park goes beyond big game. The spectacular Kanangorok hot spring is one of the natural features that you may anot afford to miss. The word “Kanangorok” means “Aplace with black stones” in the local Karamojong dialect. It’s the only hot spring in the Karamoja Region. While Kanangrok hot spring was naturally formed, it is surrounded by traditional/ cultural stories attributed to spirits of ancestors being annoyed. To pacify the angry spirits and seek for pardon they offered sacrifices to the local community living around kidepo valley national park there for to them the existence of the hot spring was a way of ritualism. In the afternoon have a cultural experience that will bring into contact with Karamjong peoples at Karenna and Kapedo. Meet the local elders and have an opportunity to interact with them and participate in some activities. They will show you the kraals, the grinding stones They will show you their customs and cultures, their ways of life as nomads and their beliefs about cattle, dressing, jewelry, hunting materials and many more interesting items and stories.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

DAY 9: Murchison Falls National Park

Depart Kidepo for Murchison Falls National Park via Gulu with a lunch stop over, Uganda’s biggest town in the North. Continue through the flat scenic landscape with local villages and enjoy the Ugandan countryside. Arrive in the lodge in the evening for an overnight stay.

Day 10: Game Drive and Boat Cruise.

Arise very early in the morning at have breakfast at depart around 5:30am for your game drive on the northern bank of the River Nile in your open-roof vehicle which will give you an excellent opportunity to view and photograph the diverse wildlife. Expect to see elephants, lions, cape buffalos, Roth child’s giraffes, hartebeests, waterbucks, oribis, bushbucks, kobs, hyenas etc and if you are lucky, the leopard. Return to the lodge at 12:00pm for lunch. After lunch, go for a boat cruise that starts at 2:00pm upstream the calm Victoria Nile to the base of the falls stopping just few of meters from the ‘Devil’s Cauldron’, marvel at the schools of hippos, crocodiles and over the 17km stretch you may see elephant, waterbuck and Uganda Kob. This is also the zone of many birds, species like goliath herons, Egyptian geese, pelican bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbills, cormorants and the rare shoebill storks. Later, return to your lodge and relax in the evening.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

DAY 9: Murchison / Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

After a sumptuous breakfast we have our last game drive out of the park towards the top of the falls and hopefully we expect to see some last sights of what this rich animal kingdom has to offer. We will visit to the top of the falls. While at the top, you will have a fantastic sight of the Nile River. Here the Nile, the longest river in the world, is forced through a narrow gap in the rock (only 7 meters wide), before ferociously plunging down into a frothing pool 43m below. After a memorable picture moment. You will depart the park and proceed to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will have an opportunity to track the Rhinos on foot. This sanctuary was established to breed and restore Rhino populations in Uganda’s protected areas in a later stage.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 10: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary / Kibale forest National Park.

Arise early in the morning have breakfast and start you r day with the Rhino tracking experience. Enter the territory of the southern white rhinos on foot. Well-trained rangers will guide you through the bush to where the rhinos are on the day of your visit. You will have the opportunity to watch these endangered, magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. As these rhinos are free to move around on 7 000 hectares of land, it is often necessary to drive to the areas where the rhinos are, before taking the bush trek. This activity will take you about one and a half to two and a half hours depending on where the Rhinos were last seen. You will depart the park and head to Kibale forest National Park with a stopover for lunch. Arrive later in the evening.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 11: Chimpanzee Tracking

Arise in the morning after a restful night enjoy a sumptuous Ugandan breakfast. After breakfast transfer to the starting point of your Chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest National Park which is reputed to have the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. The most famous of its 13 species is the Chimpanzee, man’s closest relative. Kibale’s about 1,500 Chimpanzee represent Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate. Kibale is also a home to the rare I’Hoest’s monkey. Other primates include the black and white Colobus, Blue monkey, Grey cheeked mangabey, Red tailed monkey, Olive baboon to mention but a few. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and many others. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, visitors stand a good chance of hearing and seeing our distant cousins as they gloom and bond with one another. Alternatively, after lunch, head to Bigodi for an afternoon swamp walk. Bigodi was established by a local development organization to protect the 4sq-km Magombe Swamp that’s home to around 200 species of birds (highlights include papyrus gonolek, white-winged warbler and great blue turaco). The highlight of this tour is catching a glimpse of the great blue turaco. The swamp is also good for spotting butterflies and primates, with 8 different species here, including grey-cheeked mangabey. The 2-3 hour guided walk is led by experienced local guides who interact with the guests and make the trip both enjoyable and exciting.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

DAY 12: Kibale Forest national Park / Semuliki National Park.

After an exciting experience with the Chimpanzees the previous day you will be transferred to Semuliki National Park. The main attraction in Semuliki is the Sempaya Hot Springs that are the largest in Uganda. The hot springs are described as male and female and they both have a geyser that shoots up to eight meters high with a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius. Its amazing how one can participate in boiling of eggs and in just a few minutes it is ready to eat. The female hot spring with sparkling water is the most attractive and commonly visited. The male hot spring locally known as “Biteete” and is approximately 12meters in width and the female hot spring locally knows as “Nyansimbi” and it gushes out water approximately 2 meters in the air. Return to the lodge for lunch and thereafter you will choose to relax at your lodge or take a nature walk.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 13: Semuliki National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast at your lodge before you proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain Range. Your driver guide will take you through the game park where you might spot some animals. Upon arriving at your lodge, you will enjoy a hot lunch and later in the afternoon take a unique 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and this launch/cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colorful and stupendous, with well over 550 resident species.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 14: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drive And Boat Safari

Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse Eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Have an early morning game drive where you have an opportunity to view the massive Rwenzori as backdrop, expect to see lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, Cape buffaloes, elephants, water-bucks, Kobs, topis and bush-bucks. The game drives and the boat trip (taken prior) are memorable methods of discovering a vast array of Ugandan wildlife. Be sure to have your camera ready for these amazing sightings! After a hot and sumptuous lunch depart the lodge and drive to the ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park. The Ishasha sector is notably recognized for the tree climbing lions that are an exceptional attraction and one among the highlights on all safaris taken within Queen Elizabeth National park. In the southern section of this park, the Lions are now and again spotted hanging on branches of huge fig trees. After a successful game drive you will check in to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 15: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha

Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse Eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Have an early morning game drive where you have an opportunity to view the massive Rwenzori as backdrop, which provides excellent opportunities to spot lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, Cape buffaloes, elephants, water-bucks, Kobs, topis and bush-bucks. The game drives and the boat trip (taken prior) are memorable methods of discovering a vast array of Ugandan wildlife. Be sure to have your camera ready for these amazing sightings! After a hot and sumptuous lunch depart the lodge and drive to the ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park. The Ishasha sector is notably recognized for the tree climbing lions that are an exceptional attraction and one among the highlights on all safaris taken within Queen Elizabeth National park. In the southern section of this park, the Lions are now and again spotted hanging on branches of huge fig trees. After a successful game drive you will check in to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 16: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and head to Bwindi. The drive takes you through the Switzerland of Africa area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the evening.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

DAY 17: Gorilla Tracking

Finally, the long-awaited day is here!!! depart to the starting point for briefing about your gorilla trekking adventure. You will be led by experienced gorilla trekkers on the slopes of the volcanoes. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is amazing, and the beauty of the gorilla forest and its inhabitants are fascinating. One of Africa’s major highlights is when you encounter these gentle apes. It is a humbling experience to stand just meters from man’s distant cousins as they eat rest, play and bond with their young ones. Follow the mountain gorillas as they range freely in the impenetrable forest and discover their gorgeous natural habitual and the many species, they share it with. You are allowed an hour with the gorillas before finally sloping down back to your lodge. If your trek was relatively short, you may have a guided nature walk around the lodge and the surrounding communities in the evening. Return to the lodge where you will enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers before getting a good night’s rest for tomorrow’s safari adventure. Don’t forget to carry your rain gear, packed lunch, plenty of water, gloves, hat, and waterproof bag for protection of your camera in case of rain.

Alternatively, You may choose to go for Gorilla Habituation. The Gorilla Habituation Experience gives you the chance to spend 4 hours in the company of the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You’ll trek into the forest alongside park rangers – blazing a trail through the wilder sides of the forest – in search for gorilla families.

DAY 18: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

After breakfast we head to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for the batwa cultural experience. You will be joined by the ranger guide who will lead you into the forest and begin to discover the magic of the Batwa’s ancient home while enjoying nature walks and learning about the cultural heritage. Though a small park, what really sets Mgahinga apart is the natural beauty. The park is characterized by savannah grasslands, woodlands, tropical forests, montane forests, marshes/swamps, bamboo forests, Afro-montane forests, bogs and semi-alpine vegetation. The most prominent features in the park are the three inactive volcanoes – Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo and Mount Muhabura. After we head back to the lodge for lunch and after lunch we relax a bit as prepare for an evening walk around kisoro market to observe how the bakiga transact their businesses. Dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

DAY 19: Mgahinga National Park / Lake Bunyonyi

After our early morning breakfast, we get ready for golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. You will be allowed an hour with the golden monkey after trekking through the jungle to where they are. We get back to the lodge for lunch if we didn’t carry a packed lunch with us. After lunch, we head to Lake Bunyonyi. Enjoy a relaxed evening by the scenic lake (it is even safe to swim!).
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

DAY 20: Lake Bunyonyi / Lake Mburo National Park.

After breakfast drive to Lake Mburo National Park while viewing the breathtaking sceneries of the Kigezi highlands. Lake Mburo National Park, the smallest National Park of Uganda. Though being small, it has a lot to offer!! Centered on a series of swamp-fringed lakes its bird life is very rich. The green acacia woodland harbors wildlife like Zebras, warthogs, Elands, Impalas, not to mention the lake itself, which is home to schools of hippos and crocodiles! Furthermore, Uganda Wildlife Authority recently translocated 15 giraffes from Murchison falls National Park to Lake Mburo National Park. You will arrive at the lodge in time for lunch. Later in the afternoon at 16:00 enjoy the boat ride on Lake Mburo and get quite close to the crocs and hippos. As you return to your Lodge, you may have an evening game drive as you return to your lodge.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

DAY 21: Lake Mburo National Park/ Entebbe.

Breakfast! then have a safari walk with the help of an armed ranger. The Kopjes are particularly interesting with the camouflage klipspringers and Topis. Due to cattle herding in the area it is amusing to see zebra grazing alongside the long horned Ankole cattle peaceably. It is exciting to approach wildlife at such close range. Alternatively, you may choose to go for mountain bike safari (on payment of a supplement of $15 per person for 2 hours) or horseback riding safari in the park (on payment of $60 person for 2 hours). Later Leisurely drive back to Kampala with a stopover at the Equator where you will have an opportunity to stand in 2 hemispheres at the same time. Take some photos, then another stopover at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers where you will be able to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through the generations arriving in the afternoon. Depending on the departure time, go for a city tour and visit the craft markets before transferring to airport to catch your flight back home.

End of safari