10 Days Uganda Albertine Rift Safari Tour is one of the fascinating scheduled Uganda Safari tours that start and end in Kampala / Entebbe.
Whether one is interested in Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi or Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, adventure hike to Rwenzori Mountains, game walking safari and night game drive in Lake Mburo National Park, the 10 Days Uganda Albertine Rift Safari tour is the ideal package to consider.
It goes ahead to incorporate extensive wild game viewing including tree climbing lions of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Fort Portal crater lake field exploration, Bigodi Eco-walk, recreation at Lake Bunyonyi and the Prime Safaris Africa home experience to gain an authentic touch of the routine of African homestead.
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport – Uganda & drive to the lodge
Day 2: Drive to Fort Portal, visit the Amabere g’Nnyinamwiru Caves, hike the Fort Portal Crater Lake & drive to Kibale National Park.
Day 3: Do Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, Bigodi wetland walk in the afternoon & drive to Kasese
Day 4: Whole day Mount Rwenzori hiking – Africa’s third highest Mountain and the highest African Mountain range
Day 5: Game drive in the Kasenyi Savannah stretches of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kazinga Channel launch cruise in the afternoon & evening game drive along the channel track
Day 6: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with an en-route game drive in Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions
Day 7: Do Mountain Gorilla trekking & connect to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation and boat cruise
Day 8: Prime Safaris Africa Home Experience: Whole day authentic exploration of what occurs in the Mukiga home & spend an overnight
Day 9: Coffee tour in Kigezi Highlands & drive to Lake Mburo National Park for a night game drive
After a flight from your country of origin, you arrive at Entebbe International Airport where you will be welcomed by our representative ushering you to Uganda – the Pearl of Africa.
The fresh waters of Lake Victoria – the world’s second largest fresh water lake offer a cozy atmosphere commemorating your arrival for the wilderness adventure.
You then transfer to the hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation:
Mid-range / Standard: Cassia Lodge / Humura Resort
Budget / Basic: Banda Inn / Nexus Resort Hotel
Transfer after breakfast to Fort Portal 300km about 5 hours drive from Kampala gaining magical views of the lush countryside including Lake Wamala at a distance, Mubende Inselbergs, forests and swamps not forgetting the lush tea estates of Mpanga.
You settle in Fort Portal for lunch after which you connect to Amabere g’Nyinamwiru caves to explore the breast-like features traditionally believed to be breasts of Nnyinamwiru the daughter of Bukuku a self enthroned King of the Bachwezi.
He is noted to have denied his daughter a chance to breast feed the grandson in fear that he would over throw him. It’s a touching heritage story worth listening to while being interpreted by an indigenous guide.
From the caves, you embark on the hike to the Fort Portal Crater Lake field hiking the conical hill of Kyeganywa to gain remarkable views of crater lakes and hollows below.
This is one of the famous explosion crater fields in Uganda. Retreat from the activity and transfer to Kibale National Park 26km from Fort portal town for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation:
Mid-range / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tent / Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse – Cottages
Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse
The trekking starts at 8am from Kanyanchu Tourism Center with briefing from the park rangers after which you head to the moist forest of Kibale National Park marked with great biodiversity including 13 species of primates of which Chimpanzee is among.
The Chimpanzees are members of the great ape and are close to humans in terms of DNA sharing 98.8%. The trek takes about 2 – 5 hours including one full hour with them viewing them as they feed, copulate, socialize, patrol, hunt and make the mesmerizing pant hooting calls.
The moment is very fascinating and picturesque. From the activity, you settle for lunch after which you embark on Bigodi wetland walk with its lush wetland flora, birds like papyrus gonoleks and Great Blue Turaco and the animals like Sitatunga.
This takes around 2 hours after which you transfer to Kasese 135km about 2 hours drive for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation:
Mid-range / Standard: Ihamba Safari Lodge
Budget / Basic: Ruboni Community Camp
The activity starts at Nyakalengija ranger post at 8am and in the company of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide, you set out to explore the foot hills and the ridges of the Rwenzori Mountains popularly known as the legendary Mountains of the moon rising to 5,109m above sea level with snow capped peaks.
The encounter offers exciting views of Mountain flora on the lower ridges, birds and the panoramic views of the Kasese town, Savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Rift valley lakes. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation:
Mid-range / Standard: Ihamba Safari Lodge
Budget / Basic: Ruboni Community Camp
Connect to the Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park as early as 7am for an extensive game drive experience gaining possibilities of viewing wild game such as Elephants, Buffaloes, Deffassa Water-buck, Uganda Kobs, Lions, Leopards, Topis among others.
The game drive takes 3 – 4 hours after which you connect to Mweya peninsular for relaxation and lunch.
In the afternoon, you gather at Mweya jetty for an afternoon boat ride along the 45km long Kazinga Channel lasting two hours with possibilities of viewing Nile crocodiles, Hippos and birds like African skimmers and great Cormorants.
From the activity, you do an evening game drive along the channel track for more wild game views as you connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation
Mid-range / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge / Marafiki Safari Lodge – Private Tent/ Kasenyi Safari Camp
Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages
Following breakfast, you embark on the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Ruhija) 218km about 8 hours drive passing through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park named Ishasha for a two (2) hour game drive experience in search of tree climbing lions that tend to climb the fig trees during the day time.
The game drive also offers sights of other wild game. You settle for lunch after which you proceed to Bwindi for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation
Mid-range / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp / Gorilla Valley Lodge
Budget / Basic: Broad-bill Forest Camp
You gather at the starting point for gorilla trekking for briefing at 8am by the Uganda Wildlife Authority Park rangers.
You embark on the trek in the forest in search of Gorillas in the mist. It is such a magical adventure experience to traverse the hilly forested landscapes of Bwindi dubbed Impenetrable marked by slippery surfaces, dense forest tracts that would even require machete to forge the way through before coming across these gentle giants as they forage or socialize.
The actual Mountain Gorilla viewing is limited to one full hour for conservation purposes but the entire trek can last 2 – 8 hours.
From the activity, you drive to Lake Bunyonyi passing through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands and spend the evening at leisure.
A recreational boat ride will be organized for sightseeing on the lake including its Islands that number to 29.
Accommodation
Midrange / Budget: Lake Bunyonyi Eco – resort
You connect to the Mukiga homestead early in the morning to enable you start the day with them. The option of joining men or women in their daily tasks is up to your choice.
The activities include; engaging in land tilling and cultivation on the steep slopes of Kigezi Highlands using traditional hoes and pangas, local beer brewing, live stock rearing, art and craft making, traditional food preparation along with local music, dance and drama. You spend an overnight with the family.
Accommodation: Home stay
You connect to one of the coffee plantations in Kigezi Highlands for an extensive coffee tour experience. You explore the coffee growing practices ranging from planting, maintenance, processing and the final products.
You engage in local coffee roasting and a cup of coffee is enjoyed at the end of the tour. From the activity, you transfer to Lake Mburo National Park 199km about 4 – 5 hours drive.
You can make optional stop en route to visit the Uganda’s largest private Museum – the Igongo Cultural Center and hike to the Eclipse monument commemorating the total solar eclipse that occurred in 1520AD.
You check in at your lodge in Lake Mburo and at 7am, you set off for a night game drive in the Savannah stretches of the park gaining possible views of porcupine, hare, white-tailed mongoose, Aardvack, honey badger, bush pig, side – stripped jackal, spotted hyena, jenet cat, serval cat, civet, black and thick – tailed Galago. You also have chances of viewing the day hunters and grazers having in a night rest. Retire for overnight
Accommodation
Mid-range / Standard: Arcadia Cottages Mburo / Rwakobo Rock
Budget / Basic: Eagles Nest
Embark on a morning game walking safari starting at Rwonyo Tourism Center at 7am. In the company of an armed ranger guide, you gain possibilities of exploring the wild game on foot including; water-bucks, elands, Impala, Bush buck, Topis, Klipspringer, Cape buffaloes, Rothschild giraffe, wart hogs and Burchell’s Zebra among other species.
The views of the Savannah and the ancient Precambrian rocks that date far back 500 million years ago are also remarkable to explore.
You retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Kampala 240km about 3 – 4 hours drive. An evening flight departing from Entebbe International Airport can as well be arranged.