3 Days Lake Bunyonyi & Bwindi Forests Mountain Gorilla Trekking Safari explores Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda best known for canoeing, boat rides, bird watching, and regional tours. The trip also visits Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP, the home to half of the world’s population of endangered Mountain Gorillas. The thick, rain forest environment, “Bwindi Impenetrable Forest” in the Virunga Volcanoes mountain range is most famous for being the home to half of the world’s population of endangered Mountain Gorillas. Whether you are a gorilla-lover or not, the experience of encountering such animals is said to be one of the most emotional wildlife adventures you will ever have. In addition, the forest’s unique eco-system has been named a World Heritage Site.
3 Days Murchison Falls National Park Safari is an incredible vacation to Uganda’s largest national park – Murchison Falls National Park is also referred to as Kabalega National Park, it is located in northwestern Uganda. The major attraction is the popular boat trip past impressive populations of hippo and to the bottom of the 40 meter (130 feet) Murchison Falls.)
The Park combined with the Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and the Karuma Wildlife Reserve, forms the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. In addition, it is named after the Murchison Falls. The Falls are a spectacular site to see as the Nile River drops through a narrow gorge along its path northward. A boat excursion near the falls will surely leave you breathless as the nature all around provides spectacular views from all directions.
Like many other parks in Uganda, its wildlife is still recovering from the heavy poaching that went on in the country years ago. Unfortunately, rhinos in this area have already become extinct. However, a rhino sanctuary in the south of the Park was started and in 30 years’ time, about 40 to 50 rhinos will be able to be released back into the Park’s borders. Despite this set back, Murchison still claims to have the Big Five and is sure not to disappoint its many visitors as it is the only park in all of Uganda that does. Other animals that call this Park home include lions, leopards, giraffes, hippopotamus, elephants, water buffalo, antelope, crocodile, hartebeest, Uganda Kob, Oribi, amongst others. The rare shoe-bill stork can also be seen flying in and around the Nile River.
Walking through the forest is tricky, as you will find steep, slippery valleys as well as high ridges amongst thick vegetation as the forest is at least 25,000 years old. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is known to be exceptionally cold during the mornings and at night so it is recommended to bring along warm weather gear plus wet weather attire as it frequently rains in the area. The bio diversity in the forest is impeccable as it provides a home for over 310 species of butterfly, 200 trees, 88 moths, 120 species of mammals including 10 species of primates, and 51 reptiles. The various primates that can be found in the forest in addition to the mountain gorilla, include red tailed and blue monkey, I’Hoest’s, chimpanzee, black and white colobus, and baboons. The Bwindi Forest also has over 350 species of bird in which seven are IUCN red data listed, bringing many bird watchers into this area.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Pick up from Entebbe or Kampala or Jinja – Drive to Murchison NP
Your driver guide will pick you from the Entebbe or Kampala, and brief you shortly, thereafter start your trip to Murchison Falls National Park, along the way in Nakasongola District, you will visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking.
You will spend 2 hours trekking rhinos and also have lunch here before continuing with the journey through Masindi up to the park as you view the green flat landscape.
Arrive at the park in the evening and use the remaining hours of the day by driving to the captivating top of Murchison falls. The top of the falls is an incredible scene indeed because it’s where the Nile, Africa’s the longest river goes through a narrow crevice in the rock (only 7 meters wide), before violently dipping down 43 meters. Murchison Falls Park is a habitat to a large number of African wild animals including Water buffalo, elephant, Crocodile, Lion, Leopard, Hippopotamus, Antelope, Giraffes, Uganda Kob, Oribi and other animals.
The Nile River, within the park, is a home to a variety of water birds, including the uncommon Shoe bill stork.
Accommodation:
- Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)
- Parkside Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
- Sambiya River Lodge (Budget)
Day 2: Murchison Falls NP – Morning Game Drive – Hiking to the Top of the Falls
Have your breakfast, go for a morning game drive with your guide who will help you spot the plethora of wildlife found in the Park, you will be able to spot a lot of the African animal wildlife for example: elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. They are all there!
You will drive back to the hotel for lunch. After lunch you take a trip to the water fall at 2pm. On your way to the water fall you can hike for 45 minutes to Visit the Top of the falls
Accommodation:
- Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)
- Parkside Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
- Sambiya River Lodge (Budget)
Day 3: Murchison Falls NP – Drive back to Kampala OR Entebbe
You will have early breakfast and proceed with a short morning game drive as you depart from Murchison Falls, Your guide will help you spot the plethora of wildlife found in the Park, and you will be able to spot a lot of the African animal wildlife for example: elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. They are all there! Here after, you will proceed with your journey back to Kampala including your lunch en route. Your driver drops you back to Entebbe for your flight or at your accommodation.
