Tour Overview
This safari holiday takes you to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you get to view the pictures of the park from an Eagle ‘eye’s point of view in a hot air balloon. You view herds of buffalo, elephants and other game as well as some of the park’s attractions like one of the most beautiful crater lakes in the world. Lake Katwe
You get to explore the park on land in a game drive. Lastly, you visit the Kyambura gorge for a chimpanzee trek in the beautiful “hanging rainforest.”
DETAILED ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda
You arrive at Entebbe International Airport, located on a peninsula that juts out into Lake Victoria, the largest fresh water lake in Africa, where a representative or driver/guide from Noworks tours and travel will welcome you to the Pearl of Africa and transfer you to Eureka Place Hotel Kampala for overnight stay.
Meal Plan: No meals inclusive
Day 2: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
You are up at 6.00 am. Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and be ready to commence your transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park by 6.30 am. The 7-hour drive takes you through Uganda’s leafy central plains – driving through tea plantations in or near Fort Portal town, before heading down into the rift valley, with the Rwenzori Mountain ranges in the distance on your right and the rift valley on the left. On arrival, you will check-in at the Bush Lodge and enjoy a late lunch. After lunch, you can relax at the lodge and later go on an evening game drive. Your game drive will take you to the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Kasenyi track in search for lions, hyenas, buffaloes, leopard, water buck, bush bucks, Uganda Kobs plus many bird species including ibis, fish eagles and vultures etc. Later you will head back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Morning game drive, boat cruise along Kazinga Channel
You are up at 6.00 am and are delivered at the balloon launch spot. Once on the balloon, you lift off at dawn for safari that lasts 2 hours. Admire herds of buffalo, elephants seen from above. View beautiful crater lakes that were formed by volcanic explosions. You rise as the sun rises and float in whatever direction the wind takes you. Fly high above the trees and hills to enjoy the best of Queen Elizabeth National Park with many great photo opportunities of scenery and wildlife below. You enjoy breakfast in the bush right after the balloon safari. After lunch, you will embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel – a natural channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. This has the world’s largest concentration of Hippos and Nile crocodiles, therefore on cruise you view great numbers of wildlife including elephants, crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes and large numbers of birds like eagles, kingfishers, eaglets converging at the channel waters to enjoy a sip of the natural waters.
You will then be driven back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Chimpanzee in Kyambura & visit Katwe Crater Lake
After breakfast you will head to Kyambura Wildlife Reserve. Driving through a grassland area, all of a sudden you come across an amazing gorge covered with a tropical rainforest. You will hike into the gorge of the Kyambura River in search of wild chimpanzees. After your trek inside the so-called hanging forest, you will return to your lodge for lunch. After lunch or later in the evening, you will head to the Katwe crater lake to meet the Ugandans who mine for salt in the lake. This is a lake, which is situated just in the north of the impressive Mweya peninsula, is far too salty to support any wildlife. However, since the 16th Century, it has ensured the survival of the Katwe residents, who spend their days under the equatorial sun, harvesting salt from its milky waters. Enjoy the spectacular drive to Katwe as you look out for wildlife including buffalos and elephants. Look out for Lake Kitagata – fed by salty hot-springs with no wildlife around but the spectacular views. Once you arrive at the salt mines, marvel at the network of paths and huts that have been built across the lake to support hundreds of workers. The salt is sold to traders from across Uganda, and as far as Congo and Rwanda. This tour gives visitors a unique insight into the fascinating yet tough process of salt mining, as well as providing an alternative income for Katwe. During the tour of the lake you will see community members at work, cross the mud walkways.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Drive to Kampala via Ishasha & departure
After breakfast, transfer to Kampala via the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The south is called Ishasha, which is the home to the famous tree-climbing lions. As you drive, have your eyes peeled for more game. On arrival in the Ishasha area, we search for the famous and unique tree-climbing lions. If it is a hot day, be sure to find them at the top of the sycamore fig trees or the acacia trees that dominate this part of the park. There are about 4 Prides of lions in the area numbering more than 40 in total. Look out for the males with their black mane, which is a notable attribute. Also, there are about 1000+ elephants present in the area and you normally see large numbers. There are Topi and Uganda Kob antelopes in large numbers. The drive is a fantastic opportunity to take lots of pictures. After, you will exit the park. Travelling via the Mbarara – Kabale road, you will arrive in Mbarara in time for lunch. Nearer Kampala, you will stop-over at the Equator Crossing, where the imaginary line that divides the earth into two halves passes. Here you do fun photo shoots, and purchase your souvenir from your Ugandan safari. You will then be dropped off at Entebbe International airport in time for you to check-in for your departure flight home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Should you be spending an extra night in Kampala, please let us know and we will book a hotel for your extra days.
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Package Includes:
- Accommodation in standard rooms as described above (or similar) according to the option chosen
- Transport and game-drives in non-air-conditioned 7-seater safari minivan or 4×4 land cruiser (depending on your chosen option) with pop-up roofs
- Game-drives, excursions and sight-seeing activities (if any) as described above
- Activities (if any) as outlined in detailed itinerary
- Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Services of an English speaking driver guide
- Relevant park entrance fees
- Bottled water whilst on safari (One-litre per person per day)
Not included:
- Personal expenses such travel and medical insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include, emails, faxes and phone calls beverages including water, soft drinks luxury champagne, spirits or meals not included in the itinerary
- Gratuity for Porterage / waiters at hotels, camps and airports
- Gratuity for your professional driver guide
- Cost of obtaining visas ($50)
- Any optional tours or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
- Travel Insurance
- International or domestic airfare unless specified above
