Mutha of Pearl
Gorillas and “The Big Five”. Kidepo and the Karamojong
The whole of Uganda from the mountain gorillas to the wilderness of Kidepo. Visit remote tribal communities and see “The Big Five” in 5 of Uganda’s best national parks: Lake Mburo, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley. Unforgettable wild camp locations. Understand why Uganda IS the Pearl of Africa.
Gorillas, game drives and boat safaris. Remote tribes and wilderness.
DAY 0: Arrival
- Airport transfer to guesthouse
- Botanical Gardens
- Dinner and briefing
Collection from Entebbe Airport and short transfer to our home base, Kamuli Cottage.
Rest and relax or visit to Entebbe Botanical Gardens if flight schedule permits.
Dinner and briefing.
Night
Kamuli Cottage guesthouse.
DAY 1: Lake Mburo
- Nakiwogo Village
- Boat trip and birding
- Shoebills
- Equator
- Game drive
- Camp night with the hippos.
Transit day:
250kms, approx 5 hours
Depart for visit to Nakiwogo fishing village for boat trip to Mabamba Swamp to meet some of Uganda’s over 1000 bird species and especially, the legendary shoebill storks.
Onward journey for lunch on the Equator en route to Lake Mburo National Park. Late afternoon game drive: water buffalo, giraffe, zebra, impala, eland, water buck and chance of leopard.
Night
Camp with a ranger and the hippos at Rwonyo campsite by Lake Mburo. Campfire, dinner and drinks.
DAY 2: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
- Morning game drive
- Igongo Cultural Centre
- Kabale and the Switzerland of Africa
- Lake Bunyonyi
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Lodge night, spectacular views
Transit day
250kms, approx 5 hours
Early departure for morning game drive through Lake Mburo National Park and breakfast at the Kazuma Lookout: spectacular views over the park.
Depart Lake Mburo. Visit and lunch at the Igongo Cultural Centre: learn about the people and culture of South West Uganda.
Visit to local market at Ntungamo heading for Kabale, the “Switzerland of Africa” - gateway to the mystical Lake Bunyonyi and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to the mountain gorillas.
Spectacular scenery on the lakeside track and forest trails en route to the mountain gorilla trekking base at Ruhija.
Night
Lodge nights at Agandi Eco Lodge. Dinner and drinks around the fire with spectacular views over the mountains and volcanos marking the borders with Rwanda and the Congo.
DAY 3: Gorillas and the Ishasha Game Reserve
- Gorilla trek
- Coffee or tea tour
- Game drive
- Camp night at the Ishasha River
Short transit day
100kms, approx 3 hours.
Transfer to gorilla trekking HQ at Ruhija. Trek into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and get up close and personal with the endangered mountain gorillas, packed lunch provided.
Depart via the Bwindi Forest trail with rest stop for tea or coffee tour en route to Ishasha Game Reserve, part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park and famous for its rare, tree climbing lions. Game drive amongst water buffalo, elephant, topi, Uganda kob and with chance to see the lions and perhaps leopard.
Night
Camp with the hippos at woodland campsite on the Ishasha River, overlooking the Congo. Camp fire, dinner and drinks..
DAY 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Ishasha game drive
- Boat safari
- Kasenyi game drive
- Rift escarpment and crater lakes
- Wild camp night
Short transit day
100kms, approx 2 hours
Morning game drive out of Ishasha and transfer to Kazinga Channel connecting Lake Edward with Lake George: the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park with surreal rift valley landscapes. Boat safari to see elephant, hippos and water buffalo along the banks with abundant aquatic and bird life. Lunch at the boat dock. Afternoon game drive in the Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth on the shores of Lake George and camp at the Twin Crater Lakes above the rift valley escarpment.
Night
Wild camp overlooking the Twin Crater Lakes. Campfire, dinner and drinks. Spectacular scenery
DAY 5: Murchison Falls National Park
- Chimpanzee trek
- Fort Portal
- Murchison Falls
- Lodge night
Transit day
400 kms, approx 7 hours
Early morning transfer to Kyambura Gorge for chimpanzee trek.
Depart Queen Elizabeth, heading back across the equator for lunch at Fort Portal in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, the fabled Mountains of the Moon.
Drive through tea plantations and undulating scenery to Masindi, the gateway to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit to the top of Murchison Falls, the most powerful on earth, channeling the River Nile through a 7 meter wide ravine. Short hop to Red Chilli Lodge.
Nights
Lodge at Red Chilli Restcamp. Dinner, drinks and log fire overlooking the Nile Basin.
DAY 6: Murchison Falls National Park
- Nile boat safari to Murchison Falls
- Lunch at Paraa Lodge
- Evening game drive
- Wilderness camp night
Safari day
Leisurely breakfast at Red Cilli Restcamp and transfer for boat safari to base of Murchison Falls. Lunch at the famous Paraa Lodge overlooking the Nile. Afternoon and evening game drive to the Nile Delta at Lake Edward with abundant wildlife: elephant, water buffalo, giraffe, water buck, Uganda kob and chance to see lions and perhaps leopard. Camp in the wilderness overlooking Lake Albert.
Night
Wilderness camp at the Nile Delta. Campfire with ranger, dinner and drinks.
DAY 7: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Early morning game drive
- Rhino trek at Ziwa
- Guesthouse
Transit day
350 kms, approx 7 hours
Dawn game drive with breakfast en route. Depart Murchison heading south to Masindi and transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for afternoon rhino trek. Spend time with the white rhino and learn about the inspiring re-introduction programme of this rare and wonderful beast into Uganda .
Night
Camp at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Campfire, dinner and drinks.
DAY 8: Kidepo Valley
- Karuma Falls
- Lunch at Aruu Falls
- Kidepo Valley
- Lodge night
Transit day
350 kms, approx 7 hours
Depart Ziwa, crossing the Nile at Karuma Falls heading north and east via Gulu for lunch stop at the beautiful Aruu Falls. Continue east for Kidepo Valley, located in the far northeast corner of Uganda – wild and remote, and rated by CNN as the second best park in the whole of Africa.
Night
Lodge at Kidepo Savannah Lodge
DAY 9: Kidepo Valley National Park
- Trek to the isolated hilltop Irk tribe
- Relaxing lunch at viewpoint
- Evening game drive
- Wilderness camp night
Safari Day
Early morning trek to Mount Morungole to meet the isolated hilltop tribe of the Irk. Meet the tribal elders, exchange gifts and join in (if you like) with ancient tribal dancing. Return to Kidepo Valley for evening game drive: elephant, giraffe, Jackson hartebeest, water buffalo and chance to see lion, leopard and magnificent cheetah.
Stay in the wilderness for a wild camp with a ranger.
Night
Wilderness camp with ranger. Campfire, dinner and drinks.
DAY 10: Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve*
- Dawn game drive
- Kaabong and tribal visit to the Jie warriors.
- Lunch at Karatunga
- Pian Upe game drive
- Wilderness camp night
- Lodge night, spectacular views
Transit day
300 kms, approx 6 hours
Dawn game drive and depart Kidepo Valley heading south to Kaabong and a short detour to Nakaperumoru to meet the people of the Jie warrior tribe. Late lunch at the Karatunga Foundation, Moroto – a community enterprise supporting the Karamojo Region.
Continue south to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve for a late afternoon game drive and wilderness camp. This is a well-kept secret - the second largest and one of the most beautiful protected areas in Uganda, home to an abundance of wildlife, uniquely including ostrich, as well as lion, leopard and one of the best places to see cheetah.
Night
Wilderness camp with ranger. Campfire, dinner and drinks.
DAY 11: Sipi Falls, Mount Elgon
- Dawn game drive
- Mount Elgon
- Lunch at Lacam Lodge
- Sipi Falls Trek
- Camp night
Short transit day
150 kms, approx 3 hours
Early morning game drive at Pian Upe and last chance to complete “The Big Five”.
Head south to ascend Mount Elgon for lunch at Lacam Lodge overlooking the lower falls followed by Sipi Falls trek from the upper to middle falls.
.
Night
Camp at the spectacular Sipi Falls. Campfire, dinner and drinks.
DAY 12: Jinja, Source of the Nile*
- Coffee Tour
- Source of the Nile boat cruise
- Return Entebbe
- Guesthouse
Transit day
350 kms, approx 6 hours
Coffee tour. Learn how coffee is grown and processed on the slopes of Mount Elgon.
Descend Mount Elgon for late lunch in Jinja and afternoon boat cruise to the source of the Nile.
Evening return to Entebbe.
Night
Kamuli Cottage, Entebbe. Dinner and drinks.
DEPARTURE
To suit flight schedule.
Breakfast and lunch.
Visit to craft shops.
Airport transfer
Route mileage approx. 2500kms excluding parks and game drives. Average 200 per day.
*A popular and exhilarating end to this trip is to add white water rafting on day 12 in place of the visit to Pian Upe on day 10. Additional cost $150 per person – contact for details.
Price
| No. Of Persons | Standard ($ Each) | **Peak ($ Each) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 5995 | 6295 | Ideal for couples and honeymooners - just the two of you. |
| 3 | 5695 | 5995 | |
| 4 | 5695 | 5995 | Travel for four people and above in two vehicle convoy with radio comms. |
| 5 | 5295 | 5595 | |
| 6 | 4895 | 5195 | |
| 7 | 4695 | 4995 | |
| 8 | 4495 | 4795 |
*This is the total number of people on the trip, except driver/s
**Peak season: July – September | 20 December – 10 January
Advance payment of 30% is required upon booking. Balance 70% is required 2 weeks before arrival
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 5995
- 5695
- 5695
- 5295
- 4895
- 4695
- 4495
- 6295
- 5995
- 5995
- 5595
- 5195
- 4995
- 4795
Ideal for couples and honeymooners – just the two of you.
4 or more in two vehicle convoy with radio comms
*This is the total number of people on the trip, except driver/s.
**Peak season: July – September. 20 December – 10 January.
Advance payment of 30% is required upon booking. Balance 70% is required 2 weeks before arrival.
What's Included
Basically everything! – except souvenirs and spending money.
Airport pick up and drop off.
Full board and accommodation as per itinerary.
Travel and transport in safe, comfortable, air conditioned 4x4s. Fuel included.
Specialist overland base vehicle with roof tent(s); full kitchen including cooker, bbq, refrigerator and freezer; water supply and hot shower; extensive rain cover / shade and all camp equipment.
All equipment including roof tents, tents, mattresses, sleeping bags and pillows, camp chairs, tables etc.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
Gorilla permits and all park fees, guides and rangers. Boat safaris and treks. (Value more than $1500)
Modest alcoholic beverages and soft drinks while camping (up to 4 units per adult per night).
What's not included
Flights and personal insurances
Visas, vaccinations and malaria tablets
Souvenirs and tips
