Uganda Expedition: Rhinos, Falls & Chimps

Description

While gorillas occupy plenty of the limelight when it comes to Uganda adventure travel, rhino tracking is every bit as thrilling – and easily accessible. Join a 6-day round-trip expedition from Kampala that showcases one of Africa’s most exquisite beasts in its element. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers not only rhino-tracking with experts, but also some unforgettable birdwatching – out on the waterways of the Lugogo Wetlands. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park to see the mighty Nile dump spectacularly into Lake Albert, with plenty of time to get amongst the mahoganies and ironwoods of Rabongo Forest – the stomping ground (or perhaps swinging ground) of chimpanzees. Full of real life experiences, dramatic landscapes and a diverse array of wildlife sightings in the African bush, this Uganda expedition could only be described as a next-level adventure.

Trip Name

Uganda Expedition: Rhinos, Falls & Chimps

Last Updated

2019-07-25

Days

Capacity

Highlights

The spread of wildlife on this 6-day of adventure is superb. One minute you’re tracking rhinos, the next you’re birdwatching from a canoe or combing the forests for chimpanzees
An included lecture on the rhino re-introduction project at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary provides excellent insight into one of Uganda’s great conservation efforts
Every traveller booked onto this adventure results in a donation towards East Africa Wildlife Society
This is a comfort trip, which means you’re going on safari in style. Travel in top-notch 4x4 comfort and enjoy well-appointed quarters throughout

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES: Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you print and review a final copy prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Kampala

Welcome to Uganda! With a population of over 30 million, this country is one of the five that make up the East African community. It's a country of great cultural diversity, and in recent years has been one of the most progressive in the region in terms of health education relating to HIV. On arrival in Entebbe Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Kampala by our representative. There will be an important welcome meeting at 6 pm. Afterwards, head out into Kampala for an included group dinner to get to know your fellow travellers.

Day 2 - Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Head towards Nakasongola District where Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is located. Check into your lodge, then take short nature walk to stretch your legs. There will be a talk to the group about the rhino re-introduction project at the sanctuary and learn your lodge helps the Rhino Fund of Uganda, with 10% of their revenue going towards operations and the upkeep of the rhinos. Bordering the sanctuary is the Lugogo Wetlands. This wetland is an integral part of the ecosystem and is home to a multitude of animals and rare birds. In addition to the shoebill canoe ride scheduled for tomorrow morning you'll be able to check out the birdlife on a optional nature walk.

Day 3 - Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Rise nice and early this morning for a canoe ride in search of the unique shoebill bird in the Lugogo Wetlands. Avid birdwatchers will be delighted; in addition to the shoebill, more than 350 species of bird are found on the sanctuary. Among them are white crested turacos, giant kingfishers, palmnut vultures, barbets, and 11 of the woodpecker species, including the speckled-breasted woodpecker. After lunch at the lodge, we head into the sanctuary to track rhinos on foot. Accompanied by a well-trained guide you'll learn more about not only rhinos local botany, general bush knowledge, birds and other animals seen on the savannah. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and its resident beasts are patrolled and monitored by Rhino Fund Uganda’s own rangers on a 24/7 basis.

Day 4 - Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Murchison Falls National Park. We'll drive through the park and cross the Victoria Nile river to arrive at our lodge. After lunch and some free time, take a boat ride along the river towards Murchison Falls, looking out for crocodile and hippos. When reaching our destination we hike a short distance to check out the impressive falls. While the cascades don't drop a large distance to the river below, the force of the water is quite amazing; the Nile forces its way through a small gap in the rocks before flowing westward into Lake Albert.

Day 5 - Murchison Falls National Park

Today is a free day to either relax or take up some optional activities. A great option is to visit Kaniyo Pabidi, on Masindi road – it's a beautiful natural forest dominated by giant mahogany and ironwood trees. Here chimpanzees can be tracked from Kaniyo Pabidi tourism site, which is run by the Jane Goodall Institute. Birdlife here is also abundant and includes the chocolate-backed kingfisher, the white-thighed hornbill, and Puvel’s Illaposis which are endemic to the region. Another option for today is to explore Rabongo Forest is an island of tropical river forest set in a sea of grassland in the south-east of the conservation area (it's roughly a 1.5 hour drive from the lodge). Exploring on foot there is highly recommended – you might come across primates such as the black-white colobus, red tailed monkey, baboon or even a chimpanzee.

Day 6 - Kampala

Today we farewell the lush Murchison Falls National Park and head back to Kampala. After the long drive we anticipate to be back at the hotel before 6 pm, at which point the trip draws to a close.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night),Lodge (4 nights)

Transport

4x4 safari vehicle,Boat,Canoe