Lakeside Retreats, Safaris & Adrenaline Activities

Light adventuring and charming safaris in Lake Mburo National Park coupled with lakeside retreats and days of reflection and exploration around Lake Mutanda. Close out the trip with a few days canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking and more in Jinja, Uganda's adrenaline capital.
12 Days
$6,639

Lakeside Retreats, Safaris & Adrenaline Activities - 12 - $6,639

Trip Summary and Itinerary Map

We drove not far from the edge of the lake, at this point the quiet of the early morning had been replaced by laughter and big grins. I stared out to my left, over the water, and my eyes settled on a trio of smooth rocks that had taken residence in the lake. They moved slightly, almost deliberately, despite there being no force. I stared for some time before raising my binoculars for a closer look. As my eyes readjusted, what once appeared to be rocks, were three hippos, bathing in the sun.


Start from Entebbe and end at Entebbe

Landmarks potentially visited on Lakeside Retreats, Safaris & Adrenaline Activities

Itinerary

Day 1: The Adventure Begins!

Fly into Entebbe International Airport. Upon landing, clearing Immigration and collecting your luggage, you will leave the airport to meet your driver waiting outside for the short transfer to the popular Karibu Guesthouse where you will relax after the flight, enjoy dinner and spend the night.

Ovenight: Karibu Guesthouse

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Lake Mburo National Park

After a good night's sleep and breakfast, you will be met by your driver-guide for the beginning of your safari. Drive out of the city south west to the small but perfectly formed Lake Mburo National Park. The journey takes about 5 hours. Arrive in time for a late afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo. Spend two nights at the perfectly located Rwakobo Lodge.

Ovenight: Rwakobo Rock

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Lake Mburo National Park

This morning, head out into the bush on foot with your UWA ranger/-guide. Due to its lack of large predators and elephant, Mburo is an excellent place to walk. You still have to be careful of the buffalo though! This is also a great place to see zebra and the graceful eland.  In the afternoon, head out on a guided mountain bike ride in the ranch lands that neighbour the national park (and also host many of its animals.).

Ovenight: Rwakobo Rock

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Lake Mutanda

Leave Mburo and take the leisurely drive down to the unbelievably beautiful Lake Mutanda, your base for exploring the Mgahinga Gorilla Park, the south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the lakes themselvs. The drive will take much of the day, with stops. Arrive at Lake Mutanda by late afternoon.

Ovenight: Mutanda Lake Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Lake Mutanda

Surrounded by water, its seems only right to explore! Today enjoy a  canoe excursion on Lake Mutanda.

Ovenight: Mutanda Lake Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Lake Mutanda

The Big Day arrives! Up early for breakfast and the 1.5 hour road  transfer to Park HQ in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi for the 9am trek briefing. Meet your guides and take on a porter if you wish (payment made locally). Then the trek begins. Be prepared to be walking through forest, up and down steep slopes, for on average 3 hours. Once contact is made, controled by the trackers, you will have up to one hour with these wonderful animals. Then return through the forest to your vehicle for the transfer back to Mutanda.

Ovenight: Mutanda Lake Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Lake Mutanda

Today, you will be driven 1.5 hours to Mgahinga Gorilla Park on the border with Rwanda. Here we have included a trek to visit the golden monkeys. This is the only place in Uganda they are found. The Golden monkeys live in the bamboo fringe of the forest and are a charming and fascinating species. Contact with the monkeys lasts for one hour, after which you will return to Park HQ for the transfer back to Mutanda.

Ovenight: Mutanda Lake Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Jinja

Transfer 1.5 hours by road to Kisoro airstrip. There you will say goodbye to your driver-guide and take the scheduled light aircraft flight back to Entebbe. Met at the airport by a second driver, you will then be transferred 2.5 hours by road to Jinja on the River Nile, Uganda's 'Fun Capital'!  Settle into a four night stay at the lovely 'The Haven'.

Ovenight: The Haven

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Jinja

Day at leisure exploring locally.

Ovenight: The Haven

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Jinja

Full day rafting experience with Nalubale Rafting.

Ovenight: The Haven

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Jinja

Day at leisure exploring locally. The Haven has Canadian canoes and mountain bikes available for hire. Other activities can be booked locally with the providors including transport.

Ovenight: The Haven

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Jinja

Final road transfer back to Entebbe for your international flight home (a day room could be added at Karibu if you would like dinner before flying). 

Ovenight: The Haven

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Prices and Inclusions

  • Prices are per person based on two people travelling together.
  • Prices shown are based on low season rates. Peak season costs increase by about 20%.

Includes

  • Domestic light aircraft flights.
  • Accommodation and services as listed. Triple Room included throughout.
  • All permit costs and conservation fees (1 standard gorilla trek permit).
  • Professional safari driver/guide. Vehicle services as described in the cities.
  • Flying Doctors Medical Evacuation Gold.
  • Donation to the Ugandan Conservation Foundation.

Excludes

  • International flights.
  • Uganda tourist visa ($50pp).
  • Gorilla trek porters cost ($15 per porter).
  • Tips & Gratuities.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Person travel insurance.