Baby On Board
Explore the west of Uganda on a family friendly trip, perfect for the little ones first safari! Taken at a slower pace you’ll be seeking out savannah wildlife from the safety of your vehicle and meeting a gorilla family in the misty highland rainforest. Each of the lodges has been handpicked for their child friendly atmosphere, comfort and excellent baby sitting facilities; so the adults can get some downtime and track the mountain gorillas with peace of mind.
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Itinerary - Baby on Board [TACP7-033]
Day One
Elephants Crossing
Drive from Kampala or Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth NP.
Estimated journey time: 8 hrs.
Explore the Kazinga tracks by following a network of tracks criss-crossing the savannah, stretching from the northern Kazinga Channel riverbanks to the explosion crater lake pools on the northern park boundary. These tracks are known for offering excellent chances of up close and clear sightings of elephant herds as they cross the tracks and roam down to the water's edge to cool off in the heat of the day. This rolling savannah landscape dotted with thickets of cactus trees also offers you the chance to spot species such as lion, Uganda kob, waterbuck and buffalo. Track’s included in the royal visit of Queen Elizabeth are also found here including the Queen’s Mile and Royal Circuit, which you can explore at your own pace alongside Kob Circuit and Leopard Loop.
Estimated excursion time: 3 hrs.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge, classic room.
Day Two
A Water Safari
Explore the savannah of Kasenyi Plains on a wildlife drive, set to the stunning backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains or ‘Mountains of the Moon’ running along the skyline. These plains are home to a number of leks or breeding grounds for Uganda kobs, where they carry out their battles for mating rights. The vast herds of Uganda kobs grazing here keep the grass short, allowing easy viewing of species such as elephants, buffalo, warthogs, bushbuck and waterbuck amongst the euphorbia tree dotted-landscape. You may even spot a solitary hippo wallowing in one of the small pools! This is also one of the preferred hunting grounds for the prides of lions, attracted by the large game herds. With kills sometimes a focal point for days this is an ideal area to spot these impressive big cats! There is a large network of trails through this area of the park allowing you to explore in seclusion at your one pace and enjoy the stunning scenery of the park's expansive savannah plains.
Estimated excursion time: 3 hrs
Unwind at your savannah hotel perched on the Mweya Peninsula in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The pace of the time spent here is in your hands as you can take a dip in the swimming pool, sunbathe on the pool terrace or enjoy a cool drink at the bar. The lodge’s position offers a beautiful view from the veranda and pool over the Kazinga Channel, from where you can watch a moving panorama of wildlife such as elephants, hippos and buffalo relaxing on the opposite bank of the river, the perfect place to relax on your safari.
Embark on a water safari from the docks on the Mweya Peninsula to explore the Kazinga Channel. This channel connects Lakes Edward and George and flows through the heart of the park and is an excellent place to view a variety of savannah mammals and birds from. As you meander your way along the river banks you will have the chance to spot elephants, buffalo, warthogs and waterbuck as they come down to the water's edge to cool off in the heat of the day. The channel is also a prime location to view crocodiles, hippo pods and a plethora of bird species that live here. After a couple of hours on the water you’ll reach a fishing village at the end of the channel where the river enters Lake Edward and you’ll then make your return to the docks on the Mweya Peninsula.
Estimated excursion time: 2 hrs 30 mins.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge, classic room.
Day Three
Tree-climbing Lions
Drive from Queen Elizabeth NP to Ishasha Plains, Queen Elizabeth NP.
Estimated journey time: 2 hrs.
The Ishasha Plains cover the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and are particularly known for their iconic population of tree-climbing lions. Lions are only recorded to exhibit this behaviour in a few locations across Africa, believed to be a learned behaviour specific to a few prides. It’s been speculated this behaviour is to avoid the hottest part of the day to catch the cool breezes in the trees and to dodge the biting insects found in the grasses below. On entering the savannah you will track through the African bush on a wildlife drive to seek out these impressive cats. You’ll be looking for them in the branches of huge fig trees, as they laze away in the shade, sheltered from the heat of the day. If you still have time after tracking the lions you can explore the various game circuits for other wildlife species found on savannah here including elephants, Uganda kob, buffalo and hyaenas.
Estimated excursion time: 3 hrs.
Drive from Ishasha Plains, Queen Elizabeth NP to Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable NP.
Estimated journey time: 2 hrs.
As the sun sets, wander through the lodge’s tropical gardens to reach a secluded spot on the Munyanga River, which weaves along the rainforest edge. Here you’ll find your dining table laid out for you to the flickering light of oil burning lamps and the babble of the river below, the perfect spot to unwind. Your waiter will be serving you a delicious meal prepared by the lodge’s resident chef, using fresh local ingredients. So all you need to do is relax, dine and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mahogany Springs, family suite.
Day Four
Gorillas In The Mist
Experience Uganda’s greatest natural wonder, an intimate meeting with one of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s gorilla families! Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an incredibly important conservation site as it protects around 460 mountain gorillas, roughly half of the population left in the wild. Dating back over 25,000 years, Bwindi is one of Uganda’s most biologically diverse and most ancient rainforests, with an amazing 400 species of plants present and 350 species of birds, including 23 Rift Valley endemic species recorded. The rangers accompanying you will be able to identify the local plants, birds and wildlife as well as the general ecosystem of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as you trek. This morning you will rise early and your driver / guide will escort you to the trailhead into the rainforest. Here you will receive an orientation on tracking the gorillas from the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers who will then guide you through the dense forest. The trek length varies, depending on where the gorillas spent the night, ranging from thirty minutes to seven hours. Once you find these incredible creatures you will spend one hour with them. We think you’ll agree - to experience this unique family feed, socialise, nurse their young, patrol and display their prowess - is the most magical experience you can see in nature. After tracking you will make your way back to the edge of the rainforest where you’ll meet your driver guide.
Estimated excursion time: 2 - 8 hrs (including 1 hr viewing).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mahogany Springs, family suite.
Day Five
To The Zebras & Giraffes
Drive from Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable NP to Lake Mburo NP. Estimated journey time: 5 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge, room.
Day Six
Luxury & Wildlife
Enjoy your surroundings at this luxurious, family owned lodge perched high on a rocky outcrop which gives its residents spectacular views over the African bush. You can opt to enjoy a dip in the infinity pool which offers stunning views over the park and relax in the surrounding comfortable seating, with views over the waterhole below visited by wild game. The lodge’s tower catches a cooling breeze and provides a lovely area to relax with large comfy sofas from where you can enjoy unparalleled 360 degree views of the park. Then there is also the bush baby platform from where you can watch the sunset across the tranquil scenery and also have the chance to spot bush babies after dark. However you spend your downtime at Mihingo Lodge you will be able to find a way to relax in nature.
Lake Mburo National Park protects an idyllic patchwork of rolling hills and acacia woodland studded with rocky outcrops, creating an alluring backdrop to view the park's game herds. On your wildlife drive you’ll have the chance to spot some species rarely seen in other parts of Uganda, including large herds of impala, Burchell’s zebra and eland; Africa’s largest antelope species, which in Uganda is only found here and in Kidepo Valley National Park. More common species grazing on the grasslands also include families of warthog, buffalo, oribi, waterbuck, reedbuck and with a bit of luck the Rothschild giraffes. These graceful giants were reintroduced to the park landscape from Murchison Falls National Park in 2015 and can often be found grazing on the park's acacia trees. This small population of giraffe is successfully growing and further protecting this endangered subspecies.
Estimated excursion time: 3 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge, room.
Day Seven
Homeward Bound
Enjoy your surroundings at this luxurious, family owned lodge perched high on a rocky outcrop which gives its residents spectacular views over the African bush. You can opt to enjoy a dip in the infinity pool which offers stunning views over the park and relax in the surrounding comfortable seating, with views over the waterhole below visited by wild game. The lodge’s tower catches a cooling breeze and provides a lovely area to relax with large comfy sofas from where you can enjoy unparalleled 360 degree views of the park. Then there is also the bush baby platform from where you can watch the sunset across the tranquil scenery and also have the chance to spot bush babies after dark. However you spend your downtime at Mihingo Lodge you will be able to find a way to relax in nature.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Not included.
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