9 Days Blessing Van Road Trip.

March 14, 2024

9 DAYS BLESSING VAN ROAD TRIP (wildlife, safari, adventure, charity big 5, primate experience, culture, landscape, and adventure)

Embark on an extraordinary 9-day road trip with Blessing Van Explorers, a journey that seamlessly blends wildlife safari, adventure, and a touch of charity. Experience the wonders of Uganda while contributing to meaningful causes.

The experience also takes you to Murchison falls national park for a game safari. Murchison Falls National Park is the largest conservation area in Uganda protecting chunks of untamed African Savannah bisected by the mighty River Nile. It’s named for the dramatic Murchison Falls where the world’s longest river explodes violently through a narrow gorge of about 7-10 meters wide and about 43meters deep forming a thunderous and one of the world’s strongest falls. Other than the falls, the Park has a lot to offer regarding wild life for instance the park offers a variety of vegetation zonation ranging from Savannah grasslands, forested areas and vast plains giving the park the beauty you do not want to miss.

A variety of animals can be viewed in this National park ranging from the Big cats like Leopards , lions to big populations of antelopes like Hart beasts, oribis, Kobs, large herds of elephants, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Hippos, crocodiles , hyenas, to mention only a few.

Lots of birds also love it here as we can always view several of the birds’ life the African fish eagle, kingfishers, egrets, the Shoe Bill and several other birds. Activities on this Safari include, game drives, Boat cruise, Hiking, visiting the falls and several others.

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison falls; visit Ziwa rhino’s sanctuary, Karuma falls, and nature walk.

You will be picked by our driver from your Hotel/Residence in Entebbe/Kampala and Depart from Kampala at 06:00am heading for the largest game park and reserve in Uganda through the Luwero Triangle, Nakasongola, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary via Karuma Falls . You will branch off to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you will encounter the territory of the southern white rhinos on foot. Well-trained rangers will guide you through the bush to where the rhinos are. You will get the opportunity to watch these endangered, magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. As these rhinos are free to move around on 7 000 hectares of land, it is often necessary to drive to the areas where the rhinos are, before taking the bush trek. This drive will be done in our vehicle. (What you need: Closed shoes, long pants, water and insect repellent)

You will later proceed and have a stop for lunch at Kabalega Dinners in Nakasongola. After lunch, you will head to Murchison Falls National Park for Dinner and overnight accommodation Via Karuma falls packwachi road.

Day 2: Morning boat safari on the Nile River, top of falls, game drive

Behind breakfast in the morning hours, we shall prepare ourselves nature walk on the outskirts of the park see the sun rise and later enter the park for the day’s activities which includes morning boat safari to the bottom of the falls, enjoy wildlife while cruising the Nile. After the boat safari which shall have a lunch break, then later head to the top of the falls enjoy the magical falls listed among the strongest falls in the world. Have photo moments, relaxation with nature and later head for evening game drive.Now our game drive starts. The journey takes you through magnificent landscapes. Through the savannah, through fan palm forest and through Grass land it goes down to the Delta point, from where the Albert-Nile flows north. In the open African savannah looking for lions, leopards, hyenas, buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks and Uganda Kobs (antelopes) and giraffes. It is possible to discover different species of birds as well.

Day 3: Morning breakfast and transfer to Fortpotal

Wake up for early morning breakfast , drive through the park to view more animals that we may have missed the previous day as we transfer to Fortpotal via Masindi or Buliisa , while making a stopover on the way for our lunch. Then after lunch we shall transfer to fort portal.

Fortpotal Experience

Enjoy a 3 Day 2 nights Fort portal Tour Experience, One of Uganda’s most beautiful, clean and best towns. It is designated as ‘Tourism City of Uganda’. It is located in the Western Region of Uganda, in Kabarole district in Toro Sub Region, Toro Kingdom which is one of the five traditional Kingdoms within the borders of Uganda. The Current Omukama of Toro is King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV who took to the throne of the Kingdom in 1995 at the age of three years after the death of his Father Omukama David Mathew Kaboyo Olimi III on August 26. 1995 at the age of 50.

Fort portal is Historical in nature and amazing in landscapes, wildlife and the primates Capital of Uganda. This Experience will give you an insight into Fortpotal Town and Toro region as you get to visit the Historical areas such as the Toro Kingdom palace, search for Wildlife in Semuliki National park for Game viewing and the Ssempaya Hot springs, The Amabere Ga’nyinamwiru and a hike up the Nyakasura Hills for the best views as well as a Nature Walk, Bigodi Community Tour. You can also take an Optional Chimpanzee trekking tour to view the primates in Kibale Forest National park.

DAY 4: Ssempaya Hotsprings Visit and Toro cultural experience

After an early morning breakfast and later pay a visit to the Ssempaya hot spring. This is an iconic tourist site known for its powerfulness. Drive back to Fortpotal, have lunch and enjoy the evening understanding and experiencing the cultural sites of Toro Kingdom. Later we go back to our accommodation have dinner and relax

The Ssempaya Hot Springs are located in Semuliki National Park and are an amazing sight to see as it has both a male and female hot spring on either side of the 220sq meter park. The area was established as a national park in 1993 and to reach the male and female hot springs, you must go through the forest floor, which takes about a 30-minute walk. You see countless monkeys and bird species. The monkeys sit high up in the canopy of trees as you strain your neck to see them and hopefully catch a shot in the dark and dank forest. Local women come to the female hot spring to pray for a safe birth delivery. The Male hot springs on the other hand is visited by males to pray for wealth and prosperity. The female hot spring is the most visited and the most accessible of the two, which reaches a temperature of 103 degrees Celsius. The area smells of sulfur and you have to be extra careful when taking photos as the high temperatures can melt a plastic body in minutes. There are wooden walkways throughout the hot springs, so as not to accidentally fall or step into the bubbling water.

DAY 5: CRATER LAKES, Experience, Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early morning, we can drive to Visit Rweteera Village for a community and nature tour. Walk through the community as you watch beautiful wildlife, interact with the local people and enjoy the scenery along the way. Visit the different crater lakes, tea plantations and hike to the “Top of the world”, for a magical experience with incredible views of the distant horizons and Kibale Forest. This experience is comparable to none and very photogenic. Please carry your camera for amazing photos. Later we shall transfer to Queen Elizabeth, have our lunch in Kasese town and later head to our accommodation to check-in. after a small relax we head to have an evening game drive.

Day 6: Morning Game drive, Boat safari on Kazinga Channel for wildlife experience on

On this day; wake up early to begin with a morning game drive, enjoy the sun rise immediately after having your breakfast at our lodge. During this drive you will be able to see the morning risers at the Kasenyi track such as buffaloes, antelopes, lions, elephants, here you will have the chance to see each one of them very closely. Later in the midday we shall break off as you get ready for the launch/boat cruise on Kazinga channel. Where you will be nourished with amazing animal water species such as hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, and birds like the malachite kingfishers. You will obviously have to return back to your lodge and enjoy your last dinner and Overnight in the jungle.

Highlights of this safari

• Exploration and Game drive in the park.
• Boat Cruise along Kazinga Channel.
• Crate lakes experience
• Chimpanzee trekking

Animals

Elephants, buffalo, antelopes, lions, hippos, waterbucks, warthogs, leopard, chimpanzee, Jacksons Harte Beast, crocodiles, monitor Lizards, Birds, among others.

Day 7 – Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi kabale District.

After our morning breakfast, we shall go to Kalinzu forests to trek the chimpanzee after finding them we shall have one hour with them, understanding their behaviors, way of living and survival. This experience is comparable to none and very photogenic. Please carry your camera for amazing photos.

Later transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, on our way we shall be seeing beautiful sceneries of tea plantations and crater lakes. We shall have a stopover in ntugamo or Kabale town for lunch and head to Lake Bunyonyi to our lodge, dinner and overnight.

Day 8 Lake Bunyonyi Experience

Lake Bunyonyi is found in the South Western part of Uganda lying between Kisoro and Kabale and also being close to the Rwandan border. It is Uganda’s deepest lake with 900 m. With this Lake Bunyonyi is also said to be the second deepest fresh water lake in Africa with the scenic beauty of its 29 islands and these can be tour on a boat or canoe. The name Bunyonyi means “place of many little birds” and a good birding haven with its scenic green terraced hills of the community.

Day 9: Transfer to Kampala.

Wake up and take your breakfast as you prepare for a day full of fun. The first thing to do is enjoy the beautiful sounds of birds in the morning. These includes : African harrier, egrets, grey crowned cranes, hawks, herons, levillant cuckoo, Rufus breathed wryneck, weaver birds and the white tailed blue monad among many others. Take a stroll along the lake shores to spot some of the birds as you wait for the Driver/Guide. The Guide/Driver will take you to visit the Batwa and Abaheesi Community of blacksmiths. The Batwa of Lake Bunyonyi lives mostly in the Orugano forest, Echuya Forest and surrounding areas. Spend time and interact with them as learn about how they make ends meet. You might also find visiting the Bukora Cave interesting.

Afterwards, you can walk back to the hotel/lodge for lunch before proceeding for a boat ride or canoeing. You will be taken to visit the beautiful islands where you will get even better views of the lake. Most of the islands are named after the dominant bird species there. One particular island is known as the punishment island. The Bakiga tribe living in the area once had a cruel culture of abandoning all girls who got pregnant before marriage in this particular island. They were left there to die since most couldn’t swim. Most of the girls were eventually rescued by the men who had impregnated them or bachelors who couldn’t who couldn’t pay the bride price required by parents of virgins.

Wake up early for breakfast and go out for nature walks to enjoy the beautiful scenery/landscapes as you wait to begin the Journey back to Kampala. The Lake Bunyonyi area is green throughout the year with beautiful trees and vegetation which are worth exploring. Lunch will be in Mbarara preferably at the Igongo Cultural Centre. After visiting the Centre, you will continue to Kampala and have another stop at the Equator or the Buganda Royal Drum Makers. Expect to reach Kampala or Entebbe late in the evening.

End of Tour

Cost Inclusions:

• Chimpanzee trekking permit.
• Park entrance and ranger fees.
• Transport with our 4 WD vehicle and fuel.
• Bottled water throughout the safari.
• Boat cruise fees.
• Full-board accommodation for all days.
• Meals including en-route ones as per the meal plan.
• Airport transfer if your flight is on the same day.
• Relevant Government taxes.
• Full-time English-speaking driver.
• All activities on the itinerary.

Exclusions:

• International flights.
• Personal expenses like tips, laundry fees, and beverages, personal insurance.
• Extra activities not included in the itinerary.
• Visa fees.
• Accommodation in Kampala.

Things to Carry:

• E-ticket and passport.
• Long-sleeved shirts, waterproof backpack, long trousers, waterproof hiking boots, rain jacket, shorts, binoculars, non-flash camera, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, flip-flops, swimsuit, First Aid kit, toiletries.

Tags : Our Packages