Overview
This 20-day safari in Uganda brings you a long-list of unique wilderness and adventure experiences. It covers tourist attractions countrywide from the Eastern region to western side, Northern to the Southern regions. The prime travel destinations to consider visiting include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, the Source of the Nile, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and others.
Safari Details
Day 1: Arrival & pick up at Entebbe Airport
Upon landing at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), meet your safari guide for a warm welcome and briefing on everything about this special countrywide 20-day expedition. From the airport, you will be transferred to a hotel that you booked in Entebbe and have a long evening relaxing, dine and retire for the night. Depending on arrival time, you may pay a visit to Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center, botanical gardens and other sites.
Day 2: Drive from Entebbe city to Jinja city
Leave your hotel for Jinja city, 2-3 hours’ drive road trip in our full time 4×4 safari vehicle. With an experienced and professional driver, your trip to Jinja encompasses en route stopovers in Ssezibwa waterfalls –enjoy the scenic views of the waterfalls and learn more about its cultural significance to Buganda Kingdom.
As you drive, enjoy the view of the lush Mabira Forest or make a stopover and undertake forest walk or zip-lining if time allows. Exit Mabira for Jinja with scenic views of the sugarcane plantations, and the Source of the Nile. Plenty of adrenaline adventure experiences (bungee jumping, white water rafting, Jet boating, Kayaking etc) are available for you to enjoy in Jinja and this will be the following day.
Day 3: Full-day expedition in Jinja
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and after, you will embark on a full day white water rafting experience. You will be accompanied by experienced guide and you will conquer tough grades and rapids. After, return and have a relaxed evening, dinner and overnight sleep in a hotel within Jinja.
Day 4: Jinja to Sipi Falls –hike to the triple waterfalls
Enjoy a delicious breakfast and check out of a hotel in Jinja. Meet your driver and start your trip to the Sipi Falls located in Kapchorwa, Eastern Uganda. 3 levels of waterfalls make up the Sipi Falls with the highest observed at altitude of 100m, the 2nd highest is at 85m and the 3rd one is at 75m. After trekking to these waterfalls, retreat and have a relaxed evening in the lodge around the Sipi Falls/Mbale.
Day 5: Sipi to Kidepo Valley National Park
Start your long road trip about 8 hours to Kidepo in Northeastern Uganda. Navigate through the Karamoja sweeping plains and lunch will be enjoyed en route, dinner and overnight sleep at the wilderness camp/lodge in Kidepo N. Park.
Day 6: Narus game drive & Karamojong cultural encounter
Breakfast will be provided in the morning and after; you will meet the driver guide ready to immerse yourself into the sweeping savannas of Kidepo NP. The 2-3 hours’ game drive through the Narus Valley will reward you with remarkable animal sightings including the zebras, the giraffes, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, lions, antelopes like elands, etc.
As you return to the lodge for lunch, more animals and birds will be spotted. In the afternoon after lunch & relaxation, you will be visiting the Karamojong communities to learn their unique lifestyles, traditions, cultures and get entertained by their dances, music performance, etc.
Day 7: Kanangorok hot spring tour
Enjoy a hefty breakfast and you will leave the lodge for yet another expedition in the Kidepo Valley and Kanangorok hot springs. The Kidepo lies close to Uganda border and South Sudan, also an area where the Kanangorok hot springs are found. Birds, especially ostriches and wildlife will be spotted as you drive through the park.
Day 8: Exit Kidepo for Murchison Falls Park
Set off for Murchison Falls N.P, about 7 to 8 hours’ drive and includes en-route meals at a hotel in Gulu city. Proceed to Murchison Falls N/Park, Uganda’s biggest savanna dominated park encompassing over 3840sq.km and hosts diversity of mammals including giraffes, lions, leopards, antelopes, warthogs, over 451 bird species, primates in Budongo/Kaniyo-Pabidi Forest and more.
Day 9: Northern circuit game drive & boat cruise (Murchison Falls Expedition)
Have a hefty breakfast and later, meet the driver guide for the morning Northern-circuit game drive which will take 2-3 hours. This region is where diverse animal species can be encountered including elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs, and birds.
Return and lunch will be served to you, enjoy at leisure then set off for a 2:00 pm boat cruise. You will be exploring the Victoria Nile to the base of the Murchison Falls, one of the strongest waterfalls and also Uganda’s natural wonder. Observe the aquatic species including hippos, crocodiles and birds, take pictures and you will return to relax at the lodge.
Day 10: Explore the Albert delta & visit the top of the falls
You will be picked up at the lodge by our company driver guide and transfer to where you will board a boat. Today, you will be exploring the delta area, an area known for its incredible sighing of hippos, birds like shoebill stork, etc. When you return to the lodge, enjoy a leisurely lunch and relax. In the afternoon, set off from the lodge to the top of the falls, explore more about this natural wonder, and observe the falls as it passes via a narrow rock of 7-8 meters.
Day 11: Kibale for primate interaction
You will be leaving Murchison Falls N/Park for Kibale, a primate paradise hosting over 13 primate species. It is in Kibale where you will embark on chimpanzee trekking experience the following day. You will arrive early and have late afternoon lunch in a lodge in Kibale or around the park.
Day 12: Tracking chimpanzees in Kibale & visit Bigodi swamp
Enjoy a delicious cup of tea/coffee at the lodge and after, you will be transferred to Kanyanchu tourist center for briefing. Over 1500 chimpanzee are estimated to be residing within Kibale Forest National Park and treks begin at 8:00 am with the park guide. It will be a moderate trek taking 2-4 hours via the lush forest and moderate altitude. One hour of a close interaction with chimps will be allowed for you to take pictures and observing the daily behaviors of these apes. Get back and lunch will be enjoyed at leisure then afternoon visit will be done at Bigodi Wetland.
Day 13: Queen Elizabeth N/Park –for a wildlife tour
Queen Elizabeth NP is found in Western Uganda, Kasese district and connecting to the park takes about 2-3 hours. As you drive from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth N/Park, you will be viewing the spectacular Craters, banana plantations and the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. Have lunch in a lodge at Queen Elizabeth Park and proceed later to enjoy a launch cruise along the Kazinga channel. Hippos, crocodiles and aquatic birds will be spotted plus other animal species.
Day 14: Game drive along the Kasenyi plains & transfer to Bwindi
Begin your game drive before the sun rises and take the Kasenyi plains trail. This may go for 2-3 hours and using a full time 4×4 tourist car, expect to encounter a diversity of the park’s animal species. The Kasenyi plains offer excellent views of elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes, birds, lions, and more. Return and check out of the camp or lodge then transfer to Ishasha sector for tree climbing lion watching before drop off at the lodge in Bwindi.
Day 15: Gorilla trekking & cycling
Get briefed on gorilla trekking guidelines and at 8:00 am, you will be escorted through the forest to search for a gorilla family. This primate expedition isn’t predictable but it may go for 2-6 hours which include maximum of one hour of close encounter. Begin returning after taking pictures, observing how mountain gorillas behave and get back to have a relaxed stay at the lodge. In the afternoon, you may go for cycling tour around the park. Cycling tours are offered by the Ride 4 a woman and your participation is one way of supporting conservation efforts.
Day 16: Batwa cultural experience
Set off for the Batwa experience and you will be led by an experienced cultural guide in the Batwa community. You will have a deep experience about the Batwa pygmies, how they lived as hunters and gatherers, entertainment. Navigate through the forest as the guide explains to you about the Batwa way of life while in the jungle. Return to have lunch, relaxation and later, you will be transferred to Lake Bunyonyi. Enjoy the breathtaking view of this lake dotted with 29 islands.
Day 17: Boat ride & Lake Mburo
You will take a boat ride to the punishment island or other islands on Lake Bunyonyi and over 29 islands are dotted on this lake. Have lunch and leave Kabale for Kiruhura to visit Lake Mburo National Park.
Day 18: Full day wildlife tour
After enjoying a hefty breakfast, you will be picked up and set off for a game drive along the savannas of Mburo NP. The morning game drive in this park takes 2-3 hours and be guaranteed of best views of impalas, cape buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, birds, and others. In the afternoon, you will exit the lodge and go enjoy the boat cruise on Lake Mburo. This excursion comes with encounters of crocodiles, hippos, birds and more.
Day 19: Cycling & return to Kampala
Wake up early for a hot cup of tea or coffee and after, you will set off for a cycling tour. This is true immersion into the wild, watch wildlife while on your bike and later, ride back to the lodge for relaxation & early lunch. Check out and drive back to a hotel in Kampala or Entebbe.
Day 20: Departure
At leisure, enjoy your cup of tea or coffee and later, you will be picked up by the driver who will transfer you to Entebbe airport. Depart to the next destination in East Africa or straight back home.
End of safari
