The 17-day Uganda Safari excursion provides an excellent opportunity to discover the authentic African environment. Kidepo Valley National Park is the destination for this safari. Game viewing, boat rides, primates trekking, gorilla tracking, white water rafting, cultural walks, forest walks, superb bird watching, mountain hikes, photography, and other safari activities are available. This excursion begins and concludes at Uganda’s Entebbe Airport.
Highlights
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda
Day 2: Transfer to Jinja – Source of River Nile
Day 3: Jinja – Mountain Elgon National Park
Day 4: Connect to Kidepo Valley National Park
Day 5: Game drive in Kidepo Valley Park
Day 6: Connect to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 7: Spend a full day in Murchison Falls wilderness
Day 8: Murchison Falls – Albertine Rift Valley – Kibale Forest
Day 9: Primates tracking and Bird watching
Day 10: Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 11: Wildlife Exploration in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 12: Chimpanzee Trekking – Transfer to Bwindi Forest National Park
Day 13: Gorilla Tracking Bwindi – Local Community Tours
Day 14: Transfer to the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi
Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Day 16: Canoe Ride on Lake Mburo – Return to Kampala
Day 17: Transfer to Ngamba – Departure
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda
After arriving at Entebbe International Airport, meet your driver/tour guide and transport to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala, where you will rest and wait for supper and overnight.
Day 2: Transfer to Jinja – Source of River Nile
After breakfast, depart for Jinja, located on the banks of Lake Victoria and the source of the Nile. White water rafting, one of the most exciting and safest sports on the Nile, quad biking, boat ride, Bungee jumping, mountain bike cycling, and horse riding, supper and sleep at The lodge.
Day 2: Transfer to Jinja – Source of River Nile
After breakfast, depart for Jinja, located on the banks of Lake Victoria and the source of the Nile. White water rafting, one of the most exciting and safest sports on the Nile, quad biking, boat ride, Bungee jumping, mountain bike cycling, and horse riding, supper and sleep at The lodge.
Day 3: Jinja – Mountain Elgon National Park
After breakfast, proceed to Mbale via Tirinyi Road. Proceed to Mt. Elgon National Park and hike via Sipi Falls, which are characterised by stunning falls along the Sipi River as it flows down Mt. Elgon.
With a view of the Karamoja valley, the place is exceptionally scenic. Make sure you bring a packed lunch from the hotel. The adventure will take you through a typical African village’s everyday life, and you will dine and overnight at the Lodge.
Day 3: Jinja – Mountain Elgon National Park
After breakfast, proceed to Mbale via Tirinyi Road. Proceed to Mt. Elgon National Park and hike via Sipi Falls, which are characterised by stunning falls along the Sipi River as it flows down Mt. Elgon.
With a view of the Karamoja valley, the place is exceptionally scenic. Make sure you bring a packed lunch from the hotel. The adventure will take you through a typical African village’s everyday life, and you will dine and overnight at the Lodge.
Day 4: Connect to Kidepo Valley National Park
Have an early breakfast and then travel north via Kitgum to one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas, Kidepo Valley National Park. It is a long trek that takes you via Karamoja’s dirt roads. Proceed to the Lodge for dinner and overnight accommodations.
Day 4: Connect to Kidepo Valley National Park
Have an early breakfast and then travel north via Kitgum to one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas, Kidepo Valley National Park. It is a long trek that takes you via Karamoja’s dirt roads. Proceed to the Lodge for dinner and overnight accommodations.
Day 5: Game drive in Kidepo Valley Park
After a cup of tea or coffee, proceed on a photographic game drive through the National Park’s trails to catch up with early risers and predators returning to their hideouts. In the Narus valley region, expect to see carnivores such as the bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracaValley cheetah.
Other carnivores present in the area include lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and black-backed and side-striped jackals. Chandler’s Mountain reedbuck, larger and lesser kudu, klipspringer, and Guenther’s dik-dik are among the others.
Elephant, Bohor reedbuck, Rothschild’s giraffe, Defassa waterbuck, Burchell’s zebra, Cape buffalo, bush pig, warthog, eland, bushbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest, bush duiker, and Oribi are among the other huge ungulates. There are around 465 species of birds.
Day 5: Game drive in Kidepo Valley Park
After a cup of tea or coffee, proceed on a photographic game drive through the National Park’s trails to catch up with early risers and predators returning to their hideouts. In the Narus valley region, expect to see carnivores such as the bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracaValley cheetah.
Other carnivores present in the area include lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and black-backed and side-striped jackals. Chandler’s Mountain reedbuck, larger and lesser kudu, klipspringer, and Guenther’s dik-dik are among the others.
Elephant, Bohor reedbuck, Rothschild’s giraffe, Defassa waterbuck, Burchell’s zebra, Cape buffalo, bush pig, warthog, eland, bushbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest, bush duiker, and Oribi are among the other huge ungulates. There are around 465 species of birds.
Day 6: Connect to Murchison Falls National Park
Breakfast will be served in the morning, followed by a link to Murchison Falls National Park (7-8 hours drive), with arrival around midday. Murchison Falls National Park is the country’s largest park, with a high number of animals, birds, and gorgeous Savannah and woodland landscapes. Relax in the evening while you wait for supper and stay at your Safari Lodge.
Day 6: Connect to Murchison Falls National Park
Breakfast will be served in the morning, followed by a link to Murchison Falls National Park (7-8 hours drive), with arrival around midday. Murchison Falls National Park is the country’s largest park, with a high number of animals, birds, and gorgeous Savannah and woodland landscapes. Relax in the evening while you wait for supper and stay at your Safari Lodge.
Day 7: Spend a full day in Murchison Falls wilderness
After some tea or coffee, go off on an exhilarating 3-4 hour early morning game drive to explore the Savannah on the Nile’s northern bank. Herds of buffalo, elephants, lions, giraffes, waterbucks, Oribis, bushbucks, spotted hyenas, and leopards are common. Return to the resort for a late breakfast and to unwind before lunch.
In the afternoon, take a boat ride to the bottom of the falls for spectacular views of the waterfalls and numerous creatures such as hippos, massive Nile crocodiles, and buffaloes sunbathing on the shoreline. Come back for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 7: Spend a full day in Murchison Falls wilderness
After some tea or coffee, go off on an exhilarating 3-4 hour early morning game drive to explore the Savannah on the Nile’s northern bank. Herds of buffalo, elephants, lions, giraffes, waterbucks, Oribis, bushbucks, spotted hyenas, and leopards are common. Return to the resort for a late breakfast and to unwind before lunch.
In the afternoon, take a boat ride to the bottom of the falls for spectacular views of the waterfalls and numerous creatures such as hippos, massive Nile crocodiles, and buffaloes sunbathing on the shoreline. Come back for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 8: Murchison Falls – Albertine Rift Valley – Kibale Forest
After breakfast, travel for 6-8 hours past Lake Albert and the Rift Valley escarpment, passing through spectacular panoramic landscape on way to Fort Portal, the capital town of the Tooro kingdom located in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains. Back to the Lodge to unwind in the evening.
Day 8: Murchison Falls – Albertine Rift Valley – Kibale Forest
After breakfast, travel for 6-8 hours past Lake Albert and the Rift Valley escarpment, passing through spectacular panoramic landscape on way to Fort Portal, the capital town of the Tooro kingdom located in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains. Back to the Lodge to unwind in the evening.
Day 9: Primates tracking and Bird watching
Gather at the Kanyanchu Visitors Centre for a briefing on Chimpanzee monitoring. Expect to see black and white colobus, vervet and red-tailed monkeys, as well as over 350 bird species, including the uncommon shoe-bill.
After lunch, take a nature walk to the Bigodi ecotourism project, which is located close Kibale forest. Expect to visit a typical/traditional farmhouse, hear storytellers, meet the local healer, and learn about the Batoro and Bakiga’s traditional culture. Return to the lodge for supper and overnight.
Day 9: Primates tracking and Bird watching
Gather at the Kanyanchu Visitors Centre for a briefing on Chimpanzee monitoring. Expect to see black and white colobus, vervet and red-tailed monkeys, as well as over 350 bird species, including the uncommon shoe-bill.
After lunch, take a nature walk to the Bigodi ecotourism project, which is located close Kibale forest. Expect to visit a typical/traditional farmhouse, hear storytellers, meet the local healer, and learn about the Batoro and Bakiga’s traditional culture. Return to the lodge for supper and overnight.
Day 10: Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park
We’ll eat breakfast before embarking on a 2-3 hour trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with plenty of wildlife watching along the way. Expect to see early risers and predators returning to their hideouts; sit back and relax while we wait for lunch at the Lodge.
After lunch, go on a boat trip from Mweya peninsula through Kazinga canal, which is famed for having the largest concentration of hippos in Africa, as well as gigantic Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, and elephants along the coasts and 611 bird species. The boat gives an excellent photographic platform. Relax in the evening while we wait for supper and then spend the night at the Lodge.
Day 10: Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park
We’ll eat breakfast before embarking on a 2-3 hour trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with plenty of wildlife watching along the way. Expect to see early risers and predators returning to their hideouts; sit back and relax while we wait for lunch at the Lodge.
After lunch, go on a boat trip from Mweya peninsula through Kazinga canal, which is famed for having the largest concentration of hippos in Africa, as well as gigantic Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, and elephants along the coasts and 611 bird species. The boat gives an excellent photographic platform. Relax in the evening while we wait for supper and then spend the night at the Lodge.
Day 11: Wildlife Exploration in Queen Elizabeth National Park
After a cup of coffee, take a game drive over Queen Elizabeth’s routes to the north, towards Lake George and Kasenyi settlement. Expect to see African lions, spotted hyenas, elephant herds, Ugandan kobs, buffaloes, waterbucks, and the odd leopard.
In the afternoon, visit the Ishasha area, located in the southern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The wildlife drive here rewards you with tree-climbing lions, who can be spotted lying down on top of Fig trees during the hot hours of the day. Expect to see herds of buffalo, elephants, topi antelopes, and other animals. Return for supper and sleep.
Day 11: Wildlife Exploration in Queen Elizabeth National Park
After a cup of coffee, take a game drive over Queen Elizabeth’s routes to the north, towards Lake George and Kasenyi settlement. Expect to see African lions, spotted hyenas, elephant herds, Ugandan kobs, buffaloes, waterbucks, and the odd leopard.
In the afternoon, visit the Ishasha area, located in the southern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The wildlife drive here rewards you with tree-climbing lions, who can be spotted lying down on top of Fig trees during the hot hours of the day. Expect to see herds of buffalo, elephants, topi antelopes, and other animals. Return for supper and sleep.
Day 12: Chimpanzee Trekking – Transfer to Bwindi Forest National Park
Early in the morning, drive to Kyambura / Chambura gorge to monitor wild chimps. Other primates to expect include Vervet monkeys, Black and white Colobus, red-tailed monkeys, Giant forest hogs, Galagoes, and Mangabeys, as well as several bird species.
Later, visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is home to half of the world’s surviving Mountain Gorilla population. Arrive in the evening, have supper, and spend the night at your lodge.
Day 12: Chimpanzee Trekking – Transfer to Bwindi Forest National Park
Early in the morning, drive to Kyambura / Chambura gorge to monitor wild chimps. Other primates to expect include Vervet monkeys, Black and white Colobus, red-tailed monkeys, Giant forest hogs, Galagoes, and Mangabeys, as well as several bird species.
Later, visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is home to half of the world’s surviving Mountain Gorilla population. Arrive in the evening, have supper, and spend the night at your lodge.
Day 13: Gorilla Tracking Bwindi – Local Community Tours
After an early breakfast, go to park headquarters with a packed lunch for a briefing on the Dos and Don’ts of gorilla encounters. Depending on their travels, tracking might take 2-6 hours. You will spend an hour observing and photographing these great apes. In the evening, you may relax at the lodge or go on a cultural stroll to learn about the traditions of local Batwa settlements. Dinner with a night’s stay at your lodge.
Day 13: Gorilla Tracking Bwindi – Local Community Tours
After an early breakfast, go to park headquarters with a packed lunch for a briefing on the Dos and Don’ts of gorilla encounters. Depending on their travels, tracking might take 2-6 hours. You will spend an hour observing and photographing these great apes. In the evening, you may relax at the lodge or go on a cultural stroll to learn about the traditions of local Batwa settlements. Dinner with a night’s stay at your lodge.
Day 14: Transfer to the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, drive to Lake Bunyonyi, taking in the beautiful countryside along the way. Cross Lake Bunyonyi by boat for one of the most outstanding wildlife and birding experiences. The lake’s wooded green islands are home to a variety of unique bird species, which the guide can help you identify. The resort provides all meals.
Day 14: Transfer to the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, drive to Lake Bunyonyi, taking in the beautiful countryside along the way. Cross Lake Bunyonyi by boat for one of the most outstanding wildlife and birding experiences. The lake’s wooded green islands are home to a variety of unique bird species, which the guide can help you identify. The resort provides all meals.
Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, visit the Bakiga culture museum before continuing on to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest national park. Take an evening wildlife drive before sunset to spot stunning impalas, elands, topi, and other antelopes, buffaloes, and zebras. Your Lodge provides dinner and overnight accommodations.
Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, visit the Bakiga culture museum before continuing on to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest national park. Take an evening wildlife drive before sunset to spot stunning impalas, elands, topi, and other antelopes, buffaloes, and zebras. Your Lodge provides dinner and overnight accommodations.
Day 16: Canoe Ride on Lake Mburo – Return to Kampala
Take a boat cruise on Lake Mburo after breakfast for outstanding birdwatching, including the endangered shoe-bill. Hippos and massive crocodiles are among the other fauna. Later, go to Kampala, stopping at the equator for photos and arriving in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at the the Hotel in Kampala.
Day 16: Canoe Ride on Lake Mburo – Return to Kampala
Take a boat cruise on Lake Mburo after breakfast for outstanding birdwatching, including the endangered shoe-bill. Hippos and massive crocodiles are among the other fauna. Later, go to Kampala, stopping at the equator for photos and arriving in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at the the Hotel in Kampala.
Day 17: Transfer to Ngamba – Departure
Depending on your flight schedule, you may either rest at your hotel or travel to Ngamba Island (Chimpanzee Sanctuary) and then to the airport.