Safari Overview
The 15-day Uganda safari marks the start of the journey to experience the most captivating adventures including gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking. The long Uganda safari also covers guided game drives, rhino tracking, and cultural experiences. The epic two-week plus itinerary ushers you to the leading tourist sites/destinations such as Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Source of the Nile (Jinja), National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Lake Bunyonyi.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & transfer up to your hotel
Today, expect to meet our professional driver guide at the Entebbe International Airport (EBB) where you will be warmly welcomed to Uganda. From Entebbe Airport, you will be transferred to the pre-booked accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala city. Make the best of your evening to chill at the hotel facility.
Day 2: Entebbe/Kampala –Ziwa then to Murchison Falls Game Park
Pick up at your hotel early morning and head off to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Ziwa will be accessed on Kampala-Gulu highway but you will branch off at Nakasongola. At Ziwa, your main area of interest will be to track rhinos and explore more about their distinct behaviors.
Leave Ziwa after a thrilling rhino trek and you will proceed to Masindi to enjoy lunch. After lunch, depart from Masindi town for Murchison Falls Park and you will be accessing the park via Kichumbanyobo gate. Once you have been cleared at the park gate, proceed to the top of the falls before you connect to your lodge. Keep your speed within the park driving limits which also allows you to enjoy the sights of some freely roaming species in the park.
Day 3: Experience the best game drive and launch or boat cruise
Begin your morning with a heavy breakfast and after, board a 4×4 safari car with an experienced driver guide present to take you. Head towards the enriching game tracks in the park and expect to enjoy sights of wildlife including lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, Jackson’s hartebeest, Rothschild giraffes, African bush elephants, oribis, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, and more.
The memorable game drive through the Northern banks of Murchison Falls Park takes between 2 and 3 hours. Later, you will settle for a delicious lunch in the comfort of your lodge. In the afternoon, exit your camp/lodge for a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile River as you connect up to the base of the powerful and scenic Murchison Waterfalls. Your boat is designed with provision for you to enjoy sights of aquatic life such as hippos, crocodiles, and water birds.
Day 4: Pick up and drive to Kibale
Following a leisurely breakfast, check out and head to Kibale National Park driving via Hoima City. En route, expect a remarkable treat to the countryside’s breathtaking landscapes and beautiful homesteads. Arrive at Fort Portal Tourism City where a brief stopover will be made for you to get some lunch and later proceed to Kibale Forest National Park.
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking with Kibale park guide & nature walk
Early morning, report to Kanyanchu Visitor Center to clear with the desk officers in Kibale Forest Park. After clearing, proceed to the briefing area to get briefed about guidelines to be observed when on a chimp trek. The normal trek with chimps takes 2-4 hours which includes an hour of up close and personal encounter. Expect to encounter more other primates and birds.
A maximum of 1 hour will be availed for you to explore more about Kibale chimpanzees and take pictures in their habitat. After, you will be expected to return to have lunch before you continue to Bigodi Wetland for a guided nature walk. The addition of the Bigodi wetland walk allows you to search for more primates and interesting bird species.
Day 6: Continue to Queen Elizabeth Park via Kasese, enjoy a boat cruise
Leave Kibale area for Queen Elizabeth National Park in a 4×4 tourist vehicle. En route to the park, there will be an opportunity to stretch your legs and take pictures at the Kikorongo Equator crossing. From Kikorongo, drive at minimal speed to your safari lodge to chill and get lunch. Later in the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel where you will be spotting hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic bird species.
Day 7: Morning game drive via Kasenyi Plains & depart for Ishasha
Embark on a fun-filling game drive through the Kasenyi plain where you will spend about 2-3 hours exploring different wildlife. Along the Kasenyi, expect to keep eyes on small and large mammals such as lions, elephants, cape buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, hyenas, warthogs, and multiple bird species including Kori bustards.
Drive back from Kasenyi to your lodge. From the lodge, proceed to Ishasha for a late afternoon game drive session. At Ishasha, expect to encounter tree-climbing lions and other mammals plus bird species.
Day 8: Ishasha- Bwindi
Enjoy a delicious cup of tea/coffee at leisure and later, set off from Ishasha to Bwindi. Your road trip will take about 2 hours and comes with breathtaking views of the Kigezi highlands and surrounding areas. Arrive early and you will be served lunch to enjoy. The rest of the day will be strictly for relaxation at the lodge.
Day 9: Gorilla trekking session & Batwa visit
Leave your gorilla lodge for you to settle at the park offices where briefing will be done. The park official will be present to provide you insight into the essential guidelines to be respected when tracking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Expect to also get a gorilla group to visit in your group of 8pax and at around 8:00 am, you will embark on the actual trekking adventure to see mountain gorillas.
A maximum of one hour will be availed for you to enjoy a close encounter with gorillas and take pictures. After, expect to walk back and to the park offices, certificates will be provided then you connect to the lodge. Leave your accommodation once again and this time round, you will be visiting the Batwa pygmies to learn more about their unique traditions and cultures.
Day 10: Leave Bwindi for Lake Bunyonyi
Continue from Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi –home to 29 islands. Lake Bunyonyi is a perfect place to enjoy swimming and canoe rides. Today, you will embrace the natural charm of Lake Bunyonyi as you navigate through it on a canoe ride heading to one of its islands.
Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park -6 hours
Leave from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo Game Park to explore more wildlife. The 6-hour road trip takes you to the beautiful countryside. Arrive early to check in at your lodge and also enjoy a delicious lunch and relaxation.
Day 12: Enjoy the Lake Mburo game drive
After breakfast, you will proceed with a game drive to see zebras, giraffes, elands, topis, oribis, impalas, buffaloes, leopards, and others. End the day with an exciting boat cruise on Lake Mburo where you will be spotting most of the hippos, crocodiles, and water birds.
Day 13: Return to Kampala via Masaka
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and after, check out of the safari lodge. Depart from Lake Mburo Park for Kampala driving via the Masaka route and en route, expect to make a stopover at the Equator crossing.
Day 14: Head to Jinja for whitewater rafting
Depart from Kampala for Jinja where you will be part of the adrenaline adventures like whitewater rafting. In the evening, you will spend most of your time relaxing. Note, that a visit to Jinja also presents you with other exciting experiences like bungee jumping, quad biking, kayaking, and horseback tours.
Day 15: Departure from Jinja for Kampala or Entebbe
Have a hefty breakfast at the lodge or hotel in Jinja and after, expect to start your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe city. Today concludes the rewarding 15 day safari in Uganda.
End of safari