16 DAYS UGANDA SAFARI WITH RWENZORI HIKING ADVENTURE.
Overview.
The 16 days Uganda Safari with Rwenzori Hiking Adventure is one of the long Uganda safari packages that make it exciting to enjoy the beauty of Uganda, dubbed the Pearl of Africa. This extensive safari starts from Entebbe International Airport, leads to astonishing safari destinations such as Jinja-the adventure Capital of East Africa for adrenaline activities and visit to the source of the Nile, Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking adventure, Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Park for game drives and boat cruises through the Nile River, Rwenzori Mountains for the action-packed hikes, Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation, Mgahinga Gorilla Park for mountain hiking and Semliki National Park to see the blazing hot springs of Sempaya. This is one of the safari packages that offer best value for money, going beyond your expectation.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival into Uganda and drive to the Lodge/Hotel within Kampala
Arrive into the Pearl of Africa through Entebbe International Airport, the main gateway into the country and be welcomed by your safari driver/guide. Briefing on the country with its stunning attractions and the safari before connecting to the Hotel/Lodge in Kampala for meals, relaxation and dinner.
Day 2: Adventure tours in Jinja City and return to Kampala
Breakfast served early at the Hotel/Lodge in Kampala to allow you connect to Jinja, the adventure Capital of East Africa situated at approximately 80 kilometers/2 hours’ drive from the Capital City. Traverse the lush and cool Mabira Forest as well as vast sugarcane plantations, while being treated to beautiful views of the countryside and eventually arriving Jinja where you will straight away undertake the rapturous whitewater rafting adventure.
This half day adventure leads you to your delicious meal and afternoon boat cruise to the source of the Nile, exposing you to sights and sounds of irresistible bird species. The highlight of this boat cruise is stepping on the spot John Speke also stood when discovering the source of the Mighty Nile River and retreat to Kampala for dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Day 3: Connect to Kibale Forest National Park, western Uganda.
On this day you will be treated to a delicious breakfast and start your drive to Kibale Forest National Park. Breakfast and begin the adventurous journey that involves cycling through the lush Mpanga Tea Plantation, visit to Nakayima Ancestral Tree, hike the Fort Portal Crater Field and tour of the Amabere ga Nyinamwiru Caves. Settle for Lunch in Fort Portal Town and arrive the Park in the evening to unwind, dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Undertake chimpanzee trekking within the jungles of Kibale Forest National Park and afternoon walk through Bigodi wetland Sanctuary
Assemble at Kanyanchu Visitor Center to catch-up with the pre-tracking briefing and chimpanzee trek that begins by 8am. Briefing usually details the dos and don’ts of the trek as well as encounter with the great apes, and while trekking, you will come across the different primate species, birds, butterflies, snakes and frogs. Finally encounter the chimpanzees resting, swinging on tree branches, making pant hoots, playing, foraging, grooming and copulating. The one hour you will spend in their presence is probably the best one hour of your life.
Retreat from the forest to the Lodge for mouthwatering lunch and in the afternoon transfer to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for the guided walk to introduce you to the primate species (such as black and white colobus monkeys), Sitatunga and wetland-dwelling bird species. Drive back to the Lodge to freshen-up, relax, dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Transfer to Semliki National Park.
Transfer to Semliki National Park after breakfast at the Lodge. Drive through Fort Portal Town, one of the clean and serene Cities of Uganda, Budibugyo and finally Semliki National Park. Have Lunch on arrival and undertake a nature walk to the famous Sempaya hot springs (female-Nyansimbi and male-Bitente).
This Hot spring walk not only exposes you to the views of the natural spring but also primate species especially red-tailed monkeys as well as the black and white colobus monkeys, flora of Semliki forest and the adjacent Congo forest Biome. End the day with a visit to the Batwa people and connect to the foothills of Rwenzori Mountains for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 6 and 7: Participate in the two-day Rwenzori Mountains Hike
In the morning, with your packed Lunch connect to Nyakalengija post for the 2-day Rwenzori Mountains Hike, exploring the snow-caped peaks of the Legendry Mountain of the Moon and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even with the closeness of the Mountain range to the Equator, it still features snow on its peaks, making it worthwhile to explore during a Uganda safari. Hike while encountering varying vegetation types across different altitudes, the far-away landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lakes George and Edward as well as Kasese Town among others.
Enjoy your picnic Lunch, dinner and overnight stay will be on the Mountain. The next day continue ascending, enjoy breathtaking views and descend to the starting point to connect to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park and boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
Connect to Queen Elizabeth National Park after breakfast and on arrival, have Lunch and straight away be driven to the Mweya jetty for the start of the boat cruise. While connecting to the shores of the Kazinga Channel (where the boat cruise is conducted for this park), you will come across several wildlife species that include Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, Defassa waterbucks, elephants, Topis, warthogs, common elands and bushbucks among others.
While on the 2 hours’ boat cruise, more animals will be encountered, water/wetland-dwelling bird species such as yellow-billed storks, Dusky Crimsonwing, shoebill storks, cormorants, African fish eagles, pelicans, African pitta, African skimmer, grey-crowned cranes, giant kingfishers, pied kingfishers and many others. Connect to the booked Safari Lodge/Camp for delicious meal, relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 9: Game drive and Transfer Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Breakfast and embark on the game drive along the Park’s wildlife-rich areas such as Kasenyi area where nocturnal animals such as leopards and lions can be seen stealthily trying to capture unsuspicious Uganda Kobs, bushbucks or warthogs.
Other specialties of this area are elephants, olive baboons, buffaloes, Banded mongoose, giant forest hogs, spotted hyenas, Hippos, warthogs and Topis among others. Lunch will be at the Lodge and later leave for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park arriving in the evening.
Day 10: Mountain gorilla trekking and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Your mountain gorilla trekking day starts with breakfast at the Lodge and briefing at the Park Headquarters. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park shelters over 500 of the global mountain gorilla population with over 40 gorilla families, of which 20 were habituated for trekking by visitors.
Therefore you can be one of the few lucky people to trek the gorillas here, with briefing ending by 8 am when the trek through the forest finally begins. After 1-4 hours of trek, you will have one hour to study their humbling behavior. Get back to the Lodge for Lunch, followed by check-out for a drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Day 11: All day Volcano hiking
Gather at the Ntebeko Visitor Center for briefing from UWA Park officials, on what to expect during the strenuous challenge you are about to undertake. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to three of the Virunga Volcanoes (Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura) and for this trek, you will hike one of these but expect views of distant Rwenzori Mountains peaks, Bwindi forest and sometimes primates-especially golden monkeys as well as the mountain gorillas on a lucky day. Picnic Lunch on the peak of the hiked Volcano and return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Batwa Cultural Trail and connect to Lake Bunyonyi
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the former home to the Batwa pygmies, who upon its gazetting into a Park were evicted and had to live along its boarders/margins. The Batwa Trail was therefore established to allow tourists explore their interesting culture and heritage.
Assemble at Ntebeko Visitor Center for briefing and in the company of Batwa guides start the walk through the forest to explore the edible leaves/roots, medicinal plants, honey harvesting process, learn how Bamboo Cups are made and their ancient hunting techniques among others. End the walk with the visit to Garama Cave where local women will entertain you in sorrowful songs and return to the Lodge for Lunch, then transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for dinner and overnight.
Day 13: Boat/Canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi to the different Islands
Breakfast and undertake a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi to explore the main Islands of the Lake such as the Punishment (Akampene) Island where girls who conceived outside wedlock were left to die as well as Bucuranuka (upside down) Island where locals that resisted offering local brew to an old woman were buried alive when she cursed the Island, making it to turn upside down.
Also encounter the unique bird species and also enjoy Lunch from one of the Islands. In the evening return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 14: Connect to Lake Mburo National Park and undertake a boat Ride
Breakfast at your respective Lodge/Hotel on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, 4-5 hours’ drive away. Transverse the magnificent landscapes of south-western Uganda and make a stop at Igongo Cultural Center for Lunch and thrilling cultural discovery.
Arrive the Park through Sanga gate, where your game drive will start (with views of zebras, impalas, Topis, warthogs and Defassa waterbucks among others) and connect to Lake Mburo for the Boat ride. After exploring the beauty of the Lake, retreat to the booked (within or outside the Park) for dinner and overnight.
Day 15: Morning game drive and return to Kampala City
Wake up early for breakfast and hop on the safari vehicle, for a drive through the Park’s game tracks for an introduction to the rich wildlife diversity of the whispers of this wilderness. Expect to see spotted hyenas, leopards, buffaloes, Bohor reedbucks, Rothschild giraffes, Oribis, warthogs, Topis, Defassa waterbucks, duikers, bushbucks, common elands, zebras and Klipspringers among others.
Also, some bird species such as Blue-breasted kingfishers, Brown-chested lapwing and many others will be seen. Retreat back to the Lodge for a cold shower, hot meal and check-out for drive back to Kampala City.
Day 16: Kampala City tour and Departure
Start the day with breakfast at the Hotel in Kampala and later explore the City’s Religious, historical, cultural and political tourist sites that include Uganda’s Martyrs Shrine Namugongo, Kasubi Royal Tombs, Uganda National Museum, Bahai Temple and later Lunch in one of the best City restaurants. Connect to Entebbe International Airport for flight back home.

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