20 DAYS UGANDA SAFARI.
Overview.
From rafting through the turbulent waters of River Nile, trekking the mountain gorillas, cultural encounters, relaxing boat cruises, tracking the Rhinos to wildlife viewing in different savannah plains, the 20 days Uganda Safari is a classic long safari that introduces visitors to everything that the African Continent Offers.
Presenting the big five – lions, elephants, buffaloes, Rhinos and leopards as well as Defassa waterbucks, giraffes, cheetahs, Hippos, golden monkeys, mountain gorillas, Nile crocodiles, chimpanzees, Uganda Kobs, zebras, common elands, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, sitatunga, grey-cheeked mangabeys, impalas, warthogs, Topis, Oribis, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, duikers and African golden cats among others.
Starting from Kampala or Entebbe, this Ugandan safari includes the country’s top National Parks and popular tourist sites with adventurous activities such as hiking the Sipi falls, gorilla trekking, boat cruises, game drives, birding, cultural tours and many others, before ending in Kampala/Entebbe.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival into Uganda and transfer to a Hotel in Kampala.
Our Company representative will be waiting to welcome you at Entebbe International Airport and be briefed on the country and safari. Later transfer to a Hotel in Kampala to rest, have dinner and overnight.
Day 2: All day Jinja adventure.
After a sumptuous breakfast at the Hotel, hop into the safari vehicle for a transfer to Jinja, the adventure Capital of the World, about 2 hours’ ride from the Capital but involves transversing the verdant Mabira forest, large sugarcane plantations and many other interesting sites.
There are a number of adventurous activities to enjoy on River Nile, some of which are whitewater rafting on the ferocious rapids or bungee jumping (known as kissing the Nile) that all need persons who are not faint-hearted.
Have Lunch at the nearby Jinja Nile Resort and in the afternoon undertake a boat cruise to the source of the mighty Nile River with birding opportunities as well as a chance to stand on the spot where John Speke stood during his source of the Nile discovery. After this rather hectic day, retreat to the booked Lodge/Hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Scenic drive to Sipi falls
Breakfast is served early in the morning to allow you make the journey to the jaw-dropping Sipi falls, in the Eastern side of Uganda. Drive through a number of Towns with striking landscapes, lush wetlands and arrive your final destination on-time for Lunch.
Embark on the Sipi falls Hike to clearly see the beauty of the three waterfalls up-close, far Karamoja plains and stunning views of Mount Elgon. Take some photos and head to the booked Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo valley National Park.
Breakfast at the Lodge and start the journey to Kidepo Valley National Park, north-eastern corner of Uganda, bordering Kenya as well as South Sudan. Game species represent African safaris and Kidepo Valley National Park is loaded with variety of game species, some of which are not found in other National Parks in Uganda such as cheetahs, jackals, mountain reedbucks, African golden cats, Caracal, lesser and greater kudu, Guenther’s Dik-Dik and many others. On arrival at the Park, drive slowly to your place of stay while identifying the unique wildlife species.
Day 5: All day exploring the beauty of Kidepo Valley National Park.
The whole day will be to explore the hidden and untouched beauty of Kidepo Valley National Park through a morning game drive, after breakfast. The rugged landscape and rolling savannah plains of this Park supports large herds of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, Defassa waterbucks, lesser and greater kudu, warthogs, Bohor reedbucks, bushbucks, Uganda Kobs and elands among others, that can be explored during the game drive. The driver will explore the wildlife hot spots of the Park such as Narus Valley, the Oasis of the park and where the Somalia Ostriches can be spotted.
Lunch will be at the Lodge and in the evening visit the Karamojong community, another culture boiling pot. These people are deeming of riveting culture and for your visit, your mind will be blown by their unique architectural design (Manyatta), art and crafts and energetic cultural dance performances. Retreat to your Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s oldest national park.
In the morning, breakfast and connect to Murchison falls National Park through the awe-inspiring landscapes of Northern Uganda via Kitgum and Gulu Towns, with enroute lunch. Arrive Murchison falls National Park in the evening for relaxation, sumptuous dinner and overnight stay at the booked Lodge.
Day 7: Explore Murchison falls National Park through game drive and boat cruise
Have breakfast and set out for the game drive through the northern sector of Murchison falls National Park with well-maintained game tracks dotted with stunning wildlife species that include buffaloes, elephants, Jackson’s hartebeests, Oribis, Topis, Uganda Kobs, lions, spotted hyenas, giraffes, warthogs, leopards and many others. Retreat to the Lodge for Lunch after 3-4 hours of driving through different areas of the Park.
At 2pm you will begin the boat cruise through the pristine waters of Nile River, stopping at the bottom of the Murchison falls. While on the cruise, look out for the different wildlife species with must-see ones being Hippos and Nile crocodiles, not forgetting the ones that just visit the banks to drink water such as elephants, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes and bushbucks. Plethora of bird species such as shoebill stork, pelicans, herons and kingfishers are also common during the boat cruise. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Hike to the top of the Murchison falls and transfer to Hoima Town
Have breakfast and drive to the starting point of the hike to the top of the falls, lasting 45-60 minutes. While at the top, you will watch how large volume of water pushes through the 7-meter gorge and falls 40 meters down at the Devil’s Cauldron, creating a rainbow symbol at the top of the falls. This is a sight to behold.
Have an early Lunch and leave Murchison Falls National Park for Hoima town, spending overnight at a preferred hotel.
Day 9: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, the primate Capital of the World.
Breakfast is at the Hotel in Hoima Town, then continue with your journey to Kibale Forest National Park. Lunch will be at the Lodge on arrival at the Primate Capital of the World as it is known.
This park alone is home to over 13 species of primates including chimpanzees, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and many others. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the same Lodge.
Day 10: Chimpanzee trekking and guided walk through the pristine Bigodi wetland Sanctuary.
After breakfast, assemble at Kanyanchu Visitor Center for the chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest National Park. Before the trek, you will first be briefed on the rules and regulations of trekking mankind’s closest relatives and eventually start the actual trek by 8am, lasting 1-3 hours before the allocated chimpanzee community is finally found.
It is undeniable that chimpanzees are the main focus for this trek but don’t turn a blind eye to other mammals-elephants, buffaloes, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons and many others in addition to the bird species. One hour is the time you will be given to watch the chimpanzees on finding them and return to the Lodge for Lunch and wait for the nest activity.
The guided walk through Bigodi wetland is the activity to keep your afternoon busy. This wetland Sanctuary was set up as a local ecotourism project and gains momentum each year with local community members directly benefiting from tourism. Proceeds from the guided walks have improved water and sanitation in the area, elevated health care services and improved education.
The wetland most importantly is a haven to sitatunga, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons and blue monkeys in addition to sheltering over 200 species of birds including the great blue Turaco, papyrus gonolek and hornbills among others. After this thrilling and informative tour, retire to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11: Crater Lakes tour and Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru visit.
On this day you will be served breakfast at the Lodge, then be driven to the Amabere Caves and waterfalls area, a cultural and historical area believed to be the birthplace of the founding King of Bachwezi. Discover the riveting legend surrounding these stalactites and stalagmites alongside the three Crater Lakes – Kigere, Nyabikere and Saaka. The 3-5 hours’ tour will end by lunch time when you will be driven to Fort Portal for a mouth-watering hot meal.
After lunch, visit the Toro Royal Palace, nestled on Kabarole Hill to discover the rich history of the Kingdom with the youngest King who descended on the throne in 1995 at the age of three. Drive back to the Lodge in Kibale Forest National Park for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, second largest Park in Uganda.
Be served breakfast and check-out of the Lodge in Kibale Forest National Park for the road trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arrive in the afternoon for a hot meal within the savannah National Park, considered the second largest in Uganda.
Dinner and overnight stay is at one of the lodges/tented camps within the vast savannah grasslands.
Day 13: Wildlife Viewing and afternoon launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
Enjoy breakfast at the Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park then head out for the morning game drive to explore this Park’s savannah plains dotted with variety of wildlife species such as lions, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, elephants, hippos, spotted hyenas, warthogs, Topis, leopards, bushbucks and jackals among other interesting wildlife species.
Settle for lunch at the Lodge and at 2pm assemble at the Mweya Jetty, below Mweya Safari Lodge for the start of the 2 hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel connecting lakes Edward and George. While on this boat cruise, you will see Hippos that are well-adapted to living in both water and land yawning as well as Nile crocodiles along the banks of the Channel.
With your binoculars see different bird species in the sky, on the shores and the nearby wetlands. Relaxation, overnight stay and dinner at the Lodge in Northern Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 14: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for the ultimate gorilla trekking experience.
Embark on a drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for the lions that climb and relax on fig tree branches. Have Lunch en-route and arrive the 321-square kilometer Bwindi in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 15: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-western Uganda is haven to the endangered mountain gorillas, considered close relatives to humans. The highlight of this 20 days Uganda Safari is walking through the forest in a group of 8 persons in the company of an armed ranger to find and spend one hour with one of the allocated gorilla families in one of the four sectors.
The forest is also filled by plethora of bird species, other primates (such as chimpanzees and black and white colobus monkeys), butterflies, reptiles and outstanding tree species in addition to duikers, elephants, giant forest hogs, sitatunga, bush pigs and bushbucks. After this humbling trek, return to the Lodge for lunch and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Check-in at a Lodge for a sumptuous meal and overnight.
Day 16: Golden monkey tracking and Batwa Cultural experience.
Golden monkey tracking is one of the interesting activities you will enjoy within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and starts with breakfast at the Lodge. Trekking starts at 8am after briefing and involves walking for 1-3 hours through valleys, crossing rivers and maneuvering different vegetation types. Find them swinging, playing, resting and feeding within the Bamboo forest on the slopes of Mount. Gahinga. After the one hour with the golden monkeys, be transferred to the Lodge for lunch.
The Batwa Cultural Experience is another enthralling activity you should look forward to during Uganda safaris. After spending quality time in the presence of former forest dwellers and exploring their riveting culture and traditions, head back to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 17: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.
Have Breakfast and connect to Lake Bunyonyi through the rolling hills of Kigezi. On arrival, check-in at a Lodge and participate in activities such as guided walks along the shores of the Lake, canoeing to the different Islands and swimming. Dinner and overnight stay at the booked Lodge.
Day 18: Drive to the spectacular Lake Mburo National Park.
Breakfast and followed by 4-5 hours’ journey to Lake Mburo National Park, through the fascinating landscapes (characterized by rolling hills). Break the journey at Igongo cultural center for lunch and cultural tour. Continue to the Park for a game drive that will allow you to see the untouched beauty of Uganda’s smallest Savannah National Park.
Expect to see zebras, giraffes, impalas, Cape buffaloes, vervet monkeys, Topis, Defassa waterbucks, warthogs, common elands and olive baboons among others. Drive straight to the lodge for unwinding, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 19: Walking safaris and boat cruise.
Early morning undertake a guided walk through some of the wildlife-rich areas of the Park here hidden habitats, foot prints and unique flora species are identified. Guided walks around the salt licks are usually the most rewarding with numerous wildlife and bird species.
Get back to the Lodge for a hot meal and in the afternoon undertake a boat ride on Lake Mburo. Dinner and overnight stay at the stunning Lake Mburo National Park.
Day 20: Departure.
Have breakfast and leave for Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for departure flight.
End of your 20 days Uganda Safari.

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