Safari overview:
This 18 days Best of Uganda wildlife and Gorilla safari is the best Uganda safari any adventurous traveler would yearn for. On this safari, you get to explore the entire country with maximum opportunities of spotting much more than the Big Five including Abseiling at the stunning Sipi falls and white water rafting on the Nile River and then to top it all, there is nothing that beats mountain gorilla tracking in the thick mist forests of Bwindi impenetrable forests.
Safari highlights:
- White water rafting and source of the Nile visit in Jinja
- Hiking and Abseiling Sipi falls-Kapchorwa
- Game Drives and Cultural tours in Kidepo National park
- Game drives, boat rides and hikes at Murchison falls national park
- Chimp tracking and birding in Kibale National park
- Game drives and hot springs at semliki national park
- Game drives and afternoon launch cruise at kazinga channel
- Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park
- Canoeing and hiking at Lake Bunyonyi
- Horseback riding in lake Mburo National park
Detailed Itinerary:
DAY 1: Arrival at the Entebbe international airport
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our driver from Kofi Travel Safaris, who will transfer you to a hotel reserved for you in Kampala. Have dinner/lunch depending on your arrival time in the country, our guide and representative will meet you take you through and brief you about the 18 days best of Uganda wildlife and incredible Gorilla Safari and also answer any questions you may have to get you set for the safari.
Accommodation options:
Luxury Hotel: Sheraton Hotel/Munyonyo Speke/ Resort Serena Hotel
Moderate: Protea Hotel/Cassia Hotel/Golf Course Hotel
Budget facility: Namirembe Guest house/Forest Cottages/Karibu Hotel/
Meal Plan arrangement: Full Board Basis
DAY 2: Transfer to Jinja town – white water Rafting and Boat Ride vsist to the source of the Nile
Drive straight to the rafting assembling point at the Nile River, for a briefing by the rafting experts who will be with you on board. You will get into the tube on water and try out the safety drills taught in the briefing, then proceed to the simple rapids first as you continue, the rapids gradually increase making the adventure more thrilling. You can always choose if you want a crazy ride or just a calm adventure without flipping into the water, either way is super fun! Lunch on board. Later drive to where we’ll have a relaxing sunset boat ride to the source of the Nile with a cold beer in hand. Check in to the hotel reserved, Dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Crested Crane Hotel/2 friends hotel
Mid-range: Jinja Nile Resort/Nile Village Hotel/Hotel Paradise on the Nile/The haven/Kingfisher
Budget: 2 Friends Guesthouse and Restaurant/Source of the Smile Hotel/Pearl on the Nile Hotel
Meal Plan: Full board basis
DAY 3: Drive to Sipi falls-kapchorwa – Hiking and Abseiling the falls
After an Early morning breakfast, set off for Sipi Falls on Mt Elgon bordering Kenya in the Eastern part of Uganda. This will be a 4 hour journey from Jinja through the towns of Iganga and Mbale arriving mid-morning. Start the hike to see the beautifully stunning Sipi falls that cascade over a 100 meter cliff. You will follow the challenging trail to two other waterfalls passing through maize fields, coffee gardens, banana plantations and typical African homesteads on your way and enjoy the breathtaking views over the laid out valley. Enjoy experiencing a real thrill of watching the waterfalls from a very close distance abseiling down the mountain to the bottom of the famous Sipi Falls. At the end of the day you will experience a magnificent sunset and the stunning scenery at the lodge on a cup of coffee or beer.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Sipi River Lodge/Rafiki lodge
Mid-range: Lacam Lodge/Sipi Falls Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
DAY 4: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National park
Wake up to an early morning breakfast and get ready for an all day long drive to Kidepo Valley National Park traversing through towns Mbale, Soroti ,Moroto, kotido, kaabong and finally to kidepo arriving late in the evening, check in to the lodge reserved, freshen up dinner and an overnight.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Nga’moru Wilderness Camp
Budget: Apoka Hostel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 5: African Sunrise Game Drive and a Cultural walk in the Park.
Enjoy breakfast as you admire the true wilderness and an out of the world experience! Head out for a rewarding sunrise game drive in the park through the open savannah, rocky outcrops, and rings of mountains to catch up with the early predators that will be returning to their habitats after a night hunt. In Kidepo you will find zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards etc. Drive extensively up to the kanangorok hot springs and brace yourself for even more opportunities of catching sight of more wildlife like lions sitting on the rocks as they scan for their next prey. This is where you can find the cheetahs and ostriches in the wild. You’ll return to the lodge have a rest and later head out for an afternoon game drive to the Narrus valley and an evening cultural walk in the park. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Nga’moru Wilderness Camp
Budget: Apoka Hostel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 6: Transfer to Murchison falls National Park
Set off for an all day journey to Murchison Falls National Park driving through towns’ kitgum, Gulu arriving late in the evening, Dinner and overnight at a reserved lodge.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/ Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/Bwana Tembo Safari Camp
Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge/red chili rest camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7: A thrilling Game Drive of a kind, Boat Cruise and a Hike to the Top of the falls
Set off at 6.30am with packed breakfast for a thrilling sunrise game drive of one of a kind, to catch up with the early risers, Cape buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda kob, hartebeest and waterbucks. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, shy sitatunga, bush duiker, warthog and bush pig plus large carnivores including lions, leopards and spotted hyenas. Chimpanzees and olive baboons head the list of six species of primates found in the park. Crocodiles and hippos will be seen along the banks of the Nile. Some of the most common birds that can be seen include goliath heron, Egyptian geese, pelican, bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbill, cormorant, saddle-bill stork and the rare shoe bill stork.
Return to your lodge in time for early lunch and some relaxation before you set off for the afternoon boat cruise on the placid Victoria Nile, upstream, to the base of the falls. En route you will see hippos, crocodiles, water buck and a wide variety of birds like the unusual shoebill stork. The boat stops just tens of meters from the “Devil’s Cauldron” for pictures to be taken of the photogenic and majestic Murchison Falls.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/ Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge/Red chili rest camp
DAY 8: Early morning game drive – Transfer to fort portal
Morning breakfast, checkout and head out for another morning game drive which rewards you a chance to spot a number of wildlife you may have missed to see the previous game drive, then drive along lake Albert to the escarpment area for a great view of the great rift valley, continue to Hoima town for a lunch break, proceed through mabale, kagadi towns with great views of the local community, with loca;l grass thatched houses right to kenjjojo town and then to fortportal town through beautiful tea plantations and sceneries. Arriving in the evening, checkin dinner and an overnight
Accommodation options
Luxury: Primate Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge/Kyaninga lodge
Moderate: Isunga Lodge/Kibale Forest Cottages/Primate Lodge
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Guest House
Meal plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
DAY 9: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi wetland nature Walk and Birding
After breakfast, head to the headquarters for a short briefing before penetrating the thick forests in search of the chimps and other primates harbored by this forest. This exercise takes half a day and along the way you will see other primates such as Grey cheeked Mangabeys, Phoestes, Red-Colobus and the Blue tailed and the Red-tailed monkeys swinging in the brunches of this thick forest.
The park tour guide will give you informative briefings on the lifestyles of the primates you will be coming across and on the plants as well as on the insects and butterflies in this forest to ensure that the trek is not only enjoyable but informative as well.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Primate Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge/Kyaninga lodge
Moderate: Isunga Lodge/Kibale Forest Cottages/Primate Lodge
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Guest House
Meal plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
DAY 10: Transfer to Semliki National park
Wake up to an early morning breakfast and drive to semliki national park which will take us about 3hours from kibale national park. On arrival, we settle our fees and then proceed for a game drive and also check out the sempaya hot springs here. Check in to the lodge, relax have dinner and an overnight.
Accommodation options:
Mountains of the moon hotel
DAY 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park
With morning breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth national park with great views of the Rwenzori Mountains, drive through kasese town to katara lodge for lunch. Get ready for an amazing launch boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel with chances of many bird species, Hippos, Elephants, Crocodiles and plenty of bird life to see. The boat cruise brings you up close to the wildlife in water which is an amazing feeling seeing these animals so close for photography and beautiful memories. Back to the car, drive to the reserved lodge dinner and an overnight.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Katara Lodge/Marafiki lodge
Mid-range: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge/Ihamba Safari Lodge
Budget: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge/Mweya Hostel
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
DAY 12: Game Drive and an afternoon Boat Launch
Wake up for an early exciting morning game drive in the park where you will be able to see Elephants, Topis, Leopards, Bush bucks, Cape Buffaloes, Defassa Waterbucks, Giant Forest Hogs, Uganda Kobs, among others. Head back to the lodge for lunch as you wait for another opportunity to view plenty of wildlife on water on a boat cruise at the Kazinga Channel. Later drive to the lodge for relaxation, as you view the flat plains of the park with chances of seeing Elephants In the acacia trees plants, Dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Katara Lodge/Marafiki lodge
Mid-range: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge/Ihamba Safari Lodge
Budget: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge/Mweya Hostel
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
DAY 13: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park
Check out with breakfast and drive through the Ishasha plains with chances of seeing the tree climbing lions on the way, with lunch en route arriving in the evening Dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Silverback Lodge
Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp/ Mutanda Lake Resort/Engagi Lodge
Budget: Gorilla Friends Lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp/Buhoma Community Rest Camp.
Meal Plan arrangement: Full Board Basis
DAY 14: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa cultural experience
On an early morning breakfast you will drive to the park headquarters with packed lunch, where you will be briefed by the park ranger guides before you begin the giant Gorilla search in the thick mist Bwindi forest. The thrill of spending time and observing these gentle giants for is a rare, moving, awesome and exciting adventure that will leave you with long lasting memories of a truly unique experience in Uganda. Return to your lodge, freshen up, relax for the evening or head out for a cultural walk to interact with the local people (Batwa community) participate in captivating traditional performances presented by Women’s groups.
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Silverback Lodge
Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp/ Mutanda Lake Resort/Engagi Lodge
Budget: Gorilla Friends Lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis
DAY 15: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Wake up to a beautiful morning with breakfast, check out and drive through open hilly areas overlooking kabale town and through beautiful plantations all the way to Lake Bunyonyi which is said to be the second deepest lake in Africa and one of the most beautiful places in western Uganda. It is also one of the few places in the country where it is considered safe to swim as it is bilharzia free. Check in on arrival, Dinner and overnight will be at one of the many lodges near the lake.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Bird Nest Resort/Bunyonyi safari resort
Midrange: Arcadia Lodge Lake Bunyonyi/ Lake Bunyonyi eco resort
Budget: Bunyonyi Overland Resort/Crater Bay Cottages and Camp
DAY 16: Lake Bunyonyi Excursion
On this beautiful morning you can choose to either have a canoe-ride on the lake or a walk through the surrounding hills. Visit some of the 29 islands of Lake Bunyonyi, especially the punishment island and hear a story behind its name. The landscape around the lake is made up of steep hills covered with lush green vegetation protruding from the water’s edge. Bunyonyi means “place of little birds” and as the name suggests, there is plenty of birdlife around the lake. You can choose to go for a canoe ride to see water animals and birds, go for swimming, or hike to the viewpoint in the hills to admire the volcano mountain ranges at the border with Rwanda.
DAY 17: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Checkout with breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo national park, check into the park driving through the game trails with chances of spotting zebras, elands, topis, water bucks and many more. Head to the lodge, check-in, and later have an evening boat ride on Lake Mburo with chances of spotting Hippos and crocodiles on water. Dinner and an overnight.
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Moderate: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
Budget: Eagles Nest Camp
Meal Plan arrangement: Full Board basis
DAY 18: Horseback ride and Depart for Kampala
Wake up and check out with breakfast, and head out for 3 hours of horse riding activity across the African savannah with rolling hills, valleys and various lakes around the park. This ride gets you close to the wildlife species in the park-like the Impala, topi, zebras, buffaloes, warthogs, bushbucks, waterbucks and others head back to the car and drive back to Kampala/Entebbe depending on your flight schedule.
End of safari
The Safari package includes:
- Full board accommodation as per the itinerary
- 4WD safari vehicle
- Insurance
- Bottled drinking water
- Permits for trekking Gorillas and Chimpanzees
- Game drives
- Boat trips
- Services of an English Speaking Driver/guide.
- Community visit fees
- Guided nature walks
- Transfers from and to the airport
- And all other activities mentioned in the itinerary
