15 Days Best of Uganda Safari

On this 15 Day Uganda Safari, get a chance to Experience Uganda’s rich wildlife abundance, beautiful scenery, and remarkable cultural experiences. The key highlights if the safari will be mountain gorilla trekking plus chimpanzee tracking however, there will be great opportunities of spotting other savanna animals including Africa’s Big Five in addition to hyenas, different antelopes, giraffes, hippos, and several bird species. See the thunderous Murchison Falls, the crater lakes region and meet the hospitable local people living in the ‘Pearl of Africa’ – Uganda!

Activities: Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Game drives, Boat cruise, Chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi Swamp Nature walk, explore the Crater Lakes, see the Ishasha tree Climbing Lions, Boat ride

Day 1: Arrival to Uganda

On Arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, you will be received by the safari driver-guide who will transfer you to hotel in Kampala as well as brief you about this 15 Day Safari in Uganda. You will enjoy views of Lake Victoria the largest freshwater lake in Africa and second largest in the world en-route.

Meal plan: Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Kampala Serena
Mid-range: Cassia lodge
Budget: Apricot Guesthouse

Day 2: Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

After an early breakfast the safari driver-guide will pick you from your hotel and begin the journey to Murchison Falls National Park found in northwestern Uganda. The journey will take you across the beautiful countryside to the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary where you will have a stopover to track Rhinos on foot. From here proceed to Masindi town where you will have lunch before finally arriving to in the park. In the park you will transfer to the Top of the Falls where you will enjoy breathtaking views of the mighty River Nile forcing through a narrow 7 meter gorge and make a thunderous drop. Dinner and overnight stay at your accommodation.

Travel time: 4 hours

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge
Mid-range: Pakuba Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge, Murchison River Lodge
Budget: Red Chilli Rest Camp, Fort Murchison Lodge in tents, Murchison River Lodge in tents

Day 3: Game drive and Launch Safari on River Nile

In the morning have an early breakfast and then set out to explore Uganda’s largest National Park – the Murchison Falls National park on an early morning game drive on the northern banks of river Nile to see various animals such as lions, giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeests, leopards, elephants and many others in addition to several animals and birds. You will return for a late breakfast at your accommodation at 11:00am, rest and have lunch.

In the afternoon you will go on a Launch Cruise on River Nile which will take you to the bottom of the waterfalls. You will encounter various animals such the giant Nile Crocodiles, hippos, cape buffaloes and elephants. This is one of the best places to see the rare shoebill stork. Later return for dinner and the overnight at your accommodation

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge
Mid-range: Pakuba Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge, Murchison River Lodge
Budget: Red Chilli Rest Camp, Fort Murchison Lodge in tents, Murchison River Lodge in tents

Day 4: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park

Transfer to Kibale forest National Park home to 13 different primates species including chimpanzees which are the primary tourist attraction together with a large profusion of birds making it a perfect place for bird watching. You will drive through the beautiful country side, past major towns and local village settlements until you finally reach the beautiful verdant forested national park where you will have dinner and spend the night.

Travel time: 7 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation:

Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge
Midrange: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp Tents, Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking

Early breakfast transfer to the park headquarters by 8:00am to be briefed by the park guides on the chimpanzee tracking activity. Kibale forest NP has 3 main communities of chimpanzees each with more than 100 individuals. The park guides will help you locate the habituated chimps as you search through their natural habitat, following the chimps’ loud calls and hooting. On finding them, you will observe them feed, care for each other, and swing up in the tree branches. Do not leave your camera behind as this adventure gives you great opportunities for photographs.

After lunch, you may choose to spend the rest of the day resting, alternatively there will be an optional guided nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary – a community initiative where you will spot several birds, primates and animals. Return for dinner and the overnight rest.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation:

Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge
Midrange: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp Tents, Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP, Launch Cruise

Today transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park right after breakfast, driving through the beautiful Fort Portal town found on the foothills of Mount Rwenzori also known as the ‘Mountain of the Moon’. You will enjoy remarkable views in the crater lakes region, and eventually make it to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The afternoon you will go for launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake George and Lake Edward. You will see various birds and a large population of hippos plus other animals.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Katara Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge
Midrange: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge
Budget: Pumba Cottages, Simba Safari Camp in tents

Day 7: Game Drive and Transfer to Ishasha Sector

Begin the day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains to see some of the early risers. This area is popularly visited by holidaymakers as it has a large population of wild animals including elephants, lions, giraffes, hyenas, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, leopards, topi, and different other antelopes; plus several types of birds like the kingfishers, saddle billed storks, seasonal flamingoes and pink backed pelicans.

From here proceed to the Ishasha Sector found in the southern part of the park, driving through the acacia and savannah grasses found in the wide arid craters. In this sector, you will have another game drive as you search for the unique tree climbing lions normally seen resting in the huge tree branches.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Ishasha wilderness camp
Mid-range: Bwindi Jungle lodge
Budget: Enjojo Lodge

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

After breakfast you will transfer to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home of the endangered mountain gorillas. It is estimated that there are about 1006 of these remaining in the world today. The Bwindi is the best destination in the world to have a Gorilla Tracking Safari in the world; while Uganda is home to over half the world’s gorilla population. Check into your accommodation on arrival where you will dine and spend the night. Depending on your time of travel you will have lunch either en-route or at your accommodation

Travel time: 4 hours

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge
Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Silverback Lodge Bwindi
Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp, Gorilla Haven Lodge Rushaga, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp

Day 9: Mountain Gorilla trekking, Optional Batwa Tour

Have an early breakfast and by 8:00 am be at the park headquarters for a briefing on the do’s and don’ts of gorilla trekking. The hike in this natural gorilla habitat will last between 2 and 5 hours before finding them. On finding them, you will be allowed one hour with them observing and taking photographs. The experience of coming face to face with these hair forest giants including the dominant silverback is one that cannot easily be explained by it will surely leave you with lasting memories.

In the afternoon, you may choose to spend the rest of the day resting at the lodge or take an optional Cultural Visit to the Batwa pygmy community that has for very many years survived off this forest. During this visit you will learn about their culture and way of life as well as be entertained with songs and dances

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge
Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Silverback Lodge Bwindi
Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp, Gorilla Haven Lodge Rushaga, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Having spent time in the gorilla territory, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s second deepest lake. Along the drive you will be impressed by the beautiful scenery with interconnecting hills that have been beautifully terraced by the local farmers in this area also known as the “Switzerland of Africa”

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Birds Nest@Bunyonyi
Mid-range: Arcadia cottages
Budget: Crater Bay cottages

Day 11: Explore Lake Bunyonyi Islands

You will be treated to a nice breakfast and then head out to enjoy the beautiful early sunshine as you take a canoe ride on the Lake which has over 27 island and is encircled by hills that have been beautifully terraced by the farmers who cultivate this are with different types of food crops. The guide on your canoe ride will narrate to you the interesting histories about the different islands including the punishment island.

After lunch there will be various optional activities you can engage in such as a guided bird watching tours, swimming and a hike up the hill, or simply spend the afternoon at leisure enjoying the cool breeze.

Day 12: Transfer to Lake Mburo NP home of Zebras

Lake Mburo National Park one of the small game parks in Uganda is located in south western Uganda and it popularly known as the best place to see zebras as it has a very large resident population of Zebras. Along the way you will drive through the beautiful landscapes, and past plantations and farms.

Lunch will be at the Igongo cultural Museum that offers a great display of the lifestyle of the local people in the area. On arrival in the park you will have a boat ride.

Travel time: 4 hours

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Mid-range: Rwakobo Rock
Budget: Eagles Nest

Day 13: Transfer to Jinja via Kampala

Right after breakfast, you will drive to kampala with a stopover at the Equator for a photograph moment. You will have lunch and proceed to Jinja city where you will dine and spend the Nile. Jinja is considered the adventure capital of Uganda as it offers several adventure activities such as visiting the source of river Nile, white water rafting, bungee jumping, boating and many others.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Wild waters Lodge
Mid-range: Haven Lodge
Budget: Nile Cottages

Day 14: White water Rafting

Today you will get a chance to enjoy a thrilling adventure on River Nile (the longest river in the World) whose source is found in Jinja from where it begins its long journey through several countries across the African continent northwards and then eventually pours into the Mediterranean Sea. After an early breakfast, visit the source of the Nile and transfer to the place where white water rafting adventures begin; an activity that you will do for the entire day. Later the safari driver-guide will transfer you to Kampala to a hotel of your choice or to Entebbe international airport for your departure flight, and bid you farewell.

Some of the optional activities you can enjoy in Jinja include: horseback riding, Quad biking and bungee jumping

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Wild waters Lodge
Mid-range: Haven Lodge
Budget: Nile River Camp

Day 15: Departure

This will be the final day of our 15 day adventure. After a nice breakfast at your lodge, the driver guide will drive you back to Kampala the capital of Uganda where you will be dropped at a hotel of your choice or to Entebbe international for your departure flight where you he will bid you farewell. This will be the end of the safari.