Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park to start our 16 days Uganda wildlife Safari.
After your morning meal, you’ll meet your tour guide who will give you a thorough rundown of your 16-day Uganda wildlife safari holiday. Then, we’ll set off for Murchison Falls National Park, making an important stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola for an exciting rhino tracking activity.
Uganda’s rhino population was wiped out in the early 1980s due to civil unrest and heavy poaching. This sanctuary was created to breed both black and white rhinos, aiming to reintroduce them into Uganda’s protected areas.
During our trip, we’ll pause for a tasty lunch in Masindi town before continuing our Uganda tour to Murchison Falls National Park. On the way, we’ll stop at the top of the falls, where the Nile, the world’s longest river, squeezes through a narrow 7-meter gap in the rock before plunging down a 43-meter drop.
After this awe-inspiring view, we’ll head to our lodging along the scenic Nile River, marking the start of our remarkable adventure.
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury : Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge
Midrange: Kabale wildness, Twiga lodge, Sambiya river lodge.
Budget lodge: Red Chilli Rest Camp, Fort Murchison, Pakuba lodge
Day 2: Wildlife Game Safari in Murchison Falls National Park Uganda.
Today promises a full day of wildlife viewing in the park and along the Nile River. We’ll start early, especially for guests at Nile Safari Lodge or Red Chilli, Paraa.
Our morning Uganda safari activity is an engaging game drive from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon, exploring the northern bank of the Nile River. Get ready to see a wide variety of wildlife living in the park, including Rothschild Giraffes, Elephants, Jackson’s Hartebeests, Lions, Waterbucks, and many Savannah woodland birds. After the drive, we’ll return to our lodging for a late breakfast and some downtime before lunch.
From 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, we’ll take a private boat trip along the Nile River. This scenic journey offers close-up views of water animals and birds, ending near the Falls. Keep watch for hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and many bird species. You might even spot the rare Shoebill Stork. End the day with a nice dinner and overnight stay at your hotel, thinking back on all the amazing sights from the day.
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury : Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge
Midrange: Kabale wildness, Twiga lodge, Sambiya river lodge.
Budget lodge: Red Chilli Rest Camp, Fort Murchison, Pakuba lodge
Day 3: Game Drive,Boat ride in Murchison Falls National Park
We’ll start early with a boat trip downstream to the Delta, where the Nile flows into Lake Albert. This 5-6 hour journey will showcase all the beauty of this national park, especially the delta with its diverse birdlife. It’s a good chance to see the elusive Shoebill Stork. In the afternoon, you can relax, and if you’re on the Luxury Tour, you can swim at your respective Lodges.
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury : Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge
Midrange: Kabale wildness, Twiga lodge, Sambiya river lodge.
Budget lodge: Red Chilli Rest Camp, Fort Murchison, Pakuba lodge
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park for Chimpanzee Tracking .
We’ll leave early for Kibale Forest. Our route takes us close to Lake Albert: on a clear day, the view from the top of the Albert rift is spectacular. By afternoon, we’ll reach Kibale Forest Camp, where we’ll sleep surrounded by the sounds of the tropical rainforest. Sometimes we stay at Chimpanzee Guesthouse, which overlooks Nyabikere Crater Lake. The lake is known for its frogs, which give a beautiful nightly concert.
Accommodation: (full board).
Up-market: Kyaninga Lodge or Ndali Lodge / primate lodge kibale/ Kibale safari lodge/Craters Lodge.
Moderate: Isunga/kibale guest cottages/Kibale Forest Camp(self-contained tents)
Low Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guest house/Bandas (self-contained Banda’s) – Both outside the forest), Rweetera service park/Kibale River camp.
Day 5: Chimp walk, Chimpanzee tracking Kibale Forest National Park.
At 8.00am, we’ll begin our 4-hour chimpanzee walk – you might see 10 other primate species too! Kibale park is also famous for its butterflies and birds. In the afternoon, we’ll explore Bigodi Swamp, home to a community-based project.
Accommodation: (full board).
Up-market: Kyaninga Lodge or Ndali Lodge / primate lodge kibale/ Kibale safari lodge/Craters Lodge.
Moderate: Isunga/kibale guest cottages/Kibale Forest Camp(self-contained tents)
Low Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guest house/Bandas (self-contained Banda’s) – Both outside the forest), Rweetera service park/Kibale River camp.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife game Safari.
We’ll leave early for Queen Elizabeth National Park, traveling through Fort Portal. We’ll reach Mweya in Queen Elizabeth National Park by midday, with a beautiful view over Kazinga Channel. After checking in and having lunch, we’ll go on a late afternoon game drive (4.00 -7.00pm).
Driving time: 4,5 hours
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Lodge or Jacana Lodge / Enganzilodge
Mid-Range:Ihamba Lodge /Enganzi Lodge/ Bush lodge/ Irungu forest lodge
Budget: Albertine river camp/Simba safari camp/Pumba Safari lodge, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (eco friendly self-contained tents)
Day 7: Wildlife Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Launch cruise on Kazinga Channel.
Today we’ll have a game drive on the plains of Queen Elizabeth NP, home to thousands of Ugandan kobs, lions, elephants, and more. We’ll also take a two-hour boat trip on the Kazinga channel to see animals from the water.
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Lodge or Jacana Lodge / Enganzilodge
Mid-Range:Ihamba Lodge /Enganzi Lodge/ Bush lodge/ Irungu forest lodge
Budget: Albertine river camp/Simba safari camp/Pumba Safari lodge, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (eco friendly self-contained tents)
Day 8: In Queen Elizabeth National Park, Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge.
Very early after breakfast, we’ll go to Kyambura Gorge for a 3-4 hour walk to see chimpanzees. After lunch at Jacana Safari Lodge, we’ll drive 2 hours to the Ishasha Sector in southern Queen Elizabeth, known for its tree-climbing lions. We’ll have an afternoon game drive to look for these unique lions.
Accommodation: (full board)
Budget Accommodation: Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp
Luxury Tour: Ishasha Wilderness Camp or Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp
Day 9: Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, walk through the Maramagambo Forest
We’ll start early with a bush walk in Maramagambo Forest, one of Uganda’s largest forests and home to many primates and forest animals. The forest also has many butterflies and birds. We’ll visit volcanic caves where thousands of bats live, and pythons often hunt them. We’ll see the Blue Lake-Kimeranjojo, named after swallowing an elephant. Other trails lead to Crater Lake and wild chimp habitats.
In the afternoon, we’ll have another game drive. During dry seasons, we’ll visit Edward’s flats to see more elephants, large buffalo herds, and water birds. We might even see the rare shoebill stork or hunting lions.
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Lodge or Jacana Lodge / Enganzilodge
Mid-Range:Ihamba Lodge /Enganzi Lodge/ Bush lodge/ Irungu forest lodge
Budget: Albertine river camp/Simba safari camp/Pumba Safari lodge, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (eco friendly self-contained tents)
Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Forest National Park with Tree Climbing Lions at Ishasha Sector.
In the morning, we’ll look for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, passing through Kihihi and traveling through mountains, hills, lakes, terraced farms, and tropical rainforests.
Driving time: 4,5 hours.
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/ Mahogany Springs Lodge/ Sanctuary gorilla lodge
Moderate: Engagi Lodge/ Silverback Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge/ Lake Kitandara Camp/Ride for Women lodge/
Low Budget: Travellers Rest Hotel, or Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp or Buhoma Community Campground
Day 11: Mountain gorilla Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forests.
Buhoma Lodge is just 5 minutes from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park offices. At 7.45 am, you’ll get a briefing, and at 8.30 am, you’ll start your gorilla trek. Once you find the mountain gorillas, you can spend up to an hour with them. You should be back by 3.00 pm at the latest and will receive gorilla trekking certificates.
If there’s time, we’ll visit local communities to learn about their way of life, food, dances, and dress.
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/ Mahogany Springs Lodge/ Sanctuary gorilla lodge
Moderate: Engagi Lodge/ Silverback Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge/ Lake Kitandara Camp/Ride for Women lodge/
Low Budget: Travellers Rest Hotel, or Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp or Buhoma Community Campground
Day 12: To Lake Bunyonyi for Canoeing and Birding.
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Lake Bunyonyi, a beautiful spot surrounded by Western Uganda’s hills. The lake is known for birds, otters, and tasty crayfish. We’ll spend the rest of the day here. You can swim, try canoeing, or just relax and watch over 300 bird species from the veranda (bring binoculars!).
Driving time:4,5 hours
Accommodation: (full board)
Overland Campsite and Bandas (self contained and breakfast inclusive)
Luxury Tour: Bushara Island Luxury Tented Camp or Bunyonyi Safari Resort
Day 13:To Kisoro for Resting.
We’ll leave early for Kisoro, traveling through beautiful landscape often called the “Switzerland of Africa”: mountains, lakes, terraced hills, tropical rainforest, and bamboo forest. From the last hill, we’ll see vast plains between Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, with Virunga volcanoes dominating the view. We’ll stay at the famous Travellers Rest Hotel in Kisoro.
Dian Fossey, the famous American ‘gorilla-woman’, often visited Travellers Rest Hotel in the sixties for paperwork, relaxation, or meeting people. She called it her “second home”. The hotel, built in a somewhat colonial style and fully renovated in 1999, offers a cozy stay for tourists coming to see the endangered mountain gorilla.
Driving time: 3,5 hours
Accommodation: (full board)
Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro
Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro (Suite Room)
Days 14 Spent in and around Kisoro, with travelers Rest Hotel as the home base.
Exploring Kisoro: A Diverse Array of Activities Await!
Kisoro offers many exciting activities for solo travelers or groups on their Uganda safari:
Gorilla trekking in Nkuringo, South Bwindi (1 day – either day 13 or 14, depending on permit availability).
Gorilla tracking in Rwanda (overnight stay required in Rwanda, returning to Kisoro after the trek).
Climbing Muhavura Volcano (± 8 hrs; 12km distance; 4127m height; 1700m elevation gain).
Climbing Gahinga Volcano (± 6 hrs; 8km distance; 3474m height; 1100m elevation gain).
Visit to Sabinyo Gorge (± 4 hrs; 6km distance; no elevation gain).
Climbing Sabinyo Volcano (± 8 hrs; 14 km distance; 3669m height; 1300m elevation gain).
Hiking in Mgahinga to the viewpoint and Garama Cave (± 4 hrs; 1 and 4 km distance).
Bird walk in Mgahinga (starts at 10 am, ends at 4-5 pm).
Cultural village walk.
Walk to Lake Mutanda, visit Python island, and go canoeing.
Batwa Trail: Starts at Mt Muhavura’s base at 8.00 am, ending by 3-4 pm. Bring walking shoes, hat, raingear, and packed lunch with drinks.
The Batwa Trail goes along the lower slopes of Muhavura and Gahinga volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Batwa guides lead you through the forest, explaining its importance as a source of food, medicine, and more. You’ll try activities like archery, honey gathering, and fixing traditional shelters. In Garama cave, you’ll see a unique performance of Batwa music and dance.
The trail celebrates the forest culture of the ‘first people’ and includes a discussion about improving their current situation. Budget accommodation: Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro.
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury Tour: Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro (Suite Room).
Day 15: To Lake Mburo National Park for wildlife game safari and boat ride.
We’ll leave early for Lake Mburo National Park. You’ll have lunch in Mbarara before continuing to Lake Mburo, a smaller but unique park, and the only one in Western Uganda with impalas and zebras. In the park, we’ll go on an evening game-viewing drive.
Driving time: 5,5 hours
Accommodation: (full board)
Up-market: Mihingo Lodge / MantanaTented Camp/ Arcadia Cottages
Midrange: Rwakobo Rock/lake Mburo safari Lodge.
Low Budget: Rwonyo Campsite / Eagle’s nest lake mburo
Day 16: Drive back To Kampala to end our Uganda wildlife Safari Holiday.
We’ll start with a morning game drive/walk. After a late breakfast, we’ll begin the last part of our journey back to Kampala. We’ll stop for lunch in Mbarara town, and after Masaka, we’ll have a chance to stop at the Equator for photos, souvenir shopping, and tea or coffee.
We’ll then take you to a guesthouse, campsite, or hotel of your choice in Kampala or Entebbe.
End of 16 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari Holiday.
Driving time: 9 hours
