Embark on an unforgettable 11-day safari through Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, where breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural experiences await. This carefully crafted journey takes you through some of Uganda’s most spectacular national parks and natural attractions, offering opportunities to encounter mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and countless bird species in their natural habitats. From the misty forests of the southwest to the vast savannah plains and scenic lakes, this safari combines adventure, wildlife, and relaxation, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Trip highlight
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport.
Depart for Murchison Falls via Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Game drive and Afternoon Boat ride
Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Community Visit
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Ishasha (Tree climbing lions) and Transfer to Bwindi.
Gorilla Tracking Experience
Transfer to Entebbe.
Transfer to Kampala.
Kampala city tour.
Jinja City Tour and Transfer to Entebbe Airport.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport, meet and greet.
Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be received with enthusiasm by our tour guide.
First, he will transfer you to your hotel in Kampala. Next, he will give you a precise briefing about your 10 days tour in Uganda. Thereafter, he will leave you to relax at your hotel to get over your jetlag.
Day 2: Jinja City Tour.
Jinja is the adventurous capital of East Africa, it is famously known for being the source of river nile.
Your day will start with a 7:00am departure to maximize the day. You will have a stop at Namawojjolo market for breakfast before continuing to Ssezibwa falls. From Ssezibwa, you will head to Mabira Forest for ziplining. You will finalize your day at the Source of the Nile and return to Kampala for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Depart for Murchison Falls via Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, view top of the falls.
Start your day with a hearty breakfast, from there embark on an exciting journey to Murchison Falls National Park via Zziwa rhino sanctuary. It is a distance of 305km from Kampala that takes 5 hours driving via Kampala-Gulu highway. You will have a stop in Mijeera for lunch and prior to entering the Zziwa rhino sanctuary for rhino tracking. This is an amazing experience coming into close watch of the rhinos in their natural habitants moving, feeding and resting. You will have one hour watching and following the rhinos.
From there, you will proceed to Murchison falls where you will view top of the falls on arrival before checking in your pre-booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Game drive and Afternoon Boat ride
You will have your first meal at dawn, then join your driver in the vehicle for a sunrise game driver in the savannah wilderness. Expect to encounter four of the big five animals (lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo) if nature provides. Or you will have a chance to meet some of them in addition with other animals for example: Uganda kobs, warthogs, giraffes, baboons, monkeys jackson’s-heartbeasts, hyenas and many more that inhabit this area basing on what nature will provide.
Return to your lodge for lunch and later go for an afternoon boat cruise on the Nile waters to view bottom of the falls. The cruise usually takes 3 hours of feeling a fresh Nile breeze. This gives you an opportunity to experience a natural relaxing feel. On this journey, be eager to watch pods of hippos, lots of water birds, numbers of crocodiles basking, you may encounter herds of elephants and you will see the stunning waterfalls, where masses of the Nile waters struggle to make it through a 7-meter gorge downwards forming an extremely fascinating scene of the waterfall. Dinner and accommodation at the lodge.
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Embrace the day with an organic breakfast prepared with love and passion, thereafter pack your bags to depart Murchison falls national park for Kibale Forest National Park, it is such an exciting journey where you will enjoy the irresistibly stunning sceneries that you will encounter on your way. Be ready to enjoy the breathtaking views of Mubende district, the extra-ordinary beauty of Fort Portal City which is the tourism city of Uganda. These offer an unforgettable experience as they leave your mind blown in surprise.
Upon arrival, you will check at your booked accommodation, dine for dinner then go to rest for over night.
Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Community Visit.
After an early breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters for a briefing about the chimpanzee tracking. Then head to explore the lush Kibale Forest to experience a memorable chimpanzee tracking encounter.
Observe the intelligent primates exhibiting various behaviour such as socializing, feeding and communicating by use of gestures and vocalisations. Always keep in mind to keep safe distance while with the chimps.
Upon returning from the forest, you will have a break to relax from the long forest walk. Afterward, you will pay a visit to the Bigodi community to engage with the local people. While there, you can participate in activities such as tree planting and craft shopping, as well as hands-on experiences like making baskets and roasting coffee. Furthermore, you will have the chance to prepare traditional meals and enjoy rich stories shared by the elderly storytellers.
Dinner and overnight stay at previous day lodge.
Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, evening Game drive.
You wake up to a mouthwatering breakfast, from there join your driver guide to head to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Be ready to witness the untamed beauty of the wilderness, the untouched beauty of the strolling hills of the savannah on your way to the medley of wonders.
On arrival at Queen Elizabeth, you will conduct an evening game drive where you will have an opportunity to encounter a diverse wildlife the includes: sparkling lakes, fertile swamps wild animals like the king of the jungle, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks and much more.
Dinner and overnight stay at Mweya Safari Lodge.
Day 8: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise.
After your breakfast, you will set off for an early morning game drive. Be optimistic to encounter various animals such as leopards, lions, elephants, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, warthogs, giraffes, hartebeests, monkeys, enjoy different bird species among the many.
After the game drive, you will return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.
After your lunch, you will head over to the boat for a ride in the afternoon on the Kazinga channel. Expect to encounter lots of hippos, as Kazinga channel is known to have the highest concentration of hippos in the world. You will see various species of birds, crocodiles, African elephants.
Dinner and Accommodation at the lodge.
Day 9: Ishasha (Tree climbing lions) and Transfer to Bwindi.
You will wake up to a lovely breakfast, after which you will head to your vehicle to embark on your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will have an enroute game drive through Ishasha where you expect to see the famous tree climbing lions.
On arrival, you will check in at your pre-booked accommodation and rest as you wait for next day.
Day 10: Gorilla Tracking Experience and Batwa community visit / Cycling.
Wake up to an early bird breakfast. From there you will join your driver to head to the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing at 8:00am. Following the briefing you will be split into groups to go and meet our lost cousins, the gorillas. These groups are given basing on the gorilla families you are to visit. The trek usually takes around 3 hours with one hour viewing, taking pictures and following the gorillas. You will carry packed lunch with you and do not forget to keep a 10meters distance while with these animals.
Upon return from the long trek, you will return to your lodge for rejuvenation. In the late afternoon you will head out to take a visit to the Batwa community. Batwa are the local people residing around the Bwindi Forest, these originally lived in the forest together with the gorillas. They are famously known as the pygmies. You will enjoy the Batwa demonstrating how they survived in the forest living with the animals.
Day 11: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, Afternoon Boat cruise
As the morning breaks beneath a veil of mist cold dew drops clinging stubbornly to the vibrant green grass, you wake up to a tasty breakfast to park energy into your bodies. Later on, you will load your bags on your vehicle to set off for Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale, the second deepest lake in Africa. It sits at nearly 2,000m above sea level which keeps it refreshingly cool. It is the ultimate chill-out spot for travelers finishing up a gorilla trekking safari in nearby Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You’ll find Bunyonyi Crayfish on almost every menu, it is the local delicacy, usually served in masalas or grilled.
Lake Bunyonyi is a stunning freshwater lake tucked into the Kigezi Highlands of southwestern Uganda, often called the “Place of Many Little Birds,”. It is famous for its serene beauty, emerald-green islands, and terraced hills that look like they have been pulled straight out of a painting. After having a delicious lunch meal, you will enjoy a boat ride on this magnificient lake.
Expect to see lots of birds, The lake is dotted with 29 unique islands, each with its own story including Akampene (Punishment Island), this is the most famous and smallest island. Historically, the Bakiga people would leave unmarried pregnant girls here to die or be rescued by men who couldn’t afford a bride price. Bwama Island which was formerly a leprosy colony established by missionary Leonard Sharp in the 1920sand now it houses a secondary school. Bushara Island, this is favorite for birdwatchers and those looking for a quiet eco-retreat.
From the boat cruise experience, you will return to your lodge for dinner and accommodation.
Day 12: Transfer to Kampala.
Waking up to a blanket of morning mist and the faint chirping of birds, you will kick off your day with a warm breakfast. After that, you will pack your bags and hit the road for Kampala.
You will have an organized stop for lunch en-route. Dinner and accommodation at your pre-booked lodge.
Day 13: Kampala city tour and Transfer to Entebbe Airport.
Start off your day with an energizing breakfast prior taking a tour around Kampala city. Kampala city is Uganda’s capital, it is a vibrant city with a population of around 4 million people during day time. This is because it is a very busy place with people carrying out many different activites. You will visit places like the Kasubi tombs, Kabaka’s palace, Namugongo martyrs’ shrine, the Gadaffi mosque, the Bahai temple, Nakasero market, Namirembe Cathedral, Rubaga cathedral and many more.
This city tour marks the end of your 13 days Uganda safari. You will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your flight.
