Embark on this 15 Day ultimate journey through the Pearl of Africa. This Uganda safari combines Uganda’s spectacular wildlife, world-renowned primate experiences, and also vibrant cultural heritage. Explore the country’s most iconic national parks on exciting game drives and boat cruises, encounter lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes and countless other wildlife species, trek chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, and finally experience the unforgettable thrill of meeting endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Along the way, you will engage with local communities, discover Uganda’s diverse traditions, and admire the country’s stunning landscapes, from rolling savannahs and crater lakes to misty rainforests.
Day 1: Pick up from Entebbe International Airport and Drive to your Hotel for Relaxation – Optional Mabamba swamp visit in search of the Elusive Shoebill
Start your 15 Days Uganda Safari with a warm welcome at Entebbe International Airport by our professional safari guide. He will thereafter transfer you to your hotel from where you will relax from the jetlag. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose an optional excursion to Mabamba Swamp. This is one of Uganda’s premier birding destinations and home to the elusive Shoebill Stork. Other bird species commonly spotted here include the African Jacana, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, and Purple Heron.
Day 2: Transfer from Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Trekking – Overnight in Gulu
After an early morning breakfast, you will embark on a journey northwards to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This is the only place in Uganda where you can track wild rhinos on foot. Accompanied by experienced rangers, you will enjoy an exciting rhino trekking experience while learning about Uganda’s successful rhino conservation efforts. The sanctuary also hosts other wildlife species for example Uganda Kobs, Bushbucks, Oribis, Waterbucks and over 300 bird species including the African Fish Eagle and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill. Continue through the scenic countryside to Gulu city for your overnight stay.
Day 3: Gulu – Kidepo Valley National Park
Upon having your breakfast, you will drive through the remote northeastern landscapes into the spectacular Kidepo Valley National Park. This park is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most breathtaking wilderness areas. After checking into your lodge, you may choose to head out for an evening game drive across the Narus Valley or just relax and enjoy the lodge amenities.
In the Narus valley, there are a variety of mammal species including lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, cheetahs, elands, Jackson’s hartebeests, leopards, and ostriches. For the bird lovers, the Narus is home to the Secretary Bird, Red-throated Bee-eater, Kori Bustard, and Abyssinian Roller among others.
Day 4: Full Day in Kidepo Valley National Park
Today will be fully spent enjoying the unmatched wilderness of Kidepo. You will start the day with a sunrise game drive when wildlife is most active. The expansive plains offer excellent opportunities to encounter predators alongside large herds of buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, and numerous antelope species.
Later, you will visit a traditional Karamojong community where you will experience their unique pastoral culture, traditional homesteads, dances and way of life that has remained largely unchanged for generations.
Return to the lodge for a relaxing evening overlooking the wilderness.
Day 5: Transfer from Kidepo Valley to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, depart Kidepo and journey southwest towards Murchison Falls National Park which is Uganda’s largest protected area. On arrival, you will relax at your lodge or, if time permits, you will have an evening game drive across the savannah. Wildlife frequently seen here include the Rothschild’s giraffes, elephants, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, warthogs and several antelope species.
Day 6: Morning game drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
On this day 6 of the safari, you will rise early for a rewarding morning game drive through the northern sector of the park. Search for species like elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, hartebeests, Oribis and countless Uganda Kobs.
Later in the afternoon, you will have an exclusive boat cruise experience along the Nile to the bottom of the mighty Murchison Falls. Along the riverbanks, expect to see large pods of hippopotamuses, Nile crocodiles, elephants and the buffaloes cooling off at the water’s edge. Birdlife is exceptional here, with Goliath herons, African Fish Eagles, Pied Kingfishers, Saddle-billed Storks and others.
Day 7: Visit the Top of Falls and Proceed to Kibale National Park
On this day, you will visit the breathtaking Top of Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile squeezes through a narrow 7-metre gorge before plunging dramatically into the Devil’s Cauldron. The thunderous roar and spectacular views provide one of Uganda’s most iconic natural attractions, feel free to take as many pictures as possible to help you tell the story.
Thereafter, continue south through the picturesque tea plantations and rolling countryside to Kibale National Park, arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Community Experience
Day 8 is dedicated to watching our closest cousins, the chimpanzees. This morning, venture into Kibale Forest, renowned as the primate capital of the World. In company of experienced trackers, you will search for habituated chimpanzees while encountering other primates including Black-and-white Colobus, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Red-tailed Monkeys, Grey-cheeked Mangabeys and Olive Baboons.
Later, visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a community-guided nature walk and authentic coffee experience. The wetland supports remarkable birdlife for example the Great Blue Turaco, White-spotted Flufftail, Papyrus Gonolek, and numerous colorful forest species.
Day 9: Transfer from Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Following a mouthwatering breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing through scenic crater lakes and lush countryside. On arrival, you will check into your lodge and then spend the afternoon relaxing before heading out for an evening game drive.
Wildlife commonly encountered here includes elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs and occasionally lions or leopards emerging as the temperatures cool.
Day 10: Morning game drive and Afternoon Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
After your breakfast, you will start your day with an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains. This is famous for its impressive populations of lions, Uganda Kobs, elephants, hyenas, buffaloes, and numerous antelope species.
In the afternoon, you will have a relaxing boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, which is one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos. The shores attract elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, and an astonishing diversity of birds. These include African Spoonbills, Great White Pelicans, Pink-backed Pelicans, African Skimmers and Yellow-billed Storks among others.
Day 11: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via the Ishasha Sector and search for tree climbing lions
On this day 11 upon having your breakfast, you will Travel through the remote Ishasha Sector, renowned for its famous tree-climbing lions. Continue your game drive while searching for other species like elephants, Topis, buffaloes and numerous bird species before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for the remarkable Gorilla trekking experience.
Day 12: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi
Today marks the highlight of your Ugandan safari. Following a briefing by park rangers, you will trek through the dense rainforest in search of one of Bwindi’s habituated mountain gorilla families. Once you locate them, you will spend a magical hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, play and also interact naturally within their forest home.
The impenetrable forest is equally rich in biodiversity, therefore supporting forest elephants, Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys and over 350 bird species. Some of which include the African Green Broadbill, Regal Sunbird, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, and Handsome Francolin among others.
Day 13: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for Relaxation
Today after your breakfast, you will drive to the spectacular Lake Bunyonyi, often described as Uganda’s most beautiful lake. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing while enjoying panoramic views of its 29 lush islands surrounded by terraced hills.
Optional activities you may want to do include canoeing, bird watching or simply unwinding at the lakeside while taking in the tranquil scenery.
Day 14: Drive from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park
Depart Lake Bunyonyi for Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park but one of its most charming. Later in the evening, you will participate in a memorable Ankole cattle milking experience. During this experience, you will learn about the traditions and lifestyle of the local pastoral communities.
Later in the late evening, head out for an evening to night game drive in search of nocturnal wildlife. These include leopards, porcupines, bush babies, genets, hyenas and white-tailed mongooses.
Day 15: Walking Safari – Entebbe Departure
Upon having your breakfast, you will conclude your Ugandan adventure with a guided walking safari through Lake Mburo National Park. This walk offers a unique opportunity to experience wildlife on foot. Species to look our for include zebras, impalas, giraffes, buffaloes, elands, Topis and warthogs while your guide interprets animal tracks, plants and the surrounding ecosystem. Birdlife is equally rewarding here with African Finfoot, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, Brown-chested Lapwing, and African Fish Eagle among the many species recorded.
After the walk, embark on your return journey to Entebbe. You will make a stop at the Equator for photographs and souvenir shopping before continuing to Entebbe International Airport for your onward departure. Hence bringing an unforgettable journey through Uganda to a close.