Embark on the ultimate exploration of Uganda with this immersive 18 day safari that showcases the country’s extraordinary wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. You will journey through Uganda’s most iconic national parks, where exciting game drives, scenic boat cruises, and guided nature walks reveal an abundance of wildlife. For example, lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, leopards, buffaloes, and countless bird species. Experience the thrill of tracking wild chimpanzees in Kibale National Park and come face-to-face with endangered mountain gorillas in the ancient forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Along the way, you will discover picturesque crater lakes, cascading waterfalls, the mighty River Nile, and vibrant local communities. Hence making this classic safari the perfect choice for travelers seeking a comprehensive and authentic adventure across Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
Day 1: Welcome to Uganda – Pick up and Transfer to your Hotel – Optional Shoebill search at Mabamba swamp
Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our professional safari guide will warmly welcome you and then transfer you to your hotel to relax after your international flight. In case you arrive early, you may embark on an optional excursion to Mabamba Swamp, it is one of Uganda’s most celebrated birding destinations. A canoe ride through the papyrus channels will offer an excellent opportunity to search for the prehistoric-looking Shoebill Stork. And also, other birds like Malachite Kingfishers, Blue-breasted Bee-eaters, African Jacanas, Purple Herons, African Fish Eagles and several other wetland species.
Day 2: Drive from Entebbe to Jinja – Visit the Source of the Nile
You will enjoy a hearty breakfast, and then travel east through lush countryside to the vibrant town of Jinja, also known as Uganda’s adventure capital. Enjoy a scenic boat cruise to the renowned Source of the Nile. This is where the world’s longest river begins its remarkable journey toward the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, the calm waters provide excellent opportunities to spot several birds including the Pied Kingfishers, Great Cormorants, African Fish Eagles, and monitor lizards along the shoreline.
For thrill seekers, Jinja offers optional activities for example white-water rafting on the Nile, bungee jumping, horse riding along scenic river trails and quad biking through local villages.
Day 3: Jinja – And head to Sipi Falls
Leave Jinja behind and continue towards the foothills of Mount Elgon to the picturesque Sipi Falls. This beautiful region is renowned for its cool climate, breathtaking escarpments and also the world-renowned Arabica coffee. Later in the afternoon, enjoy an authentic coffee experience where the local farmers guide you through every stage of coffee production. Right from harvesting and roasting to grinding and then finally tasting one of Uganda’s finest coffees.
Day 4: Hike the Sipi Falls and Transfer to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
This morning after a delicious breakfast, you will hike to the spectacular three waterfalls that make up Sipi Falls, walking through coffee plantations, caves and dramatic viewpoints overlooking the Karamoja plains. The landscapes here provide unmatched photographic opportunities and encounters with the local communities.
Later, continue to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Uganda’s second-largest protected area. You will enjoy an evening game drive across its vast savannahs in search of giraffes, zebras, elands, roan antelopes, Uganda Kobs, ostriches and oribis. Birdlife is equally rewarding with Secretary Birds, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills and the Jackson’s Hornbills frequently observed.
Day 5: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
Upon having breakfast, journey through the rugged landscapes of northeastern Uganda to the spectacular Kidepo Valley National Park. This park is one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness destinations. After checking in, head out on an evening game drive across the famous Narus Valley.
Keep an eye out for species like elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, leopards, elands, Jackson’s Hartebeests, and ostriches, while bird enthusiasts may as well encounter the Kori Bustard, Secretary Bird and the Red-throated Bee-eater.
Day 6: Full Day in Kidepo Valley National Park with Game drive and Community experience with the Karamojong
You will start the day with a sunrise game drive when predators and herbivores are at their most active. Kidepo boasts exceptional wildlife densities and also dramatic scenery that create unforgettable safari experiences.
In the afternoon, you will visit a traditional Karamojong community where you will discover their unique pastoral lifestyle, the traditional manyattas, cultural dances and centuries-old customs that continue to define life in northeastern Uganda.
Day 7: Drive from Kidepo Valley to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Depart Kidepo and travel southwest to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where rhinos roam freely in the wild. Upon arrival, check into your lodge for an overnight.
Day 8: Rhino Trekking and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park – Visit Top of falls
After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking safari to track these magnificent animals while learning about the country’s successful rhino conservation program.
Besides rhinos, Ziwa is home to Bushbucks, Waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, and over 300 bird species including the African Fish Eagle and Shoebill. Later continue to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area. Visit the breathtaking Top of Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile squeezes through a narrow seven-metre gorge before plunging over 40 metres into the Devil’s Cauldron. And creating one of Africa’s most spectacular natural wonders.
Enjoy an evening game drive as wildlife begins to emerge onto the open savannah.
Day 9: Full Day in Murchison Falls National Park – Game drive and Boat Cruise to Bottom of falls
Today you will rise early for a morning game drive across the northern plains of the park. You will search for wildlife species like lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda Kobs, hartebeests, oribis and many more.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise upstream to the base of the Murchison Falls. Along the riverbanks, you will encounter large pods of hippos, enormous Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and also numerous bird species which include the Saddle-billed Storks, African Fish Eagles, Goliath Herons, Pied Kingfishers and others.
Day 10: Drive to Kibale National Park – Visit Bigodi Community
You will journey through Uganda’s scenic countryside to Kibale National Park, renowned as the primate capital of East Africa. Upon arrival, you will visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where a community guide introduces you to the area’s remarkable biodiversity. During your visit, you will enjoy a traditional coffee experience while learning how locally grown coffee is cultivated, processed and also prepared.
The wetland hosts several bird species which include the Great Blue Turaco, White-spotted Flufftail, Papyrus Gonolek, and several monkey species. For example, the Red-tailed Monkeys and Black-and-white Colobus.
Day 11: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for evening game drive
This morning, you will enter Kibale Forest for the unforgettable chimpanzee trekking adventure. You will listen for their distinctive calls before spending a magical hour observing these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. Other residents here include the Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Red Colobus, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, and Olive Baboons.
After the trek, you will head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying an en-route game drive as you arrive at your lodge for the evening.
Day 12: Full Day in Queen Elizabeth National Park – Morning game drive and Boat Cruise
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, start the day with an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, where lions often stalk the abundant Uganda Kobs. You may as well encounter other species like buffaloes, elephants, hyenas, waterbucks and leopards.
Later in the afternoon, embark on a memorable boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, home to one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos. The shores teem with elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, and spectacular birdlife including African Skimmers, Pink-backed Pelicans, Yellow-billed Storks, Great White Pelicans, and African Spoonbills.
Day 13: Game drive in Ishasha Sector in search for the Tree climbing lions – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Travel south through the renowned Ishasha Sector, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions that often rest high in giant fig trees during the heat of the day. You will as well spot some other species that you may have missed in your previous game drive. For example, elephants, Topis, buffaloes and also numerous birds before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will arrive in the evening and relax as you prepare for tomorrow’s once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience.
Day 14: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi and Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Today is the highlight of your safari, the day offers one of Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences. After a ranger briefing, you will trek through the dense rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. Once you find them, spend a memorable hour observing these gentle giants as they interact naturally within their forest environment.
Following your trek, you will continue to the scenic Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, nestled beneath the dramatic Virunga Volcanoes.
Day 15: Golden Monkey Trekking and drive to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation
Today, you will start your morning with an exciting trek in search of the playful Golden Monkeys, an endangered primate species found only within the Virunga Conservation Area. Their striking golden-orange coats and energetic behavior make for an unforgettable forest encounter. Later, you will travel to the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi, where you’ll enjoy a relaxing canoe ride across its tranquil waters while exploring some of the 29 islands. The lake is rich in birdlife, and they include Pied Kingfishers, Grey Crowned Cranes, Malachite Kingfishers, African Harrier-Hawks and various weaver birds.
Day 16: Transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park – Enjoy the Cattle milking experience
After breakfast, you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park, which is Uganda’s smallest savannah park yet one of its most scenic. Spend your evening in a local Ankole community to participate in a traditional cattle milking experience while learning about the culture surrounding the iconic long-horned Ankole cattle. Later you will relax at your lodge overlooking the park’s rolling acacia woodlands.
Day 17: Walking Safari or Horseback Safari – Night Game Drive experience
Having had your breakfast, you will thereafter begin the day with either a guided walking safari or an optional horseback safari. These offer a unique opportunity to explore the park without vehicles. You will encounter giraffes, impalas, zebras, elands, buffaloes, Topis, and warthogs. You will also learn about animal tracks, medicinal plants and the park’s diverse ecosystems. After dinner, head out on an exciting night game drive in search of elusive nocturnal wildlife. These include leopards, bush babies, hyenas, porcupines, genets, and white-tailed mongooses.
Day 18: Depart Lake Mburo and proceed to Entebbe for your Departure
On this final day, you will have a leisurely breakfast, check out and then begin your return journey to Entebbe. En route, you will stop at the Uganda Equator for picture moments, souvenir shopping and also an opportunity to witness the famous water experiment demonstrating the meeting point of the northern and southern hemispheres.
Thereafter continue to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight. This brings to a close an extraordinary journey through Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, vibrant cultures and also unforgettable primate encounters.