Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park to start our 16 days Uganda wildlife Safari.

After enjoying breakfast, you’ll rendezvous with your tour guide, who will provide a comprehensive briefing on your 16-day Uganda wildlife safari holiday. Following this, we’ll embark on a journey to Murchison Falls National Park, making a noteworthy stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola for an exhilarating rhino tracking experience.

Uganda’s rhinoceros population faced extinction in the early 1980s due to civil unrest and rampant poaching. The establishment of this sanctuary aims to breed both black and white rhinos, with the ultimate goal of restoring their populations in Uganda’s protected areas.

During our journey, we’ll pause for a delectable lunch in Masindi town before continuing our expedition to Murchison Falls National Park. En route, we’ll pause at the apex of the falls, a breathtaking spectacle where the Nile, the world’s longest river, is funneled through a narrow 7-meter gap in the rock before cascading dramatically down a 43-meter drop.

Following this awe-inspiring stop, we’ll proceed to our accommodation nestled along the picturesque Nile River, marking the continuation of our unforgettable 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.

The day ahead promises an immersive experience amidst the rich wildlife of the park and the scenic Nile River. Beginning early, especially for guests at Nile Safari Lodge or Red Chilli, Paraa.

Our morning adventure unfolds with a captivating game drive from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon, tracing the northern bank of the Nile River. Prepare for remarkable encounters with a diverse array of wildlife inhabiting the park, including Rothschild Giraffes, Elephants, Jackson’s Hartebeests, Lions, Waterbucks, and an assortment of Savannah woodland birds. Following the drive, we’ll return to our accommodation for a mid-morning breakfast and a leisurely period of relaxation before lunch.

In the afternoon, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, we’ll embark on a memorable private boat excursion along the Nile River. This scenic journey offers an intimate encounter with aquatic wildlife and avian species, culminating near the Falls. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and a plethora of bird species. There’s even a chance to catch a glimpse of the legendary Shoebill Stork. Conclude the day with a delightful dinner and overnight stay at your hotel, reflecting on the day’s remarkable sightings and experiences.

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

Early in the morning the boat will take us downstream to the Delta, where the Nile enters Lake Albert. This trip of 5-6 hours will show us all the beauty of this national park especially the delta with all the different birds. This is a good chance to seethe elusive Shoebill Stork. In the afternoon you can relax, and if you are 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 .

Early in the morning we will leave for Kibale Forest. We will pass close to Lake Albert: on a clear day the view from the top of the Albert rift is spectacular. In the afternoon we will arrive at Kibale Forest Camp, where we will stay sleeping with the noises of the tropical rain forest. Sometimes we stay at Chimpanzee Guesthouse, overlooking Nyabikere Crater Lake, where we will stay. The lake is famous for the frogs: at night they always give a beautiful 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 will start with the 4 hour chimpanzee walk – during which you may also get to see 10 other primates! Kibale park is also known for all the butterflies and birds. In the afternoon we will walk through 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.

Early morning we will leave for Queen Elizabeth National Park, We will travel through Fort Portal and reach Mweya in Queen Elizabeth National Park at midday, with a stunningly beautiful view over Kazinga Channel. You will check in at your accommodation and have lunch, and in the late afternoon (4.00 -7.00pm) we will go on a game drive.

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.

This day is for a game drive on the plains of Queen Elizabeth NP, with thousands of Ugandan kobs, lions, elephants etc. Also on the programme is a two hours launch trip on the Kazinga channel where we will see all the animals from the waterside.

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.

Our second day in this beautiful park. Very early in the morning after breakfast we will go to Kyambura Gorge, Here people can go for a 3-4 hour walk into the Gorge to meet the chimpanzees. After we go for Lunch at Jacana Safari Lodge, we will drive for 2 hours to the Southern sector of Queen Elizabeth called Ishasha Sector, famous for its tree climbing lions. Game drive in the afternoon to search for the tree climbing 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

Another early start for a bush walk through the Maramagambo Forest. This is one of the largest forests in Uganda, and forms a habitat for a number of primates and forest dwellers. Due to its location, Maramagambo also has a great diversity of butterflies and birds. The walk culminates in a visit to volcanic caves that are home to thousands of bats. Pythons are often observed in the crevices of the bats cave as they prey on bats. In this walk you will see the picturesque Blue lake-Kimeranjojo which got its name after swallowing an Elephant. Other trails will lead you to the Crater Lake and habitats of the Wild chimps and forest bird.
In the afternoon you will have another game drive and during the dry season we will drive you to the Edward’s flats to see more elephants, large herds of buffalo and different waterbirds. Occasionally we might find in this area the shoebill stork and by surprise some 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 will go on a game drive looking for the unique tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and in the afternoon we will continue to Bwindi impenetrable national park, On the trip we will pass via Kihihi and journey through mountains, hills and lakes with cultivated terraces and tropical rain forests.

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 only 5 minutes’ walk from the offices of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, where at 7.45 am you will receive a pre-briefing and at 8.30 am you will start the gorilla trek. Once you have found the mountain gorillas, you will be able to spend up to one hour with them. You will be expected back to the starting point by 3.00 pm at the latest, and you will be awarded with gorilla trekking certificates.

If time allows we shall visit the local communities, and find out on how they leave, eat, dance, dress and others.

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 will drive to Lake Bunyonyi, a beautiful place surrounded by the hills of Western Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi is famous for birds, otters and delicious crayfish. We will spend the rest of the day here, have a swim if you want, try a canoeing on lake Bunyonyi, or simply relax looking at the over 300 birds species you can sometimes see from the veranda (bring your 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.

Early in the morning we will leave for Kisoro, travelling through a beautiful landscape also defined as the “Switzerland of Africa”: mountains, lakes, hills with cultivated terraces, tropical rain forest and bamboo forest. On the last hill the landscape unfolds beneath us, taking in the vast planes between Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, with the Virunga volcanoes dominating the view. At the bottom of the valley is Kisoro, where we will stay at the famous Travellers Rest Hotel.

In the sixties the famous American ‘gorilla-woman’ Dian Fossey visited the Travellers Rest Hotel many, many times to do paperwork, relax or meet people. Fossey said about the hotel: “It was my second home”. Travellers Rest Hotel is just outside Kisoro and offers a cozy stay for the tourists coming to see the endangered mountain gorilla. The hotel, built in a somewhat colonial style, and entirely renovated in 1999, has a comfortable ambiance.

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!

Embark on an adventure in Kisoro with an array of captivating activities, perfect for solo travelers or groups. Here’s what awaits:

1. Gorilla trekking in Nkuringo, South Bwindi (1 day – either day 13 or 14, subject to permit availability).
2. Gorilla tracking in Rwanda (overnight stay required in Rwanda, crossing back to Kisoro post-trek).
3. Climbing Muhavura Volcano (± 8 hrs; 12km distance; 4127m height; 1700m elevation gain).
4. Climbing Gahinga Volcano (± 6 hrs; 8km distance; 3474m height; 1100m elevation gain).
5. Visit to Sabinyo Gorge (± 4 hrs; 6km distance; no elevation gain).
6. Climbing Sabinyo Volcano (± 8 hrs; 14 km distance; 3669m height; 1300m elevation gain).
7. Hiking in Mgahinga to the viewpoint and Garama Cave (± 4 hrs; 1 and 4 km distance).
8. Bird walk in Mgahinga (starts at 10 am, lasts until 4-5 pm).
9. Cultural village walk.
10. Walk to Lake Mutanda, visit Python island, and go canoeing.
11. Batwa Trail: Begin at the base of Mt Muhavura at 8.00 am, finishing by 3-4 pm. Prepare with walking shoes, hat, raingear, and packed lunch with drinks.

Experience the Batwa Trail across the lower slopes of the Muhavura and Gahinga volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Led by Batwa guides, delve into the forest’s significance as a larder, pharmacy, and more. Engage in activities like archery, honey harvesting, and traditional shelter repair. Descend into the Garama cave for a unique performance showcasing Batwa music and dance.

The Batwa Trail celebrates the forest culture of the ‘first people,’ with a discussion on 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.

Early in the morning we will leave for Lake Mburo National Park. You will have lunch in Mbarara before you continue to Lake Mburo, a smaller but unique park, and the only one in the Western part of Uganda with impalas and zebras. In the park we will 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.

First thing in the morning we will go for a game drive/walk, and after a late breakfast the last part of the journey will bring us back to Kampala. On the way back you will have lunch in Mbarara town, and after Masaka there will be an opportunity to a stop at the Equator for photo shoots and buying souvenirs and have tea or coffee.

We will then bring 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