The 18 Days Uganda Adventure offers an in-depth exploration for nature enthusiasts, designed to showcase the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Uganda. This comprehensive itinerary encompasses several of Uganda’s iconic national parks, including Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park and other tourist places including Sipi falls, Jinja the adventure capital, Sezibwa falls and Mabamba swamp. Expect a range of experiences, including wildlife encounters, stunning waterfalls, and opportunities for both golden monkey and gorilla trekking.
18 Days Uganda Adventure
The adventure begins with a warm welcome and relaxation on the shores of Lake Victoria. The journey then moves to Mabamba swamp for the iconic shoebill stork, Jinja for adrenaline activities like kayaking, white water rafting and quad biking then Sipi falls proceeding to Kidepo Valley National Park, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes. This park is home to a variety of wildlife, including ostriches, leopards, Oryx’s, wild dogs, elands, cheetahs, and rare kudus, offering an exceptional opportunity for wildlife viewing.
Following Kidepo, you will venture to Murchison Falls National Park, where exhilarating game drives and a scenic boat cruise to the base of the falls await. This area is known for its dramatic scenery mostly when the waters pass through a narrow gorge forming the thunderous Murchison falls which leave everyone amazed and the diverse wildlife of the park.
Next, the itinerary includes a visit to Kibale Forest National Park, often referred to as the primate capital of the world. Here, visitors can observe over 13 species of primates, including the chance to encounter chimpanzees up close. Following Kibale, the journey continues to Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its unique tree-climbing lions.
As the adventure progresses, you will meet the golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a memorable experience that highlights the region’s rich biodiversity. In the final stages of the safari, trekkers will search for mountain gorillas in the lush jungles of Bwindi, an experience that promises to be both profound and unforgettable.
The journey concludes with an exploration of Lake Mburo National Park, where visitors can enjoy its rich wildlife and serene landscapes, including savannahs and woodlands. This 18-day adventure truly encapsulates the essence of Uganda, often referred to as the Pearl of Africa.
Day 1: Arrival and Pick up from Entebbe International Airport – Transfer to your Hotel
The 18-day Uganda Adventure Safari begins upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport. An experienced and friendly driver-guide will be there to pick you up and then take you through the itinerary before transferring you to your hotel in Entebbe. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to experience Uganda’s calm and welcoming environment. Check in at your hotel and unwind after your long journey.
Location: Entebbe
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Protea Hotel Entebbe
Mid-range: 2 Friends Beach Hotel
Budget: Via Via Entebbe
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Mabamba wetland and visit to Botanical Gardens
Begin your day with an early morning transfer to Mabamba Swamp, renowned for its rich diversity of avian life. Arriving just in time for your birding adventure ensuring not to miss out the majestic shoebill stork, you’ll hop into a traditional canoe, expertly guided through the serene papyrus channels. Keep your eyes peeled for the splendid array of bird species that inhabit this lush ecosystem, including the majestic and rare shoebill stork, known for its striking silhouette and prehistoric appearance. After your canoe excursion, return to shore for an engaging guided nature walk, where you’ll delve into the unique flora and fauna of Mabamba Bay, learning about the intricate relationships that sustain this vibrant habitat.
After your nature immersion, you’ll head back to Entebbe for a delightful lunch, perhaps sampling some local dishes. In the afternoon, your journey continues to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens. Here, you can wander through beautifully landscaped grounds, exploring various tropical plant species and looking out for colorful birds flitting among the trees. As the day draws to a close, return to your lodge in Entebbe for a restful evening, reflecting on the sights and sounds of the day.
Location: Entebbe
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Protea Hotel Entebbe, Victoria Hotel
Mid-range: 2 Friends Beach Hotel
Budget: Via Via Entebbe
Meal Plan: breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Entebbe to Sezibwa and then Jinja the Adventure City, transfer to Nyero rock and Sipi
After enjoying an early breakfast at your lodge, it’s time to set off for Jinja, famously dubbed the adventure capital of Uganda. The first stopover will be at Sezibwa falls where you will get to see the Sezibwa falls as you also enjoy the soothing sounds of birds in the surrounded forest.
After lunch, proceed to Jinja. Immerse yourself in Jinja’s vibrant culture by exploring the bustling local markets and charming craft shops that showcase the region’s artistic flair. Embark on an exhilarating boat ride to the source of the Nile, the very point where this iconic river begins its journey. Witness the stunning confluence of the River Nile and Lake Victoria, a spectacle that highlights the remarkable natural beauty of the area.
After the boat cruise, you will continue to Sipi falls. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and use the evening to discover Nyero rock paintings found in Kumi. Return to the lodge, dinner and overnight.
Location: Sipi falls
Accommodation option
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Sipi Falls Hike, Coffee Tour and transfer to Moroto
Early breakfast before checkout and then proceed for a hike to the top of the falls. A hike to the top of the falls is a rewarding experience whereby you get to see the sip falls flowing down, enjoy the water splashes as well as the beautiful views of the surrounding nature.
After the hike, proceed to tea farms and participate in coffee harvesting and planting with the local communities. Have lunch and embark on a 6 hour journey to Moroto. Check in, dinner and overnight.
Location: Moroto
Accommodation option;
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Visiting Karamojong and transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
After breakfast, checkout and proceed to visiting the Karamojong community. Karamojong’s are found in Northeastern Uganda around Kidepo valley national park, the Karamojong culture is very unique and worth to learn about.
Lunch and then transfer to Kidepo valley national park along the border of Uganda, Kenya and south Sudan. Kidepo valley is a vast savannah stretching as far as the eye can see. While here you will get to enjoy fascinating game drives and get to see different mammal species as well bird species.
Location: Kidepo Valley National park
Accommodation option
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Midrange: Mara Safari Lodge
Budget: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Full day Game drive in the Kidepo Valley
Early breakfast and proceed for the game drive with binoculars and fully charged cameras for clear views and capturing memories. The game drive will be conducted from Kidepo valley, enjoy the fascinating game drive in a true gem with abundance of wildlife totaling to over 75 mammal species and about 475 bird species. Mammals to be spotted include buffaloes, lions, water bucks, cheetah, wild dogs, kudus, giraffes, leopards, lions and many more plus bird species like Egyptian vulture, ostriches, red throated bee eater, pygmy falcon and many more. You will have a picnic lunch in the vast wilderness of the Kidepo valley national park and continue with the game drive as driving back to the lodge. Return to the lodge for dinner and retire for a night.
Location: Kidepo Valley National park
Accommodation option
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Midrange: Mara Safari Lodge
Budget: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Full day game driver in Narus valley
Early breakfast, the 5th day of the 15 days best of Uganda safari takes you for a game drive in the Narus valley the sector of Kidepo valley national park with the highest concentration of wildlife due to the presence of Narus River. During the game drive expect to see ostriches, herds of cape buffaloes, pygmy crocodiles in the Narus River, water bucks, giraffes, Oryx, leopards and many more as you enjoy the raw beauty of the true African wilderness. Back to the lodge for lunch and later enjoy the evening sunset on the pool side of your lodge. Dinner and overnight.
Location: Kidepo Valley National park
Accommodation option
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Midrange: Mara Safari Lodge
Budget: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Ziwa rhino sanctuary
Have early breakfast and embark on the journey to Ziwa rhino sanctuary in Nakasongola a home to over 32 white Rhinos. You will have lunch in Masindi, check in at the lodge, dinner and overnight.
Location: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Accommodation option:
Luxury: Amuka Lodge
Mid-Range: Amuka Safari Lodge
Budget: Ziwa Rhino Guest House
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 9: Rhino tracking, transfer to Murchison, top of the falls hike and evening game drive
After an early breakfast, you proceed for rhino tracking. During rhino tracking, you will be guided by armed guides for security purposes, they will teach you about rhinos as you enjoy the beauty and lush greenery nature of Uganda.
In the afternoon, you will have lunch in Masindi and then proceed to Murchison falls national park.
Upon arrival, check-in and proceed for another exciting activity of hiking to the top of the falls while enjoying water splashes, soothing sounds of nature and a rainbow signature on the thunderous Murchison falls. Proceed for an evening to night game drive that will start at 6pm till 8pm. Expect to encounter nocturnal mammals like leopards, jackals and some late sleepers winding up with the day. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Location: Murchison falls national park
Accommodation
Luxury: paraa safari lodge or Nile safari lodge
Midrange: Murchison River lodge or sambiya
Budget: red chill rest camp or shoebill campsite
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10: Morning game drive and boat cruise in Murchison falls national park
An early breakfast to brighten up the day, your guide will pick you up for a morning game drive. The game drive will be carried out from the buligi trail where you expect to encounter different mammals including leopards, elephants, lions, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, giraffes and different bird species including marabou stork, giant kingfisher and many more.
In the afternoon, return to the lodge for lunch and then proceed for an afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. This boat cruise is a relaxing activity that will help you get relieved and relaxed as you enjoy the beautiful view of the mighty Murchison falls as it stretches through a narrow gorge forming thunderous water falls. Expect to see mammals coming to quench thirsty and different bird species including the rare shoebill stork. Return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Location: Murchison falls national park
Accommodation
Luxury: Paraa safari lodge or Nile safari lodge
Midrange: Murchison River lodge or sambiya
Budget: red chill rest camp or shoebill campsite
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11: Transfer to Kibale forest national park and visit Bigodi wetland
After an early breakfast, Day 11 of the safari takes you to Kibale forest national park in western Uganda home to over 13 primate species including the joyful chimpanzees. Traverse the picturesque country side of Uganda, upon arrival, check-in and have lunch.
Additionally, in the evening you will embark on a guided nature walk in bigodi wetland. The wetland is famous for its rich biodiversity, beautiful scenery, over 200 bird species to be spotted including great blue turaco, yellow breasted pitta, and primate species including red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and many more. You shall all visit the local community, listen to their exciting stories and get to know their way of life. Then return to the lodge for dinner and a soothing night as you listen to the beautiful sounds of the birds in the forest.
Location: Kibale forest national park
Journey time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation
Luxury: chimpundu lodge
Midrange: turaco treetops
Budget: chimpanzee forest lodge
Day 12: Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to queen Elizabeth National Park
After an early breakfast, prepare for chimpanzee trekking. Furthermore, you will head to visitor center for briefing to get to know the dos and don’ts of chimpanzee trekking and then proceed to the misty jungle of Kibale in search for the chimpanzee. It will take around 30 minutes to 6 hours to find the allocated chimpanzee troop and you have an hour to enjoy them play, feed, nest in their natural habitat. An encounter with these majestic primates is a lifetime memory.
in addition, after lunch you will then rest a little and proceed to Queen Elizabeth national park. Queen Elizabeth National park is the largest Uganda’s savannah park rugged on the foothills of Rwenzori Mountains and famous for its rare tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. Arrival, check in, dinner and overnight.
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Option
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Twin Lake Safari Lodge
Day 13: Game drive and evening boat cruise
Early breakfast, start your day with a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth’s savannah plains the most rewarding wildlife viewing park in Uganda, which offer excellent chances to spot predators such as lions and leopards, particularly in the Kasenyi and Mweya sectors. Herds of elephants and buffaloes roam the plains, while warthogs, waterbucks, and bushbucks are common. The park is also home to mongooses, hyenas, side-striped jackals, and giant forest hogs all of which are likely to be spotted on a game drive.
In the afternoon after lunch, head to the Kazinga Channel for a boat safari, one of the highlights of Queen Elizabeth national park safari. This waterway attracts a dense concentration of wildlife, especially during dry seasons. Along the banks, observe massive pods of hippos, wallowing buffaloes, elephants drinking, and an astonishing array of birds including pink-backed pelicans, open-billed storks, African spoonbills, yellow-billed storks, and pied kingfishers. The close proximity to animals during this cruise offers unmatched photography opportunities. Spend the evening relaxing at your lodge, while absorbing the sights and sounds of the bush.
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Option
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Twin Lake Safari Lodge
Budget: Enshama Game Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14: Game drive in Ishasha sector and proceed to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Enjoy an early breakfast before heading out on an exhilarating morning game drive through the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a prime area for game viewing. This drive will focus on spotting tree-climbing lions, so keep an eye out for predators such as lions and leopards; you may be lucky enough to see them in action. Other mammals you are likely to encounter include buffalo, warthogs, and herds of Uganda kob. Don’t forget to look for various bird species such as crested cranes, bee-eaters, and lapwings.
After your morning adventure, you’ll have lunch on the way to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This park is a sanctuary for nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and is home to about 22 gorilla families that roam across four sectors: Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo. Upon arrival in Bwindi, you will then check in, enjoy dinner, and retire for the night.
Location: Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Accommodation
Luxury: Mahogany springs lodge
Midrange: Bakiga lodge
Budget: Ride 4 a woman
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 15: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Mgahinga gorilla National Park
Breakfast at around 6am and then prepare for the ultimate gorilla trekking experience. There after, proceed to the visitor’s center for briefing about gorilla trekking dos and don’ts. Dressed appropriately with a bottle of water, camera set with no flash, embark on the search for the majestic mountain gorillas in the jungle of Bwindi forest. The search takes around 30 minutes to 6 hours to find the allocated gorilla family. On finding them, you have a full hour watching them play, nest feed and enjoying their daily life in their nature habitat making the safari enjoyable, magical and worth every effort.
After the trek, receive your certificate as a memory for your gorilla trekking safari and a sign of appreciation for supporting gorilla conservation.
After the trek and a short lunch break, drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, nestled within the dramatic Virunga volcano range with eye catching views. Settle into your lodge with views of the towering volcanoes and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
Location: Mgahinga National Park
Accommodation Option
Luxury: Mutanda Lake Resort
Mid-Range: Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
Budget: Mondi Lodge Kisoro
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 16: Golden Monkey trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
An early breakfast, golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla National park where silver meets gold for is the key activity of the day. These playful, vividly colored primates are endemic to the Virunga forests and are known for their swift movements and social behavior. Watching them leap among the bamboo stems is a joy for both photographers and nature lovers.
After briefing you will then head to the misty forests in search for the golden monkeys and this will take about 30 minutes to 6 hours, on finding the golden monkeys you are free to take photos but with a flash less camera, enjoy them in their natural habitat nest, feed, play, communicate and living their daily life all this within an hour.
In the afternoon after the trek and lunch, embark on the journey to Lake Bunyonyi. Upon arrival, check-in, freshen up dinner and overnight.
Location: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation option
Luxury: Arcadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi
Mid-Range: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Budget: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 17: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and Night game drive
Breakfast early, have a boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi and get to capture the beautiful view of kigezi rolling hills. Have lunch in Kabale town and then drive to Lake Mburo National Park.
Upon arrival, check-in and then rest preparing for the upcoming night game drive. The game drive in Lake Mburo National park is rewarding and amazing due to a huge number of mammals roaming in a small savannah park.
The night game drive lasts about two hours and begins at 7 PM. Using spotlights, you’ll have the opportunity to see nocturnal animals clearly. This is a chance to experience one of the best lifetime safari adventures in Africa, as you search for nocturnal creatures such as leopards, porcupines, bush babies, and other animals that are active during the night while hunting or winding down for the evening. Return to the lodge, dinner and overnight.
Location: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation option
Luxury: Mihingo Safari Lodge
Midrange: Rwakobo rock
Budget: Eagle’s Nest
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 18: Walking safari and transfer back to Entebbe
Breakfast at your time and then proceed for a walking safari in the plain savannahs of Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo is a small park but blessed with over 68 mammal species including water bucks, buffaloes, giraffes, zebra, water bucks, over 350 bird species including pied kingfisher, yellow breasted apalis, African wattled lapwing, ground hornbill and many more that are likely to be spotted on the walking guided safari wrapping your safari in a perfect ending full of memories.
Have lunch in the afternoon and then proceed to Kampala with a stopover at equator for water experience, buying souvenirs and refreshment. Depending on your flight time, you will be dropped either at Entebbe international airport or at your hotel around Kampala or Entebbe.
Meal plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Tour includes
- English speaking driver guide
- Accommodation on full board
- Bottled drinking water
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Golden monkey trekking permit
- All mentioned activities
- Park entry fees
- Transportation to and from Kampala or Entebbe
Tour excludes
- Laundry
- Alcoholic beverages
- Insurance
- Accommodation on final day