16 Days Uganda Safari Tour – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda (Entebbe International Airport) & transfer to the lodge

After your long flight from your country of origin, you land at Entebbe International Airport which is the main point of entry into Uganda if you are coming by flight. Positioned within a majestic peninsular, the airport is surrounded by fresh waters of Lake Victoria – the world’s second-largest freshwater lake, the largest lake in Africa, and the largest tropical lake in the whole world.

You are welcomed by the soothing fresh breeze and brightening equatorial sunshine. You secure your Ugandan Visa from the immigration arrival desk at the Airport and then connect to the waiting area where you are courteously welcomed into Uganda by our company representative.

You will attend a short briefing about Uganda and the safari in particular after which you board the vehicle and connect to the hotel for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget: Banda Inns, Basic: Buziga Country Resort

Day 2: Undertake half day white water rafting in Jinja & afternoon boat cruise to the Source of River Nile

White Water Rafting on R.Nile Uganda

After breakfast, transfer to Jinja driving 80km from Uganda’s capital city Kampala which takes about 2 hours.

The drive takes you past the impressive landscapes of the city outskirts before entering the sugarcane plantations at Lugazi, the forested lands of Mabira, and eventually arriving in Jinja for impressive white water rafting.

The Nile River moves out the Victoria Lake at the submerged Rippon falls heading to the north of Uganda before continuing to empty into the Mediterranean Sea. On its course, it meets a series of impermeable rocks that form cascades and rapids. Thus, getting onto the rafts to undertake such a challenging adventure is a worthy undertaking. You raft in the company of expert guides who are at your rescue in case the waters push you off the raft.

The crowd cheers from the locals on the river bank enjoying the free sights of your struggle with waters make you part of the community and loved more. This adventure goes on for a half day after which you relax a little and then connect to the source of the Nile in the afternoon. The boat cruise to the source of the Nile is a rewarding adventure as it exposes you to opportunities of exploring counts of birds including beautiful Kingfishers.

Stepping to the point where John Speke stood as the first European to discover the source of the River Nile takes you back to the ancient times when the mystical Nile River Source lured great men into the world of the unknown.  Retreat to Kampala for relaxation, dinner, and overnight

Accommodation: Budget: Banda Inns, Basic: Buziga Country Resort

Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Make a stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for amazing photo shoots and water experiments. Undertake an evening game walking safari in Lake Mburo NP

The equator in Uganda

After breakfast embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park in southwest Uganda departing your place of stay at 6:30 am.

The drive to Lake Mburo National Park is 240km about 3 – 4 hours’ drive and you will break this journey after driving only 77km from Kampala at the Equator crossing Kayabwe which is a re-known site for photography since most of the travelers prefer taking pictures with one leg in one hemisphere and the other leg in a different hemisphere.

There are also geographical experiments that can be carried out for the keen geographers to demonstrate the geographical separation of the north and southern hemispheres. You retreat from this break and continue on the drive to Lake Mburo National Park.

You will check in at the lodge and rest for lunch and simple relaxation. In the early evening, you embark on a thrilling game walking safari passing through the impressive savannah ecosystem with lots of Acacia. You enjoy beautiful views of the area including open stretching plains.

The walk offers you an opportunity to explore the range of wild games including; Rothschild giraffes, Impala, Burchell’s Zebra, Topis, Warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks, elands not forgetting acacia associated birds. Hiking the Kazuma hill offers you one of the most magical scenic views in Uganda. Retreat from the activity for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget: Eagles Nest Mburo,Basic: Rwonyo Camp

Day 4: Undertake an experiential cultural tour to the Banyankole community and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Ekitaguriro dance by both Banyankole and Bakiga

Wake up at 6 am and connect to the Enyemebwa center to catch up with the herdsmen getting up to do the milking and their daily routine.

You arrive and get the milking equipment including the tying rope and the milking pot to actively participate in the traditional hand milking of the Ankole long-horned cattle, from milking you participate in sick animal treatment, caring for cows like brushing their body using the locally made fiber brush (Enkuyo) and set out to graze in the wilderness.

You enjoy the stimulating sounds that are made by the herds men as they set out to the grazing field and be mesmerized by the cow’s know-how to align themselves forming a line headed by those that have a special character of leading others.

You retreat back and visit the traditional hut where you find the women churning milk in the churning gourd, from here the guide can take you to explore the crop bit of it exploring the extensive banana plantations where you learn about various banana types and their respective use participate in pruning and weeding using local methods and then participate in initial arrangements for traditional lunch.

You take a break from that and rush to the well with red soil that is used for smearing the soil made water trough, smear the trough and fill it with water and then wait for the cattle to come and water them accordingly. You can opt to have a bull slaughtered and grilled traditionally for you where you can also have it alongside the delicious local sauce that is made without fire called Eshabwe.

Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. You can opt to have a well set traditional lunch at Igongo Cultural Center 12km to Mbarara town before proceeding in the drive to arrive in Bwindi in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight

Accommodation: Budget: Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort, Basic: Byoona Amagara Island Retreat

Day 5: Do a whole day of Island hopping and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Gorilla Tracking In Mgahinga National Park

After breakfast, embark on the whole day of Island hopping exploration visiting the main Islands of Lake Bunyonyi.

You will explore the Bucuranuka (Upside down) Island which is believed to have buried people alive after refusing to offer local brew to an old woman and she cursed the Island to turn upside down burying its inhabitants.

You also visit the Akampane (Punishment) Island where the girls with unwanted premarital pregnancies would be dumbed to die of hunger or as they as try to swim back to the mainland.

There is also Bushara which has impressive forest cover with extensive Eucalyptus plantation, Kyahugye which is a resort Island with wildlife including waterbucks, De Brazza Monkeys, and Impala antelope and Njuyera Islands which is a traditional leprosy healing center that can also be visited. The hopping experience exposes you to the local life of the Island communities including the process of brewing local beer.

Retire from the activity and drive along Kabale – Kisoro road with magical scenery and connect to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget: Travelers’ Rest Kisoro, Budget: Amajambere Iwacu Community camp

Day 6: Undertake Volcano Climbing to any of the three Volcanic Mountains namely; Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo

Karisoke Mountain Climbing In Volcanoes National Park

Gather at the Ntebeko Park Headquarters for a briefing from the park rangers at 8 am and then embark on the adventure of Volcano climbing to the mountain of our choice. At this time, you would have chosen which mountain to climb between Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyibyo.

The 3,669m Sabyinyo Mountain takes around 8 hours to make a 14km round trip with a series of peaks at the top, Gahinga towering up to 3,474m taking about 6 hours with the opportunity to spot the golden monkey if lucky in the Bamboo forest on the mountain slopes and Muhabura Mountain which rises to 4,127m taking about 8 hours to make a 12km round trip involving a steep climb to the top and the peak offers distant views of Bwindi forest, the Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day, the entire Virunga Mountain chain and the three countries of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda.

Retreat from the day’s adventure and connect to the lodge for evening relaxation, dinner, and overnight

Accommodation: Budget: Travelers’ Rest Kisoro, Budget: Amajambere Iwacu Community camp

Day 7: Do Batwa heritage trail exploration and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Meet-the-enchanting-Batwa-Tribe-of-Bwindi

Mgahinga Mountain forest was one of the ancient habitats for the Batwa people before they were evicted to settle on the margins of the gazetted park.

The trail has been developed to enable you to explore the heritage of the Batwa under the company of the Batwa guides who are well set to give an interesting themed interpretation of their past and the present.

You start off at Ntebeko visitor center in the morning following the designated trail with the Batwa showing you a range of items and what they meant to their traditional life including medicinal plants, the edible plants, and roots, the wild honey extraction, the Bamboo cup making, the treehouses, forest hunting techniques until you reach the Ngarama Cave which was their center and the home to their chief.

The Batwa women will sing a range of traditional songs that will take you back to life in the forest and their remarkable culture and heritage. It is a journey back to the authentic culture that now facing the risk of extinction. Retreat from the encounter and embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget:  Broadbill Forest Camp, Basic:  Nshongi Camp

Day 8: Do Mountain Gorilla Trekking and attend to the Bakiga / Batwa traditional performance at the lodge

A Gorilla in Bwindi Uganda feeding

The best safari activity in Africa! It’s magical to encounter the last population of the critically endangered mountain gorillas in Impenetrable Bwindi Uganda.

The day with Mountain gorillas! You gather at the respective park headquarters for briefing in the morning at 8 am where you are also allocated the respective gorilla families to track.

From here, you head to the forest in the company of the armed ranger guides that will lead you up the gorillas. The walk is beyond the ordinary as it involves traversing the dense jungle whose thickness would at some points necessitate using a machete to make a path, hiking the challenging landscapes some of which are steep and slippery at times under the canopy of the mature forest which forms darkness even during the day.

You are treated to the impressive bird songs and beautiful flowers throughout the experience. The encounter tends to take 2 – 8 hours depending on the gorilla’s movements and one hour is availed to you to have a direct touch with the gorillas. Upon approaching gorillas, their reaction is not predictable as it can include them giving you a courteous welcome, minding less about you, and charging against you.

However, as a result of habituation, Mountain gorillas are always welcoming with the Silverback beating a little of his chest to demonstrate his might and also welcoming you to the group. The young gorillas are very playful and are at times not aware of the 7m rule thus can try to draw closer to even touching your body – save it by taking some steps away to observe the distance.

You are not limited in any way to ask as many questions about gorillas and their habitats along with taking pictures so long as you have the opportunity to do so. After your one hour with the gorillas, return to the starting point and connect to the lodge for relaxation.

In the evening, chilling at the lodge grounds you are treated to a traditional thrill performance of the local Batwa or the Bakiga that live around the park. They have magical songs and dancing styles which definitely make your evening colorful.

Accommodation: Budget:  Broadbill Forest Camp, Basic:  Nshongi Camp

Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Do game drive in Ishasha sector en route in search of tree climbing lions

Tree-climbing-lions-Ishasha Uganda safari

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park driving through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park named Ishasha well known for its tree-climbing lions.

The Ishasha sector presents a remarkable encounter with the unique tree-climbing lions which are only existing in two spots in the whole world with the Ishasha sector having the best viewing opportunities. You continue on the drive to the north of Queen Elizabeth National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

 Accommodation: Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages, Basic: Kazinga Channel View Resort / UWA Bandas

Day 10: Do morning game drive, afternoon Kazinga channel launch cruise, and transfer to Kasese

The Launch Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

You wake up for an early morning cup of coffee and connect to Queen Elizabeth National Park for the game drive at 7 am.

Undertake a game drive in the Kasenyi tracks and the Queen’s Mile in the open savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park lying flat on the Albertine rift floor.

This Uganda safari encounter offers you an opportunity to explore a range of wild game including; cape Buffaloes, Leopards, Topi, Elephants, Kobs, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Hyena, lions, side stripped jackals among other wildlife not forgetting counts of bird species since Queen Elizabeth National Park has the highest bird count in the whole of Uganda and East Africa (over 600) including the Martial Eagle, African Skimmer, Black-rumped Buttonquail,  Chapin’s Flycatcher, Pink-backed Pelican, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, White-tailed Lark, Black Bee-eater, White-winged Warbler among other birds.

Retreat from the activity for relaxation and lunch after which you gather at Mweya jetty for an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise departing at 2 pm. You will have an afternoon 2-hour boat cruise running along the Kazinga channel that stretches from Lake George to Lake Edward covering a 45km distance.

This cruise offers you an opportunity to see at close range the highest concentration of water submerged Hippos, surrounded by over 550 species of migrant and resident birds plus crocodiles drinking and resting at water edges. The cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching, and game viewing.

You retreat from the activity and connect to Kasese arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget: Sandton Hotel Kasese, Basic: Ruboni Community Camp

Day 11, 12 & 13: Undertake 3 days adventure hike to the Rwenzori Mountains – explore the Mahoma trail

Day 11: Hike from Ibanda to Omu’ka Kizza Rest Camp (2.977 m)

Mahoma part of Mountain Rwenzori

Following a moment of breakfast at your lodge, embark on the trek to the legendary mountains of the moon towering to 5,109m above sea level with snowcapped peaks.

The day 1 trek takes you through the Kyambogho pristine forest ridge gaining views of Mubuku Valley, climbing the ridge that is densely forested and shelters counts of primates including the Black and white colobus monkeys, the rare L’hoest Monkey, and the blue monkey stretching up to the Omu’ka Kiiza Rest Camp standing at an elevation 2,977m.

This point offers you an impressive view of the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains and the town of Kasese at 2,160 meters below and you can have the opportunity of viewing Rwenzori Turaco and hear the pant hooting calls of Chimpanzees. You camp for an overnight in the mountain wilderness.

Day 12: Hike from Omu’Ka Kizza Rest camp to Lake Mahoma

Following your early morning breakfast, embark on the hike to the famous Lake Mahoma which the trail is named after. The forest offers a way to an extended narrow ridge covered by moss rising up to 3,515m above sea level passing through an incredible lush forest comprising of giant heather covered in bright green moss layers.

You impressively follow the mountain elephant footprints passing through the Bamboo and the heather forest where you might have the opportunity of encountering them as they consume water at the hot spring. The ridge takes you to Rukenga Valley where you can encounter everlasting flowers (mimulopsis eliotti) and the remarkable giant lobelia.

After this point, you cross to the Mahoma Lake Camp for dinner and overnight. With a clear sky, you have the opportunity to view Mount Stanley, Mount Baker, and the Portal Peaks from the Camp.

Day 13: Mahoma Lake to Ibanda

After breakfast, take a walk around this mountain lake before descending back to the starting point through Nyabitaba ranger post and the Mpanga ridge to adjoin the Valley of Mubuku which is home to the three-horned Chameleon leading you back to Ibanda.

From Ibanda, you embark on your vehicles and drive to Kibale National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget: Rwenzori View Guesthouse, Basic: Rwetera Safari Park

Day 14: Do morning Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi wetland walk

Chimpanzees in Uganda Kibale Forest National Park

Gather at Kanyanchu Tourism Center in Kibale National Park to catch up with Chimpanzee trekking which begins at 8 am.

The encounter commences with a briefing from the respective park rangers who will be your guides through the activity detailing the conduct of the exercise. After this, you head to the forest in search of the man’s closest relative.

The dense forests of Kibale comprise lush flora with mature trees marked with huge buttress and climbers, impressive bird species including the African Pitta, Afep Pigeon, Green-breasted Pitta, White-naped Pigeon, Red-chested Owlet, Crowned Eagle, Black Bee-eater, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Western Nicator, Little Greenbul, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Brown-chested Alethe, African Grey Parrot, Brown Illadopsis, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Black-capped Apalis, Collared Apalis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Dusky Crimsonwing, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Yellow Spotted Nicator, Black-eared Ground Thrush Little Green Bul and Abyssinian Ground-thrush among others.

Apart from chimps, Kibale also supports other 12 Primate Species including the threatened red colobus with the highest population thriving in Kibale, the rare I’Hoest’s monkey, black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed and blue monkeys, bush baby, olive baboon and potto which may be viewed during the trek.

Finally, you approach the common chimpanzees which have been fully habituated and thus offering you an opportunity to draw closer to them and take pictures. Viewing them as they munch fruit, swing in trees, socialize, patrol, mating, and making pant hooting calls may lure you into unforgettable excitement.

You have an hour availed to you to encounter these precious apes and you are free to take as many photos as you can. Retreat from the activity which tends to last 2 – 5 hours and get back to the starting point where you will rejoin your company safari guide, settle for your packed lunch after which you transfer to Bigodi Wetland for an afternoon eco-walk.

The Bigodi wetland is an eco-community initiative offering impressive nature walk in the community-controlled wetland which features over 138 species of birds including the famous Great Blue Turaco and a range of hornbills.

The swamp also shelters the swamp-dwelling sitatunga antelope and other primate species like monkeys with chimpanzees making occasional visits.

Retreat from the activity and drive back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget: Rwenzori View Guesthouse, Basic: Rwetera Safari Park

Day 15: Hike the Fort Portal Crater lake field, tour the Amabere g’ Nyinamwiru Caves, Mpanga tea estate cycling and transfer to Kampala

Amabere Ganyina Nnyinamwiru caves-Fort Portal Uganda

After breakfast, embark on the visit to the Amabere ga’ Nyinamwiru Caves and hike the Fort Portal Crater Lake field.

Upon arrival, you are welcomed by the local inhabitants of the place with a deep understanding of and history of the place.

You visit the Amabere ga’ Nnyinamwiru caves – the breast-like features believed to have belonged to Nyinamwiru the daughter of Bukuku who was a self-enthroned King of the Bachwezi.

She was denied the opportunity to breastfeed her baby Ndahura as the father had been alerted that the child will take over his throne. The milk continues to flow out of Nyinamwiru’s breasts. Retreat from this encounter and embark on the hike to the Fort Portal Crater Lake field where you traverse the challenging slopes of Kyeganywa hill surrounded by a range of crater lakes and crater hollows presenting one of the most beautiful scenic sites in Uganda.

The top of Kyeganywa hill offers the views of Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day. Retreat from the chosen activity and transfer back to Fort Portal where you will connect to Mpanga tea estates for a cycling adventure. The green tea plantation is spread over a beautiful undulating landscape with endless scenic views which makes it ideal to encounter on your mountain bikes.

On your cycling, you encounter the estate staff plucking tea and you are free to participate in the exercise to gain the exact touch. Retreat from the activity and embark on the drive back to Kampala 300km about 5 hours drive.

Alternatively, embark on the golden monkey tracking where you have the opportunity to explore the endangered golden monkeys that are confined to the Virunga massif on a world scale. The habituated groups thrive in the Bamboo zone on the slopes of Mount Gahinga and their golden patch and playful tactics make them interesting to encounter on Uganda safaris.

Accommodation: Budget:  Banda Inns, Basic:  Buziga Country Resort

Day 16 of the 16 Days Uganda Safari Tour: Departure 

This day is dedicated for your departure back home through Entebbe International Airport

End of the 16 Days Uganda Safari Tour