The 16 Days Uganda Safari is one of the extensive Uganda safari packages that allow you to explore the areas along the Equator in detail. Uganda is one of the most gifted countries in the world that are crossed by the world’s main latitude – the Equator which partly influences her climate and vegetation.
The safari starts and ends at Entebbe International Airport taking you to impressive Uganda safari destinations of Jinja to encounter the source of the Nile and white water rafting, Fort Portal area to encounter the Mpanga tea estate cycling, visiting Amabere Caves, hike the fort portal crater lake field, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and Bigodi wetland walk, Mount Rwenzori region to hike the famous Mountains of the moon for two days involving sleeping on the mountain, Ruboni community craft village and Rwenzori Art foundation.
You will visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for impressive wild game viewing like lions including tree-climbing lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and waterbucks, Kazinga channel with sights of aquatics of Nile crocodiles and Hippos, Semliki National Park to encounter the hot springs, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for volcano climbing, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking, Lake Mburo National Park for impressive wild game encounter including sights of Rothschild giraffes, Buffaloes, Burchell’s Zebra, Topis, Impala among others not forgetting the cultural tour to the Banyankole community.
Day 1: Arrive in Uganda (Entebbe International Airport) & transfer to the lodge
Day 2: Tour the source of the Nile River – the world’s longest River and do half-day white water rafting.
Day 3: Drive to Fort Portal Area. Undertake cycling in Mpanga Tea Estate, tour to the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru Caves, hike the Fort Portal Crater Field, and then connect to Kibale National Park
Day 4: Undertake the Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park in the morning and afternoon eco walk in Bigodi wetland.
Day 5: Drive to Semliki National Park to explore the Sempaya hot springs, visit the pygmies of Ntandi and drive to Kasese. Visit the Rwenzori: Undertake two (2) day adventure hiking to the Rwenzori Mountains. Explore the legendary mountains of the moon towering to 5,109m above sea level and covered by snow
Day 8: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & undertake a game drive in the Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park in search of tree climbing lions and other wildlife
Day 9: Undertake mountain gorilla trekking in the hilly forested landscapes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to encounter the critically endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi has a minimum of 400 out of the 880 that are known to be thriving in the world & drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Day 10: Whole day Volcano climbing. Climb Gahinga (3,474m) or Sabyinyo (3,669m) or Muhabura (4,127m)
Day 11: Undertake the Batwa heritage exploration and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi driving along the fascinating Kisoro – Kabale road
Day 12: Undertake a whole day of island hopping and explore the main Islands and a thrilling boat cruise on the lake of a thousand Islands as it has been nicknamed as a result of its 29 Islands
Day 13: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park, make a traditional lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Center, and upon arrival undertake an evening game walking safari
Day 14: undertake the half-day cultural encounter with the Banyankole Community at Enyemebwa Center & in the afternoon drive to Kampala
Day 15: Undertake the Kampala City tour exploring the sites of historical, cultural, political, economic, health, religious and educational significance not forgetting the Christ Our Vision Child Care
Day 16: Departure
Arrive in Uganda following the flight from your respective country of origin. You land at Entebbe International Airport which is the main gateway to Uganda where you will find the company representative dedicated to offer you a courteous welcome.
The amazing weather and brightening atmosphere on the shores of Lake Victoria give you a remarkable first impression of Uganda. After briefing about Uganda and the safari, you will connect to the respective hotel for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, Midrange / Standard: Cassia Lodge, Budget / Basic: Buziga Country Resort
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 makes 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 from Jinja and settle in Kampala overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, Midrange / Standard: Cassia Lodge, Budget / Basic: Buziga Country Resort
After breakfast at your hotel in Kampala / Entebbe, you embark on the drive to Fort Portal Area 300km about 5 – 6 hours’ drive.
You will drive through impressive scenic landscapes on smooth tarmac viewing the unique geographical features including the Mubende Inselbergs not forgetting the small towns en route including Mpigi, Mityana, Mubende, and Kyenjojo.
You arrive at Mpanga tea estates in the mid-morning and then embark on a cycling experience. 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 continue to Fort Portal town where you will settle for lunch after which you will connect to Fort Portal Crater Lake Area. 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 activity and transfer to Kibale National Park 26km from Fort Portal town for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Luxury: Upmarket / Luxury: Ndali Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse
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 of 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, swinging in trees, socializing, patrolling, mating, and making pant-hooting calls may lure you into unforgettable excitement.
You have hours 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: Upmarket / Luxury: Ndali Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse
Drive to Semliki National Park after breakfast at your lodge 78km about 2 – 3 hours’ drive. You drive past the town of Fort Portal which is one of the most organized and beautiful towns in Uganda before proceeding to the Bundibugyo area welcomed by the views of the Mount Rwenzori block.
On arriving at Semliki National Park, you undertake the famous Sempaya Nature walk to explore the hot springs both the female and the male hot springs. The male hot spring is also known as Bitente has a wider pool while the female hot spring Nyansimbi features a hot boiling geyser that sprouts up to 2m high and boils to more than 100 degrees Celsius.
You can boil some plantain or eggs to have picnic bites. The walk to the hot springs also exposes the lush flora of Semliki Forest which is an extension of the Congo forest biome. The Primate species like Black and white colobus monkeys might also be viewed. Retreat from the activity and connect to Ntandi to visit the Batwa people who are initially forest dwellers that were evicted to pave way for conservation. They dance for you and tell you stories of their ancient heritage.
From Semliki, you connect back to Fort Portal and transfer to Kasese. Upon arrival in Kasese, visit the Rwenzori Art Foundation which is the only bronze casting center in the whole of Africa where you have an opportunity to explore the gallery with a collection of beautiful artworks. The foundation also offers an experiential touch and allows you to participate in the casting process.
From the art foundation, if you still have time, you visit the Ruboni Craft village and encounter the local women putting together different materials to produce one of the best craft products in Uganda. You can learn a skill like basket weaving. Retire for relaxation, dinner, and overnight on the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Equator Snow Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Ihamba Safari Lodge, Budget / Basic: Ruboni Community Camp
Gather at Nyakalengija park station early in the morning to embark on the two (2) days Mount Rwenzori adventure hike exploring the legendary mountain of the moon as noted by Ptolemy in 150AD.
The Rwenzori Mountain rises to 5,109m above sea level with snowcapped peaks despite its closeness to the world’s main latitude – the Equator.
Encounter the world heritage site which is greatly known for its impressive flora other than fauna as given by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The impressive giant lobelias and groundsels are lovely to encounter.
The sights of the peaks can be viewed at a distance, the sights of glaciers flowing down the mountain are beautiful not forgetting the savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the rift valley lakes of George and Edward, and Kasese town below.
Sleeping on the mountain is an adventure encounter of its own. The following day, you hike a little and then embark on the descent back to the starting point from where you will connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Equator Snow Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Ihamba Safari Lodge, Budget / Basic: Ruboni Community Camp or Wild Camping
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable 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 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp, Budget / Basic: Broadbill Forest Camp or Wild Camping
Embark on the mountain gorilla exploration in the Impenetrable forest of Bwindi. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park supports a minimum of 400 mountain gorillas which on a global scale are given as critically endangered.
Therefore, undertaking the gorilla trekking experience in the hilly forested landscapes of Bwindi is a lifetime endeavor that will create lasting memories. 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 impressive bird songs and beautiful flowers through 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 on 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.
Retreat from the activity and transfer to the starting point to embark on the transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to the extreme southwest of Uganda in the Virunga massif where it shelters three peaks of the eight mountain chain.
You drive through impressive Kigezi highlands while enjoying the sights of the Virunga Volcanoes arriving at your lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Mucha Hotel, Budget / Basic: Amajambere iwacu Community Camp
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 adventure and connect to the lodge for evening relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Mucha Hotel, Budget / Basic: Amajambere iwacu Community Camp
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 the 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, 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 taking about 5 – 6 hours and embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi driving along the scenic Kisoro – Kabale Road with tits challenging road sections, branch off at Muko and connect to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort, Midrange / Standard: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort, Budget / Basic: Byoona Amagara Island Retreat
After breakfast, embark on a whole day of Island hopping exploration visiting the main Islands of Lake Bunyonyi. You 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 with its impressive forest cover and the eucalyptus forest, Kyahugye Island with its resort environment with wildlife including the Impala, Zebra, debrazza monkey, and Waterbuck not forgetting the Njuyera / Sharps Island which is known as the traditional leprosy healing center.
The hopping experience exposes you to the local life of the Island communities including the process of brewing local beer. Retreat for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort, Midrange / Standard: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort, Budget / Basic: Byoona Amagara Island Retreat
Following an early morning cup of coffee at your respective lodge, embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park 199km about 4 hours’ drive.
You drive through impressive south western Uganda landscapes before making a stop at Igongo Cultural Center 12km past Mbarara town the largest in the sub-region for a thrilling traditional lunch after which you will proceed 33km to the Park for an afternoon game walking experience.
You enter the park through Sanga gate and embark on the game exploration on foot. 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 Kazuma hill offers you one of the most magical scenic views in Uganda. Retreat from the activity for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mihingo Safari Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Arcadia Cottages Mburo, Budget / Basic: Eagles Nest or Wild Camping
Wake up at 6:00 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 herdsmen as they set out to the grazing field and be mesmerized by the cows’ know-how to align themselves forming a line headed by those that have the 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 back to Kampala in the afternoon 240km about 3 – 4 hours’ drive making a stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for amazing photo shoots where you have the opportunity to take photos with one leg in the northern hemisphere and another one in the southern hemisphere. Continue to arrive in Kampala in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, Midrange / Standard: Cassia Lodge, Budget / Basic: Buziga Country Resort
Undertake the Kampala city tour to explore the sites of historical, religious, cultural, and political significance. These include; the Ugandan Parliament, the Uganda National Museum, the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine where 45 converts were burnt because of converting to Christianity, the Rubaga Cathedral which is the headquarter for the catholic faith in Uganda, the Namirembe Cathedral for Protestants, and the Baha’i Temple which is the only temple of the Baha’i in Africa.
You also visit the Christ Our Vision Child Care where Prime Uganda Safaris supports counts of orphans some of which are HIV positive. You retreat in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, Midrange / Standard: Cassia Lodge, Budget / Basic: Buziga Country Resort
Connect to Entebbe International Airport for your flight departure back home. Last-minute shopping can be done within Kampala or Entebbe.
End of the 16 Days Uganda Safari
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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