The 18 days Uganda Tour is an 18 days tour in Uganda that starts and ends in Kampala, offering amazing outdoor adventures in Uganda, gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, chimpanzees, community tours, and scenery viewing.
Your eastern Uganda safari adventures start with the Jinja day tour – covering visits to Sizibwa Falls, Mabira Forest, & the Source of the Nile – and then hiking the Sipi Falls in Mountain Elgon National Park. Continue northeast for a Uganda wildlife safari in the true wilderness of Kidepo National Park before traveling west for the best wildlife experiences in Murchison Falls Nation Park.
Visit Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda an amazing wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park – a park of beautiful lakes, rolling Savannah, emerald forests, and fertile swamps. This park has over 600 species of Uganda birds and 95 species of Uganda mammals including rare tree-climbing lions.
Your next stop is the great Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a Uganda gorilla trekking safari which is by far the biggest highlight! You then go relax at scenic Lake Bunyonyi before ending off your 18 days Uganda tour in Lake Mburo National Park.
Book or customize this trip and experience the best of what Uganda offers.
Day 1: Ssezibwa Falls, Mabira Forest, & Jinja -Source of the River Nile.
Day 2: Sipi Area/Mount Elgon.
Day 3: Sipi Falls & Coffee Plantations
Day 4, 5, 6: Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Kidepo Valley National Park
Day 7, 8 & 9: Murchison Falls National Park
Day 10 & 11: Kibale Forest National Park.
Day 12 & 13: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 14: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 15 & 16: Lake Bunyonyi
Day 17: Lake Mburo National Park
Day 18: Uganda Equator Crossing Kayabwe
Day 1: Transfer to Jinja. Visit Ssezibwa falls, Mabira Forest & take a boat trip to the Source of the Nile River.
Day 2: Half-day white-water rafting on the Nile. Transfer to Sipi Area/Mount Elgon.
Day 3: Sipi Falls hike & Coffee tour experience.
Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo National Park via Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve.
Day 5: Unlimited game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park
Day 6: Morning game drive in Kidepo & afternoon Karamajong Community tour
Day 7: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park & undertake a night game drive.
Day 8: Morning game drive & afternoon boat trip to the bottom of Murchison Falls
Day 9: Nile Delta boat cruise with bush breakfast. Evening game drive
Day 10: Visit the top of Murchison Falls & transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
Day 11: Morning chimp trekking in Kibale & afternoon Bigodi Community walk.
Day 12: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National park and enjoy a game drive on arrival
Day 13: Morning game drive in Kasenyi & afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Day 14: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. En-route game drive in the Ishasha in search of tree-climbing lions.
Day 15: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation.
Day 16: Canoe ride, island hopping, & relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 17: Relaxed breakfast & transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Day 18: Morning game walk in Mburo. Travel back to Kampala via Uganda Equator
Day 1: Transfer To Jinja. Visit Ssezibwa Falls, Mabira Forest & Take A Boat Trip To The Source Of The Nile River.
You’ll be picked up from the hotel in Kampala at 6 am. Then begin your drive east to Jinja, the famous source of the Nile River. However, en route, you’ll stop at two interesting sites, starting with Ssezibwa Falls, a relatively small but beautiful waterfall that is surrounded by lush greenery.
Enjoy a one-hour hike around this serene site, climbing the rocks to access lovely views of the falls, and explore the nearby bushes and trees to observe birds, monkeys, skinks, and butterflies. Learn about the cultures and traditions associated with the waterfalls, as well as the intriguing myths about their formation.
After Ssezibwa, your second stopover is Mabira Forest, the largest natural forest in central Uganda which contains a variety of monkeys, birds, and butterflies. You’ll do a two-hour nature walks under cool canopies, after which you continue to Jinja and have lunch by the Nile. Thereafter, take a relaxing boat cruise to the Source of the Nile – the longest river in the world.
Highlight Of The Day: – Boat Cruise To The Source Of River Nile
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Lemala Wildwaters Lodge
Mid-range: – Haven Lodge Jinja/2 Friends Hotel Jinja
Budget: – Source of the Smile Guesthouse
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activity:- Zipline adventure in Mabira forest
Day 2: Half-Day Water Rafting On Nile. Transfer To Sipi Area/Mount Elgon.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel at 8.00 am and set out for a thrilling white water rafting adventure on the Nile.
Jinja River Nile offers some of the best rafting in the world, with routes full of variety, from quiet pools to thunderous rapids and drops. It includes several grade IV and V rapids to navigate. You’ll raft with expert guides who know the river intimately. Grade V rapids can flip rafts over, sending you into the river, but lots of people enjoy this kind of immersive experience.
Safety kayakers will stay close to the raft at all times and can quickly paddle over to fetch you if you do fall in. You get to have lunch at the end of the adventure. After lunch, travel further east to the Sipi Falls area in the foothills of Mt Elgon.
Highlight Of The Day: – White-water rafting on the Nile
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Sipi River Lodge
Mid-range: – Mbale Resort Hotel
Budget: – Kapkwai Forest Cottages
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activities:-
Day 3: Sipi Falls Hike & Coffee Tour Experience.
Wake up to the beautiful views of Sipi Falls. After breakfast at 8 am, start your hike to Sipi Falls. Sipi consists of 3 beautiful waterfalls (65m, 85m & 100m) situated at different spots along the base of Mt Elgon.
Hike each of the waterfalls starting with the topmost and coming down to the last one which is the biggest falling 100m. Basic fitness is enough for this hike, and depending on the pace, the entire hike takes from 3 to 4 hrs.
Return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation. After lunch, take a coffee tour visiting the coffee plantation to see and learn how coffee is grown, harvested, and processed for consumption – this is termed the ‘lifestyle of coffee’. You’ll prepare a cup of coffee from your own processed coffee during the experience. In the evening, return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Highlight Of The Day: – Sipi Falls Hike
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Sipi River Lodge
Mid-range: – Mbale Resort Hotel
Budget: – Kapkwai Forest Cottages
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Day 4: Transfer To Kidepo National Park Via Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve.
Have an early breakfast at 6.00 am and then start your long drive to Kidepo National Park in the far northeastern corner of Uganda. About an hour’s drive from the Sipi Falls, you’ll visit the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve for your first safari experience.
Pian Upe is one of the untouched Uganda safari attractions, yet to be discovered. The reserve has a striking landscape, as well as several animals such as Waterbucks, Zebras, Cheetahs, Giraffes, Buffalo, Hartebeest, Elands, Lion, Leopard, Hyenas, and Ostriches. Have a game drive after which you continue driving to Kidepo, arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Highlight Of The Day: – Game drive in Pian Upe
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid-range: – Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Ng’Moru Wilderness Camp
Budget: – Apoka Rest Camp/Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Day 5: Unlimited Game Drives In Kidepo Valley National Park
Wake up at about 6 am for an early breakfast. Embark on a morning game drive into the beautiful wildness of Kidepo. Explore the savannah grasslands of the Narus Valley in the south of Kidepo, which is the park’s main wildlife viewing area because it has permanent water sources and is greener than other areas.
Kidepo is rich with preying animals such as Lions, Leopards, Cheetah, Hyena, Bat-eared Fox, and Caracal. Other games include Elephants, Buffalos, Zebra, Giraffe, Kob, Topi, Elands, Waterbuck, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Warthog, Greater Kudu, and Lesser kudu. The park is also home to nearly 500 bird species including Ostriches.
After the morning game drive, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. After lunch, enjoy another game drive, this time exploring the semi-arid Kidepo Valley in the north which has fewer animals but amazing scenery and unique features such as the dry river bed and the Kanangorok hot springs.
Highlight Of The Day: – Game drive in the stunning landscape of Kidepo
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid-range: – Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Ng’Moru Wilderness Camp
Budget: – Apoka Rest Camp/Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activity:- Night game drive
Day 6: Morning Game Drive In Kidepo & Afternoon Karamajong Community Tour.
After breakfast at about 7 am, depart for another safari in Kidepo National Park. Explore further game tracks to see more animals. Also, look out for fantastic birds like Southern ground hornbills, Verreaux’s Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Secretary bird, Pygmy Falcon, Abyssinian Roller, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Clapperton’s Francolin, and Northern carmine bee-eater among others.
After a 3-4 hours game drive, return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation. In the afternoon, visit the local community of the Karamojong tribe which is very similar to the famous Masai People of Kenya and Tanzania.
Learn about their distinct culture and traditional lifestyle, which has not been influenced by modernity. Discover their distinctive housing called “Manyatta”, Ornaments, Crafts, and be entertained with the Karamojong dance. Return in the evening for, relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Highlight Of The Day: – Karamajong community tour
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid-range: – Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Ng’Moru Wilderness Camp
Budget: – Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Apoka Rest Camp
Meal Plan:– Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activities:-
Day 7: Travel To Murchison Falls National Park & Undertake A Night Game Drive.
Have an early breakfast at about 7 am, check out of the lodge, and leave Murchison Falls National Park. This 7-8 hour drive will take you through northern Uganda’s magnificent scenery. You’ll stop at Kitgum Town or Gulu Town for lunch before continuing to Murchison Falls NP.
Highlight Of The Day: – The scenic drive to Murchison Falls NP
Luxury: – Paraa Safari Lodge/Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: – Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget: – Red Chilli Rest Camp/Hornbill Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: – Approx. 400km or 7-8 hours
Activities & Services:-
Day 8: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Trip To The Bottom Of Murchison Falls
After breakfast at 6 am, go on a safari in Uganda‘s largest park, Murchison Falls National Park. Begin with a 4-hour game drive in the northern section of the park, which has beautiful savannah grasslands and over 80% of the park’s animals.
See several of the park’s 76 Uganda mammal species such as Giraffes, Buffalo, Elephants, Lions, Antelopes, Warthogs, Patas Monkeys, Leopards, Olive baboons, Hyenas, Warthogs, etc. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, set out for a relaxing 3-hour boat cruise on the Nile River. Enjoy the wonderful scenery, as well as superb views of hippos, Nile crocodiles, Buffalos, Elephants, and waterbirds. This cruise takes you to the bottom of Murchison Falls, where you witness the 50m wide Nile River bursting through an 8m rocky gap, exploding into the world’s strongest waterfall!
Highlight Of The Day: – Boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Paraa Safari Lodge/Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: – Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget: – Hornbill Bush Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activities:-
Day 9: Nile Delta Boat Cruise. Evening Game Drive.
Enjoy breakfast at 8 am and embark on 5 hour (20km) boat ride from Paraa to the delta area, where the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert. While the delta is home to a diverse array of waterbirds, the ultimate prize is sighting the incredible pre-historic-looking Shoebill.
This boat trip also offers an excellent opportunity to explore the area’s beautiful scenery and animals. Numerous hippos can be seen swimming in the river, as well as massive Nile crocodiles and elephants lazing on the banks.
You will stop along the riverbank for a delicious bush breakfast made by your private chef. Return to the lodge for lunch and then prepare for your evening game drive.
Highlight Of The Day: – The Nile Delta boat cruise
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Bakers Lodge/Paraa Safari Lodge
Moderate:- Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget: – Hornbill Bush Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activities:-
Day 10: Visit The Top Of Murchison Falls & Transfer To Kibale Forest National Park.
Have breakfast at 8 am and drive to the top of Murchison Falls.
See the Nile squeezes through a small gap between the rocks and plunging 45m down where the crocodiles have their jaws open all the time for an easy catch of a Nile Perch. The hot sun creates magical rainbows into the splashing droplets. The waterfalls offer such beautiful photo moments.
After viewing the spectacular falls, continue south to Kibale National Park. Take in the striking scenery as you drive across the Albertine rift valley. You make your way to the beautiful Fort Portal town just in time for lunch. After lunch, continue south to the Kibale Forest – renowned for having Africa’s highest primate density – a total of 13 primate species including over 1500 wild chimpanzees.
Highlight Of The Day: – The Top Of Murchison Falls Experience
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge Kibale
Midrange: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp
Budget: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: – Approx. 366km or 6 hours
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activity:- Night forest walk
Day 11: Morning Chimp Trekking In Kibale & Afternoon Bigodi Community Walk.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at 6.00 am and then transfer to Kibale National Park Visitor Centre for the trek to see our closest genetic cousins – the chimpanzees – in their natural habitat. You’ll meet the park ranger guides and other fellow trackers by 7 am at the visitor center. Have a pre-tracking briefing and begin the trek into the forest to find Chimps and observe plenty of life supported by the evergreen forest.
The chimp trek takes 2-5 hours but Kibale offers over 97% chance to see them. Once you find the chimps, spend 1 hour observing these human-like creatures, watching them grooming, hunting, eating, resting, playing, or patrolling.
Return to the starting point for a packed picnic lunch. After lunch, go to the Bigodi Community for a village walk. Spend time with the friendly local people learning about the unique ways of life. Return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Highlight Of The Day: – Chimpanzee tracking on foot in Kibale Forest
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Primate Lodge Kibale/ Kyaninga Lodge/Crater Safari Lodge
Midrange: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp
Budget: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activities:-
Day 12: Travel To Queen Elizabeth National Park And Enjoy A Game Drive On Arrival.
Enjoy breakfast at 9 am and leave for Queen Elizabeth National Park. This will be a 2-3 hour scenic road trip, arriving at the lodge for relaxation and lunch. After lunch, go on an evening game drive in Queen Elizabeth NP.
The park’s beautiful lakes, rolling savannah, emerald forests, and fertile swamps make it a haven for over 95 species of mammals. The park is home to an incredible 611 species of birds and rare tree-climbing lions.
The highlight of the day: – Game drive in Queen
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mweya Safari Lodge/Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Midrange: – Enganzi Game Lodge/Bush lodge/Kasenyi Safari Camp
Budget: – Pumba Safari Cottages
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Day 13: Morning Game Drive In Kasenyi & Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise.
Wake as early as 6 am, take breakfast, and go on a morning game drive in the park. The early start boosts the likelihood of encountering nocturnal and elusive predators like Lions, Leopards, Jackals, and Hyenas, who are actively hunting at that time.
Explore the Kasenyi Plains which is the main area for game viewing in Queen Elizabeth NP. It is a breeding ground for Uganda kobs, thus attracting many lions. Elephants and Buffaloes are a common sight here. Take in the breathtaking views of the crater lakes, and grassy hills.
After close to 4 hours of wildlife viewing, return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, take a 2-hour boat ride on the Kazinga Channel, which has some of the world’s densest concentrations of hippos, waterbirds, and Crocs. Return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Highlight Of The Day: – Cruising on hippo-filled Kazinga Channel
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mweya Safari Lodge/Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Midrange: – Enganzi Game Lodge/Kasenyi Safari Camp/Bush lodge
Budget: – Pumba Safari Cottages/Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activities:
Day 14: Transfer To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. En-Route Game Drive In The Ishasha In Search Of Tree-Climbing Lions.
Have breakfast at 8.00 am, check out of the lodge, and depart for Bwindi. Drive through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha) to look out for the rare and unusual Tree Climbing Lions and also spot many other animals including Topis, Uganda Kob, Waterbuck, Elephants, and Buffaloes.
You’ll have lunch en route and thereafter continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is home to about 459 gorillas out of the 1063mountains left in the world. You’ll arrive at your lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – Finding the rare tree-climbing lions of Ishasha Plains
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Haven Lodge Buhoma/Buhoma Lodge/Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
Midrange: – Gorilla Mist Camp/Agandi Uganda
Budget: – Trekkers Tavern Cottages/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 218km or 4-5 hours
Activities & Services:-
Day 15: Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi & Transfer To Lake Bunyonyi For Relaxation.
Today, go for arguably the biggest highlight of this 18 days Uganda safari trip, the gorilla trekking adventure! Wake up as early as 6 m to prepare, dress up in your trekking attire, have breakfast, and transfer to the park office.
Essential items to carry include a lunch box from the lodge, drinking water of at least two liters, and a rain jacket. Meet the ranger guides and other fellow trekkers for a pre-trekking briefing and allocation of the Gorilla families. Then, enter the dense misty jungle and start your search for the giant Mountain Gorillas.
Trekking takes from 2-8 hours depending on the location of your assigned gorilla family and its movement. You’ll then spend only one hour with the gorillas which is an experience of a lifetime. After the trek, return to the starting point to receive your gorilla trekking certificate. Enjoy your packed picnic lunch and embark on a 1½-hour scenic drive to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation.
Highlight Of The Day: – Encountering Rare Mountain Gorillas In The Wild
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort
Midrange: – Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 52km or 90 minutes
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activity:- Gorilla Habituation Experience
Day 16: Canoe Ride & Relaxation At Lake Bunyonyi.
After breakfast at 8 am, enjoy a morning canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi and explore its breathtaking scenery.
Lake Bunyonyi is Africa’s second deepest lake and possesses one of the best scenery. It is dotted with 29 lush islands and surrounded by beautiful terraced hills. While on a canoe ride, you observe some nature as you enjoy the mystic views and relax in the cool weather. Bunyonyi is a local term that translates to “birds”, aptly named so as you’ll see the many birds.
You’ll also visit some of the islands on the lake and learn about the traditions attached to them. Perhaps the most intriguing is the Akampane Island/Punishment Island! Following the canoe trip, you’ll spend the remainder of the day resting.
Highlight Of The Day: – Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort
Mid-range: – Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activities:-
Day 17: Relaxed Breakfast & Transfer To Lake Mburo NP.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and embark on a 4 hour drive northeast to Lake Mburo National Park. You’ll stop at the Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara for lunch before continuing to Lake Mburo, Uganda’s smallest savannah park.
Despite its small size, the park has a beautiful landscape and plenty of wildlife. After checking into your lodge, enjoy a game drive to see the Impala, lots of Zebras, buffaloes, bushbucks, waterbucks, warthogs, eland, etc.
Highlight Of The Day: – Evening game drive in Lake Mburo NP
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mihingo Lodge
Mid-range: – Rwakobo Rock
Budget: – Eagles Nest Mburo
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 199km or 4 hours
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activities:-
Day 18: Morning game walk in Mburo. Travel back to Kampala via Uganda Equator.
After an early breakfast at 6 am, do a 2 hours game walk in Lake Mburo National Park. Enjoy the lovely scenery and spot animals up close. Then, drive back to Entebbe. You make a stopover at the Uganda Equator for some picture moments and also purchase some souvenirs. Continue to Entebbe Airport for your departure flight.
Highlight Of The Day: – Walking amongst wild mammals of Lake Mburo NP
Meal Plan: – Breakfast
Drive distance & time: – Approx. 240km or 3-4 hours
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activities:-
End Of The 18 Days Uganda Safari
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