8 days Uganda adventure safari is a Uganda vacation package that takes you to some of Uganda’s top African safari destinations like Jinja to see the source of River Nile, Kibale Forest for Chimp tracking, Rwenzori Mountains for a hike, Queen Elizabeth for game viewing, Bwindi for Gorilla trekking, Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation.
You begin Uganda safari tour adventure at the iconic source of the Nile River in Jinja where thrills of bungee jumping and whitewater rafting on the Grade V rapids of the world’s longest river await.
Next, move to Fort Portal, a naturally scenic area of Uganda with the Rwenzori Mountains as its backdrop. Enjoy a cycling tour in the Mpanga tea estate, a hike to the dramatic Crater Lake field, and a heritage tour to Amabere cave. Travel to Kibale National Park – the primate capital of Africa and track chimpanzees in Uganda, our known closest living relatives on foot. Also, visit the nearby community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a nature walk.
From Kibale, drive to Kasese for a whole day adventure hike into, the Rwenzori Mountains in Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Africa’s highest mountain range, rising to 5109m with snowcapped peaks. Then undertake a scenic drive to the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park, blessed with a variety of habitats, 610 bird species, and 95 species of mammals. Enjoy a game drive in search of the rare tree-climbing lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and more, as well as a relaxing boat cruise down the Kazinga Channel which hosts the world’s densest concentration of hippos.
Continuing your journey, you eventually reach the great Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for a thrilling mountain gorilla trekking adventure through the dense misty jungle. Experienced trackers will find clues to the families’ overnight movements in the verdant vegetation. Once you encounter a gorilla family you have been assigned, spend an hour observing them. Gorilla toddlers are often very curious, and silverbacks are remarkably huge. The 60 minutes of watching, listening, and breathing in their forest home are utterly unforgettable.
After your jungle adventure, travel to the wonderful Lake Bunyonyi for a boat ride and a chance to learn more about rural life in Uganda by touring community centers and Batwa village. This 8-day Uganda adventure safari trip starts and ends in Kampala.
Whitewater rafting and bungee jumping at the source of the Nile River in Jinja
Whole day adventure hike into the legendary ‘Mountains of the Moon’, the Rwenzori
Gorilla trekking in Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Track Chimpanzees and other primates Kibale Forest National Park
Searching for the rare tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Uganda safari game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and Lake Bunyonyi
A nature walk in the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Cycle in Mpanga Tea Estate
Heritage tour to Amabere Caves
Hike to the dramatic Fort Portal Crater Lake field
Hike to the 1520 AD eclipse monument on Biharwe hill in Mbarara
Traditional lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre
Photoshoots at Uganda Equator crossing
Discover the rural life in Uganda by visiting community centers and Batwa villages
Day 1: Jinja – Source of the Nile River
Day 2: Fort Portal Crater Lake field, Amabere caves, Kibale National Park
Day 3: Kibale National Park, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary & Kasese
Day 4: Rwenzori Mountains.
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 7: Lake Bunyonyi & Batwa community.
Day 8: Igongo Cultural Centre & the Equator crossing Kayabwe
Day 1: Transfer to Jinja – Source of the Nile River. Do white water rafting & bungee jumping
Day 2: Transfer to Fort Portal, cycle in Mpanga tea estate, hike to Fort Portal Crater lake field, visit Amabere cave & connect to Kibale National Park.
Day 3: Morning Chimpanzee trekking, afternoon Bigodi wetland walk & transfer to Kasese
Day 4: Undertake a whole-day adventure hike in the Rwenzori Mountains.
Day 5: Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP, do a game drive & a Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
Day 6: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable NP. Search for the Ishasha tree-climbing lions en route.
Day 7: Do Gorilla trekking & connect to Lake Bunyonyi for a boat ride & visit the Batwa community.
Day 8: Transfer to Kampala. Make stops en route at Igongo Cultural Centre for a traditional lunch, a hike to the 1520AD Biharwe eclipse monument & photoshoots at the Equator Kayabwe.
After breakfast at around 6.00 am at your hotel in Kampala, embark on an 80km (1-2 hours) drive to Jinja, a large historical town of Uganda whose main claim to fame is the source of the Nile, the place where the world longest river leaves, Lake Victoria (the world’s largest tropical lake) to commence its long journey north to the Mediterranean Sea. On your journey to Jinja, pass through impressive landscapes on the city outskirts before entering the sugarcane plantations of Lugazi and the Mabira Forest, a magnificent tropical rainforest home to a variety of bird species and primates.
Arrive in Jinja and check-in your accommodation. Then drive to the starting area for your whitewater rafting adventure along the historic Nile River for briefing. You’re given rafting gears then proceed to the rafting point for a half-day adventurous rafting activity with your packed lunch. 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 will make you part of the community.
Retire from the activity, relax a little, and connect to the bungee jumping site. You’re tied with the latex rubber in the ankles that allows you to slope for over 44m down the waters of the Nile from the cliff safely. Enjoy the great adventure with the wind rushing through your air, the views of the cliff, and the views of the sky which combine to generate a lasting experience.
Retreat from the Jinja adventure and return to Kampala for relaxation, dinner, and overnight. The journey back to Kampala takes 2-3 hours depending on traffic.
The highlight of the day: – White-water rafting and bungee jumping adventures at the source of the legendary Nile River.
Upmarket/Luxury: – Haven Lodge Jinja/Wild waters Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Haven Lodge Jinja/2 Friends Hotel Jinja
Budget/Basic: – Source of the Smile Guesthouse
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: – Approx. 108km or 2-3 hours
Enjoy your breakfast at around 7.00 am and embark on a 300km (5-6) drive to Fort Portal Area. Drive through impressive landscapes on smooth tarmac viewing the unique geographical landscapes and small towns including Mpigi, Mityana, Mubende, and Kyenjojo. Arrive in Mpanga tea estates in the mid-morning and undertake a cycling tour in Mpanga tea estate, a green tea plantation where workers still harvest the tea leaves by hand. The plantation is spread over a beautiful undulating landscape with endless scenic views. Encounter the estate staff plucking tea and you can participate in the exercise to gain the exact touch.
Retreat from the activity and proceed to Fort Portal town for lunch after which embark on a heritage tour to Amabere cave which is named after the live stalactite formation, Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru (literally, Breast of Nyinamwiru). The breast-like features in the caves are believed to have belonged to Nyinamwiru, King Bukuku’s daughter who is said to have been so beautiful that no man could leave her alone.
When King became weary of receiving marital requests from unsuitable suitors, he took the extreme measure of cutting off his daughter’s breasts to make her less attractive. But even this proved to be insufficient to deter Nyinamwiru’s many admirers, so the king hid her away in the cave now known as Amabere.
From the caves, proceed to hike the dramatic Fort Portal Crater field and summit the famous Kyeganywa hill which offers impressive views of the crater lakes and crater hollows below and the views of Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day. Retreat from this activity and embark on a 26km drive to Kibale National Park arriving at the lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Kibale Forest is the natural habitat for an amazing 13 primate species and contains the highest primate density of any area on earth. Some of the trees are 50 to 60m (150 to 180 feet) in height and provide a majestic canopy for the profusion of rainforest life, including 375 bird species.
The highlight of the day: – An adventurous hike to Amabere Cave and the scenic Fort Portal Crater Lake Field.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Ndali Lodge/Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Mountains of the Moon Hotel
Budget/Basic: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: – Approx. 300km or 4 – 5 hours
Enjoy a hearty breakfast this morning (at around 6.30 am) and transfer to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre to meet the excellent local ranger guide who takes you deep in the forests to a group of habituated Chimpanzees, the intelligent tailless apes that share 98.8% of our DNA.
At 8.00 am, the guide gives you a briefing on the Chimpanzee tracking etiquette after which you embark on a trek in search of Chimps. The Chimps of Kibale have been tracked since 1993 and there are over 95% chances of locating some of the park’s 1500 Chimpanzees. The trek is between 2-5 hours but contact time with chimpanzees is limited to one hour. As you track the Chimps, encounter a myriad of unique birds and other primates of the forest including Black-and-white colobus, Red-tailed, Red colobus, Blue L’Hoest’s, and vervet monkeys, as well as Anubis baboons and Uganda mangabeys.
Once the chimps are found, watch them go about their daily routine in peace. Viewing them as they munch fruit, swinging in trees, socializing, patrolling, mating, and making hooting calls is an unforgettable experience that will stay etched in your mind forever. You are free to take as many photos as you want but keep the flash off.
Retire from the chimpanzee tracking adventure and connect to the starting point where you meet with your driver-guide. Settle for your packed lunch and then embark on a short drive to community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a 2 hours swamp walk in this eco-tourism site which hosts 200 bird species and several primates. You can opt to undertake a cultural to Bigodi village and craft center to explore the local way of life.
Retreat from the activity and transfer to Kasese arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – The face-to-face encounter with the intelligent Chimpanzees of Kibale Forest.
Upmarket/Luxury: – Equator Snow Lodge
Moderate/Mid-range:- Sandton Hotel Kasese
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Gather at the Nyakalengija ranger post to start the Mount Rwenzori hike at 8 am. Organized by the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services that manages the central circuit, the Rwenzori hike is a daylong encounter enabling you to explore the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains in detail.
The Rwenzori – the fabled Mountains of the Moon – is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. The equatorial snow peaks of this mountain range include the 3rd highest point in Africa, while the lower slopes are blanketed in moorland, bamboo, and rich, moist montane forest. Huge tree heathers and colorful mosses are draped across the mountainside with giant lobelias and “everlasting flowers”, creating an enchanting, fairytale scene.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects the highest parts of the 120km-long and 65km-wide Rwenzori mountain range. The national park hosts 70 mammals and 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics, as well as some of the world’s rarest vegetation.
The day-long exploration of the legendary ‘Mountains of the Moon’ presents magical sights of the Rwenzori ridges, unique plants, birds, animals, the rift valley lakes below including Edward and George, the savannah stretches of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the panoramic view of Kasese town. Retire at 5 pm for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – A full-day adventure hike on the incredibly scenic Rwenzori Mountains.
Upmarket/Luxury: – Equator Snow Lodge
Moderate/Mid-range:- Sandton Hotel Kasese
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Have a hearty breakfast this morning (at around 6.00 am), and embark on a 30 minutes drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Upon arrival, undertake a 3-4 hours game drive in the classic savannah plains of the Kasenyi sector. The vast grasslands of Kasenyi, aside from being a great wildlife watching spot, is one of the prettiest sectors of the park, particularly in the golden light of the morning. During the game drive, search for Lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Hyenas, Giant forest Hogs, Warthogs, Uganda kobs, Hippos, and various smaller creatures.
Also, you look out for special bird species including Grey-crowned crane, Red-throated spurfowl, Yellow-throated longclaw, White-backed vulture, White-headed vulture, Long-crested Eagle, Black-bellied bustard, African skimmer, and Brown Snake Eagle, to name just a few. Return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch.
In the afternoon, drive to Mweya Jetty for another remarkable activity planned; the 2-hour boat trip along 45km Kazinga channel which flows between Lakes George and Edward. One of the world’s densest concentrations of hippo lives here, as well as large numbers of elephants, crocodiles, and water birds like African Open-billed, Yellow-billed, and Saddle-billed Storks; Marabou storks, African spoonbills, African jacana, Water Thick-knee, and Pink-backed Pelicans. Return from the activity and do a game drive along the channel track as you connect to the lodge for your overnight.
The highlight of the day: – The relaxing 2-hours cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
Upmarket/Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/Katara Lodge/Mazike Valley Lodge
Midrange/Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge/Kasenyi Safari Camp/Bush lodge
Budget/Basic: Park View Safari Lodge/Pumba Safari Cottages
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Settle for a relaxed breakfast (at around 8.30 am) and then embark on a 130-220km (4-7 hours) drive south to the mighty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Before leaving Queen Elizabeth NP, undertake a short game drive in Ishasha plains in search of the plain’s rare tree-climbing lions. After encountering these mystifying creatures, exit the park and drive through the rolling hills of southwestern Uganda as you make your way to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a montane tropical rainforest wonderland, situated at the edge of the Rift Valley on an area of 321 km². Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994, the park is incredibly biodiverse and breathtakingly beautiful with dense steamy jungle, deep valleys, steep ridges, sparkling mountain streams, and waterfalls. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” hosts an estimated 459 mountain gorillas – almost half of the world’s population. Aside from gorillas, Bwindi protects another 9 primate species including Chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Black-and-white colobus, Olive baboons, Red-tailed monkeys, and Blue monkeys.
In addition to primates that swing their way through the treetops, other 110 mammals roam the forest paths of Bwindi, including Forest elephants, Duikers, Giant forest hogs, Bush pigs, Golden cats, Jackals, Civet, and numerous other small mammals. Bwindi is also an exceptional forest birding destination in Africa, hosting 351 bird species with 23 Albertine rift endemics including the rare, elusive, and gorgeous African green broadbill.
The highlight of the day: – The tree-climbing Lions in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth Park.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge/Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range/Moderate: – Gorilla Valley Lodge/ Bakiga Lodge/Silverback Lodge
Budget/Basic: – Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 130-220km or 4-7 hours
Have an early breakfast at 6.00 am, pack your lunch and undertake a short drive to the respective park headquarter where you meet the expert local ranger guides. At 8.00 am, the guides give you a briefing about the Mountain Gorillas and how the gorilla trekking encounter is conducted. After the briefing, embark on a trek through the rugged mountain terrain of Bwindi to encounter rare Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi contains 19 habituated gorillas families and no more than 8 people per day can visit any one habituated gorilla family. Visits are strictly controlled to minimize disturbance or the chances of transmission of disease to the animals since gorillas share 98% of DNA.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is relatively difficult. The trek usually takes 2- 8 hours and may reach altitudes of almost 2000m above sea level. The dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy, and uncomfortable, but the sheer thrill in coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty. The Mountain gorillas are placid and gentle, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself. Be mesmerized as you watch them eat, sleep, groom, and play – the giant silverback surveying the scene as the smaller ones laze in the trees or play like children. Your visit with the gorillas will last one unforgettable hour.
Retreat from this activity and connect to Lake Bunyonyi 52km from Ruhija and 73km from Rushaga driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands with magical sceneries. Enjoy a boat cruise on Africa’s second deepest lake which is dotted with 29 islands. Also, undertake a community/cultural tour to Batwa pygmy villages.
The highlight of the day: – Spending one breathtaking hour with the famous Mountain gorilla.
Luxury/ Upmarket: – Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort
Mid-range/ Moderate: – Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort/Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast at around 7.00 am, embark on the 437km (7 hours) drive to Kampala. Make a stop at Biharwe where you get out of your vehicles and undertake a hill-climbing adventure. Upon reaching the top, enjoy the beautiful design of the eclipse Monument which commemorates the 1520AD solar eclipse.
This three-pillar monument reminds local people of the time when the King (Omukama) of Bunyoro had confiscated the entire cows of the Ankole Kingdom leaving people in complete starvation. The tide of events turned when one day as the King was from raiding those of Rwanda and reached Biharwe; the eclipse took place and the sky fell ominously dark during daylight hours. This prompted the terrified Omukama to flee back to Bunyoro leaving behind several stolen cattle at the site and when the eclipse was over, the Banyankole found cows all over. They thought that they had come from heaven, sent by God for their rescue from starvation. They were able to repossess the cows again.
From the monument, continue to Igongo Cultural Center for lunch at its famous Kahwa Kanuzire restaurant. It serves the organically produced foodstuffs produced from the fertile soils of Uganda and freshly served. You can opt to undertake the tour of the Igongo Cultural Center museum named Erijukiro which features a range of artifacts collected from all tribes of south-western Uganda, sculptures of historical people like Muguta y’ Butaho a famous worrier of Bujweju defunct Kingdom, the sculpture of the ancient historical cow Mayenje ga’ Ishinjo that sparked off the war between Nkore and Buhweju among others.
Continue to Kampala making another stop at the Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for impressive photoshoots. You can visit any of the gift shops to get yourself a souvenir to take back home.
The highlight of the day: – The traditional lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre and the Equator crossing experience.
Meal Plan: – Breakfast & Lunch
Drive distance & time:- 437km or 7 hours
End of the 8 Days Uganda Adventure Safari
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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