This 18 Days Uganda Safari offers plenty of time to explore Uganda. It starts in Kampala and ends in Kampala. It integrates rhino tracking at Ziwa rhino sanctuary, proceed to Kidepo valley national park for a wildlife encounter, and exit Kidepo for Murchison Falls National Park for a thrilling wildlife experience, later exiting Murchison for Kibale National Park also known as the primate’s capital. At Kibale you will participate in chimpanzee trekking, afterwards depart Kibale and head Semuliki National park and to Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda’s second largest national park, to Bwindi for gorilla trekking, to Mgahinga gorilla national park for golden monkey experience and finally to Lake Mburo national park before returning to Kampala thus ending the 18 days Uganda safari tour.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival and hotel drop off.
After your arrival at Entebbe airport, our company representative together with the guide will be waiting to welcome you and transfer to Kampala city where you will spend a night.
Day 2: Ziwa Rhino trekking and Transfer to Gulu.
Pick up will be at 7:00 am and make an early start on your journey to Gulu. En route to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino trekking for 2 -3 hours’ Kidepo national park is far placed – northeast of Uganda, bordering Kenya to the east and South Sudan to the North. The journey can be extremely tiring to drive direct to the park thus making it necessary to break the journey in Gulu and proceed the next day.
Throughout the route, there will be breaks where you may stretch and have a fruit or snack. Lunch and late afternoon arrival in Gulu. Dinner and overnight at Church Hill hotel
Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park, Game Drive.
On the second day of your 5 Days Kidepo safari, we shall make our final trip to Kidepo Valley National Park. After waking up to a steaming cup of coffee or tea, travel for three hours to the Kidepo National Park. Once there, go on a game drive in the Kidepo Valley, where you may spot herds of buffalo, zebras, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, and cheetahs. Enjoy a leisurely drive, and while on your game drive, you can stop whenever you choose. You can also be sure to capture photo opportunities.
Return to the lodge and spend the evening at leisure admiring the wilderness. Dinner and overnight at Kidepo Savannah lodge for mid-range/budget/Apoka lodge for luxury
Day 4: Morning game drive and Hot springs visit in Kidepo Valley.
After breakfast, get ready for another exhilarating game drive in Kidepo Valley’s huge savannah, which is broken up by borassus palm areas and the picturesque hills that rise above it. Savour the breathtaking views of the sun rising over the Lomej hills, the Lotukei Mountains to the north near the Sudanese border, the Morungole range on Kidepo’s southern boundary, and the infinite valleys of Kidepo and Narus valley before the sun sets.
After lunch, head back to the lodge to relax for a little before driving to the Kidepo Valley, which is near the South Sudan border, to explore the hot springs. There, you can see ostriches, however poaching by South Sudanese has put their population in grave danger. Dinner and overnight at lodge as above.
Day 5: Drive to Murchison Falls national park (Full day drive).
Very early after breakfast, depart Kidepo via Gulu district for lunch then proceed to Murchison Falls National Park. Driving into the park through one of the gates takes the entire day. Drive to connect to your lodge for a night rest at Pakuba safari lodge for mid-range/Heritage Safari lodge for budget/Paraa Safari lodge for luxury.
Day 6: Top of the falls visit and boat cruise.
Connect to the top of the falls after breakfast for a breathtaking view of the waterfall. You will link to the falls by crossing the ferry at 9 a.m. Discover the summit of the falls, which offers vantage spots over the magnificent Murchison Falls. After spending a good time at the top of the falls, you will meet your driver and return for lunch.
You will meet up for an afternoon boat ride up the Nile after lunch, where you will be treated to an amazing panoramic vista at the base of the magnificent Murchison Falls. You may see crocodiles, hippos, and riverbank birds like kingfishers, cormorants, and bee-eaters during the voyage. Return to the lodge with an en-route evening game drive to find some animals. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 7: Transfer to Kibale National Park.
After breakfast in the early morning, leave the lodge. Continue on your arduous trek into the Kibale Forest National Park. Nearly thirteen species of primates can be seen in this park. These include the L’Hoest’s monkey and the red colobus, among many others. In Kagadi, you will have lunch. Proceed with the journey to Kibale forest. Dinner and overnight stay at Isunga lodge for budget/Chimpanzee forest guest house for mid-range/Kyaninga lodge for luxury
Day 8: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi Swamp Walk.
You’ll go chimpanzee trekking in the Kibale Forest after breakfast. Many primate species, including chimpanzees and monkeys, as well as other creatures like warthogs, amphibians, bush pigs, and duikers, as well as a vibrant array of butterflies, may be spotted throughout your quest. Head back to the Lodge to have lunch.
Take a nature walk in the Bigodi wetland area after lunch and keep an eye out for the majority of the water-loving bird species. The forest /Park have almost 335 species of birds and therefore a good place for birders. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay as above.
Day 9: Hot Springs visit and night game drive at Semuliki national park.
After breakfast, head across the eastern Albertine region into Semuliki National Park before daybreak. Semuliki National Park is one of the parks with a variety of habitats, including riparian forests, rain forests, and short and tall grass. It is situated in the basin of the western rift valley. Savannah, enter the park and visit the hot springs before you drive to your lodge in Semuliki reserve.
Enter the reserve and check-in your lodge, have lunch then connect for an afternoon game drive/night game drive. Being the only park in Uganda, it offers surprises since you never know what you’ll find there. Dinner and overnight at Semuliki Safari lodge for luxury/Ntorongo lodge for mid-range
Day 10: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park.
After enjoying your cup of coffee in the morning, depart the park and take on the drive to Queen Elizabeth national park-home to the tree climbing lions. Make a break for lunch and a photo stop near the Equator, depending on your schedule, before heading into the park. Make a connection to the park’s exploration crater lakes before retiring to your accommodation for a nap. Dinner and overnight stay at Parkview Safari lodge for mid-range/Pumba Safari lodge for budget/Kyambura Gorge lodge for luxury
Day 11: Lion tracking/Game drive and Launch cruise.
You will go for the wildlife drive and lion tracking excursion early in the morning after breakfast, looking for early risers in the Kasenyi region. Grassy plains, rivers, crater lakes, forests, wetlands, and lakes make up the park’s complex eco-system. Numerous wildlife species call these places home, and going on a game drive in Queen Elizabeth will reward you with views of lions, antelopes, buffalo, elephants, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, and other antelope species.
After lunch, head back to your lodge and embark on a three-hour launch cruise that takes you through the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This tour will take you through an area where hippos are most concentrated, and you might also observe a lot of other species drinking at the water’s side. Additionally, the boat provides a fantastic platform for game viewing, bird watching, and photography. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight as above.
Day 12: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
You will set out for the game drive in Ishasha area and expect to see the rare tree climbing lions. Up on the fig trees, one can see the lions. That does not, however, ensure that the lions will be visible. At times, it relies on timing and good fortune when arriving at the location. After lunch in the Ishasha region, you will travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to get ready for your gorilla trek the next day. Dinner and overnight stay at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Buhoma Haven lodge for mid-range/Rushaga Gorilla Camp for budget/
Day 13: Gorilla trek in Bwindi forest Park.
Early in the morning after breakfast and a briefing from the UWA officials, set off for the gorilla tracking. This is a trip of a lifetime and one that will never be forgotten. You will be led by the ranger guides into the dense jungle to begin your quest for the critically endangered mountain gorillas. You will travel up and down the rough terrain until you eventually come upon these peaceful creatures, who will perform for you for approximately one hour.
The gorillas are up and down, so the action can take thirty minutes to seven hours. This is a fantastic and thrilling time. Along the way, there are several primates, including birds, monkeys, and more. Return for dinner and overnight stay as above.
Day 14: Golden Monkey tracking – community tour
After breakfast, you will transfer to Mgahinga National Park for briefing about the Golden monkeys with your packed food and water. Afterwards, head into the forest to look for the monkeys. Once you’ve located them, watch them for an hour while shooting photos and videos.
Afterwards, pay a visit to the Batwa Pygmies and take part in their traditional events, among other things. Return for dinner and overnight at Mulehe lodge for mid-range/Travellers’ Rest hotel for budget/Gahinga lodge for luxury
Day 15: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
You will travel to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa’s deepest lakes, after breakfast. There are about 32 islands in the lake. The Lake is a good stop over for relaxation for people from trekking Mountain Gorillas. You’ll take a boat journey when you get there. This will allow you to explore the majority of the Lake’s islands.
Every island has been given a name based on the species of birds that can be found there. Some islands, including Punishment Island, which is the smallest, were given names based on the Bakiga people’s practice of dumping pregnant girls before marriage. After the Boat ride, return back to the Lodge for relaxation while you watch the beautiful sunset. Dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi Overland Resort/Bunyonyi Bird Nest lodge – Luxury/Bunyonyi Arcadia lodge for mid-range
Day 16: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park.
After a hearty breakfast to start the day, make your way to Lake Mburo National Park. You will arrive in Mbarara town in time for lunch, and then you will travel into the park, where you will be able to see wildlife like buffaloes, zebras, and elands up close. Upon reaching the park headquarters, Register and later go for the evening nature walk along the Kigambara loop. Alongside the lake, this loop offers intriguing guided walks. Dinner and overnight stay at Mihingo lodge for luxury/Arcadia lodge Lake Mburo for mid-range/Eagles Nest lodge for budget
Day 17: Walking safari and Boat ride on Lake Mburo.
Early morning, after your breakfast, meet your ranger guides for your walking safari, this tour is no different from a game drive except that here you will walk on foot to search for the animals. Return to the Lodge for refreshments, Lunch and in the afternoon go for a boat ride on Lake Mburo which will get you quite close to Crocodiles and Hippos. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight as above.
Day 18: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe/Departure.
Early morning, you will have breakfast and after en route game drive for the early risers and other missed animals on the previous game drive before starting on a journey back to Kampala with en route Lunch and at the Equator for water experiments and photographs, Royal drum Village at Mpambire for souvenirs. Proceed to Kampala and drop-off at Entebbe airport for your flight back home.
