17 Day Uganda Safari Gorilla Safari & Wildlife
Embark on a 17 Day Uganda Safari Gorilla Safari & Wildlife through Uganda’s wilderness, including Kidepo Valley National Park. Discover the Big Five, such as African lions, elephants, and buffaloes, on thrilling game drives. Take serene boat trips to explore abundant birdlife and diverse wildlife. Trek to encounter primates and track gorillas for a truly unforgettable experience. Immerse yourself in cultural walks, enjoy forest exploration, birdwatching, and mountain hikes.
Day 1: Arrival at the Entebbe International Airport (Welcome to Uganda)
Upon arriving at Entebbe International Airport, our friendly driver guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can explore various attractions like Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Uganda Reptile Village, and Entebbe Craft Market, among others. Enjoy dinner and spend the night at your hotel.
Day 2: Kampala – Jinja Source of River Nile
After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll drive to Jinja, a town located on the shores of Lake Victoria and the source of the Nile River. Jinja is known for its historical buildings and is often referred to as the adventure city of East Africa due to its location along the Nile. During your visit to Jinja, you’ll have the opportunity to explore various activities that make it a top tourism destination in Uganda and East Africa.
Your day 2 of your 17 Day Uganda Safari Gorilla Safari & Wildlife will include a visit to Ssezibwa Falls in Mukono and a short stopover in Mabira Forest. Then, you’ll proceed to Jinja for lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a boat ride to the source of the Nile River, where you can witness the point where Lake Victoria separates from the Nile. Afterward, you’ll enjoy dinner and spend the night at Jinja Nile Resort.
Day 3: Transfer from Jinja to Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you’ll embark on your journey to Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa. Along the way, you’ll make a stopover in Mbale Town for lunch before continuing your drive to Kapchorwa. Upon your arrival in Kapchorwa, you’ll receive a briefing from a local guide who will lead you on a hike to explore the three waterfalls in the area.
During the hike, you’ll be captivated by the stunning landscapes of the region and the refreshing waters flowing from Mount Elgon, which is connected to Mount Elgon National Park. The three waterfalls will provide you with a truly memorable experience, and you’ll have the opportunity to relax at the top of the hill while enjoying a beautiful sunset and sipping on a beer. In the evening, you’ll have dinner and spend the night at your chosen lodge or hotel in Kapchorwa.
Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
After enjoying a refreshing breakfast early in the morning, you’ll start your journey northward with a packed lunch. You’ll travel via Kitgum to reach one of the most unspoiled and pristine wilderness areas left in Africa, Kidepo Valley National Park. The journey to Kidepo Valley National Park is relatively long, but it promises a rewarding road trip with breathtaking scenery along the way. You’ll also traverse the dirt roads of the Karamoja region.
In the evening, you’ll have dinner and spend the night at Kidepo Savannah Lodge in their safari tents, where you can immerse yourself in the natural surroundings of the park.
Day 5: Morning Game Drive and Karamajong Cultural Experience
You’ll begin your day day 5 of your 17 Day Uganda Safari Gorilla Safari & Wildlife with an early breakfast followed by a game drive along the Narus Valley. This is the prime time to spot early-rising animals and predators returning to their resting places. During the game drive, you’ll have the chance to encounter carnivores like the bat-eared fox, striped hyena, Aardwolf, caracal, cheetah, lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas.
Other animals you may come across include the greater and lesser kudu, klipspringer, and Guenther’s dik-dik, along with various large ungulates like elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and more. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to over 465 bird species. After your morning adventure, enjoy lunch and then immerse yourself in a cultural encounter with the Karamajong people. Learn about their unique way of life, including their traditional dress, local arts, crafts, and jewelry, and their practices in food production and cattle rearing. In the evening, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Today, after enjoying your morning breakfast, you’ll check out from your lodge and embark on a journey to Murchison Falls National Park. This scenic drive will take approximately 7 hours, including a lunch stop in Gulu town along the way.
Murchison Falls National Park, situated in the northern part of Uganda, is the largest savannah park in the country. It boasts a diverse array of wildlife and is the only national park in Uganda where you can encounter all the Big Five game animals. The park is also renowned for hosting the world’s mightiest waterfall, Murchison Falls (also known as Kabalega Falls), which is formed by the Victoria Nile as it cuts through the park before flowing into Lake Albert.
Murchison Falls National Park is a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts, offering exceptional game viewing opportunities. As you arrive late in the evening, you’ll check in to your lodge for dinner and a well-deserved overnight rest.
Day 7: Game Drive and Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park
Your day 7 of 17 Day Uganda Safari Gorilla Safari & Wildlife begins with an early morning coffee, preparing for an exciting game drive. Spot buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and more. Return for breakfast and relax before lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari on the Victoria Nile, encountering hippos, crocodiles, and more. You can choose to relax or go for an evening game drive. End the day with dinner at the lodge and a comfortable night’s rest.
Day 8: Top of the Falls and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
On this day, after breakfast, you’ll visit the top of Murchison Falls, known as Kabalega Falls. Here, the Nile squeezes through an 8-meter-wide gap in the rocks, plunging 43 meters before flowing into Lake Albert. After this breathtaking sight, you’ll exit the park through the southern gate, driving to Kibale National Park via Hoima. A lunch stop in Fort Portal is included. Upon reaching your lodge, you can relax in the evening, awaiting dinner and your overnight stay.
Day 9: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
After your morning coffee, you’ll head to the assembly point at Kanyanchu Tourist Center for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. During this adventure, you can also encounter other primates like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys. The park is a haven for bird enthusiasts, boasting over 350 bird species, including the rare shoebill.
Following lunch, you’ll have the opportunity for a nature walk to Bigodi Swamp, where you can get up close to the swamp’s diverse birdlife. Bigodi is situated in the southern part of the park and serves as a hub for bird lovers to learn about avian species and engage with the local community. Later, you’ll return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast on your day 10 of 17 Day Uganda Safari Gorilla Safari & Wildlife, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive to Fort Portal town, where your first stop will be the Tooro Palace. From there, you’ll visit Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru, known for its unique formations, and embark on a hike to Nyakashura hill to explore the area’s natural wonders. Later, you’ll have lunch and continue your journey to Kasese district, heading south towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. This approximately 3-hour drive will provide you with glimpses of various game animals as you enter the park. Finally, you’ll check in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 11: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise at Kazinga Channel
After an early breakfast, you’ll venture to the “Kasenyi plains” for a thrilling game drive, offering encounters with lions and leopards among other wildlife. During this 4-hour excursion, you can expect to spot African elephants, African buffaloes, leopards, lions, antelopes, Ugandan kobs, hippos, topis, waterbucks, warthogs, giant forest hogs, spotted hyenas, chimpanzees, Nile crocodiles, various bird species, and a few reptiles, among others.
Following the game drive, you’ll return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. Afterward, you’ll head to the Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise, which is considered one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences in Africa. During the cruise, you’ll have the opportunity to observe hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, water birds, and other park animals. A short evening game drive will round out your day before you return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 12: Visit Ishasha Sector and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll check out of your lodge and head south to the Ishasha sector. This remarkable area is renowned for its tree-climbing lions, which often spend their days resting in the branches of trees after hunting at night to escape the hot ground. It’s a unique phenomenon and one of the few places in Africa where you can witness this behavior.
Following your tree-climbing lion encounter, you’ll continue your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is home to over 50% of the world’s remaining population of the endangered Mountain Gorillas. You’ll arrive at your lodge in the evening, where you’ll have dinner and spend the night. This sets the stage for your upcoming gorilla trekking adventure.
Day 13: The Ultimate Gorilla Tracking Experience
After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the park headquarters with a packed lunch for a briefing on the dos and don’ts while in the presence of gorillas. The gorilla tracking experience can vary in duration, lasting anywhere from 2 to 9 hours, depending on the movements of the gorilla groups. Tracking involves a challenging hike up steep and densely forested hills until you finally come across the gorillas, which can be well-camouflaged in the vegetation.
Once you locate the gorillas, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to spend 1 hour observing and photographing these magnificent creatures. After the gorilla encounter, you may enjoy your packed lunch in the forest or return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation.
In the evening, you can unwind at the lodge or opt for a cultural walk to visit nearby Batwa communities and learn about their culture, including their traditional dances and more. You’ll then return to the lodge for dinner and spend the night.
Day 14: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, you’ll embark on a transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking scenery along the way. Upon reaching Lake Bunyonyi, you’ll be treated to an extraordinary wildlife and birding experience as you take a boat ride across the lake.
Lake Bunyonyi is known for its forested green islands, each of which hosts various endemic bird species. Your guide will assist you in spotting these unique birds as you navigate the lake. You’ll then have the chance to relax and unwind at your lodge, enjoying all your meals while taking in the serene surroundings of Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 15: Lake Bunyonyi – Lake Mburo National Park
After enjoying your breakfast, your journey continues as you drive through Kabale in the Kigezi region, renowned as the ‘Switzerland of Africa’ due to its picturesque terraced cultivated hills. During your stop in Kabale, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Bakiga Cultural Museum.
Following your cultural experience, you’ll proceed to Lake Mburo National Park, which is the smallest of Uganda’s National Parks. Along the way, you can expect to encounter a variety of wildlife during a game drive.
Upon your arrival at Lake Mburo National Park, you’ll embark on an evening game drive to explore the park’s diverse wildlife, which includes beautiful impalas, elands, topi, various antelopes, buffaloes, zebras, and more.
You’ll then head to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 16: Boat ride on Lake Mburo and transfer back Kampala
After a satisfying breakfast on your day 16 of 17 Day Uganda Safari Gorilla Safari & Wildlife, your day begins with a morning boat trip on Mburo Lake. This excursion is ideal for bird enthusiasts, offering the chance to spot rare birds like the shoebill. You’ll also have opportunities to observe hippos and large crocodiles.
Following the boat trip, you’ll continue your journey to Kampala. Meanwhile, along the way, you’ll make a stop at the equator for lunch and the opportunity to take some photographs to commemorate your visit to this geographical landmark. Finally, you’ll reach Kampala in the afternoon.
Your day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel in Kampala.
Day 17: Transfer Back to Kampala
Your final day of this safari begins with a city tour of Kampala, guided by a local expert. You’ll have the opportunity to visit several notable sites, including Kabaka’s palace, where you’ll gain insights into the history of the Buganda Kingdom.
After the city tour, you’ll be transferred to the airport, marking the end of your journey. Whether you’re heading home or to your next destination, the Life time holidays team will ensure a smooth departure for you.
Thank you for choosing Life time holidays for your adventure on a 17 Day Uganda Safari Gorilla Safari & Wildlife in Uganda. Your review and recommendations are highly valued, and we look forward to hosting you again on your next exciting journey.
Included
Park fees
Gorilla permits
Chimp permits
All activities
All accommodation
A professional driver/guide
All transportation
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals
Drinking water
Excluded
International flights
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips
Personal items
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals