24 Days Best of Uganda Wildness Adventure
Begin your 24 Days Best of Uganda Wildness Adventure with a visit to Mabamba swamp for the shoebill stork and then transfer to Jinja, on the Nile. Head to Sipi falls in Kapchorwa then continue to Moroto. Experience the Karimojong people and drive to Kidepo for wildlife experience. Drive to Murchison Falls National Park, continue to Kibale Forest National Park, and proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, then connect to Lake Mburo National Park.
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, pick-up and transfer to your hotel
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport for 24 Days Best of Uganda Wildness Adventure, you will be welcomed by one of our English-speaking professional tour driver guides. He will receive and welcome you to Uganda the Pearl of Africa, and then drive you to hotel. You will check in and take your rest recovering from jet lag, and adjusting to the time difference.
“In case you arrive early during day time, you can pay a visit to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens at an extra cost (USD 30 – Optional)”.
Day 2: Visit Mabamba Wetlands in Search of Shoebill Stork and Transfer to Jinja
This morning you will have breakfast at around 7am and then drive to Mabamba Wetlands where you will get a wooden boat. The area is considered one of only a few places in Uganda with a higher chance of spotting the prehistoric shoebill stork. It’s fascinating to watch this bird in its natural setting.
It may stand absolutely still for a long time awaiting its prey’s movements and then suddenly strike with a marvelous speed. From Mabamba, we shall return for lunch and thereafter, embark on a transfer to Jinja, a city famous as the historical source of the Nile River.
Arrive, check-in, and have the evening at leisure.
Day 3: Choose Activity of Interest, Do It and Continue to the Sipi Falls Area Kapchorwa
This morning, you are at liberty to choose the activity of your interest and do it.
Note: Costs are not included as rates will vary according to one’s choice.
If you’re adventurous, what better way to start your safari than to experience this most exciting, exhilarating adventure on the Nile. Dive in and enjoy a number of activities like:
- White water rafting, an unforgettable adventure on the Nile at (140$).
- But if you’re scared of the rapids, you can consider Kayaking on calm waters at (30$)
- If being in the water is not your thing, let’s go Quad biking (125$)
- Another one is Mountain biking at (30$)
After the fun is in Jinja, we shall transfer to the Sipi in Kapchorwa for the overnight, check in and spend the evening at the hotel.
Day 4: Sipi Falls Walk/Hiking Experience and Afternoon Coffee Tour Plus Community Encounter
You will have breakfast and thereafter, proceed out to explore the 3 Sipi Falls. The hiking (about 2½ – 3 hours) takes you to explore the nearby Sipi Falls which is a set of 3 tall waterfalls. The views are breathtaking and offer you an amazing experience while in Kapchorwa.
The (afternoon) coffee tour on the other hand will enable you to trace the story of coffee from seed to that in the cup and you don’t want to miss this informative experience.
Later, just relax at the accommodation with a spectacular view of Sipi right in front of you.
Day 5: Sipi to Moroto and Visit the Tepeth Community, Overnight at Kara-Tunga Safari Camp
Today morning, you will enjoy breakfast and then embark on journey to Moroto via Soroti. Moroto is a town situated at the foot of the massive Mount Moroto and the surrounding savannah plains. A visit here gets you closer to one of Uganda’s most indigenous communities, the Karamojong and the Tepeth.
We hope to arrive around 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm and after check-in at the camp. There will be lunch before we can proceed to visit the Tepeth community. They are hunter and gatherers from origin and were the first inhabitants of Karamoja land. When the nomadic pastoral Karamojong migrated into their land, they moved into the highlands till today.
After this amazing experience, you will return to your camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Half-Day Trek – Mount Moroto and Afternoon-Evening Karamojong Village Experience
Today morning you will have breakfast and move out to explore a bit of Mount Moroto on a short trek (half-day). This will be a less strenuous climb offering a mix of rich encounters with Uganda’s highland people. The breathtaking views of the landscapes and unique sights along the trail will live you wowing.
We shall return to the camp for lunch and rest a bit before moving out again to encounter the local people of the community. The Karamojong village experience will offer a firsthand impression of Uganda’s last living traditional cultures. Experience traditional life, domestic duties and colorful dances and games.
Thereafter return to the camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Travel to Kidepo Valley National Park and Afternoon/ Evening Game Drive
After your breakfast, you will drive off to Kidepo Valley National Park, arriving in time for lunch before going out for game viewing. You will proceed for game viewing in the Narus Valley in the south sector of Kidepo. Narus is the sector of Kidepo that has savannah grassland mixed with acacia woodland.
It is also the area of the park with permanent water sources throughout the year and for that matter, most of the animals are in this part of the park. Be on the look for large herds of Buffaloes, Elephants, many Zebras, Giraffes, Lions, Cheetahs, antelope species, and elusive leopards.
Later you will return to the accommodation for dinner and your overnight stay.
Day 8: Morning Game Drive and the Karamojong Community Encounter
Today morning, you will have your breakfast then embark on a sunrise game drive where you will have the opportunity to encounter wildlife. These may include lions, herds of buffaloes, elephants, zebras, or the elusive leopard among others. Return to the lodge for lunch and afternoon relaxation.
Later you will go to the Karamojong community, a cultural encounter where you will spend a wonderful afternoon (evening) with the Karamojong people. You’ll have an insight into their way of life and beliefs.
Return to the lodge for Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9: Morning Nature Walk and Afternoon Game Drive/ Safari
This morning we will have breakfast and then move out to explore the African savannah on foot. Accompanied by an armed ranger-guide, you will venture along dry river beds, over rocky outcrops through bush land to track the resident wildlife. Later in the afternoon after your lunch at the lodge, you will return to the Narus Valley for more wildlife viewing.
Later you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Early morning Game drive and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
You will wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and proceed for an early morning game drive. Thereafter you will exit the park and head to Murchison Falls National Park via Gulu town. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison falls, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest national park where you will have the chance of viewing the big 4 “lions, buffalo, elephants and leopards”, as well as giraffes, hartebeest among so much more.
The concentration of hippos and Nile crocodiles on the Victoria Nile will fascinate you. You will reach Murchison Falls National Park and check into your lodge as you wait for dinner and overnight stay.
You may opt to do a night game drive at (extra cost 40$) under the guidance of a ranger guide.
Day 11: Murchison Game drive and Afternoon Boat Trip to the Base of the Falls
Early morning, have your breakfast then depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest national park. Be on the look for wildlife including lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants, antelopes, giraffes among others. For bird lovers, there are quite a number of bird species to sight to during your game drive.
Later Return to the lodge for lunch, rest after as you prepare for your boat safari. Later, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls where you will also be able to catch sight of more animals including hippos, crocodiles and several water birds.
After this adventure, drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: Drive to the Top of the Falls and Transfer to the Edge of Kibale National Park
We will have breakfast on your day 12 of 24 Days Best of Uganda Wildness Adventure and then drive to the top of the falls to truly appreciate the beauty and magnificence of the Murchison Falls. From the top, we shall embark on a transfer that will see us overnight at the edge of Kibale Forest National Park.
The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic passing through villages, lush green countryside and hills dotted with tea plantations that characterize this part of Uganda. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way. Upon arrival at the accommodation, check-in and just relax.
Optional (extra cost 15$): If interested, you can proceed with the crater lakes excursion. You will enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and stunning views all over. Else, just enjoy your rest at the facility.
Day 13: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi swamp walk
Wake up early morning for breakfast and head straight the headquarters for the briefing from the guides as you start on the chimpanzee tracking expedition by 7:30 am. You will head into the forest and look for these intelligent creatures that share over 90% DNA with humans, which makes them very intelligent and behave almost like humans. Meeting these animals will depend on the last nesting location of the previous night, and when you reach them you will be limited to one hour with them and continue with the adventure as you discover more of the secrets of the park.
Later you will head to Bigodi swamp, you will have an opportunity to see some birds like the purple breasted sunbird, crowned eagle, black-capped apalis, kingfisher, weavers, flycatchers, hornbills, among many others.
You will also be lucky to see the mangabeys, grey checked monkeys, olive baboons, bush pigs, L’hoest’s monkeys and vervet monkeys among others. Later return to the lodge for dinner and over night stay.
Day 14: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Visit to katwe salt lake, evening game drive
On this day, you will wake up with a warm meal and drive down to Kasese for a refreshment, then continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will drive to Lake katwe for the salt mining experience.
Lake Katwe is a customary lake on which salt mining is done, formed through long ago volcanic eruption close to 10,000 years back. There are two activities that take place there, Rock salt activity and salt winning. Rock salt activity is carried out in the main lake by only men whereas salt winning is carried out in the salt pans by both sexes.
Thereafter you will head for a visit to the crater lakes in the park, and then continue for an evening game drive. During the game drive, expect to see animals such as Buffaloes, elephants, hippos, lions and leopards luckily resting under the trees after a day hunt.
Later you will transfer to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 15: Experiential Lion Tracking and afternoon Boat Cruise at Kazinga Channel
On this day 15 0f 24 Days Best of Uganda Wildness Adventure, after your breakfast, you will head to the northern section of the park “Kasenyi planes” where you will interface with the predators under the guidance of a ranger guide and researchers who drive around the park with radiation trackers which will help them to find lions that have radio collars placed around the neck.
Lion tracking experience takes about 3 hours and later on, you will continue with a morning game drive. After lunch, head to Mweya peninsular at Kazinga channel for a boat cruise.
A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel will offer you one of the greatest wildlife experiences. Prepare to see countless hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, water birds and many of the other park animals.
The boat will go for a 2-hour on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. After the boat trip, you can proceed for a late afternoon game drive or return to the lodge.
You will also have beautiful sunset views while resting at your accommodation.
Day 16: Head to Ishasha sector, then connect to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Be up early and proceed for an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains. Be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants, lions, and leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the lodge and check out then head to the Ishasha sector in search of tree-climbing lions.
The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get to spot them, the sight is picturesque and memorable.
From Ishasha, we shall continue to the accommodation at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Buhoma sector).
With a strenuous day ahead, we recommend that you check in and relax in preparation for tomorrow’s trek.
Day 17: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest and a Community/ batwa Cultural Tour
Half of the world’s populations of gorillas live under the mist-covered canopies of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforest. In the company of an experienced park ranger, you will be tracking the whereabouts of one of the habituated family groups who reside here.
Your tracking experience will be an exciting, yet challenging journey along forested (often muddy and slippery) slopes, tangled vines, thick vegetation, and bamboo forests before you reach the territory of these gentle giants.
Depending on the location of the gorillas on any given day the walk can take anything from 2 to 7 hours. Once the family of gorillas has been located, settle into your surroundings and enjoy the 1 hour you have to quietly observe these fascinating primates.
After tracking you will transfer to the lodge for relaxation, and later visit the community of the batwa people. After this cultural experience, you will head straight to Kisoro District to your lodge for relaxation and dinner.
Day 18: Golden monkey tracking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
On this day, you will wake up very early in the morning for breakfast and head at the park headquarters for a short briefing. Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park involves travelers hiking through the forest in search of the golden monkeys in their natural habitat.
The activity starts at 8 am with an briefing from the ranger guide or lead tracker. You then head out in search of the golden monkeys using the Gahinga trail. Once you locate the Golden monkeys, you’ll be limited to only one hour in their presence and then head back to your starting point. The trekking may take about 2 to 4 hours depending on where they last nested the previous night.
After, you will return to the vehicle and drive to Kabale, where you will connect to Lake bunyonyi for relaxation in the evening.
Day 19: Relaxation while enjoying the stunning beauty of Lake Bunyonyi
After all the days of long drives and of course the strenuous gorilla trekking (the previous day) in Bwindi, this day is at your disposal for relaxation. All meals will be served at the accommodation. Should you wish to go out for an activity, you may consider the following; Historical Islands tour, visit to the Batwa/pygmies’ community, Nyombe swamp excursion, Mountain Bike cycling, Zip lining, canoeing or kayaking on the lake. The activity can be arranged onsite with the help of your driver-guide.
Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of (2,200 – 2,478m) but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical and you could admire them all day.
Day 20: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and enjoy Afternoon/ Evening Game Drive
Have breakfast and set off to Lake Mburo National Park via Mbarara City. You will arrive at the accommodation in Lake Mburo in time and rest before moving for an afternoon-to-evening game drive. On the game drive, expect to see the gigantic eland antelopes, zebras, topis, impalas, Uganda kobs and Cape buffaloes among others.
Optional (extra cost 40$): If interested, you may consider the night game drive to encounter nocturnal creatures which will be a rare sighting compared to the regular daytime sightings.
Day 21: Morning Walking Safari in the Park and Return to Kampala
Enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo morning park (bush) walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide. On this early morning guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter (at close range) zebras, giraffes, eland, topi and other antelopes, Cape buffaloes among others.
Take the Trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of 9 of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo National Park.
You’ll live this beautiful part of the world as you check out of the park and head to kampala with a stopover at the Equator line that separates the earth into two different parts i.e the North and Southern hemisphere. You will have your lunch here, take some pictures and buy some souvenirs, then finally drive straight to Kampala.
On arrival, you will head to your booked accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 22: Kampala city tour
Your Kampala City Tour will begin early in the morning after your breakfast. You will start with a visit to Namugongo Martyrs Shrine where the 22 martyrs were killed between 1885 and 1887 by Kabaka (King) Mwanga of Buganda in Uganda. 13 of them were burnt to death at Namugongo.
You will then drive to the Bahai temple of worship and learn about the Bahai faith and have some pictures of the only Bahai Temple in Africa. After this, you will drive to Kasubi Tombs a great World Cultural Heritage site in Uganda for the Buganda Kingdom. Transfer to the Kabaka’s palace in Mengo, learn about the history and culture of Buganda. Continue to the bulange for pictures and learn about the totems of the baganda. Have lunch in a good local restaurant, then go for namirembe and rubaga cathedral.
Later you will proceed to visit the Uganda museum and learn more about the history of Uganda as a country. Drive back to the hotel for dinner and relaxation as you prepare for your flight the following day.
Day 23: Shopping and fly out
On this last day of your safari, you will head to one of the famous craft shop in Kampala and do some shopping of artistic items locally made, as well as jerseys of Uganda to take with you home. Later you will transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home.
Included
Park fees
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