This 21 days Uganda safari reaches out almost every corner of Uganda. You discover its incredible wildlife, outstanding natural beauty and diversity. You’ll visit most of the exciting destinations in Uganda: the Source of the Nile-Jinja, Sipi Falls on Mt Elgon, Kidepo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable, Lake Bunyonyi, and Lake Mburo National Park.
On this 21 Days Uganda Safari & Adventure Vacation, you also be exposed to an array of landscapes, numerous water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, a remarkable diversity of habitats that harbor thousands of wildlife species, including the Mountain Gorillas, Chimps, Monkeys, Antelopes, and the Big 5.
You’ll encounter some of the friendliest people also with diverse cultures. The dramatic change in climate and temperatures as you travel from one region to another and from one habitat to another within hours will be very fascinating.
We promise you a memorable tour of a lifetime where we will arrange all food, all accommodation, necessary permits, driver, personal guide, transport in 4WD and much more – at a reasonable price.
Main Safari Activities
- Gorilla trekking
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
- Searching for tree-climbing lions
- Boat cruise to the source of the Nile River
- Water rafting on the Nile River in Jinja
- Sipi falls hike & coffee experiences
- Bigodi community village walk
- Sezibwa Falls hike & cultural experience
- Wildlife game drives in savanna game parks
- Cultural Tour of a Karamajongo Traditional Village
- Boat cruise to the bottom on Murchison Falls
- Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
- Boat trip on Lake Mburo
- Visiting the top of Murchison Falls
- Relaxation at beautiful Lake Bunyonyi
- Game walk in Lake Mburo National Park
- Uganda Equator Experience
Safari Highlights
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe Airport & Transfer to your Hotel.
Day 2: Visit Sezibwa Falls & Travel to Jinja, Boat Cruise to the Source of the Nile.
Day 3: Half Day Water Rafting on the Nile. Travel to Sipi
Day 4: Full day in Sipi, Waterfall Hike, & Coffee Experiences.
Day 5: Transfer to Kidepo via Pian Upe
Day 6: Whole Day Game Drives in Kidepo National Park
Day 7: Morning Safari in Kidepo & Afternoon Karamajongo Cultural Tour.
Day 8: Drive to Murchison Falls k, Optional Night Game Drive.
Day 9: Morning Game Drives in the Northern Savannah Plains & Afternoon Boat Cruise to the Bottom of Murchison Falls.
Day 10: Nile Delta Boat Cruise with a Bush Breakfast & Game Drive.
Day 11: Visit the Top of the Falls & Transfer to Kibale Forest
Day 12: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Community Walk.
Day 13: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Afternoon Game Drive
Day 14: Game Drive in Kasenyi Sector & Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel.
Day 15: Crater Lake Drive, Visit to Katwe Salt Lake Community & Drive to Ishasha Sector, Home Of Tree-Climbing Lions.
Day 16: Game Drive in Ishasha Sector & Transfer to Bwindi National Park
Day 17: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Relax at the Lodge.
Day 18: Leisurely Breakfast & Transfer Lake Bunyonyi for Relaxation.
Day 19: Whole Day at Leisure; Optional Activities: Canoeing, Hiking, Zip Lining, or Community Village Walk around Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 20: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, Boat Ride.
Day 21: Morning Game Walk; Drive to Entebbe via the Uganda Equator.
Details
Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe & Transfer To Kampala.
Upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, you’ll be welcomed by your guide and transfer you to your overnight accommodation in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
En route, you experience the daily life of Uganda, like the matatus and boda bodas (local 4-wheel and 2-wheel taxis) weaving daringly through traffic, and smartly dressed residents in colorful fabrics negotiating the pot-holed streets.
If this is your first time in Africa, you’ll never forget your first acquaintance with her. After about an hour drive, you’ll arrive in Kampala.
The rest of the day is free for you to rest up as you prepare for tomorrow’s adventures.
Should you arrive earlier in the day and feel like stretching your legs, you can head for a Kampala city tour. Visit the Uganda National Museum and the Kabaka’s (King’s) Palace, or simply stroll around the busy streets.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Kampala Serena Hotel/Kampala Sheraton Hotel
Mid-range: Imperial Royal Hotel
Budget: Acacia Lodge
Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Visit Sezibwa Falls & Travel To Jinja
After an early breakfast on day 2 of the 21 Days Uganda Safari & Adventure Vacation, travel east to Jinja – a town on the shores of Lake Victoria (approximately 3-hour-drive). Jinja is famous for being the historic source of River Nile and more recently, for becoming the adventure capital of East Africa.
En route, you’ll have a stopover at Sezibwa Falls – a relatively small but beautiful waterfall that is surrounded by lush greenery.
A local guide will take you on a light hike of about 1 hour. You’ll discover this serene site, climbing the rocks to access lovely views of the falls and explore the nearby small forest to observe some nature such as birds, monkeys, skinks, and butterflies.
Sezibwa is also a significant Cultural Site where the ancient traditions of spirit worship is still practiced by the local traditionalists. The local guide will narrate the intriguing myths about the formation of the falls.
Thereafter, you continue to Jinja for lunch and some relaxation. In afternoon, head out for a boat cruise to the source of the Nile, where world’s longest river exit Africa’s largest lake to begin its epic 6,650km journey to the Mediterranean.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Lemala Wildwaters Lodge
Mid-range: Haven Lodge Jinja/2 Friends Hotel Jinja
Budget: Source of the Smile Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 3: White Water Rafting & Travel To Sipi
On day three of your 21 Days Uganda Safari, you’ll enjoy a half-day white rafting adventure on the mighty Nile River.
The Nile offers some of the best white water rafting in the world, with a series of Grades 2, 3, 4 & 5 rapids. Safety standards are impeccable; all rafting trips accompanied by a fleet of rescue kayaks and a safety boar you can retreat to if you find things a bit too adventurous for your tastes. First-timers can also enjoy this thrilling adventure of a lifetime.
After the Jinja adventure, you travel further east to Sipi Falls in the foothills of Mt Elgon. This verdant and hilly landscape also has a spectacular series of waterfalls and a network of hiking trails winding through villages and lush coffee fields.
Optional Activities in Jinja:
- Kayaking
- Bungee Jumping into the Nile
- Mountain biking
- Quad biking in Jinja
- Horseback safari
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Sipi River Lodge
Mid-range: Lacam Lodge
Budget: Camping
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Sipi Falls Hike & Coffee Tours.
At about 8 am after a good breakfast, start your Sipi Falls hike.
Sipi is a series of three pretty waterfalls – 65m, 85m and 100m – situated at the base of Mt Elgon when the Sipi River flows over cliffs. The waterfalls are surrounded by beautiful hiking trails and lush green hills. A local guide will lead you on a 3-4 hour hike through local communities and farmlands to visit these falls.
On the hike, you’ll also tour of a small local coffee producing farm. This is the perfect time to pick up some high-quality Ugandan coffee to take home to your friends and family.
Optional: If you’re missing a bit adrenaline in your day you can do an epic abseiling and feel the adrenaline rush as you drop from the top of the 100-m-high Sipi Falls.
Hanging from a rope in the cool mist of the cascading falls right beside you, youÔÇÖll have a spectacular panoramic view of the valley below.
Day 5: Travel to Kidepo via Pian Upe
After an early breakfast on day 5 of your 21 Days Uganda Safari & Adventure Vacation, start your long trip northeast to Kidepo (about 7 hour drive). About an hour’s drive, visit the Pian Upe Wildlife reserve for your first safari experience.
Pian Upe is one of Uganda’s untouched safari spots, yet to be discovered. Set out for a game drive to view wildlife. Some of the animals to see include Buffalos, zebras, ostriches, and antelopes. If you’re lucky you may see the Cheetah.
Thereafter, continue driving to Kidepo where you’ll arrival in the evening.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Budget: Apoka Rest Camp/Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Game Drives In Kidepo
After an early breakfast, have your packed lunch and set out for a game drive.
Explore one of the Africa’s most pristine wildernesses. Kidepo, according to CNN Travel, is one of Africa’s best parks with the most beautiful landscape. It has over 77 mammals and 500 bird species.
Many animals here cannot be found in any other Uganda game parks. These include Cheetahs, Ostriches, Bat-eared foxes, Black-backed jackals, Caracals, and Kudus.
Other animals include Zebra, Giraffe, Elephant, Buffalo, Hyena, Lions, Leopards, Topi, Waterbuck, Hartebeest, Oribi, and Warthog. In late afternoon, after a fulfilling safari in Kidepo you will retreat to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Safari In Kidepo & Karamajongo Traditional Village Visit
On day 7 of your 21 Days Uganda Safari, you’ll go for another safari experience in Kidepo for more wildlife viewing. You can opt for the walking safari or can drive to more distant tracks and expect to increase on you animals sightings. You’ll return to the lodge for lunch.
After lunch, visit a traditional Karamajongo homestead (Manyatta) outside the park for a cultural experience. The Karamajongo people are closely related to the Masai of Kenya and continue to practice their traditional way of life, unaffected by modernization.
Learn about their traditions, see their distinctive housing, ornaments, and crafts, and be treated to a traditional dance.
Day 8: Drive To Murchison Falls National Park.
After a good breakfast, depart for Murchison Falls. You have stopover in Gulu town for lunch. Continue to Murchison, arriving in the late afternoon. Check into your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight. Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest park situated along the Nile. It’s the prime park for wildlife game viewing safaris in Uganda as it offers the largest number of animal sightings.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge/Paraa Safari Lodge/Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge
Budget: Hornbill Safari Lodge/Heritage Safari Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Game Drives & Boat Cruise
On day nine of your 21 Days Uganda Safari, you’ll be up by first light, have a delicious breakfast, and set out for a 3-4 hour morning game drive in Murchison. See a variety of wildlife and enjoy the beautiful savannah wilderness as the sun rises over it.
Your animal check list include, Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffalos, Giraffes, Hyenas, Bushbucks, Oribi, Warthog, Patas Monkeys, Baboons, Hippos, and Waterbucks. Bird lovers will record plenty of the park’s 451 bird species.
Return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In afternoon, enjoy a relaxing 3-hour boat tour on the Nile. Your boat trip, takes you to the base of the falls and from where you witness the world’s strongest waterfall.
Along the way, you marvel at huge Crocodiles and Hippos, and see Buffalos, Elephants, and Giraffes quenching their thirsts on the world’s longest river. You also spot many bird species like Goliath heron, Goose, and Fish eagles.
Day 10: Nile Delta Boat Cruise & Evening Game Drive.
On day 10 of your 21 Days Uganda Safari & Adventure Vacation, you have another full day to enjoy all that Murchison has to offer. You enjoy a thrilling boat trip to the Nile Delta, the place where the River Nile flows into Lake Albert.
The banks of the delta are home to many bird species, including the rare shoebill stork. You’ll also have a great opportunity to see the beautiful landscapes and of course animals. One of the highlights of the 5-hour boat tour is a stop along the banks of the Nile for a bush breakfast. In the evening, you can opt to enjoy another wildlife game drive, or to just relax at the lodge and enjoy your last afternoon.
Day 11: Top Of The Falls Visit & Transfer To Kibale
After a relaxed breakfast, visit the top of falls, to clearly view the mighty Nile as it squeezes through a tiny space 8m between the rocks, exploding into the world’s known strongest waterfalls -little wonder park is named after these falls.
After observing the majestic falls, you’ll take a scenic drive of about 6 hours south to Kibale Forest, home to the greatest density and diversity of primates in Africa, including over 1500 wild chimpanzees – our closest relatives.
You arrive in beautiful town of Fort Portal in time for lunch. Fort Portal lies in the shadow of the legendary – Mountains of the Moon – and is known for its many tea plantations. After lunch, continue on a drive of about one hour to your overnight lodge inside or near Kibale Forest.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge/Primate Lodge Kibale/Kyaninga Lodge
Mid-range: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House/Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Chimp Trek & Bigodi Village Walk.
After breakfast, you meet the park guides for a briefing and start the chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest.
The trek departs from Kanyanchu at 8 am. While it’s not guaranteed you’ll see the chimps, there’s a 95% success rate of seeing them- far higher than any other place which offers chimp trek in Uganda or Rwanda.
On the trek, you have good chances of seeing other primates like Baboons, Mangabeys, Vervet, L’Hoest’s, Colobus, Red-tailed, and Blue monkeys.
If you’re lucky to find yourself in the company of the chimps, you have an hour to witness their human-like behavior and take as many photos as you wish!
After you time with them, return to the lodge for lunch and leisure. In the afternoon, take a walk in Bigodi Village to get a real feel for rural life in Uganda.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge Kibale
Mid-range: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activity:-Full day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
Day 13: Travel To Queen Elizabeth National Park
After a leisurely breakfast on day 13 of the 21 Days Uganda Safari & Adventure Vacation, your tour driver guide will take you on a scenic drive of about 2-3 hours south to Uganda’s most popular safari destination, Queen Elizabeth NP.
Situated on the floor of the Rift Valley, with the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains behind, the landscape of Queen Elizabeth comprises several ancient explosion craters carved into rolling hills, verdant tropical rainforests, sprawling savannah grasslands, lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
The park is home to over 95 mammal and 610 bird species! On arrival, enjoy lunch, relax and then head out on a game drive in search of the varied wildlife within the park, returning to your lodge at sunset.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/Katara Safari Lodge/Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Mid-range: Enganzi Game Lodge/Bush Lodge/Marafiki Safari Lodge
Budget: Bush Lodge/Pumba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Game Drive & Boat Cruise
On day 14 of your 21 Days Uganda Safari & Adventure Vacation, wake up as early as 6.00am, have a breakfast and set out for the morning game drive.
You’ll drive to the beautiful Kasenyi Plains, the main area for game viewing in the park. It is a mating ground for Antelopes, thus attracting the predators such as Lions, Leopards, and Hyenas. Elephants and Buffaloes are a common sight here.
After close to 3 hours of wildlife viewing, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In afternoon, you set out for a boat ride on the Kazinga Channel, a natural stream of water that joins 2 Lakes Edward and George.
Day 15: Crater Lake Drive & Ishasha Sector Tour
After relaxed breakfast today, head out for crater drive. Follow a scenic track around the rims of extinct explosion craters filled, with lakes, forest, and grassland.
Explore the Katwe Salt Lake where a local community has been extracting salt for over 600 years. Learn about the traditional salt mining process before heading to the Ishasha Plains, famous for its tree-climbing lions.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Mid-range: Enjonjo Lodge
Budget: Enjonjo Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activities:
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
- Coffee tour around Kyambura
Day 16: Game Drive & Transfer to Bwindi
After an early breakfast on day ten of your 21 days Uganda safari & Adventure Vacation, you’ll undertake a 4-hour morning game drive in the Ishasha Sector for an opportunity to see the rare tree-climbing lions and other wildlife as you enjoy the beautiful wilderness sceneries of Africa which is amazing
After the game drive, embark on a 4-hour drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a World Heritage Site. Bwindi is the best place on Earth to see wild mountain gorillas. Only 1063 wild mountain gorillas remain on the planet and Bwindi is home to over half of them. It’s also home to about 120 other mammal species.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Haven Lodge Buhoma/Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge
Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp/Ichumbi Lodge/Agandi Uganda Lodge
Budget: Trekkers Tavern Cottages
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 17: Gorilla Trekking
Today you’ll set off early after breakfast for the park headquarters for a briefing from your guide. You’ll then be driven to the trailhead to start your trek.
Trackers leave before the tourist groups to locate the gorilla families so your guide should know where to take you, and once you’ve found the group you’ll have 1 hour with them to take photos and watch them interact – a truly memorable experience!
Day 18: Transfer Lake Bunyonyi For Relaxation.
After leisurely breakfast on day 18 of your 21 Days Uganda Safari & Adventure Vacation, you’ll check out of the lodge and travel to Lake Bunyonyi, which is situated between the terraced highlands in Kabale District.
It is the perfect place to relax and unwind after the activities on the safari. Because of the cool weather and surrounding lush mountain landscape, the Lake Bunyonyi area is popularly referred to as the ‘Switzerland of Africa’.
Spend the rest of the day relaxing by the lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Lunch and dinner and will be at the lodge.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort
Midrange: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 19: Whole Day At Lake Bunyonyi
You’ll enjoy a whole day here at your own pace, with a bunch of optional activities to choose from (at extra cost) if you want.
Maybe get active with swimming, hiking, zip lining, boat ride to any of the islands on the lake or a cultural walking tour in the area and learn about the legends, traditions, and customs of the people who make a home on the shores of the lake.
Alternatively, you can paddle one of the traditional dugout canoes.
Day 20: Transfer to Lake Mburo
After a relaxed breakfast on day 20 of your 21 Days Uganda Safari & Adventure Vacation, check out and leave for Lake Mburo NP. You’ll make a stopover in Mbarara town for lunch and thereafter proceed to Mburo.
After clearance at the park entrance you’ll drive through the game tracks to observe some wildlife. Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest of the savanna parks but her diversity is very impressive. It is popular for the presence of many herbivores; Giraffes, Zebras, Impalas, Elands, Buffaloes, Waterbuck, Topi, Reedbuck, and Bushbuck. Mburo is also home to Leopards, Hyenas, hippos, and crocodiles plus over 350 bird species. You’ll then continue to your lodge. Later set out for a relaxing boat cruise on Lake
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Mid-range: Rwakobo Rock
Budget: Eagles Nest Mburo
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 21: Game Walk & Back To Entebbe
Have an early breakfast today and join a local park ranger guide who knows the area better.
Search for animals and various species of birds on foot (there are no elephants or lions to worry about here, so you’re safe without a vehicle!). After a game walk, set off on 3-4 hour drive back to Entebbe.
En route, stop at Uganda Equator monument at Kayabwe, where you can stand in the middle of the Earth and pose for a photo! It’s also an impressive site for purchasing souvenirs to take back home. From here proceed to Entebbe and you arrive in afternoon.
Depending on your flight time your tour guide will take you directly to the airport or to a chosen hotel where you have arranged a day room if you have a late flight.
Accommodation: Not Included
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
End Of The 21 Days Uganda Safari
Safari Inclusions
- Gorilla Permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- All accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
- Transport in a 4X4 safari vehicle
- English speaking guide
- Bottled drinking water in the car throughout the tour
- Park entry fees
- All activities as indicated in the safari itinerary
Safari Exclusions
- International flights
- Visa fee
- Tips & gratuities
- Items of personal nature
- All meals and drinks not specified
- Travel insurance
- Laundry and all personal expenses