Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Kampala
Kampala
Upon your arrival for this extended Uganda safari, our company representative will meet you along with your driver-guide. Depending on the time you will then either embark on a city tour of Kampala (covering the Kasubi Tombs, the Uganda Museum, and the African Craft Village) or proceed directly to the hotel for relaxation and recovery from any jet lag. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Kampala (City)
- Accommodation:
- Koki Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Kampala - Jinja
Kampala - Jinja
After breakfast you will have an early departure to Jinja, the eastern town that was known for its industry during colonial times. En route you’ll stop at the picturesque Sezibwa Falls and cultural site and traverse various small towns where local food vendors approach vehicles.
Observe extensive sugar cane and tea plantations in the Lugazi area and take a break at Mabira Forest for a brief forest walk, exploring the rich birdlife and colobus monkeys. You’ll then continue to Jinja town, where you'll explore the source of the river Nile, the longest river in Africa, which extends the way to the Mediterranean Sea. After lunch in Jinja you’ll explore this historically significant industrial hub, featuring notable sites such as the faded Bujagali Falls and the powerful Itanda Falls. Conclude the day with dinner and your overnight stay at the hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Jinja (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Hotel Paradise on the Nile
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Sipi Falls
Sipi Falls
After breakfast you’ll leave the hotel and transfer to Sipi Falls, where you will check into your next accommodations. After lunch, you’ll go on a nature walk to the spectacular Sipi Falls, which originate from Mount Elgon. Upon reaching the falls, a guide will welcome you and provide a briefing on the hiking activity. Embark on a hike to the falls, which cascade at different heights and can be reached at various intervals (an approximately five-hour journey). Enjoy magnificent views of the falls and capture lasting memories through photographs as you descend the hill.
Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Sipi Falls (Highlight)
- Accommodation:
- Rafiki Lodge Sipi
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Transfer to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
Transfer to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
After breakfast you’ll begin your journey to the Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, driving through Kampala along the way. Experience a guided nature walk to observe the life of the rhino in the wild. Lunch will be provided at the ranch, and an evening walk is included. Subsequently, you’ll transfer to Masindi town for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch
- Accommodation:
-
Masindi Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Masindi - Murchison Falls National Park
Masindi - Murchison Falls National Park
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then make your way to Murchison Falls, Uganda's largest national park and one that is renowned for its natural wonders. The drive from Masindi is relatively short. Enter the park early and visit the renowned “Top of the Falls,” where you can snack while listening to the sound of the flowing water. Experience the mesmerizing sight of water thundering through various rapids, eventually arriving at a seven-meter gap and falling over a 40-meter gorge below. Afterward, drive to the hotel for a late lunch and relaxation at the hotel. Dinner and your overnight stay will also be at the hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Accommodation:
-
Ikorom Safari Lodge
Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park
After an early morning breakfast, you’ll embark on a game drive on the northern bank of the river Nile. The activity typically lasts 3-5 hours. Wildlife found here includes elephants, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, lions, hartebeest, Uganda kobs, oribis, and waterbucks.
Return to the lodge for lunch following your wildlife viewing experience/game drive. In the afternoon, take a launch cruise on the Albert Nile, which offers a panoramic view at the base of the mighty Murchison Falls. During the cruise, encounter crocodiles, hippos, and birds on the riverbanks (such as kingfisher, cormorants, bee-eaters, and the rare shoebill stork). Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Accommodation:
- Ikorom Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Murchison Falls National Park - Kibale National Park
Murchison Falls National Park - Kibale National Park
After an early breakfast you'll start the long drive to Kibale Forest National Park. Have lunch in Fort Portal town and take a tour of the surroundings, including the Tooro king’s palace. Continue to Kibale Forest, arriving in the evening. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the camp.
- Main Destination:
- Kibale National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
-
Kibale Forest Camp (Camping)
Wildlife in Kibale NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park
After an early morning breakfast, you’ll attend a briefing by the park rangers. Afterward, you’ll set out for chimp tracking within Kibale Forest. The guides will provide you with information about the forest and its diverse flora and fauna, including a colorful variety of butterflies. After an exciting search for the elusive chimpanzees, return to the lodge for lunch.
Following lunch, take a nature walk in the Bigodi swamp area, observing various water-loving bird species. With almost 335 bird species, the forest/park is an excellent location for birders. Return to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Kibale National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- Kibale Forest Camp (Camping)
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Kibale National Park - Fort portal
Kibale National Park - Fort portal
After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Fort Portal, which is considered the center of tourism in Uganda due to its proximity to parks such as Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, and the Semulik Game Reserve. The climate here differs significantly from most parts of East Africa. Upon arrival, the agenda mainly involves having lunch and relaxing at the poolside or swimming.
Rest early, as the next day requires an early wake-up to enter the park for bird watching and game viewing.
- Main Destination:
- Fort Portal (Town)
- Accommodation:
- New Fort View Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Semliki National Park
Semliki National Park
Semliki National Park, known for its unique primate and bird species, offers opportunities for hiking, nature walks, game drives, wildlife watching, and bird watching. A major attraction is the Sempaya Hot Springs. A short, guided walk from the Sempaya Information Center takes you to the hot springs, where temperatures exceed 100 degrees (suitable for boiling eggs and matooke).
While en route to the hot springs through the forest, you’ll encounter common breasted monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, white colobus monkeys, and various birds such as forest hornbills, blue-breasted kingfisher, red-rumped tinkerbirds, and yellow-throated tinkers.
Dinner and your overnight stay will be in Fort Portal.
- Main Destination:
- Semuliki National Park
- Accommodation:
- New Fort View Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Fort Portal - Queen Elizabeth National Park
Fort Portal - Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy lunch at the hotel and then go on a game drive to the Northern crater area in the afternoon. This part of the park is characterized by numerous dark holes known as the black craters.
You may spot various animals, including elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, baboons, and warthogs (among others). Return to the lodge and relish the evening sunset as it fades behind the majestic Rwenzori mountains. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge. We're now halfway through the safari!
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Accommodation:
- Irungu Forest Safari Lodge
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
After an early morning breakfast, you’ll go for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi area, which is known for being the kob mating grounds. It's therefore an excellent location to observe a variety of kobs, along with other antelopes like the sitatunga as well as hyenas. The drive also provides opportunities to spot elephants and lions, among other wildlife.
The game drive lasts 2-3 hours, and you'll return to the lodge to freshen up and have lunch. In the afternoon, head out for a launch cruise on the renowned Kazinga Channel, famous for having the highest concentration of hippos in Africa. You'll also encounter crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and other animals as they come down to drink and bathe, along with plenty of birds on the sandbanks. Return to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay at the lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Accommodation:
- Irungu Forest Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Queen Elizabeth National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
In the morning you’ll check out from your accommodations and begin a game drive in the Ishasha area, hoping for a chance to spot the rare tree-climbing lions. The lions are often observed lounging in the fig trees at mid-morning as they rest from the previous night’s hunting activities.
However, seeing the climbing lions is not guaranteed; it depends on luck and when we reach the area. Have lunch in the Ishasha sector and then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you’ll prepare for tomorrow’s gorilla trek.
- Main Destination:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Ruhija Community Rest Camp
Wildlife in Bwindi NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early morning breakfast, you will drive to the park headquarters with a packed lunch in hand for a briefing on your upcoming gorilla trek. The trek itself will take 4-8 hours, depending on the movement of the gorillas. After the trek, meet your driver and transfer back to the hotel. Unwind and reflect on your memorable day. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Ruhija Community Rest Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 15
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Lake Bunyonyi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, you will depart for Lake Bunyonyi, one of the deepest lakes in Africa. It features roughly 32 islands and serves as a tranquil stopover for relaxation after trekking with the gorillas. Upon arrival, embark on a boat ride to explore most of the islands on the lake.
Each island is named after the bird species found there, and some have names reflecting their purposes. For instance, Punishment Island, the smallest, was historically used by the Bakiga people to isolate girls who became pregnant before marriage. You will gain insights into the islands and the communities inhabiting them. After the boat ride, return to the lodge to unwind while watching the beautiful sunset.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Bunyonyi
- Accommodation:
- Bunyonyi Overland Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 16
Lake Bunyonyi - Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Bunyonyi - Lake Mburo National Park
Have breakfast and then transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, driving across the rolling hills and slopes of Kabale, which is known as "the Switzerland of Africa." Stopover in Mbarara town for lunch. You’ll enjoy a game drive en route to the park, allowing you to observe animals such as zebras, topis, elands, impalas, buffaloes, and antelopes. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Accommodation:
- Mburo Safari Lodge
Wildlife in Lake Mburo NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 17
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park
Wake up for an early morning game drive to spot early risers and other animals you may have missed during the previous evening's game drive. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon, take a boat ride on Lake Mburo to get a close view of crocodiles and hippos. Return to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Accommodation:
- Mburo Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 18
Lake Mburo National Park - Entebbe
Lake Mburo National Park - Entebbe
Have an early breakfast and then go for a hyena walk within the park. This guided walk is led by a park ranger from the Uganda Wildlife Authority for security and to provide information about the park and the trail. Return to the lodge after the walk, and then transfer to Entebbe (you’ll eat lunch en-route). Pause at the equator for photography and fun antics. You’ll arrive in Entebbe in the evening for dinner and your overnight stay at the hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Entebbe (City)
- Accommodation:
- Anderita Beach Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 19
The Ssese Islands of Lake Victoria
The Ssese Islands of Lake Victoria
Today you will be transferred to the Nakiwogo landing site to board the ferry to Lutoboka. The journey takes about three hours, and upon arrival, you will be met and welcomed by the hotel staff. They will then transfer you to the hotel, just meters away from the docking area (you may even walk freely). Check-in, freshen up, and relax into the evening, enjoying the sweet melodies from hundreds of bird species recorded here, with a cool breeze coming in from the lake. Dinner and your overnight say will be at the resort.
- Main Destination:
- Ssese Islands (Lake Victoria)
- Accommodation:
- Ssese Palm Beach Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 20
Ssese Islands
Ssese Islands
Enjoy breakfast with a stunning sunrise and engage in birdwatching and a walk in the nearby forest on the island. Look out for monkeys, as well as water and forest birds like the hornbill, turaco, flycatcher, weaver, fish eagle, and colorful butterflies. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the white sand beaches around the island. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the resort.
- Main Destination:
- Ssese Islands (Lake Victoria)
- Accommodation:
- Ssese Palm Beach Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 21
Ssese Islands - Entebbe
Ssese Islands - Entebbe
Have breakfast and then depart the island via the morning ferry back to Nakiwogo. Have lunch in Entebbe town and then be transferred to the airport. This is a private safari, and the dates are flexible so that you can book at any time throughout the year.
- Main Destination:
- Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
