15-Day Budget Uganda Safari &amp; Wildlife Adventure

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Red Chilli Rest Camp

Budget lodge located inside Murchison Falls NP

+6 Photos

+5 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 2

Murchison Falls National Park

After an early morning breakfast, you will embark on a game drive to search for the early risers. This drive presents opportunities to spot buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, hyenas, Rothschild giraffes, oribi, kobs, waterbucks, and various bird species feeding alongside the larger animals.

Return to the lodge for lunch, followed by an afternoon boat cruise along the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls. This three-hour boat cruise offers views of Nile crocodiles, numerous hippos, occasional elephants and buffaloes, and various bird species.

After the safari, you can opt for an evening game drive or return to the lodge for relaxation. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge.

Main Destination:

Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation:

Red Chilli Rest Camp

Budget lodge located inside Murchison Falls NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3

Murchison Falls National Park - Kibale National Park

After breakfast, you will journey to the top of the falls to view it from above. At the peak of Murchison Falls (also known as Kabalega Falls), the Nile squeezes through a narrow eight-meter gap in the rocks, plummeting 43 meters before continuing westward into Lake Albert.

Later, you will exit the park through the southern gate and travel to Kibale National Park via Hoima and Fort Portal. Lunch will be served en route before arriving at your accommodation.

Kibale is a stunning rainforest in Africa that is home to 13 primate species, with chimpanzees being the most prominent. It is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, boasting over 325 bird species. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge.

Main Destination:

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Best Time To Visit December to February and June to July

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June to July and December to February (Least rain)

Wildlife in Kibale NP

ChimpanzeeCommon

ElephantOccasional

BuffaloOccasional

LeopardVery Rare

HippoRare

LionRare to None

GiraffeNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Accommodation:

Rweteera Safari Park

Budget lodge located just outside Kibale NP (Chimps)

+6 Photos

+5 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4

Kibale National Park

After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing before embarking on a chimpanzee tracking expedition through the forest. Trackers are typically given one hour to observe the chimpanzees once they are found. Along the way, you may also spot other primates such as red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, as well as elephants, antelopes, and buffaloes.

Return to the lodge for lunch. In the evening, take a walk through the Bigodi Wetland, where you can observe a variety of birds, baboons, bush babies, and other wildlife species. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.

Main Destination:

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Rweteera Safari Park

Budget lodge located just outside Kibale NP (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5

Kibale National Park - Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, embark on a four-hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda's premier wildlife destinations. Over 600 bird species and a variety of mammals, including elephants and buffaloes, call this park home. During the journey, you'll enjoy scenic views, including those of the Rwenzori ranges. Upon arrival at the park, you’ll go on an evening game drive to spot a variety of animals. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June to July and January to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional

ElephantCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloCommon

HippoAbundant

LeopardOccasional

GiraffeNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Irungu Forest Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6

Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, embark on an early morning game drive through the park to spot various wildlife species such as waterbucks, lions, elephants, hartebeests, giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, leopards, and warthogs. You'll also have the opportunity to view different crater lakes. Return to the lodge for lunch and prepare for two-hour afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which is home to over 550 hippos. During the cruise, you'll also see a variety of birds and other animals such as crocodiles, elephants, and antelopes. After the cruise, return to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation:

Irungu Forest Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today you’ll wake up and enjoy a relaxing breakfast at the lodge before driving to the Katwe Salt Lake for a unique salt mining experience. Located in the small town of Katwe on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the lake covers an area of approximately eight square miles. Its shores are dotted with small ponds or pans where salt is extracted from the bottom through a process called salt panning.

Following the salt mining experience, you will embark on a scenic crater lakes drive, offering picturesque views and opportunities for wildlife sightings. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to three major crater lakes: Katwe Crater Lake, Bunyaruguru Crater Fields, and Ndali-Kasenda Crater Fields. These lakes were formed from extinct volcanoes that existed many years ago.

After exploring the crater lakes, you will drive back to your lodge, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Rwenzori Mountains along the way. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation:

Irungu Forest Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

Meals & Drinks:

Meals at own expense
Drinks not included

Day 8

Queen Elizabeth National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today you will start your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, passing through the Ishasha sector along the way. Here you can stop and observe the tree climbing lions, which are often found resting in the tree branches during the day. Enjoy lunch en route and continue your drive to the park. Upon arrival, settle in at your lodge, have dinner, and rest, preparing for your exciting gorilla tracking experience the next day.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February

High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeRare

ElephantRare

LionNone

GiraffeNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Gorilla CloseUp Lodge

Budget lodge bordering Bwindi NP (Gorillas) without fences

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 9

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Forest is home to the mountain gorillas, gentle giants that share 98% of their DNA with humans. The forest also harbors a variety of other species, including butterflies, plants, other primates, various mammals, and frogs. After a briefing at the park headquarters, experienced rangers will guide you into the jungle to track the gorillas. This tracking experience can last anywhere from 1-8 hours as the gorillas continuously move around. Only one hour is permitted for observing and photographing the gorillas once they are located. For those not interested in gorilla tracking, there is an option for a short, guided forest walk or a visit to the Batwa community. Relax at the lodge after an exciting day.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Gorilla CloseUp Lodge

Budget lodge bordering Bwindi NP (Gorillas) without fences

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 10

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, you'll drive to Lake Bunyonyi, Africa's second deepest lake and a haven for bird watchers. You will still be reminiscing about the previous day’s gorilla experience as you take in the stunning landscapes, including the locally terraced hills where farming is a way of life. Lake Bunyonyi, referred to as the "Switzerland of Africa" by Winston Churchill, offers a picturesque base for your adventure.

Main Destination:

Lake Bunyonyi

Accommodation:

Hawk's Eye Lodge Bunyonyi

Budget lodge located at Lake Bunyonyi

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 11

Lake Bunyonyi

Today’s breakfast will take place amidst stunning views of the surrounding hills, forests, and the beautiful morning sun. Afterwards, take a canoe ride on the lake, which is home to 29 islands (including Punishment Island), each with its own history. You’ll listen to the guides' stories as you explore the lake by boat.

Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you can take a walk or hike up the hills for more breathtaking views of the forests and lakes. Alternatively, you can go bird watching, read a book while relaxing by the lakeshore, or swim in the lake, which is free of bilharzia and safe for swimming.

Main Destination:

Lake Bunyonyi

Accommodation:

Hawk's Eye Lodge Bunyonyi

Budget lodge located at Lake Bunyonyi

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 12

Lake Bunyonyi - Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, embark on a 4.5-hour drive to Lake Mburo National Park with lunch en route. During the journey, you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery as you pass through farms and plantations. Lake Mburo is among Uganda's smallest parks, but is home to many zebras, as well as impalas, oribis, buffaloes, warthogs, waterbucks, and over 332 bird species.

Upon arrival at the park in the afternoon, you’ll go on a boat cruise along Lake Mburo. Capture plenty of photographs as you enjoy the scenic beauty and wildlife around the lake.

Main Destination:

Lake Mburo National Park

Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June, July and January to February (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Mburo NP

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

HippoCommon

GiraffeOccasional

LeopardOccasional

HyenaOccasional

LionRare

ElephantNone

CheetahNone