16 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari Tour – Overview

The 16 days Uganda Wildlife Safari Tour is a comprehensive Safari package that entails wildlife viewing, adventure activities, culture tours, scenery viewing, Chimpanzees and Gorillas trekking.

It takes you through the cosmopolitan city of Kampala, Jinja adventure Capital of East Africa, Kidepo national park and local Karamojong community, habituated chimpanzees of Kibale, wild game of Queen Elizabeth, gorilla trekking in Bwindi, relaxing boat of Lake Bunyonyi and wild game views of Lake Mburo National Park.

The 16 days Uganda Wildlife Safari Tour is long – interesting safari package that will combine Uganda’s most picturesque national parks with unique cultural experiences and taste of world class services from some of the finest lodges in Uganda.

16 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari Tour – Highlights

• Day 1: Kampala City Tour- City tour to Cultural, Religious and Historical Attractions.
• Day 2: Transfer from Kampala to Jinja & enroute forest walk at Mabira Forest Reserve.
• Day 3: Transfer from Jinja to Sipi falls &afternoon Hike to Sipi Falls.
• Day 4: Transfer from Sipi Falls to Kidepo National Park
• Day 5: Do an Early Morning Game Drive and Evening Cultural Encounter.
• Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.
• Day 7: Do morning game drive, afternoon boat cruise & Hike to the top of the falls
• Day 8: Transfer to Hoima with tour to Kibiro Salt Gardens on the shores of Lake Albert
• Day 9: Transfer to Fort portal Area, lunch in Fort Portal town, afternoon Fort Portal Crater Lake hike and visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves
• Day 10: Do morning Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi wetland walk in the afternoon
• Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Do afternoon boat cruise
• Day 12: Do morning game drive & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 13: Do gorilla trekking & an evening Cultural encounter with the Batwa Communities.
• Day 14:  Transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Bunyonyi & does afternoon boat cruise.
• Day 15: Transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park & Afternoon boat trip.
• Day 16: Do morning Game drive & Transfer to Kampala with stopover at the Uganda Equator.

16 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Kampala City Tour- City Tour to Cultural, Religious & Historical Attractions.

Following your early morning Cup of Coffee, you will be picked up by your experienced guide and embark on City tour.

Kampala Capital city is charming tourism destination of its own and thus taking Uganda safari without exploring the City makes your Uganda Safari incomplete.

The city is a hub of various attractions ranging from historical to cultural and religious attractions. The City tour encounter will take your through different Kampala sites such as Namirembe and Rubaga Cathedrals local with in Kampala Center, Baha’i temple- the only one in Africa situated in Kikaya Hill overlooking Kampala City, Gadhafi Mosque dubbed after late president Gadhafi’s contribution to its construction .

The safari then links you to famous Cultural attractions like Kasubi tombs, Kabaka’s palace, Kabaka’s Lake, historical monuments and museums like the Uganda National Museum, National buildings like the parliament, educational Institutions like Makerere University, Traditional hospitals like Mulago hospital, Mengo and Nsambya hospitals.

However, Due to the fact that all these attractions cannot explore in one single day, you will be required to choose the ones you can tour in one day.

After exploring the City tour, you will retire back to your pre-booked hotel in Kampala for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kampala Serena Hotel (Up-Market/Luxury), Humura Resort (Mid-range/standard), Buziga Country Resort (Budget/Basic).

Day 2: Transfer From Kampala to Jinja & En-route Forest Walk at Mabira Forest Reserve.

After your early morning breakfast, depart Kampala driving along Kampala- Jinja highway 80km about 1-2 hours’ drive without enroute stopovers.

The drive journey to Jinja will take you through small townships of Mukono were you can also find Ssezibwa falls one of the famous Buganda Heritage Sites where many natives flock for blessings, wealth, and fortunes.

You will have stopover at Mabira Forest to explore the only forest reserve in Uganda with over 300 bird species as well as some endangered species of over 218 butterflies, monkeys, plants and 312 trees species.

Thereafter, you will advance with the drive through Lugazi decorated with green tea, coffee and sugar plantations to Sunset Hotel in Jinja where you will have second stopover for lunch.

After lunch, you will enroll yourself for the white water rafting experience that will see you contain the strength of waters of the Nile as they splash through the rapids.

You will also participate in the bungee jumping that will see you fall from the cliff to touch on the waters of the Nile 140ft below – one of the active adventures you will ever have.

The relaxing boat cruise to the source of the Nile will take you to the point where John Speke, the first European to see the source of the world’s longest river stood.

You will see the Nile starting it 90 days journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Retreat back to your pre-booked hotel in Jinja for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Jinja Nile Resort (Luxury/Upmarket), Sunset Hotel Jinja (Standard/Mid-Range), Timton Hotel (Budget/Basic)

Day 3: Transfer From Jinja to Sipi Falls & Afternoon Hike to Sipi Falls.

Right after having your early morning breakfast, you will depart Jinja town driving to eastern part of Uganda.

The drive journey to Sipi falls will take you through small townships of Iganga, Busembatia, to Mbale town, a charming town full of rich heritage and fascinating culture.

On arrival to Sipi falls, you will drive to your lodge to check-in; relaxation and lunch .After lunch; embark on a lovely hike to Sipi falls.

The hike is too magnificent as you move to the bottom of the splendid three waterfalls. You will proceed with a quick steep climb to a series of stunning caves.

As you proceed to the perplexing trail to the other waterfalls, you will pass through banana plantations .After exploring the falls, retire back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Sipi Falls Lodge (Up-Market), Lacarm Lodge (Mid-range) Crow’s Nest (Budget)

Day 4: Transfer From Sipi Falls to Kidepo National Park

Wake-up very early, take cup of coffee and embark on transfer journey to Kidepo national park in the Northern part of Uganda.

The long distance drive will take you through different types of landscapes and traditional villages. You will have stopover in Kitgum for lunch and thereafter advance with the drive to the park.

Arrive in the park late in the evening like at 7-8pm and drive direct to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodations: Apoka Safari Lodge (Luxury) Nga’ Mou Wilderness Camp (Midrange) and UWA bandas (Budget) Full Board

Day 5: Do an Early Morning Game Drive and Evening Cultural Encounter.

After an early morning breakfast, embark on an early morning game drive along the designated Kidepo trails to Kanangorok hot spring.

The park harbors a great diversity of wildlife species than other parks in Uganda. Of the 80 species of mammals recorded in the park, 28 are not known to occur in any other Ugandan parks.

The game drive will give you possibilities of meeting the Carnivore species such as bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, and cheetah, hunting dog.

The game drive will also enable you to have closer account to other wildlife species like Elephant, burchell’s zebra, bush pig, warthog, Rothschild giraffe, cape buffalo, eland, bush buck, bush duskier, defassa water buck, bohor reed buck, jackson’s hartbeest and oribi.

After the early morning game drive, you will retire to your lodge for lunch, relaxation as you wait for an evening cultural encounter.

Embark on an evening cultural encounter with the Karamajongoes local people living in the nearby areas of Kidepo Valley National Park.

Cultural encounter will expose you to unique traditional dances such as the Emuya of the Naporre and Nyangia, ethnic groups and Larakaraka and Apiti dances of the Acholi. After the activity, retreat back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodations: Apoka Safari Lodge (Luxury) Nga’ Mou Wilderness Camp (Midrange) and UWA bandas (Budget)

Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.

After an early morning breakfast, embark on the transfer to Murchison falls national park. The interesting scenic drive will take you through savannah grasslands of Kitgum district to Gulu town .

You will have stopover for lunch in Gulu town and thereafter continue with the journey through Karuma checking into Murchison late in the evening like at 6-7pm.

On arrival to the park, you will drive to your already reserved lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range/Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).

Day 7: Do Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Boat Cruise & Hike To The Top of The Falls

Immediately after an early morning relaxed breakfast, embark on an early morning game drive through the park in search of the elusive wild game.

The rolling savannah combretum of Murchison Falls National Park supports a range of wild game including the elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, water buck, Jackson hartebeest, oribis, lions, leopards among others .

The early morning drive through the well-arranged driving tracks of the delta area, Buligi tracks, Albert and Queen tracks will provide you a thrilling opportunity to enjoy the views of elusive wild game.

After rewarding drive of 3 – 4 hours, you will retreat back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch while waiting for an afternoon boat cruise.

After lunch, you drive to Paraa to catch-up with the afternoon Lunch Cruise that sets of at 2:30pm. The boat cruise to the bottom of the Nile will offer you an opportunity to enjoy the glimpse of wildlife species like Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, Buffalos, and a range of water birds such as the endangered species of the Shoebill Stork when they are driving on the shores of the river.

After exploring the boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, you will turn to hiking through narrow path to the top of the falls.

Upon reaching the top, you will enjoy the roaring sounds of the Nile as it crumbles its head on the impermeable rocks that have narrowed its way to less than 8m for centuries past.

Thereafter that life time experience, you will to your lodge for dinner, experience sharing and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range/Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).

Day 8: Transfer to Hoima With Tour to Kibiro Salt Gardens on The Shores of Lake Albert

Transfer from your Murchison’s lodge to Hoima after breakfast. The drive journey will take you through the interesting Albertine escarpment to the oil region in Bulisa.

After that rewarding drive, you will arrive in Kibiro Salt Gardens and hot springs where you will be exposed to skillful local methods of fine salt extraction only found in this part of Uganda.

Besides the Kibiro salt Gardens, you will enjoy the views of the famous Lake Albert and the sights of the great Blue Mountains on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

From here, you will continue with the drive to Hoima for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kontik Hotel

Day 9: Transfer to Fort portal Area, Lunch in Fort Portal town, Afternoon Fort Portal Crater Lake Hike and Visit The Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru Caves

After your early morning cup of coffee, you will embark on 5 hours’ drive from Hoima to Fort portal dubbed the tourism town of Uganda due to its strategic location in the middle of different natural wonders that make Uganda the pearl of Africa.

The drive will take you through the impressive country side landscapes with rural setting and local populations.

Arrive in Fort Portal town for lunch after which you will continue to do the Fort Portal Crater Lake Hike to gain impressive views of the Fort Portal explosion crater.

You will also visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves with a magical Nyakasura River falling over them forming beautiful water fall.

The caves have breast like features which the locals attach a great cultural connotation and are thought to date back to the Chwezi era. Retreat from the activity and get to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Mid-range/Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 10: Do Morning Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Walk in The Afternoon

As soon as you finish your early morning breakfast, you will be taken to Kanyanchu headquarters for early morning briefing about dos and don’ts of Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park.

Thereafter, you will walk through the forest with an experienced guide who will be enlightening you about both wildlife and plants life.

Once you come across the charming Chimpanzees, you will be allowed one memorable hour to interact with the primates.

The Chimpanzees will lure you in a state of amazement as they swing through the branches, make pant hooting calls, play with each other, and imitate your body language along with other features that will make your one full hour with them a memorable experience of its own.

Retreat from the activity which tends to take 2 – 5 hours to embark on the transfer to Bigodi wetland. The Bigodi wetland, lies in close distance to the park thus connecting there is less hectic.

The Bigodi wetland walk exposes you to typical eco –tourism encounter in Uganda. The impressive flora and fauna existing along with the local community is indeed rewarding to encounter.

The sights of great blue turaco and the Sitatnga may not be missed. Retreat from the activity back to lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Mid-range/Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Do Afternoon Boat Cruise

Have a relaxed breakfast and thereafter, embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 3 hours’ drive excluding stops en route.

You will make a stop at Rwenzori Art foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa in the shadows of Rwenzori Mountains.

The process of sculpture making of which you will be free to participate in will be rewarding. The extension to visit the Ruboni community wax and craft center expose you the local traditions and the applicability of indigenous knowledge to contemporary development.

Continue to the Queen Elizabeth NP, drive through the crater are with possible views of the olive baboons and elephants not forgetting magical sceneries before connecting to Mweya for an afternoon Kazinga Channel boa cruise which will offer you possibilities of encountering Hippos, Nile crocodiles , wild game drinking on the channel side and counts of water birds. Retire in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Do Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

On this particular day, you will wake up very early in the morning like at 6:00am, take your cup of coffee and embark on the game drive at 6:30am in the rolling savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The drive will take you through Kasenyi with the opportunities of encountering the nocturnal wildlife species when they are retiring back to their hiding grounds.

Early morning game drive may also enable you to confront the early morning wildlife risers when they are starting their daily activities of searching for food.

The ranges of wild game which may be encountered during the game drive include the elusive leopard, defassa waterbuck, Uganda kob, Side stripped Jackal; Oribis elephants, lions, buffaloes, Antelopes among others.

After 3 -4 hours of game drive, you will retreat back to the starting point. Thereafter, embark on the interesting drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The drive will take you through the prominent Ishasha sector where you will have possibilities of encountering tree climbing lions that tend to lie on the branches of fig trees.

Have your stopover for Lunch at Ishasha and thereafter continue with the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange/Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 13: Do Gorilla Trekking & An Evening Cultural Encounter With The Batwa Communities.

Immediately after an early morning breakfast, you will proceed to the Park headquarters for registration and join other trekkers in an early morning briefing about the etiquettes of Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

As soon as the briefing is done, you will enter the jungle to trek through thick creepers and undergrowth with your guides to find the Gorillas.

The trek may take you between 2-8 hours to encounter the Mountain gorillas and this will mainly depend on the movement of the apes.

The steeply forested landscape is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists.

Once up-close to the apes, you will be given one magical hour to View and interact with these stunning apes plus taking photographs.

Retire back to the starting point after the one hour and proceed to your lodge for a late lunch and relaxation.

After relaxation, you will be driven to the nearby Batwa community for memorable, refreshing cultural encounter.

Here you will be guided by a local guide who will take you to the different communities to see how people have managed to survive through farming.

You will see how local brew is processed from fresh Bananas and forest remedies to get beer and Waragi and also enjoy the performances done by the local Batwa women groups.

After that interesting cultural encounter, you will drive back to your respective lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange/Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 14:  Transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Bunyonyi & Does Afternoon Boat Cruise   

After an early morning breakfast, you will depart Bwindi driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands for an afternoon boat cruise, relaxation, dinner and overnight in Lake Bunyonyi.

Lake Bunyonyi is another major tourist stopover that is undeniably amazing. It is the second deepest lake in Africa; it contains lots of the tasty crayfish, so get set for a culinary delight.

On arrival to Lake Bunyonyi, you will drive to your lodge to check-in and lunch. After lunch, proceed to catch up with the afternoon boat cruise, you may also participate in other activities such as swimming in the bilharzia free waters of Bunyonyi .

After exploring the different adventurous activities in Lake Bunyonyi, you will retire to your lodge to chill in the fire place while enjoying cool evening of Bunyonyi.

Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket/Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Midrange/Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget/Basic

Day 15: Transfer From Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park & Afternoon Boat Trip.

After an early morning breakfast, you will embark on drive transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo national park drive distance of 199 kilometers.

The drive will take you through the rolling winding hills and terraced landscapes of western region and head to the Lake Mburo National Park.

Upon your arrival at Lake Mburo National Park, you will have your lunch and afterwards proceed to catch-up with the afternoon boat cruise which sets of 2:30pm on the magnificent waters of Lake Mburo.

The boat trip may offer you opportunities of encountering the wild game such as Hippos, Nile Crocodiles and a range of water birds such as the colorful Kingfishers, magnificent Fish Eagles, Hammerkops and their enormous nests and even the prehistoric-looking Shoebill.

Retreat back from the activity to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge (Luxury), Arcadia Cottages Mburo (Mid-Range), Eagle’s Nest (Budget).

Day 16: Do Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Kampala With Stopover At The Uganda Equator.

Following an early morning relaxed breakfast, embark on the impresing game drive through the park in search of wild game.

The connection of game tracks found in the eastern part of the park passes through a variety of beautiful landscape such as acacia woodland, wetlands vegetation, savannah grassland which supports the survival of different wildlife grazers including gigantic eland antelope, zebras, waterbucks, Klipspringer and the rare Topi, impala, warthog, oribi, buffalo, Defassa reedbuck.

After the activity, you will retire back to the park headquarters and then proceed with the drive to Kampala.

On your way, you will by-pass Mpigi village, famous for the Royal Drums Makers and of course the Ugandan Equator, where you will have stopover for photo shot, water experiment and shop for a souvenir.

Thereafter, you will advance with the drive to Kampala. On your arrival at Kampala, the guide will take you direct to your Kampala hotel or Entebbe International Airport for your scheduled flight back home.

End of The 16 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari Tour

Getting There

Safari Inclusions

• Chimpanzee Permit (for chimpanzee trekking safaris)
• Gorilla Permit (for gorilla trekking safaris)
• Full Board Accommodation on Safari
• Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC
• Fuel
• Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
• Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
• Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
• Bottled water while on safari
• Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)

Safari Exclusions

• General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges
• Laundry Services
• Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
• International Flights (Arranged on request)
• Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
• Visas
• Optional Activity fees
• Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary
• Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)
• Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)