Ultimate 18-Day Uganda Safari

Ultimate 18-Day Uganda Safari

Embark on the ultimate 18-day adventure across Uganda, a journey that takes you through stunning landscapes, vibrant cultures, and unforgettable wildlife experiences. From the Source of the Nile to the majestic mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, this safari covers all the highlights of Uganda’s national parks, making it a once-in-a-lifetime expedition.

Whether you’re rafting the Nile’s white-water rapids, trekking with mountain gorillas, or witnessing the unique tree-climbing lions, this trip is perfect for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in authentic cultural encounters, including visits to the Tepeth and Karamojong communities, and discover the Big Five and more in Uganda’s premier game parks.

Activities & Highlights

  • White-water rafting on the Nile in Jinja
  • Hiking to Sipi Falls and a coffee tour in Kapchorwa
  • Cultural visits to the Tepeth and Karamojong communities in Moroto
  • Game drives in Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo National Parks
  • Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
  • Boat trips on the Nile and the Kazinga Channel
  • Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
  • Nature walks in Kibale Forest and Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary
  • Walking safaris in Lake Mburo National Park
  • Encounters with the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos
  • Special moments with mountain gorillas and chimpanzees
  • Discovering the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Jinja

Your adventure begins with a warm welcome at Entebbe Airport. Meet your guide and travel to Jinja, passing through the lush Mabira Forest, tea plantations, and the vibrant roadside markets of Namawojjolo. Arrive at your lodge along the banks of the Nile River for an evening of relaxation.

  • Accommodation Options:
    • Budget: Nile River Camp
    • Mid-Range: 2 Friends Guesthouse
    • Luxury: The Haven Eco River Lodge
  • Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: White-Water Rafting & Transfer to Sipi Falls

Start your day with an exhilarating white-water rafting adventure on the Nile, tackling its thrilling rapids. After lunch, visit the Source of the Nile, where the world’s longest river begins. Later, travel to Sipi Falls, located in the scenic foothills of Mount Elgon, and settle in at your lodge with views of the cascading waterfalls.

  • Accommodation Options:
    • Budget: Lacam Lodge
    • Mid-Range: Rafiki Lodge Sipi
    • Luxury: Sipi River Lodge
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Sipi Falls Walk and Coffee Tour

Embark on a guided hike to explore the three magnificent waterfalls of Sipi Falls. Enjoy panoramic views of the Kapchorwa region and learn about the area’s unique geology. In the afternoon, experience a coffee tour, where you’ll follow the coffee journey from seed to cup, culminating in a tasting session of locally brewed coffee.

  • Accommodation Options: Same as Day 2
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Moroto & Tepeth Community Visit

Enjoy breakfast as you prepare for a scenic drive to Moroto, nestled at the foot of Mount Moroto. The journey takes you through the lush eastern Ugandan landscapes and small towns, with a stop in Soroti, where you can stretch your legs and grab a snack or take a quick photo.

Upon arrival in Moroto, settle into your lodge and enjoy lunch. Later, visit the Tepeth community, thought to be the first inhabitants of Karamoja. Known for their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle, the Tepeth people offer a rare cultural experience. You’ll learn about their ancient practices, unique rituals, and rich oral history.

  • Additional Highlights:
    • Traditional songs and dances by the Tepeth community.
    • Scenic views of Mount Moroto and surrounding savannah plains.
  • Accommodation Options:
    • Budget: Mount Moroto Hotel
    • Mid-Range: Kara-Tunga Safari Camp
    • Luxury: Mount Moroto Lodge
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Main Destination: Moroto (Karamoja Region)

Day 5: Transfer to Kidepo Valley NP & Afternoon Game Drive

Leave Moroto early for Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Uganda’s most remote and spectacular parks. The drive offers dramatic scenery, including rugged savannahs, rocky outcrops, and occasional sightings of ostriches.

Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge. In the afternoon, set out for a game drive in the Narus Valley, where you’ll see large herds of buffaloes, elephants, and possibly lions lounging in the open grasslands. The sunset over the rugged landscape is the perfect way to close the day.

  • Additional Highlights:
    • En route, enjoy panoramic views of the Karamoja plains.
    • Stop for photos at key viewpoints overlooking Kidepo’s rugged terrain.
  • Accommodation Options:
    • Budget: Apoka Rest Camp
    • Mid-Range: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
    • Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Main Destination: Kidepo Valley National Park

Day 6: Game Drives & Karamojong Community Visit

Start your morning with a sunrise game drive through the Narus Valley, known for its high concentration of wildlife. Keep an eye out for zebras, jackals, and lions, as well as ostriches, which are rare in most other Ugandan parks.

Return to the lodge for lunch and relax before visiting a Karamojong manyatta (traditional homestead). Here, you’ll witness the Karamojong’s vibrant culture, including their dances, cattle-keeping practices, and elaborate beadwork. This is an enriching cultural exchange that offers insight into one of Uganda’s most unique tribes.

  • Additional Highlights:
    • Participate in a traditional dance performance with the Karamojong.
    • Learn about the symbolic importance of cattle in their society.
  • Accommodation Options: Same as Day 5
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Main Destination: Kidepo Valley National Park

Day 7: Nature Walk & Afternoon Game Drive in Kidepo

Begin the day with a guided nature walk, led by an armed ranger, to explore Kidepo’s savannahs on foot. Walk along dry riverbeds, past rocky outcrops, and through acacia-dotted plains while learning about the park’s ecosystem and smaller wildlife like dik-diks and ground hornbills.

After lunch, head back out on a game drive, with a focus on exploring the Kidepo Valley. Visit the Kanangorok Hot Springs, a natural attraction near the South Sudan border, and enjoy the wide-open vistas that make Kidepo so unique.

  • Additional Highlights:
    • Stunning views of the valley stretching into South Sudan.
    • Opportunity to spot cheetahs, which are rare but occasionally seen in Kidepo.
  • Accommodation Options: Same as Day 5
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Set off early for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, stopping for breaks and refreshments along the way. Arrive in the afternoon and check in at your lodge. After lunch, take a guided nature walk through the sanctuary, where you’ll spot various bird species and smaller mammals like bushbucks and warthogs.

  • Accommodation Options:
    • Budget: Amuka Lodge
    • Mid-Range: Ziwa Rhino Guesthouse
    • Luxury: Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Main Destination: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Day 9: Rhino Tracking & Transfer to Murchison Falls NP

After breakfast, embark on an exciting rhino tracking experience. Walk through the bush with an expert guide to observe these magnificent creatures up close and learn about their conservation journey in Uganda.

Later, drive to Murchison Falls National Park. On arrival, visit the iconic Top of the Falls, where the Nile plunges through a narrow gorge in a dramatic display of power and beauty.

  • Accommodation Options:
    • Budget: Red Chilli Rest Camp
    • Mid-Range: Pakuba Safari Lodge
    • Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park

Day 10: Full Day in Murchison Falls NP

Spend the morning on a game drive, where you’ll encounter lions, giraffes, elephants, and countless antelopes grazing in the savannah. After lunch at the lodge, take a boat trip to the base of the falls, where you’ll spot hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife.

  • Accommodation Options: Same as Day 9
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Transfer to Kibale Forest NP

After a relaxed breakfast, travel to Kibale Forest National Park, passing through picturesque villages and rolling tea plantations. Kibale is home to 13 primate species, including the red colobus monkey and the L’Hoest’s monkey.

  • Accommodation Options:
    • Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
    • Mid-Range: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
    • Luxury: Primate Lodge
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Bigodi Wetlands Walk & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Start your day with a guided nature walk in Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area near Kibale Forest. Known for its incredible biodiversity, Bigodi is a haven for birdwatchers and primate lovers alike. You’ll encounter species such as the great blue turaco, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys. The walk is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna of the area from a knowledgeable guide.

After lunch, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most popular wildlife destinations. The journey takes you through the crater lake region, offering spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains along the way. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and relax before dinner.

  • Activity Highlights:
    • Guided walk through Bigodi Wetlands.
    • Scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth NP with photo stops at key viewpoints.
  • Accommodation Options:
    • Budget: The Bush Lodge
    • Mid-Range: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge
    • Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Morning Game Drive & Boat Safari on the Kazinga Channel

Kick off the day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, where you’ll spot herds of Uganda kobs, elephants, buffaloes, and possibly lions and leopards. This area is a prime spot for predator-prey interactions, making it an exciting safari experience.

In the afternoon, embark on a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. The channel is famous for its high concentration of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and waterbirds like African fish eagles and saddle-billed storks. You’ll also see elephants and buffaloes coming to drink at the water’s edge.

  • Activity Highlights:
    • Morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains.
    • Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel with up-close wildlife encounters.
  • Accommodation Options: Same as Day 12
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Ishasha Sector Game Drive & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After breakfast, head to the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth NP, famous for its unique tree-climbing lions. These lions are often found lounging in the branches of fig trees, an unusual behavior rarely seen elsewhere in Africa. Aside from the lions, Ishasha is also home to elephants, buffaloes, and topis.

After a game drive, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to roughly half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and spend the evening preparing for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure.

  • Activity Highlights:
    • Game drive in the Ishasha Sector to search for tree-climbing lions.
    • Scenic drive to Bwindi, passing terraced hills and tea plantations.
  • Accommodation Options:
    • Budget: Ride 4 A Woman Guesthouse
    • Mid-Range: Rushaga Gorilla Camp
    • Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Guided Forest Walk & Transfer to Ruhija Sector

Begin the day with a guided forest walk along the waterfall trail in Bwindi. This trail takes you deep into the forest, where you’ll encounter beautiful waterfalls, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and a variety of bird species. The walk is an excellent way to immerse yourself in Bwindi’s lush ecosystem and learn about its biodiversity.

After lunch, transfer to the Ruhija Sector of Bwindi in preparation for tomorrow’s gorilla trekking. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at your lodge and enjoying the serene forest atmosphere.

  • Activity Highlights:
    • Guided forest walk in Bwindi’s waterfall trail.
    • Scenic drive to Ruhija Sector.
  • Accommodation Options:
    • Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp
    • Mid-Range: Trekkers Tavern Cottages
    • Luxury: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today is the highlight of your safari—gorilla trekking! After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Rangers will guide you on the do’s and don’ts of gorilla trekking before assigning you a group.

Set off into the dense rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. Once you find them, you’ll spend an hour observing these gentle giants as they eat, groom, and interact. It’s an experience that is both humbling and exhilarating.

In the late afternoon, you can opt to visit the Batwa community, where you’ll learn about the traditions and survival skills of Uganda’s Indigenous forest people.

  • Activity Highlights:
    • Gorilla trekking with an experienced guide and ranger.
    • Optional visit to the Batwa community to learn about their culture.
  • Accommodation Options: Same as Day 15
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17: Transfer to Lake Mburo NP & Afternoon Game Drive

After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park. Arrive in time for lunch, then head out for an afternoon game drive. Lake Mburo is home to a variety of wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, impalas, elands, buffaloes, and the elusive leopard. The park’s rolling hills and acacia-dotted landscapes provide a picturesque backdrop for wildlife viewing.

  • Additional Highlights:
    • Optional night game drive to spot nocturnal animals like bush babies and hyenas.
  • Accommodation Options:
    • Budget: Rwakobo Rock Lodge
    • Mid-Range: Mburo Safari Lodge
    • Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18: Walking Safari & Return to Entebbe

Start the day with a guided walking safari, a unique opportunity to get close to wildlife on foot. Spot zebras, giraffes, and antelopes while learning about the park’s ecology from an experienced ranger. After breakfast, check out and begin your drive back to Entebbe, with a stop at the Equator for photos and souvenir shopping. Arrive in Entebbe in the late afternoon and proceed to the airport for your departure flight.

  • Activity Highlights:
    • Guided walking safari in Lake Mburo NP.
    • Equator stop for photos and shopping.
  • Accommodation Options: Not included (end of tour).
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Book Safari

Low Season:  $2435 USD

High Season:  $28101 USD

* Indicative costs per person sharing, excluding international airline tickets

Included

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