20 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari

20 days Uganda safari taking you for a truly unique and unforgettable adventure safari through Uganda’s top safari destinations of the country! Enjoy game viewing in national parks, trek through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to search for the mountain gorilla, have quality time with wild chimpanzees of Kibale Forest; lions that climb trees in the Ishasha Sector and many more during a unique, personalized journey through Uganda’s ever-changing landscapes and parks flush with endemic, colorful wildlife. You are privileged to have an hour watching the rare mountain gorillas, the world’s most amazing creatures interacting in mere yards away!

Trip Summary

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe

Day 2: Travel to Ssese islands: Lake Victoria

Day 3: Ssese island tour. You can swim, relax at the beach, explore the island on a bike!

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park. (5hrs). Game viewing in the Park

Day 5: Game drive and boat trip. Take a foot safari within the park.

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: Home of Gorillas. Enjoy the drive through the rural countryside of Uganda!

Day 7: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park through the Ishasha Region.

Day 9: Chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge. Spend an hour with chimps. Game Viewing along the Kasenyi Area.

Day 10: Transfer to Kibale Forest. Chimp tracking in Kanyanchu. Take a short guided nature walk to Bigodi swamp sanctuary, a good site for birders.

Day 11: Connect to Murchison falls through the Albertine Rift.

Day 12: Game Viewing in the Delta circuit. Follow the leopard track, look out for Jackson’s hartebeest, Uganda Kobs and the Defassa waterbuck, giraffes, dainty oribi etc.

Day 13: Visit the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda’s breeding programme.

Day 14: Leave for Jinja. Stop over at Mabira Forest. water rafting along the Nile River.

Day 15: Transfer to Sipi falls (3 hr ride from Jinja).

Day 16: Kidepo National park. After seeing the beautiful falls we travel early north to Kabong in Kidepo national park, located in the far most northeast of Uganda

Day 17: Game drive in Narus valley, renowned for wildlife such as the cheetah, caracal, hyenas, lions, side-stripped jackal, leopard, gents, small cats, elephants, greater and lesser kudus, and reedbucks.

Day 18: Hiking in the Lamoj Mountains and Cultural Performances.

Day 19: Leave for Kampala by road or take a flight back. (Driving back will take you two days (12-14hrs) or more based on the road conditions)

Day 20: Back to Kampala

Uganda Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe.
After landing safely, you will be met by our guide who will then transfer you to Windsor hotel/ Camp Entebbe/ Central Inn. Then after relaxing you go to the zoo (Uganda Wildlife Education Centre). The zoo introduces you to animals you likely find in Uganda. There are zebras, lions, elephants, hippopotamus, chimps, birds among others. Check out the shoebill.
Return to your hotel to dine and rest.

Day 2: Travel to Ssese islands: Lake Victoria

After breakfast head to Nakiwogo and board the ferry to Kalangala, Ssese islands. The ferry leaves at 2 pm on Lake Victoria and reaches at Lutoboka bay in Bugala Island after 3hr ride. On the ferry, you won’t have to go hungry there’s a cafeteria you can get to order anything of your choice, you get to see many islands as you near Kalangala (better if you have a set of binoculars), water birds and enjoy the calm breeze of the waters plus the experience which goes along with traveling on water. Enjoy the sight and the feeling of being far away from the noise in the city, Kampala as you get to relax your body and the understand the true sense of a holiday. Check in at Ssese Habitat Resort (SSEHAB) / Hornbill Camp/ Ssese Island Palm Beach Hotel/Andronicos Lodge.

Day 3: Ssese island tour.

After being treated to a hearty breakfast, go for a nature walk in the forest and proceed for a boat trip which will leave you admiring the islands on the lake. Among other islands, we have Buggala, Bubeke, Bukasa, Banda and Buvuma islands which are more popular. Go back to the hotel to enjoy a mouthwatering traditional buffet. You can relax and later resort to the many activities available such as swimming in the free bilharzia water, taking a sunbath, steam bath, bicycle riding and ride to explore the forest and the sites on the biggest amongst the Ssese Islands such as the BIDCO palm oil project and fishing is another fair option. Return to Ssehab Habitat Resort (SSEHAB) / Hornbill Camp/ Ssese Island Beach Hotel/ Mirembe Resort/Andronicos Lodge.

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park. (5hrs)
After morning breakfast depart for Entebbe. Leave by 8 am by ferry boat. Enjoy the last memories of the lake’s breeze and the unforgettable memories you have left behind in Kalangala. You reach Entebbe Pier, Nakiwogo by 11 am and you will be transferred back to Kampala for lunch. Continue to Lake Mburo national park. Take a walk to the Salt lick- a favorably located wooden platform. (2km from the camp) You can observe different types of animals while they lick the salty soil. Game viewing is quite random though observation can be done without disturbing the animals. Later you can enjoy sports fishing at Mazinga if you are a fan. Lake Mburo has 6 species of fish mainly being Tilapia. Or you can just relax by the lake. Return to Kimbla Mantana/Rwonyo Camp.

Day 5: Game drive and boat trip

Early morning go for a game drive through the park in search for acacia related birds and animals as they return to their hideouts. Return to the lodge for late breakfast and lunch, later embark for a nature walk. You will get to see zebras and the long-horned domestic cattle grazing alongside peaceably. Gather your strength after lunch for the afternoon boat trip on Lake Mburo its self in search for water game such as Hippos, crocodiles, birds and sitatunga antelopes inhabiting in papyruses surrounding the Lake. Dinner and overnight Mantana Tented Camp / Arcadia Cottages.

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After taking breakfast to continue your tour by driving to Bwindi. Welcome to Bwindi where gorillas are the center of attraction, a distinct feature for Uganda’s tourism. Bwindi national park, Mgahinga National Park alongside Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park and Congo’s Virunga Volcanoes are habitats to the only endangered mountain gorillas left in the whole world. Sleep at Gorilla Forest Camp/Gorilla resort/Buhoma community Bandas/Buhoma Homestead.

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking Tour: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After breakfast, go for a game drive around the park. This is the best way to explore the park. You may see impalas and zebras around as you drive near Sanga and Nshara gates. Along the roads, you can see buffalo, bushbuck, common duiker, bushbuck, Defassa waterbuck, and hippopotamus at any time of the year. You may see klipspringers as you pass through Ruroko tracks. The Rwizi track will give you sightings of impalas, eland, Burchell’s zebra and birds around the fringing swamps. In the afternoon go for a boat trip on the lake Mburo which offers an attractive scenery of hippopotamus, crocodiles, waterbuck, bushbucks, resident otters and an abundance of bird species like the pied kingfisher, Narina dragon and Ross’ Turaco. Dine and rest in Kimbla Mantana/ Rwonyo Camp.

Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park.
After breakfast take a game drive connecting to Queen Elizabeth national park via Ishasha route. Gaze at the beautiful tree-climbing lions. Start with a game drive to Kasenyi plains where you are likely to be rewarded with a view of waterbucks, Elephants, Leopards, Buffaloes, Hyenas and a variety of Antelope species. Check in at Mweya Safari lodge and have lunch. After lunch, enjoy the unique 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of Hippos, buffalos, elephants other animals seen drinking at the water’s edge. Lookout for resident species like flamingos, red chest, Papyrus Gonolek, pink-backed pelicans, malachite kingfishers, yellow crown, water thick-knee, yellow-billed stork, shoebill stock. Don’t forget your camera. Return to Mweya Safari Lodge/ Institute of Ecology/Simba Safari.

Day 9: chimp trekking in Kyambura Gorge; Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning take your breakfast then head straight for chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge at exactly 8:00 am. Did you know that chimps are our closest relatives? They act like humans so do spend an hour them to learn more. There are more diverse primates mainly Black and white Colobus monkeys and other animals like antelopes, hyenas in the middle of savanna grassland. This gorge has many bird species. Continue to Mweya Lodge, have lunch and head for a game view to Kasenyi. You will be able to see black and white colobus, bushbuck, Uganda Kob, topi, Defassa waterbuck, and Cape buffaloes. A collection of birds like Cassin’s grey flycatcher, broad billed roller, black bee-eater along the banks of Lake Edward. Return to Mweya Safari Lodge /budget Institute of ecology.

Day 10: Chimp tracking in Kanyanchu.
After morning breakfast, transfer to Kibale national park which is just 4hrs away. Relax and check in at Primates lodge/ Chimps Nest. Take a short guided nature walk to Bigodi swamp sanctuary, a good site for birders. The Great Blue Turaco and Papyrus Gonolek can easily be marked among the other bird 137 species. Take lunch and relax; go track chimps near Kanyanchu. There are other primates in the area like the golden monkey, L’Hoest monkey, baboons, white and black colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red colobus, blue monkeys, and pottos. Other animals involve forest elephants unique from the common type, giant forest hogs, and a striking tree species. Return to Ndali Lodge/Crater Valley.

Day 11: Connect to Murchison falls through the Albertine Rift.
Start early morning driving to Murchison falls national park. Enjoy the beautiful and scenic journey across the Albertine escarpment on this western side of Uganda. When you reach, drive straight to the top of the falls. Check in and relax at Paraa Safari Lodge/ Sambiya Lodge/ Red Chili camp.

Day 12: Game Viewing in the Delta circuit.

Early morning go for a game drive in the Northern Nile delta circuit, quite a sight for checking out a high awareness of wildlife. You will spot the leopards along the leopard track, Jackson’s hartebeest, large concentrations of Uganda Kobs and large families of the Defassa waterbuck, together with giraffe herds, groups of the dainty oribi. The high supply of Kobs attracts pride of lions to the delta too. The delta also attracts birders with specials like the Abyssinian ground hornbill, shoebill (herons, waders, and egrets around small pools of water) Senegal thick-knee and Denham’s bustard. What’s not there? In the evening head out for a launch trip on the famous Nile River and value God’s creation of the Murchison Falls, the largest crocs, Hippos, and elephants playing in the water. After such a lovely encounter retires to your lodge. Stay overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge/ Nile Safari Camp/ Red Chili Camp.

Day 13: Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a two-hour drive from Kampala to Nakasongola, via Masindi route on the way to Murchison Falls National Park. Rhinos roam freely in an area of 7,000 ha (about twice the size of Mgahinga National Park) of dry savannah, laced with swamps and the cactus-like euphorbia candelabrum trees. The sanctuary was established in 1998 with aim of re-introducing the white and black rhinos which were heavily poached to nonexistence during Amin’s era of the 1970s. In December 2001, 2 rhinos were transferred from Kenya to Uganda. You begin with tracking the rhinos; walk and even camp in the bush. Rhinos have to be imported from other countries so they can take part in Uganda’s breeding programme. Continue to Kampala reaching in the afternoon. Dine and rest at Cassia Lodge / Mamba Point

Day 14: Water Rafting at Bujagali falls.

After breakfast, we head to Jinja, Eastern Uganda. If time allows we will have a quick stop at Mabira forest for birders. Explore the Nile and later drive up to 2 friends Guesthouse/ Kingfisher safaris resort/ Gately on the Nile for a buffet lunch. Relax at the hotel; swimming is available through optional before driving to these eye-catching Falls.

With the biggest rafts on the river, you will see how professional rafters are able to handle and conquer carefully the most challenging rapids. After a full demonstration, it’s your turn to get on the water and try your water rafting skills. Watch the local fishermen and the rich birdlife. Watch out for a series of wild rapids in the ‘Bad place’. We may later go for a brief tour around Jinja town to have a look at those old beautiful colonial buildings and Jinja market. Return to the lodge to dine and rest.

Day 15: Transfer to Sipi falls

After breakfast, we continue with our safari to Sipi Falls. A3 hr ride from Jinja. If time allows stop at Sezibwa falls. Sipi falls are a series of four pretty waterfalls culminating in a 99m drop outside the Sipi trading center. Start with the most popular walking trail which leads from behind the post office in Sipi trading center to the base of the main waterfall. Continue along to a cluster of caves with the largest cave extending to 125m with rich salt deposits you’ll go the top of the main waterfall, see the local shrine set within a small forested fringed cavern. At the base, there’s a swimming pool. Lodge and dine at Sipi Falls Rest Camp/Sipi River lodge/ Sipi falls resort.

Day 16: Kidepo National park
After seeing the beautiful falls we travel early north to Kabong in Kidepo national park. This park is located in the far most northeast of Uganda, bordered by Sudan and Kenya to the east inhabited by the Ik people of Uganda. Unlike the other national parks which have a wide range of animals, Kidepo valley has fewer animals but offers a true reality of wilderness. Drive through the northwest towns Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Kotido, and Pader districts. Use the Mbale-Soroti route which takes 7hrs enjoying the landscape view of Lake Bisina, Lake Kyoga, hilltops of mountain Elgon, Matheniko game reserve, Bokora game reserve peak of Mountain Moroto. If you have time, stop over at Pian Upe game reserve. When you reach you can lodge at the Apoka rest house (luxury) /Kakine Campsite (budget)/ National Park Bandas (basic).

Day 17: Game drive in Narus valley

After breakfast go for a game drive in the Narus valley and gaze at the wildlife of northern Uganda such as the cheetah, caracal, hyenas, lions, side-stripped jackal, leopard, gents, small cats, elephants, greater and lesser kudus, bohor reedbuck and many bird species like Karamoja appalls, rufous chatterer, Abyssinian roller. After lunch goes for a guided nature walk to learn about African culture. Visit the Karamajong houses (Manyatta), the kraals, traditional costumes, stools, spear, bows, arrows, and jewelry. Later retire back to the Apoka rest house (luxury) /Kakine Campsite (budget)/ National Park Bandas (basic).

Day 18: Hiking and Cultural Performances

After taking something down your bosom, go hiking to the Lamoj Mountains just a few kilometers from the park. You can enjoy the beautiful mountain and scenic view of Kidepo river valley, Narus valley positioned southwest of the park, Napore- Nyagai in the western boundary, Natira and Lokayot hills in the northeast and the Lokutei mountains and Morungole and in the north. Can visit the local Karamajong community and learn their lifestyle which is intriguing like the cattle raids and the need to be heavily armed for security purposes. Take lunch located near the picnic site. In the afternoon, enjoy cultural performances by the ethnic groups such as Emuya of the Napore. Dance. Some of the dances include lakalaka of the Acholi. Return to lodge and rest.

Day 19: Leave for Kampala by road or take a flight back
Driving back will take you two days (12-14hrs) or more based on the road conditions and the condition of your vehicle.

Day 20: Back to Kampala.
By morning you should be in Kampala which marks the end of the tour.