The 13 Days Uganda safari includes gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth, Chimp tracking in Kibale Forest, Game viewing and nature walk in Murchison Falls and game drives in Kidepo Valley, hiking Mt Elgon and finally white water rafting on the Source of the Nile River.
13 Days Uganda Safari – Summary
Day 01:Transfer from Kigali to Bwindi Forest national park
Day 02:Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest NP
Day 3: Ishasha Game Reserve
Day 4: Game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale National Park – afternoon chimp tracking
Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 7: Game drive and boat cruise
Day 8: transfer to Kidepo national park
Day 9: Game drive in Kidepo National Park
Day 10: Game drive and transfer to Mt Elgon National Park
Day 11: Hiking Sipi Falls
Day 12: Transfer to the Source of the Nile
Day 13: White water rafting / bungee jumping and transfer to Entebbe for the international flight
13 Days Uganda Safari – Detailed
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Your safari begins in Kigali, where you meet your professional guide for a short briefing before starting the journey to southwestern Uganda. Kigali is built on rolling hills, and as you leave the city, you pass through rural areas with terraced farms and green countryside. The drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes about 4 to 5 hours depending on border crossing time and the sector you are visiting. Along the way, you pass through the highlands around the Virunga Mountains, a chain of volcanic mountains that lie along the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bwindi is a protected tropical forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its thick vegetation and cool, moist environment. The park protects a large population of mountain gorillas. Apart from gorillas, the forest also supports other wildlife such as forest elephant, Black-and-white colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey along with many bird species found in forest areas. After arrival, you will check in at your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Mahogany Springs / Four Gorillas Lodge (luxury), Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge (deluxe)
Day 02:Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest NP
Take an early morning breakfast, head to the park office headquarters with packed lunch for a briefing ready to trek the gorillas in this thick impenetrable forest. You get to spend an hour with the gorillas after having trekked for hours. If you are not so worn out in the evening, head for a brief nature walk to the Batwa community. Also available are curio shops, drinking joints, a children’s school among others. You can try the other option being Munyanja river trail, where you can see the waterfalls and an array of bird life or the Muzabajiro/ Ruhija trails which offer forest and grassland bird species plus more primates. Return to Gorilla Forest Camp/ Gorilla Resort/ Buhoma community Bandas/ Buhoma Homestead.
Bwindi Gorillas
Day 4: Game Drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
After an early morning breakfast, you will head out for a game drive across the Kasenyi Plains and Queen’s Mile in the wide open savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park, located within the Albertine Rift Valley. Game drives in this park usually start very early in the morning, around 6:30 am or later in the afternoon at about 2:00 pm when wildlife is most active. The morning game drive offers great chances to see animals such as side-striped jackals, hyenas, warthogs, buffalo, elephants, topis, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, lions and sometimes even leopards resting or moving through the grasslands. The park is also famous for its birdlife and has one of the highest bird counts in East Africa. While driving through the plains, you may see birds like the African skimmer, Chapin’s flycatcher, black bee-eater, white-winged warbler, pink-backed pelican and martial eagle.
After the game drive, return to the lodge for some time to relax and enjoy lunch. Later in the afternoon, you will head to Mweya Jetty for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel which usually departs at 2:00 pm. The cruise lasts for about 2 hours and takes you along the natural water channel that connects Lake George and Lake Edward stretching about 45 km. During the cruise, you will see large groups of hippopotamus in the water, herds of buffalo resting along the shores and Nile crocodile basking in the sun. The channel is also a great place for bird watching with many resident and migratory bird species found along its banks such as pelicans and kingfishers. The boat cruise offers excellent opportunities for photography, wildlife viewing and bird watching. In the evening, you may enjoy another short game drive when animals are active. After, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Parkview safari lodge or Enganzi safari lodge.
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale Forest and chimpanzee Tracking
After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park, traveling about 157 km which usually takes around 2 to 3 hours by road. Along the way, you may enjoy beautiful views of the distant Rwenzori Mountains often called the “Mountains of the Moon.” Earlier in the journey, you will pass through Kibale forest National Park, a tropical forest known for having one of the highest densities and diversity of primates in Africa. The park is especially famous for its population of chimpanzees. Besides chimpanzees, Kibale Forest is home to about 12 different primate species. These include the rare L’Hoest’s monkey, Olive baboon, Red-tailed monkey, Uganda red colobus, Mantled guereza (black-and-white colobus), Blue monkey, Grey-cheeked mangabey, Bushbaby and Potto. The park is also rich in biodiversity with over 70 species of mammals, about 375 bird species, around 250 butterfly species and more than 350 plant species recorded in the forest. Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge depending on your preferred level of comfort. Accommodation options include Chimpanzee Guest House (budget), Turaco Treetops (deluxe), Papaya Lake Lodge or Crater Safari Lodge (luxury).
In the afternoon, you will transfer to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for your chimpanzee trekking experience. Here, park rangers will give you a short briefing about the rules and guidelines for trekking in the forest. After the briefing, you will enter the forest with a ranger guide in search of the chimpanzee. These great apes are known to be our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. When you finally meet them, you will notice how similar they are to humans. Chimpanzees communicate with each other through sounds and gestures, care for their young, groom one another and sometimes even appear to laugh or play together. As you walk through the forest, the experience is not limited to chimpanzees alone. You may also encounter other primates such as Vervet monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, Grey-cheeked mangabey and Mantled guereza (black-and-white colobus), among others.
Once the chimpanzees are located, visitors are allowed to spend an hour observing them in their natural habitat. During this time, you can watch how they feed, play, groom and interact with each other in the forest. After the one-hour encounter, you will return to the park headquarters. At the end of the trek, visitors are usually awarded a chimpanzee trekking certificate as a memorable record of their experience in Kibale National Park.
Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Murchison Falls National Park, a drive of about 441 km that usually takes around 9 hours. Along the way, you will pass through beautiful landscapes, including parts of the Albertine Rift Valley, views of Lake Albert, the scenic Butiaba Escarpment, rural villages, natural forests and agricultural plantations. You will have a stop for lunch in Masindi before continuing with the journey to the park.
Murchison Falls National Park is the largest national park in Uganda, covering about 3,840 square kilometers. The park is famous for its diverse landscapes, wildlife and the powerful Murchison Falls where the Nile River forces its way through a narrow gorge before plunging down dramatically. The park supports a rich variety of wildlife with about 76 mammal species and more than 450 bird species recorded. Visitors may encounter animals such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, lions and many different bird species during their stay. Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Accommodation options include Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, or Red Chilli Rest Camp.
Day 7: Game drive and cultural tour in Kidepo
After breakfast, you will head out for a morning game drive in the Nataba Gate area. This part of the park is known for its open grasslands where animals such as the Cheetah can sometimes be seen. Other animals that may be spotted during the drive include buffalo, elephant, Plains zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, Eland, Oribi and Uganda kob. Also some birds can be spotted such as the Kori bustard, Secretarybird, Abyssinian roller, Yellow-billed hornbill and the Ostrich which is one of the unique bird species found in this park in Uganda. The park is dotted with small hills, rocky outcrops and isolated rock formations known as monadnocks. You will also see areas with Borassus palm trees which add to the park’s unique scenery. From some points, you can enjoy wide views of the Narus Valley and the Narus River which attract many animals especially during the dry season. The drive may also take you toward Kidepo Valley near the border of South Sudan, where you can visit the Kanangorok Hot Springs. This area is also one of the places where ostriches can sometimes be seen although their numbers are not very high because they have been threatened by poaching in the past.
In the afternoon, you will go for a guided cultural visit to nearby communities where you will learn about the traditional lifestyle of the Karamojong people. This cultural tour may take you to villages such as Karenna and Kapedo where you will have the chance to meet local elders and interact with community members. During the visit, you will explore the traditional manyattas (homesteads) of the Karamojong and see cattle kraals, traditional clothing, wooden stools, spears, headdresses, knives, bows and arrows, jewelry, grinding stones and other household items that are locally made. Visitors may also have the opportunity to participate in some cultural activities and learn more about their nomadic way of life. Later in the evening, you may enjoy a sunset game drive to explore more of the park and observe wildlife as they become active in the cooler hours of the day. After the day’s activities, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Adere Safari Lodge or Apoka Safari Lodge.
Day 8: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
After breakfast, you will depart for Kidepo Valley National Park, traveling through the Tangi Gate (the northern gate of Murchison Falls National Park) and continuing along the Gulu–Kitgum road. The journey covers about 440 km and usually takes 9 to 10 hours making it a full day drive through northern Uganda. Along the way, you will pass through beautiful countryside, rural villages, wide open savannah and small trading centers. You will stop for lunch in Gulu, one of the major towns in northern Uganda before continuing the journey toward Kidepo Valley National Park.
Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s most remote, located in the northeastern corner near the borders of South Sudan and Kenya. The park covers about 1442 square kilometers of rugged savannah, rocky hills and seasonal river valleys. The park is a home to over 750 mammal species and more than 470 bird species. Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge. Accommodation options include Kidepo Savannah Lodge (budget and mid-range), Adere Safari Lodge (mid-range) or Apoka Safari Lodge (luxury).
The Karamojong Cultural Dance
Day 9: Game drive and cultural tour in Kidepo
After breakfast, you will head out for a morning game drive in the Nataba Gate area. This part of the park is known for its open grasslands where animals such as the Cheetah can sometimes be seen. Other animals that may be spotted during the drive include buffalo, elephant, Plains zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, Eland, Oribi and Uganda kob. Also some birds can be spotted such as the Kori bustard, Secretarybird, Abyssinian roller, Yellow-billed hornbill and the Ostrich which is one of the unique bird species found in this park in Uganda. The park is dotted with small hills, rocky outcrops and isolated rock formations known as monadnocks. You will also see areas with Borassus palm trees which add to the park’s unique scenery. From some points, you can enjoy wide views of the Narus Valley and the Narus River which attract many animals especially during the dry season.
The drive may also take you toward Kidepo Valley near the border of South Sudan, where you can visit the Kanangorok Hot Springs. This area is also one of the places where ostriches can sometimes be seen although their numbers are not very high because they have been threatened by poaching in the past.
In the afternoon, you will go for a guided cultural visit to nearby communities where you will learn about the traditional lifestyle of the Karamojong people. This cultural tour may take you to villages such as Karenna and Kapedo where you will have the chance to meet local elders and interact with community members. During the visit, you will explore the traditional manyattas (homesteads) of the Karamojong and see cattle kraals, traditional clothing, wooden stools, spears, headdresses, knives, bows and arrows, jewelry, grinding stones and other household items that are locally made. Visitors may also have the opportunity to participate in some cultural activities and learn more about their nomadic way of life. Later in the evening, you may enjoy a sunset game drive to explore more of the park and observe wildlife as they become active in the cooler hours of the day. After the day’s activities, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Adere Safari Lodge or Apoka Safari Lodge.
Day 10: Transfer to Mount Elgon (Sipi area)
After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Sipi Falls, located on the slopes of Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda. This is a long drive of about 8 to 10 hours, taking you through different towns including Kotido, Moroto, Soroti, and Mbale before reaching the highlands of Sipi in the late afternoon. A short stop at Mount Moroto offers beautiful views of the surrounding plains. As you continue toward Soroti, you may pass through rural towns and, if time allows, take a brief stop near Lake Kyoga for a break. The journey then continues toward Mbale, where the landscape gradually changes into greener hills and coffee farms.
By late afternoon, you will arrive in Sipi Falls. Sipi Falls is made up of three waterfalls flowing down the slopes of Mount Elgon near the border of Kenya. The highest of these waterfalls drops about 100 meters which creates a scenic view surrounded by caves, cliffs, and green vegetation. The area is also well known for its cool climate and Arabica coffee growing on the mountain slopes. Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge and relax after the long journey. Accommodation options include Sipi River Lodge or Sipi Valley Resort for luxury stays, and Lacam Lodge or Sipi Falls Resort for mid-range comfort.
Day 11: Hiking Sipi Falls
The day starts with breakfast at the lodge, and you will be given a packed lunch for the day’s activities. After that, you will go for a guided nature walk to Sipi Falls, starting from the Crow’s Nest viewpoint. From here, you will follow a trail that leads you to the waterfalls along River Sipi. During the walk, you will visit two more waterfalls that flow down the cliffs of over 100 meters where you can enjoy the natural scenery. Along the way, you will pass through local farmland with crops such as maize, bananas, coffee and sugarcane. You will also see small caves, homesteads and views of the valley below. If you are interested in more adventure, there is an option to try abseiling down the cliffs near the waterfall for a closer view of the falls. Later in the afternoon, you can relax and enjoy the sunset over the hills before returning to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay will be at your lodge.
Mt Elgon Hike
Day 12: White water rafting / bungee jumping
In the morning, you will go for a guided nature walk around Sipi Falls and learn how locally grown Arabica coffee is processed. During the visit, you will meet the Sabinyi widowed women who lost their husbands during past cattle rustling incidents in Karamoja and later turned to coffee farming as a way of rebuilding their lives.They will take you through the different stages of coffee growing, from planting, caring for the coffee plants, harvesting, drying and preparing the coffee beans. After the coffee experience, you will begin your journey of about 194 km (around 4 hours) to Jinja, located in eastern Uganda, to the east of Kampala. Jinja is the second largest city in Uganda and is famously known as the place where the Nile River begins its journey from Lake Victoria making it the source of the world’s longest river.
The city has a mix of old and modern influences including Asian-style buildings, colorful gardens and small industries. It is also home to the Owen Falls Dam which was built in 1952 and contributed to the growth of manufacturing and power supply in the region. Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge depending on your preferred level of comfort. Accommodation options include Lemala Wildwaters Lodge, Jinja Nile Resort and Gately on the Nile. In the afternoon, you will take a short drive of about 2 hours to visit the Source of the Nile, where the river begins its long journey across Africa. You will also see the nearby monument of Mahatma Gandhi which marks the area where part of his ashes were scattered. After the visit, you will enjoy a boat cruise on the Nile with scenic views along the river. For more adventure, there are optional activities such as white-water rafting on the Nile, bungee jumping, jet boating, quad biking and horseback riding all offering different ways to explore the area.
White Water Rafting at the Source of the Nile
After breakfast, you will leave Jinja and drive to Kampala. Along the way, you will make a few stops to break the journey and visit some interesting places. Your first stop will be Mabira Forest where you can take a short nature walk. Here you may see birds, butterflies and some monkeys in the forest. You will then continue to Ssezibwa Falls, a cultural site that is important to the Baganda culture. You will learn a bit about the Buganda culture. After that, you will visit Ewaffe Cultural Village in Naggalama along the Kayunga road. At the village, you will see and learn about local culture including farming, food preparation, crafts and traditional activities. You may also take part in a few simple activities such as cooking or craft making.
After the visits, you will continue your drive to Kampala and check in at your hotel. Accommodation options include Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Protea Hotel by Marriott Kampala Skyz or Serena Kampala Hotel for your overnight stay.
Included in this tour package;
- Gorilla Permit.
- Cultural entertainment
- Park Ranger Fees
- Relevant Government Taxes.
- Full Board Accommodation (2 nights) and en-route meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- Full time English speaking Driver/Guide
- Ground Transportation by a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Airport transfer, as long as your flight is on the same day on which the safari ends.
Exclusions:
- Airfares
- Visa Fees
- Personal Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature such as; drinks, tips, laundry, telephone, cigarettes, accommodation & meals not indicated in the itinerary and optional activities.
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