When you visit Uganda, you will be amazed by the myriad of experiences it has to offer - and this 13-day safari is one of them! You'll get to explore Murchison Falls National Park, one of the biggest and oldest in the country, as well as Lake Mburo National Park, one of the smallest but still filled with diverse activities. There's so much to do from game drives to chimpanzee tracking and gorilla tracking! You'll have a chance to spot different animals ranging from rhinos to various bird species. Check out this detailed itinerary for an overview of what you can expect during your 13 day adventure:
Safari Highlights
Day 1: Airport Pick up and transfer Kampala
Day 2: Transfer with Rhino Tracking and Murchison Falls National Park
Day 3: Game drive & boat cruise along the River Nile
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 5: Kibale Chimp Tracking and Cultural Walk
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park with a Game Drive
Day 7: Morning Game drive combined with afternoon Launch Trip
Day 8: Ishasha Sector Game drive with transfer to Bwindi National Park
Day 9: Mountain Gorilla Tracking
Day 10: Transfer from Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 11: Nature Walk with drive to Lake Mburo National Park and an afternoon Boat Ride
Day 12: Departure with Equator stop and Straight to Kampala
Day 13: Airport Drop off.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Airport Pick up and transfer Kampala
Upon arriving at Entebbe, our driver/guide will give you a brief introduction about the tour you are about to embark on as you make your way towards Kampala. Once there, he will drop you off at your confirmed accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay. Accommodation choices include Sheraton Hotel Kampala (upmarket), Cassia Lodge (mid-range), or Apricot Guest House (budget).
Meal plan for today is dinner.
Day 2: Transfer with Rhino Tracking and Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, we shall depart from Kampala northwest towards Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where we'll track rhinos while also searching for shoe bill birds while paddling traditional canoes. Have lunch at Ziwa's spacious restaurant before making our way to Murchison Falls National Park - Uganda's largest protected area. Visit the top of the spectacular falls where you can see the Nile’s beauty compress through its seven-meter canyon before it drops 43 meters below in a thunderous sound accompanied by a beautiful rainbow in a spray plume.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Game drive & boat cruise along the River Nile
Start off today’s adventure by driving through Northern part of the park for game drives such as elephants, buffalos, waterbucks, hippos, giraffes etc., plus various bird species; if lucky enough - leopards too! After lunch proceed for a two hour cruise downriver towards Mighty Murchison falls where crocodiles and hippos are visible by its bankside - perfect opportunity for photographs!
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
An early morning departure awaits us as we make our way southwest through Albertine Escarpment of Western Rift Valley passing Hoima till we reach Fort Portal town in Toro kingdom - nestled between fabled “Mountains of the Moon” Rwenzoris.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Kibale Chimp Tracking & Cultural Walk
Kick start day five bright & early after breakfast at 7am ready & set at starting point of chimpanzee tracking at Kanyanchu before 8am officially begins . Trackers will be guided by park rangers providing all necessary information/guidance required during tracking period which lasts up three hours - then another hour spent observing chimpanzees once spotted followed by return backtrack starting point after done . Refresh over lunch then head out cultural walk taking look beautiful art crafts locals make; could even support/buy something if interested. Organized KAFRED found Magombe swamp , walk starts 2pm lasting 2-3 hours depending activities taken part preceded retirement accommodation awaiting another overnight stay meal plan included.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park with a Game Drive
This morning, you'll have breakfast served by your accommodation before checking out and heading to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You should arrive in time for lunch at Mweya Safari Lodge, if you booked there, and then afterwards you'll go on a late game drive in the Kasenyi sector which will last up to 3 hours. Afterwards, return to the hotel/lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Morning Game drive combined with afternoon Launch Trip
Start your day early with just a cup of coffee or tea before you take off for the game drive. Expect to see lions, elephants, buffalos, warthogs and lots of animals and birds during your drive. You will later return to the lodge where you can have breakfast before lunch. After lunch, get ready for a two-hour launch trip on Kazinga Channel where you can view amazing bird life and various wild Animals. With the boat ride done, head back to the lodge/hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Ishasha Sector Game drive with transfer to Bwindi National Park
Before leaving for the game drive today, have breakfast and check out of the hotel first! Enjoy the morning game drive in Ishasha Sector as you make your way towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park—arriving in late evening where you'll check into your booked accommodation for rest until dinner is served.
Meal Plan: - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Mountain Gorilla Tracking
Start off bright an early with breakfast at your lodge followed by a briefing from guides before venturing into the mountains for gorilla tracking! Remember to bring drinking water plus rain jacket and jungle boots while rangers provide walking sticks! Track through thick rainforest enriched by sightings of wild animals & birds—pausing along the way with packed lunches before returning to lodge in evening & rest up until dinners served!
Meal Plan: - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Transfer from Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi
Enjoy delicious breakfast at your lodge before checking out & driving off towards Lake Bunyonyi—Uganda's deepest lake! Arrive in time for lunch followed by evening explorations of area on a dugout canoe or eating fresh water crayfish! Return back to accommodation much later on for dinner & overnight stay together.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Nature Walk with drive to Lake Mburo National Park and an afternoon Boat Ride
Have breakfast before beginning guided nature walk that shouldn't take longer than 4 hours! Then embark upon 3 hour journey towards Lake Mburo National Park with possibility of seeing some animals along way! Arrive in time for lunch & enjoy boat ride along lake later on spotting variety of wildlife + birdlife species! Once ride ends, return back to lodge/hotel, relax + retire till dinner is ready as well as overnight stay booked earlier.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Departure with Equator stop and Straight to Kampala
Departure with Equator stop & straight to Kampala Wake up again this time around having delicious breakfast at booked accommodation + check out soon after .Leisurely driving back towards Kampala now stopping over at Equator allowing chance of standing in 2 hemispheres at same time + taking some photos ! Another stop over @ Mpigi Royal Drum Makers en route watching ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through generations arriving in city by afternoon! Relax + rest at booked accommodation waiting on dinner along w/ overnight stay.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13: Airport Drop off.
Depending on the departure time, you'll have the chance to explore the city and browse through the craft markets before heading to the airport for your flight back home.
The package includes airport transfers, accommodation and meals as per itinerary, en-route meals, gorilla permit, chimp permit, and transportation by safari vehicle, chimp trekking in Kyambura gorge, gorilla tracking, and bird watching at Bunyonyi islands.
However, expenses of personal nature such as airfare, Uganda visa fees, luxury drinks and cigarettes are not included.
