16 Days Adventurous Wildlife and Hiking Uganda Safari

16 Days Adventurous Wildlife and Hiking Uganda Safari : This 16-day wildlife, primates, and hiking safari covers 70% of Uganda’s national parks, including Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, Mgahinga National Park, and Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda. This 16-day trip also includes day excursions such as tracking the Ziwa rhino and exploring the Bigodi swamp. Visiting the parks offers an amazing wildlife encounter of a lifetime. The Big Five game, which is the most sought-after animal, can be spotted in the park provided in this package.

Located in the north-western part of Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park offers the best experience of the Big Five game. The River Nile divides Murchison Falls National Park, cutting through a narrow gorge that generates significant force as the waters flow through it, resulting in the most powerful falls in Africa—the Murchison Falls.

Kibale National Park is the premier chimpanzee trekking destination in Africa, offering unparalleled views of the chimpanzees and other 12 existing primates within the park. It is also home to 138 species of birds, 250 tree species, and 60 species of forest wildlife, including forest elephants, bushbucks, warthogs, giant forest hogs, and buffaloes. Semiliki National Park and Reserve is located in Bundibugyo district near Fort Portal town, adjusted to Congo Ituri Rain Forest. The park is home to Uganda’s largest Sempaya hot springs, about 53 mammal species and over 400 bird species recorded in this park, thus making it one of the top birding destinations in Africa and earning the title of “True Birders Haven.”

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the western part of Uganda, offering the great experience of different antelope species. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to the tree-climbing lions in Uganda. The park is occupied by 2 great lakes, Lake Edward and Lake George, which meet at a channel commonly known as the Kazinga channel. During your stay in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a variety of experiences, including wildlife, cultural activities, boat cruises, nature walks for bird watching, and chimpanzee trekking.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of Uganda’s oldest national parks, with a diverse rainforest from over 25,000 years ago and containing about 400 plant species. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park occupies half of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas in the world, and it is divided into four sectors, including the Buhoma sector, which is the oldest trekking sector; the Rushaga sector, which has the largest number of gorilla families; the Ruhija sector; and finally the Nkuringo sector.

The smallest savannah national park, Lake Mburo National Park, boasts diverse antelope species and stands as one of Uganda’s top birding destinations. Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in East Africa, with 44-900 meters deep and about 29 islands. When you think of a place to relax and chill after gorilla trekking before going back home, Lake Bunyonyi is the best place because of its cool weather and freshness of the breeze.

Safari highlights

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Murchison Falls—Ziwa rhino sanctuary

Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise to the bottom of the falls—hike to the top of the falls (optional)

Day 3: Delta boat trip; top of the falls visit/evening game drive; nature walk (optional)

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park—Bigodi swamp walk

Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking experience

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park—evening game drive

Day 7: Lion tracking/game drive and boat cruise along the Kazinga channel

Day 8: Kyambura Gorge primates walk—Ishasha sector

Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 10: Gorilla trekking experience

Day 11: Full day at Lake Mutanda Island

Day 12: Hike Mount Muhavura—Mgahinga National Park

Day 13: Batwa community tour—transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Day 14: Full day at Lake Bunyonyi

Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park—walking safari or boat trip on Lake Mburo and evening game drive

Day 16: Morning game drive; Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe; Departure

Detailed safari

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Murchison Falls—Ziwa rhino sanctuary

Our company representative/driver will pick you up based on your location and drive you to Murchison Falls National Park, en route Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is 3 hours’ drive from Kampala for a rhino trekking experience.

 After the activity, you will have lunch, then connect to Murchison Falls National Park, entering through Kichumbanyobo Gate from Masindi town. Arrive in the park in the evening and connect to your lodge to rest.  Dinner and overnight stay at Fort Murchison Safari Lodge—self-contained safari tents

Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise to the bottom of the falls—hike to the top of the falls (optional)

Have an early morning breakfast before embarking on a morning game drive in the delta, where you can potentially spot a variety of animal species, including elephants, giraffes, lions, and Uganda kobs, among others. After returning and having lunch, you will embark on a launch cruise at the bottom of the Murchison Falls along the Nile at 2pm. During this cruise, you will enjoy streaming views of hippo and serried ranges of crocodiles along the sandbanks, as well as witnessing a multitude of different species coming down to drink and bath.

After the boat cruise at the bottom of the falls, you will return to meet your driver to return to the lodge with an en-route game drive or you have the option of hiking to the top of the falls at an extra cost where you will be picked up by your driver to return to your lodge. Dinner and overnight at the lodge as the above

Note: The hike to the top of the falls is quite tough to hike as it’s steep and you need to be physically fit to hike with the right hiking gear.

Day 3: Delta boat trip; top of the falls visit/evening game drive; nature walk (optional)

After breakfast, embark on a morning boat trip to the delta. This boat trip is unique as it enhances your chances of spotting the shoebill stock and other animals, as many of them congregate at the delta for water. It’s a 3-4 hours’ experience before your return to your lodge for lunch.

If you were unable to hike to the top of the falls the previous day, you can drive to the top after lunch and explore the falls from various viewpoints. After that, you can either join another evening game drive or opt for an optional nature walk through the park’s bushes to engage in birdwatching and spot some of the park’s wildlife. Before nightfall, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park—Bigodi swamp walk 

Have breakfast and embark on your drive to Kibale National Park, the best safari destination in Africa for chimpanzee tracking. Arrive in Fort Portal town at a good time for lunch, then connect for a nature walk at Bigodi Swamp for about 2 hours, then drive to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at Kibale Forest Camp—self-contained safari tents

Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking experience

After breakfast, you will go for chimpanzee trekking with your packed food and water. After meeting your guide at the head office, you will enter the rainforest to begin your search for the chimpanzees, which will take approximately 2 to 5 hours. On seeing them, you will spend 1 hour with the chimpanzees while taking pictures. After tracking, spend your afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park—evening game drive

After breakfast, meet with your safari driver to embark on a 3-4 hour’ drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arrive at a good time for lunch at your lodge; after lunch, relax for a while as you wait for your evening game drive in the Kasenyi area. Dinner and overnight stay at The Bush Lodge—self-contained safari tents

Day 7: Lion tracking/game drive and boat cruise along the Kazinga channel

After breakfast early in the morning, go for a lion tracking experience where you are guaranteed to view the lions. Enjoy an en-route game drive in the Kisenyi area, where you will spot a good number of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, and all species of antelope.

After enjoying your lunch at the lodge, go for your boat trip along the Kazinga channel for yet another wildlife/bird watching experience as you cruise on Lake Edward/George.  Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 8: Kyambura Gorge primates walk—Ishasha sector

After breakfast early in the morning, you will embark on a tracking walk for primates in Kyambura Forest, armed with your tracking gear. The walk in the forest, where you search for chimpanzees and other available primates, typically lasts between two and five hours. Spend an hour with the chimpanzees before you return for lunch at your lodge.

Thereafter, have lunch and drive to Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, home of the tree-climbing lions. It’s a 2-hour drive with en-route game viewing. Dinner and overnight stay at Enjojo Safari Lodge—self-contained safari tents

Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, embark on a morning game drive in the Ishasha sector to increase your chances of spotting tree-climbing lions, though this is not a guarantee due to their unpredictable nature. You may also see other animals available. Thereafter, embark on your drive to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park (home of Uganda Mountain Gorillas). It’s about 4-6 hours, depending on your trekking sector.

Note: Your accommodation will depend on the availability of gorilla pemits in a particular sector; however, priority will be given to Ruhija OR Rushaga since they are your preference. Dinner and overnight at Bakiga Lodge in Ruhija Sector or Rushaga Gorilla Camp in Rushaga Sector

Day 10: Gorilla trekking experience

Wake up early, have breakfast, and connect to the forest with your packed food and water. The park warden begins the briefing about the gorillas at 8 am, providing you with highlights about the way of life of the gorillas you will be tracking. The hike can take anything from 2 to 8 hours. Once you reach the gorillas, you are allowed to spend one hour with them as you stand 6 meters away. Return to the lodge to unwind and dinner and overnight stay as above.

Day 11: Full day at Lake Mutanda Island

Drive to Lake Mutanda, located in Kisoro, after breakfast. Upon arrival, embark on a boat trip around the islands of Lake Mutanda. Your local guide will guide you through the islands of interest, such as Python Island, Punishment Island, and Mutanda Island, which is home to a local clan community known as the “Abagesera.” While at Mutanda Island, you will be able to view the scenery from different perspectives and also meet with the local communities for cultural tours and community walks. Later evening, drive to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Travellers’ Rest Hotel.

Day 12: Hike Mount Muhavura—Mgahinga National Park

After early morning breakfast, drive to Mgahinga National Park, which is the starting point for the Mount Muhavura hiking experience. You will meet the park officials, who will brief you about the hike. Thereafter, you will be allocated park rangers to take you on the hike. Mount Muhavura is the third highest Virunga Mountain, standing at 4,127 meters above sea level. Equipped with your trekking gear, the hike commences at 7 am and spans approximately 8 hours, during which you may spot primates, birds, and other bush animals. Upon reaching the summit, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of lakes and several volcanoes, including Sabinyo, Gahinga, Karisimbi, Bisoke, and Nyiragongo. After the hike, later evening return to your lodge to rest, dinner, and overnight stay at Travellers’ Rest Hotel as above.

Note: The hike is so challenging that even the best hikers do not find it walkable so you must be very well prepared for the hike, which is to have the best hiking gear and be physically and mentally fit.

Day 13: Batwa community tour—transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Wake up, have breakfast, and visit the Batwa community. You will be able to see the Batwa people, who are pygmies and are believed to have stayed in the Virunga area for more than 300 years. You will be able to experience the Batwa culture and enjoy their lifestyle and their history. Have lunch, then embark on a 2-hour’ drive to Lake Bunyonyi, located in Kabale with rolling Kigezi hills. Upon arrival, check-in your accommodation to relax. Dinner and overnight stay at Bunyonyi Eco-Lodge

Day 14: Full day at Lake Bunyonyi

After enjoying breakfast, embark on a boat trip to explore Lake Bunyonyi, visiting several islands that offer stunning views of the surrounding hills. You can also opt for a boat ride or canoe paddle to explore the main islands, including the community. The islands at the lake have great history that you will love to listen.  Optional activities include zip-lining on Lake Bunyonyi and nature walks. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park—walking safari or boat trip on Lake Mburo and evening game drive

After breakfast, make your way to Lake Mburo National Park, a 5-hour drive away, arriving in time for lunch. Following lunch, you can either embark on a boat trip to observe water animals and birds, or opt for a walking safari that includes an evening game drive. Dinner and overnight stay at Eagles Nest Lodge

Day 16: Morning game drive; Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe; Departure

After breakfast in the early morning, embark on a search for the early risers. On a fortunate day, you might spot lions and leopards, which are elusive and difficult to spot. Don’t forget to bring your camera to preserve all your memories and to capture every detail of your amazing game drive, where you may encounter animals like Impalas, Zebras, Waterbucks, Oribis, buffaloes, and giraffes, among others.

Thereafter, drive out of the park to return to Kampala/Entebbe. It’s a 4-5’ hours’ drive with en-route lunch and stop at the Uganda Equator. Proceed and you will be dropped off at a location you advise or be dropped off at Entebbe airport for your onwards flight back home.

End of 16 Days Adventurous Wildlife and Hiking Uganda Safari