17 Days Uganda Safari Experience

17 Days Uganda Safari Experience : This 17-day wildlife, primates, and cultural safari covers 70% of Uganda’s national parks, including Kidepo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Semiliki National Park, Mgahinga National Park, and Lake Bunyonyi. This 17-day trip also features excursions such as Ziwa rhino tracking, Bigodi swamp, and hot springs visits. 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. Kidepo National Park is situated in the Kaabong district, adjacent to South Sudan in the north and the Kenyan border. It is a renowned and remote national park that boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna, including over 80 wildlife species. Kidepo National Park is the richest Ugandan national park, with plenty of animals to see and rich in cultural tours of the Karamojong people.

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, channeling its waters through a narrow gorge. This narrow gorge generates significant force, making the Murchison Falls the most powerful waterfall in Africa. Kibale National Park is Africa’s premier destination for chimpanzee trekking, offering unparalleled views of chimpanzees and the other 12 primates that inhabit 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 are 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. 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: Arrival and transfer to hotel

Day 2: Rhino tracking and transfer to Gulu

Day 3: Drive to Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park (5-6 hours’ drive)

Day 4: Full day in Kidepo National Park

Day 5: Climb Mount Morungole to visit the IK tribe (4 hours up, 2 hours down)

Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Day 7: Game drive, boat cruise, and hike top of the falls

Day 8: Transfer to Kibale National Park

Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk

Day 10: Hot springs visit in Semliki National Park

Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park—Boot Cruise

Day 12: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 13: Gorilla trekking experience

Day 14: Community tour and transfer to Kisoro/Mgahinga National Park

Day 15: Golden Monkey Tracking

Day 16: Full at Lake Bunyonyi (Zip-lining and Boat Trip)

Day 17: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe/Departure

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to hotel

Upon arrival in Entebbe airport, you will meet your safari guide, who will transfer your hotel in Kampala. Depending on your time of arrival, you will have time to drive around Kampala city before you check-in at your booked lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at Forest Cottages for the budget option or Fairway Hotel for the mid-range option.

Day 2: Rhino tracking and transfer to Gulu

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Ziwa rhino tracking sanctuary. It’s a 3-hour’ drive from Kampala. Once you arrive at the sanctuary, meet the rangers for a briefing about rhinos in Uganda and engage in rhino tracking with their assistance. On completing, connect for lunch, then continue on your safari to Gulu town. It’s another 4 hours’ drive through the countryside. This is now the northern part of Uganda. On reaching Gulu town late afternoon, connect to your booked hotel for dinner and overnight stay at Gulu Church Hill Hotel.

Day 3: Drive to Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park (5-6 hours’ drive)

After breakfast, meet with your guide and embark on your journey to Kidepo Valley National Park. This is one of Africa’s best Savannah National Parks, with plenty of animals to see. It’s about 5-6 hours’ drive with en-route lunch. On arrival, connect for an evening game drive in the Narus Valley. This is where you can expect to see the cheetahs, lions, leopards, and all herds of buffalos, zebras, elephants, giraffes, and hyenas on a very lucky day. You will enjoy a slow drive and you can be sure to seize picture moments while on your game drive. Proceed to check-in your lodge and spend the evening at leisure in the wilderness. Dinner and overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge

Day 4: Full day in Kidepo National Park

On a very lucky day in Elands in the Kidepo Valley, enjoy breakfast before embarking on yet another game drive where you can expect to see animals such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, lions, and leopards. After lunch, proceed to Kidepo Valley to increase your chances of spotting birds such as ostriches and secretary birds. You should also consider visiting the Kanangorok hot springs before returning to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge as above.

Day 5: Climb Mount Morungole to visit the IK tribe (4 hours up, 2 hours down)

After breakfast, drive to the starting point of Mount Morungole, located in the absolute northern hills of Karamoja. Here is where we find the smallest tribe of Uganda called the IK. The IK people lived in today’s Kidepo National Park but were misplaced when the area was gazetted as a national park. The IK now live on Mount Morungole ridges as a community. Visiting the IK people gives visitors a rare insight into the unique tribe/culture in Africa. As you ascend higher, the breathtaking views of the valleys below, the Eastern Rift Valley of Kenya, and even southern Sudan become more breathtaking. After the hike, drive to check-in at the Kaabong Resort hotel for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, depart from Kaabong to connect to Murchison Falls National Park. This is about 8-9 hours’ drive with an en-route stop for lunch and stretching. Upon arrival late afternoon, proceed to check-in at your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Pakuba Safari Lodge for mid-range/Heritage Safari Lodge for budget option.

Day 7: Game drive, boat cruise, and hike top of the falls

After breakfast, connect for a morning game drive to find some of the park’s residents, like the lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and antelopes. After lunch, connect for the afternoon boat cruise that will take you to the bottom of the falls. From there, you will climb the hill that leads to the top of the mighty Murchison Fall. This hike may be challenging, yet it is captivating, as you will be able to witness the falls from various vantage points. Once you reach the top of the falls, you will be filled with amazement and ultimately forget about the challenging hike. After enjoying your time at the top of the falls, you will meet your driver and proceed to cross the ferry in time to return to your lodge. Lunch will be served at your lodge. Relax at the lodge, then later do the evening game drive to find some animals. Before night falls, return to your lodge.

Day 8: Transfer to Kibale National Park

After breakfast, depart the lodge for your long journey to Kibale Forest National Park. This is located in the western part of Uganda in Kabarole district. It’s an 8-hour’ drive with en-route lunch and beautiful scenery. On arrival, proceed to check-in at your lodge for relaxation dinner and an overnight stay at Chimpanzee Forest Guest House/Isunga Lodge.

Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk

After breakfast, you will set out for chimp tracking in the Kibale Forest. You will have a briefing from your rangers, then embark on the trekking experience. During your search, you can anticipate encountering numerous primate species such as chimpanzees and monkeys, along with other animals such as forest elephants, bush pigs, duikers, warthogs, reptiles, amphibians, and a vibrant array of butterflies. Once you locate them, you will have the opportunity to spend an hour in their company before heading back to the lodge.

Later afternoon, connect for a nature walk in the Bigodi swamp area and look out for most of the water-loving bird species and primates. The forest/park has almost 335 species of birds and is therefore a good place for birders. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay as above.

Day 10: Hot springs visit and Amabere Caves and waterfalls—Semliki National Park

Get up early, have breakfast, and check out of the lodge. Then, transfer to Semiliki National Park and visit the Sempaya hot springs, which are the main attractions of Semuliki National Park. These hot springs are the largest in Uganda, divided into female and male; however, they both have a geyser that shoots up from 8-meter holes with a high temperature of up to 100 degrees Celsius. The strength and hotness of the springs are amazing, as one can boil eggs and in a few minutes, they are ready to eat. The community around the park also visits the springs to perform rituals based on their beliefs. Connect back to Fort Portal town for en-route lunch and visit of the Amabera caves and water falls. Dinner and overnight stay at the Mountain of the Moon Hotel

Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park—Boot Cruise

After breakfast, connect to Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s a 3-hour’ drive from Fort Portal town. Reach at a good time for lunch after check-in at your booked lodge. Later afternoon, relax on a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel. The boat trip takes 2 hours. On reaching the lodge, en route visit the Kasenyi area for available animals, then proceed to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at Parkview Safari Lodge for mid-range/Pumba Safari Cottages for budget.

Day 12: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It’s about 5-7 hours’ drive depending on which gorilla trekking sector you will be going to. If you are trekking gorillas in Buhoma or Ruhija, you will pass through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which offers the chance to spot tree-climbing lions. However, if you are trekking in Rushaga, Nyakagezi, or Nkuringo sectors, you will pass through the Ishaka district, which is a highway road that leads to Bwindi Forest. Dinner and overnight stay at Rushag Gorilla Camp/Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Bakiga Lodge/Buhoma Haven Lodge for mid-range

Day 13: Gorilla trekking experience

Early in the morning, after breakfast, connect to the park headquarters for a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority officials. Following the allocation of gorilla families, embark on the gorilla tracking experience. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and unforgettable adventure. The ranger guides will lead you into the thick forest and start your search for the endangered mountain gorillas. The activity can take 2–7 hours since the gorillas move up and down, and you will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures, who will entertain you with performances for about an hour. This is an awesome and exciting moment.  En route, there are other types of primates, such as monkeys, birds, and more. Return for dinner and overnight stay as above.

Day 14: Community tour and transfer to Kisoro/Mgahinga National Park

After breakfast, you will visit the Batwa Pygmies and participate in their cultural performances, among other activities. Later, drive to Kisoro, near the border of Uganda and Congo, with sights of the Virunga Mountains and rolling hills close to Mgahinga National Park. Dinner and overnight stay at Travellers Rest Lodge for budget/Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge for mid-range

Day 15: Golden Monkey Tracking

After breakfast, you will transfer to Mgahinga National Park for a briefing about the golden monkeys with your packed food and water. Later, enter the forest to search for the monkeys. On finding them, spend an hour viewing them while taking pictures and videos. Return for dinner and overnight at Travellers Rest Hotel/Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge as above.

Day 16: Full at Lake Bunyonyi (Zip-lining and Boat Trip)

After breakfast, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, which is one of the deepest lakes in Africa. The lake has almost 32 islands. It’s about 2 hours’ drive from Kisoro. The lake is a good stopover for relaxation for people from trekking. Upon arrival, check-in at your booked lodge, and then connect for the zip-lining experience. Sturdy ropes are connected between trees on the opposite banks of the lake. You can swing over the calm waters of the lake and even perform half somersaults to feel the breeze on your face. If you are not interested in zip-lining, you can do something else; you will be advised.

Later afternoon, after lunch, enjoy a boat trip in the lake to visit some of the islands on the lake. Each island is named according to the bird species found on the island, and some were named because of their purposes for example, the Punishment Island, which is the smallest and was used by the Bakiga people to drop their girls who got pregnant before marriage. After the boat ride, return back to the lodge for relaxation while you watch the beautiful sunset. Dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi Overland Resort for budget/Bunyonyi Eco-lodge for mid-range/Arcadia Cottages

Day 17: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe/Departure

After breakfast, start your journey back to Kampala/Entebbe, stopping for lunch along the way, at the Equator for water experiments and photos, and at the Royal Drum Village in Mpambire for souvenir shopping. It’s a 7-8 hour’ drive from Kabale to Kampala/Entebbe. The driver will either drop you off at your booked hotel in Entebbe or you will be dropped off at Entebbe airport for your flight back home.

End of 17 Days Uganda Safari Experience

17 Days Uganda Safari Experience Includes;

• Airport pick-up and drop off
• All activities indicated in the itinerary
• Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking permits
• Park entry fees and boat trip fees
• All accommodation and meals as per itinerary (en-route meals)
• 4X4 safari vehicle with popup roof and fuel
• Full-time English-speaking driver/guide
• Bottled mineral water while on safari

17 Days Uganda Safari Experience Excludes;

• Tips to drivers, hotels, and rangers
• Visa fees and air tickets
• Optional activities of your choice
• All items of personal nature like laundry, phone calls, beer, extra meals, e.t.c.
• Anything else not included in the itinerary